Melisa POV
"Hello, there, darling?"
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. Of all the things that happened today, this was not one I had expected. For him to call me out of the blue was unbelievable.
"Never thought I'd see the day I'd leave you so dumbfounded," his voice rang through the earpiece, reminding me that I needed to respond.
"For the record, you're where you are, and I'm here, so there's no way you're ever going to see me dumbfounded. And another thing, it's not every day my stalker calls me," I said, adjusting myself comfortably on the bed.
"You see, there she is, for a moment I thought this wasn't going to be fun," he replied, his voice laced with amusement.
"So you're looking for a clown, I hate to burst your bubble but you've knocked on the wrong house," I retorted, trying to sound indifferent, though my heart was pounding a little faster.
"I'm definitely on the right house, though I can't help but notice someone sounds a little angry. Don't tell me you feel neglected by my charming self these past few days?" he teased, his voice dripping with amusement.
"Please, like I could care that you were flirting with Jess. Just so you know, you're not that special," I tried to sound bitter, but my voice cracked a little, betraying my true feelings.
"Are you... jealous, fiore?" he asked, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down my spine. "Because I think you might be."
Was I? Maybe a little but I was not about to tell him that.
"I think you should come down from your high horse, brah, it's not like you or anything,"
"Oh, really? Because I think I'm pretty special, especially when I'm making you jealous," he teased and my cheeks couldn't stop burning.
"Whatever," I scoffed, though I couldn't hide the smile creeping onto my face. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight."
"Wait, wait," he said quickly, making me bite my lip. "I wasn't finished yet,"
"No way, I could swear I had you growl," I clamped my mouth shut the moment those words escaped my lips. I definitely didn't plan on saying such an innuendo-laden thing, but I was so caught up in our flirting that I unconsciously said something so...suggestive.
There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and I could almost feel his smirk through the phone. "Well, well, well," he drawled, his voice low and husky. "Who knew you had such a dirty mind?"
I blushed furiously. "Shut up!" I hissed. It was the only thing I could say.
"Oh, come on, don't be shy," he teased. "I find it hot." yeah, hot like my flaming cheeks.
"How did you even got my number, anyway." I preferred to hide behind my curiosity than continue to dwell on the embarrassment.
He chuckled softly at the my obvious way of changing the topic, the sound sending vibration through the phone and to my skin.
"Oh that, I worked hard for that. Try taking another lady's number from someone who obviously like you."
"Wait, from Jess?" Was that the reason why he kept talking to her?
"Of course, so you see, their is no need for you to feel neglected, I had you at thought all these time," He teased. His words sent a rush of heat to my cheeks. The realization that he'd been thinking of me amidst his interactions with Jess felt both exhilarating and daunting.
"Right, so you were just collecting numbers while daydreaming about me?" I shot back, trying to mask my bashfulness with playful sarcasm.
"Something like that," he replied, his tone light yet somehow earnest. "But let's be honest, Jess was just a means to an end. It's you I'm interested in."
I felt a rush of warmth at his words, a smile breaking across my face despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach. My heart raced, uncertainty mingling with excitement. "So, you've got this secret agent persona going on, huh? Sneaking around just to get my number?"
"Exactly. You can't blame me for being a little stealthy when it comes to something this good," he said, and at his words, I couldn't stop myself from throwing my legs up in giddiness, careful not to give away my excitement.
"Now that you have my number, what's your plan?" I asked, relishing every minute of this conversation.
"Ah, that's the real question, isn't it?" he mused, his voice teasingly low. "Let's just say I'm very much interested in turning this phone chemistry into something a bit more... tangible."
"Aaaaah," I drawled playfully. "Well, good luck with that then, playboy."
He laughed, and I could practically picture his charming grin. "Playboy, huh? I'll take that as a compliment."
A blush crept onto my cheeks. "You're so cheesy," I mumbled, but I couldn't hide the smile in my voice.
"I know," he chuckled. "But hey, it works, doesn't it? You were in low spirits when I called you." My heart skipped a beat. He noticed that?
"You just woke me from sleep," I replied, trying to sound dismissive, but I could hear the hint of vulnerability in my own voice.
"You answered too fast for someone whom I supposedly woke from sleep," he refuted, his tone teasing yet pointed. "And your voice was hoarse, like you were crying. Wanna talk it out? I'll give you my handsome ear for free. I heard it works magic."
"Wow, a handsome ear? I didn't realize you were a walking infomercial for yourself," I teased, trying to lighten the mood. "What's next? A commercial break for your good looks?"
He laughed, and I felt the tension ease a bit. "Hey, I've got to promote the goods, right?"
"Oh, I didn't know you were trying so hard," I shot back, unable to help the laugh tugging at my lips. "What's the commission like for being your own hype man? Must be a solid paycheck."
"Don't knock it until you try it!" he said, feigning seriousness. "I bet it's a lucrative business. Just imagine the fans I could attract!"
"Right, because who wouldn't want to invest in the 'handsome ear' experience?" I replied, giggling. "Next, you'll have a line of merchandise—'Get your own handsome ear for just three easy payments!"
He chuckled, clearly enjoying our banter. "Now you're just giving me ideas! But honestly, I'm just here to make your day a little brighter. Besides, I've got a lot of charm to share."
"Charm and a handsome ear, what a combo!" I quipped, rolling my eyes playfully. "Just promise me you won't charge me for the listening sessions. I'm on a tight budget."
"Free consultations for you, always!" he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice.
The lightness of our conversation lifted my spirits, and I felt a growing sense of connection. Maybe this playful exchange was more than just fun—it felt like a glimpse into something deeper. "But seriously," I said, softening slightly, "thanks for offering your 'handsome ear.' It's nice to know I have someone to talk to."
"Always," he replied, his tone shifting to sincerity. "I mean it. Whether it's laughter or something serious, I'm here for it all."
"Okay, Mr. Charm," I said, my heart warmed by his words. "Just be ready for a lot of rambling now. I can talk your ear off."
"Bring it on! I'm ready for the challenge," he said, laughter dancing in his voice and just like that. I told him everything that went down. Everything minus the boyfriend part.
When the call ended, it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. Surprisingly, Max was as great a listener as he was a flirt.
"Never allow yourself to go to bed angry."
His words echoed in my mind, and I knew what I had to do. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the next step. It was time to clear the air with Bibi and confront the tension between us.
"Bibi," I called softly as I stepped into her bedroom. The dim light illuminated her features, revealing the sadness etched across her face. My heart ached at the sight; how could I have caused this woman to cry?
She looked up, surprise mingling with hurt in her eyes. I took a step closer, my voice trembling with remorse. "I am so sorry," I said, my words heavy with regret.