Hearts On The Highrise

Chapter 21 : echoes of hurt

As I sat at the table with Mew, amidst chatter and laughter, exchanging pleasantries with my colleagues, my mind remained fixed on Engfa's sudden departure. Despite my attempts to bury the gnawing unease, I couldn't rid myself of the guilt that weighed heavily on my conscience.

The memory of Engfa's hurt expression haunted me, a stark reminder of the pain I'd caused. Yet, even though I was wracked with remorse, I remained faithful to my decision, convincing myself that it was the right thing to do.

I tried to silence the doubts that were creeping up on me, reassuring myself that parting with Engfa was the right thing to do. However, as much as I tried to stifle it, a lingering feeling of nostalgia tugged at my heart, betraying the facade of certainty I was presenting to the world.

As Mew excused himself to engage in conversation at another table, Heidi and Tina gravitated toward me, their inquisitive gazes hinting at their curiosity about Engfa's abrupt departure.

Heidi leaned in, her eyes brimming with concern. "Charlotte, is everything okay? Engfa looked so shaken when she left. Did she know about the engagement?"

Tina nodded in agreement. "Yeah, she seemed really upset. Did she know about you and Mew getting married?"

Caught off guard by their directness, I struggled to find the right words. "Yes, I told her about the engagement. But things didn't go as planned, and she left before we could really talk about it."

Heidi's brow furrowed in concern. "What happened? Did she seem angry or upset with you?"

I sighed. "I'm not sure, she left without saying anything, telling me she'd accepted the situation."

"Ugh, I'm not looking forward to going back to the office tomorrow," Tina confessed, a hint of apprehension in her voice. "Engfa in a bad mood is never a good sign. She's going to take it out on everyone."

Heidi playfully swatted Tina's arm and shot her a reproachful look. "Come on, Tina, don't make her feel even worse than she already does."

Tina winced, realizing her mistake. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pile on more guilt.."

"It's okay, guys." I grimaced, feeling guilty for the turmoil I had caused. "I'll try to talk to her and clear things up. Maybe we can sort this out before it gets worse."

Tina offered a supportive smile. "Just take it easy, Charlotte. We'll be there for you, no matter what happens."

As the evening wore on, Tina and Heidi finally said their goodbyes, leaving only Mew and me. We exchanged hugs and pleasantries before heading home.

Once we'd settled into our apartment, I wrapped Mew in a comforting embrace. The warmth of his presence was a welcome distraction from the chaotic emotions inside me.

However, as I held him close, I couldn't ignore the tension that lingered between us.

"Mew, are you okay?" I asked softly, feeling his unease radiate through his body.

"Are you going back to work tomorrow?" he inquired, his voice tinged with worry.

"I don't really have a choice," I admitted, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. "Regardless of what happened with Engfa, she's still my boss. You have to trust me on this, Mew."

"I know it's not easy," I added, feeling the weight of his words. "But you have to believe me when I say that I'm committed to making things right, with you."

Mew's expression softened slightly, though the apprehension still lingered in his eyes. "I want to believe you, Char," he murmured, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I just... need time, I guess."