Hearts On The Highrise

Chapter 19 : clashing realities

With all eyes on Charlotte and Mew, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease gnawing at me. Mew's assurance that Charlotte wouldn't be attending had left me unprepared for her sudden appearance, casting doubt on the carefully laid plans for the evening.

Standing beside Charlotte on stage, a flood of mixed emotions threatened to overwhelm me. The applause that followed the announcement of her arrival echoed around the room, masking the unease within me. I struggled to maintain my professional composure, my mind flooded with unanswered questions.

As Charlotte began her speech, her words were measured and composed, her words sincere as she expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and trust I had placed in her. "I am truly honored to be here tonight," she said, her tone genuine as she spoke of the partnership between our companies.

"I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Engfa for entrusting me with this project. Your belief in me has been unwavering, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to our shared vision." she began, her gaze briefly meeting mine before turning back to the audience.

As her speech came to a close, I offered her a nod of acknowledgment, a silent acknowledgment of the complexities of our relationship.

Once the speeches were over and the formalities completed, I returned to my table, trying to shake off the lingering tension in the air. To my left, I noticed the table where Charlotte, Mew, Heidi and Tina were sitting.

Refusing to let her see the turbulence inside me, I kept up a calm facade and a neutral expression as I sat down. Beside me, Nudee and Chompu exchanged worried glances, sensing the underlying tension between Charlotte and me. Sensing my unease, Nudee proposed stepping outside for some fresh air.

When Nudee and I found ourselves outside, taking a moment to escape the hustle and bustle of the event, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. The cool night air offered a welcome respite from the intensity of the evening, and I found comfort in the quiet of the outdoors.

Lost in my conversation with Nudee, I was taken aback when Charlotte appeared from the crowd, her presence attracting attention even in the dimly lit courtyard. Dressed in an elegant black gown and with her hair slicked back, she exuded an air of confidence that was impossible to ignore.

Nudee offered a polite smile as Charlotte approached. "Hey, Charlotte. It's been a while," she greeted warmly.

Charlotte returned the smile, though there was a hint of tension in her demeanor. "Yes, it has. I hope you've been well," she replied, her voice soft but guarded.

Nudee nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah, things have been alright" she said, casting a sidelong glance at me before returning her attention to Charlotte. "And you? How have you been?"

Charlotte hesitated for a moment before responding, her gaze flickering briefly to me before meeting Nudee's eyes. "I've been... managing," she admitted, a note of uncertainty in her voice.

Sensing the discomfort in the air, Nudee quickly glanced at Charlotte, offering a strained smile before excusing herself. "I should probably head back inside," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of unease. "There's still so much going on, and I don't want to miss anything."

Alone once again with Charlotte, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that was building up inside me. As Nudee retreated into the room, leaving me to face Charlotte alone, I couldn't help wondering why she had abandoned me in this uncomfortable situation.

A wave of frustration washed over me as I tried to make sense of the agitation inside me. I had no desire to be here, trapped in this awkward exchange with Charlotte, and yet here I was, forced to confront the unresolved tension between us.