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"What is it that you want to tell me... you can tell me..." Charles said when he was done talking... Gina opened her mouth to talk, but no words came out... How was she going to tell him about her troubled situation and how she might get engaged to someone else... "Are you perhaps in a relationship with someone?" Charles asked when a few seconds had gone by, and she didn't say anything... He then remembered that he never asked her if she was single and just automatically assumed she was... He wanted her to say no... "No, I'm not," Gina answered. She wasn't exactly in a relationship with anyone... she was just crossed between doing what her father wanted, which was getting engaged... "It's nothing serious, never mind." She decided not to say anything... even though she felt anxious and a bit guilty... All she had to do was cancel the date with Caroline's son, then maybe she would feel less guilty... then what about her father who thought she was with Alex... that was another case... She would deal with that late... " Gina," Charles called out to Gina softly when her mind began to trail off because of the thoughts that kept popping up in her mind... "I should get going, I need to get back to work," Gina said, even though she didn't want to leave... leaving always made her face her harsh reality, and anytime she was with him, it felt like an escape to her... "I should drop you off," Charles said, but Gina stopped him.. "I came here with my car, you don't have to," She said, and Charles sighed deeply... he didn't want her to go just yet... he wanted to spend more time with her... he wanted to go on dates with her and do everything with her, but he knew with Gina he had to follow the pace she wanted to take with him... he wasn't going to pressure her to do anything or urge her... Charles finally released her from his arms when she ready to leave... "Gina" He called her name softly again when she turned to leave and Gina turned to look at him... "You have no idea how happy I am right now" Charles said in a low voice and walked up to her... he gave her a warm hug and planted a soft kiss on a lips and Gina couldn't hold back a smile... She was feeling all giddy in a really good way... she felt like she was a teenager again with a crush but this time it wasn't just a crush... _____________________ ______________________ Charles arrived home that later that day with a smile on his face... as he walked to the front door of his house, his smile, however, dwindled when he realised that his mother could be home... he wanted to avoid any conversation that would ruin his mood... But that seemed to be farfetched because as soon as he entered the house and was about to walk past the living room and straight upstairs to his bedroom, Caroline who was seated in the living room and waiting for him stopped him in his tracks... "You are home late today," She said in a low voice, and Charles sighed... "Yes, I had a lot of work today..." He answered and wanted to continue walking, but she stopped him again with her words... "I arrange a date for you this Saturday, clear your schedule on that day," Caroline said to her son, causing him to stop in his tracks... he turned to look at his mother, who had gone back to reading the book in her hand... "Mom!" Charles said in a raised voice, and Caroline closed the book in her hand roughly... she stood up and sighed deeply... "Why are you acting out now, Charles... you have been so good. Why are you acting out at such a crucial time for both of us... do you have any idea what is at stake!" Caroline yelled at her son, her face flushed with anger... Charles almost face palmed himself, he sighed deeply and ran his hand through his hair... "I don't want to be a part of this mom... why do I have to do this," Charles retorted, and Caroline scoffed. she took a step closer to her son and said in a harsh voice, "Do you want to spend the rest of your life being second to Alex?" "What?" Charlie said to his mother, his eyes filled with disbelief that she could say those words to him without batting an eye... "Everyone else thinks you are.... do you know how that makes me feel... do you know how hard I'm working for this to go through for you... why are you trying to ruin all my hard work? " "I didn't ask for you to work so hard for me, mom...I never wanted any of this..." Charles responded in a low voice... The happiness he had felt on his way back home had slowly started to dissipate... "I'm trying my best to keep everything going, mom... I'm trying my best for you, for us... can't you just be satisfied with it... why must you want me to be better than Alex... shouldn't what I want matter to you more, or" Charles said to his mother, looking visibly hurt by his mother's words and Caroline felt hurt too when she saw the look in her son's eyes... How could Michelle be so cold-hearted all these years... "Darling, this will all be worth it at the end of everything I promise you, please listen to me I beg you" Caroline pleaded With Charles, her eyes watering up even though she knew that was what Charles hated the most... to see tears in her eyes... "I'm going up to my room..." Charles said and left her alone in the living room... Caroline sat back down on the couch and wiped away the tears in her eyes... she couldn't waver when she knew her son was going to succeed at the end of everything... Even though he was unhappy with her plans knew, she knew he would be the happiest later on... _________________ ____________