"What is it to keep, and what can truly be kept? Sometimes we ask ourselves the same questions—was it true, or was it ever true? Was it love, or was it hate? Yet we all arrive at the same unanswered point: we don't know whether it is the truth, or simply the point of the matter itself. Perhaps the answer is right in front of us, waiting for the right time to be revealed. Some might say it's not that easy—but what if it is? That is why I stand by the belief that love itself is not the problem; people make it hard."
During the period when Kimberly and Charlotte were no longer seeing each other, it felt as though everything in their lives had paused. Without each other, things became harder, because they had grown so used to being together. When they were side by side, life seemed easy—but now…
Kimberly, on her journey to find Charlotte, began to feel uneasy. Hope seemed absent, even though a month had already passed, and she still hadn't found her. The search was driving Kimberly to madness—tormented by thoughts that something might have happened to Charlotte, or worse, that Charlotte simply didn't want to be found. Perhaps she was just being standoffish, ignoring the countless voicemails and the 776 messages Kimberly had sent, many left unanswered. Faced with silence, Kimberly began to wonder if she should give up entirely, stop trying, stop reaching out. She didn't even know the reason why they had broken apart so suddenly, without ever talking about it. Yet now, in her solitude, she began to understand: if Charlotte had explained, they would have fought, and it would have been worse than this quiet disappearance. Their arguments had always flared—most often sparked by Kimberly herself, when she mentioned Charlotte's rank or insisted, they weren't a match. But the deeper cause was Kimberly's own player ways, which eroded trust between them. Though Kimberly tried to change, it was hard, and Charlotte saw that. In the end, Charlotte chose her solution: to end everything and vanish without a word.
Kimberly walked through the streets of Paris, her thoughts consumed by Charlotte. She wasn't convinced she would ever find her, and the confidence she once carried was slowly fading. Weeks of searching had left her broken, unsure where to look next, yet still clinging to the fragile hope of saving what they once had. Deep down, Kimberly knew she had failed Charlotte—she hadn't been the support system or the trustworthy presence Charlotte needed. That failure had created the distance between them. Kimberly understood that space was necessary, but she refused to accept it, seeing instead a chance for redemption, a chance to win Charlotte back. More than anything, she wanted to find her, to tell her that she loved her beyond words, and to listen to the reasons behind her disappearance. The silence left hanging between them was unbearable, and though Kimberly had known Charlotte for so long, she still couldn't understand why it had ended this way.
After spending so much time in Paris without finding Charlotte, Kimberly decided it was best to return to where the journey had begun—back to Japan, where everything had ended. She hoped that by retracing her steps, she might figure out what to do next, even though she still didn't know what to do with herself. At the airport, bags in hand and preparing to board her flight, she suddenly froze. Someone familiar caught her eye. As she looked closer, she murmured to herself, "Wait… isn't that Charlotte's favorite traveling handbag?" Her heart raced. The person carried features that reminded her so much of Charlotte. Slowly, Kimberly approached, realizing that the figure wasn't moving, simply standing there, waiting…
Kimberly approached the person and gently tapped her on the shoulder, her heart racing as she waited for a response. Her expectations were high—she desperately hoped she wasn't mistaken. As the figure turned, Kimberly's breath caught. Shock and joy collided within her, leaving her speechless. She stood frozen, overwhelmed, not knowing what to say in that moment.
It turned out the person Kimberly had reached out to was Charlotte. She wasn't trying to hide—she simply faced Kimberly with a faint smile, masking the plain expression beneath. Wanting to keep things short, Charlotte spoke in a cold, detached manner: "Well… what is it? What do you want?"
Kimberly tried to hide her anger, though inside she wanted to unleash everything she had been holding back—to finally express what she felt after being left in the dark. She didn't want excuses, didn't want deflections. Looking at Charlotte, she said firmly, "Well… no. No, you know exactly what I want. And we can't talk here—it's too public. You know that."
Charlotte didn't resist. She simply said, "Well… uhm, let's go then. But I'm heading back to Japan—I really need to handle business there. Honestly, I didn't even want to come. So… can we talk about this later, okay?" With that, she started walking toward the gate, eyes fixed on her phone, not expecting Kimberly to follow. But then she felt someone grab her arm. Startled, she quickly looked up—and it was Kimberly. Charlotte's surprise softened into calm recognition; she was used to Kimberly acting this way, used to her clinginess. In fact, she almost felt comfortable with it. Kimberly had always been like a scared cat when it came to flying, never boarding a plane without Charlotte by her side. Charlotte giggled lightly and said, "Well, I see you're still afraid of heights. If that's the case, why did you want to ride a plane? Or… were you just hoping to earn some points before we land, huh?"
Kimberly looked at Charlotte, her anger simmering beneath the surface. She wanted to speak, to let out everything she had been holding inside, but the words refused to come. Instead, she turned her gaze away, avoiding Charlotte's eyes, as if silence was the only way to keep herself from breaking apart.
Charlotte didn't argue. She simply kept her thoughts to herself and walked with Kimberly onto the plane. As fate would have it, they were seated together—just like always. Settling into their seats, they waited for the flight to take off. Kimberly remained silent, her anger and emotions locked away, while Charlotte chose not to start a conversation. She knew Kimberly's temper too well, and she feared that any words might spark an argument, escalating into a scene neither of them wanted. So, Charlotte stayed quiet, letting the silence stretch between them.
Once the flight had taken off, Charlotte immersed herself in work on her laptop. She managed a resort, but her focus now was on the recently opened makeup company—the Japanese branch of the brand her older sister, Maya, owned in Paris. With the responsibility of overseeing this new expansion, Charlotte concentrated on finishing everything before they landed, her attention fixed on deadlines and details rather than the silence sitting beside her.
During the long flight, Kimberly grew bored watching Charlotte work, her attention buried in leases, building checks, and endless paperwork for the new branch. Eventually, exhaustion overtook her, and she drifted into sleep. Charlotte noticed, quietly closing her laptop and setting aside the documents so as not to disturb her. Seeing Kimberly slumped uncomfortably, Charlotte gently guided her head onto her shoulder. She patted her softly, a faint smile crossing her face as she watched her sleep. The weight of work and travel finally caught up with Charlotte too. She yawned, drained, and before long, she fell asleep beside her.
After several hours in the air, the plane finally landed in Japan. Kimberly woke before Charlotte, surprised to find herself resting on her shoulder. She blinked, unsure how to process the quiet tenderness of it, then quickly sat upright. Turning to Charlotte, she gently nudged her awake and murmured, "Hey… uhm, we're here, Phi… Phi."
Charlotte looked at Kimberly as she woke, her expression calm but measured. "Well," she said, "since you wanted to talk… can we do it at my place? How does that sound?"
Kimberly turned her face away, her voice clipped and heavy with restrained emotion. "Yeah… whatever," she muttered, refusing to meet Charlotte's eyes. The words hung between them, sharp and unresolved, as the tension carried forward—Charlotte offering a place to talk, Kimberly burying her anger beneath indifference
They gathered their bags and stepped off the plane, walking side by side through the airport in silence. Neither spoke as they approached the car waiting for Charlotte. Kimberly was a little surprised—shocked, even—that the royal security service wasn't there to escort Charlotte. She had expected them to be waiting immediately, especially since they were already in Japan. Concern flickered across her face, but she chose not to ask, holding her questions back. Perhaps there was a reason, she thought, though the unease lingered quietly within her.
The driver stepped out, assisting them with their bags before opening the doors. Once inside, the car pulled away, heading toward the destination Charlotte had requested. True to her private nature, Charlotte disliked anyone knowing the location of her new place, and she kept it discreet. Kimberly sat quietly, glancing around, a little lost as the route unfolded. She had assumed they were going to Osaka, but soon noticed the course shifting in another direction. Confusion and concern flickered across her face, though she held back her questions. Charlotte, watching the road, instructed the driver to stop. As the car slowed to a halt, she opened the door, stepped out, and turned to Kimberly. With a calm but firm tone, she said, "Well… anytime now. We're here."
Kimberly glanced around, seeing nothing familiar, her confusion deepening as Charlotte pulled the bags from the car. Minutes later, the driver departed, leaving the two of them alone. Charlotte walked ahead, her bag in hand, her mind clearly elsewhere. Kimberly followed reluctantly, weighed down by her own luggage, frustration rising with the heat and the uncertainty of where they were headed. She wanted to ask, but held back, lost in silence. After several minutes, they arrived at a uniquely designed house. Charlotte pressed a button, and the gate slid open. She stepped inside, leaving it ajar for Kimberly. Kimberly hesitated, murmuring under her breath, "Wow… she's not in a good mood. I think it's a bad idea to be here. But I can't turn back now. I just hope she'll listen to me." With that, she followed Charlotte inside, closing the door behind her. "Well… good luck, me," she whispered to herself.
Charlotte slipped into her room, setting her bags down before changing into a casual top that revealed more than her usual business attire. She untied her long hair, letting it fall freely, then stepped back out into the living room. Her eyes met Kimberly's, her tone cool but direct. "Well… why are you here? What did you want? You didn't say a word on the ride here. I even asked if you wanted to sleep here, but you ignored me."
Kimberly found herself distracted, her eyes lingering on Charlotte's long blonde hair and the way her casual top revealed her figure. A sudden blush rose to her cheeks, and she quickly looked down, forcing herself to regain control. After a pause, she finally spoke, her voice hesitant. "Well… uhm… it's not that I didn't want to talk. I was just… respecting your thing about not wanting people to know your stuff.
Charlotte smiled, shaking her head with a soft laugh. "Well… wow," she said, her voice tinged with irony. "Why didn't you do that back then?"
Kimberly's brows furrowed, confusion flickering across her face. She looked at Charlotte with concern, her voice hesitant but searching. "Well… what do you mean by that?"
Charlotte's expression hardened as she looked at Kimberly, irritation flickering in her eyes. She turned away, trying to steady herself before speaking. Her voice was calm, but edged with restrained anger. "Well… don't you remember? You going out partying, making out with random women, then coming back to me drunk—or me having to pick you up from those places…" She stopped herself, exhaling sharply. "You know what—let's not do this." With that, Charlotte turned away, her steps heavy with frustration as she walked off, anger simmering beneath her composure
Kimberly dropped everything she was holding and rushed forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Charlotte before she could walk away. Her voice trembled with desperation as she clung to her. "But I really love you, Phi… I really do. I only did it once, and I'm sorry. I never did it again. We had problems, and your ex was stressing me out, so I… uhm… please forgive me. I can change, I promise. Please… I… I… I…" Her words faltered, breaking under the weight of emotion, but her grip on Charlotte only tightened, as if afraid to let go.
Charlotte felt Kimberly's arms tighten around her, but she didn't turn to face her. Surprise flickered across her expression at Kimberly's sudden confession, yet her voice carried a sharp edge as she spoke. "Don't blame her for this. You chose to go back to your old lifestyle—no one forced you. Love me, huh? That's really funny. Didn't you once say you were only with me to make your sister, Karen, jealous? And to top it all off, you drove your sister to hurt my older sister and her wife… for what? Money? What was it really for?"
Kimberly stepped back, her eyes wide in shock as she stared at Charlotte. Her voice trembled, breaking under the weight of disbelief. "You… you knew… about me and Karen?" She swallowed hard, her hands shaking as she tried to steady herself. "But I'm not that person anymore, please believe me. I really fell for you, Charlotte. I swear I told them the truth—I promise."
Charlotte's gaze locked onto Kimberly's, her patience thinning. The weight of everything unsaid pressed between them, and her voice rose, sharp and commanding. "Well… you wanted to talk. So, talk." Her tone cut through the silence, leaving no room for hesitation. Charlotte's eyes didn't waver, demanding the truth Kimberly had been holding back, her body tense as if bracing for whatever confession might come next.
Kimberly's words spilled out in a rush, trembling with desperation, her voice breaking as she tried to hold Charlotte's hand steady. "Please… calm down, I'll talk, okay? Just don't get mad." She drew in a shaky breath, forcing herself to continue. "The reason I did it… is because I really did fall in love with you. When you broke up with Karen, I thought it was my chance to have you. But you were out of my league, and I didn't think you'd ever take me as I was—me being a club hostess, always flirting with clients. It went too far, and I became toxic. One night I got so drunk I didn't even know how I ended up in a five-star hotel… and when I woke up, your sister was there. She was my role model; someone I'd only seen on TV or in pictures. I was shocked. Then she offered me a deal—to change my lifestyle, to be her assistant. That's how it all started. I took it as a chance to know you better, to be a better person."
Her voice cracked, but she pressed on, eyes pleading. "But we can't run from our pasts. My ex came back, trying to ruin my life—and Lady Maya's too. I refused to do what she wanted, but that only made things worse. Remember that girl you saw me kissing at the club last year, when you came to fetch me? That was her. She forced it. I would never cheat on you. She's the one who sent those divorce papers to Lady Zoey—I had no idea, I swear. I don't even know how she did it. But please… believe me, babe. I really do love you."
Charlotte let out a long sigh, her eyes locking onto Kimberly's with a mixture of exhaustion and frustration. Her voice was steady, but the edge in it cut deep. "Wow… that's a lot. You know, when you're in a relationship, you don't hide things like this. I don't even know what to make of you now. So, what—did you just lie to me to make things easier? To play the superhero in the story? You don't have to act like the victim, Kimberly. You should've tied up your loose ends before, but you didn't. And now… you're acting like a wounded animal."
The words hung heavy in the air, Charlotte's tone calm but laced with disappointment, leaving Kimberly standing in the silence of her judgment.
Kimberly froze, her hand caught mid‑strike, her heart pounding as Charlotte's grip held her in place. The shock of being stopped so firmly cut deeper than the words themselves. Charlotte's eyes burned with hurt as she pushed Kimberly away, her voice sharp but trembling with emotion. "You hit me… so that's it now. You know, as angry as I was, I never did that to you."
She turned from Kimberly, wiping her own tears quickly, refusing to let them linger. Without another glance, Charlotte walked off, her steps heavy with anger and sorrow. In the kitchen, she poured herself a glass of wine, the silence pressing down around her. Then, clutching the glass, she disappeared into her bedroom, leaving Kimberly standing alone in the quiet house, her own tears falling freely.
Kimberly's tears had soaked into the floor by the time she finally pulled herself up, her body heavy with regret. Hours of crying had left her drained, but the thought of Charlotte alone behind that closed door weighed even heavier. She stared at the bedroom, her heart pounding with uncertainty. Charlotte was private, guarded, someone who hated being exposed—but Kimberly couldn't bear the idea of her suffering in silence.
She wiped her face, steadied herself, and whispered, "I can't let her be alone… not now."
Gathering what little strength she had left, Kimberly took slow steps toward Charlotte's room. Every movement carried both fear and determination. She knew she had broken trust, knew she had hurt Charlotte deeply, but she also knew this was her chance—maybe her last—to try and make things right.
Kimberly's heart sank as she stepped into Charlotte's room. The sight before her was nothing like the woman she knew—Charlotte lay asleep on the floor, the air heavy with the sharp scent of wine. The room was dark, cluttered with empty bottles scattered across the floor, a stark contrast to the spotless order Charlotte had always demanded when they lived together. Kimberly turned on the light, her breath catching at the mess. Shock rippled through her as she realized these bottles weren't old—they were freshly opened, signs of nights spent drowning in silence.
She hurried to Charlotte's side, lifting her gently and placing her on the bed. As she looked down at her, Kimberly's chest tightened. "She never tolerated even a speck of dust… and now this," she thought, her mind racing. The realization hit harder than anything Charlotte had said earlier: beneath her anger and guarded words, Charlotte was hurting deeply, retreating into a place Kimberly had never seen before.
Kimberly stood there, torn between guilt and determination. She knew this was her moment—if she wanted to make things work, she had to fight for it, to prove she wasn't the same person who had once broken Charlotte's trust.
Kimberly moved quickly, her worry guiding her every step. She fetched a bowl of water and a towel from the kitchen, her hands trembling as she returned to Charlotte's side. Setting the bowl on the bed, she tried to position Charlotte more comfortably, but Charlotte stirred restlessly, her body heavy with intoxication. Kimberly hesitated, unsure if she should remove Charlotte's clothes, torn between practicality and respect for her privacy. In the end, she chose caution, dipping the towel into the cool water and gently pressing it against Charlotte's skin, hoping to soothe her.
As she worked, her heart ached. The sight of Charlotte like this—so vulnerable, so unlike the strong, composed woman she knew—cut deeply. Kimberly whispered to herself, "This is my fault… all of it. If she hadn't stopped me earlier, I would've destroyed us completely."
Her movements slowed, tender and deliberate, as guilt and love tangled inside her. She wasn't sure if she could fix what had been broken, but in that moment, she knew she had to try.
Kimberly sat quietly on the edge of the bed, exhaustion and guilt weighing her down as she watched over Charlotte. She hadn't expected anything—just to be there if Charlotte needed her. But then she felt it: Charlotte's arm sliding gently around her waist. Shock rippled through her, her breath catching as she turned slowly to look at her.
Charlotte's eyes were half‑closed, her voice soft and vulnerable, breaking through the silence. "I really missed you… a lot. Can you stay with me forever? I really need you."
The words hung in the air, fragile yet powerful, cutting through the bitterness of everything that had happened. Kimberly's heart ached, torn between regret and hope, realizing that beneath Charlotte's anger and pain was still a longing for her presence.
Charlotte's lips pressed against Kimberly's, the kiss tender yet unexpected, a fleeting moment suspended in time. For a heartbeat, Kimberly let herself sink into it, caught between shock and longing. But then reality struck—Charlotte wasn't herself, her senses dulled by wine, her vulnerability laid bare. Kimberly gently pulled back, her hands resting on Charlotte's shoulders, her voice soft but firm.
"No, Phi… you're drunk. We can't do this now. It would feel like I'm taking advantage of you. And besides… I thought you didn't want me."
Her words trembled with both restraint and sorrow. Kimberly's heart ached—she wanted nothing more than to hold onto Charlotte, to believe in the sweetness of that kiss—but she knew it wasn't the right moment. The room was heavy with silence, the tension between love and regret hanging thick in the air.
Charlotte's sudden intensity shifted the air in the room. She pulled Kimberly close, pinning her against the bed, her hands gripping tightly as her lips pressed into a deep kiss. The moment was charged—raw, desperate, and overwhelming. Kimberly felt herself swept up in it, the undeniable pull of their connection cutting through the anger and pain they had carried. For a heartbeat, it was impossible to resist.
But beneath the passion, Kimberly's mind raced. She knew Charlotte wasn't in her right state, that the wine had blurred her judgment. The kiss, though sweet and consuming, carried danger—it wasn't born of clarity, but of vulnerability. Kimberly's heart ached as she realized that if she gave in now, it could only make things worse, deepening the cracks in their already fragile bond.
The night unfolded in a blur of emotion and longing. Neither Charlotte nor Kimberly truly understood how they had gotten there, but the weight of anger, regret, and love melted into something undeniable. Their resistance gave way to passion, and for that fleeting stretch of time, the world outside ceased to exist. It was just them—two souls tangled in a storm of hate and love, unable to separate the pain from the desire.
Morning light crept into the room, spilling across the floor where clothes lay scattered. Charlotte stirred, her head heavy, her body aching from the night before. She felt a weight pressing against her chest and blinked groggily, pulling the blanket back. Her breath caught when she saw Kimberly curled against her, arms wrapped tightly around her as if afraid to let go.
Charlotte's eyes widened, disbelief flooding her as she whispered under her breath, "What the… what the hell is this? No, no… this isn't true." Her voice cracked, half‑angry, half‑shaken. She stared at Kimberly, her mind racing, torn between the memory of last night's passion and the reality of what it meant. "Is she really that hard to resist? Like… the hell."
Charlotte's footsteps echoed softly as she rushed into the bathroom, clutching the extra blanket around her. She leaned against the sink, tapping her head in frustration, the sound of running water filling the silence. Her reflection stared back at her—eyes tired, heart heavy, mind spinning. She sighed deeply, stripping away the remnants of the night as she stepped into the shower. The warm water cascaded over her, washing away the haze of wine and the weight of emotions she didn't want to face.
"I can't let this happen again," she murmured to herself, her voice barely audible over the spray. She closed her eyes, trying to imagine a fresh start, a day untouched by the chaos of the night before. But even as she tried to push it all away, the memory of Kimberly's embrace, her kiss, and her words clung stubbornly to her thoughts.
Charlotte wanted to start her day clean, renewed, free from the confusion—but deep down, she knew the past couldn't be rinsed off so easily
Meanwhile, Kimberly remained fast asleep, her body heavy from the night before. She clung to the pillow as if it were Charlotte herself, her arms wrapped tightly around it, her face buried in its softness. The quiet of the room surrounded her, the faint scent of wine lingering in the air. For Kimberly, there was no urgency, no reason to rise early—only the fragile comfort of pretending, even in sleep, that she wasn't alone.
Charlotte leaned against the kitchen counter, the steam from her coffee curling upward as she tried to steady herself. The bitter taste was grounding, a way to push away the chaos of the night before. She sighed, staring into the dark liquid, determined not to let her thoughts wander back to Kimberly, to the mess of emotions tangled between them.
But then—footsteps. Soft, hesitant, approaching from the hallway. The sound made her shoulders tense. She didn't even need to look to know who it was. Kimberly.
Charlotte closed her eyes for a moment, bracing herself. She had wanted this morning to be clean, fresh, untouched by regret. Yet here it was, following her into the kitchen, refusing to be ignored.
Kimberly padded softly into the kitchen, wearing only Charlotte's shirt, her hair tousled from sleep. She yawned, rubbing her eyes, and when she spotted Charlotte leaning against the counter with her coffee, she gave a small, hesitant smile. "Hey there, Phi… what are you doing?" she asked, her voice still heavy with sleep but carrying a warmth that tried to bridge the distance between them.
Charlotte's eyes flicked toward her, the sight of Kimberly in her shirt stirring a mix of emotions she didn't want to confront. The tension of the night before lingered in the air, but Kimberly's casual, almost tender approach made it harder to ignore.
Charlotte's eyes widened as the sight hit her—Kimberly, half‑awake, wearing nothing but her white shirt, standing in the doorway. The memory of last night surged back all at once, overwhelming her. She choked on her coffee, coughing as the hot liquid spilled across the counter and onto her hand.
Kimberly's concern was immediate. She rushed to Charlotte's side, grabbing a roll of paper towels as she reached for her hand. Her voice trembled with worry as she leaned in close. "Phi, what's wrong? Are you okay?" she asked softly, dabbing at Charlotte's hand and mouth, careful not to hurt her further.
Charlotte's eyes darted away, her cheeks flushing as she snapped herself out of the thoughts that had crept in when she saw Kimberly so close, wearing only her shirt. She shook her head quickly, trying to regain control of the moment, and forced her voice to sound steady even though it carried a sharp edge. "No, no… I'm fine, really. Uhm…" she stammered, wiping her hand again as if to distract herself. Her gaze flicked back to Kimberly, lingering on the shirt, and she frowned. "And why are you wearing my clothes? Don't you have your own?"
Kimberly's smile lingered as she stepped closer, her tone soft but teasing, trying to ease the tension. "Well… I really like wearing your clothes. They're comfortable," she said, her eyes flicking toward Charlotte knowingly, aware of what had caught her attention.
Charlotte let out a long sigh, her shoulders heavy as she shook her head. Without another word, she turned away from Kimberly, refusing to meet her gaze. The sound of her footsteps echoed softly against the floor as she walked out of the kitchen, leaving Kimberly behind.
Kimberly's voice rose with a mix of frustration and hurt as she refused to let Charlotte Walk away. "Well, you always do this to me—just walk away without saying anything. Like, what is it? Are you hiding something? You haven't even answered my question… why did we break up?"
Charlotte's annoyance sharpened as she turned back toward Kimberly, her eyes narrowing. Her voice carried a mix of irritation and warning, low but firm. "Well… do you really want to ask that question? Like, are you sure you want that answer?"
Kimberly's words carried a weight that broke through the silence, her voice trembling with both frustration and longing. "Well, yes—I do. Since that day I've been waiting for an answer, you know."
Charlotte's words cut sharp, her stoic expression unflinching as she laid the truth bare. "Well, who was flirting while in a relationship? Please remind me. And I remember forgiving you every time that happened. I thought maybe if I changed, you would too—but you didn't. It just kept happening. So yeah, do you really think of yourself as innocent, even after all that?"
Kimberly's arms wrapped tightly around Charlotte from behind, her voice breaking with desperation as she held on. "No, no… I still love you. Please—I didn't mean to do that. Back then I was going down the wrong way, but now I'm going to change. I'll do anything you say to make you see that I'm serious about us. I mean, you were the one trying your best then… but now, can I be the one who takes the lead? Let me show you instead of just talking."
Charlotte stopped in her tracks, Kimberly's arms still wrapped around her, and turned her head just enough to look back. Her expression was stoic, but her words carried a sharp edge, cutting through Kimberly's plea.
Kimberly's cheeks flushed as she looked away, her mind flashing back to the night before. The memory made her blush even deeper, embarrassment mixing with a shy smile. "Well… uhm," she stammered, her voice softer now, "didn't you kind of do that the whole of last night? I mean, you really weren't letting me sleep. Plus… uhm… I thought my voice was going out after that, you know."
Charlotte's eyes flicked over Kimberly, and despite herself, a small giggle escaped. The sight of the hickeys scattered across her neck, near her chest, and even one on her thigh was undeniable proof of the night before. She shook her head, half amused, half exasperated, and let her words fall with a mix of teasing and seriousness. "Hmm… but still," she said, her tone firm beneath the laughter, "I'm not just going to let you off for everything. You have to earn your way back, okay?
Kimberly's nod was slow, her energy draining as Charlotte's words sank in. She looked down, her mind spinning, replaying the mistakes she had made and the weight of last night pressing against her thoughts. The blush on her cheeks deepened as she realized Charlotte's challenge wasn't just words—it was a demand for proof, for something real.
Charlotte's smile lingered as she delivered her final words, her tone calm but firm. "Well, if that's all… I need to go work now, okay? I think we're okay for now. You go figure out what to do, alright? Bye for now."
Without waiting for Kimberly's reply, Charlotte turned and walked upstairs to her home office. The sound of her footsteps faded as she closed the door behind her, leaving Kimberly standing alone in the kitchen.
Kimberly moved through the kitchen with a quiet determination, her damp hair still clinging to her neck from the shower. She had felt drained, unsure of how to prove herself, but the idea of making breakfast and offering encouragement gave her a small spark of purpose.
She opened the fridge, pulled out eggs, bread, and a few vegetables, and set them on the counter. The sound of the pan heating filled the silence, a rhythm to keep her focused. As she cooked, she thought about Charlotte upstairs, already buried in her work, and how much she wanted to show her that she could be supportive instead of a distraction.
Charlotte sat upstairs in her home office, the faint smell of breakfast drifting up from the kitchen. She wrinkled her nose at it, but forced herself to ignore the distraction. Her focus was locked on the video call with Phi Maya, her voice steady as they discussed clients and the upcoming opening.
Charlotte's eyes snapped to the door as Kimberly walked in unannounced, balancing the tray of food. The sudden intrusion made her quickly disconnect the call with Maya, her expression tightening as suspicion flickered across her face.
Kimberly, caught in the moment, tried to soften the tension with a nervous smile. "Well… I got breakfast here, uhm… huh, what was that?" she asked, her tone wavering between casual and embarrassed.
Charlotte kept her straight face, brushing off Kimberly's sudden entrance with a calm tone. "No, it's nothing… just working," she said quickly, shifting the subject before Kimberly could press further. Her eyes flicked to the tray, and a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Wow, what did you make? I mean, this is the first time you've done something like this. Are you feeling well? You've never done this before."
Charlotte froze for a moment, her eyes narrowing as Kimberly set the tray down on her desk. The words Kimberly spoke landed with a sting, her tone both defiant and vulnerable. "Well, if it's your new girlfriend, I don't mind," Kimberly said, her voice trembling but steady enough to carry the weight of her claim. "But she has to know I'm still here. So yeah… plus, I'm not going anywhere."
Charlotte's straight face didn't waver as she set the coffee cup down after choking slightly on Kimberly's words. "No, it's nothing… just working," she said quickly, brushing off the suspicion. Her tone sharpened as she continued, "What girlfriend are you talking about? Plus, we're not together, okay? Are you done here? If so, just leave—I need to be alone."
Charlotte's eyes widened as Kimberly slid onto the desk, lifting her shirt to reveal the hickeys scattered across her thighs. The sight made Charlotte choke slightly on her coffee, her composure cracking for just a moment before she forced herself back into a straight face. Then said to her "can you explain this and plus you said to me just for tonight?"
Charlotte's eyes flicked down for a moment, distracted by the marks on Kimberly's thighs, but she quickly forced herself back into control. Straightening in her chair, she met Kimberly's gaze directly, her tone cold and unwavering. "Well… I was drunk. I can't remember what happened," she said flatly, her voice carrying no warmth. "So please, get out now before I lose my patience."
Kimberly's sudden move caught Charlotte completely off guard. One moment she was trying to keep her composure, the next Kimberly was perched on her lap, facing her directly. The pen between Kimberly's teeth, the slow trail down her chest, and then the kiss—it all hit Charlotte like a shockwave.
Her eyes widened, her body stiffening as she realized Kimberly wasn't wearing a bra, the closeness impossible to ignore. For a split second, Charlotte was distracted, her carefully built walls cracking under the intensity of Kimberly's boldness.
Kimberly's whisper lingered in Charlotte's ear, her words dripping with insistence. "Wow… that tastes nice. Hmm… seems like I'm not going to give up, okay? You are still mine, and I am yours, okay?"
Charlotte snapped, her patience finally breaking. She shoved Kimberly off her lap, her chair scraping against the floor as she stood abruptly. "No. No!" she said sharply, her voice rising with frustration. "What you need to do is get out now… my god."
Charlotte pressed her back against the door after getting Kimberly out, shutting her eyes tightly as the rush of emotions hit her all at once. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, her chest rising and falling as she tried to steady her breath. "Why do I always give in?" she muttered under her breath, frustration lacing every word. "What does she have… argh."
Her hands clenched at her sides as she shook her head, annoyed at herself for letting Kimberly get so close, for letting the kiss linger longer than it should have. The memory of her lips, the way she moved, the boldness—it all replayed in Charlotte's mind, impossible to push away. "The moment I look at her, I'm hooked," she whispered, almost ashamed to admit it. "My god… she's like a siren, or a succubus."
Charlotte's heart nearly stopped when she heard the faint sound of a child crying through her headset. Her eyes flew open, scanning the room in confusion, only to realize with horror that her mic had been left on. The screen was dark, but Maya's voice came through, teasing and amused.
"Wow… so I take it she found you. That was quick. Like, what happened? I want to see her—and the look on your face right now."
Charlotte's blush deepened as Maya's words came through the screen, her teasing tone impossible to ignore. "Aww, little sister, you don't have to be shy about this," Maya said warmly. "I mean, you do love each other. What's important is that you ask her what she wants—have a talk about the future, you know, the real talk."
Charlotte sighed, her shoulders slumping as she leaned closer to the screen. Her voice carried both worry and regret as she spoke to Maya. "What I know is that she can be serious," Charlotte admitted, her tone softer now. "But I don't know if this time will happen. I mean… she likes being all over the place, you know how she is. But it's gotten to the point where I shouldn't have broken up with her."
Charlotte's blush deepened as Maya's words cut straight through her defenses. She sighed, her voice trembling with both worry and regret.
"I know she can be serious," Charlotte admitted, "but I don't know if this time will be different. She's always all over the place—you know how she is. And yet… it's gotten to the point where I shouldn't have broken up with her."
Maya leaned forward on the video call, her tone firm but caring.
"Well, did you even ask how she feels? Or tell her what you feel?" Maya pressed. "Instead of hiding behind the past, you need to be honest. Tell her you renounced your princess for her, but you're scared she'll never love you the same—because she's someone who loves the spotlight, money, and nice things. But Charlotte… did you even ask her? Or tell her?"
Charlotte let out a heavy sigh, her fingers pressing against her temples as the weight of Maya's advice sank in.
"Oh my god… how do I even say this?" she muttered, her voice low and strained. "You know how she is—when we talk about these things, it always ends in a fight. I don't like that, and I don't want it to happen again, you know?"
Charlotte sat back in her chair, her chest tightening as Maya's words sank in.
"What—who told you a relationship has to be perfect or smooth?" Maya said firmly, her tone both teasing and serious. "If you think that, you're really wrong. Look at me and Nong Oey—we used to fight, and there were a lot of people involved, but we didn't give up. I know it's a bad example, but it's also a good one, little sister. The thing I'm going to tell you is that love should be with love. Just talk it out and act upon it, okay?"
Charlotte watched the little girl wave and bow, her heart softening despite the storm of emotions she'd been wrestling with.
Maya's voice was gentle as she hugged Cadence close: "Cady honey, can you go and find Mommy? Just say Mother is busy, okay sweetie? I'll buy you sweets."
Cady sulked, her small voice carrying disappointment. "But Mommy doesn't let us eat candy…" She looked down, her pout tugging at Charlotte's heart.
Maya chuckled softly, hugging her tighter. "Aww, don't worry. I'll talk it out with her, okay?"
Cady nodded reluctantly, then stood up. She waved goodbye to Charlotte, bowing politely before running off. "Bye-bye, Auntie Charlotte!
Charlotte's eyes widened as she smiled at little Cady's bow and wave, her heart softening. "I'll come visit, okay? Bye," she said warmly, before turning back to the screen.
Looking at Maya, she shook her head in disbelief, still blushing. "Aww, Mother May… how did that happen? Wow, I'm really shocked. I didn't expect this, you know—you, a mother. Wow. What happened? Did Zoey do something to you?"
Charlotte sat back, stunned by the weight of Maya's story. Her eyes softened, though her lips parted in disbelief.
"Ohh… well, it's actually a great story to tell," Maya said, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. "Me and Nong Oey wanted kids a long time ago. After those years together, we had to hide it. Remember when I paused my music career and eventually stopped? The truth is—I was pregnant, but we didn't want to tell anyone, so we hid the whole thing. Later, I found out we had twins. I was so happy… but it didn't last. Me and Nong Oey had disagreements, and we let Lady Grandmother take care of them. At the time, I didn't know Nong Oey was sick. The doctor said her body was too weak to carry, but the reason was deeper than I realized.
"All of that came and went. When we reunited, we thought, why don't we just let the kids live with us? But Lady Grandmother didn't let down so easily. She said no separations, or she'd never let us see them again. Now, though… we're fine."
Charlotte blinked, her shock turning into a smile of awe. "Aww, Mother May… how did that happen? Wow. I'm really shocked—I didn't expect this. You, a mother. What happened? Did Zoey do something to you?" she teased, her voice carrying both disbelief and warmth.
Maya chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Life did something to me, little sister. And love. That's what changed everything."
Charlotte's jaw dropped, her voice rising with disbelief as she stared at Maya through the screen. "What—so you two hid two living beings from me? How did that even happen? I didn't even notice! You all were acting normal, like nothing was happening, but you were busy hiding stuff from me. I can't believe this…
what you Charlotte's eyes widened, her shock still fresh as Maya smiled gently through the screen.
"Well, we wanted it to be a surprise and stuff," Maya explained, her tone calm but affectionate. "But it didn't work, so we had to not reveal anything. Sorry, little sister. You will meet Cadence and Caden, okay? But first… you have to fix your thing with Kim.
Charlotte's smile faded as Maya's words touched the sore spot she'd been trying to avoid. She nodded slowly, her chest tightening with stress, and let out a heavy sigh.
"Well… I know that, big sister," she said quietly, her voice carrying both resignation and vulnerability. "I will do that."
Charlotte sat for a moment in silence, staring at the black screen after Maya's call ended. The office felt heavier now, filled with the echoes of her sister's words—no more secrets, no more regrets, fix your thing with Kim
Kimberly nearly dropped the phone when she saw Charlotte's reflection appear in the camera. Her eyes widened, startled, and she stumbled back with a gasp.
Charlotte's reflexes kicked in—she reached out quickly, steadying Kimberly before she could fall. Their eyes met, the moment charged with tension and unspoken words.
"Well… are you okay?" Charlotte asked softly, her voice carrying both concern and a hint of reproach.
Kimberly froze, clutching the phone awkwardly, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She nodded, biting her lip, but the playful spark in her eyes betrayed her nervousness. The selfies, the posts—it was all typical Kimberly, chasing the spotlight. But now, caught in Charlotte's gaze, she looked more vulnerable than she wanted to admit.
Kimberly's cheeks flushed as she quickly slipped out of Charlotte's arms, looking away to hide her embarrassment. "Charmed…" she muttered, her voice shaky but playful, though her blush betrayed her nerves.
Charlotte steadied herself, watching Kimberly's deflection with calm eyes. She crossed her arms, her tone firm but gentle. "Well, okay then… I think we need to talk.
"Sometimes words are not important. What matters are actions, because they show mean and reveal the truth—more truthful than any love letter."
"You can't hide feelings, and you can't fabricate them, because actions and the self will eventually expose you."
"The rollercoaster is dangerous and unpredictable, much like love. The question is: if love were a blanket, would you hold on tight, or let go?"