Chapter 12

The air in the room seemed to hold its breath as Charlene and Taylor exchanged a serious conversation, the weight of the revelation sinking in.

"Tay, I'm serious," Charlene confessed, a nervous laugh barely masking her apprehension. Taylor, on the other hand, wore a serious expression, her eyes holding a wisdom earned through her own experiences.

"I am serious too. I was talking to him just now," Taylor revealed, her tone steady. Charlene's eyes widened in surprise, anticipation etched on her face. "He said he has feelings for you, and these feelings are new to him, and it's a bit overwhelming," Taylor continued.

Charlene's fingers tapped anxiously on the table. "I—I don't know. I don't want to pressure him. Do you think I should talk to him?" she questioned, searching for guidance.

"Yeah, of course, but..." Taylor's lips curled into a knowing smile.

"But?" Charlene's brow furrowed, prompting Taylor to clarify.

"As Charlene, not Emily," Taylor suggested, her words carrying the weight of experience. Charlene chuckled, a mix of nerves and disbelief.

"He hates me. I mean, he hates Charlene," Charlene admitted, revealing the inner conflict she grappled with.

"You are Charlene. Trust me, this double life you are living, I have seen it destroy people and their relationships and never helped them," Taylor cautioned, her eyes reflecting a blend of concern and firmness.

"I know. I agree, but this is complicated," Charlene confessed, acknowledging the intricate web she had woven.

"It's not at all complicated. He likes Emily, and he will like Charlene as well," Taylor assured, her certainty cutting through the complexity.

"Haha. You think so?" Charlene chuckled, a glimmer of hope surfacing.

"Charlene, it's you! Emily is you. How can he like Emily and not Charlene!" Taylor exclaimed, emphasizing the simple truth.

"Alright. Alright, I get it. But..." Charlene hesitated, seeking a way to navigate the challenging path ahead.

"There's no 'but.' I'm not supporting you unless you tell him the truth," Taylor asserted, her arms crossed, embodying a resolute stance.

"I'll lose him, for fu*k's sake! Try to understand, Tay," Charlene pleaded, her desperation evident.

"You won't. Trust me on this. You can't play with his feelings like this," Taylor warned, her words carrying the weight of experience.

Charlene stared at her blankly, the gravity of the situation settling in. After a momentary silence, Emily rose from her seat. "I'll do what I must. I don't want him to hate me," she declared, determination in her eyes, and left the room.

~~~~~~

The hotel room was bathed in a soft, ambient light as John sat near a piano, his fingers dancing gracefully over the keys, producing a sweet melody that filled the air. Emily entered, her face reflecting the lingering shadows of the serious conversation she had with Taylor.

The melody, infectious in its beauty, resonated with a kind of magic that transcended mere sound. It wasn't just a song; it was a journey, a cascade of notes that stirred the very soul. The piano, an extension of John's emotions, became a storyteller, weaving tales that echoed through the room.

"Hey, I didn't know you played piano," Emily exclaimed, a pleasant surprise in her voice.

John, momentarily lost in the music, looked up, a smile gracing his features. "Hey. Yeah. I took piano classes when I was little."

"That's cool. I bet you can sing as well," Emily guessed, her curiosity evident.

"Not that good, but yeah," John admitted, the humility in his smile making him even more endearing.

Seating herself beside him, Emily couldn't help but pout. "Can you sing something? Please?" she requested with genuine eagerness.

John, captivated by the sincerity in her eyes, chuckled. "Sure. I can try."

As John prepared to sing, Emily rested her face on her hand, her eyes fixed on him. The first note escaped John's lips, and the room seemed to hold its breath, enveloped in the melody he wove.

-

John's voice carried the emotion of the song, each word resonating with a depth that transcended the mere notes. The music, a delicate dance between piano and voice, created a moment suspended in time.

"That was beautiful," Emily whispered as the last note lingered in the air, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions stirred by the melody.

"Thanks," John replied, a shy smile playing on his lips. The room, once touched by a serious conversation, now held a serene ambiance, a testament to the transformative power of music.

"John," Emily whispered, her voice a sweet melody of vulnerability and affection. He turned to her, the warmth of his gaze inviting her to share more. "Yeah?" he responded, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

A soft smile played on Emily's lips as she took a breath, her eyes never leaving his. "I need you to know, John, that I really, really like you."

John's expression softened, captivated by the sincerity in her words. Before he could respond, Emily continued, "I understand you said you need time, and I respect that completely. Take all the time you need. Just know that I'll be here, waiting for your answer. That's how much I like you."

Her confession hung in the air, filled with the unspoken promise of patience and understanding. John, touched by her openness, finally spoke, "Emily, I want to be completely honest with you. I really like you too. I was just a bit lost, these feelings are new. I can't quite explain it. But yes, I know that I like you very much."

Emily's eyes sparkled with joy, and her smile widened. "You do? I—I'm beyond happy, John."

"Me too," John confessed, his eyes reflecting the depth of his emotions. They locked eyes, a silent agreement passing between them. Emily leaned in, and time seemed to stand still as their lips met in a tender, passionate kiss. John gently cradled her face, and as they pulled back, their foreheads pressed together.

"That was more than good," John whispered, his voice filled with tenderness. "It was better than our first kiss."

Emily grinned, "It was filled with even more feelings than before." Their shared gaze spoke volumes, promising a future painted with the hues of their blossoming romance.

The joy of their newfound connection danced in the air as Emily played with the drawstrings of John's hoodie, a playful yet intimate gesture.

"So where's your mom and Mabel?" Emily inquired, her fingers lightly dancing on the fabric. John, caught in the afterglow of their confessions, replied, "They went to explore the city and do some shopping. They said they'll be taking you with them."

"Oh, yeah. They offered me to join them, but I wasn't feeling well at that moment, so I denied," Emily explained, a content smile on her face. John, concerned, asked, "Are you okay, Em?"

"Yeah, yeah. It was just a headache. Now I'm fine. In your arms. Can't be better," Emily replied, her smile infectious.

The room suddenly filled with the sound of the door unlocking, prompting John and Emily to move away from each other as if they'd committed a clandestine act. "Told you he'll be home before us," Mabel announced as she and John's mother entered, shopping bags in hand.

John, seizing the moment, discreetly asked his mom if they got something for Emily. His mother nodded with a knowing smile, and John couldn't help but grin.

"I'm so hungry. Any recommendations for dinner tonight?" John queried, attempting to shift the attention.

"Yes, yes! There's this restaurant we saw on our way home. I bet you'll like it," Mabel suggested with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Bet?" John teased, turning towards his mother. As they discussed dinner plans, John's mother redirected her attention to Emily. "How are you doing, Emily? How's your fever?" she asked, concern evident in her eyes. John looked at Emily, confused.

"I-I am fine, Mrs. Carlton. It-it turned out to be just a normal headache. So yeah..." Emily replied, her nerves evident in a nervous chuckle.

"We can go to the doctor if you aren't feeling well," Mabel offered. Emily, not wanting to cause any concern, quickly assured them, "No, no. Thanks. I'm doing alright."

The atmosphere lightened as they all prepared to go out for dinner. Mabel seized the opportunity to tease John. Walking over to him, she whispered, "Psst! Hey!"

John, looking perplexed, responded, "What?"

"So, how was the kiss?" Mabel cheekily inquired. John's eyes widened, wondering how Mabel got wind of their private moment. "What kiss?" John feigned ignorance.

"You and Emily kissed, right?" Mabel persisted. "Who told you?" John asked, feeling a mix of embarrassment and surprise.

"You've got her lipstick mark on your neck, dumbass!" Mabel shook her head, a playful grin on her face. "Oh?" John stammered, clearly caught off guard. "You are such a baby," Mabel chuckled, taking a tissue to discreetly clear the lipstick mark from his neck.

~~~~~~~~~~

The next day unfolded under the glow of professional obligations for John, who found himself in the midst of a photography session with Taylor. The ambiance was charged with creativity as John captured Taylor's essence through his lens.

However, the rhythmic clicking of the camera was disrupted by the persistent ring of John's phone. Mabel's name flashed on the screen, and John, focused on his work, silenced the calls, intending to call back later. Mabel's persistence prevailed, and after the third attempt, John excused himself, realizing that something urgent demanded his attention.

"Hey, Mabel, I'm in the middle of a shoot. Can I call you back?" John answered, hoping it was a minor issue.

"John, sorry to bother, but I am at the hospital," Mabel's voice trembled with worry.

Concern etched across John's face, he stepped away from the set, "Hospital? Is Mom okay?"

"She had a mild heart attack," Mabel confessed, and John felt the world tilt beneath him.

"What? Is she alright?" The worry in John's voice was palpable.

"She's stable now, but they said she needs an operation," Mabel explained, her words laden with the weight of the situation.

Panic rising, John pressed, "Where are you? Which hospital?"

"I'll send you the location. Just come quickly, John," Mabel urged before ending the call.

Returning to the set with a heavy heart, John tried to compose himself. The rhythmic flow of the photoshoot seemed incongruent with the storm in his mind. Taylor, surrounded by her makeup artists, sensed the distress in John.

"John, you look worried. Is everything alright?" Taylor inquired, genuine concern in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. My mom's in the hospital. I gotta go," John shared, his voice carrying the weight of concern.

"Hospital? What happened?" Taylor asked, rising from her seat.

"She had a heart attack. They said she needed an operation," John explained, the words heavy on his tongue.

"I am sure she will be alright," Taylor offered reassurance, placing a comforting hand on John's shoulder.

"I hope so. Thanks," John said, gratitude mixed with worry in his eyes. He turned to leave, the urgency to be with his mother propelling him forward, and as he walked away from the set, Taylor's parting words echoed in his ears: "Stay strong."

~~~~~~

John reached the hospital, anxiety gripping his heart as he looked around for Mabel. Spotting her, he hurriedly approached, the urgency in his steps reflecting the worry etched across his face.

"Where is she?" John asked, his voice edged with concern.

Mabel pointed towards the operation theater, her attempt at comforting him evident. "She's gonna be fine," she assured, enveloping him in a tight hug. John nodded, determined to be strong for his mother.

A hospital warden approached with a form in hand. "Miss Mabel?" he called, signaling the need for paperwork. John rose to accompany her, but Mabel insisted he stay, assuring she would handle the formalities. "I gotta make calls," John said, his voice shaky, and Mabel nodded in understanding.

Outside the hospital, John, with a heavy heart, started making calls. The worry and stress were evident in his serious demeanor and the redness of his eyes. Meanwhile, Charlene, deeply concerned, felt a sense of responsibility. She believed Charlene could provide some support in this trying time and not Emily. She contacted Chloe, and together they headed to the hospital.

Observing John engrossed in his conversation, Charlene hesitated. "I can't talk to him. Look at him. It will make him even more sad," she whispered to Chloe.

"So what? You won't talk to him?" Chloe questioned.

"I have to. I need to. He has already spent too much for this trip. I booked the hotels and flights, but he has been spending too much on food and shopping for his mother, Mabel, and me. I'm not sure if he has that kind of money right now, plus this is a foreign place. He needs all the help." Charlene admitted, a mix of guilt and concern on her face.

"Spending too much on you?" Chloe grinned.

"Yeah. I don't know what I did, which made him believe Emily is financially weak. So whenever Mrs. Carlton and Mabel go out, they bring Emily so many things," Charlene smiled, her gaze drifting towards John. "I must talk to him," she resolved.

Chloe nodded in agreement as Charlene approached John, who, still on the phone, sighed out of frustration. Charlene called his name, and John turned towards her, his expression a mixture of fatigue and irritation. She was the last person he wanted to see at this difficult moment.