As Caleb's gaze flickered back and forth between Tracy and Kenneth, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of his stomach. Normally, Tracy and Kenneth would have already approached him, their voices raised in accusation and anger, ready to cause a scene as they often did. Yet, to Caleb's surprise, they remained seated at their table, engrossed in their own conversation. The absence of their usual dramatic outburst left Caleb feeling perplexed. He couldn't help but wonder what they were plotting, their hushed whispers and furtive glances fueling his suspicions. Were they biding their time, waiting for the opportune moment to strike? Or had they concocted a more insidious plan that didn't require a public confrontation? Despite his attempts to focus on his meal and the conversation at his own table, Caleb's mind couldn't help but dwell on Tracy and Kenneth's behavior. He couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister was brewing beneath the surface, and he
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Jackie scanned the menu, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she rattled off her orders. "Let's see... we'll start with the lobster bisque, followed by the filet mignon cooked medium-rare, and don't forget the truffle risotto as a side. Oh, and we simply must have the foie gras for an appetizer, darling." Each word was enunciated with exaggerated flair, as if she were performing in a play. Caleb, unfazed by her theatrics, simply sat back and watched, his expression unchanged. Jackie's lips curled into a sly smirk as she continued to order, fully aware that Caleb was footing the bill for their lunch. She relished in the thought of seeing him squirm under the weight of her extravagant requests. Tommy's grip on his fork tightened as he leaned over to Jackie, his tone laced with frustration. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper but seething with anger. Jake pursed his lips, his eyes narrowing as he exchan
Tommy and Jake exchanged puzzled glances, their eyebrows furrowing in confusion. Caleb's casual demeanor left them bewildered. Wasn't he concerned about how he was going to foot the bill? It wasn't just Jackie who seemed to have lost her mind; their buddy appeared to have lost his as well. Jackie's initial shock at Caleb's calm demeanor quickly turned to frustration, and then to a simmering anger. Her plan to rattle him by ordering an excessive amount of food was backfiring spectacularly. She had expected him to be visibly flustered, to squirm under the pressure of footing the bill for such an extravagant meal. Instead, he seemed completely unfazed, as if her antics were of no consequence to him. As she watched him casually peruse the menu, Jackie's mind raced with disbelief. How could he be so composed in the face of her deliberate attempt to provoke him? She had hoped to see him sweat, to witness a flicker of panic in his eyes, but there was none of that. Instead, he appeare
After a few moments of tense silence, Jake leaned forward, his curiosity getting the better of him. "What's going on with Cassie? Why is she acting so... what's the word? Nice!" Caleb looked up from his phone, his expression slightly amused. "She's just being friendly, Jake. Maybe she finally realized there's more to life than being a snob." Tommy raised an eyebrow. "Friendly? That doesn't sound like Cassie." "Yeah, I agree," Jake chimed in, nodding thoughtfully. "Cassie's being unusually friendly. It's like she's bending over backwards to please you, Caleb. It's kinda weird, don't you think?" Tommy furrowed his brow, voicing his concern. "It's strange, isn't it? One moment she's yelling at you in the bar, and now she's all clingy and friendly. Is there something we dont know?" Caleb sighed and set down his phone, his gaze shifting between his friends. With a slight smile, he realized he couldn't reveal the real reason behind Cassie's sudden friendliness. Instead, he chose his
"You wound me, Cassie. I'm not deliberately trying to humiliate him..." Cassie took a step closer, her expression intense. "Then what exactly are you doing?" she pressed, her eyes searching Jackie's face. Jackie's smirk widened as she locked eyes with Cassie, her tone dripping with nonchalance. "Alright, fine, I admit it. I just can't stand that guy, and I wanted to see him squirm. What's the harm in that, anyway?" Her words carried a hint of defiance, challenging Cassie to argue against her motive. Jackie paused her makeup touch-up, her eyes narrowing as she focused on Cassie. "Okay, seriously, spill it. What's your angle here? You're not into revenge or humiliation like I am. So what's your game?" Her tone was sharp, revealing her curiosity and suspicion as she pressed Cassie for an explanation. Cassie's smirk deepened as she regarded Jackie, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She didn't respond immediately, relishing the opportunity to keep Jackie in suspense. Retrieving
"You've got me, Jackie. There is something else." Her admission piqued Jackie's interest, prompting her to lean in closer, awaiting Cassie's revelation. Cassie leaned back against the plush chair in the ladies' room of the restaurant, a sly smile playing on her lips. "You know, Jackie," she said, chuckling softly, "I don't actually want Caleb to be my real boyfriend." Jackie raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued as she adjusted her makeup in the mirror. "Then what's the deal, Cassie? Why string him along?" Cassie tilted her head, her eyes glinting mischievously. "It's simple. I want him to think he's my boyfriend. It keeps him around, which is exactly what I need to help me get rid of....." Jackie turned to face her, intrigued. "Rid of what?" Cassie tilted her head, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Get rid of the that sleazy Fred. He keeps harassing me in college, wanting a date. Everywhere I turn, he's there. It's really driving me insane. Flowers, messages, gifts-not that I mind
Jackie watched silently as Cassie stood in front of the mirror, her brows furrowed in concentration. She couldn't quite understand her cousin's way of thinking. If a man like Fred were pursuing her, Jackie would have eagerly accepted his advances without a second thought. After all, in Jackie's mind, money was essential in this life, not the attractiveness of the person pursuing you. Until now, Cassie had shared the same mindset. But for some reason, Cassie was acting strangely. Jackie couldn't shake off the feeling of confusion as she observed her cousin's determined expression reflected in the mirror. There was something different about Cassie's demeanor, something that made Jackie question her motives. As she watched Cassie, Jackie couldn't help but wonder what had caused this sudden shift in her cousin's perspective. Cassie picked up her bag, her expression serious as she turned to face Jackie. "Listen, Jackie," she said firmly, "don't say a word to Caleb about my pla
Three waiters approached the table, each carrying a tray laden with plates of delicious food. With practiced precision, they arranged themselves around the table, ready to serve the guests. The head waiter took charge, directing the others as they began to set down the food with professional grace. With a flourish, he placed a steaming dish of pasta in the center of the table, followed by a platter of succulent grilled chicken. As he worked, the aromas of the freshly prepared dishes filled the air, tantalizing the senses of everyone at the table. With a final touch, the head waiter stepped back, surveying his handiwork with satisfaction. The table was now adorned with an array of culinary delights, ready to be enjoyed by the guests. The boys glanced at the spread of food in front of them, their expressions a mix of surprise and amusement as they took in the abundance of dishes. Jake was the first to break the silence, his tone incredulous. "Holy crap! There's enough food here to