EPISODE 11: "Always chooses you"
1215 Words
MAIN BAR – LATER
The music hits full force here.
Laughter.
Glasses clinking.
People dancing, talking, living.
A completely different world from the quiet tension upstairs.
Herlie steps behind the counter.
Automatically.
Like muscle memory.
She grabs a cloth and starts wiping the surface.
Left. Right. Left.
Over and over.
But her hands—
They’re shaking.
“Herlie.”
She freezes.
Carol.
Standing on the other side of the counter.
Relaxed.
Unaware.
CAROL
Everything okay?
Her tone is casual.
Concerned—but light.
Herlie forces a smile.
HERLIE
Yes, Ms. C.
Too quick.
Too practiced.
Carol raises an eyebrow slightly.
CAROL
You sure?
Herlie nods again.
HERLIE
Yes. Maybe, a bit tired. ^_^
Carol studies her for a second.
Then shrugs softly.
CAROL
Don’t overwork yourself.
She taps the counter lightly.
CAROL
Take a break if you need.
Herlie nods.
Thank you, Ms. C. ^_^
Carol smiles faintly and walks off.
Simple.
Normal.
Uncomplicated.
Herlie watches her go.
And for a moment—
Guilt creeps in.
╥﹏╥
ACROSS THE ROOM
Chanel stands near the VIP section, a glass of wine resting lightly in her hand.
She hasn’t taken a sip.
Not because she forgot—
But because tonight feels too important to blur.
Her eyes find Carol across the room.
Carol is speaking with a customer, calm and composed, her smile effortless, her posture relaxed but attentive.
The same Carol—
The one she’s always known.
Chanel watches her.
Not with doubt.
Not with insecurity.
But with something deeper.
CHANEL (THOUGHTS)
My last night…
A quiet breath escapes her lips.
Tomorrow—
She leaves.
Different country.
Different time zone.
Different life.
And Carol—
Will stay here.
Unchanged.
Unmoved.
Chanel’s fingers tighten slightly around the glass—
Then relax.
No.
Not tonight.
She won’t spend her last moments standing from afar.
Watching.
Waiting.
She lifts her chin slightly.
A small, determined smile forms.
CHANEL (THOUGHTS)
If this is the last night I get like this…
Then I’ll make you remember me.
She sets the glass down.
Her heels move across the floor—
Soft.
Confident.
Certain.
She doesn’t rush.
Because she doesn’t need to.
She already belongs in Carol’s world.
Carol notices her before she even speaks.
There’s a shift—
Subtle.
But real.
Her expression softens.
CAROL
Chan.
Chanel smiles.
Warm.
Familiar.
But tonight—
There’s something more in it.
CHANEL
Am I interrupting? (◍•ᴗ•◍)
CAROL
Just finished.
The customer excuses himself.
Now—
It’s just them.
Chanel steps closer.
Close enough to be personal—
But not enough to cross a line Carol hasn’t allowed.
CHANEL
You’ve been on your feet all night.
Her voice is softer than usual.
Gentle.
Caring.
CAROL
I’m used to it. (•‿•)
Chanel tilts her head slightly.
CHANEL
You shouldn’t have to be.
Without asking—
She reaches out and lightly adjusts Carol’s collar, smoothing it with careful fingers.
A small gesture.
But deliberate.
Carol doesn’t stop her.
That alone—
Means something.
CAROL
You flew all the way here just to take care of me?
Chanel lets out a quiet breath.
CHANEL
I flew here… to be with you.
And to remind you… of what you have.
Carol studies her.
CAROL
And what is that?
Chanel meets her eyes.
Steady.
Honest.
CHANEL
Someone who chooses you.
The words are soft—
But they land deeper than she intended.
Carol doesn’t respond immediately.
Chanel notices.
But she doesn’t take it back.
Because tonight—
She won’t hide.
A small smile replaces the seriousness.
CHANEL
Also… someone who thinks you’ve been working too much.
Carol exhales, almost amused.
CAROL
You always think that.
CHANEL
Because it’s always true.
A brief silence settles.
Comfortable—
But carrying something unspoken underneath.
Chanel glances around, then back at her.
CHANEL
Take five minutes.
Carol shakes her head.
CAROL
I can’t.
Chanel smiles slightly.
CHANEL
You can.
A softer tone follows—
“Just… this once.”
Carol hesitates.
Just for a moment.
Chanel gently reaches for her hand.
Not forceful.
Not demanding.
Just… there.
Warm.
Familiar.
CHANEL
Stay with me for a bit.
Her voice drops slightly—
Almost vulnerable.
“Please.”
That word—
Rare.
From her.
Carol looks at their hands.
Then at her.
And this time—
She doesn’t pull away.
Not immediately.
Because this—
Feels different.
Chanel notices.
Of course she does.
A quiet hope flickers in her chest—
But she keeps her expression calm.
She steps a little closer.
CHANEL
Tomorrow, I’ll be gone again. (>_Next time…
you won’t want anyone else but me.”
Silence.
Carol doesn’t answer right away.
Instead—
She reaches out.
Her fingers brush against Chanel’s hand.
Soft. Careful.
For a moment, she lets it stay there.
A small smile forms on her lips—
gentle… almost vulnerable.
But then—
She pulls her hand back.
Too quickly.
Like she shouldn’t have done that.
Carol looks away.
She doesn’t argue.
Because she understands.
- Writer
