บท 36: Practiced tunes.

As the days continued to pass, Charlie found himself increasingly preoccupied with the dilemma of how to express his feelings to Chloe without causing her pain. He was afraid that his honesty might hurt his dear friend, and he didn't want to see her in anguish. Amidst this emotional turmoil, Richelle still occupied a special place in his heart, and Charlie was slowly beginning to comprehend the depth of his feelings for her. He couldn't help but wonder, "What's wrong with me? Whenever I think of Richelle, my heart races, beating faster and louder than when I'm confronted by Madam Gizel and Steve. But when I think of Chloe, there's no change, just the usual heartbeat, unless she gets on my nerves."

Sitting at his table, lost in contemplation, Charlie never imagined that their friendship would reach a point where he'd have to choose between being truthful with Chloe and protecting her feelings. It was a complex decision, and he opted to delay it, hoping that the intricate path of their unbreakable friendship would somehow become clearer over time.

In an effort to distract himself, he picked up his guitar and began practicing the song he had composed for Richelle. As the melodious notes filled the room, he gazed at the morning sky outside, where clouds took shape resembling his state of mind. Immersed in his music, he suddenly heard a familiar, less-than-melodic mooing sound from the previous day. It was none other than Steve and Madam Gizel. Steve was struggling with his singing practice, and Madam Gizel was unwavering in her determination to push him.

Frustrated, Steve halted abruptly, exclaiming, "I've told you, I can't do it. Why do I have to keep trying?" He grumbled, his exasperation evident.

Madam Gizel fixed him with a stern look and retorted, "What? I know I've never disciplined you before, but if you utter that one more time, you'll provide me with a reason to. You must master this song. You'll be performing it at the Richard King's event. You have to win it, and then you'll outshine Charlie. Isn't that what you desire? To surpass him?"

Unaware of Charlie's eager anticipation for the Richard King's event, Steve reluctantly agreed, saying, "Fine."

Charlie, as he overheard Madam Gizel mentioning the event, was transported into a daydream. He envisioned himself on a grand podium, basking in the spotlight's glow, a diverse crowd eagerly awaiting his performance in an array of dazzling attire. In his reverie, he spotted Richelle in the audience, her eyes shimmering gracefully beneath the luminous lights. He imagined locking eyes with her while he sang, and for that brief moment, he felt like he was living that very scene.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed, snapping him back to reality. He picked up his phone to find a message from Chloe, inquiring if he was once again lost in his usual daydream. Charlie was startled, thinking Chloe was right outside his room, but then he realized she wasn't. Another message popped up, "Look out the window." Charlie quickly glanced outside and spotted Chloe standing in the hot morning sun, gesturing for him to meet her at the door.

In response, he gestured back with a whispered, "Just come in." Chloe, ever playful, pretended to be frightened and whispered, "Madam Gizel," imitating her grumpy expression.

Chloe continued to tease, "Scaredy cat," and motioned for Charlie to meet her at the door. Charlie descended the stairs and opened the door, performing a theatrical royal bow, inviting Chloe inside. As he bent down, Chloe took the opportunity to playfully tap him on the head, catching him off guard.

Charlie was about to reciprocate the playful tap when Chloe swiftly blocked it with her hand. He attempted a few more times, but she skillfully parried each move. Eventually, Charlie gave up, concerned that Madam Gizel might be lurking nearby.

Chloe then made her way upstairs, guided by Charlie, both of them sharing laughter as they listened to Steve's less-than-melodic singing. They were almost at Charlie's room when they heard a familiar voice clearing her throat to announce her presence.

It was Madam Gizel, attempting to assert her authority. Chloe turned and greeted her with a respectful, "Good morning, Madam Gizel." However, Madam Gizel remained stoic, refusing to acknowledge Chloe's greeting. Instead, she probed, "Chloe, isn't it?"

Unfazed by Madam Gizel's demeanor, Chloe replied confidently, "Yes."

Madam Gizel attempted another tactic, "I heard your dad had an... accident."

Chloe began responding calmly, "Yes, my dad was in an accident—." But Madam Gizel interrupted her before she could finish.

She prodded further, "Aren't you supposed to be at the hospital with him?"

Chloe was ready with her response, stating firmly, "You didn't allow me to finish my sentence earlier, but I'll do it now. Yes, my dad was in an accident, but with Charlie's support, he recovered and was discharged last week, so it's behind us now."

Madam Gizel struggled to formulate another line of inquiry, her mind devoid of words. Chloe's words had struck harder than she had anticipated.

It didn't take long before Chloe broke the silence again. "Well, if you'd excuse us..." she began, turning her back to Charlie's room and closing the door with a satisfying thud.

Leaving her alone in the room felt somewhat impolite, but Madam Gizel's persistent probing had earned her that response.

Madam Gizel felt a surge of frustration and defeat, retreating to Steve's room. Steve,resumed with his singing, he was silenced by Madam Gizel's harsh "shut up!". Feeling finally free from his mother's persistent persuasion, Steve settled into his gaming chair and immersed himself in his video game.

However, as he played, he noticed his mom still sitting there. Steve grabbed a second controller and gestured for her to join him, but Madam Gizel, still irritated, declined with an angry look.

"Alright, alright," Steve grumbled, "I get it. You're angry."

A few moments later, Steve lost the game and, in frustration, blamed it on his mom, prompting her to scold him once more.

Meanwhile, Charlie and Chloe, who had been amused spectators of the dramatic showdown between Madam Gizel and Steve, couldn't contain their laughter.

"You really got her worked up, Chloe," Charlie acknowledged.

Chloe grinned proudly. "I'm the only one who can give her a taste of her own medicine."

Chloe inquired of Charlie, "So, have you been practicing your song for the Richard King's event?"

Charlie responded confidently, "Yes, I've been practicing it, and I think it's ready. All that's left is to perform it at the Richard King's event."

However, Chloe wasn't entirely satisfied with Charlie's assurance. She wanted him to ensure that everything was perfect. She encouraged him to sing it for her, but Charlie initially hesitated. He believed that singing it would only raise Chloe's expectations. "Don't worry," he assured her. "It's all set."

Chloe, though, was persistent. She wanted to hear it firsthand. Eventually, Charlie relented and began to sing the song he had composed for Richelle, the one he had chosen for the event. As the melodious notes filled the room, Chloe grasped that this song held a special place in Charlie's heart, although the identity of the special person remained a mystery to her. The song was beautifully crafted, displaying impeccable harmony, nuance, and timing. When Charlie concluded, Chloe couldn't help but applaud him.

"See," Charlie said with a smile, "I told you the song was ready. Now all that's left is to wait for the big day."

They smiled, they believed that nothing could stand in the way of Charlie's dream again, the only thing that was left was to wait for the special day.

Chloe's smile faded as she recalled something crucial. "Wait," she said urgently, a note of concern in her voice. "Remember, you won't be performing as Charlie at the Richard King's event. You'll be there as Chug."

Charlie appeared puzzled. "So?"

Chloe explained, "If you're going to sing under the persona of Chug, you'll need to alter your voice a bit, make it sound different, like you're a completely different person."

Charlie inquired with a hint of curiosity, "What about my face? Are you planning to perform surgery on me?" His confidence in his talent was now unwavering, and he believed that sharing it was all that truly mattered.

Chloe reassured him with a knowing smile. "When we reach that bridge, we'll figure it out," she affirmed. "You know Madam Gizel and Steve will be there, and we wouldn't want them trying to stop you, would we? You'll have to wear a mask or something to conceal your face, ensuring they won't recognize you, and you'll sound different too."

Charlie remained uncertain, confident that no one would recognize him, but Chloe was resolute. She believed it was better to be cautious. Charlie eventually agreed, and with Chloe's patient guidance, he commenced practicing the song in a different voice. Initially, he struggled to grasp it, but Chloe's persistent coaching brought him closer to mastering the new vocal tone.

As Madam Gizel listened to Charlie modifying his voice and intonation, a surge of jealousy coursed through her. She began shouting at Steve, stating that the only thing he excelled at was playing video games all day and not putting in the effort to become a musician like Charlie.

Charlie retorted, grumbling that she was the one who had told him to stop singing and was now scolding him. "What do you want me to do?" he asked. "I never had anything else to do." Their argument was a comedic soundtrack to Chloe and Charlie's day.