CHAPTER 12

Engfa was walking with her parents, looking at the shops in the mall. Since today is the weekend, Engfa decided to invite her parents to go shopping after not spending time with them for a long time. Plus, many projects are nearing completion so she takes this opportunity to spend time with them. It happened that her mother also wanted to go shopping to buy jewelry for herself.

Usually on weekends, Engfa spends a lot of time at home, completing delayed works or visiting sites outside the district and because of that, her parents often scolded her for spending most of her time to works only. After all, Engfa is now 28 years old so it's time for her to think about her personal relationship. She needs to find a partner and that's what her parents often insist on which causes her a bit of stress.

While they were walking, someone gently touched her father's shoulder.

" Mr War ? "

The three of them looked back when their father's name was called. Engfa was surprised for a moment when she saw Mr Aus standing behind them.

" Hey Mr Aus ! how are you ? I didn't think we could meet here "

" I'm fine, how are you ? "

Her father and Mr Aus hugged each other. Each of them asked how they were doing. Engfa's eyes looked around trying to find a glimpse of Charlotte. She had been trying to distance herself from this woman for almost two weeks after their first site visit in Brooklyn. She hoped that Charlotte was not there at all but her suspicions were wrong when Charlotte appeared with her mother who had just left the Gucci boutique.

Charlotte, who was laughing with her mother, froze there for a moment, surprised to see Engfa who was with her father. The woman managed to look at her, giving a smile that Charlotte wasn't sure if it was sincere or not.

" Charlotte, come here. I don't think you've met Mr War yet, let me introduce you. This is Mr War and this is his wife, Mrs Emma. And I think you've met Engfa, right ? Mr War, this is my daughter, Charlotte "

" Hi Mr War, Mrs Emma, ​​​​​​​​I'm Charlotte, nice to meet you "

Engfa saw Charlotte's slightly awkward antics, maybe she didn't think they would introduce their family like this.

" And hi Engfa, long time no see, how are you ? "

" Oh hi Charlotte, I'm fine. Thank you "

" Good, I'm glad we both met here "

Engfa could sense that Charlotte was unhappy with her based on the sharp glances that she gave. But she tries to think positively. After all, why should Charlotte feel that way when nothing happened between them.

" Hmm we all meet here, so why not have lunch together ? "

Mr Aus suggested to Engfa's family but before Engfa wanted to tell his parents to reject the invitation, his father quickly responded.

" Oh sure, after all we just finished shopping, so there's no problem if we want to have lunch together "

" Okay, if that's the case, we'll eat there "

" Let's go "

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-

Charlotte still gave a displeased look to Engfa who was sitting in front of her. Engfa tried her best to avoid the stare by turning her gaze towards their parents who were chatting. She also didn't even want to try to talk or ask the woman anything and this made Charlotte feel a pang in her chest.

" Oh Charlotte, I'm sorry to ask you. How have you been dealing with Engfa so far ? Are there any problems ? "

Engfa who was sipping water almost sputtered when her father suddenly asked the question. She quickly looked at Charlotte waiting for what this woman might say.

" Hmm, so far it was good, Mr War. Engfa is very professional, easy to talk to. And I can't wait to see how it turns out "

Everyone just nodded, satisfied with the statement. Engfa breathed a sigh of relief.

" And how about you Engfa ? Does Charlotte complain a lot ? "

Mr Aus asked, causing the woman to give her father a displeased look, making the others laugh at her antics.

" Hmm everything was okay Mr Aus, well I think Charlotte is one of the clients who doesn't complain much, it's easy to handle. I hope Charlotte is satisfied with the results of my team's work "

Mr Aus and the others smiled in satisfaction before each went back to talking about other topics. Charlotte who felt she needed to speak alone with Engfa began to said,

" Sorry, can I ask Engfa to accompany me for a moment, I need to buy something. Let's go Engfa ? "

" Huh ? oh okay, sure "

Engfa who still suprised with Charlotte's action, just agreed. She didn't want both of their families to notice their discomfort.

-

-

The two of them just walked aimlessly, there was no conversation between them. Charlotte who was still angry tried to control her emotions. Engfa still was not sure what Charlotte's real purpose was, tried to glance at her.

Thinking that they were just walking around in this mall without any direction, Engfa finally decided to stop her steps, her hand gently gripping Charlotte's arm.

" Hey Charlotte, where exactly are we going ? Didn't you say you wanted to buy something ? "

Charlotte finally looked at the woman's face who was trying to hold back her anger. Engfa is getting confused.

" Why Charlotte ? Did I do something wrong ? "

Engfa asked again causing Charlotte's tears to almost flow.

" Hey Char, are you crying ? what happened ? Please tell me..... "

Engfa who didn't want people around to look at the two of them quickly pulled the woman's hand into the elevator. She pressed the button for the highest floor, the least crowded floor. Once they reached the floor, Engfa pulled Charlotte out of the elevator. Her eyes managed to look around to make sure no one was passing by. Her gaze then shifted towards Charlotte who was still silent.

" Char.... please, please say something. You can't keep quiet like this, I won't know what's wrong with you if you still like this, hey...... "

Engfa asked softly. Her voice pleaded. Charlotte took a deep breath before finally answering.

" Why are you trying to stay away from me, Engfa ? Why ? "

Charlotte asked, Engfa in front of her was a little surprised by the question. She hadn't expected what she had done, making Charlotte feel bad.

" Charlotte, I'm not avoiding it, I'm just busy with work "

" Then why didn't you call me ? Why did you have to tell Nudee to deal with me ? Why Engfa ?! "

Charlotte's voice was quite high, slowly Engfa approached the woman trying to calm her down.

" Charlotte.. I already said, I'm busy with work, if I'm not busy, I won't ask Nudee to deal with you, I hope you understand "

Charlotte closed her distance with Engfa, their faces almost touching. Engfa quickly turned her gaze away.

" Engfa, look at me ! I know you're trying to avoid me, why do you still want to deny this thing again huh ? you're avoiding me because of Mew right ? Answer me Engfa ?! "

Charlotte asked again, her tone continued to rise making Engfa flinch.

" Char, what are you talking about ?! what's wrong with Mew ? I'm just doing it professionally and I don't think what I'm trying to do is wrong "

" No Engfa ! It's still wrong because you ignored me ! You ignored me, Engfa ! "

Charlotte replied with a disappointed tone. Engfa who felt that she had hurt this woman slowly looked at the face of her ex-lover, her hand began to hold Charlotte's hand.

" Char... what else do you want me to do ? You and I are not like before anymore. You have moved on, I have also moved on. You already chosen this path so you can't expect me to treat you like nothing happened between the two of us "

Engfa's tears finally flowed, she thought she could stop the tears from flowing but she failed. Charlotte loosened their grip, both hands wiping away the woman's tears before gently cupping her face.

" I know Engfa, but can't we be friends again ? If it's true that you've moved on, this shouldn't be a problem between us, Engfa "

Engfa just kept quiet, she didn't want Charlotte to know that she still hadn't really moved on from their relationship. What she had to do ? If Charlotte was always with her, this would definitely make it difficult for her to forget her. She sighed in frustration.

" Engfa....... ? "

" Hmm okay Char, I won't do it again, I'm sorry, we'll deal together, I promise "

Engfa finally decided.

They both looked at each other before finally they both hugged. Charlotte closed her eyes as she let herself drift in the warmth of Engfa's embrace and then slowly she whispered in Engfa's ear.

" Engfa..... I miss you so much, I know I hurt you a lot but I want you to know that I miss you so much. Forgive me for everything "

Engfa did not say anything but whispered in her heart,

" I miss you too Char, I miss you so much "