Sweet Rivalry : From Bitter Enemies To Sweet Lovers (BXB)

9- I guess I'm a third wheel

As Charles stepped into Neo's shop, he was instantly captivated by the eclectic mix of vintage items, colorful artwork, and the warm, inviting atmosphere.

Neo greeted Charles with a friendly smile, offering him a seat at a cozy corner table. They settled in, surrounded by shelves lined with books, trinkets, and curiosities from around the world.
The sunlight streamed through the large windows.

Engrossed in conversation, Charles lost track of time as he and Neo shared stories, laughter, and their love for all things creative.

Neo's passion for art and design was contagious, and Charles found himself inspired by the unique pieces displayed throughout the shop.

Charles: I just noticed you've got some pretty art work in your bakery.

Neo: Yeah, I have a good eye about art.

Charles: I think I should do something creative with my bakery too.

Neo: I guess you should paint the wall. It will it make it more catchy and creative.

Suddenly, Charles realized he needed to use the restroom.

Charles: Uhm.. Neo, I'll be right back. I need to use the washroom.

He excused himself and hurriedly made his way to the back of the shop, leaving his phone behind on the table. Neo noticed the forgotten device and decided to keep a watchful eye on it, ensuring its safety.

Meanwhile, Customers came to the bakery. Neo, the multitasking master, gracefully attended to the influx of customers who had come to order their favorite pastries.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, Charles's phone suddenly began to ring, breaking the rhythm of the shop.

At first, Neo hesitated, thinking it would be best to let the call go unanswered. But as the phone continued to ring persistently, curiosity got the better of Neo.

With a quick glance at the screen, Neo noticed that the caller ID displayed an "Unknown number."

Wondering if it could be an important call for Charles or even a potential customer inquiring about donut orders, Neo decided to answer. Neo greeted, his voice filled with a mix of intrigue and anticipation.

Neo: Hello?

On the other end of the line, a hesitant voice responded,

Unknown caller: Um, hi baby. How are you doing today? Did you miss me? I missed you a lot!!!

Neo's eyebrows were raised in surprise, realizing that it was a lady's voice.
Neo politely replied,

Neo: Excuse me, who do you want to talk with?

The lady thought this was some unfamiliar voice for her she inquired,

Lady: I think I may have dialed the wrong number. Is this Charles?

Neo: Yes it is. You've dialed the correct number. It's just Charles stepped away for a moment. Can I help you with something?

The caller seemed relieved and chuckled softly.

Lady: Oh, I apologize. Hello I'm Chloe.
Please tell Charles that I've changed my number and tell him to call me back as soon as possible. Thank you for answering, though. Have a great day!

Neo smiled confusedly and replied,

Neo: No problem at all! You have a great day too!

Neo hung up the call, a flicker of curiosity led his gaze to the home screen of Charles's phone.

To his surprise, the wallpaper displayed a familiar image-it was a photo of Neo, taken while he was peacefully asleep at the bus stop. A smile tugged at the corners of Neo's lips as he realized that Charles had secretly captured that candid moment.

The thought of Charles sneaking a photo of Neo in such a vulnerable state brought a mix of amusement and warmth to Neo's heart.

However, as Neo's mind wandered back to the mysterious conversation he had with that girl, a wave of unease washed over him. The memory of the girl's cryptic words resurfaced, causing a knot to form in Neo's stomach. Who was she? What did she mean by those enigmatic remarks?

The juxtaposition of the lightheartedness of the photo and the weight of the girl's conversation created a sense of intrigue and uncertainty within Neo.

He couldn't help but wonder if there is a connection between the two, if somehow the pieces of this puzzle were slowly coming together.

The shop continued to buzz with activity as customers chatted, the aroma of freshly baked pastries wafted through the air, and the soft melody of conversation filled the space.

Eventually, Charles returned to the table, noticing the missed call notification on his phone.

Neo couldn't help but share the encounter, recounting the story of the accidental call and the brief conversation that followed.

Neo: There was a call from unknown number. She said she changed her number and wants to talk to you as soon as possible.

Charles: Did she tell her name?

Neo: It was.. Uhm.. Chloe I guess.

Charles asked in astonishment,

Charles: Chloe!?!

Charles laughed, and thanked Neo for taking the initiative to answer the call.

Neo was hoping for an explanation or some clarity on the mysterious conversation with Chloe. However, Charles, with a unbothered expression, retrieved his phone and simply stated,

Charles: Okay, I'll go back to my shop and attend to this call.

Neo's heart sank, a tinge of disappointment evident in his sad smile. He waved goodbye to Charles, silently yearning for answers to the puzzling phone call.

Questions swirled in Neo's mind, wondering what Charles would be talking to the other end of the line and why it seemed to have left him speechless.

Left standing in the midst of the bustling shop, Neo couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for an explanation.

He pondered the possibilities, trying to piece together the fragments of the conversation that had unfolded. What could have been said that rendered Charles silent? What was that wallpaper about? Am I a replacement? Or am I third wheeling? Am I going to disappear from his life, just like a faded background?

Neo's disappointment lingered, but he understood that sometimes people need their privacy or may not be ready to share certain experiences.

With a heavy sigh, Neo resolved to respect Charles's decision to handle the call privately. After all, everyone has their own reasons for keeping certain things to themselves.

Neo tried to shake off the lingering disappointment, focusing on attending to the needs of the customers.

In the midst of the busyness, Neo couldn't help but wonder that Perhaps one day, Charles would feel comfortable enough to share the details of that phone call and wallpaper, but until then, he will patiently wait....