The moment I stepped into my room, I dropped onto the bed, forcing myself to stay quiet. God, I'm being so dramatic. Why does it feel like getting hurt is the end of the world? So what if he doesn't like me? So what if he never will? Am I really going to die because of it?
I wanted to believe that—but my mind refused to cooperate. I was confused by what I was feeling. I didn't know when it started or how it even happened. Was it because of last night? Because of what happened between us? Was that why I hoped for something more? Was that why my chest felt this heavy? Why did I even let it happen?
Stupid. You're so stupid, Charlene.
I stayed like that for a few minutes before reality finally sank in—he probably didn't care at all. Maybe it was better to stop whatever hope was quietly growing inside me while it was still early. Maybe this was nothing more than admiration, something that would fade on its own.
That's how I've always been. I get attached way too easily. Show me even the smallest hint of affection—whether it means anything or not—and I fall right away. And in the end, I'm the only one who gets hurt.
So dramatic. So annoying.
I didn't even realize I had fallen asleep until my phone rang beneath my pillow. When I checked the screen, it was Black.
"Hello?" I answered, my voice still hoarse.
"Looks like I called at the perfect time. Something wrong?" he asked. I could hear car horns in the background.
"Nothing. I'm just hungry," I lied.
"Can you read my mind? I was about to ask you out to eat," he said, clearly excited.
"Sure," I replied without hesitation.
"I'm almost there. Just wait a bit," he added before ending the call.
I sighed and got up. I showered and fixed myself before Black arrived.
When I went downstairs, I ran into Kerill. His eyes questioned me as he looked over what I was wearing—a simple yellow dress, just above the knee.
"Oh, you're awake already, Ma'am. Come eat first—"
"Thank you, but I'm heading out, Manang Dores," I cut in.
"Oh? Are you still full?" she asked.
I forced a smile. "No. I'll eat outside… with Black," I said as I moved toward the door.
"And who gave you permission to go out?" Kerill asked coldly.
Holding back my irritation, I turned to him. "Do I need your permission? I don't remember that being in the contract," I said firmly.
"I'm hungry," I added.
He didn't say anything else, so I walked out.
Black was already waiting outside the gate. "Wow, you look different," he said, clearly impressed.
"I had to," I replied.
"After you, Mrs. Wang," he said as he opened the car door.
"Stop calling me that," I laughed.
"So where are you taking me?" I asked once I was seated.
"To eat, obviously," he answered bluntly.
I stayed quiet during the drive until he finally broke the silence.
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing. Just tired," I said. "But wait… are you sure it's okay for you to be with me? You're a celebrity. You might get into trouble."
"I'm not a celebrity, Charlene. I work as a model most of the time, and sometimes as an actor—but I'm not that famous."
Huh? Isn't that basically the same thing?
"What do you mean you're not? You have so many fangirls back in our province. You're definitely popular."
"Maybe. But that's mostly because I'm part of the Wang Family. Besides, so what if I'm out with a girl? We're not in a relationship. You're married to my brother—well, kind of. Since the marriage isn't real. You get it, right?"
"O-okay," I said, struggling to keep up with his fast explanation.
Not long after, we arrived at the restaurant. The place looked insanely expensive, and suddenly my outfit felt painfully simple compared to everyone else.
"This place looks pricey," I whispered.
"Relax, Charlene. It's my treat," he said with a laugh.
Inside, I felt even more out of place. When the menu was handed to me, I barely opened my mouth—I couldn't even pronounce half the dishes.
"She'll have the same order as me," Black suddenly told the waiter.
"Noted, sir. Anything else?" the waiter asked me.
"That's all," I replied.
Once the waiter left, I finally breathed in relief.
"You look like you're being tortured. Relax, okay?" he said, laughing.
After eating, he drove me back home. Before he left, I thanked him for the meal.
"No worries. We'll go back there next time," he said.
I smiled. "Sure. Bye."
I waited until his car was completely gone before entering the gate. But I froze when I saw Kerill standing there—as if he had been waiting.
"Having enough fun?" he asked.
"Enough," I replied.
"You're really crossing the line, aren't you?"
I couldn't hold back my irritation anymore. I walked past him without answering, leaving him standing there alone.