Charlotte's POV

I looked at him, my mouth agape. Two days ago he declared his love to me, now he wanted to end our game. He was a hypocrite. I clenched my fist on my thigh angrily, trying to hide my anger.

Calm down, Charlotte!

Even if killing him is tempting right now, getting into jail because of him... No, he isn't worth it.

"Why? Nothing happened that day." I said nonchalantly.

Alex's expression hardened. "Yeah, you are right. Nothing special happened that day." He said mockingly, trying to hide the sadness in his eyes.

"If you don't have anything more to say, I will go to my office. I have to make an important call." I stated dryly. He shook his head without looking at me. "Don't worry. I always keep my word." I added confidently as I stood up. "See you home." Without waiting for him to say anything, I left the conference room.

***

When I woke up, the other side of the bed was empty. I frowned in annoyance and sat up on the bed. Alex kept avoiding me even after our conversation in the conference room two weeks ago. However, I wasn't sure if it was better or not because when he didn't avoid me, he was so grumpy and annoying, making me want to strangle him.

After changing my clothes, I went to the living room. It was Saturday today. So Alex was probably having breakfast. On the weekends, he didn't go to the agency, and I didn't have a photoshoot. So we were going to try not to strangle each other today.

Fortunately, there was an opening of my brother and Nathan's restaurant this evening. Alex and I planned to attend the opening together, but after his confession, I didn't know it was a good idea. Besides, I didn't know if Alex changed his mind about it or not. Moreover, thinking Alexis and Nathan in the same place scared me. I hoped this evening went smoothly. On the other hand, I wasn't sure if I was ready to see Nathan and Victoria together.

Would Nathan bring Victoria with himself to announce everyone that they were together? Thinking about it made me uneasy.

I breathed deeply and greeted Alexis. He greeted me back with a nod, continuing eating. I gritted my teeth, annoyed by his cold attitude, and sat down on the chair, cursing at him with my inner voice.

We were having breakfast without talking or looking at each other. It irritated me deeply, but I tried to hold my anger as much as possible.

"This evening is the opening. Will you come?" I asked, breaking this annoyed silence.

"Yes." He replied dryly without looking at me.

"Good. My photoshoot was canceled. I don't have other plans. So we can go together." I commented, giving him a warm smile.

"I have a few meetings today. I will leave as soon as I finish my breakfast. I will go straight to the restaurant." He informed dryly, looking at me with a stoic expression.

I pursed my lips together and nodded. "Fine." I muttered coldly as I stood up and went to the bedroom without finishing my breakfast because I suddenly lost my appetite.

As soon as I walked into the bedroom, I slammed the door behind me and started pacing back and forth angrily, ruffling my hair.

He has meetings... On the weekend...

Who do you fool?!

You never schedule meetings on weekends.

If you don't want to stay alone with me, it is fine for me too. I don't want to see your grumpy face all day long.

***

I was talking to Sienna while waiting for Alexis to arrive. I sighed, ruffling my hair, and checked the time. Why didn't Alex come? Did he change his mind?

"Are you okay? You look weird. Is it because of Nathan or Alex?" Sienna asked curiously.

I bit my lower lip and looked at Nathan. He was talking to Adam while resting his hand on Victoria's back. He hadn't left her side for a second since they arrived. They looked so close, and the glances they gave each other... You had to be stupid not to see they were in love.

I heaved a loud sigh as I turned my gaze from them to Sienna. "Alex... He had to be here a long time ago." I replied sadly. "Maybe he won't come. He has been acting cold towards me." I nibbled my lower lip nervously.

"Don't worry. If he promised, he would come." She gave me a reassuring smile, caressing my arm. I nodded, exhaling loudly.

A few minutes later, I saw Alexis walking into the restaurant. My heart instantly started pounding. Once our eyes met, I lost myself in his mesmerizing eyes.

After looking at each other for a few minutes, he averted his gaze and walked towards Troy and Romeo. I gritted my teeth in annoyance and ruffled my hair angrily. He didn't even greet me. Jerk!

I frowned in annoyance as Alex hadn't approached me yet. It had been an hour since he arrived.

When our eyes met again, he averted his gaze and told Troy something, ignoring me. I clenched my fist and went to the restroom. I had to stay alone for a while.

When I was about to leave the restroom, I heard loud noises and panicked voices coming from the restaurant. I rushed out of the restroom, going back worriedly.

My eyes widened in fear as I saw five armed men inside the restaurant. One of them pointed a gun at Nathan. Meanwhile, Nathan was shielding Victoria with his body while talking to the man, trying to convince him. From their exchange, I understood they were after Nathan.

Romeo pushed Sienna behind him without releasing her hand. Meanwhile, Sienna was grabbing his arm in fear. I searched for Alex in panic as I couldn't see him beside them.

A tight knot formed in my throat, and a chill went through me when I saw that one of the men pointed a gun at Alexis.

Suddenly, three men attacked the armed men, trying to grab their guns. The restaurant filled with screams when we heard gunshots, and the people ran to different directions in fear and panic while shouting, crying.

"Alex!" I shouted anxiously, looking around to find Alexis in the crowd while shivering in fear.

"Lottie, come with me!" Romeo exclaimed anxiously and grabbed my wrist, pulling me towards the exit while holding Sienna's hand tightly with his other hand.

"No, I have to find Alex." I protested, trying to pull my arm back while crying.

"He is probably outside. Come on!" Romeo stated in a bossy tone without releasing my wrist and dragged me with him.

There were a lot of scared people outside, crying, hugging each other. I saw Nathan holding Victoria in his arms protectively while she was crying, grabbing his shirt tightly. Meanwhile, Romeo was hugging Sienna and me, trying to calm us down.

I turned my gaze from them and continued looking for Alexis as I pulled back, but he was nowhere seen. There were some people leaving the restaurant in panic, but Alex wasn't among them. 

"Alex!" I shouted in despair, crying. "Romeo, Alex is inside. Something happened to him." I grabbed my brother's arm without knowing what to do while tears were running down my cheeks nonstop.

"Calm down, Lottie." He hugged him and stroked my hair to smooth me while calling the security. I gripped his collar, crying while he asked them if they managed to disarm the men. He replied that they caught three of them.

I pulled back and wanted to go inside, but Romeo grabbed my arm, stopping me. "Where are you going?! It is dangerous." He gave me a worried look.

"I have to help him." I sobbed.

"No, Lottie. I won't let you go there. Don't worry, the bodyguards will help him. And the police is about to arrive."

Suddenly, we heard police sirens. Romeo and Nathan walked towards the police. Nathan looked frustrated, his body tense.

My chest tightened with fear when we heard another gunshot. The police rushed inside. It felt like I was about to collapse. There was a bad feeling in my heart.

Using the opportunity that Sienna was busy talking to Troy and Rose anxiously, I rushed into the restaurant behind the police.

"Charlotte! Where the fuck are you going?! Come back!" Romeo demanded worriedly, but I ignored him. Now I was just thinking about Alex. I didn't know what I would do if something happened to him.

Sweat trickled down my spine as I saw the wounded people lying on the ground; maybe, some of them had even died. A wave of nausea flooded over me.

I looked around in fear, searching for my Greek boy in despair. Meanwhile, the police arrested the other two armed men and dragged them out of the restaurant.

"Alex..." I mumbled, shocked as I saw Alexis lying on the ground in blood, unconscious.