I Can't, We Can't

Chapter 8

After that painful call, the girls haven't spoken to each other. Even though it hurt her to accept that she should move on from Toni, she plastered the perfect smile.

Flashback

"Do you like her Toni? Did you sleep with her? Please don't lie to me."

"I promise you, I only love you. The only person I want to spend the rest of my life with is you. Just say the word Cheryl." Toni said with such hope not knowing that Carine wanted to get water but stood still as she heard what Toni was saying with anger boiling inside of her.

Cheryl went silent for a few seconds before Toni heard her sigh. "Toni I-" But before she could continue, she heard Carine's words causing her heart to break.

"Toni baby! Where are you?" Carine's voice was loud and clear.

"Baby?" Cheryl asked in disappointment. "Really Toni?" She said as she hung up.

Toni looked at her phone as she was lost, shocked and hurt. There was no way she could convince Cheryl that there was nothing going on between her and Carine.

End of flashback.

As the days past, Cheryl got busy with opening her new project for poor people. She rented a building and brought doctors from every specialty. She was determined to make Riverdale a better place. She decided to stay not because of Toni, but because she was tired from travelling.

"When are you planning to open the clinic?" Al asked from the kitchen as she was making coffee for her and Cheryl.

Cheryl sighed happily. "Saturday around 11AM so that people don't have to wake up early on a weekend. I am going in a bit to the office, some people asked me if donations are accepted so I'll be there to collect them."

Al smiled. "I'm proud of you. And as much as I love to see your happy face, I know you aren't happy being away from Toni." she said giving the redhead her mug.

"Auntie, there's no use anymore. She's with her, I can't do anything about it. Our love is hurting both of us and she deserves better." Al said nothing as she looked at her favorite redhead niece. "Did you hear that they are opening the restaurant this Saturday?" Cheryl changed the subject.

Al nodded. "I got an invitation under both our names from Dee, but I thought you wouldn't be interested."

Cheryl shook her head. "Of course I'll go. I have to be there." she said with much determination in her voice as she sipped the cup of coffee.

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As for Toni, she tried her best to move on. Not with Carine because she made it to the girl very clear that after what she said during her phone call with Cheryl, that it's best to be friends. She helped Carine with the opening of the restaurant. Toni also heard about what Cheryl was planning to do in Riverdale, and she could feel her heart burst of how proud she was of the redhead.

Toni now was helping the chef decide what to prepare for the open buffet as Carine was standing beside her also giving her opinion. It took about three hours of discussion but they finally decided what type of food will be available then they moved to the mini dance floor and DJ. They wanted to make the restaurant the center of attention, and Toni was determined to make it happen.

Toni was smoking a cigarette outside when her phone buzzed notifying her that she got a message from the sheriff. She tapped on her iPhone screen that showed a wallpaper picture of her and Cheryl. She could never change it, she tried but she couldn't.

The sheriff informed that Cheryl was now at the office collecting donations. She sighed, she wanted to see the redhead, tell her how proud she is of her and donate money but at the same time, she couldn't face the redhead because she was afraid of her reaction. Toni looked back to Carine who was busy talking to her mother.