"There is always someone waiting for you at the end of the tunnel, no matter how many miles or years you've walked without them. Trust me—they are there, waiting at the finish line, ready to give you the light you've been searching for.
I know you ask yourself: Why am I stumbling in the dark alone? Why must I carry this pain unseen? Am I truly unlovable? But what I know is this: there is always that person who has been there all along, waiting for the right time. You don't notice them because you've been seeking shelter in the wrong houses along the way.
Trust me—everything will fall into place when you reach the end. You'll see them standing there, arms open, offering a warm, luminous, welcoming hug. In that embrace, you'll find comfort, hope, love, and everything you thought you had lost on the journey."
Kimberly walked behind Charlotte, following her into the sitting room. The whole time, silence hung between them—neither spoke, as if words would only break the fragile air. They didn't know what to say, yet both were holding it back, saving it for later.
After they entered the sitting room, Charlotte turned, her eyes settling on Kimberly. She looked as though she was about to speak, but the words caught in her throat. Before she could say anything, Kimberly stepped forward and, almost out of nowhere, wrapped her arms around her said to her "Darling," Kimberly whispered, her voice trembling yet steady with resolve, "I still want to be with you—no matter what. Okay? Can you promise me that?"
Kimberly looked at her after speaking, confusion flickering across her face at Charlotte's stoic expression. Charlotte kept her gaze turned away, silent, as though the words Kimberly had offered were too heavy to meet. After a long pause, she finally looked back, her eyes glistening with tears said "Well… I can't really promise that," she whispered. "All this time, my older sister kept telling me I should fix this—that we should fix this. But…
Kimberly looked at her, lost for words, as she slowly let go of Charlotte. Her voice faltered, breaking through the silence and said "Huh… wha—what do you mean by that, Phi?" she asked, confusion and hurt mingling in her tone.
Charlotte looked at her as she gently removed Kimberly's hands, shaking her head. Her voice trembled as she finally spoke and said "Hm… really? Do you… I mean, I genuinely thought we loved each other. But no… when I found out you were lying to me—and after all the times I asked if something was wrong—you always said no, or you just avoided the question."
Kimberly, shocked, looked away from her, words stumbling out and said "But… I thought we were over this. What do you want me to say—" Charlotte cut in sharply, her voice rising then said to her "The freaking truth! Because if I'm going to give you a second chance, I need to know—before anything else—what else you're hiding."
Kimberly looked at her, a little shaken by Charlotte's sudden shout. Fear flickered in her eyes, but she steadied herself, speaking in a calm, measured tone as if trying to cool the storm as she said to her "Well… I don't have anything hidden. Look, I'll tell you this—I spoke with Lady Maya about what happened. She and I sorted it out. And about Karen… she's no longer here. After she apologized to the royal family, she just disconnected and disappeared. I don't know where she is.
Before coming to find you, I made sure to sort everything out. After your sister gave me a long talking-to, I wanted to start fresh—with a clean slate between us. But I didn't know how to reach you again, how to… uhm…"
Charlotte sighed, her shoulders heavy as she looked at Kimberly. Her voice broke through the silence, low but sharp with pain then she said "After you lied… and cheated."
Kimberly looked away, her voice dropping to a murmured "No… it was just flirting. We didn't kiss for long. I thought I'd already paid for that… hmm."
Charlotte turned her head, gently lifting Kimberly's chin so their eyes met. Her gaze was steady, unwavering, even as her voice carried both pain and resolve then said to her
"Well… it's still the same thing. But you came back to me, so… yes. And I trust you not to do that again—because if you do, I won't forgive you. I'll just end it all. Okay?"
Kimberly looked at her, a blush rising to her cheeks as shyness softened her gaze. She glanced up at Charlotte, her voice hesitant but tinged with vulnerability as she said "I mean… why would I do that, when I've got hickeys across my body? Did you really have to do that? I thought we wouldn't… you know…"
Charlotte smiled faintly as she looked at Kimberly, then gently let go of her. She didn't say anything—her silence heavy, her thoughts tangled with worry about what she might reveal if she spoke.
Kimberly looked at her, worry flickering in her eyes. She recognized that look from Charlotte—it piqued her, unsettled her. Gently, she leaned closer and asked, her voice soft but searching then said "What's wrong?"
Charlotte sighed, the tension clear in her posture. She looked stressed, torn between wanting to speak and fearing what her words might cause. Kimberly's gaze only made it harder—she didn't want to break down or risk losing her after this confession. Closing her eyes, Charlotte finally spoke, her voice trembling but resolute as she said "I have something to tell you. I… I am no longer a princess. I renounced my title… okay?"
Kimberly was in disbelief, shocked by what she had just heard. But instead of pressing Charlotte with questions, she chose to comfort her. She didn't ask what had happened or why Charlotte had made that choice—she felt this wasn't the time.
Wrapping her arms tightly around Charlotte, Kimberly whispered with quiet resolve as she said to her "I won't ask you why. I'll only say this—I'm here for you. You can tell me when you're ready."
Charlotte hadn't expected what just happened. Kimberly's words alone brought tears to her eyes, and as she held her tightly, the emotions overwhelmed her. She cried, her body trembling so much that she even lost her footing—but Kimberly caught her, steady and protective.
Charlotte let her head rest against Kimberly's chest, sobbing openly, while Kimberly held her close and gently patted her head, offering quiet comfort
Kimberly stayed quiet, offering no words, only comfort. Charlotte clung to her tightly, surprisingly vulnerable, her voice low and heavy with sadness then she said "It's just… I don't want to be hurt. I've sacrificed so much for this. I even gave up my title—just to gain love. So, I don't want that to be meaningless, you know?"
Kimberly knelt down, drawing closer to Charlotte. With gentle hands, she wiped the tears from Charlotte's face, her gaze lingering on her lips as she said to her "Who said it would be meaningless? What I know is… I can't put it into words, but…"
Her voice faded as she leaned in, pressing her lips softly to Charlotte's. The kiss was filled with warmth, longing, and all the unspoken feelings Kimberly carried for her—an embrace of love that spoke louder than words ever could.
Charlotte was surprised by the kiss, her breath catching as warmth spread through her. In that moment, she felt a tangible proof of Kimberly's feelings—something she could see, something she could hold onto. The kiss stirred memories: the first time they met, their very first kiss. Back then, it had felt like defiance itself, a moment that stood against hate and lies. And now, it felt like a promise renewed.
Kimberly slowly pulled back, her eyes lingering on Charlotte as she wiped the lipstick from her lips. Before she could speak, Charlotte caught her hand, holding it firmly. A faint seriousness colored her expression as she said, her voice low but edged with warning as she said to her "Well… I get it now. It's more than once—you've kissed me without my approval. So, tell me… how are you going to pay up for that?"
Charlotte looked at Kimberly seriously, her gaze unwavering. Kimberly, embarrassed, fumbled for words, her cheeks warming as she stammered as she said "W… what? But I thought you did that already. Hmm… I can't… not again."
Charlotte pulled her closer, her hand resting firmly on Kimberly's waist. Kimberly, distracted by Charlotte's beauty, felt herself swept off her feet the moment their eyes met and lingered. She finally spoke, her voice soft as she said "Well, I wasn't quite myself yesterday, and I don't remember much. What I do recall is you almost losing your voice and dro—"
Kimberly cut herself off, pressing a hand to her mouth. "No… no, I don't want to hear that. I mean, it's so embarrassing to think I was… never mind. Can we stop talking about this?"
Charlotte giggled as she playfully poked at Kimberly's neck, trying to rile her up. "Aww, well, I really liked seeing you like that. I mean, to think I was holding—"
Kimberly's eyes widened as she cut in, flustered. "What? Holding back? I nearly lost my voi—no, I mean nothing! Why are you tricking me into talking about this?" She folded her arms and pouted, her cheeks warm with embarrassment.
Charlotte looked at her and kissed her pouty lips several times, knowing she was sulking. "Aww, don't worry. I won't punish you if you act like a good girl, okay?"
Kimberly, always easy to please, smiled shyly as her cheeks flushed. She looked down, then nodded before glancing back up at Charlotte. Suddenly, Charlotte kissed her again—this time rougher, pulling Kimberly closer with her hands firmly on her waist. Kimberly felt her heart race; she knew Charlotte was really good at kissing, and then her…
Kimberly was lost in the kiss, unable to stop—and neither could Charlotte. They stayed wrapped in it for a while, the moment deepening, almost leading somewhere more. Then Charlotte's phone rang. She ignored it at first, but when it rang again, she finally pulled away, stood up, and answered the call.
Kimberly was left speechless, her fingers brushing against her lips as if to hold onto the feeling. After a few minutes, she too stood, her thoughts still circling back to Charlotte. Even as she looked at her, she remained caught in the moment, replaying it over and over in her mind.
Charlotte held the phone to her ear, her voice softening as she realized it was her older sister, Maya, calling just to check up on her.
On the other end of the line, Maya's voice came through, warm but direct and said to her "Well, I forgot to ask—did you tell her about the position? And since she's with you, maybe she can help with the remaining things for the business."
Kimberly, nosey and clingy, got up and wrapped her arms around Charlotte from behind. She murmured softly, "I'm not interested… I just want to spend time together."
Charlotte glanced back at her, hearing the words, and giggled. She tapped the phone to speaker mode and said to Maya, "Well, she can answer for herself. Older sister, she's here with me."
Kimberly's cheeks warmed as she pressed closer, her pout fading into a shy smile, caught between embarrassment and the comfort of Charlotte's presence.
Maya's voice carried through the speaker, calm but direct and said "Ohh, hey there, Nong. So, about you resigning as my assistant—I already talked with Charlotte about you not having a job anymore. I thought maybe you could help her instead, with the remaining things for the business. How does that sound?"
Kimberly sulked, her arms tightening around Charlotte as she lowered her gaze. The moment she heard Phi May mention the job, her energy seemed to drain instantly. Her voice came out soft, almost pleading as she said "But… I just got her, and I need to fix things with Phi Lotty. Plus, if it's today, I can't… I mean, I didn't even sleep yesterday."
Maya's voice came through the speaker, puzzled and said "Huh… what are you talking about anyway?"
Before Charlotte could answer, a small voice called out in the background—Cady, Maya's daughter, tugging for her attention. Distracted, Maya quickly dropped the call, leaving the line silent without warning.
Charlotte and Kimberly were left stunned by the sudden end of the call. Kimberly furrowed her brows, her voice hesitant as she clung to Charlotte as she said "Phi Lotty… who was that? I mean… is Lady Maya cheating on—uhm, what?"
Charlotte sighed, holding her head in annoyance as she looked at Kimberly then said "What the… where did you get that? My older sister doesn't cheat—unlike someone I know."
She shot Kimberly a side-eye, her tone edged with irritation. Then, softening just slightly, she added and said "Well, I expected you to know that my older sister and Phi Zoey have kids—twins, actually. But you didn't know, which is… worrying."
Kimberly blinked, her pout deepening as Charlotte's words sank in, torn between embarrassment and the sting of being scolded.
Kimberly hugged Charlotte tighter, her voice trembling with emotion as she pleaded her case as she said "Aww, honey… I was in the darkness, lost in the way of life." She grew dramatic, her words spilling out with urgency. "But when I found the light, you changed me for the better. I'll never do it again, okay?"
She kissed Charlotte's cheek multiple times, clinging to her with desperate affection, her arms wrapped close as if she feared letting go.
Charlotte looked at her, her voice suddenly firm as she said "Next time you do that, I'll tie you to the bed and I won't let go—no matter how high the keys are, okay?"
Her words hung in the air, sharp and commanding, before she exhaled and let the tension ease. A small smile tugged at her lips as she added casually as she said "Anyway… I'm hungry. Want to help me cook?"
Kimberly gulped, her arms tightening around Charlotte as her imagination ran wild. Her voice came out shaky, almost pleading as she said "But… you're kidding, right?"
Charlotte smiled, deliberately dodging Kimberly's nervous question as she then said "I think we can make Som Tum as a salad and Cashew Chicken as the main dish. Good—you're going to help."
She tugged Kimberly's hand, pulling her along toward the kitchen. The sudden change of topic left Kimberly blinking, still rattled by Charlotte's earlier words, but the warmth of her touch softened her nerves.
Kimberly let herself be pulled into the kitchen, her steps hesitant. She lowered her gaze, her voice soft and uncertain as she said "So… you know, I hope you still remember that I can't cook. I only know how to make one or two dishes, and that's it. I really can't help…"
Her pout deepened as she looked down, embarrassed by her own admission. The warmth of Charlotte's hand in hers was the only thing keeping her steady, even as she sulked at the thought of failing in the kitchen.
Charlotte tilted her head, her brows furrowing as she looked at Kimberly the said to her "Huh… wait, wait. So, you still don't know how to cook? I mean, yeah, I sort of knew that—we've lived together for years—but I thought you were learning."
Kimberly lifted her hands, showing off her stylish, long nails with a pout as she said to her "Well… I can't mess these up by cooking, you know. And I can't stand too long—plus it gets hot in the kitchen. So, yeah… I can't do that."
Charlotte sighed, shaking her head as she rolled up her sleeves. She tied her hair back neatly, slipped on an apron, and gave Kimberly a pointed look as she said "Well, since you can't help… then bye-bye. Go sit down—you're only going to disturb me."
Kimberly suddenly broke into a smile, striking a playful pose with a teasing glint in her eyes "With my sexiness… right?" she said, her tone dripping with mischief.
Charlotte blinked, shaking her head with a sigh then said "No, that's not what I mean by disturbing. You're standing here, not helping—"
But before she could finish, Kimberly cut her off, her voice bright and dramatic.
"Well, I am here… as your cheerleader and lover."
Charlotte smiled, her eyes softening as she leaned in. With a gentle motion, she lifted Kimberly and set her down on the countertop. Meeting her gaze, Charlotte kissed her on the lips, lingering just long enough to make Kimberly's heart flutter.
"Well, I hear you, cheerleader," she murmured with a playful smile.
Kimberly let out a small scream as Charlotte lifted her, her eyes widening in shock as she said "Can you stop with lifting me like that? What if I was wearing a skirt?" she blurted, her voice half-panicked, half-teasing.
Charlotte blinked, then smiled as if the thought amused her as she said to her "Well… it wouldn't be bad, actually. I mean, we're alone here—no one's around to see anything. Stop being weird."
She tied her apron tighter, turning back to the counter before her tone shifted, more serious now then said "Anyway, can you answer my question about older sister?"
Kimberly's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing as she stammered as she said to her "Well… yeah, whatever. Huh… if you're asking about the twins—no, I didn't know about that. Although I did hear the names Cadence and Caden around the castle, spoken by the maids. But it wasn't my business at the time, so I didn't look it up."
She hesitated, her voice dropping as she added, almost nervously said "Ohh… and I heard Lady Zoey calling Lady Maya 'Mommy' once. Is… is that something?"
Charlotte's eyes widened as soon as the words left Kimberly's mouth. She clapped her hands over her ears, shaking her head in disbelief as she said to her "What… no! Why are you telling me that? That's weird and inappropriate—argh! Why would I want to hear that?"
Charlotte groaned, her patience thinning. She slapped Kimberly's thigh with a quick, annoyed motion, then turned away, sulking as she focused on the sizzling pan.
"Don't do that ever again," she muttered, her voice firm as she stirred the food.
Kimberly let out a soft moan, rubbing her thigh with exaggerated dramatics. She pouted, leaning toward Charlotte with wide, pleading eyes.
"You're such a meanie, Phi Lotty… I was only kidding," she said, her tone dripping with mock hurt, though the mischievous smile tugging at her lips betrayed her playfulness.
Kimberly stepped closer, noticing Charlotte's sulking expression. Wrapping her arms around her from behind, she pressed her cheek lightly against Charlotte's shoulder.
"Sorry, okay? I was just kidding about that," she whispered, her voice soft and coaxing.
Charlotte's face stayed stoic, her voice steady but heavy with emotion as she said "Well… you talking about my sister's relationship makes me think that I can't be like her. I really thought I could—have a great relationship, be successful, be a good princess. But no… things didn't work out the way I planned.
After I started my acting, the dream I wanted… scandals were non-stop, so I had to let it go. I thought finding you would be a dream come true, but instead I was the worst girlfriend. I blamed you for everything. I mean, I hid you for so long—who would like that? And now I've lost my title… but honestly, I don't have many regrets about that one."
Kimberly sighed deeply, her arms tightening around Charlotte's waist as worry filled her eyes and said to her "Well… you know things don't always go as planned. If everything went perfectly, it would be boring—there'd be no stories to tell, nothing to learn from.
For me… yeah, I was hurt when you hid me. But I cared about your happiness more. It's not like I didn't care—I did. I lived with you, saw you crying alone on the balcony every night. But when you were with me, you never showed that side. Trust me, I saw it, and I wanted to act… but at the time, I was drowning in my own problems. I wasn't a good person then.
Now, I want to make up for those times I couldn't be there for you. I want to show you that I'm grateful for you, that I appreciate you for choosing me. And I'll choose and love you every day
So, if there's something—good or bad—you can tell me, I'll listen. Because I believe actions can amplify words."
Her voice trembled with sincerity, her embrace steady, as if she was trying to anchor Charlotte back into the warmth of her love.
Charlotte's stoic mask finally cracked, her eyes shimmering as tears spilled freely down her cheeks. She hadn't expected Kimberly's words to pierce so deeply, and yet they did—reminding her of a line she once heard: "I am not perfect, but I will never stop loving you. I tried to save us, but there is only so much I can do."
Her voice trembled as she spoke, broken by sobs.
"I really appreciate you… and I really hope you don't leave me, no matter what I do or what you did. I need you. I regret leaving you like that—I never thought we could be like this. I was scared of losing you, and yet I left you with questions. I know 'sorry' can't fix it, but I hope in your heart you still love me.
I want us to start on a new page, okay? Please… can we do that? What I know is that I can't stop loving you, and it drives me crazy in a way I can't explain."
Her words hung heavy in the kitchen, raw and unguarded, as she stood there crying, finally letting Kimberly see the side she had hidden for so long.
Kimberly's thoughts raced, words feeling too small for the weight of her emotions. So instead, she leaned in and kissed Charlotte softly on the lips, pouring everything she felt into that single action.
For a moment, the world seemed to pause. Time froze, space dissolved, and it was as if they had stepped into another dimension—one woven from their memories, their pain, and their love. Every heartbeat, every tear, every laugh they had shared shimmered around them like fragments of light.
Slowly, Kimberly pulled away, her thumb brushing away Charlotte's tears. Her voice was tender, steady, and full of devotion as she said "You are everything to me. So, I give you this memento, okay? Something to remind you that I will always exist with you… and you can always remember."
Charlotte's blush deepened as she hugged Kimberly tightly, her smile breaking through the tears as she said "Wow… that's so on the nose and cute. Where do you even get that from?" she whispered, her voice trembling with warmth.
She leaned her forehead against Kimberly's, her eyes shining with a mix of relief and affection as she said "I really love it," she added softly, her lips curving into a tender smile that carried both gratitude and hope.
Kimberly's smile softened as she held Charlotte close, her embrace steady and comforting as she said "Well… can't I say something like that? I mean, I've never said it before—or anything like it."
Charlotte's blush deepened as she cuddled closer, refusing to let Kimberly go. She kissed her softly, then whispered with a shy smile as she said "Well… no, it was so precious and adorable. Just don't say that to anyone else. It's really good that only I heard it."
Her arms tightened around Kimberly, holding her as if she never wanted to let go. The warmth between them lingered, fragile yet powerful, as Charlotte's heart finally allowed itself to believe in Kimberly's devotion.
Kimberly blushed too, her smile soft but a little shy as she held Charlotte tighter as she said "Well… uhm, honey, don't you have to work? You're holding on so tight and it's very comfortable. I mean, I'm not against it or anything," she said with a nervous laugh, her voice caught between teasing and genuine affection
Charlotte held Kimberly even tighter, refusing to answer, her silence saying more than words ever could. She just wanted to stay like this for a few minutes, savoring the warmth of Kimberly's arms around her.
"Loving with actions, not empty words. Knowing what you can and can't do doesn't make you useless—it simply shortens the list. Words can differ from actions, and that says a lot. Some people try so hard to fit in, making promises they can't keep, not caring about others' feelings. They delude you into believing they'll change, that they'll be good, that they'll treat you as you deserve. But in truth, you keep falling for the same delusion, the same false hopes, wandering back into the maze."
"Instead of breaking free, you stay in the cage. Yet freedom lies in finding the one who acts, who treats you with care, who goes out of their way to make sure you're okay. That's the person worth holding onto—not the one who hides behind planned words, but the one whose actions speak louder than promises."
After some moments, Charlotte returned to her work. She had to finalize the lease and the building contract, but since she couldn't physically go there, she handled everything from home and sent it to her sister Maya for review and submission.
Once that was done, she found a great opportunity to relax with gaming. Being a big fan of fantasy and FPS titles, she spent time immersed in them. Her account was topped up to the max, and as a pro player, she thrived in those worlds.
Kimberly padded softly up the stairs, balancing a drink in her hands—the one she had prepared after helping Charlotte with her work and washing up the dishes from their lunch. She pushed the office door open, her white robe flowing lightly, paired with a playful cosplay of Charlotte's in‑game character. The outfit suited her in uncanny ways, echoing aspects of herself while mirroring Charlotte's fantasy persona.
She wasn't surprised to find Charlotte gaming; it was a familiar sight, and one of the quirks that had drawn Kimberly to love her even more. With a gentle smile, she stepped inside and said "Well, I made this for you… oh, and can I cuddle up with you? It's kind of chilly—and, yeah."
Charlotte's cheeks warmed as she glanced at Kimberly, her eyes widening at the sight of the cosplay. A shy smile tugged at her lips, and she blushed before nodding, pulling Kimberly close and settling her onto her lap without hesitation.
Still focused on her game, Charlotte leaned in just enough to murmur, half‑teasing and half‑serious "Well… can you not wear that in public like last time? A guy almost crashed his car staring at you."
Kimberly settled herself comfortably, facing Charlotte with a playful grin. She opened her legs just enough to wrap them snugly around Charlotte's waist, then laid her head against her chest, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat as she said "Well, whatever—I don't care about that," she murmured, her voice warm and teasing. "I mean, I'm yours. And I know I'm very hot to handle."
Her eyes sparkled as she tilted her head up slightly, smirking as she said to her "Remember the first time you saw me? Your eyes were glued to me. And when Lady Maya left us alone, you never moved from that couch. What's worse is that you forgot how to speak after I actually responded to you. What was going through your mind then? Did you really think I'd just say 'hey' to you? Because in my mind, I was like… aww, cute."
Her words carried both mischief and tenderness, wrapping Charlotte in the same warmth as her embrace.
Charlotte's blush deepened, her words tumbling out in a mix of honesty and embarrassment as she said "I mean… it's whatever. You were really pretty, and I wasn't surprised my older sister knew you. But you were… uhm… hot. It felt like love at first sight, honestly. But my sister warned me about how much of a flirt you are.
Kimberly giggled, her smile widening as she looked at Charlotte with playful affection as she said "Wow, you're a smooth one," she teased, her voice light but sincere. "Can you let this weird flirting thing go, okay? I mean, I only did it once—and not anymore. Plus, I kind of didn't have a choice back then."
She shifted slightly, her arms tightening around Charlotte's waist as she continued, her tone softening as she said "I really didn't think you'd have a crush on me that fast. But I noticed… when I caught you looking at me when you thought I wasn't paying attention. It was cute. And honestly, I thought you were pretty too. When I saw you with your hair down, I was like wow—and I couldn't stop thinking about you after that."
Her eyes sparkled as she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a tender whisper "You wanted to ask me out, but you failed so many times. I even got frustrated—I thought I was doing something wrong. So, I had to ask you myself, just to ease you up."
Charlotte's cheeks flushed even deeper, her eyes glued to the screen as she continued gaming, though her voice betrayed the emotions stirring inside her then said "No… I mean, the moment I saw you, I lost my words. I just went blank—and that was a first for me, you know? When you asked me out, I just fell in deep. I felt like I was living a dream—it was so good. And I still feel the same. I still love you… just like I loved you then."
Kimberly giggled softly, her clinginess only growing as she hugged Charlotte tighter, refusing to let go as she said "Well, I really love that—it's cute, you know. Do you remember that time you stayed awake the whole night streaming? It was some kind of tournament. I passed by your room, peeked in, and saw you sleeping even though the event wasn't over. So, I had to step in and help you win."
Her voice carried a mix of pride and playfulness as she continued then said "Back then, we didn't talk much. Plus, you said I had yandere, needy‑girl vibes and that I was a player. So, I just finished the match for you, put you on the bed, and left. I even asked the maids to help you once you woke up."
Charlotte's eyes widened, her blush deepening as she turned slightly toward Kimberly, still half‑focused on her game as she said "I mean… that's so true. I had a front‑row seat to all of that. You used to flirt with the maids after you knew I had a crush on you, and you teased me so much back then.
But what I really remember is the time you thought I was dating Zoey. You even showed me that knife and made me log in to all my accounts just to see who I was talking to. Plus, you had access to my phone—like, what the hell? I already explained why I was talking to her in secret. You were my older sister's assistant, so I had to hide it.
Zoey is like a sister to me, and that's where it ends. I mean… you're the one who, you know…"
Kimberly rose slowly, tilting her head as her expression shifted into something sharp and unsettling. Her eyes locked onto Charlotte with a look that carried both intensity and challenge then said "Hmm… since I'm the one, what do you mean? I don't remember you having speech problems, so why now? Should I have to do something to make you talk?"
Charlotte's words tumbled out in a rush, her blush still lingering as she looked down, murmuring almost to herself then said "No… I'm just kidding, okay? Can we go cuddle in bed?" She shifted uncomfortably, her voice dropping lower. "Oh my god… if I said that, I was gone. I mean, I can't even play right now."
Charlotte tried to calm Kimberly down, her voice soft but urgent as she said "Just… calm down, okay? I didn't say anything. I mean, I was right with what I said, but you don't have to do that, okay?"
She leaned in, trying to kiss her, but Kimberly pressed a finger gently against her lips, stopping her. Without another word, Kimberly slipped off her quietly, her movements deliberate, and walked out of the room in silence.
Charlotte froze, speechless, as Kimberly left the room. The silence pressed down on her until she finally shut off her PC and hurried after her.
In the kitchen, her breath caught—Kimberly's movements were sharp, unsettling, and Charlotte's eyes widened with fear as she saw Kimberly holding knife out, Charlotte stood frozen, her words caught in her throat as Kimberly turned with a plain, unreadable expression as she said "Hmm… what are you talking about?" Kimberly said flatly, her tone carrying no hint of the intensity from moments before. "Don't you want dinner? I'm making it."
She sighed, looking away as if dismissing the tension entirely, then moved toward the fridge with quiet, deliberate steps. The shift left Charlotte stunned—her fear colliding with confusion, unsure whether Kimberly's calmness was genuine or just another layer of her unpredictable nature.
Charlotte's embarrassment lingered as she watched Kimberly gather ingredients, her relief mixing with curiosity as she said "Didn't you say you can't cook? Why are you making dinner?" she asked softly, her tone caught between teasing and genuine confusion.
Kimberly glanced back, holding eggs and chicken along with a few other items. "Well, I said I can make two dishes—breakfast and this one. I think it's called… wait, let me check." She pulled out her phone, only to see the battery nearly dead. With a sigh, she added, "Well, can you lend me your phone? Mine's dead, and I want to check something.
Charlotte handed over her phone without a word, knowing better than to question Kimberly in that moment. Kimberly unlocked it easily—the password was her birthday—and her lips curved into a smile as she said to her "Wow, you didn't change it. Aww, cute," she teased, her cheeks warming when she noticed Charlotte had set her as the wallpaper.
Scrolling quickly, she opened the browser history to check the dish she wanted to make. But then something caught her eye. She turned the screen toward Charlotte, her expression shifting into playful mischief then said "What is this? 'How to make up with your girlfriend after breaking up'?" Kimberly laughed, her voice ringing with amusement, clearly enjoying the discovery.
Charlotte's face flushed deeper, her embarrassment clear as she shook her head quickly as she said "No, no… can we forget about that? I mean, you are kind of hard to please, you know, so I had to make plans. That's why I asked—but it's gone now."
She tried to steer the moment away from her awkward admission, her voice softening as she changed the subject and said "Well… did you find what you were looking for? And are you going to make it?
Kimberly nodded, setting Charlotte's phone gently on the table before turning back with a warm smile.
"You're very cute, you know. I don't want to leave you—I actually love you a lot, Phi Lotty," she said softly, her voice carrying both affection and playfulness.
With that, she began cooking, moving with a quiet confidence as if the simple act of preparing food was her way of grounding the moment.
Charlotte stepped closer, her embarrassment fading into tenderness. Wrapping her arms around Kimberly from behind, she pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek.
"Aww… I love you, my Kimmy," she whispered, holding her tightly, the warmth between them eclipsing everything else.
After a while, dinner was ready, and they settled down to eat. Once they finished, they cleaned up the dishes and the kitchen before staying up to watch a movie together. Time passed until February 13th, 2026. By then, they had been together for a few months since finding each other, gradually renewing what had once been lost.
Charlotte began thinking about what she could do for Kimberly on Valentine's Day, while Kimberly was considering the same thing. Both were planning something big. With the grand opening of the makeup brand branch behind them, this was the perfect opportunity to focus more on themselves. Kimberly had been a tremendous help to Charlotte—not only with the business but also with everything around the house. Seeing how Kimberly had been there for her and for their relationship left Charlotte feeling deeply fulfilled
"It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
The love I can't live without… yet had to let go."
"I only exist now in the memories with you."