Shadows of You | Englot (GirlxGirl)

12. Heated Conversation

POV ENGFA

I have no idea what I was thinking when I agreed to this vacation.

I'm starting to think it was a mistake as I watch Charlotte swimming towards me while I'm lounging on a comfy sunbed, with private cabanas overhead and a cocktail in my hand.

My eyes are locked on her, but thankfully, my sunglasses are hiding it.

She rises from the private infinity pool and sits on the edge, drying her hair a bit before standing up and walking towards me. I quickly down my cocktail, feeling my throat go dry.

She grabs a towel from the lounger next to mine, sits down, and faces me. I try to focus on the view of Ao Yon Bay in front of us, but her voice breaks the awkward silence.

"P'Fa, aren't you getting in the pool? You should swim, it's really fun!" she says with a smile.

I turn to her, "Hmm? Nah, Char, I'm good here. I just want to relax."

She nods, "Alright, but did you put on sunscreen, P'Fa?" she asks, moving closer to sit right by my feet. I have to pull my legs up so she can sit comfortably.

"Oh, yeah, I did, Why tho?"

But she frowns, "Then why does your face look sunburnt?"

I'm shocked by that.

Thank goodness my sunglasses are still on, or she would've seen how surprised I am. She's watching me closely, but unfortunately, this redness isn't from the sun-damn it.

"Huh? Nah, maybe the sun's just too strong," I say, getting up and heading inside to grab sunscreen. I come back to the sunbed, "Alright, I'll put more on."

I start applying it to my cheeks, feeling incredibly awkward. She giggles, "Okay, sure."

A moment later, she changes the subject, "P'Fa, do you want to have dinner with me later?"

I raise my eyebrows.

If not with her, who else would I have dinner with?

She continues, "I mean, I'm curious about the dinner here, P'Fa. I saw.. in the brochure back in the room that.. there's a.. Michelin-star restaurant on the rooftop.. yeah, and with an ocean view."

She says this quickly, making me grin. She's so cute. Why is she so nervous just to ask me to dinner? Oh, my.

"Char, of course, I want to. If not with me, then who would you have dinner with?"

She pouts but then smiles, saying she'll head inside to freshen up.

I can't stop smiling after she leaves. Today wasn't as awkward as I thought. Vacationing with an ex isn't the worst thing after all.

___

I was wrong. This is so awkward

Dinner was pretty quiet, neither of us daring to start a conversation. It felt like déjà vu, really. We used to be like this-afraid to talk to each other-but once someone broke the ice, we could talk nonstop. I guess we haven't changed much.

Charlotte kept stealing glances at me from the corner of her eye. But whenever I looked at her, she quickly looked away.

"Char."

"P'Fa."

Damn. Why did we talk at the same time?

Now it's super awkward. I'm embarrassed.

We giggle together, and I hold my cheek, trying to hide my smile.

"Char, you go first."

She smiles, "Do you like the food, P'Fa?"