Pitbabe S2, Chapter 21 pg 6

 Pitbabe S2, Chapter 21 pg 6

   Charlie looks toward the stage, seemingly listening intently to Pete. Chris whispers something in his ear, and Charlie responds with a brief two-word answer and a slight nod before turning back to the stage. He’s the perfect guest—attentive, composed, focused on the speaker. From here, he doesn’t look at all like the twenty-something kid who used to trail after me.

   Charlie seemed like a mature young man, raised and trained to navigate social circles since he could remember. His different demeanor was starting to confuse me. I couldn’t help but reflect and compare, wondering what Charlie’s true self really was—was it the version I’d experienced and fallen for, or the one I was watching now? In reality, did I actually know Charlie, or did I not know him at all?

   “You okay, Phii?” Willy leaned in to whisper in my ear after staying quiet for a good while. I figured he’d reached the limit of his patience, but since I was still lost in my thoughts about the guy sitting at the other table, Willy finally had to speak up. “Wanna step outside? I can keep you company.”

   “I’m fine,” I glanced at Willy briefly before whispering back. His face showed clear concern. I felt a bit of clarity return thanks to the worry in his eyes. “Just surprised he showed up here.”

   “He’s probably here to make connections,” Willy said. I didn’t respond because it was obvious. A kid like Charlie didn’t enjoy social events, but if this was a stepping stone to his goals, I was sure he wouldn’t hesitate to play along, even if it meant going against his own feelings. “This place is full of executives and big shots. Just getting a conversation is worth it.”

   “If it wasn’t for that, he wouldn’t bother coming,” I couldn’t help but gripe, irritated that the dumb-looking kid would do anything for his ambitions. Even I was just insignificant baggage he could toss aside anytime. “He’s sly as hell. Everything he does is calculated.”

   “You seem pretty bitter about your ex.”

   “I’m just annoyed.”

   “Annoyed because he dumped you?”

   “Hey!” I spun around, my hand instinctively smacking Willy’s thigh like an automatic reflex. But since I’d been a bit too loud, Phii Alan shot me a stern look. I gave a sheepish smile instead of saying, “Sorry, I’ll shut up now,” before turning to hiss at Willy through gritted teeth, “I was the one who ended it, got that?”

   “So it wasn’t just you trying to make a point, but he took it seriously?”

   “You’re hilarious. No.”

   “Getting dumped isn’t something to be embarrassed about. It’s normal.”

   “I wasn’t dumped.”

   “I said I don’t care either way,” Willy put on an innocent face, but I knew he was deliberately trying to get under my skin. “Besides, if you were with me, I’d never ditch you.”

   “You little…” I accidentally raised my voice a bit, but luckily caught myself in time. I glanced at Phii Alan and saw he was focused on the stage, so he didn’t turn to scold me like before. I was about to turn back and deal with the annoying kid, but before I could act, my eyes caught someone staring in my direction.

   Charlie was looking at me.

   Since when did this start?

   Just a moment ago, he was still focused on the stage, being a good audience member. But now, he’s not even leaning toward the stage. He’s sitting facing the table, staring straight at me, openly and deliberately, as if I’ve done something wrong.

   But I haven’t done anything wrong. So I have no reason to look away. I stare back at him, trying to guess what’s on his mind. I want to know what Charlie is thinking right now. Did he just notice me sitting here, or has he known all along and deliberately ignored me? Is he happy to see me here, or is he annoyed that we have to cross paths? Since we broke up, figuring out what’s going on in Charlie’s head has become a difficult task for me.

   Charlie’s gaze briefly shifts to the side before locking back onto me with a slightly different look in his eyes. And what caught his attention just now was… Willy.

   Hmm… at least I’ve figured out one thing he’s thinking.

   It seems Charlie can’t easily let go of his fixation on Willy, despite how hard he tries. And for me, right now, I find that quite satisfying.

   I have no idea what’s happening on stage. I can vaguely hear the host saying something about a performance by a famous idol group coming up next. After that, everything just becomes noise—not words or sentences with any meaning. Charlie and I continue our staring contest. I think if I look away first, it means I lose, and I hate losing the most.

   But honestly, the person who hates losing even more than me is sitting at the table across from me.

   I tilt my head, looking at my ex with the thought, “I don’t want to lose. I absolutely won’t lose.” My instincts are surging, like when I’m sitting behind the wheel. The difference is that this victory requires more than just speed to reach the finish line.

   I slide my hand onto Willy’s thigh. The young foreigner immediately stiffens, his back straightening the moment my palm touches him. I chuckle inwardly but try to keep a straight face. He’s always acting so bold and cheeky with me, but when I push back, Willy freezes up. He stays still for several seconds, as if trying to compose himself, while I gently squeeze and massage his thigh, my eyes still fixed on Charlie. Then Willy turns to look at me and whispers softly.

   “What are you doing?”

   “Bored,” I reply flatly.

   “And this fixes your boredom?”

   “Mhm.” I shift my gaze from Charlie to Willy. “Why… can’t I do this with you?”

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