High Stakes: Between Rivals and Lovers

Happiest Woman

After the parade, Engfa, Aoom, and Meena unwind at a cozy, dimly lit bar nearby. The place was warm and inviting, and most importantly, private – contrary to the chaos of the parade. They sit at a corner table and settle in, ordering drinks to celebrate the day's events.

As the bartender brings over their cocktails and beer, Aoom leans forward, her curiosity eating at her. "Alright, big brother. Spill. Did our matchmaking with Charlotte work today? You two took your sweet time on top of that float I thought you'd be engaged by the time you got down."

Meena laughs at her girlfriend's interrogation. "Yes. Spare us no detail, please. What did you two talk about?"

Engfa takes a long sip of her beer, feeling the alcohol soothe her nerves. "Well, we did talk. And then there was silence. And it was... intense."

Aoom raises an eyebrow. "Intense how?"

Engfa sighs, setting her glass down. "She told me that she was 'here' for me, I guess I took it a step too far by asking how. I guess it's complicated because she has to keep pretending to be Mew's girlfriend for his career."

Meena's expression softens, clinging on to Aoom beside her. "That sounds tough. Faking something is tiring, especially if you're not benefiting from it."

Engfa nods, her eyes showing her sadness and frustration. "It is, but we don't know why she has to do it, I'm guessing it has something to do with rumors with Mew last year. But I don't know how she's involved."

"We don't even know if she isn't benefiting from it, you know?" Aoom interjects, saying this more to Meena than to Fa.

Meena shakes her head saying, "I've seen those woman's eyes look at P'Fa and look at P'Mew." Meena smirks and shoots Fa a glance, "It's incomparable."

Aoom reaches to pat Engfa's back. "Hey, you did your best big brother. I mean, at least you said what you wanted to say."

Engfa's shoulders slump, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. "It is. I thought I would have the courage to say things today, but we're stuck because of this situation."

Meena leans back showing a thoughtful expression. "But P'Fa, it seems like you both care about each other. Maybe it's worth waiting to see if things can change over time."

Engfa gives a small, weary smile. "Maybe. But right now, I was really hopeful that I would at least... I don't know I was hoping for something different."

Aoom smirks, placing her hand on her palm, wanting to lighten the mood for her. "Like what, big brother? A peck on the cheek?"

Meena reaches over and clinks her glass against Engfa's. "Oy, bee. Don't tease our wounded soldier na."

Engfa manages a grateful smile, though her heart still feels heavy. "Thanks, both of you. I should be focusing now on the race though."

"You're right, P'Fa. Win the race then go get the girl." Meena encourages her senior, earning a dimpled smile from the racer.

The trio continue to chat and offer encouragement to the racer and Engfa feels a sense of comfort in their presence. She may feel disheartened now, but who knows? Maybe it won't always be this way in the future. Other things should be occupying the racer's mind, and that's what she should focus on.

/

After the parade, Charlotte and Mew ride his Lamborghini to Mew's favorite Mookata place downtown. The ride is silent as Charlotte scrolls through the day's photos in her Camera Roll.

"Take any good photos?" Mew asks her, to fill the car with reasonable sound.

"Just a few," Charlotte says, thinking about whether or not she should send Engfa the photos.