Gray Areas | Englot | GxG

14. Echoes of the Past

Los Angeles, United States

POV ENGFA

I'm not trying to blame Faye or Patcha, but honestly, I just need someone to blame because I've already been blaming myself so hard this past week. Can't anyone else take the blame for this? I feel so frustrated-beyond frustrated.

I can barely remember what happened that night. All I know is that I was drinking and dancing with Faye and Patcha at the club, and at some point, other girls joined us, thanks to them. Beyond that, it's all fuzzy.

Somehow, I ended up with lipstick smudged across my chest, and I don't even remember how I got back to my room. I only noticed it when I looked in the mirror the next morning before my shower.

After that, I went to find Charlotte in her room, but Marima said she'd already left for the set. It was only 8 a.m., and her schedule didn't start until after lunch, so I was surprised. I tried texting her, but she didn't reply. When I called, she declined.

When I finally got to the set, she wasn't there. She didn't show up until 11, went straight to her script and makeup, and didn't look at me once. I tried to talk to her, tried asking what was wrong, but it was obvious she was sulking. Painfully obvious.

I asked Faye and Patcha how I'd made it back to my room, and they told me I'd gotten off on the 22nd floor, knocked on Charlotte and Marima's door, and that was all they knew. Instantly, I realized-Charlotte must have been the one to take me back to my room. She probably even changed my clothes. And, of course, now it all made sense why she was mad. She must've seen the lipstick.

So that's how it went-a whole week with her barely saying a word to me outside of filming. And even then, it was only for the scenes. Nothing extra. I kept trying to reach out, but she wouldn't budge. She'd shut me out completely.

And honestly, I couldn't blame her; if I were in her shoes, I might be losing it, too. Still, I couldn't help but feel frustrated. When Charlotte sulks, she doesn't mess around-she can hold out way longer than I can. I need to get her to listen to me, soon.

Seriously, why does something like this have to come up right when we're finally supposed to be moving forward, on good terms?

After that night in my room, when Charlotte and I finally crossed every line that was left-if there even were any-I'd already made my choice. I wasn't letting her slip away again. I'd try harder this time.

But now? That wasn't exactly going as planned. How can I even try when she won't talk to me? Damn it.

And now, being back in L.A. with filming resuming next week, there's no easy excuse to see her. Normally, we'd bump into each other on set, but now? I'm just...frustrated.

"E! You've been mindlessly scrolling through your phone for half an hour! I even tried talking to you, but you're completely out of it!" my little sister, Snack, grumbled.

I quickly put my phone down and laughed. "Yeah, yeah, sorry."

She pouted, crossing her arms. "I'm really annoyed. You weren't even listening."

I nodded, giving her an apologetic smile. "Okay, I'm listening now. See? No phone," I said, holding both hands up.

I felt guilty. At this lunch in Santa Monica with Snack, I'd completely ignored her, too caught up in thoughts of that one sulking woman.

Snack nodded with a smile. "I want to go shopping for some new clothes. I think I'll be in L.A. for a while."

That surprised me-she'd said before she was only here until next month. Apparently, she's here to explore a potential project for her real estate business.