Kismet | ENGLOT

Chapter 44

Third Person's POV:

The car came to a gentle stop in front of a stop light a few blocks from Charlotte's building, the soft hum of the engine fading into the quiet night. Charlotte glanced out the window, instantly recognising the familiar facade of her apartment complex. Confusion flickered across her face. She turned to Engfa, noticing the faint, determined smile that still lingered on her lips since their departure from the bar. The sight made her chest tighten in a way that was both painful and exhilarating.

They weren't heading to Engfa's place. Charlotte knew why, though the realisation sent a pang of guilt and jealousy coursing through her. Chompu lived there, and as much as Charlotte wanted to forget that reality, it was still a truth they couldn't escape. Her heart clenched, but the way Engfa's hands gripped the steering wheel—firm yet steady, as if she was holding onto something precious—reassured her. A small, hesitant smile crept onto Charlotte's lips, mirroring the one on Engfa's face.

But as the car came to a full stop as they reached her building, Engfa didn't immediately move. She stayed seated, her hands still on the wheel, her gaze fixed forward as if she were caught in an internal debate. The atmosphere in the car grew heavy with unspoken tension, the air charged with emotions neither of them knew how to put into words.

Charlotte sensed the hesitation in Engfa's posture. Her heart sank slightly, the weight of reality pressing down on her. Was this it? Was Engfa about to leave, to go back to Chompu and the life she had tried to build without her? The thought alone was enough to twist the knife of guilt and longing deeper into Charlotte's chest.

She fumbled with her seatbelt, her hands trembling slightly as she unclasped it and reached for the door handle. The words she wanted to say—Stay with me, don't leave—caught in her throat, trapped by her fear of pushing too hard, too soon.

But just as she started to open the door, a hand shot out, gently but firmly grasping her wrist. She froze, her heart leaping at the contact. She turned her head, her eyes locking onto Engfa's. There was a fire in them now, something raw and unrelenting that made Charlotte's breath hitch.

Engfa didn't say a word. She simply got out of the car, her movements deliberate and fluid. Charlotte's wide eyes followed her every step as she rounded the car and opened her door. Engfa extended her hand, her palm open and waiting. Charlotte stared at it for a moment, her mind reeling, before placing her hand in Engfa's. The warmth of Engfa's touch sent a shiver up her spine as she allowed herself to be pulled from the car.

The door shut with a soft click behind her, and Charlotte watched as Engfa locked the car, her movements swift and precise. Without a word, Engfa turned and began walking toward the building's entrance, her grip on Charlotte's hand unyielding, as if she were afraid to let go. Charlotte followed, her heart pounding in her chest, her thoughts a jumbled mess of questions and anticipation.

When they reached the elevator, Engfa looked at her, her expression unreadable. "Use your key," she said softly, her voice carrying an edge of urgency that sent another jolt through Charlotte's already frayed nerves.

Charlotte fumbled for her key, her hands trembling slightly as she slid it into the lock and pressed the button for her floor. The elevator doors closed, enclosing them in a small, intimate space that seemed to magnify every breath, every glance. Engfa's hand never left Charlotte's, their fingers intertwined, the connection grounding them both.

When the elevator dinged and the doors slid open, Engfa stepped aside to let Charlotte lead the way. They walked down the hallway in silence, the tension between them palpable. When they reached Charlotte's front door, Engfa stood beside her, her presence steady and commanding. Charlotte glanced at her, a silent question in her eyes, but Engfa simply nodded toward the door, waiting.