Hearts On The Highrise

Chapter 15 : crossing boundaries

Confusion and regret danced in my mind as I tried to make sense of what had transpired. How could I have let myself get entangled in Engfa's web? The realization hit me like a ton of bricks — I had been played, manipulated into a game I didn't even know I was playing.

I had no right to feel this way, no reason to let Engfa's actions affect me so deeply.

Struggling with my own stormy emotions, Engfa came out of her room, looking half-asleep in her bathrobe. Her expression was a mixture of confusion and concern as she looked at me, and I couldn't help but scrutinize her in return.

"What's going on, Charlotte? Her voice was soft, full of genuine curiosity, but I couldn't bring myself to answer. How could I explain the turmoil inside me?

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of silence, I found my voice. "What was Faye doing here?" I asked, my tone sharper than I would have liked. Engfa's brows furrowed in confusion and, for a moment, I thought she was going to evade the question. Then she sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly.

"We were working," Engfa replies, choosing her words carefully. "I invited her to come and work here, but I didn't expect us to finish so late." There was a hint of frustration in her voice.

"I don't believe you," I retorted, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. "You're lying, Engfa. You're always lying."

Engfa's eyes widened in surprise at my accusation, her features contorting with a mixture of confusion and frustration. "Charlotte, I —"

"Don't," I interrupted, my tone sharp as I held up a hand to silence her. "I've seen enough. You can't manipulate me anymore, Engfa. I won't let you."

I walked towards the door, determined to leave the room, but Engfa rushed up behind me, grabbing me by the arm to stop me in my tracks. "Where do you think you're going?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

I pulled myself away from her grip, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me. "I need some fresh air," I replied laconically.

Engfa let out a derisive laugh, her disbelief evident in her expression. "This is ridiculous, Charlotte," she scoffed. "You're overreacting. I don't owe you any explanations, and I certainly don't need to justify myself. You need to stop dramatizing everything."

"Why do you keep acting like a jealous girl?" she added, her voice tinged with frustration.

Rage swept over me as Engfa's dismissive words echoed in my mind. How could she be so insensitive, so indifferent to my feelings?

"Why did you try to kiss me on the rooftop then act like nothing happened?" I shouted, my voice rising with each word. My question remained unanswered, and the silence that followed was heavy with unspoken tensions.

For a moment, there was silence between us, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air. Engfa opened her mouth as if to speak, but no words came out.

Jaw clenched and hands trembling, I turned to leave the room, determined to escape this suffocating atmosphere.

But before I could reach the door, Engfa's hand shot out, once again halting my departure. "You're not going anywhere, Charlotte," she asserted, her tone firm and unwavering. "Especially not at this hour."

Her words lit an inferno of rage inside me. "Go away," I shouted, my voice trembling with anger, as I pushed past her, out of patience.

As I rushed out of the room, the door closed behind me.

Alone on the roof, with the city stretching out before me, I couldn't shake the feeling of being adrift in a sea of confusion.

Engulfed by the night sky and distant city lights, I found myself grappling with the reality of my situation. What had happened to me, chasing after someone who cared so little for my feelings, knowing that my partner was waiting for me at home?