Chapter 13

The Parisian breeze carried an unusual tension as John, weighed down by his worries, encountered Charlene at the hospital lounge. Her unexpected presence disrupted his solitude, and he was visibly surprised.

"Hey, John? What are you doing here?" Charlene's voice was a blend of curiosity and concern as she walked toward him.

John sighed, his mind preoccupied with his mother's health. "Charlene, I'm already worried," he replied, attempting to dismiss her.

"Worried? What's wrong? Everything alright?" Charlene inquired, genuine worry etched on her face.

John sighed again, realizing he couldn't evade the conversation. "My mom is in OT. She had a heart attack."

Charlene sat beside him, sympathy in her eyes. "I am so sorry, John. She will be alright," she offered a reassuring smile.

"Thanks," he muttered in gratitude. Wanting to change the subject, he asked, "What are you doing in Paris?"

Her casual response carried an undertone of arrogance that unsettled John. "Come on, John. I'm a busy person. I keep traveling countries," Charlene chuckled, oblivious to the impact of her words.

"I gotta go," John stated, feeling a growing discomfort.

"Wait a minute," Charlene insisted, seeking a chance to explain. He raised his brow, urging her to continue. "You know, if you need any help, I'd be happy to help," she offered with a sincere smile.

"Thanks, but I don't need any," John replied, forcing a smile.

"You are too modest. I mean, I can help you with the hospital bills and stuff," Charlene continued, unaware that her kindness was digging into John's pride.

Frustration built up in him, but he restrained himself. "Charlene, why are you here? What do you want from me? Why are you always trying to make me feel inferior and act so sweet when, in fact, you are not?" John's voice carried a subtle anger.

Charlene attempted to defend herself, "John, I was just trying to hel—"

"I don't need your help. I don't know you, and I'm not interested in doing so. Please leave me alone," John interrupted, standing up to distance himself.

"John, I'm sorry. Just listen to me," she pleaded, reaching out to hold his arm but quickly retracting as she sensed his discomfort.

"Listen. I just want to help you, okay? I don't want you to feel inferior or anything. I'm so bad at making conversations; I guess I said something wrong that hurt you. But I promise that wasn't my intention," Charlene explained, genuine regret in her eyes.

John sighed, recognizing a sincerity in her words. "Alright. So you want to help me? But why? We barely know each other," he said, still skeptical.

"John, I-I-I-I like you," Charlene admitted, her confession hanging in the air. John, however, dismissed it with a scoff.

"What kind of sick joke is this? You don't even know me, nor do I know you," he retorted, his frustration reaching its peak.

"But I'd love to," Charlene said, her feelings laid bare.

"I'm sorry, Charlene. I have a girlfriend," John said abruptly, leaving her sitting alone on the bench, her eyes welling up with tears. Jealous of herself, Charlene contemplated emotions she never thought she'd experience.

As John's words lingered in the air, a heavy silence settled around Charlene. Shock painted her features, a collision of disbelief and realization. The weight of his rejection sank into her, bringing forth a wave of confusion and a poignant sense of irony.

Unbeknownst to John, the very girlfriend he spoke of was the person standing before him in a covert guise. Tears welled up, reflecting the complexity of emotions within her. She felt the bizarre ache of longing for someone who, from John's perspective, was a completely different person. The irony wasn't lost on her — she was unknowingly competing with herself.

As John left, the empty bench cradled her conflicted thoughts. Charlene sat there, wrestling with the fragments of her own heart, a canvas painted with the colors of love and an intricate web of her own creation.

John took a deep breath and walked back into the hospital, determination in his stride. The antiseptic scent of the hospital engulfed him as he searched for Mabel. Spotting her sitting in the waiting area, he approached with a mix of gratitude and concern on his face.

"Thanks for filling out the forms, Mabel. I really appreciate it," John said, his voice carrying the weight of the situation.

Mabel looked up, her eyes reflecting understanding. "Of course, John."

Mabel reached out, placing a comforting hand on John's shoulder. "She's strong, John. She'll pull through. You just have to stay positive."

Nodding, John couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope at Mabel's words. "Yeah, you're right. I just need to keep it together."

"You're doing great, John. And Emily will be back soon. She went to grab something to eat," Mabel informed him.

John managed a weak smile. "I should call her, let her know to come back quickly."

As John dialed Emily's number, the sterile hospital surroundings provided an unsettling backdrop to the weight of the conversation. The call rang a few times before Emily answered.

"Hey, John," Emily's voice came through, though it lacked its usual cheer.

"Hey, where are you?" John inquired, concern lacing his tone.

"I just stepped out to grab a quick bite. I didn't want to disturb you," Emily explained.

John sighed, his worry evident. "You're not disturbing anything. I need you here."

"Is everything okay?" Emily's voice tightened with concern.

"I need you," John confided, his voice revealing the weight on his shoulders.

"I'm coming back, John. Don't worry, I'll be there," Emily reassured him.

"Please hurry," John whispered before ending the call. He turned to Mabel, a mix of anxiety and anticipation in his eyes.

"She's on her way," John said.

~~~~~~~~~

Charlene returned in her Emily disguise. She arrived and hugged John tightly as he returned the embrace. In that moment, she could feel the weight of his worries and the emotional turmoil he was going through.

"She will be alright, John," Charlene, pretending to be Emily, reassured him. John managed a smile, appreciating the support.

They found a place to sit. John looked into Emily's eyes and began, "Em, I need to talk about something."

"Of course, John. Anything, I'm always here to listen," Emily said, holding his hands reassuringly.

John hesitated for a moment, then continued, "I haven't talked about this with anyone but you. It's Charlene. She's bothering me a lot."

"Bothering?" Emily asked, concern furrowing her brow.

John explained, "She appeared out of nowhere and offered to help. She even said she likes me."

"She... she likes you?" Emily's eyes dropped sadly. "Do you like her back?" she asked, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.

John quickly replied, "Of course not. I don't even know her, nor does she. That could be one of her silly pranks. She hates me."

Emily, looking deep into John's eyes, asked a profound question, "How are you so sure that she hates you?"

"I... I just know it. And there are no reasons that she could like me either," John stammered.

Emily, with sincerity in her eyes, began listing his qualities, "Yes, there are, John. You are so helpful, caring, kind, and genuine. You take care of your loved ones wholeheartedly without complaining. Plus, you're so handsome. How can anyone not fall for you?"

John was stunned by her response. "I... I don't know what to say."

"Look, John, you have worked for her, so she might have noticed those things about you. She might honestly like you," Emily suggested.

"But you know I like YOU," John confessed.

"And I'm lucky," Emily smiled. John leaned in, and they shared a tender kiss. In that moment, Emily's heart echoed with the realization, 'He likes me. He likes Emily.' She thought, 'That's the reason he can't like Charlene.'

John pulled back from the kiss, looking into Emily's eyes. "Thank you, Emily. Your words mean a lot to me," John said, a genuine smile on his face.

Emily smiled back, "I just speak the truth, John."

John continued, "But it's confusing, you know? Charlene appearing out of nowhere, claiming to like me. It's just so sudden."

Emily nodded, understanding his confusion. "Maybe she genuinely sees something in you, John. People can surprise us."

John chuckled, "Well, I'd prefer if she surprised me with a less complicated situation."

Emily laughed, "Life has a way of throwing surprises at us when we least expect it."

John sighed, "I just want everything to be alright. My mom, the bills, and now this Charlene situation. It's overwhelming."

Emily squeezed his hand, "We'll get through this together, John. And about Charlene, maybe you should talk to her. Communication is key."

John nodded, "You're right. I just don't want anything affecting us."

Emily hesitated for a minute and spoke, trying to change the topic, "Let's focus on your mom's recovery."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Charlene, still in her Emily disguise, entered Taylor's room where she found her packing. "Oh, Charlene! How is John's mother?" Taylor inquired, her attention momentarily shifting from her suitcase.

"She is fine. She will be discharged tomorrow. Thank god it was not very serious," Charlene replied.

"Thank god," Taylor muttered, a mixture of relief and concern in her voice. "Are you going somewhere?" Charlene asked, gesturing towards the packed bags.

"Yeah. Back to The USA," Taylor said, continuing her packing without much enthusiasm.

"The shooting, then?" Charlene queried.

"Well, it's done. John said he'll finish it tomorrow, and only editing will be left," Taylor explained.

"I see," Charlene nodded, her mind preoccupied with a revelation she had to share. "So how's John? Did you tell him the truth yet?" Taylor asked, looking up from her suitcase.

"Of course not! But I learned something today. He is afraid to give Charlene a chance because..." Charlene started, and Taylor furrowed her brow, silently urging her to continue.

"I, as Charlene, confronted him about my feelings. He said he has a girlfriend," Charlene confessed.

"So?" Taylor asked, not catching on immediately.

"Soo? Can't you see? That is me. Emily is his girlfriend," Charlene stated, trying to make Taylor understand.

"You are not Emily," Taylor rolled her eyes.

"I know, but listen to me. He said he loves Emily. So if Emily leaves, John won't have any girlfriend, and he will give Charlene a chance," Charlene smiled, thinking she had figured it all out.

"You are going crazy, Charlene," Taylor shook her head, sensing the impending trouble.

"It's not crazy. I'll show you. It's simple," Charlene insisted, her determination unwavering.

"No, it is not! You think he will be just fine if Emily leaves him? He was afraid of losing her even before he accepted you. You can't do this to him," Taylor argued.

"I won't break his heart. I'll just disappear. Or maybe make an excuse that I'm leaving the country or something like that," Charlene explained, seemingly indifferent to Taylor's objections.

"You are a sick person! I don't believe what's happening to you. All you have to do was tell him the truth," Taylor shook her head, expressing her disbelief, and locked her door. Charlene ignored her, convinced that her plan was the right course of action.

In Charlene's mind, the plan seemed like an ingenious solution rather than a heartbreak in the making. The weight of her unspoken feelings had become burdensome, and this seemingly simple exit strategy appeared to be the answer. As determination fueled her actions, she saw it as a selfless act to pave the way for John's happiness. Convinced that disappearing as Emily would open a door for Charlene, she remained steadfast in her belief, blinded to the potential collateral damage her actions might cause. The conviction in her heart, though misguided, propelled her forward, for in her eyes, this was the best way to untangle the web of emotions that had woven around them.