After Mama Cruz finished shouting, crying, laughing, and blessing the whole household with her dramatic energy, the news of the engagement finally settled into the air.
Sunshine and Hansen left together, hand in hand, glowing like a newly discovered star.
Mama Cruz went back to the kitchen to clean the mineral-water mess Ivan had caused, grumbling but smiling to herself.
And Ivan who went home after Sunshine and Hansen left mama Cruz house stood alone in his living room, his hands trembling slightly, not from fear but from the overwhelming swirl of emotions inside him.
He was overjoyed for Sunshine. He was proud of Hansen.
He was relieved that Mama Cruz didn't faint.
But as he sat down quietly on the couch after the noise calmed…A small ache hit him. Sunshine wasn't just a colleague. She was his friend. His companion in chaos.
His partner in all gossip. His "sister from another mother." They were more like siblings.
And now she was stepping into a new chapter. A beautiful one. But still…It made him feel a little lonely. With a heavy sigh, he took his phone and scrolled to the name he always called when he didn't want to cry alone. CHARIS.
He pressed the call button.She picked up almost immediately.
"Hellooo, Ivan! Why are you calling this early? Did someone annoy you? Is your boss misbehaving? Do I need to come and beat anybody?" Her voice already made him smile.
"No, no… nothing like that," Ivan said, trying to sound normal but failing miserably. Charis instantly noticed.
"Ivan… what's wrong? Your voice sounds… squeezed. Did you cry?"
Ivan sniffed quietly and forced a laugh.
"Nooo… what do you mean? Me? Cry? Please, I'm a big boy."
"Mm-hmm. So why does your nose sound like a blocked fuel pump?" He burst into weak laughter. Then he exhaled.
"It's Sunshine…"
Charis gasped. "Did something happen to her?!"
"No… she's fine. More than fine. Hansen proposed last night." There was a beat of silence.
Then Charis screamed so loudly he had to pull the phone away.
"What?! Oh my goodness! Oh my God! Are you serious?!"
"Shhh! Shhh! You'll break my ears," Ivan chuckled.
"No, no, no bring your ears here, I must scream!"
Ivan finally smiled for real. Her excitement calmed him… then her voice softened.
"Ivan… are you okay?"
He swallowed. "I'm happy for her. Really I am. She deserves happiness. And Hansen… he's good for her."
"But…" Charis said gently.
He sighed.
"But… it just feels like one piece of the old days disappeared, you know? Like everyone's moving on and I'm just here… holding a cup of tea." Charis smiled on the other end, her voice warm.
"Ivan… you're not alone. People move into new chapters, but that doesn't erase the ones before. Sunshine will always need you. Your place in her life doesn't change simply because she's getting married." He closed his eyes, listening.
"And besides," she added playfully, "who else will disturb her on video calls when she's busy being a wife?" Ivan laughed again this time freely.
"You have a point."
"I always do," she teased.
Their quiet connection lingered, soft and comforting.
"If you feel lonely," Charis continued, "you call me. I'm here. Always." That made his chest warm.
"Thank you, Charis," he said sincerely. "You're a lifesaver."
"I know," she joked. "Now cheer up, your favorite girl is getting married and you can marry me too if you feel too lonely." He smiled.
They talked and laughed until Ivan's sadness melted away, replaced with gratitude. When he hung up, he felt lighter, ready to celebrate Sunshine again. Just like a real friend should.
After the call ended, Ivan sat quietly on the couch, replaying Charis's words in his mind.
"If you feel lonely, call me. I'm here. Always."
Those words felt like a balm on his heart.
He hesitated for a moment… then typed.
Ivan: I think a hug will do. Can you… come over? He stared at the message for a full five seconds before sending his address.
Almost immediately, she replied.
Charis: On my way.
Time passed slowly. He cleaned the living room even though it was already clean. He rearranged the pillows. Then rearranged them again. He kept pacing. His heart was beating uncomfortably fast, though he kept telling himself it was nothing.
After about an hour…Knock. Knock. Knock.
His breath caught. He walked to the door, telling himself to act normal, calm, mature, composed.
But the moment he opened it…There she was. Charis. She had dressed simply with soft smile on her face. Her yes full of warmth and concern. She didn't say a word.
She just stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
Ivan froze for a moment, surprised by the sudden closeness.Then he exhaled and hugged her back tightly, burying his face into the curve of her shoulder. He didn't cry. He didn't shake. He just felt… relieved.
Charis patted his back gently. "You don't have to talk. I'm here. Just breathe."
Ivan tightened his hold slightly, whispering with a small laugh, "You smell like strawberries."
"And you," she teased softly, "smell like someone who's been stressing too much."
He chuckled into her shoulder.
They stayed like that for a long moment, no rush, no awkwardness, just peace. When they finally pulled apart, Charis cupped his cheeks lightly.
"You okay now?"
He nodded. "Better than okay."
She smiled. "Good. Now let me inside before the neighbors think we're filming a drama."
Ivan burst into laughter and stepped aside, letting her enter. For the first time that day, his heart felt light again. And maybe…Just maybe… This wasn't just a one night friend anymore.
Charis placed her bag on the kitchen counter and rolled up her sleeves.
"Sit," she told him. "You look like someone who needs a warm meal and a warm scolding."
Ivan smiled and obeyed, watching her move around his kitchen with ease, opening cupboards, checking spices, pulling out noodles.
"You know my kitchen better than I do," he teased.
"That's because you eat outside too much," she shot back. "Your stomach deserves tenderness." For the first time she saw a girl who cared for him unlike Laura.
Ivan leaned his elbows on the table, eyes softening. "What about my heart?"
Charis paused. She turned slowly, meeting his gaze. "I'm trying… to take care of that too," she murmured.
The air shifted, it was warm, charged and gentle. She continued cooking, but her hands trembled just slightly as she stirred the pot.
Ivan walked up behind her, silently, and placed his hand softly over hers on the spoon. She gasped.
"Ivan…"
"I don't want to be alone today," he whispered. "Not tonight."
Their hands stayed touching… their breaths mingling.
Charis swallowed, trying to stay composed.
"You're not alone," she whispered.
"You called me… and I came."
When the food was done, they ate slowly, laughing softly between bites.
The comfort was thick like a blanket wrapping around them both.
After dinner, Charis collected the dishes.
"Leave them," Ivan said gently, stopping her hand. She turned, her face inches from his.
"Then what do you want me to do?" she breathed.
He didn't answer with words. He stepped closer, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers brushed her cheek, lingering. Their eyes held a quiet, vulnerable, searching.
"Ivan…"
Her voice broke just slightly.
"You're making this hard."
"So don't resist," he whispered.
Her chest rose sharply with her breath stolen.
"Why now?" she asked softly.
"Because," he said, voice low and honest,
"when you showed up at my door tonight, it felt like…you came for more than a hug."
Charis' lips parted, no denial, no excuse, just raw truth. "I did," she admitted.
He brushed his thumb over her lower lip.
The moment stretched. It was soft and breathless. Unspoken feelings finally breaking the surface.
"Ivan," she whispered again.
"Charis," he answered, gently lifting her chin. Their foreheads touched. A long, trembling pause…And then, he kissed her.
Slow and deep. It was full of everything he had been holding back after they met. Charis melted into him, arms wrapping around his neck, pulling him closer, closer.
The world outside went silent. The lights dimmed in the kitchen behind them.
And in that quiet, warm space, they finally let themselves feel everything they had both been holding after the one night stand.