Bumping Accident | Englot

Chapter 33

Engfa's POV

"We can discuss this," I say, retreating as Charlotte and Olivia advance toward me. I keep stepping backward, but they keep closing the distance. "This isn't fair, it's two against one," I add, my voice tinged with nervousness.

"The weather is perfect for a swim," Charlotte replies, backing me further toward the pool.

"If you push me in, I'll take you with me."

"No, you won't. If you do, you'll sleep on the couch," she says with a smirk. There's no way she can make me sleep on the couch in my own house.

"Olivia, sweetie, I just gave you ice cream. Don't be evil like your mommy." She giggles and shakes her head.

I take one more step back and reach the edge of the pool. "Charlotte, I'll buy you anything you want. Just don't push me in."

"Mhm, is your phone in your pocket?" She ignores my plea and asks.

"Olivia, how about more ice cream?"

"Stop trying to bribe us, it’s not going to work," Charlotte replies. She reaches out and checks my pockets. Realizing I don’t have my phone, she uses the opportunity to push me in. My body sinks to the bottom of the pool. Thankfully, the water isn’t cold. I swim back up and see Olivia and Charlotte laughing. I get out of the pool, soaking wet, water dripping everywhere.

"You look like a wet rat," Charlotte says, still laughing.

"Thank you. That just boosted my confidence," I say sarcastically. I leave them both laughing by the pool and head inside. I can't help but chuckle a little myself. Those two can always bring a smile to my face.

****

After dropping off Olivia and her mom at their house, I’m taking Charlotte somewhere special. I thought it would be better if it were just the two of us.

"Where are we going?" she asks for the hundredth time.

"You'll see, we're only five minutes away."

She sighs and looks out the window. We’re driving the Porsche. Charlotte and I decided it would be best if I drive the Porsche whenever I’m with her. I’ve missed driving my baby, it’s been too long.

I’m nervous about taking her to this place. This will be my first time coming here. It's been six years, and I’ve finally decided to visit. I didn't think I could do it before, but Charlotte makes me feel like I can do anything with her by my side.

I turn right, and the cemetery comes into view. I hear Charlotte gasp, but she remains silent. I find the first parking spot and pull into it. Then I turn off the car but make no move to get out.

"He was like a father to me, and I didn't even come to his funeral. It's been six years, and I haven't been here once," I say, and Charlotte reaches out to grab my hand.

"My dad was busy opening the schools, so he didn't have time to visit him. I would skip school in the morning and sneak into his hospital room so we could play chess. He had a heart problem."

"Nudee told me he left everything to you."

"He did. I didn’t find out until the week after he passed away. I’m not sure why he left me everything. I felt bad for my dad, it’s not like he needed the money, but in some way, it felt like he was disinherited. Maybe that’s why he hates me," I answer.

"He doesn’t hate you, sweetheart. Every time your dad speaks about you, I can hear in his voice how proud he is. I think you two need to sit down and have a talk about everything."

"Do you think he's disappointed in me?" I ask her.

"Who?"

"My grandpa."

"Of course not. He loved you, and I’m sure he couldn’t be prouder of you," Charlotte immediately answers.

I nod and slowly open my door. We both get out, and she comes around and grabs my hand again.

Even though I haven’t been to his grave, I still know where it is. Before he died, he said he wanted to be buried next to my grandma, so that’s what we did.

I squeeze Charlotte's hand and slowly lead us there.

The moment I see it, all the memories I had with him flash before my eyes. I walk towards the grave and kneel down. There are flowers, which means my parents probably came here last week.

"Hey, grandpa," I whisper.

From the corner of my eye, I see Charlotte giving me space and heading to the garden a few feet away.

"Six years fly by so quickly. I’m so sorry this is the first time I’ve been here," I start speaking out loud but in a hushed tone. Talking out loud makes me feel like he’s right here next to me.

"After you passed away, I felt alone. So much was happening, I just couldn’t stay, and to be honest, I don’t regret it. If I had the chance to go back, I’d make the same choices. I cherish my time in Italy. Italy helped me find myself again, and I found a family there."

I close my eyes and lean my head on the stone.

"I’ve met an amazing woman who’s made me become one of those people who stop and smell the flowers. All my life, I’ve felt like I’ve been stumbling through moments, desperate to reach the next without really finishing the moment I was in. She’s changed that."

I take a deep breath to stop myself from crying and continue.

"I’m going to marry her one day, and it breaks my heart that you won’t be there to see it."

I slowly open my eyes and get up from the ground.

"I love you, grandpa, and there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about you. I’ll come back again." I touch the stone one last time and start walking toward Charlotte.

When she sees me, she gives me a smile, and I return it. Her smile always takes my breath away. When I reach her, I grab her by the waist and pull her closer.

"Are you okay?" she asks. I wrap my arms around her and hug her tightly.

"I’m always okay when you’re around," I mumble into her hair. I pull back and look at her. Then I cup her cheeks and lean closer.

"I adore you. Nobody matters like you and Olivia do." I don’t wait for her to respond, I capture her lips with mine and give her a deep kiss.

"I adore you too," she replies when we pull apart. She brings her hand to my cheek and rubs her thumb against my skin.

I’m a prisoner to her touch.

"Come on, let’s get out of here," I say after a few moments and lead her toward the car.

I open the door for her, and then I get in myself. "Do you want to go have lunch?" I ask as I pull out of the parking space.

"Yeah, sure. I’m craving sushi."

"Alright then, sushi it is." I start driving, and since I’m driving with one hand, Charlotte grabs the other and intertwines our fingers. I glance at her, but she’s looking out the window, humming to the music.

All I can think about is that I have never let these words leave my mouth, but I love Charlotte. I love the way she makes me feel. The way my stomach feels warm and content in her presence. The way she calms me down. I love the way she’s kind and understanding to everyone. I love how her past heartbreaks and toxic experiences haven’t made her bitter. They have sculpted a more empathetic side to her.

I love the way I view myself when I’m around her. She’s the perfect balance between fun and comfort. I could talk about how amazing she is forever, but the words would never do her justice. They would never fulfill the feelings I have for her. Because I love her. I love all of her. These are the words I am too shy and scared to say out loud.