CHAPTER 19

Heidi raised both eyebrows. From earlier she had noticed that Charlotte was restless and not focused on the meeting. Her hands kept looking at something on her mobile phone.

Heidi scratched her head and let out a short sigh.

" Char.... what's wrong with you, you don't look okay. What is going on ? "

Charlotte finally leaned back in her chair. Her eyes turned to the window. How could she calm down ? Engfa had been silent for almost three days even though their relationship was good. All her calls and messages were not answered by the woman. That made her heart uneasy. Had something happened to Engfa ? She whispered softly.

She turned her gaze to Heidi who was still unsure of her behavior yesterday. Finally she spoke.

" Engfa...... she suddenly went silent. We were supposed to go see my house today, but until now I haven't been able to contact her. She hasn't even replied to my messages "

Heidi's question was finally answered. She thought for a moment

" Hmm, is there a misunderstanding between you two ? If there wasn't, ahe wouldn't have gone silent all of a sudden, right ? "

Charlotte shook her head

" No, the last time we met, we were fine, I'm not sure what went wrong "

Charlotte replied in a disappointed tone. Although this was the second time Engfa had been silent, but this time it was more painful because they were getting closer. They had never been like this. She was starting to worry about Engfa who had gone nowhere.

" Hmm why didn't you ask Nudee ? She must know where Engfa is "

Charlotte thought for a moment before agreeing to her secretary's suggestion. She immediately dialed Nudee's phone number. A few seconds later, the call was picked up.

" Hello, Charlotte, what's up ? "

" Hi Nudee, sorry to bother you. May I know Engfa is in her office ? "

Charlotte asked, hoping that Engfa was in her office.

" Oh my god Charlotte, I forgot to tell you, Engfa is on sick leave so the site visit to your house had to be cancelled today. I'm sorry I forgot "

Finally, Engfa's missing answer was answered. Charlotte's eyes widened when she learned that Engfa was sick, this made her even more anxious. She hoped that Engfa would be fine.

" Oh really, no wonder I called her, she didn't pick up. Anyway Nudee, can I know what's happened to Engfa ? Has she been on sick leave for a long time ? "

" Hmm well her migraine is back Charlotte, today is the third day, but Apo just told me that she might go to work tomorrow"

" Oh I see. Thank you Nudee. Goodbye "

Charlotte hung up and continued to pack her things on the table. Her behavior made Heidi in front of her confused.

" Hey Char, wait ! why did you pack early, where are you going ? "

Asked Heidi who was still dazed by Charlotte's uncertain attitude

" I want to visit Engfa, we'll see each other tomorrow okay "

" Uh wait ! wait ! but you have a meeting with a client at 4 PM, Char "

Heidi replied again trying to stop her boss from leaving. Charlotte ignored her and she just said

" Tell them, I have an emergency. Postpone it to another day ! "

" Hey Char ! Char ?! "

Heidi let out a tired breath, she was really confused with Charlotte's behavior lately. Realizing she was in Charlotte's room alone, she rushed out. She didn't want the other employees to misunderstand either.

-

-

Charlotte arrived in front of Engfa's house, this was the second time she had come here after the first time she had come here drunk. Her heart was still beating fast, hoping that Engfa would not be surprised by her presence here. Fortunately, she still remembered the location of Engfa's house even though Engfa was the one who brought her here and took her back to her house that day. She took a short breath before ringing the doorbell of her ex-lover's house.

Then, someone opens the door. Apo appears dressed in a neat suit. His handsomeness is obvious but his appearance makes Charlotte jealous. Why does Apo need to be by Engfa's side when she is sick, are they really in a relationship ?

Apo, who was a bit surprised by Charlotte's presence at Engfa's house, tried to control his reaction.

" Hi Charlotte! I didn't expect you to be here "

Apo replied in a calm tone.

" Oh sorry, I just found out that Engfa was sick so I decided to visit her "

Apo was impressed. Engfa seemed to be very important in Charlotte's life. Although Engfa had many secret admirers, she had never met a secret admirer like Charlotte. Wow, how brave !

" Oh I see , come inside Charlotte "

Apo allowed Charlotte to come inside, Charlotte went inside while trying to look around to see Engfa. She then saw a package of food on the dining table. Maybe the lunch was for Engfa.

" Charlotte, sit down first, Engfa is upstairs, she just took a shower "

Apo said, gave a small smile. Charlotte leaned her back on the soft sofa. Her eyes returned to Apo who was still standing in front of her.

" Have you been here long, Apo ? "

" Hmm almost an hour, I came to send lunch for her "

Apo answered honestly. He knew Charlotte must be strange to see him here even though he was Engfa's personal assistant.

" By the way, how is Engfa now ? Is she okay ? "

Charlotte asked again not wanting them both to look awkward. But Apo answered very professionally so it wouldn't be strange if Engfa appointed him as her personal assistant

" So far she's getting better. Her migraines are almost gone, I think she can go to the office tomorrow "

" Oh I see. I'm grateful you took good care of her "

Charlotte's compliment made Apo blushing.

" Well, that's my responsibility, Charlotte "

While they were chatting, Engfa came down from upstairs. She wanted to know who came to her house because she heard her doorbell ring several times.

" Apo ? Who came ? Nudee ? Or Chompu ? "

Engfa, who still hadn't noticed Charlotte on the sofa, realized Charlotte's presence and was surprised.

" Oh my god ! Charlotte ! "

Charlotte quickly got up and headed towards her. The woman's hand quickly touched her forehead to make sure she didn't have a fever.

" Hmm, luckily you don't have a fever "

Charlotte said with a sweet smile. Engfa who was still stiff there tried to speak but her mouth was heavy to speak. Apo who was surprised by Charlotte's cute action finally spoke.

" Uhm Engfa, I think I have to go back to the office first. So is it okay if I leave you two ? "

" Oh okay Apo. Thanks for lunch "

Engfa replied, still not moving.

" Okay, I'll see you tomorrow. Goodbye Charlotte "

" Goodbye Apo "

When Apo left, Charlotte turned back to Engfa and hugged her tightly. Engfa, who didn't have time to say anything, just stood there in silence.

" Engfa, you know you're making me really worried. I think you're trying to push me away again "

Charlotte whispered in her ear. Charlotte admitted that she missed the woman so much, she missed everything about Engfa even though it had been three days since they had seen each other. She broke the hug and looked at Engfa's face again. Now their eyes were locked. Even Engfa couldn't deny how much she missed Charlotte but the situation in the last three days was so bad that she didn't want to worry Charlotte.

" Char, I'm sorry okay. I don't want you to worry, that's why I kept quiet. Besides, I didn't have time to pick up the phone. My migraine is really bad "

Engfa said, trying to explain the real situation. Charlotte just replied with a sign of understanding

" It's okay. The important thing is that you are getting better now. I miss you Engfa, I miss you so much "

Engfa didn't expect what Charlotte said but she could only smile. She couldn't possibly reply to her even though the truth is that she missed her so much.

-

-

After lunch together, Engfa invited Charlotte to watch a movie together since Charlotte said she still didn't want to go home even though it was almost three o'clock. The two of them sat next to each other, so close that Engfa could still feel her heartbeat that hadn't stopped since the woman's arrival earlier.

Charlotte decided to stay with Engfa again because she felt like they hadn't seen each other for three days. She wanted to spend as much time as possible before she went home. Engfa focused on choosing a movie on television until Charlotte finally spoke up.

" Engfa ? "

Charlotte's call made Engfa smile until dimples appeared on her cheeks

" Hmm ? "

" So you and Apo are really in a relationship ? "

Charlotte asked, finally losing control. Since that day she had wondered. What was the real relationship between Engfa and Apo, were they just colleagues or more than that. She needed answers.

Engfa who was listening at that time chuckled and asked

" Char ? Are you jealous ? "

" If I'm jealous, why ? Can't I ? "

Engfa next to her was confused, she wasn't sure what happened to this woman.

" No, I think it's strange, why would you be jealous anyway ? "

" It's normal Engfa. Besides why can't I be jealous of Apo ? Apo is your friend so why didn't you ask me for help, why do you need Apo ? "

Engfa shook her head, not understanding. She didn't understand why Charlotte was behaving like this when she had told her many times that Apo was only doing his job.

" Char, I don't understand. I've said many times, Apo is just doing his job. I don't want to ask you for help "

Engfa said trying to understand the situation. Charlotte who was still trying to control her tears, tried to hold back again

" You're the one who doesn't understand Engfa, you can ask me for help but why don't you do all that. Am I not important enough in your life ? "

Engfa was getting more confused, all the words that came out of the woman made her not know how to respond.

" Char, what are you talking about ? What's the point of hiring Apo to work with me but in the end I have to ask you for help. What's wrong with you Char ? "

Engfa tried to gently hold Charlotte's arm, she didn't want to see her stressed because of that and she also didn't intend to hurt her.

" But you can still ask me for help, Engfa ! "

Charlotte's voice rose, she knew she couldn't control her emotions completely but what did she have to do. Jealousy had taken over her and she couldn't control it anymore

" But why Char ? Why do I have to ask you for help ?! "

" Because I'm jealous Engfa ! I'm jealous !! "

Engfa's heart almost wanted to be ripped out after hearing the woman's confession. Was what she heard true ?

" But why did you have to.... "

Her voice cracked to reply but before she could, Charlotte reached out and gently cupped her face, pulling her into a gentle kiss. Caught by the unexpected gesture, Engfa froze, unsure of how to react.

As Charlotte's lips met her, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions swept through her, leaving her breathless and completely confused. Charlotte's lips pressed against her with intense passion, triggering a storm of emotions within her. Despite the initial shock, Engfa ended up returning Charlotte's kiss with a mixture of desire and uncertainty. But as quickly as it had begun, the kiss ended, leaving her stunned and unsure of what to do next.

Charlotte's eyes held her, longing and uncertainty radiating from the depths of their hearts. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. Could it be that their feelings were mutual ? was it just a moment of weakness or something more ?

" Engfa ? "

Charlotte called Engfa's name, her voice barely above a whisper

" Do you believe me when I say I still love you ? "

" I still love you Engfa....... "

Charlotte said again. Engfa started to speak but Charlotte quickly interrupted her

" Char......"

" Oh my god, I'm sorry Engfa, I shouldn't have kissed you "

Charlotte finally realized that she still needed Engfa in her life. She still loved her but now things were getting more complicated. How was her relationship with Mew ? What should she do for the good of all. Her tears started flowing fast, she didn't want to show her weakness so she left Engfa's house.

" Sorry, I have to go "

" Wait Charlotte ! "

Engfa quickly stopped her. Engfa also needed a final word, she didn't want Charlotte to leave with mixed feelings.

" Char...... "

" Engfa, please...... let me go "

Engfa knew she couldn't force the woman, she knew things were getting difficult and Charlotte needed time for all of that and she finally let go of the woman's arm, watching her walk away.