So hi guys here is another chapter :D Let's see what happens between Meg and Erik shall we? ;) Anyway I don't own anything in this chapter to do with Phantom or the lyrics mentioned in this chapter :) Points to anyone who can tell me where the lyrics come from and who sang the song :D I only own Charlene as she is my own character :D Anyway enough waffling on with the show! As always thank you to everyone who has been reviewing, favoriting and following me and my story it means a lot to me and it is nice to know there are people out there who enjoy my work :) As usual reviews are welcome and constructive criticism is always welcome too :) Anyways enjoy the chapter guys :D
Heartache and Pain
Chapter Twenty-One: How can you ask me to trust you again?
Erik's POV
After leaving Charlene in the care of Nadir I went straight to my office to see Meg sitting in the chair opposite my desk. However she didn't look like she was in any sort of distress so why did my boss tell me I had to come and help her right away?
"Is everything ok Meg? My boss said you were in some kind of distress." I asked gently.
"I am ok now you're here." She replied in a husky tone. But why did her voice get husky all of a sudden? But before I could even react I felt her lips on mine and her hands were aggressively roaming my body. I pushed her away and said as calmly as possible.
"I'm not interested in you. I am already in love with someone else and I care about them very much." But it was like the message didn't get across to her as she kissed me again and so yet again I pushed her away.
"Meg look; I do not love you, I love Charlene and I will not allow you to hurt her like this." I explained firmly.
"But she isn't here to see is she and she doesn't deserve you anyway." She replied in a sultry tone as she stroked my chest up and down with her index finger.
"How dare you speak about her in such a nonchalant and insensitive way!?" I yelled angrily which caused her to draw back a little and so I breathed deeply in and out a little to calm myself.
"But tell me this; why are you so against our relationship?" I asked gently.
"Because she is a disabled freak and she is already promised to another." She replied huskily as she captured my lips in another passionate kiss. But how did she know about her disability and the fact there was a man who was intent on marrying her as her father promised her to him when she was a young girl? But before I could proceed to push her off me she must have found some strength somewhere as I was suddenly pushed against the wall and before I could react she started undoing the buttons on my shirt. I somehow heard a door open and I turned around to see a shocked Charlene standing in the doorway; but before I could react she turned on her heel and ran out in tears.
Charlene's POV
It had been about a couple or so hours since Erik left to see Meg and I had a feeling something wasn't right so I grabbed my coat to proceed out of the door. But before I could even get to the door Nadir stepped in front of me and wouldn't let me pass.
"Nadir let me pass or I won't be responsible for my actions." I said slowly as I moved determinedly towards him which caused him to take a step back.
"Please Charlene just listen to me for a moment. Maybe there is some logical explanation as to why he hasn't come back yet but please don't do something you will regret. Why don't you wait a little longer and he will come back soon." He tried to explain to me gently but I just pushed past him and went out of the door.
"Please Charlene at least let me come with you! Erik would not like you walking around on your own! What were to happen if you got hurt? He would never forgive himself if you did!" I sighed angrily and let him follow close behind me. We boarded a taxi and went in the direction of Erik's office hoping my suspicions were wrong. For some reason I just had this strange feeling that something wasn't right but I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong exactly. I finally got to his office and without even looking at the receptionist I went straight in the direction of Erik's office with Nadir following close behind me. I got to his office and I could pick up two voices in there; one definitely belonged to Erik and the other must have belonged to Meg. But what was going on in there? I peeped through the keyhole and looked to see them just talking; maybe I was just overreacting when I thought something was wrong. But the next thing that happened caused my blood to run cold and I was about to burst in when I was stopped by a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"Are you ok dear? Mr Destler is in an important meeting at the moment; you'll need to wait until he is finished." The secretary explained to me gently and I backed away from her and replied seethingly.
"Important meeting indeed because by the looks of things this isn't the usual procedure that is undertaken." I then looked through the keyhole again and saw her kissing Erik; I had seen enough and before I knew it I found myself bursting through the door. But what I saw next shocked me to the core; there was Erik up against the wall with a few of his shirt buttons undone and Meg wrapped up in a passionate embrace. Without even saying a word to Erik I left out of the room in tears; I didn't even notice the bemused expression on Nadir's face as I ran past. I couldn't tell which way I was going exactly but all I did was keep on running as the tears continued to fall. How could Erik betray me like that after all that we've been through? I don't know where I ended up but I just collapsed to the ground and burst into a fresh wave of tears.
"Charlene is that you? You look a wreck...is everything alright?" I heard a voice ask and I turned around angrily but it melted away when I saw Raoul in front of me.
"I thought you were at work." I said tearfully.
"Not today; I'm spending time with Christine. But you know what women are like when it comes to shopping; they take forever. But what I'd like to know is why you are so upset for?"
"Erik betrayed me; he has fallen for another girl who is normal and not a disabled freak like me!" I yelled as I began to sob even harder than before.
"I know we are not in a relationship anymore but I would still like to consider us as friends but I don't like hearing you calling yourself such harsh names. Now what makes you think he has betrayed you?"
"I saw him kissing Meg and his shirt was open and he didn't seem to be resisting her either." I replied through choked sobs.
"I may not have known Erik for very long but I can already tell he cares about you very much. Do you think maybe he wasn't actually interested in her and that is why it looked like he didn't put up any resistance? But know this; you are a special and beautiful woman and no-one should tell you otherwise." He replied passionately and I embraced him tightly before mumbling under my breath.
"Thanks Raoul."
"Get your hands off my girlfriend!" I heard someone yell and I turned around to see Erik walking towards me determinedly.
"How can you ask me to trust you again? I saw what you were doing with Meg and so you have no right to call me that!" I yelled in reply.
"Please Charlene you have to believe me. I do not love Meg in any shape or form but she forced herself on me. But I have a feeling something isn't quite right about her but I can't put my finger on what is wrong exactly yet. I do have a feeling we will have to keep a close eye on her though." He said passionately and I saw him trying to put his arms around me. But I pushed him away and walked away from him angrily. How can I live in the same room with a man who has betrayed me so horribly? But I couldn't afford to move out of the flat as I have nowhere else to go. As I continued to walk away I bumped into someone and I said angrily.
"I will never trust you for as long as I..." But when I looked up I saw Nadir looking at me with a confused look on his face.
"Why can't you trust me anymore dear?" I winced as he used the same endearment Erik uses.
"Oh sorry Nadir I thought you was Erik; I just don't trust him anymore after what I saw in the office."
"Are you sure he betrayed you? I have known Erik for quite a while; ever since he was a young adult and he has never shown an interest in women before until you came along. And one thing I definitely know about him is when he is committed to something or in this case someone nothing can change his mind." Nadir replied but I still wasn't convinced. What were to happen if Erik had already seen Nadir and made sure Nadir tried to convince me he wasn't lying or something?
"I don't believe you! Erik set you up didn't he?!" I yelled angrily as I backed away from him.
"No Charlene he never did; I haven't even seen him since you left out of the office. In fact I had a hard time following you since you walk so fast; even when you bumped into Erik I was nowhere near you when that happened so couldn't possibly set anything up between Erik and I."
"I still don't believe you!" I seethed and with that I went back to the flat and let myself in. I then gathered what little belongings I had and left out of the flat without looking back. I just gathered some basic clothes and that was it; I never picked up any of the nicer items Erik got me as I feel like I don't deserve them. I mean he could give them to Meg when he starts dating her as I think we are similar sizes. Also anything would remind me of him too much which would break my heart; so much so I don't think I will be able to survive with too many reminders of Erik and the love that we once shared. I then left out of the flat without even looking back and I decided what to do with myself. Where could I go? I mean I had no other friends I could stay with and no relatives I could stay with. Then a thought hit me; I could stay with Christine! But where does she live? How would I find her without bumping into Erik again? But before I could think anything more on the matter I heard someone call my name and I turned around to see Raoul running towards me.
"There you are; I was worried when you ran off after you bumped into Erik. Why have you got that big bag with you?"
"I've decided to leave the flat." Was my only reply.
"Have you got a plan as to where you are going to go?" He asked and I looked down at the floor shyly before replying quietly.
"Well I was thinking of staying with Christine but since I don't know where she lives I am not sure what to do with myself at the moment."
"Well technically she is staying with me since we've started going out together but you are welcome to stay with us until you find a place to stay." He said and that caused me to smile a little.
"Won't you find it awkward having me stay in the flat with you guys?" I asked quietly.
"Not at all; the important thing is you being safe. Even though we are just friends now; if you will allow me to, I am concerned about your welfare above anything else. I just don't want to see you getting hurt or harmed in anyway." He replied gently as he went to give me a hug; however for some reason he decided against it at the last minute.
"Thank you so much. I just hope I can learn to trust again after what happened and all. And just when I thought I was making progress then this happened; maybe I am destined to be alone for the rest of my life and I just don't deserve love in my life."
"You deserve all the happiness in the world! Sometimes things happen to us for a reason; I may not know what happened to you the night you met Erik but it has made you the woman you are today." I looked at him angrily before exclaiming seethingly.
"You know nothing about what happened to me that night and I am not about to tell you what transpired that night either!" And with that I walked away from him and decided to go to the nearest hotel as I was smart enough to pick up some money before I left. After checking into my room I went straight to sleep hoping I would have a dreamless sleep but I couldn't have been more wrong. Soon enough I woke up screaming out for my mum and dad. But why am I having this nightmare now? It has been years since I last had this nightmare and now I am starting to have it again. Maybe I should have stayed with Raoul and Christine after all and they could have comforted me through my nightmare. But after what Raoul said to me I couldn't forgive him and so couldn't live under the same roof as him. But thinking back now I am missing Christine's company since she started dating Raoul as she has been spending all of her time with him and so we haven't really met up in a while. I wonder if I would be able to meet up with Christine without Raoul and find out if she could shed some light on the situation for me; to be honest I was feeling so confused right now about the whole thing and needed some advice from someone who is like an older sister to me. After changing into a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt with a light blazer on top I set out and decided to go to a bakery to get something for breakfast. As I sat in the park eating my pastry and drinking my hot chocolate I quietly contemplated about where my life will now take me since I am no longer with Erik. What will I do with myself without him there to help me? I mean I would need to get myself a job then find myself a place to live in. But how would I know how to live on my own? I don't know the first thing about living on my own as I would have been advised on this matter by my parents.
"Charlene is that you? You look sad. But why are you out here all alone?" I looked up and saw Christine looking down at me with a worried look on her face.
"Erik has betrayed me by being with another woman." I replied dazedly.
"Oh sweetheart what makes you think that?" Christine asked gently as she sat down next to me and placed a hand gently on my shoulder.
"I saw him with Meg; she was kissing him and his shirt was open and he didn't even seem to be resisting her advances." I sort of hyperventilated out.
"Ok ok calm down and talk about it again; but slower this time, I didn't catch everything you said the first time round."
"Well I went to his office as he had been a while and I saw him with Meg. She was kissing him rather passionately and his shirt was open; but it looked like he wasn't resisting her advances at all. I just can't believe he would betray me like that; I thought he cared about me and we were so happy together but now I realised he was just using me and taking advantage of my naivety and my disability." I replied and before I knew it the tears started to fall. I felt her arms embrace me and so I just let it all out and soon enough I managed to calm myself down.
"Now if there's one thing I know is that Erik would never betray anyone he cares about like that; I have known him for a very long time and although I haven't seen him in a while as I have been spending my time on other cases and with Raoul I know he would never ever betray you like that. And I have most certainly not seen Erik so he won't be able to set me up in any way at all." I looked up at him and just looked into her eyes to try and tell whether or not she was lying; but I growled in frustration when my Autism was showing through the fact I couldn't understand her facial expressions by the way her eyes looked. I guess I have always had a trouble knowing when someone is lying or how they feel as for a while I found eye contact with an individual difficult especially when they are a complete stranger. But then I realised the fact Christine would never ever lie to me and so I burst into tears again when I realised how heartbroken Erik must be right now.
"Ssssh sssh it's ok we'll get through this together. Now we just need to think of a plan."
"What kind of plan do we need to think of?" I asked quietly.
"To get you and Erik back together of course!" She replied excitedly and with that she dragged me off in a random direction to god knows where.
"Christine slow down! Where on earth are you taking me?!" I yelled as she continued to drag me excitedly in a random direction.
"Back to my place so we can sort out an outfit for you. And the handy thing is we are of similar size so it will be easy for you to pick an outfit out of my wardrobe." She replied quickly. Soon enough we got to her flat and we went straight to her room and I opened up her wardrobe and gasped at the amount of clothes in it.
"You have so many clothes! I couldn't possibly choose from all of the clothes in there!" I replied quickly.
"Don't worry I have the perfect outfit in mind." She replied and after digging her hand into her wardrobe she brought out a beautiful outfit that I wouldn't have picked out myself. It consisted of a high-low skirt in a burgundy colour with a simple white sheer blouse and a black corset over the top.
"If this outfit doesn't get you and Erik back together then I have failed as a fashion forward kind of girl." She said quirkily and with that she placed the clothes in my arms before pushing me into the bathroom to get the outfit on. I quickly got on the outfit and went out of the door to see a speechless Christine in front of me.
"You look so beautiful...oh no I am getting emotional...now let's find a way to get you two hooked up again." And I saw her pick up her phone and dial a number.
"What are you doing?!" I asked quickly.
"Getting hold of Erik to get him to come to your side like the devil is chasing him...Erik you have to come quick! Joseph is here and is threatening us! He is going to take Charlene away!" She exclaimed quickly down the phone with a hint of what I presume was panic lacing her tone.
"What did you just do?" I asked slowly.
"Only got Erik in a tizzy and got him running here to your rescue." She replied with a huge grin on her face. Just after she said that I heard a loud banging on the door and Christine went quickly to answer it. All I could do was stand there nervously as I waited for Erik to get to the room I was in. A moment later Erik came bursting into the room and I was kind of shocked at his appearance; his shirt was dishevelled and his hair was sticking out in all directions almost like he had been in the same clothes he was in yesterday and hadn't even got ready for the day at all.
"Where is he?! I'll kill that bastard if he touches you!" But soon enough he clocked on the fact that he was nowhere in sight.
"Christine will have to explain herself once I find her." He mumbled and with that he went to leave out of the door. I just stood there in shock when I realised he never commented about my appearance or anything; did he truly only care for Meg now and I was just a way to get him a pay check or something? I gave him all of my heart and he just took it like it was a possession; maybe I was wrong about his feelings for me and maybe I was just hoping for a moment that there was someone out there who truly cared about me. Without even waiting for Erik or Christine to come back I ran out of the room in tears and out of the flat without even looking back. I found myself back at my hotel room somehow and locked myself in the room.
Erik's POV
After I arrived at Christine's place I could see that Charlene was in no immediate danger and so I purposefully strode around the flat to find Christine so she can explain what is going on exactly.
"Christine would you care to explain to me why you called me over here and made me worry for Charlene's safety?" I asked slowly with a hint of anger lacing me tone.
"I saw her sitting in the park looking upset and she explained about your betrayal and so I tried to get you two back together as you make her so happy. But now I want you to explain why she saw you being kissed by Meg." She replied quickly.
"She forced herself on me; I have a feeling that there is more to Meg that meets the eye and I think I will have to keep my eyes open around her as something isn't quite right with her." And with that Christine nodded in agreement.
"Now where is Charlene now?" I asked.
"In my room. I'll show you where it is now." And with that she led me towards her room; however when we got there she was nowhere in sight.
"Where is she?" I asked and I could see a shocked expression gracing Christine's features.
"She was here a moment ago." She said quickly.
"We need to find her; who knows what she could do to herself in her current emotional state." And with that I left out of the door with Christine following close behind. But where would she go? I mean I thought she would be staying with Christine but then I quickly realised I had to think bigger now.
"Let's go back to the flat first. She might have returned there." However when I got back to the flat she was nowhere in sight and I also noticed that most of her belongings were gone. However most of the nicer pieces including the top hat I got her on our half-aversary were still neatly put away in her wardrobe. I continued to look around the flat to find any more clues as to where she might have gone and I then noticed the fact that some of my money had also vanished.
"Her belongings are gone as well as some of my money. Do you think she might be staying at a hotel nearby?" I explained quickly.
"She could be. Isn't there a hotel near here?" Christine asked matter of factly.
"There is, let's get in the car and see if she has checked in there or not. I just hope I can find her and explain the situation to her without her running off or something. I just want her to know she can always trust me and understand that I would never ever betray her like that." I replied quickly and with that we clambered quickly into the car and drove to the hotel that was only ten minutes away from the flat. We got into the hotel and I strode towards the receptionist with determination and purpose in my stride; I could tell he was intimidated by the mask almost immediately.
"Has a woman under the name Charlene checked in here recently?" I asked quickly.
"I'm sorry sir but we are not allowed to give out information to anybody. Confidentiality and all." He replied quietly and so I tried another tactic.
"We are counsellors and we believe she is in desperate need of our help. Now I'll ask again; has a woman under the name of Charlene checked into this hotel recently?"
"Yes sir; she is in room number 666." After thanking the man we went in the direction of her room hoping she was still in there so I could talk to her and explain what happened in my office that day. I got to the room and knocked gently on the door three times before waiting for her reply. However I didn't hear a reply so I placed my ear against the door and at first all I could hear was silence but then something hit my ears that tugged at my heartstrings; within the confines of the room I could hear sobbing and so I decided to try and open the door but to no avail.
"Charlene it's me Erik. Please open the door." But the only thing my pleading caused her to do was burst into more frantic sobbing.
"Christine. See if you can get into the room and maybe calm her down since I can't seem to reach her at the moment." I asked calmly and with that Christine went to the door and knocked gently three times before waiting for a reply.
"Who is it?" I just about heard through the closed door.
"It's me Christine. Will you let me in so we can talk?"
"Is Erik there with you?" I saw Christine sigh a little and then she replied.
"Yes he is here with me." The next thing she said caused my heart to break a little and it made me realise how little she probably trusts me right now after the sight she saw in my office.
"Yes you can come in as long as Erik doesn't come in with you." I saw Christine turn around and look at me for a moment before she turned back around and replied.
"Ok I'll come in alone so it will be just us talking. No-one else but us Charlene. Are you ready to let me in now?" And a moment later I heard a lock click and I saw Christine go in through the slightly opened door but I couldn't see Charlene in sight. I just hope Christine will be able to get Charlene to trust me again because otherwise all that hard work to get Charlene rehabilitated and healed after her ordeal would be all for naught. But if Charlene were to call off the relationship I wouldn't know what to do with myself or how I would react; I mean Charlene is my life and my world and without her it would be dark and silent as there would be no light and no music.
Charlene's POV
I wasn't sure how much time had passed since I had ran from Christine's place but I just lay on my bed crying my eyes out waiting for the time to pass and as time went by I just couldn't stop crying. But what interrupted my tears was a knock on the door but all I did was ignore it as I didn't want to see anyone right now especially Erik after the way he ignored me earlier. I then heard someone try to get into the room and a moment later I heard Erik's voice through the door which caused me to sob harder. There was a moments silence but then more knocking could be heard and I just continued to cry thinking it was probably Erik again. But when I heard Christine's voice behind the door I let her in as long as Erik didn't come in with her and with that I wiped my eyes and opened a door a little to let her into the room.
"My dear why are you not trusting Erik?"
"You should know why! He betrayed me with that other girl! He stolen my heart only to throw it back in my face!" I yelled in reply as the tears fell even harder.
"But Erik never betrayed you dear. She forced herself upon him. He loves only you and was very upset when you ran away. Will you let him in now so you can talk about this?" Christine replied gently and I thought long and hard for a moment. Should I trust what she says about Erik? I mean Christine and I are such firm friends she would never lie about anything at all.
"Ok I'll talk to him." I replied quietly and with that Christine got up and opened the door to let him in.
"Charlene I'm so glad you are ok!" Erik exclaimed as he ran towards me with open arms. He then embraced me tightly which I welcomed. Yet again the tears started to fall and Erik started to stroke my back gently.
"It's ok I forgive you for mistrusting me like that. But please understand I would never ever hurt you like that as my heart belongs to one woman and that is you." I looked up at him for a moment and kissed him passionately on the lips as I couldn't find the words to reply to his statement. I smiled into the kiss as he responded to it and kissed me back with renewed passion. But as soon as the kiss started it had to end so we could take a deep breath of air.
"Now why don't we spend the day together so I can make it up to you?" Erik asked gently and I laughed a little before replying quietly.
"Oh you do like to spoil me don't you? But you don't have to do anything to make it up to me at all. You being here is all that matters now."
"But I like to make sure my beautiful angel is happy." He replied and with that he suddenly picked me up and twirled me around the room causing a child-like giggle to escape my lips.
"There's that smile back that lights up my world. Have I ever told you the fact you look beautiful when you smile?"
"Many times my dear but I wouldn't have it any other way." I replied as I kissed him on the lips again. But before the kiss could progress there was a knock at the door and I was suddenly dropped to the ground as Erik went towards the door to answer it.
"Ouch give a girl some warning next time will yer?" I asked sarcastically.
"Oh sorry my dear." And before he reached the door he turned around and helped me up off the floor.
"Thanks. I bet there will be a bruise there tomorrow morning." I said quietly as I rubbed the sore area gingerly. We then went up to the door and answered it to see Christine standing there with a big smile plastered across her face.
"I take it the little talk went well between you guys?" She asked teasingly with a wink at the end of her sentence.
"Yes Christine thank you. Now if you excuse me we have a lot to catch up on. But for starters let's check you out of the hotel and get your belongings back to the flat." And with that he went back into the room and picked up what little luggage I had and led me out of the door. After checking out with the man at the reception desk we walked towards his car and Erik quickly put my belongings into the boot before promptly helping me into the car. We then drove in the direction of the flat.
"What about Christine? How will she get back home?" I asked quickly when I realised the fact she wasn't in the car with us.
"Don't worry; she can look after herself. She told me she will make her own way home so we can have some together time as boyfriend and girlfriend." He replied and I breathed a sigh of relief. At least Christine had a way of getting home as I thought for a moment we abandoned her or something. As soon as we got back to the flat we dumped my bags in my room before proceeding back into the car again.
"Where are we going Erik?" I asked excitedly.
"It's a surprise." And with that I stared out of the window watching the trees flying past my window. As the journey progressed I noticed we were getting further and further away from the city.
"Why are we driving so far?" I asked.
"Ok I'll give you a hint. We are going to spend a couple of weeks together. I've been working so much lately I've decided to take a holiday."
"We're going on holiday. Where's our luggage? I didn't notice you take any suitcases to the car." I then looked out of my window again and recognised the route we were taking; it was the same route my parents would take to go on holiday anywhere in the UK.
"Is it somewhere in the UK? This is the route my parents use to take when we go on holiday in the UK." I exclaimed excitedly.
"You are too perceptive my dear. I guess I should have known you would see right through my surprise soon enough. But we've still got a long way to go before we get to our destination so rest a while; you look tired." And with that I closed my eyes and smiled as Phantom of the Opera played over the car speakers.
I wasn't sure how many hours had gone but I looked at my surroundings and realised where we were.
"We're on our way to the Lake District aren't we? My parents took me there once when I was younger as it was the home of Beatrix Potter. I loved it so much and wished I could see Lake Windermere properly but never actually went across it."
"Clever girl. We are going there indeed. I'll make sure to fit in at least one sailing trip across Lake Windermere for you my dear."
"I'd like that a lot." And with that I looked out of the window as the familiar scenery of the Lake District came into view. A child-like giggle escaped my lips as a rabbit ran past the back of the vehicle.
"Ooooh look it's Peter!" I yelled excitedly.
"Did you see Peter Rabbit my dear? Was Benjamin with him?" Erik asked as he kept driving to our destination.
"No he wasn't. It was just Peter. I wonder where Benjamin got to?" And I started jumping up and down in my seat when I saw a hotel come into view.
"Is this where we are staying Erik?" And my question was confirmed when we pulled into a parking space around the back of the hotel.
"Wow this place is so beautiful." I breathed as I stepped out of the car and looked at the hotel in awe.
"Only the best for my angel." And I turned around to see Erik coming up behind me with two small suitcases in his hand.
"When did you pack those? We were apart at one point so you mustn't have had a lot of time to organise this holiday."
"I did it whilst I was looking for you as I thought there might be a chance that you still loved me; and I was right to book this holiday for the two of us." He then led me inside the hotel and we went to the reception desk where we got the key to our room. As soon as we placed our suitcases down I tried to stifle a yawn.
"I think it's time to go to bed." And I gave a pout whilst crossing my arms and I whined a little.
"But I'm not tired." But yet again I yawned a little and before I knew it Erik placed my pyjamas in my arms and gently led me in the direction of the bathroom.
"I'll join you in bed in a minute dear." And as soon as I was ready and my head touched the pillow I fell into a dreamless sleep.
Erik's POV
It was the middle of the night and I still found myself unable to sleep; for some reason I had the urge to compose. However I didn't want to disturb Charlene by playing my violin so instead I grabbed hold of some staff paper to write down the notes flowing through my mind. As I wrote the notes down I snuck a peek at Charlene and smiled a little at how peaceful she looked whilst sleeping. I was glad she wasn't haunted by nightmares; I feel that a wonderful girl like Charlene shouldn't be haunted by nightmares like she has been recently. As I finished writing down the last notes of my song I felt her stir next to me and I looked towards the window to see the sun peeking gently through the curtains.
"Morning dear how did you sleep?" I asked as I stroked her hair gently.
"Good thanks since you were there beside me." And she snuggled up closer to my chest and I enveloped her gently in my arms.
"What would you like to do today? We are here for two weeks after all; is there anywhere in particular you would like to visit?"
"I would definitely like to visit Hill Top Farm where Beatrix Potter wrote her books as well as Lake Windermere and Derwentwater where we can see red squirrels; I would love to find Squirrel Nutkin at Derwentwater."
"Ok that is what we will do today then. We will visit all of these places and definitely try to find Squirrel Nutkin." And so I found my comfiest jeans and t-shirt and added a jacket on top as it was chilly outside before pulling out my trainers as we would do a lot of walking today.
"I packed some sensible shoes and clothes for you to wear too in case we planned any long walks on a particular day." I explained and with that I pulled out her outfit and handed it to her; I watched as she went into the bathroom with her clothes in her arms and so I changed quickly into my clothes. She came out ten minutes later and so I quickly washed too before proceeding out of the door to get breakfast.
"I know this wonderful cafe nearby where they do the most delectable pastries." I explained and with that I helped her into the car before proceeding to the cafe nearby. We were quickly seated at a table and so we perused the menu to decide what we wanted to order. We soon decided what we wanted to order and so after telling the waiter what we wanted I looked across at Charlene to see her staring out of the window with a child-like innocence gracing her features.
"What has got you so happy dear?" I asked gently.
"Just being in such a beautiful place with you is making me feel so happy. I'm sorry about not trusting you before after seeing you in the office with Meg. Promise me we will talk about things together and never hide anything from each other ever again."
"I promise and I forgive you for not trusting me before." And with that I looked up and saw the waiter coming over with our pastries so I stroked her knuckles a little before promptly removing my hands when he came to our table. We tucked into our pastries and drank our hot chocolates in quiet contemplation. As soon as we finished I paid the bill and we went back to the car to drive to Hill Top Farm. As we walked around I watched as she ran to every part of the farm to see the sights of the attraction. I then remembered the phone I got her when she went out in town before the whole Meg incident occurred. I got it out of my pocket and went up to an excited Charlene.
"The phone I bought you has a camera if you would like to take some photos of our day here." I then passed the phone over to her and proceeded to show her how to use the camera.
"You bought me an iPhone 3! But they are so expensive; I'd be afraid to even drop it." She exclaimed excitedly. Soon enough she was going around and taking lots of photos of the scenery; she especially took lots of photos of us together in front of lots of different areas of Hill Top Farm. After seeing the whole of Hill Top we went in the direction of Lake Windermere where I had a surprise waiting for Charlene once we arrived at our destination...