A few hours later!!
“Alright my princesses! I have to leave now.” Oliver said, checking the time. He went into his room and came later, wearing formal clothes. Before leaving, he hugged Charlotte first and kissed her and then Caroline. “Take care of every other. Bye.”
“Bye, dad.”
“Bye, Uncle.”
Once Oliver left, Charlotte looked at her cousin before speaking, “Do you want to eat something tasty?”
“Yes! Definitely, and I would like to learn it as well so that I can cook the same for him.” Caroline replied.
“Ahem! Ahem! HIM. Are you not going to take my brother-in-law’s name?” She teased.
“It’s not like that,” Caroline muttered, throwing a cushion at her.
*
Otherside!!
‘I can smell the faint fragrance of our mate from Mr. Weasley’s clothes.’ Bolt muttered when they hugged each other.
‘You’re overthinking. It might belong to his daughter.’ Artemis reasoned out.
‘Nope. My nose clearly remembers the fragrance of Ms. Weasley from yesterday.’ Bolt argued.
‘Bolt, what do you want to say? That we should doubt out, mate? Hmm. See, we know from the beginning that she is hiding something from us, but we chose to take a risk instead of letting her go. Then why are you trying to give me a hint because of which I will start doubting my own mate? See Bolt. In any relationship, there is either love or doubt, and they can’t stay together. When there is love, then there is pure love, and there is no place for doubt.’ Hearing Bolt shut his mouth. He really needed to stop thinking about Caroline’s lies. He knew Artemis was right about love and doubt. He couldn’t think stupid things just because tiny little lie. Caroline had never lied to them until now, and this lie wasn’t that big, right?
All both Artemis and Bolt could hope about hearing the truth from Caroline’s mouth someday.
“So, what did your mate say about tomorrow’s lunch?” Oliver asked.
“She said yes. So, we will be joining you and Ms. Weasley at your restaurant tomorrow for sure.”
*
“Is something disturbing you?” Caroline said when she sensed that something was off about Artemis. When everything was going great, then why did he look happy?
“No. Nothing.” Artemis lied because little did he know that Shaba was already on the surface, and she sensed that he was lying.
“Tell me, mate. I can sense your feeling but can’t hear thoughts because you’re not thinking anything.” Shaba asked, cupping his face. “We don’t like you in this state.” She added.
“I don’t want to talk about anything that will make you feel uncomfortable.”
“Nothing can make me uncomfortable than the fact that you’re disturbed. Tell me, now.” Shaba asked and started kissing Artemis's jawlines.
Artemis smiled at her words and pulled her closer before speaking, “I love you, Shaba & Sarah.”
Shaba stopped kissing and looked into his eyes. “Same here. I fell in love at first sight.”
"Hope you hear something like that from your human as well," Artemis said sadly.
“Don’t be sad. Your wait is going to end soon.” Shaba admitted in excitement.
“Really?”
“Oops!! I shouldn’t have said that.” Shaba muttered, looking everywhere.
“Tell me, what do you know?”
“She knows nothing.” Caroline quickly said, taking control of her body. “Now tell me, what are you lying about being alright?” She asked, wrapping her hand around his neck.
“Nothing. A part of me WAS upset because you lied to us about being here. And then another part of me WAS wondering, ‘did you meet Mr. Weasley & Ms. Weasley today?’” Artemis said, stressing the word ‘WAS’ a little. A moment before, when he opened the laundry basket to throw his dirty clothes, he found the clothes that Caroline had worn today in it. He couldn’t help but grab it to smell the scent of her clothes. It contained various types of smell, like her deodorant, food, shower gel, and liquid detergent, and finally, he sensed a slight smell of both Mr. Weasley and Ms. Weasley.
He got confirmed that she had met them for sure.
But why?
He couldn’t find the real reason behind it. Caroline was taken aback after hearing Artemis’s words. But she also knew that lying was not a good thing in any relationship, at least not when you’re lying for a good reason.
“So, you know that I was not here?” Caroline asked in a low tone.
“Yes! I was in the room when you told me that you were getting bored in the room. I came here to check on you because I left for work when you were still sleeping.” Artemis said.
‘I just hope that she won’t give another excuse or lie to us again.’ Bolt muttered, and even Caroline heard it loud and clear.
‘Wow, just wow, Caroline! The day you realize that you’re in love with your mate is also the day you lied to him and gave him a reason to doubt you. Great!!’
“I’m sorry, Artemis. I shouldn’t have lied to you.” Caroline admitted. “I mean… I know even a small lie can create a lot of problems. I know most of the efforts are being made by you in this relationship, and trust me, I appreciate that and…, and I’m not with you to leave you. I also understand if you’re upset with me about this incident and you can scold or fight with me; you have that right, okay? I made a mistake by lying to you.”
.
#TBC
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A/N: I have a habit of writing at least 2-3 chapters at least daily, whether I post or not. And whenever I post, one can get a notification by checking my IG story 'Sprachi12'.