Encore Amour (Englot)

Chapter 7: Dark Lullabies

The vibrant energy of Miami welcomed Engfa and Charlotte as they stepped off the plane. The city pulsed with excitement, mirroring the anticipation for their next concert at The Vermont Hollywood. Despite the lingering tension, there was an unspoken understanding that tonight's performance had to be perfect.

The next day..

Backstage, the crew buzzed with activity, preparing for the show. Engfa and Charlotte shared a dressing room once more, a silent reminder of their proximity despite the emotional distance.

"Everything looks amazing," Engfa remarked, looking around the room to break the silence.

"Yeah, the team did a great job," Charlotte responded, her tone neutral but not as cold as before.

Engfa watched Charlotte closely as she adjusted her outfit in front of the mirror. There was a subtle change in Charlotte's demeanor, a softening around the edges. While she still maintained a professional focus, her interactions with Engfa had lost some of their previous iciness.

"Do you need help with your hair?" Engfa offered, holding up a brush.

Charlotte paused, considering the offer. "Sure, thanks," she replied, handing the brush to Engfa.

As Engfa carefully brushed Charlotte's hair, there was a moment of quiet intimacy, a fleeting glimpse of their past closeness. Charlotte didn't pull away or tense up, a small victory in Engfa's eyes.

"Are you feeling okay about tonight?" Engfa asked gently.

Charlotte nodded, meeting Engfa's gaze in the mirror. "I am. I just want to give the fans a great show."

"We will," Engfa assured her. "We always do."

As the concert began, the energy in the venue was electric. Engfa and Charlotte took the stage to deafening cheers, their fans' enthusiasm palpable. Engfa started the show with her usual charisma, her voice filling the auditorium with powerful notes. Charlotte, standing on the other side of the stage, matched her energy, her voice harmonizing perfectly with Engfa's.

Halfway through the set, they performed a duet that had been a staple of their shows. As they sang, Charlotte's professional facade cracked ever so slightly. She allowed herself to smile genuinely at Engfa, and for a moment, it felt like old times. The audience, oblivious to their personal struggles, cheered even louder, feeding off the apparent connection between the two.

After the show, the staff and performers gathered for a celebratory dinner. The mood was jubilant, everyone basking in the success of another flawless performance.

"Cheers to another great show!" Mr. Nawat toasted, raising his glass.

"Cheers!" Everyone echoed, clinking their glasses together.

Throughout the dinner, Engfa and Charlotte interacted more than they had in previous days. While Charlotte remained reserved, she responded to Engfa's attempts at conversation with more warmth than before.

"So, what did you think of the audience tonight?" Engfa asked, turning to Charlotte.

"They were fantastic," Charlotte replied, her eyes lighting up momentarily. "It's always great to see so many supportive faces."

"Absolutely," Engfa agreed, smiling. "Miami never disappoints."

As the evening wound down, the team returned to their hotel. Engfa and Charlotte entered their shared room, the atmosphere less tense than it had been in days past. Charlotte immediately went to the bathroom to freshen up, and Engfa used the time to reflect on the night's events.

When Charlotte emerged, she looked more relaxed, the lines of stress on her face softened. Engfa took a deep breath and decided to speak up.

"Charlotte, I know things are still complicated between us," Engfa began, her voice tentative. "But I appreciate that you're trying to be more...open."