10 CHAPTER 10 : THE COUPLE SEASON

Third person's POV

The sound of colliding hangers was heard as Charlotte searched through her cupboard that was standing near her simple clothes rack, looking for a specific outfit that she needs for the Christmas prom. Her hand stopped after she set her eyes on a plain white silk dress. It was a sleeveless dress that falls above her knees.

'Classy' was the first thing that came into her mind the moment she laid her eyes on that certain piece when Chloe and her going window-shopping. This kind of thing wasn't her style. Not because she doesn't like it, she actually loves it, every girl must have ever dreamt about being a princess, haven't they? But, she just felt that it was such a waste to spend money on things that you wouldn't frequently use, this dress as an example, it will be weird if she wore that kind of garment when she's working.

Chloe said that it's okay to spend on luxurious things once in a while.

'Think of it as giving yourself a self-satisfaction', as she said.

And that's how this dress finally hanged beautifully inside Charlotte's cupboard. Below the dress was a box of shoes, white strappy high heels with 3 inches tall that Chloe gave as her birthday present this year, and yes, she had never worn those even once. It's not comfortable to walk around using those high shoes, especially when you need to move flexibly and quickly. She surely didn't want to be a clown that can be laughed at, if she fell wearing them.

However, she decided to wear those for the first time to the prom because she had decided to just sit and enjoy the meal. Plus, they went well with the dress, she just hoped at least she wouldn't be humiliated on her first-ever prom because of her lack sense of style.

She took out the dress and hanged it on her clothes rack, letting it swayed a little by the wind that came through the window, making her admire it even more. Also, getting her strappy high heels out from her cupboard, setting them on the floor beside the clothes rack.

It is finally the day! The Christmas Prom!

She then went near her window, feeling the morning breeze as she breathed in and out slowly. A smile was curved on her face. Cause she knew...that she won't have any classes that day.

Looking straight down at the yard, she saw Mr Hedwick was planting some flowers, maybe roses? She can't see it clearly from up there.

"Good morning, Charlotte dear, enjoying the morning breeze, aren't you?", Mrs Hedwick looked up as Snowy woofed, followed by her husband's gaze.

"Oh hello, Charlotte, didn't see you there", Mr Hedwick chuckled with a pot of a stray red rose, "Wear something warm, the snow is approaching"

"Good morning, Mr & Mrs Hedwick", Charlotte greeted, "That's a pretty red rose", with a huge smile planted on her face she praised.

"My wife loves roses, so I planted them for her", Mr Hedwick held his wife's shoulder.

"That's so sweet, I love roses as well", she said with that same big smile still on her face.

"That huge grin ain't lie, my dear, are you expecting something great today?", Mrs Hedwick gave a soft smile, letting go of Snowy from her arms for her to run around her feet.

"It shows?", Charlotte held her cheeks, "Maybe I'm just excited for tonight's Christmas Prom"

"Oh, right, it's Christmas Eve tonight, we should set up our old Christmas tree, shouldn't we, my love?", Mrs Hedwick looked at her husband.

He nodded then looked back at Charlotte, "I hope you enjoy your night, Lotie", he held his wife's hand, "It's okay to bring a boy home", he teased.

It caught her off guard as her cheeks started to feel hot despite the chilly morning, while Mrs Hedwick only gave a small chuckle, "It's true, my dear, Christmas is one of the best seasons to experience the miracle of love"

"No, I won't", Charlotte denied, "I don't have time for romance"

The couple chuckled, following by a cute bark from Snowy, as if she agreed with her parents, "See, even Snowy agree, aren't you baby girl?", Mrs Hedwick held Snowy up again and get into their apartment hand in hand.

Charlotte still stood by her window and stared at the unseen air, once again enjoying the morning breeze although it got a little bit chilly.

But, without her consent, someone was actually watching her from afar. Leaving a smile on that one specific person's face as they jogged away, while Charlotte went back preparing to start her day.

•

In the cafe, Charlotte had set up a Christmas tree that was placed beside the counter a couple days ago, she also added some decorations and ornaments to give out the Christmas vibes.

"Thank you and have a nice day", Charlotte gave her smile like usual. The Christmas special edition drinks really kicked off, also the cookies that she had made until late at night were all really popular among the couples. It's indeed a couples season rather than family time, she thought.

Seeing those couples made her wonder if she had one, will she be having fun with the one she adores? Like all those young people that seemed to be madly in love. In her 22 years of living, she had never even once dating anyone simply because she worked all day long and also busy with her studies. She had never cared about love and dates, but little did she know that the Hedwick couples had successfully made her giving a thought about that.

The bell from her cafe's door suddenly rang, signifying that there were customers coming, "Welcome to Lottie's Cafe", Charlotte greeted immediately with a huge smile on her face, but soon washed out when she saw who's coming.

"Lotie my friend!", Noel approached with his right hand holding a laptop and the other one waving at Charlotte.

"As I said, we are not friends", she snapped.

"Come on, we have met many times", Noel whined, giving a pouty face, "Besides, I bring friends here"

Three people walked in casually while talking to each other, catching a little attention from the other customers because of their visuals. They did look exceptionally fine in Charlotte's opinion, also this guy that's standing in front of her was obviously included, but the image of him being a weird guy was already strongly marked inside Charlotte's head.

The three fine men approached the counter when one specific guy caught Charlotte's attention. 'Was it Ethan?', Charlotte thought. He caught her gaze then showing his smile, oh how gorgeous that smile was as Charlotte looked away feeling a little thumping in her chest.

"We met again, what was it again? Charlotte?", Aiden leaned a little by placing both of his arms on the counter, "That one girl that made that dumb kid talked about every single time"

"You should have said nothing about it!", Noel was furious while the other two just silently watching them.

"I'm afraid that she has the right to know", Aiden leaned more forward as he whispered, "I think he likes you", then giving his smirk.

Charlotte tried to shove it by giving a small smile, "What would you like to order today? Or perhaps do you guys want to have the Christmas edition drinks? It's special only for today"

"That sounds cool", Aiden looked back as the rest nodded, "Then, we'll have that, oh also the cookies, I see that they were only for today as well"

"Yes indeed", Charlotte said, "Would you like to have it here or—"

"Just take aw—"

"We'll have them here", Ethan cut Leon's words, making the other three looked at him weirdly, while Charlotte just nodded and typed on the cash register. Ethan took his wallet out and paid while they still eyed him oddly like it was something that's unlikely to happen. Ethan walked towards a table that was placed by the window, the one that he sat on the other day, still his friends following him silently.

Neither Leon and Noel nor the keen Aiden understood his behaviour when they knew that this friend of them preferred a takeaway food to a dine-in one.