Kismet | ENGLOT

Chapter 46

Charlotte's POV:

The restaurant was a quaint little spot near the hospital, with sunlit windows and a cozy charm that felt like a quiet oasis in the bustle of the city. It was my day off, and I had been looking forward to this lunch with Engfa all morning. The thought of seeing her, being with her even for a short while, was enough to make my heart race.

I sat at a small table by the window, the golden light streaming in and warming my skin. I sent her a text, letting her know I was here, and her reply came almost instantly: Be there soon, baby.

Smiling to myself, I scrolled aimlessly through my phone, passing the time as I tried to ignore the butterflies fluttering wildly in my stomach. It didn't matter that we'd spent almost every day together recently—every moment with Engfa still felt as electric and new as the first.

A shadow fell over the table, and I looked up, expecting to see the waiter. But my breath caught when I saw her.

Engfa stood there, holding a bouquet of sunflowers. It was simple, yet impossibly thoughtful, the vibrant yellow petals mirroring the warmth of her smile. My lips curved into a grin before I could even think, and the butterflies in my stomach multiplied tenfold.

"Hi, baby," she said, her voice as soft and sweet as the sunlight that surrounded her. She leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek, and I felt my face flush, the heat rushing from my cheeks to my neck.

"Have you been waiting long?" she asked, her eyes warm and filled with concern.

I took the bouquet from her, my fingers brushing against hers briefly. The contact sent a jolt through me, and I shook my head, smiling shyly. "I just got here... maybe fifteen minutes ago."

She gave me a look that was both playful and tender, her lips curving into that charmingly lopsided smile of hers. Then, with an effortless grace, she slid into the seat beside me. Even in her suit—tailored perfectly to her frame—she looked impossibly elegant, as if the hectic morning at the hospital hadn't touched her at all. Her presence filled the small space between us, making the rest of the restaurant fade away.

I couldn't take my eyes off her. It wasn't just her physical beauty—though she looked devastatingly handsome with her hair slightly tousled and her sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal her strong forearms—it was the way she carried herself, the way her entire being seemed to radiate warmth and love.

The decision to fight for her, to fight for us, had been the best choice I'd ever made. And sitting here with her, I knew I'd make it again a thousand times over.

Engfa spoke briefly to the waiter, ordering for both of us as she always did, her voice calm and assured. Then she turned back to me, her arm draped casually over the backrest of my chair. She leaned closer, the proximity making my pulse quicken.

"How was your day, baby?" she asked, her voice low and intimate, as if it were meant just for me.

My heart pounded so loudly I was certain she could hear it. Her eyes, so full of love, locked onto mine, and for a moment, I forgot how to speak. I felt my cheeks heat up again, and I mirrored her smile, biting my lip briefly before answering. "It was just okay," I said softly, my voice trembling slightly. "But it got better now that I'm with you."

Her smile widened, her dimples appearing, and my chest swelled with a warmth I couldn't contain. "You always know exactly what to say to make me fall harder," she teased, her fingers brushing a strand of hair from my face.

The rest of the lunch passed in a haze of light conversation and shared laughter. Every smile she gave me, every playful quip, every soft glance—it was like she was etching herself deeper into my heart. We talked about our days, about small, inconsequential things, but it all felt monumental because it was with her.