Shadows of You | Englot (GirlxGirl)

34. Never Say Goodbye

POV ENGFA

I feel really guilty. I should've controlled myself better. What happened at the club is clearly my responsibility, even though Charlotte says it's nobody's fault. I can't shake off this guilt, even on the plane when she's trying to comfort me-I just can't talk much.

Papa was shocked when the video and photos went viral. On the phone, he kept asking if we were back together because, if we were, he wanted to make it our official announcement. He said it had to be that way, since we didn't really have much choice.

But I felt like we were too vulnerable for that right now, so I told him to discuss it first. He got really frustrated and decided to send a team to pick us up at the airport. Clearly, fans and media were swarming Bangkok airport, waiting for us to land ever since the news broke.

The flight crew announced that we'd be landing soon.

"P'Fa... look at me," Charlotte said.

I turned to her. She was sitting next to me, holding our hands tightly. I looked at our hands and felt a calming sensation from her touch.

"We'll get through this together, just like always. Can you trust me?" she asked.

I studied her face and nodded.

"Trust me this time," she said with a sweet smile. Then she kissed my forehead, letting her lips linger there a bit longer. "I love you, P'Fa."

My eyes widened slightly. She said that last when I was lying in a hospital bed in Manila. She hadn't said it again, even when I told her I loved her last night after our intense session. It made me a bit teary-eyed.

I chuckled softly. "It takes something really surprising for you to say 'I love you' to me again, huh?"

She then playfully slapped my cheek, making it flush red, and turned her face away. Our hands were still clasped together. I kissed our hands and pressed them to my cheek, closing my eyes.

___

"P'Engfa, is it true that you and Charlotte are dating, or is this just another stunt to boost your careers?"

"N'Charlotte, did you really think stirring up this drama with P'Engfa would make you more relevant?"

"P'Engfa, are you confirming that you're using N'Charlotte as a publicity stunt for your upcoming projects?"

"N'Charlotte, are you now into women just to stay in the spotlight?"

"P'Engfa, does this mean the so-called 7-year dating ban was a joke all along?"

"P'Engfa, did you manipulate N'Charlotte into leaving MGI? Are you that controlling over her?"

Charlotte stopped abruptly, causing Heidi and Marima to get pulled ahead by Nudee, who was leading us, and Tina, behind us, almost bumped into her.

"What did you just say?" Charlotte's voice was filled with venom.

I quickly grabbed her hand to pull her along.

"Char... we need to move," I urged, but she remained frozen.

"We were just asking, N'Charlotte, is it true that P'Engfa forced you to quit MGI to protect your so-called relationship? Did you really leave because she asked you to?"

The media always fabricates ridiculous stories, and this was no exception. Their questions were designed to provoke and upset.

I could see Charlotte was deeply affected, just as I was. But it was clear these comments were hitting her hard.