Nineteen

•DEMI•

(POV)

"It's rare see you her ,Chai? I didn't know you still have a social life?" Teasing Charlie as i gave her favorite cocktail drink mai tai.

"Badly need this. I'm here to relax Dee"

As she sighed and drink her cocktail drink.

"Stop that. You're giving me bad vibes" i nudge her arm teasingly

She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.

10 pm. We sitting in a most private corner at the bar in a Tuesday night. I was surprised to received a message from Charlie earlier this afternoon. She wants to have a girl's night out. I was having a spa date with my mom as i received it.

Charlie's been isolating herself after she gave birth to Mace. Her little family becomes her only life. I understand her though. It's not easy to become a mother and a wife. I may not experience it yet but i seen it from her.

The silence from her is unnerving. She always jokes around but i never seen her this serious for so long as I remember. The last time was when their fight with Pete years ago.

I looked at her worriedly. I feel there will be a drama after this night. Even Moi is not around to help me. Her staff said she's out of town for business. I secretly text Kai to hurry up and meet us.

I got a called from Bright since i texted him earlier before i arrived to Moi's bar that i'll be hanging with the girls tonight. I excuse myself from her.

Brightwat☀️

"Heyyy

You're done with your rehearsal?"

He sighed

"Not yet babe.

I think before 12 we'll be finished here."

He so busy.

Is he sure about the dinner tomorrow?

I saw their schedule on social and it's so packed. I want to reschedule it for next month cause i know my mom. I don't want her to overwhelm Bright.

"Okay. Don't forget to drink water.

I know you sweat a lot. "

As i laughs.

He laughed and said

"Don't worry about me.

Don't drink too much there."

"You make it sound like i'm a heavy drinker."

He chuckled

"I didn't say that."

"Yeah Right."

As i pout.

He sighed

"I just don't want you to pass out again–"

"–Heyy! That was the first time!"

I panicked

He laugh and asked

"You're with Charlie and Kai?

"Only with Charlie

but Kai will be here i minute."

"–Nong hurry up!"

Someone's calling him in the background

"Babe? Sorry Got to go.

Be safe. Call me if something goes wrong"

"Yes yes. Gooo!

They are waiting for you"

Be safe babe.

End called

As I smiled foolishly. I'm excited for the concert. I already bought one, 2 months ago. The competition for the vip pass was extreme that the tickets were sold out in just 15 mins. I got lucky to have bought one. I felt like it was an extreme sport of ultimate tapping capability.

Babe?

Why i'm blushing everytime he calls me babe?

I sighed lightly. I touch both my cheeks calmly then put my phone in my front pocket as i happily return to my seat with Charlie.

Charlie was leaning on the table with her chin place on her fist hand and looking at me strangely.

"What?" I asked her

"You're awfully cheerful Dee. Is that Bright?"

I nodded and smile at her. "Yep"

She snicker "I shouldn't have asked."

I throw her a piece tissue paper for teasing me as she laugh and avoids it.

We talked. I even told her about Bright, We listen to the live band in between for 1 hr and half. She's somewhat relax now. That's how drinking 4 cocktail drinks will make you. As for me i'm still sober.

I saw Kai in a fitted revealing designer blouse, a skinny jean and killer heels searching for us in the distance. I gesture her where we at and she hurriedly walk towards us.

"Sorry for being late ladies" as she sit beside Charlie.

"Nah, you didn't miss a thing" Charlie answered as i rolled my eyes.

Kai gesture to the waiter. "A bottle of tequila please"

"Thirsty?" I tease Kai

"You have no idea." She sighed and looked at my untouched tequila shot and said "can i have that?"

"Sure. Rough day?" I asked her

"Yes. Having problems at the Resto."

"For your expansion?" Charlie added

She was preparing for another resto at the district. It's becoming famously known so she was planning to expand and open another shop in other area in the city.

"Yep. I can handle it. It's just overwhelming at times" she said mutter

"You can do it Kai. Adulting can be hard at times"

Charlie pat her shoulder as she understood it well.

"True. Just knock on my door if you need anything. There's nothing i can't do"

i said to cheer the mood

"Just paint me a large piece for the resto that would be helpful." She said with her Cheshire cat smile.

I gulped nervously and they both laughed.

–

I'm a little worried for Charlie. It's almost midnight and She's partly drunk now, Kai left us to talk with a guy and i'm a little tipsy.

I drink a shot of tequila to gave me the courage to ask her. She was playing with the fruit plate at the table.

"Chai? Is there a problem?"i asked her softly

She looked at me and sighed "i don't know. I don't know myself anymore."

"Why? Are you having problems with Pete?"

"No. We're totally okay. It's different" She sighed

"I-I've been too sensitive lately and I don't know why."

I really think this is a postpartum depression. She keep it inside her for so long, manifesting itself now.

I moved next to her, pat her shoulder and said

"If you want i can accompany you to see a doctor?"

"I already went to the Doctor, Dee and they say there's nothing wrong with me. internally nor physically."

I nodded and said softly "You want to talk about it?i'm her for you."

"Thanks Dee. I just need this"

She half smile at me and raise her drink.

I chuckled, clack the tequila shot with it and we both laughed.

I want to asked her more but I don't want to hover her about it. If she's ready she will tell us. Even we are crazy at times, if things are serious we are earnest about it.

A few moments later. She passed out. I called Pete to fetch her. I don't want to worry her husband and Kai in the other hand is with the guy i meet in the condo, Ren. We found out it's him when she introduce him to us a hour ago.

Just a guy from work my butt.

Waiting for Pete to arrived as i drink my last Tequila shot. When a husky voice suddenly speak softly in my ear.

"I told you to drink less, babe"

My eyes went wide and i almost got choked on my drink.

"Bright! Don't scare me like that."

As he sit beside me wearing a black cap and white shirt casually. I can see how tired he is. He hold my both cheeks and stare at my face assessing me.

"So far your not drunk" he smirk.

I blushed hard

"Why are you here? You're tired from work. you should be resting by now." I said worriedly

He chuckles and pinched my nose.

"I'm here to fetched you. silly"

•BRIGHT•

(POV)

9 AM. Walking In a hurry towards the conference room for our monthly meeting with my brand Hydro.

I almost miss this meeting. I woke up late than I expected since I went to see Demi last night. I was worried for her passing out and for guys who'd make a move on her. Win and the others make fun of me all night for being grumpy and in a hurry.

Every people I met, even my most trusted stylist, my photographer friend and makeup artist they keep on congratulating me.

Do we have a new investor now? or Did we win an award? Why they keep congratulating me?

"Oh! Congrats Phi"

As i bump Love at the door.

I furrowed my eyebrows confusedly as i enter the room. Even Love, one of our model for the upcoming fall season collection?

What is happening?

The room is quite spacious and cozy. Win help me picked the design for this. Modern style for the solid long wood table and olive green office chairs with acrylic board with our schedule and mood-board for this month in front. There's a wide projector screen at the side too.

My staff are currently busy preparing for the meeting today and others are happily talking.

"Did i miss something? Why you all congratulating me?"

She laugh and said "Win said you got your self a girlfriend"

Metawin!

He can't keep his mouth shut.

f*ck!

I shake my head disappointedly.

"Does everyone knows about this?" I asked

"Not all. Only the close ones."

She smiled teasingly.

She laughed

"It's okay phi. We all can keep a secret." As she whispered and pat my arm.

I known Love for a while and i know she can keep it because she's secretly dating my good friend Gunsmile who is crazy in love with her.

"Thanks Love." As i smiled at her.

"Shall we start the meeting?"

_