Chapter 8

A familiar knock echoed softly against Charlotte’s bedroom door.

Three gentle taps.

A pause.

Then two more.

The same secret rhythm Shawn had used ever since they were children.

A smile found Charlotte’s lips.

“Come in.”

The door creaked open, and Shawn poked his head inside.

“You ready?”

Charlotte nodded, though the tiny tremble in her hands betrayed her.

“I… think so.”

He noticed immediately.

“Nervous?”

“A little.”

She wasn’t afraid of getting caught.

Well…

Maybe she was.

But tonight felt different.

It wasn’t just about sneaking out.

For the first time in her life, she was choosing something for herself.

Tonight she didn’t want to be the perfect daughter.

Not the future CEO.

Not the Austin heir.

Just…

Charlotte.

Their mother was away attending a business conference in Chiang Mai.

Their father had already disappeared into bed after his nightly cup of tea and newspaper, asleep with the same discipline he expected from everyone else.

Like clockwork.

Every.

Single.

Night.

Charlotte peeked toward the hallway.

“And Paul?”

Shawn shrugged.

“Date night.”

“He won’t be back for hours.”

Charlotte finally released the breath she’d been holding.

“So…”

Shawn slowly looked her up and down.

“What exactly are you wearing?”

Charlotte glanced down at the oversized white robe wrapped around her.

“Oh.”

“This?”

She laughed.

“It’s camouflage.”

“You mean a bathrobe.”

“It’s a fashionable bathrobe.”

“It’s a grandma bathrobe.”

Charlotte shoved him lightly.

“Rude.”

She untied the robe and let it fall open.

Underneath was a black-and-white Calvin Klein crop top that revealed her toned, athletic stomach, paired with high-waisted denim shorts and crisp white sneakers.

A tiny silver belly piercing caught the bedroom light, sparkling whenever she moved.

Simple.

Comfortable.

Nothing her mother would’ve chosen.

Tonight she wanted to look like every other teenager.

Free.

Confident.

Just a little dangerous.

Shawn slowly adjusted the New York cap sitting backwards on his head before giving her another once-over.

“So…”

“Do I need to fight somebody tonight?”

Charlotte frowned.

“What?”

He pointed at her outfit.

“Is there a guy?”

“I don’t know.”

She blinked innocently.

“…That’s not a no.”

He burst into laughter.

Charlotte rolled her eyes.

Their mother had always believed networking began young.

Every one of her children had been introduced to suitable boys or girls from influential families.

Charlotte had gone on one date the previous year.

The boy had been polite.

Handsome.

Successful.

They had even shared a kiss.

It had felt…

Like absolutely nothing.

“I’m just waiting for my prince charming,” she teased dramatically.

“Nong…”

“You’ve watched way too many movies.”

Charlotte folded her arms.

“Fine.”

“So how exactly are we getting out of here?”

Shawn’s grin widened.

“Trust me.”

He opened the bedroom door.

“Come on.”

Charlotte followed close behind, every heartbeat louder than the last.

Housekeepers moved quietly through the hallway carrying fresh flowers.

Gardeners crossed the courtyard outside.

Security guards stood at their usual posts.

Charlotte instinctively lowered her head.

“We’re going to get caught…”

“No.”

“We’re going to walk right out the front.”

“What?”

“Trust.”

Shawn slipped both hands into his pockets and casually strolled through the mansion as though he owned it.

Charlotte followed, waiting for someone to stop them.

Nobody did.

One of the housekeepers smiled warmly.

“Good evening, Khun Shawn.”

Another bowed politely.

The front gate opened before they even reached it.

One of the guards tossed Shawn a set of car keys.

“Drive safely, sir.”

Charlotte stopped walking.

“…What?”

She looked around in disbelief.

Nobody questioned them.

Nobody even blinked.

Five minutes later they were already pulling away from the Austin estate.

Charlotte collapsed against the passenger seat, throwing the robe into the back.

She laughed.

“I can finally breathe.”

She turned toward her brother.

“How did you do that?”

Shawn smirked.

“I told you.”

“You underestimate me.”

Charlotte narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“What did you do?”

He tapped the steering wheel proudly.

“I help Dad monitor the security systems.”

“…And?”

“…Let’s just say…”

“I know everybody’s secrets.”

Charlotte’s jaw slowly dropped.

“You’re joking.”

“I wish.”

He started counting on his fingers.

“One guard sleeps during patrol.”

“The pastry chef steals strawberries.”

“A housekeeper once tried on Mom’s diamonds.”

Charlotte stared.

“No way.”

“It happens.”

“So…”

“You have dirt on everyone?”

“Pretty much.”

She turned slowly toward him.

“…Me too?”

He glanced sideways with the most innocent smile imaginable.

“Probably.”

“SHAWN!”

“I’m kidding.”

He paused.

“…Mostly.”

Charlotte gasped before bursting into laughter.

The kind that made her stomach ache.

The kind she hadn’t laughed in…

She couldn’t even remember how long.

For the first time in years…

Life felt wonderfully normal.

…………………………………………………….

The Freshers’ Party was already alive.

Music echoed through the night.

Colored lights danced across the fountains as students laughed, sang, and chased one another beneath water cannons. Foam drifted through the air like clouds, while every corner of the campus buzzed with excitement.

Charlotte stopped walking.

“So…”

“This is university.”

Shawn smiled.

“No.”

He spread his arms toward the sea of students.

“This…”

“…is freedom.”

Charlotte couldn’t help but smile.

For the first time in years, there was no schedule waiting for her.

No meeting.

No tutor.

No presentation.

No one reminding her how an Austin should behave.

Tonight…

She was just another university student.

Soon they found Heidi, Marima, the rest of their friends, and Aaron, who immediately gravitated toward Charlotte.

Every game they played, he wanted her on his team.

Every dance, he reached for her hand.

Every water fight somehow ended with him aiming his water gun in her direction before laughing and apologizing.

He was charming.

Confident.

The kind of boy most girls would’ve fallen for.

Charlotte simply enjoyed his company.

Within minutes she noticed Heidi watching them from across the group.

Jealousy was written all over her face.

Meanwhile…

Shawn had become invisible.

He sighed dramatically.

“Mission failed.”

Charlotte laughed.

“You lied to me.”

“I didn’t.”

“I asked if she had a boyfriend.”

“No lies were told.”

“Naturally the girl already has someone she likes.”

“…and he’s interested in you.”

He placed a hand over his heart.

“I feel betrayed.”

“ha, I’m third-wheeling my own sister.”

Charlotte bumped his shoulder.

“Don’t worry na.”

“You just have to let her notice you.”

“And how exactly do I do that, nong?”

Charlotte glanced toward Aaron making his way back with drinks.

“hmmm I’ll figure something out.”

“Tell him I went to the restroom.”

Before Shawn could reply, she slipped quietly into the crowd.

………………………………………………

The further she walked from the music, the quieter everything became.

Only the distant bass and laughter remained.

Then…

Voices.

Angry ones.

She slowed.

A group of boys had cornered someone near the back alley beside the venue.

At first she almost kept walking.

Boys roughhousing wasn’t exactly uncommon.

Then she heard—

“Hold him!”

“Let me get one good punch!”

Charlotte stopped in her tracks.

Without thinking, she reached into a nearby flower bed, grabbed a loose stone and threw it as hard as she could.

THUD!

The rock smashed against the brick wall beside them.

Every head turned.

“HEY!”

“I’m calling the police!”

The boys scattered instantly.

One shouted back—

“How can you hit a gir—”

Her voice disappeared as they ran.

Charlotte hurried over.

“You okay?”

The person slowly climbed to their feet.

For a second…

She forgot to breathe.

Same eyes.

Same smile.

Same dimples.

Only…

Sharper.

Rougher.

Like someone had taken the sunshine from another face and added just enough trouble to make it dangerous.

“…Thanks.”

The voice was unmistakably male.

Charlotte blinked.

A twin.

Before she could ask another question—

“Hey!”

“HEY!”

He turned and sprinted into the crowd.

Charlotte stood there, watching him disappear.

“A twin…”

She whispered the words to herself.

Then slowly smiled.

…………………………………………………

The music pulled her back toward the center of the festival.

The closer she got, the louder the cheers became.

Someone was chanting.

“ENGFA!”

“ENGFA!”

“ENGFA!”

Then another group answered.

“AARON!”

“AARON!”

“AARON!”

Charlotte frowned curiously.

She followed the crowd until she found herself standing behind a sea of students gathered around one of the carnival booths.

A throwing game.

People were cheering wildly.

She stood on her tiptoes, trying to see over everyone’s shoulders.

Then…

She saw her.

Soaking wet.

Engfa.

The senior from earlier that week.

Long dark hair tied loosely behind her.

A sporty streetwear look with a touch of vintage flair with blue denim shorts.

One sleeve rolled carelessly to her elbow.

She looked effortlessly beautiful.

Boyish.

Yet somehow undeniably soft.

Laughing harder than Charlotte had ever seen.

Gone was the quiet senior who had shyly sold homemade Luk Chup on campus.

Tonight…

She looked completely free.

Sunny and Nesa stood on either side of her, arguing over whose throw had been worse while Patcha and Chers laughed so hard they could barely stand.

Aaron had joined the competition too, instantly turning it into the biggest attraction at the party.

Charlotte couldn’t explain it.

Her eyes searched for only one person.

And now…

She’d found her.

For a moment she simply watched.

Engfa smiled after every throw.

Cheered louder for her friends than for herself.

Every time someone missed, she laughed with them instead of at them.

There wasn’t an ounce of arrogance in her.

Charlotte found herself smiling.

She’s exactly how I imagined she’d be.

Meanwhile…

Engfa wound up another throw.

Marima nudged her.

“Aren’t you amazing at these games?”

Charlotte looked up.

Above the booth hung tonight’s grand prize.

A giant mystery Labubu.

Her competitive side instantly woke up.

“…I want that.”

She stepped through the crowd.

Quietly slid twenty baht onto the counter.

The booth operator grinned.

“Ladies and gentlemen!”

“We have ourselves a new challenger!”

The scoreboard lit up and instantly reset.

A new name appeared beneath them all.

Charlotte.

Engfa turned instinctively.

And for a brief moment…

Neither girl moved.