Just then, Fannieâs phone buzzed with Bobbyâs name flashing on the screen. Who would have guessed that Bobby, once a renowned playboy, would morph into an overly attentive lover, constantly checking up on Fannie?
âHey, Fifi, where are you?â Bobbyâs voice came through, tinged with suspicion.
âJust out at a social event.â
âReally?â His voice cooled. âYouâre âsocializingâ at a nightclub?â
Fannie flinched, casting a nervous glance around, half-expecting to see Bobby. She recalled him mentioning plans to spend the evening with his parents, ruling out his presence at the Flex Club. She must be imagining things.
To Fannieâs astonishment, Bobby said, âTake a look to your left.â
There, in the dimly lit corner on a plush sofa, Bobby reclined with a casual arm thrown over the back, his eyes narrowing in displeasure as he watched her, still on the phone.
Their coincidental meeting here highlighted their strained relationship; they both harbored secrets yet ended up in the same venue.
Fannie feigned ignorance, maintaining the pretense on the call. âWhoâs with you? Since when did Michael become your parent?â
âEnough deflections. Youâve been dishonest with me.â
âAnd havenât you been dishonest too?â
âAlright, Iâm sorry, but you donât owe me an apology.â
âWhy shouldnât I?â
âWeâll discuss it when weâre home,â he suggested, his tone hinting at intimacy.
Fannieâs cheeks warmed as she stole a glance at Dulce and muttered under her breath about Bobbyâs frivolous attitude. âDo you ever take anything seriously?â
Bobbyâs lips twitched into a sly smile. âNow that weâre all here, why not invite Dulce to join us?â
âLetâs not. Dulce isnât keen on seeing Michael. Letâs keep this night between us.â
Though Dulce hadnât explicitly avoided Michael, Fannie noticed she hadnât been bringing him up much lately.
Privately, Fannie had always harbored reservations about their pairing. Unbeknownst to Fannie, as she spoke, Michael rose from his seat, his intense gaze locked on Dulce.
âFifi, ready to head home?â Bobby asked.
Dulce, hearing Bobbyâs voice, thought she was hearing things. Turning, she came face-to-face with Michael, nearly choking on her drink. âWhat are you doing here?â
Michael shot back, âIs there a reason I canât be here?â
Dulce looked to Fannie, who appeared just as taken aback. It seemed Bobby was up to his usual antics.
âBobby, Iâm merely catching up with your girlfriend. No need to monitor her so closely, right?â Dulce remarked.
âItâs not me you should be worried about,â Bobby replied, gesturing towards Michael. âHeâs the one who canât take his eyes off you.â
Feeling a sudden rush of discomfort, Dulce stammered, âUh, Michael, I just remembered⦠I have something urgent to handle.â
Dulce reached for her bag, but Michael got to it first. âIâll drive you.â
Fannie, about to interject, was abruptly silenced as Bobby covered her mouth.
Leaning close, he murmured into her ear, âStill concerned about others? Maybe itâs time to focus on yourself. How about we escape to the balcony for a bit of fun tonight?â
Fannieâs eyes shot wide open in disbelief as Bobby guided her away, his arm securing her shoulders.
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