The Bad Boy Next Room (Charlie and Taylor)

Charlie exhaled. "So, you're saying I should start by telling Dad I like someone?"

Freya: "Exactly."

Charlie: "Okay, I can do that. But I don't know how long I can wait."

Freya: "Well, at least you want to be honest with Dad. That's a start."

Charlie: "Okay, let's do this."

Freya kept the video call going and passed the phone to their father. Then, Charlie greeted, "Hi, Dad."noveldrama

"Charlie?" Adrian's face lit up through the video call. "Say hello to the most beautiful woman on earth."

As her father moved the camera to Riley, Charlie laughed. She greeted, "Hi, Mom. You're so beautiful."

"Ah, thanks, Charlie. Guess what? We look alike!" Riley said.

"What do you want to talk about, Sweetheart?" Adrian asked, taking the phone back.

"Um, it's something personal. Is now a good time?" Charlie asked.

"Well...not really," Adrian admitted. "Freya's first collection just arrived, and our VIP clients are coming soon. What is it?"

Charlie hesitated. "Dad, I met a really nice guy-"

"Wait." Adrian's face darkened. "What's going on?"

"Dad, you always told me about guys lurking around. This is me being open with you about one nice guy," Charlie restarted.

Adrian's expression changed, his brows furrowing. He stopped walking and asked, "Alright... What about this guy? And why did you introduce him as 'nice'?"

Twisting the truth slightly, Charlie responded, "Well, technically, I met his brother first-he has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Through this guy, I learned more about ASD and the kind of support individuals with the condition need. This guy loves his brother so much and understands his needs really well. He even taught me a lot about it. Seeing how much he cares made me realize what a good person he is. In a way, Dad, he reminds me of you."

Charlie saw her father's expression soften. Her dad had a soft spot for persons with disability, mainly because he had once been wheelchair-bound himself.

"And he teaches a kid with ASD how to play basketball," Charlie added. "It reminded me of how hard you worked to find the right coaches for that sports camp in Dowel City you often sponsor. You still do that, right? The sports camp for disabled children."

"Oh, I see." Adrian let out a relieved sigh. "Sweetheart, you almost gave me a heart attack! Here I was, thinking you had a crush on

someone. So, you're actually help t

me find a coach for the sports camp! I love it! But we will talk later. The VIPs just arrived."

Charlie: "..."

Adrian: "I'll call you again, Charlie. Tell me more about this guy. I like him already."

Charlie: "Ah-Dad?"

Adrian: "Mr. Ventura-Gotta go, Sweetheart."

The call ended.

Charlie stared at her phone, stupefied. "Well... that didn't go as planned... But at least he did say he liked him already."

***

Charlie went about her day,

exercising, showering, and studying. She had left her phone unattended missing two calls from Taylor. When she called him back, his phone was out of reach. She sent him a text, but there was still no reply.

By six in the evening, she ordered dinner and planned to watch a movie. Just as

she was about to settle in on the couch, Mia called with unexpected news.

"Where are you?" Mia asked, sounding urgent. "I sent you a video. It's of a girl constantly flirting with Taylor."

Charlie's heart raced as she quickly checked her messages. In the video she saw

a lively pool party, with many girls eyeing Taylor, but one particularly stood out.

A girl with caramel hair kept

approaching him, laughing and

sending obvious flirty signals. Meanwhile, Taylor was engaged in conversation with another guy, seemingly unaware. 'Or was he?'

Charlie's grip tightened on her phone.

"Charlie?" Mia prompted. "So, you're not at this party?"

"I—I will be there soon," Charlie said, standing up abruptly. "I'm going there right

now."

"Well, just so you know..." Mia added, "It's a pool party."

Charlie nodded. "Yeah. I know exactly what to wear."

She hung up and hurried to her room, her eyes full of determination.