Chapter 164 033
CHARLES stared at the phone vibrating on the kitchen counter, the name flashing insistently across the screen.
Shantel.
He exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his face before swiping to answer.
“What do you want, Shantel?”
Her breath rushed through the line, uneven, emotional.
“Charles… thank God. You finally picked.”
“That doesn’t answer my question,” he said flatly.
“I—” she sniffed. “I just needed to hear your voice.”
He leaned against the counter, eyes lifting briefly to the framed engagement photo propped beside the coffee machine. He turned the phone slightly, as if the distance might help.
“You shouldn’t be calling me.”
“Please don’t say that,” Shantel rushed. “I have been trying for days. You blocked my other number.”
“For a reason.”
Her laugh came out shaky.
“You are still like this. Always serious.” Then her tone softened. “I miss you, Charles. I miss us.”
“There is no us,” he said calmly.
“Don’t do that,” she pleaded. “I have changed. I swear. I’m not that girl anymore.”
He closed his eyes briefly.
“You left.”
“I was stupid,” she said quickly. “Young. Influenced. Everyone told me I deserved more than a man who was always struggling.”
His jaw tightened.
“And you believed them.”
“I did,” she admitted. “But look at you now.” Her voice dropped, almost reverent. “You are now successful. Confident. You have made it.”
“That is why you are calling?” he asked quietly.
“No— yes—” she stumbled. “I mean, I always knew you would rise. I just didn’t think it would take this long.”
Silence stretched between them.
“I miss your kisses,” she continued hurriedly, filling the gap. “The way you used to hold me when I couldn’t sleep. Your eyes, Charles… God, your eyes. No one ever looked at me like that again.”
He straightened. “Stop.”
“Please,” she sobbed. “I won’t leave you again. Never. I promise. I will stay no matter what.”
“You already proved you won’t,” he said evenly. “You walked away when things were hard.”
“That was before,” she cried. “I was wrong. I see that now.”
“Now that it is convenient,” he replied.
“That’s not fair!”
“It’s honest.”
Her breathing grew heavier.
“Just meet me. Once. Let me show you I’m different.”
He glanced at his wristwatch, the subtle gleam of gold catching the light. His thumb brushed over it unconsciously.
“I’m engaged.”
Her gasp was sharp.
“Engaged?”
“Yes.”
“To who?”
“That is none of your business.”
“You are lying,” she said desperately. “You are just saying that to push me away.”
“I don’t need to lie,” he said. “I’m happy.”
A pause. Then, bitter laughter.
“So that is it? You just erase me?”
“You erased yourself,” he replied. “Years ago.”
“I loved you,” she whispered.
He softened, just a fraction.
“You loved what you thought I could become. And when it took time, you left.”
“So you won’t even consider—”
“No.”
Her sob broke free.
“Charles, please. Don’t do this.”
“I’m doing what you couldn’t,” he said firmly. “Moving on.”
He stepped away from the counter, lowering his voice.
“Don’t call me again. Don’t come near my life. Stay away.”
“You are choosing her over me,” Shantel cried.
“I’m choosing myself,” he corrected.
The line went quiet.
He ended the call.
The phone fell silent in his hand. A second later, another notification lit the screen, a message preview from a saved contact, marked with a small heart.
Did your meeting end yet?
Charles smiled faintly, locked the screen without replying just yet, and set the phone face down.
Some doors, once closed, stayed that way.
Charles didn’t give himself time to breathe after ending the call with Shantel. He stared at the dark screen for a brief second, then deliberately scrolled through his contacts until he found the name he was looking for.
Dev Team Lead – Atlas Play.
He tapped it and raised the phone to his ear.
The line rang twice before it was picked.
“Good evening,” a male voice greeted professionally.
“Evening, Ken. It’s Charles,” he said. “I just sent a transfer about twenty minutes ago. I’m calling to confirm you have received it.”
There was a pause, faint tapping sounds in the background, like a keyboard being worked.
“Yes. Let me refresh… alright. We have received it.”
“Good,” Charles said. “I wanted to be sure it didn’t hang.”
“No, it came through,” Ken replied, then hesitated slightly. “Though… I was actually about to call you.”
Charles leaned back against the counter.
“About what?”
“Well,” Ken cleared his throat, “the amount sent doesn’t quite cover the full estimate we discussed last week.”
Charles exhaled slowly, already expecting this.
“Break it down for me.”
“The backend optimization and the in-game purchase security require additional resources,” Ken explained. “Our developers are already stretched, and the UI revisions you requested also increased the workload.”
“So you are saying it is not enough,” Charles summarized.
“Yes, Charles,” Ken admitted. “We may need an extra—”
“I know,” Charles cut in calmly. “But that is what I can't release right now.”
There was silence on the other end.
“I’m not pulling out,” Charles continued. “And I’m not delaying the launch either. You will have to manage with what I have sent for now.”
Ken sighed quietly.
“Charles, we just want to be sure quality won’t be compromised.”
“And I want the same thing,” Charles replied. “That’s why I’m calling instead of ignoring the issue.”
“So… how do we proceed?” Ken asked.
“Continue development,” Charles said firmly. “Focus on the core gameplay and stability. Cosmetic extras can wait.”
“That means some features will roll out in later updates.”
“I’m fine with that,” Charles replied. “A working product comes first.”
Another pause, then Ken spoke more cautiously.
“When can we expect the balance?”
“By the end of the month,” Charles answered without hesitation. “I will get more funds in, and we will settle the rest.”
“That is about three weeks away,” Ken said.
“Yes,” Charles confirmed. “You will have it.”
Ken’s tone softened.
“Alright. We will restructure the timeline and manage the budget accordingly.”
“Good,” Charles said. “I trust your team. Just don’t stall progress.”
“We won’t,” Ken assured him. “We have already completed sixty percent of the framework.”
“That is what I like to hear.”
Ken chuckled lightly.
“You really believe in this app.”
“I do,” Charles replied. “It’s not just a game. It’s a brand.”
“I understand,” Ken said. “We will make it worth your investment.”
Charles nodded, even though the man couldn’t see him.
“That’s all I ask.”
“Thank you for calling to confirm,” Ken added. “And for your patience.”
“Keep me updated,” Charles said. “Weekly reports.”
“Yes, Charles.”
“Alright then,” Charles concluded. “We will talk soon.”
“Have a good evening day.”
“You too.”
The call ended.
Charles lowered the phone and stared ahead for a moment, his reflection faint in the darkened screen. He slipped the device into his pocket, straightened his shoulders, and moved on, another problem addressed, another step forward.