More Than Meets The Eye [Englot]

Chapter 28

Engfa's pov

"Nudee can I talk to you?"

"Sure, what's up?" she said, turning around.

"Yeah, what's up?" Meena added with a cheeky smile.

"Mmm..." I tried, giving Nudee a little head nod to the side.

"Oooh... You mean elsewhere..."

"Yeah..."

"I love secrets! Nudee, I'll be here when you come back to tell me everything!" Meena winked as we left the room.

Nudee chuckled, rolling her eyes but I knew that she would most probably tell her everything. So... I should think carefully about how to ask this...

"What can I do for you?" Nudee asked as we entered the break room.

"Well..."

"Do we need to... you know... get rid of somebody?" she said, running her thumb on her throat.

"What? No!"

"Of course no! I was kidding! Geez, stop being so stressed out..."

"Sorry... I'm not stressed out. I just wanted to ask you about lingerie." I replied.

"Oh? You came to the right place."

"I know you used to be a model, so..."

"Really? I don't think I ever told you that... And you most certainly didn't read my resume since I was there before you..."

"I got some intel..." I replied, winking.

Nudee raised her eyebrows playfully. She just seemed happy that I knew that about her.

"So what are we talking about? What's the occasion? First date? Do you already know what he likes? Are we playing cute or totally vixen? Looking at you, I'd say you're a size..."

"Stop, stop! You're going too far too fast!"

"Don't play shy, Engfa! You're gorgeous. Anything could suit you. But I gotta know the vibe, you know."

"I just want something beautiful. Nothing too revealing... But not plain either..."

"Color?"

"White. And silver?"

"Ooh, wanna look soft but expensive, huh? I get ya. Let me show you a few ideas..." she said, starting to scroll on her phone.

We spend a good half hour looking at various brands and designs. Nudee was really funny but also quite serious about the matter, which made me smile. She couldn't help herself and gossiped a little bit along the way, until she started to talk about her private life.

"Don't buy this one. That kind of design is bad luck. I was wearing that when my last boyfriend broke up with me..."

"Oh, I'm sorry." I said, closing that particular window on my phone.

"No, that's ok. You know communication is key and we didn't have that... He was unable to open up and chose to push me away... I couldn't spend my life chasing after him anyway... I know I deserve someone who would be themselves around me..."

I looked at Nudee with the biggest eyes as she kept talking and talking. I knew she had no idea about what was going on between Charlotte and I... but her words resonated with me...

"Thank you for helping me, Nudee." I said, putting my hand on hers.

She gave me the most genuine smile I've ever seen.

"I'm just happy to help." she replied.

"You've been more than helpful. Wanna have lunch with me today so we can decide which design to choose? I have a meeting in 5 minutes..." I said, realizing it was almost 3pm.

"Of course!"


Charlotte's pov

The first two days of the week had been uneventful... Engfa was still somewhat distant, like not even being here this morning... It was Wednesday... and she didn't have any meetings planned outside of GI on her calendar... Sun was also off for the rest of the week, so I was just left alone in our office. Thankfully, Heidi and Yoko offered to share lunch with them. It also gave me a little break from Jeff who was kinda harassing me to go out to another club again this week.

I crossed paths with Engfa in our office during the afternoon. She left right when I came back from HR, giving me a soft smile, with her cheeks sporting a little shade of red but she quickly fled away from me. When I entered our office, I discovered a box with a ribbon on my desk. I looked for a note next to it or under it but nothing. I hope this was for me... but since it was on my desk I decided to open it.

Inside was something wrapped with a beautiful paper and a gold sticker holding it closed. I carefully took off the sticker, trying not to rip the paper. Under the wrapping was a gorgeous bra with white and silver laced flowers going across it in a very delicate but sexy pattern. I was shocked... Was this from Engfa? Did she get this for me... No way... She was barely talking to me after what happened... And this bra looked way more expensive than the one we stained with coffee...

No way... What could this mean? She didn't have to do that... I was teasing her about owing me a bra... I couldn't help but go online to check the brand and rapidly found the bra she had chosen on their website. Wow... She clearly got out of her way to get me this... Could this be... Would she... I opened google maps right away to look for a store in Bangkok. I double checked the brand name before I decided to leave GI early.

That evening I went to Neon Nights with my heart beating like crazy. I was sure Engfa would be there waiting for me. There was no way this bra wasn't some sort of hidden invite... I knew I was there early but I was willing to wait.

"Oh, Charlotte! Long time no see! What can I get ya?"

"Hello, Ling. Just water please."

"Water? Are you ok?"

I nodded with a polite smile and three minutes later, Ling was back with a glass of water and a cocktail.

"On me." she winked.

I waited for a long time and got back home late... and gloomy. Engfa hadn't showed up to the club... It was a Wednesday night... Maybe I got a little bit carried away... Maybe I could try again on Friday... Fuck. I felt truly sad, alone in my apartment that night. I threw my clothes in the washing machine and went to bed, curling up like a baby, hugging my pillow.


Engfa's pov

"So did you buy it?" Nudee's voice surprised me.

"Hu?"

"What are you doing with all this?" She asked, seeing me barefoot on the floor, a mess of large sheets of paper around me.

"I'm trying to plan for next year... I got a little carried away..."

"I can see that... So, did you buy it?"

"Buy what?" I asked, going through colorful pins for the next sheet of paper.

"The bra, girl, the bra!"

"Oh... yes, yes I did." I said, blushing a bit, hiding behind the workflow schedule.

"Show me!"

"What?"

"You're not wearing it today?"

"No."

"Oh..." she said, looking disappointed.

"Why?"

"I don't know... It's Friday... I thought your date might be tonight..." she trailed off, visibly curious but not daring to ask for more.

"I don't have a date tonight, Nudee." I affirmed before getting up on my chair to pin a calendar on the wall.

"Need some help? This looks dangerous."

"No, I'm good."

"Yeah, right... Miss Boss. You can handle everything, I know. But asking for help is ok, you know?" she teased.

"I know. I asked you for help already. And you were very helpful, remember?" I teased back.

Nudee was so easy to talk to. She definitely had the same vibe as my sister, funny, a bit crazy but so kind.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll be satisfied when I see it."

"Nudee!"

"You know Engfa... You've been more accessible and less stressed out lately. It suits you well. Boss."

"... thanks?" I hesitated.

Nudee laughed.

"You're so weird. Tell me next time you choose to wear it!"

"No!" I laughed.

"Yes!" she said back and left the room.

I smiled, alone, like a goof. Nudee was right, I was indeed feeling better with the team lately. Most probably because Pitchy wasn't there anymore...

"Are you sure this is safe?" another voice said behind me, making me freeze.

Charlotte was in the room. I thought she was out for deals with Meena, Aoom and Yoko today...

"Do you need some help?" she asked, looking worried.

"No, I'm done. See?" I said, pressing on the last pin and getting down from my chair.

"You shouldn't use a chair with wheels to do this, you could have hurt yourself." Charlotte said, standing right in front of me.

I looked up. She was so much taller than me right now, on her high heels, when I was barefoot... The way she looked down on me made me feel small and weak in the knees. She looked so good... and like she could eat me alive...

"I..." I tried but couldn't find the words.

"Thank you for the bra. It's beautiful." she said.

So bold. Talking about this here. So close to me. My brain was fighting itself because one part wanted nothing more than to look down at Charlotte's breasts that were just a few centimeters down because of our current height difference.... While the other part was telling me to ABSOLUTELY NOT DO THAT. I was doomed. And turned on. With absolutely NOTHING. And I was a little mad too... to not be the one dominating Charlotte right now...

It took a great deal of power and courage to turn back and grab my shoes. I quickly put them on and started to clean the remaining sheets of paper and pins that I had put all around the office.

"Engfa, I wanted to tell..." Charlotte started but was suddenly interrupted.

"Charlotte! There you are! I thought you had left!" Jeff said, entering the room.

I didn't know what to think. He had clearly ruined our moment. But he allowed me to breathe normally... I didn't know what I needed more... I just knew that I was mad, horny and that I needed to get away from here. I gathered my stuff and said bye while they were still talking together.


Charlotte's pov

I was mad at Jeff. For sure he had become a good friend but I had finally felt brave enough to talk to Engfa and he came and interrupted us... He tried to invite me to a new club again but I lied, telling him I was seeing a couple of old friends tonight. I didn't know if he believed me but he didn't insist which was good enough. Engfa had left before I could open up to her...

But I wasn't going to let this get to me. It was Friday night. If Wednesday was too early, I hoped that she would show up to Neon Nights tonight... I took my brand new underwear from the dryer and put on a cute dress and another pair of heels. I felt sexy... and a bit scared... I truly wanted her to be there tonight... I went to the club and got to my usual spot at the bar.

"Hi Ling."

"Charlotte, missed me?" she smiled.

"Maybe." I winked.

What the fuck? Why was I flirting back with her? Maybe it was the nerves... I ordered a drink, nothing too strong though and kept eyeing the entrance, hoping to see Engfa coming in.

"Don't drink this too fast, you might get drunk." Ling said, making fun of me.

"I'm here for a while, I need to pace myself."

"Really? Waiting for the end of my shift?"

"Mmm?"

"Why are you looking at the entrance so often? Are you waiting for someone?"

"Yeah..." I admitted.

"How could someone make you wait like this? If they are a no show, I'll take care of you, beautiful. You know, I..."

But I didn't hear a thing of she was saying next. Engfa had just entered the club. My heart was POUNDING. She looked so beautiful... She looked around the room and our eyes met a few seconds later. Damn. She was handsome even... With her jeans and her oversize blouse... Her look wasn't casual... she was fire... I gulped, hoping that she wouldn't stop looking at me.

I mouthed "Please."

I saw her take a deep breath in before she started walking towards me, a soft smile on her face.

"Can we please talk?" I asked her as she stopped in front of me.

"Oh... Fighting with your girlfriend?" Ling said over the counter.

I tried to ignore her.

"You better patch things up or I'm gonna take her home tonight." the barmaid added.

Engfa turned her head left and gave Ling a look so dark that I was shaken to my very core.

"Thanks, that'll be all." she said to the other woman before taking my hand and pulling me out of the club.


Engfa's pov

We stepped outside Neon Nights, the music still blasting from the opened doors. I turned to look at Charlotte again. She was absolutely gorgeous, I was feeling weak again just taking in her beautiful features... When I saw her at the bar from across the room my stomach did a full back flip. I had hoped to find her here tonight. I was both relieved and scared now. At first, I thought she was going to go out with Jeff, as he was all around her for the past weeks... but still secretly hoping she wanted to see me...

Finding her here had made me think that I was right... maybe...

"Hi." she said, smiling at me.

"Hi."

I was still struggling to find the words. Her heels were even taller than the one she was wearing earlier at work. Why did I choose to wear sneakers and a pair of jeans?? When she was... looking like a goddess from heaven in that dress... I gulped again, trying to shake myself from the transe that was paralyzing me.

"Can we walk for a bit?" I finally managed to ask.

"Y... Yeah." she said, following me.

We strolled through a few streets, exchanging some shy glances but keeping quiet, until we arrived at a cute square. I sat down, patting the spot next to me. Charlotte joined me on the bench and looked at me with her big doe eyes. I could get lost in them for real...

"I'm sorry I was distant." I said suddenly.

"That's ok, I understand. You're my boss and... it's... you know..."

Charlotte seemed to be as much lost for words as me. Which was damn cute and made me a bit more confident.

"Yeah... But still... I left your apartment in a flash because I got overwhelmed and..."

"It was my fault, Engfa. I pushed too much, I know it..."

"No, no... Even if I stressed out a bit, it wasn't right to avoid you after... I'm sorry... I didn't know how to approach you and I was scared to make it weird and... Damn... I'm usually better with words but..."

Charlotte smiled, looking at me with such bright eyes.

"Can I ask... Why did you stay during the morning and cooked for me?"

"I... I just... I just wanted to take care of you..."

"Oh..."

"And to be honest, I... It felt good to spend that time with you, you know... sharing breakfast... It kind of slowed down the time for me... I didn't get to feel like this in a while..."

"I'm kinda lost... Do I make you calm or overwhelmed?" she joked, scratching her head lightly.

"... both." I whispered.

Our eyes met again as I realized how true those words were. Being with Charlotte was making me feel really good, really weak, overwhelmed, horny and happy and lost. I needed to ground myself. Now.

"I still want to kiss you." I said, looking at her lips.

"I can't stop thinking about it."

_____
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