CHAPTER 15

On Sunday night, Engfa together with Apo, Nudee and Chompu gathered at a club in the capital of New York to celebrate Engfa's success who had just managed to get a new project. The four of them sat at the VVIP table that had been reserved for Engfa since she had become a regular customer at that club. Despite her success, Engfa did not plan to drink much because she was driving her own car tonight while Chompu, Nude and Apo come together.

Over dinner and drinks, the conversation flowed effortlessly. Ranging from lighthearted banter to deeper reflections on life and love. Nudee and Chompu both shared stories of their own relationship. Their eyes alight with affection as they talked about their partner. Engfa just listened while Apo who was sipping his drink still with a happy expression on his face.

" Ugh that's so romantic. I'm so happy for your guys. Your guys deserve it "

" Thank you Apo, by the way how about Mile and you ? Everything's okay ? "

Apo was silent for a moment thinking about his relationship with Mile which was still at a non-serious level. They both only knew each other for 4 months so to take their relationship to a more serious level, Apo needed more time to get to know that man.

" Well Mile is a good person but I think I need time get to know him better. But I'm comfortable being friends with him, he's cute anyway "

" It's okay Apo, take your time. We usually need time to make sure that the person is really worthy for us, right ? "

Chompu said, trying to give Apo some words of encouragement and was even agreed by Nudee next to him. Meanwhile Engfa still had the same expression. She didn't really want to say anything considering that out of the four of them, she was the only who still didn't have someone special in her life.

" And how about you, Engfa ? Until when do you want to be single ? I think you should start looking for someone too "

Chompu asked to Engfa. She had known Engfa for 4 years but until now she still didn't have anyone. Plus she was beautiful, rich and had an amazing career, in short "she was full of packages"

And she had also been flirted with by many people but too many people rejected by her so she didn't really understand what was going on with her best friend.

Nudee and Apo laughed at each other. For them, Engfa was difficult to advise especially in love relationships. Even though they advised her to find someone in her life, Engfa still gave the same reason which was.

" I'm busy with work, I'm doesn't have time to find someone in my life and whatever "

In the end, they were too lazy to ask any more questions except for Chompu who kept asking questions, making Engfa always complain.

" Hmm, you guys don't have to worry about me, I'm happy with my life now. Like I said, I don't have time to find someone, not right now "

Engfa replied, trying to enjoy her night tonight.

" Hmm Engfa, Engfa.... you're still always with the same excuses. Let's go guys, let's dance ! "

Engfa just watched her three friends nagivated through the crowd, attracting the attention of some rather eccentric characters. While her friends were caught up in the excitement, Engfa excused herself to the restroom. As she walked through the crowded club, her eyes scanned the room until they landed Charlotte Austin. She was surrounded by her friends including the familiar figure of Tina. Mew was not there. But Engfa decided not to reprimand so she continued to go to the toilet.

" Hmm why is she here too "

Engfa muttered to herself

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After she returned to her table, she tried to find a glimpse of Charlotte but she was nowhere to be seen, she breathed a sigh of relief. Then Apo returned to join her at the table.

" Faa, I saw Tina there earlier, she was chatting with Nudee and Chompu "

Apo said which caused Engfa to be surprised but quickly controlled her emotions

" Oh yeah, did she come alone ? "

" Hmm, I'm not sure about that, but I think she came with her friends "

" Oh I see "

Engfa only replied briefly. Apo next to her poured wine into each of their glasses.

" Engfa, once again, congratulations on your next project ! I'm so proud of you "

Said Apo who started to hug Engfa tightly. To him, Engfa was already considered like his own sister even though they were the same age. Whatever problems befell him, Engfa was among the first to know about it. They broke their embrace and clinked their glasses together as a toast to friendship and new beginnings, knowing that whatever the future held, they would face it together.

Meanwhile, Charlotte and Tina who met Nudee while dancing were happy to know that Engfa was also at this club. She couldn't wait to see her again.

She also didn't really know why every time Engfa's name was mentioned, she became very obsessed as if Engfa really belonged to her.

In her obliviousness to thinking about Engfa, Nudee came to reprimand her, her voice was a bit muffled due to the sound of the song being played quite loudly but still heard by Charlotte and the others.

" Ms C.A, Tina, let me take you to see Ms Faa, she's there "

" Oh okay Nudee "

Charlotte invites Heidi to join in, making her friend even more impatient to meet the owner of the body named Engfa Waraha. Chompu also followed behind them. She didn't want to be left there with the stranger.

When they got there, Charlotte's heart felt like it was stabbed by a knife when she saw Engfa's closeness with a man who was sitting next to her. The two of them hugged before each laughed. Who was that man ? What did he have to do with Engfa ? So it was true that Engfa had moved on. She whispered to herself.

They appeared in front of Engfa and Apo who were still laughing. Engfa who noticed Charlotte's presence, froze there before she stood up. Their eyes locked in a tense silence before Engfa finally broke the silence

" Hey Charlotte, Tina. I didn't expect to see you guys here "

She said, her voice devoid of any warmth. Charlotte's heart raced as she struggled to find the right words in response to that woman.

" Hello Engfa, I'm here with friends. By the way this is my secretary, Heidi. And Heidi, this is Engfa Waraha aka Ms Faa, CEO War Properties Sdn Bhd "

Heidi who was still stunned of Engfa's beauty still did not expect that she would finally meet the one and only Engfa Waraha. She didn't think that Engfa was actually like an angel who came down from the sky. She couldn't take her eyes off that woman because of her extraordinary beauty and overwhelming charm.

" Hi Ms Faa, I finally met you too. I didn't expect you to be so beautiful ! "

Heidi replied honestly. Her excited tone is still evident. Apo also stood up and introduced himself.

" Hi, I think you must be Charlotte Austin right ? By the way, I'm Apo Nattawin. Ms Faa's personal assistant "

Apo extended his hand to greet Charlotte. Charlotte returned the greeting with a small smile even though she was starting to dislike the man even more.

" Hi Apo, nice to meet you. Finally, I got to know your PA, Engfa "

Engfa just nodded. Her gaze never left Charlotte's face.

" Apo, I think you should call her Ms C.A, she is my client anyway "

Engfa's reprimand made Apo quickly apologize

" No, it's okay. I think Charlotte is much better. Same with you Nudee, Chompu. You're guys can call me Charlotte. Just Charlotte "

Nudee and Chompu also made a surprised expression causing Engfa to raise her eyebrows

" Besides, we're already finished our working hour so it's okay if we all act informal, right Engfa ? "

Charlotte said again causing Engfa to finally agree

" Hmm okay, in that case, Tina and Heidi also can call me Engfa then "

Tina and Heidi looked at each other with wide smiles. They just nodded agreed. Seeing the situation was getting awkward again, Apo decide to invited them to the dance floor for second time.

" Hey guys, let's dance again, this song is great "

Apo grabbed Nudee and Chompu's hand, followed by Heidi and Tina. Engfa sat back and sipped her wine. Her behavior was only observed by Charlotte who still did not move there.

" You don't want to dance Engfa ? "

" Huh ? Oh no, I came here just to drink "

Charlotte rested her back on the chair facing Engfa. Her gaze was still on the woman. Her mind swirling with a lot questions about Apo, Engfa's personal assistant.

" Hmm so you came here just to drink, how funny "

The words that came out of Charlotte's mouth made Engfa stare at her strangely. There was an undeniable tension between her and Engfa. She couldn't understand why Apo's presence affected her so badly or was there something more at play. The question lingered in her mind, haunting her with its unanswered complexity.

" Charlotte, what's wrong with you ? What did I do this time ? "

Engfa asked, starting to feel confused by the woman's treatment of her tonight. She saw Charlotte repeatedly sipping her wine without stopping.

" Charlotte ? Did you fight with Mew ? You've been drinking a lot "

Charlotte just ignored then Engfa approached her, leaning closer, concern etched on her face as she whispered.

" Charlotte, you should stop drinking. You drink too much, you'll get drunk "

" No, I'm fine. I just want to enjoy the night "

Charlotte said, struggling to find the right words to describe the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.

" It's nothing Engfa, really "

Charlotte said again, attempting to downplay the situation. Suddenly Engfa's cell phone rang causing her excused herself to take a work-related call outside. Charlotte couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and curiosity.

" Wait here, I need to pick up the call "

Charlotte just nodded then her eyes returned to watching her friends dancing while laughing and joking together.

As Charlotte watched their friends there, a sense of unease washed over her. Questions swirled in her mind like a whirlwind.

" Why is Engfa taking so long ? is everything okay ? "

She wondered silently. It was strange to feel this level of concern for her ex-lover but she couldn't shake off the feeling of worry that gripped her. Despite her attempts to rationalize it away, the unease lingered, leaving ne feeling strangely unsettled.

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Almost 30 minutes of waiting, Charlotte couldn't see Engfa anywhere, since Engfa answered the call outside the club, she ventured outside and then she was met with an unexpected sight.

Engfa was engaged in conversation with another woman, their proximity and laughter suggesting a certain familiarity that made her stomach churn.

As she watched Engfa and other woman, a nagging unease consumed her from within, she couldn't take her eyes off then until Engfa finally noticed her. Charlotte tried distanced herself but she couldn't deny that it bothered her so much. She found it hard to accept that it was jealousy resurfacing.

Engfa approached her, concern evident in her expression.

" Hey, are you okay ? what are you doing out here ? "

She asked, her tone gentle. But because Charlotte's jealousy bubbled to the surface, her curiosity overwhelming her as she blurted out,

" Who was that woman you were with, Engfa ? "

" Charlotte, have you been drinking a lot ? you're drunk "

Engfa asked, ignoring Charlotte's question.

" No ! I'm not drunk yet "

Charlotte responded defensively. Engfa raised an eyebrow.

" Then why are you interested what I'm doing ? "

Engfa countered, before swiftly changing the subject.

" It's getting late Charlotte, I think you should stop drinking and go home, you look so terrible right now "

Charlotte felt a surge of frustration as that woman evaded her question.

" Why are you avoiding my questions ? "

Charlotte pressed but just was ignored. Engfa tried to gently pull Charlotte's hand, wanting to go inside but Charlotte's still insisted. She felt a mixture of frustration and confusion as Engfa dismissed her questions.

" Charlotte, come on. We should go inside. It's cold here "

Charlotte still didn't move, suddenly she felt something in her throat and she rushed to the sidewalk. Engfa who felt Charlotte wanted to vomit, quickly pulled the girl to the other side. She didn't want Charlotte to release her vomit anywhere else. While the woman was took out everything that was in her mouth, Engfa gently rubbed her back until it was gone. Charlotte sat weakly on the floor, her body felt very weak and her head began to throb with pain.

" Charlotte, I think you should go home now, you really don't look well "

Engfa said, her face looking worried as Charlotte start to lose consciousness. Without wasting time, she quickly took Charlotte into her car. Her mind thought for a moment, where should she send Charlotte ? she didn't know the location of Mew's house and if she wanted to send Charlotte to her apartment, how would she get inside, she didn't know the door password.

As a feeling of worry washed over her, she finally took that woman to her house, her eyes glanced at Charlotte. When they arrived, she immediately sent a message to Apo and Tina about Charlotte's whereabouts.

Text to Apo :

" Hey Apo, I have to go back first. Charlotte is really drunk so I have to send her back "

Text to Tina :

" Hey Tina, don't forget to bring Charlotte's handbag back, she's really drunk so I have to send her home first. Don' forget to tell Mew, Charlotte is with me "

Engfa know that the two of them wouldn't reply to her message for now since the party wasn't over yet but that was enough for her, at least they all knew where they were.