Love Amidst the Flames

Chap 51

One evening, as the sun was setting, Charlotte was working inside when she heard the doorbell ring. She gently walked over, assuming it might be Engfa returning home. But the person at the door was Hub Salilak.

• "Hello, Charlotte, long time no see!"

It was Hub Salilak, an old friend from Charlotte's days at the military academy. They'd once worked together on some projects, and Charlotte was delighted to see him.

• "Oh, Hub! It's so good to see you! What brings you here?" Charlotte replied cheerfully, unaware that their conversation could be easily misunderstood by others.

Hub smiled, his eyes full of enthusiasm.

• "I just got back from an overseas training course. I came here today to say hi and invite you to my wedding next month."

Charlotte was surprised, but happy for Hub.

• "Wow, congratulations! Who's the bride?"

They continued chatting, with Hub telling Charlotte about the woman he'd been dating. The two spoke warmly, unaware that their gestures and expressions might be misinterpreted by onlookers.

• "Her name is Anna, and we've been together for a while. You must come to the wedding!" Hub said excitedly, his eyes brimming with happiness.

• "Of course! I'll try my best to make it," Charlotte replied, genuinely happy that her old friend had found love.

However, as Hub reached out to give Charlotte a friendly pat on the shoulder, she felt an unusual feeling arise within her. They'd shared wonderful memories in the past, but now, with Engfa by her side, Charlotte felt a sense of discomfort with anyone else being overly familiar.

They continued chatting, with Hub sharing stories of his exciting travels and lessons learned from his training overseas. Both were completely immersed in their conversation, unaware of how their expressions and gestures could look from another perspective.

As evening approached, Engfa was returning home after a long day of work. She happened to see Charlotte standing outside, deep in conversation with Hub Salilak, an old friend of hers as well.

Engfa stopped in her tracks, her heart aching as she took in the scene. Charlotte and Hub stood close, laughing, and Charlotte's eyes shone with a joy Engfa hadn't seen in recent days. A wave of jealousy, which she didn't want to admit, surged through her.

"Why does she seem so happy talking to him? Are they really that close...?" Engfa wondered, feeling uneasy. She stayed still, watching Charlotte's every gesture, feeling a growing sense of disappointment.

It wasn't until Hub had left that Engfa finally came home. She pretended she hadn't seen anything and refrained from questioning Charlotte, leaving an air of silence hanging in the room. Engfa sat on the sofa, her mind still wrapped in chaotic thoughts.

Engfa sat there, smiling outwardly, but her heart was heavy. Charlotte didn't notice Engfa's pensive mood. She continued with her chores, arranging flowers and preparing dinner as usual, while Engfa just quietly observed.

• "Do you think this dish tastes good?" Charlotte asked, her eyes sparkling.

Engfa gave a slight smile.

• "It's good, as usual."

But behind that smile, Charlotte felt there was an invisible distance between them. Everything seemed normal, but inside, Engfa's heart was wrestling with unease.

This small misunderstanding remained unspoken, silently becoming a seed of discord within Engfa, laying the groundwork for future conflicts. As time passed, Engfa resolved not to let these negative emotions affect their relationship, but she couldn't deny that her trust was being tested.

They continued living together, but the joyful conversations that once filled their home became increasingly rare. Engfa knew she needed to find a way to resolve these doubts, but it wasn't as simple as she had imagined. While Charlotte remained innocent in love, Engfa found herself grappling with hidden waves of insecurity.

Their life seemed perfect as they both pursued their careers and gradually achieved the goals they had longed for. Engfa, with her strong and responsible nature, was often busy with work, having to attend many meetings and meet clients after hours. Charlotte understood, but a lingering worry grew in her heart as Engfa seemed to drift away, spending less time with her. This slowly became a constant source of anxiety.

One evening, Engfa attended a dinner party with an important client group at an upscale bar. She called Charlotte to let her know she'd be home later than expected, promising to text when she was finished.

• "Don't worry, I'll wrap things up soon," Engfa said with confidence, though deep down she was uneasy about not being able to see Charlotte that night.

• "I know, you're always busy. I'll wait for your message," Charlotte replied, trying to sound cheerful, but unable to deny the growing worry in her heart.

As the night wore on, Charlotte tried to occupy herself with other tasks to distract from her worry. But as it grew late and there was still no message from Engfa, her anxiety became overwhelming. She decided to call Dao, their mutual friend, to check in.

• "Dao, do you know where Engfa is? I'm feeling a bit uneasy," Charlotte said, her voice filled with concern.

• "I'm not sure exactly, but I think she might be at the bar on X Street. If you want, I can go with you," Dao offered.

Charlotte thought about it briefly but decided not to go directly to the bar. Instead, she opted to wait outside their home, hoping she could greet Engfa when she returned.

---

Heart-wrenching