The One

Olcan Drama: Part 2

As Jason drove deliberately slowly away from the mansion, their conversation steered towards tracking down or contacting Karol. With a quick decision, Sharon pretended to call her sister.

"You know what? I'll call her and find out what her deal is since someone here is keeping mum about everything. I'll put her on loudspeaker, but promise me one thing," she said, eyeing both of them.

Without missing a beat, both Christian and Jason replied, "We promise," in perfect unison, making Sharon roll her eyes.

"Good enthusiasm. I want you both to be dead silent—no sounds coming from your mouths, okay?" she instructed firmly as they nodded vigorously.

With a deep breath, Sharon pressed the call button, her heart racing as they waited for Karol to pick up. On the third ring, Karol finally did.

"Hello?" came her voice, sounding distant but clear.

"Hello, sissy! Where are you?" Sharon asked, trying to keep her tone light.

"Sitting in an empty parking lot while searching for a place to eat. Why?" Karol replied, sounding oddly calm.

"Oh, nothing. Just wanted to ask where you are and why you didn't eat at the party," Sharon asked mildly, curiosity piquing.

"They serve rabbit food, not the hearty meal a human should eat!" Karol replied, her disdain for the catering evident.

"Dude, that's the party! You don't go to an event like this and expect a full-course meal," Sharon replied, chuckling slightly.

"No wonder all of them are skinny as skeletons; they don't eat well at these types of parties. Hmm, wait, are you alone?" Karol asked, shifting the tone.

"Yes, I skipped the party and hid inside the car because my leg is killing me," Sharon replied, empathy in her voice.

"I get how you feel; that heel is a killer heel! But lucky for you, Jason was there to help you. Don't think I didn't notice! You two looked cute together," Sharon teased, a smile creeping into her tone.

"Thank you, sissy, for saying that. Anyway, since I'm out from the party, spill the beans—what happened with you and Christian?" Karol pushed, her tone turning serious.

"Nothing big! I just did what I promised him: I'd leave his ass behind if I felt left out or if he left me alone," Sharon replied, her voice tinged with frustration.

"He left you alone? When?" Karol probed, a hint of concern seeping into her tone.

"The moment we entered the venue, I felt left out, so I headed out to their maze-like backyard. Let me tell you, they have this beautiful garden connected to what they call a jungle," Sharon explained, her words rushing out.

"Then?" Karol encouraged, curiosity evident in her voice.

"Then he found me, and we headed back, but we were stopped because some woman was tugging on his arm. I felt left out again, so I turned around to walk off and let the two lovebirds be," Sharon finished, a hint of bitterness lacing her words.

"Oh... someone is feeling jealous, huh?" Karol teased lightly.

"Jealous? No! Just annoyed! He shouldn't promise such things. If I'd known he was the popular kid constantly surrounded by people, I wouldn't have gone to that stupid party in the first place. But whatever, it's done now, and I just need a breather from all the drama," Sharon sighed, the weight of her feelings palpable even through the phone.

"That's all? What about the kiss?" Karol's voice trembled as she pressed her thumb against the edge of her phone, desperate for the truth.

"Ah, that one," Jason sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes. "Yes, he kissed the woman in the bathroom lobby. Can you even imagine? As if they were auditioning for a soap opera. Public affection in a place like that! It's practically a scandal."

Christian snorted, trying to suppress a grin. "With all the foot traffic, they might as well have booked a room. I mean, it's like a real-life version of 'let's pretend we're having an affair'."

Karol's brow furrowed. "But I was his date that night! He has a hidden girlfriend, and there I was, practically centre stage while everyone watched the real drama unfold...what was I, a mere prop?"

"Love, don't be ridiculous!" Jason interjected. "You were the star of that show! They were probably all thinking, 'Who is this goddess stealing our boy?' It's like you were lighting up the whole place!"

"Goddess? More like 'girl who crashed the party'!" Karol sighed, then added with a playful scoff, "You know what it's like – the parents disapproving of the chosen girlfriend, and then there's me, the stand-in, the 'who-knows-what' in a story I wasn't even part of. Honestly, I felt like a character in a bad romance novel."

"Sissy, don't go thinking like that! You're someone special! Don't entertain their misguided drama! Honestly, who cares?" Jason's voice was firm, yet warm, wrapping around her doubt like a gentle hug.

"Hahaha, Jason, sissy? I'm merely sharing my thoughts and my hilarious deductions. It's all just nonsense! Besides..." she added, a hint of mischief creeping in, "it's Christian's circus, and I'm just the confused monkey."

"Nothing! I was merely trying to boost your spirits and drown out the idiocy of tonight's chaos!" Jason chuckled, nudging her playfully.

"Speaking of chaos, tell Jason I'll return his best friend's car tomorrow evening, probably before midnight. And oh sissy, can you give Christian a ride home, since I kinda borrowed his vehicle and left him stranded at the party?"

"Of course! I'll sort it." Jason waved his hand dismissively.

"Thank you, sissy. You're a gem. Love you!" Karol ended the call, laughter bubbling within her before she realised it was a long night ahead. She decided upon an overnight stay in Olsen City rather than risking a drive back to Theodulf.

"Alright, you heard that, right?" Sharon looked pointedly at both Jason and Christian, who nodded eagerly. Then, with all the seriousness of a detective uncovering a scandal, she shot a sharp glance at Christian. "And who the hell is that woman? Why on Earth did you kiss her?!"

"My stubborn ex," he replied, a hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes.

"That requires you to lock lips with her?" Sharon's voice was incredulous.

"She did it on purpose! She knew Karol was heading our way, and she wanted to make a grand claim," Christian defended himself, a slight flush creeping onto his cheeks.

"How dumb can you be? You knew Karol was there! At the bathroom lobby of all places?" She threw her hands up, exasperated.

"She pulled me in there, desperate for a chat. She practically begged for a 'last hug', not a kiss. I was so stunned by the entire charade that I didn't bolt for the door at once!" he exclaimed, the frustration threading through his voice.

"Whatever the case, you must tell her," Sharon insisted with a fierce look. "Even if she's not ready to hear you, you must explain when she is willing, or she could very well dismiss you without a second thought."

"I promise, I will. That's why I need to see her," Christian's tone softened, laced with urgency.

"Wait, wait! What do you mean rejected without even knowing?" Sharon interjected, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"Curious to find out? Then ask your buddy to experience rejection firsthand, and he'll understand all too well," she teased, smirking at them both, her wit slicing through the tension. As she turned her gaze back to the road, Sharon slipped her phone into her bag, leaving the two men speechless, the weight of their predicament hanging heavily in the air like the scent of impending trouble.