Chapter 36
Tamara glanced at Harlan with a hurt expression. “Harlan, you’re not buying me a place in this apartment just because of Charlene, are you?”
I was kinda taken aback by that.
But Harlan didn’t even flinch. “It’s just a coincidence there’s a vacant unit for sale here. For Charlene? She doesn’t deserve it.”
Tamara let out a sigh of relief, hugged Harlan’s arm, and smiled at me. “So that’s it. I misunderstood Harlan. This is great. I’ll be able to go to the office with Charlene together from now on.”
I shifted my gaze to Harlan. He looked pretty open and honest like he was telling the truth.
Ivan walked over and greeted Harlan with a smile. “Hey, bro.”
At that, Harlan’s face darkened a bit. “What are you doing here?”
Ivan glanced at me, his expression kind of affectionate. “I just had dinner with Charlene, so I’m dropping her off.”
That sounded a little too cozy. Tamara’s face lit up with a smile, and she said with a knowing look, “Charlene, is this your boyfriend?”
That line sounded familiar.
I remembered Tamara asking the same thing when I ran into Ashton last time.
But Harlan and Ashton were totally different. I didn’t want to get mixed up with Harlan.
For a guy going after a girl, even a hint of her softening up made him think he had a shot.
I glanced up at Tamara and said coolly, “In your eyes, everyone’s my boyfriend?”
Tamara’s face went pale, and she stammered, “No, I didn’t mean that. I was just asking.”
Harlan seemed to be in a good mood and whispered to Tamara, “Let’s go. We should get something to eat.”
Tamara nodded and linked her arm with Harlan’s, and they walked out.
As soon as they were out of sight, Harlan looked back at me and said lightly, “Tamara’s a nice girl. Since she wants to go with you, you can ride with me tomorrow.”
He didn’t wait for my answer and just walked away.
I didn’t say anything either. I just turned to thank Ivan.
Ivan looked a little down and said, “No problem. Let me take you upstairs.”
I felt a pang of unease. Letting someone I’d only met a few times into my home wasn’t a great idea.
I said calmly, “No need. I can manage.”
“You might have trouble on your own,” Ivan said, kind of like he was worried.
I frowned. He seemed to sense my discomfort and quickly added, “I didn’t mean anything by it. Don’t get me wrong. Can you really manage?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I can.
He finally nodded back. “Alright, I’ll hit the road then.”
I waited until his car disappeared from sight before I went upstairs.
As soon as I got home, I took out my phone, hoping to see if my so–called mom had replied to my message.
But I knew I’d be disappointed.
After a long silence, I decided to call her.
The call was answered quickly. “Hello? Who is this?” she said.
Hearing her familiar voice, I was momentarily dazed. It had been five years since I last heard her voice.
I quickly snapped out of it and said, “It’s Charlene.”
There was a pause on the other end. “What do you want?” she asked.
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23
Chapter 36
I clenched my fingers, my palms sweaty. “Shane’s sick…”
Before I could finish, she said sharply, “I don’t have money! Charlene, even though I remarried a wealthy man, you know my husband is not exactly thrilled about me. If I give you guys money, what do you think that’ll do to me?”
My heart turned cold, and any remaining warmth I felt for her just vanished.
