After exiting the vibrant ballroom, Charlie sought refuge on the rooftop, away from the dazzling lights and joyous melodies. Beneath the serene night sky, she found herself engulfed in a sea of thoughts, her mind unable to escape the images of Serena and Cato twirling gracefully on the dance floor, their presence commanding the attention of all.

A sigh escaped her lips as she leaned against the railing, her gaze fixed on the twinkling stars above.

"Leora, are you watching from up there? Are you laughing at how much of a coward I am?" Charlie's voice carried softly on the breeze, her words a bittersweet echo of longing.

As she stood in solitude, surrounded only by the quiet whispers of the night, Charlie couldn't shake the ache of missing Leora.

"I miss you, Leora... I wish you were here. You'd probably give me a good advice... well, after you give me a good beating first..." Charlie chuckled with a faint smile.

Suddenly, a sense of warm breeze enveloped Charlie as if Leora responded to her silent plea.

Charlie smiled.

In that fleeting moment beneath the celestial canopy, it felt as though Leora's presence lingered nearby, offering silent comfort and solace to her troubled heart.

"I've been looking for you everywhere..."

A familiar voice cut through the silence like a gentle melody. It was a voice she had longed to hear, a voice that, despite its usual coldness to others, held a warmth and familiarity that spoke directly to her heart. Accompanied by the subtle scent of strawberry and champagne, it was a combination that stirred a mix of emotions within Charlie.

She turned her head to find Serena standing there, a vision of grace and elegance amidst the tranquil night. Despite the turmoil raging within her, Charlie couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort wash over her at the sight of Serena's presence.

"Why is Her Highness here?" Charlie joked, though her words carried a weight that belied the playful tone. The ache in her heart was palpable, masked only by the thin veil of humor she tried to maintain.

"Why did you leave the ballroom?" Serena's words carrying a gentle concern.

Charlie's response was casual, but there was a weight behind her words.

"I'm not feeling festive tonight... maybe."

"Were you jealous?" Serena's question hung in the air, her ocean-blue eyes searching Charlie's face.

"Why would I be? You're not my girlfriend anymore." Charlie's reply was swift, tinged with a hint of bitterness.

Serena's expression shifted, a furrow forming on her brow.

"I don't remember agreeing to our breakup... shouldn't that decision be made by both people in the relationship?" Serena said.

Charlie didn't respond, her gaze dropping to the ground as she wrestled with her emotions.

Charlie instead asked Serena a question that had weighed heavily on her mind since the tragic loss of Leora.

"Serena, do you believe in Fate? Like everyone's life is already predetermined by the Universe...." Her voice held a hint of vulnerability.

"Yes, I believe in Fate," Serena replied firmly.

'Of course you would...' Charlie thought, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"But I also believe that we can choose the path of our destiny... That as individuals, we hold the power to shape our own fate..." Serena followed through.

As Serena turned her gaze towards Charlie, a silent question lingered in her eyes, a desire to understand the turmoil that churned beneath the surface of Charlie's facade.

"Attempting to defy fate and alter destiny comes with a cost, you know... Are you willing to pay the price?" Charlie asked looking at Serena.

"Yes, of course... Every choice in life demands its toll, yet it's these sacrifices that makes the life worth living..." Serena smiled trying to ease whatever doubt clouded Charlie's mind.

"But what if the cost demanded is Life itself?" Charlie asked Serena, her tone is heavy.

But Serena's smile remained serene..

"Even then," Serena replied as she looked at Charlie.

Charlie nodded as if there's an understanding between the two.

'Is this what you're scared of all this time? The reason why you stay away from me after Leora's death because you're afraid of fate? But why....? There's still a lot of things that confused me about you... But right now, I'll only focus on us...' Serena told herself.

"So.... how does it feel to win the Spring Ball Queen?" Charlie smiled, trying to ease the tension between them with light-hearted banter.

Serena chuckled softly, her laughter a gentle melody in the quiet of the night. "It would've been fun if I danced with you instead!" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Charlie's heart skipped a beat at Serena's playful remark, a warmth spreading through her chest at the prospect of sharing this moment with her.

"Then will you dance with me now?" Charlie's smile was hopeful, her gaze locked on Serena's with a mixture of longing and anticipation.

Serena's smile widened, her eyes alight with joy as she took Charlie's hands in hers, their fingers intertwining like two souls drawn together by an invisible thread.

As they swayed together on the rooft