Foreign

Chapter 52

After some more cuddling, Josh leaves my room so I can get ready for dinner. I decide not to make a big effort. Just to proof that I'm loyal to Josh. At least we're having dinner in town so Josh won't have to face us. My phone rings and I see it's Jack.

"Hi, Charlotte!" Jack says as soon as I pick up. "Problem, I just called the restaurant in town and they're closed tonight. I called the Italian restaurant and they're full. Is there any chance that we can eat at the estate?"

"Oh, I'm sure it'll be fine. I'll call to the reception and I'll text you!"

Damn it, the universe is mocking me! I call the reception and make the reservation. I text both Hero and Jack. Hero doesn't reply but Jack replies instantly. I call Josh. I don't want him to find out tonight. He's not thrilled when I tell him but he admits that he's a bit happy that he can see us now. Maybe it's a good thing. Maybe he'll see that there is nothing to worry about. He has made dinner plans with Diego, Isabella and Brody so luckily he won't be eating alone. I'm so stressed out about this dinner that I decide to take a hot shower. Maybe the hot water will loosen the muscles in my neck and back. So, Hero and I need to keep up appearances in front of Lizzie and Jack but not too much because his girlfriend and my boyfriend will go mental if we do. Oh how fun tonight will be!

I dry my hair and look in the mirror. Hmm, maybe I shouldn't wear make-up. Just to show Josh that I didn't make an effort to look nice. I just put on some mascara to make my eyes look brighter and that's it. Clothes are more difficult. I can't walk in wearing sneakers for dinner but I also don't want to wear a dress. I settle for a nice, black jeans and a red jumper. My high, red heels make the look more classy and stylish. God, I can't wait to get out of this place. This is exhausting!

I'm the first one to arrive in the lounge and I order a drink to calm my nerves. Tomorrow I'm expected on set and Hero will spend the day with Jack and Lizzie. I won't have to see him and I can spend the entire day with Josh. Hero walks in just as I take a sip of my red wine.

"Hello," he grunts and he sits down.

He orders a drink and just sits across from me in silence. The tension between us must be clear to everyone in the room. The change when Lizzie and Jack arrive is remarkable. Suddenly he's all smiles and charm. He jumps up and offers Lizzie a chair.

"You're looking radiant tonight, Miss," he jokingly says. It makes Lizzie laugh and that's all that matters now.

After we have a drink at the bar, we go to the restaurant. Hero is so bubbly and it's hard not to let his good mood affect me. I'll worry about his mood swings later. Tonight is about Jack and Lizzie. And I must admit, it does feel good to just laugh like we used to.

"Sorry, I need to be excused for a second," Lizzie says. "I need to pee all the time!" She sighs and rolls her eyes.

"God, you remember when we went to clubs last year?" Jack starts. "Charlotte needed to pee all the time too!"

"Yeah, no wonder you're great at drinking! It leaves your body instantly!" Hero jokes. We all laugh.

*M E L A N Y*

I'm standing next to the restaurant entrance when I hear Hero laughing. I look inside and there they are, the stupid gang back together, laughing and having a good time. I snap my mouth shut. I hated them last year and I hate them now. I don't even know why he's friends with these people. They're nobody and he's a goddamn Rockstar! I didn't understand why he was hanging out with nerds but I assumed it was just a phase. Why are they still friends?! How could they ask Hero to be godparents?! It's just one of their little tricks to get Hero and Charlotte back together and from the looks of it, it's working. I haven't seen Hero this happy in a long, long time. He's smiling, telling jokes and he just looks worry-free. I haven't seen that smile in ages.

"You know, you'll never get between those two," a voice behind me says. "You might think you have but look at them, they're made for each other."

I turn around and I see Lizzie standing behind me. Great. She may look sweet and innocent but I know better.

"I think you missed something, dear," I say in a sweet voice. "I won. He's mine."

"Oh, get over yourself and grow up," Lizzie says.

Before I can reply she walks away. Aaargh! I hate when people say something like that and just leave before I can make a bitchy comment back. I won. End of story. Stupid cow. The anger inside me is building. I need to make someone else feel bad too. Luckily, Josh just walks in my direction. He stops and stares at the table of four too. I can tell he's not happy.

"Trust me, Joshy," I say. "You don't want to end up between those two. You'll never win. Look at them. Lizzie and Jack are trying so hard to get them back together and Charlotte will always go back to Hero, no matter what. How sad to want someone who's expecting a child with someone else."

There, he's feeling awful too. I walk back to my room smiling. Oh, I hope Josh yells at her. I want perfect, little Charlotte to feel miserable.