Serena and Charlton were surprised to see Geoffrey entering the room. Serena immediately turned to hide her tears while Charlton pretended to concentrate on the piano keys. Thankfully, the private music room was sound proofed.

"Sorry for the tardiness, thankfully the meeting went faster than expected." he said as he moved to place his things on the sofa.

Serena quickly dried her tears with her hands and took deep breaths to calm down. Her heart was beating a mile a second thinking how ugly things could have turned if Geoffrey came in any sooner.

Charlton closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He wouldn't know how to explain it to his cousin if he saw him embracing Serena.

Geoffrey walked over and could not help but look at the two in confusion. The atmosphere felt awkward, but he could not understand why.

"You two alright?" he asked.

"yes"

"yes"

They said at the same time, making Geoffrey chuckle.

"If you say so. Anyway, where are you two at now? Is there something I can do to help?"

Charlton felt guilty and did not know how to answer.

Serena not wanting Charlton to accidentally spill everything turned to face Geoffrey.

"Charlton just finished playing the song a while back and…" before she could finish Geoffrey moved to approach her and then to her surprise, he gently grazed her side cheek with the back of his hand.

Serena quickly took a step back in alarm. "What are you doing?"

Geoffrey took his hand back; he did not take offense but could not help but feel disappointed. However, he composed himself as he understood that although they were engaged, they were not at that stage yet. "Sorry, I could not stop myself from getting worried. Have you been crying?"

Charlton who turned to face the two clenched his fist. He wanted nothing but to tear his cousin away from her. Yet, he had to stop himself. What right did he have?

Serena shook her head, thinking of an excuse, she said, "tears of joy I must say. Charlton's work on the melody is truly a marvel. Perhaps you should listen to him play it too."

Geoffrey nodded his head. He moved to stand by the grand piano's side while beckoning Serena to join him.

Serena who did not want to be unreasonable stood a few inches away from Geoffrey. From that standpoint, if Charlton were to look up, they would see eye to eye.

Charlton did not wait to be told, he just started pressing the keys. He concentrated on playing, so that at least in that way, he could distract himself enough to not look at the two.

"Although I hate to admit it, your work made ours seem like it's been drafted by young children." Geoffrey commented after the song has ended.

Charlton would have chuckled at the self-jab that Geoffrey made if he were not feeling like the world was closing in on him. Anyway, trying to be professional, he replied, "I also prepared the sheet music for the strings. Let's try it out with your violin, my cello, and the piano later."

Serena who was able to bottle up her emotions again could only nod in approval. From this point on, with Geoffrey present and Leonard joining them soon, she could only pretend that nothing happened earlier.

--

"Serena, what do you think?" Leonard asked after he, Geoffrey and Charlton played the instruments together following the sheet music provided by Charlton.

Serena nodded her head. She did not expect that Charlton was capable of producing all that in just a week, but he did, and he exceeded all her expectations. She wanted to be grateful, but they still had their personal issue, so she did not say anything to him.

"I think that this melody and harmony is already good enough. Now, since that part has been finalized, the next step should be providing vocal guides to those participating. Initially, I thought of asking Mr. Easton to let us use his studio so that we can give recorded samples to everyone. However, considering the fact that not everyone may have a phonograph in their room, I thought that perhaps we should just meet and let them listen as we sing the song. What do you guys think?"

"That sounds reasonable. We should go with that." Leonard replied.

"Geoffrey, when do you think can we set up a meeting?" Serena asked.

"Today is the 17th but I'm not sure if the 24th would work since that's the week before the spring ball and there's still the intramurals." Geoffrey explained.

"I think that the 1st of April won't work either as that's the day after the ball. " Leonard added.

Serena sighed. "On the 8th of April then. Anyway, we don't need to meet more than twice before the recording itself. Now on the day of recording, I was hoping to have it earlier but with the way things are, we will have no choice but to have our final recording session on the 15th too. Then again, I think that that timing is also good. We should make sure that everyone participating on singing the song would watch the fundraising event so that at the very least, they will be able to see or meet the children we will be helping. I think that would have a positive effect and boost morale."

"Alright. We can follow that schedule. I'll send the invites to everyone and set a meeting on the 8th of April after lunch, with the venue being our music classroom. Charlton, have you finalized the venue for your event?"

"Not yet. We'll be looking for one next week though." Charlton replied.

"Then, if possible, please try to have the venue near Mr. Easton's studio. It would be more convenient for everyone that way." Geoffrey requested.

Charlton nodded his head. "I will take that into account."

"Thank you."

As it was already getting late and they still need to go to the orphanage tomorrow, they all decided to call it a day.

--

Serena went back to her room with a heavy heart. She was very disappointed on how things went between herself and Charlton. After Geoffrey arrived and entered the scene, their melodramatic conversation was forced to a halt. Thankfully though, he did not see anything scandalous, or else they would both be in trouble.

Though it did cross her mind to just come clean and tell Geoffrey that she and Charlton were very much in love. How wonderful would that be? Tragic she would say.

She admits that she was truly at fault here. It was she that lured Charlton in on the first place. She knew that they were cousins who shared a bond like brothers, but how could she have known that Geoffrey will make a sudden turn and fall for her? All the while she just thought that he would continue his affair with Emily. Then they can part ways peacefully and marry whoever they choose.

Now, she was not some heartless being, so a small part of her did feel guilty and sorry for Geoffrey. However, it was not like he loved her already. Infatuation maybe, but love? She doesn't think that what she has shown him thus far was enough to warrant that. So, he'll live. Besides, he should have seen it coming. She never really gave him much attention and aside from that one kiss, she never tried anything to make him like her.

Anyway, going back, she somehow understood where Charlton was coming from. He would lose his family, his friend, and perchance, even his status. But still, the selfish part of her wouldn't let him be.

They have talked about the possibilities before, they had plans, and she believed all of them. Also, aren't things working out well? Although their families and friends might be against it, the rest of the world was cheering for them to be together, and if ever they do get exiled, they won't live like rats. Although not enough at that moment given their lifestyle of being used to wealth, they will still earn lot of money later as they were now practically celebrities.

So, when he told her those words, she could not accept it. Was he giving her up just because of those reasons? It was too shallow for her. Was it his second male lead syndrome acting up again? But after everything they shared, he should know that he was the male lead in her life. She wondered what was going on in that head of his. Did his mother drop him accidentally when he was a baby?

Serena shook her head. She was sure that he still has feelings for her if their kiss earlier was any indication. Also, she no longer wants to lie to herself that she can simply move on and forget about him. She knew what she plans on doing would only make her look like she's desperate, but really, she had to admit that she was.

Really, making the second male lead fall helplessly in love is hard work. If you don't become persuasive enough, he'll just go pack up and leave you hanging.

However, that style won't work on her. She did it before, and she knew that she can do it again. If it doesn't work, then she'll try over and over until he man-up and take her. It's not like he's going anywhere. He was bound to become a confirmed bachelor anyway.

--

TBC