Charlotte POV
It was clear to me after meeting Engfa for dinner with the group that Sydney was a confusing time for her. Sexually confused? Experimenting? Whatever that was, it's true I should've listened to her more and had a conversation with her once I've cooled off instead of blocking her out of my life right away. Making her just someone part of my vacation story. Because it was definite that although we just met, there was a special bond between us, a sense of familiarity that could make us great friends.
Engfa joins us a few more times when everyone was still in Bangkok for the weekend and it was truly enjoyable. I also refrained from sending any mixed signals just in case it seemed like I was interested or flirting with her since she was clearly starting a healthy relationship with Nick. They seemed like a perfect match and I've never seen Nick this happy. All his previous relationships, he has never brought his girlfriends along our hangouts and was never this stable. They were always on and off relationships or a bit toxic. But with Engfa being a special girl and all the green flags, Nick seemed to rid his past traits and focus on being a great boyfriend.
One night after work, Nick texts me and invites me for dinner. When I arrive, I see that Engfa, Sun and Nick were sat waiting for me. I realized this was going to be the norm, seeing Engfa every time I see Nick and I can firmly say I have put the kiss behind me. However, seeing them together does make me jealous in a sense that I feel like I should be back in the dating field once again because it does seem great to have someone I can turn to.
We have dinner as usual talking about the things we encountered at work, what we did this week, gossip a bit, really just the usual. Initially, I was planning on going home right away after dinner but Nick invites me to grab drink with him and his friends after dinner. I take a look at the time and was for sure going to turn down the offer, but he said Engfa was meeting his other friends for the first time and would feel awkward being the only girl there, so I hesitantly agreed.
Sun who has other plans with his boyfriend, left after dinner without joining us and so the three of us cab to the bar. The whole ride there Engfa clearly was nervous to meet a group of people she doesn't know while hoping to leave a good impression, so I was glad I decided to accompany her. Tomorrow was Friday, so the worst is, I only have to power through one day of work being either hungover or sleep deprived. We got to the bar and as we walked in, Nick held me back.
Nick: By the way, I have a friend here that really wanted to get to know you
Char: Nick! You liar, you told me to come for Engfa!
Nick: I did want you to come with Engfa, but I'm just saying... he's a really good guy. Don't turn him down right away, you never know!
Char: Ugh! I'm not interested...
Nick: Please? If you really don't like him, at any point let me know and we can all leave. But just... don't be so quick to close him off! He has a lot to offer...
Char: Fine... but you don't get to say anything, I don't want it to be awkward. If he wants to get to know me, he can do the work.
Nick: You have my words. *hugs Char* You're the best
Now I was kind of nervous. I thought I genuinely was here for Engfa, but turns out it was a setup. The truth behind my unwillingness is that, recently I've developed some feelings for a friend. A colleague turned friend to be exact. I've noticed I've had periods in my life where I just prefer a certain gender more than the other and honestly right now I'm at a point in life I want a girlfriend. Someone I can spoil and protect.
But still in the early having a simple crush on this girl, doesn't mean I was fully fixated only on girls and I was open to other people too.Plus, Nick was right, it doesn't hurt to get to know more people because who knows, maybe I do like him and end up being open to the idea of getting to know him more. We looked around the bar for a bit until we found his table of friends who was at this point already tipsy while playing a game of dice.
Nick: Guys!
(everyone greeting us)
Nick: This here is Engfa, my girlfriend. And this is Charlotte who I grew up with
Dave: We have heard a lot about you two!
Ian: It's great you guys can join us! Please, have a seat!
Since I told Nick not to meddle with anything tonight, at this point I still don't have a clue which of his friends was the one that had interest in me. We sat down and slightly still awkward, getting used to our surroundings, Nick's friend next to me greets me.
Kai: Hi! I'm Kai!
Char: Hi, nice meeting you Kai
Kai: Would you like to have a drink? What drink can I get you?
Char: Oh, uhm... (thinking)
Kai: If you like something fruity and sweet I can ask the bartender to mix something for you?
Char: Yeah that sounds great
Kai: Nick and Engfa? What would you guys like to drink?
Dave: You're a step behind Kai, I poured them some of our whiskey already
Kai: Alright, I'll go get a cocktail for Charlotte
Char: I can come with you then
Engfa POV
I was visibly nervous the whole way to drinks, until I actually sat down and met Nick's friends who all welcomed us and was taking care of me really well as Nick's pals. Charlotte came along to accompany me as I was the only girl and so I felt a lot more relaxed and comfortable as I thought I would be. Charlotte also seemed to be comfortable as she joins Kai to the bar to get her cocktail.
Nick: *whispering* Are you okay? Less nervous now?
Engfa: Yeah, don't worry! I'm having a good time (reassuring)
Nick: Good, I'm glad!
Luke: Wait, is Charlotte the girl that Kai really wanted to meet?
Nick: *laughing* Yeah, seems like he finally got his wish tonight
Engfa: (looking confused)
Nick: So Kai always thought Char was pretty and so he's asked me a lot of times to get introduced to her
Engfa: Oh... *looks at Char at the bar talking to Kai*
Nick: Normally I wouldn't just easily introduce someone to Char, but Kai is a really decent guy and I think they do match well, so... we'll see how things go!
I haven't had a chance to speak to Kai properly yet as we just sat down, but if Nick vouches that Kai is a great guy then I believe in him that he's introducing a great guy to Char. They come back from the bar, with Char's drink in Kai's hands as he places it in front of her and tries his best to include us in their games and conversations. From the first glance of Kai as a person, he does seem like he was a gentleman and genuine in getting to know Char.
Throughout the night, I could notice Kai taking care of Char with small gestures which any girl would melt over. Although it was a Thursday and everyone had work the next day, because of the great mood everyone was drinking a whole lot. Nick was also taking great care of me although it's also been a long time since he saw his friends, but he didn't fail to make me feel like his priority still.
Engfa: Char, do you want to go to the bathroom?
Char: Yeah, I actually do! Let's go
Nick: I'll bring you girls, don't worry I know Muay Thai *laughing*
Engfa: Charlotte protects me just as well
Nick: I know, growing up she used to kick my ass
Char: *laughing* I did
Kai: I'll come with
Nick grabs my hand as we walked through the still busy bar although it was close to midnight now but the bar seemed to be getting more crowded as the night deepened. I grab Char's hand as Nick leads us. At one point, it was even hard for Nick to slip through the large crown and so i looked back so see Kai reaching his hands out blocking drunk people that was jumping and dancing away from Charlotte.
Nick: We'll wait right here, you girls take your time
Engfa: Okayy
(Washing our hands before leaving the bathroom)
Engfa: Soooo I noticed, Kai seems like to be a great guy
Char: *laughing* Are you also in this, with Nick?
Engfa: No I swear, he didn't tell me until literally just now
Char: But yeah... so far he seems really great. We seem to have a lot in common too and he's very attentive which I really like
Engfa: Is he your type? He's quite good looking too, although not as cute as Nick *laughing*
Char: Okay, we get it you think Nick is the best *laughing* but yeah he's really tall and is quite good looking
Engfa: Perfect height to match you, you guys are really compatible
Char: Okay cupid! You and Nick both! So far he's great, but I'm not going to rush anything
Engfa: We love teasing you
Char: *rolls her eyes* Let's go back out before they get stomped on by the table of drunks outside
Making our way back to the table, we all agreed that 2am was the latest we should all stay. Leaving everyone just a few hours to sleep before having to work tomorrow morning. We all were now playing the dice game where losers each round had to chug the cups of alcohol accumulated which could be a lot of cups for certain rounds. So being caught was the last thing i wanted to do since my tolerance wasn't great.
The round table and chairs at this bar was relatively low, so I felt like my outfit for tonight wasn't ideal since my skirt was quite short. Pulling on it so I don't flash at anyone, especially since we started the game, I had to reach for things on the table making it really uncomfortable to sit. Once again pulling on my skirt, Char suddenly reaches over and drapes her jacket over my leg without saying anything. Although her focus was on the game, for her to notice, it was a sweet gesture from her. It was definitely a problem only a girl would understand and notice.
At one point, Charlotte dismisses herself to pick up a call outside of the bar. Worried that she was alone, I couldn't focus on the game and kept looking her way to make sure nothing was happening to her.
Nick: Engfa! Kai! Your necks are going to break if you keep looking back at Char like that! Don't worry, I can see her directly from my spot, I'll keep an eye on her.
Engfa: You better keep an eye on her then
Nick: I got it!
(five minutes later)
Nick: Oh, she's back in, by the bar ordering a drink now
As soon as Kai hears that, he bolts up from his seat and heads over to the bar. He and Charlotte stay by the bar table for quite some time and it seemed like they were having a really good conversation. Since I know I have Nick that is taking good care of me, I couldn't help but put my focus on Charlotte tonight, to make sure she was safe and comfortable since I know she would protect me the same. So far, Kai still was nothing but a walking green flag and was really genuine on getting to know Charlotte.
After a long conversation shared at the bar table, finally they come back to the table full of smiles. I finally didn't have to turn my attention to them and focus back on the game. Char then stands up again to make a call outside the bar for the second time tonight. While she's outside, Kai turns to Nick.
Kai: Thanks brother for keeping your word and bringing Charlotte tonight, about time considering I've asked you for years
Nick: And so???? You guys seem to be hitting it off at the bar just now
Kai: I actually like her more after speaking with her. I asked her to join me for dinner next week, but she kindly turned me down... Sooo~ nothing is going to happen
Nick: Did she say why?
Kai: She was very honest with me, which I appreciate. She told me she actually has a colleague she has feelings for currently so her heart is unavailable
Engfa: Oh really??
Nick: She didn't tell us that!
Engfa: Well we also didn't ask...
Nick: Sorry Kai, getting your hopes up. I should've asked her before springing this on her tonight
Kai: No it's all good, at least I know what's going on and I don't chase someone who is unavailable
(Charlotte comes back in)
Char: Sorry everyone, I have to go
Engfa: We'll leave too! Send you home!
Nick: Yeah, let us send you home it's late!
Char: No it's okay you guys stay, I have to go to my friends' house
Engfa: Now? At this hour? Is your friend okay?
Char: She's just a little down, she's fine. I still want to check up on her though
Nick: No come on, it's late and we should leave anyways. Let us drop you off, wherever it may be
Engfa: Yeah, don't go around alone at this hour
We paid our portion of this bill and made our way to Char's friend's house which was conveniently on the way back to my house. After hearing what Kai had to say about Charlotte, it does make me wonder if the friend Charlotte is rushing to at this hour the friend that Kai mentioned to us about.
Nick: Char, sorry you should've told me you had someone in mind! I shouldn't have sprung Kai onto you tonight like this
Char: You didn't give me any time to explain! But you were right, he is a really decent guy but you must've heard by now but I just...
Nick: There's someone you like! So... who is this special person to be able to make Miss Charlotte Austin so head over heels to rush over at this hour
Char: She's a colleague, a friend
Nick: A She! So your phase now is back to girls, GOT IT! No wonder you said you weren't interested in Kai before even meeting him, MY BAD MY BAD
Char: It's all good, really! No hurt in meeting more people, but I just only realised lately too I might have feelings for this friend. It's relatively new, but it already makes my heart beat a certain way
Engfa: Does she like you back?
Char: She doesn't know I like her.... well I think she doesn't
Nick: Come on, you're rushing to her on a night out at 2 in the morning. She must be blind not to know
Char: I don't know, I'm taking it slow. I don't want to scare her away
Engfa: She would be a fool to not accept your feelings *staring intently*
When Nick mentioned introducing Kai to Charlotte I was already slightly cautious. I wanted to protect her as much as she often protects me. Girls looking out for one another right? But when the news of Charlotte actually having a love interest in her life right now broke out, I still wasn't feeling much until I found out it was a girl.
Why was I suddenly on edge knowing it's a girl?
Am I... jealous????
No, I can't be.
I have feelings for Nick and whatever happened between Charlotte and I was just a bi-curious event.
Or was it????
Am I in denial for how I actually feel for Charlotte?
It can't be, but my feelings for Nick is valid.
Charlotte POV
Engfa was now in the cab staring at me strongly. The same gaze she had while we were in Sydney and before we said our goodbyes after the night out while leaning on her friend. RIght now, this was the exact same gaze. I look away to just avoid her gaze all in all since I didn't know how to react. But for a split second I told myself not to read too much into her comment about being a fool to not accept my feelings.
I told myself I shouldn't read into it too much, since the last time I did, it didn't seem to end well. Plus, my focus was now turned to my friend Lisa. The first person after the situation with Engfa, that caught my attention. To be frank, my feelings fo Engfa was always still within being 'interested' or attracted to at most since I knew it was something that couldn't happen. But with Lisa, the feelings seem to exceed it.
I'm not going to let Engfa's comments cloud me once again, especially now that I know she really has no intentions. She's settled with Nick and I should put down something that happened so brief on a vacation that happened over a year ago. I now have a love interest and I should put my whole heart in pursuing it.