Mia sat on her bed, staring at her phone. "Do you guys think I should give her a call?" she asked.
Zara leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "Actually, I don't think we should call her. We did nothing wrong — she was the one who came here to snatch the boys."
Tiana sighed. "I don't think that's true. She had no idea we were crushing on them, so I wouldn't blame her."
"I second that," Mia said. "Ana — it wasn't really her fault the boys got attracted to her."
"You guys are just too weak," Zara snapped. "She started fucking them and kept it secret from us. Thought we were friends."
"Listen to yourself — were you there when they were fucking her?" Mia asked, eyebrow raised.
"Oh please. We all know their sex life. They pick different girls almost every day. And you saw the way they kissed her — she didn't even try to protest. She's just a slut," Zara spat.
"If you don't calm down you might just die of jealousy," Tiana muttered.
Mia's thumb hovered over Kaylee's contact, but she didn't press it. The room felt smaller, charged.
Tiana threw a pillow across the bed. "You know what annoys me most? We all turned our backs on her when those K4 girls fought her. Not one of us said a thing."
Mia looked away. "I know… I still feel terrible about that."
Zara rolled her eyes. "Please. Don't start acting like saints now. Those girls deserved it — Kaylee brought it on herself."
"Brought it on herself?" Tiana repeated, glaring. "Zara, she was outnumbered and humiliated in front of everyone. You think that's her fault?"
Zara folded her arms tighter. "I think she knew exactly what she was doing. The moment she started getting close to the boys, everything changed. She forgot we existed."
"That's not true," Mia said quietly. "She tried to balance both — us and them. We were the ones who pushed her away."
Zara scoffed. "Don't make her sound like some victim, Mia. She's not innocent. The moment they claimed her, she didn't even look back."
Tiana raised a brow. "Claimed her? You talk like she's property."
"Well, isn't that what they made it look like?" Zara shot back. "The four of them, kissing her in front of everyone like she's some trophy. It was disgusting."
Mia sighed. "Or maybe they just… like her. Ever thought of that?"
Zara's jaw tightened. "You're defending her again. Typical."
Tiana stood, crossing her arms. "At least Mia's honest. You're just jealous, Zara — admit it."
Zara glared at her, voice cold. "Jealous? Of what? Being passed around by four guys? No, thanks."
Mia sighed and reached for her phone again. "You know what? I'm just going to call her," she said quietly.
Zara scoffed. "Go ahead. She probably won't pick up anyway. She's too busy playing princess with her four lovers."
Tiana shot her a warning look. "Zara, that's enough."
Ignoring them, Mia tapped Kaylee's contact. The ringing tone echoed through the room — once, twice, three times. No answer.
She tried again. Still nothing. The line finally went dead.
Mia dropped the phone beside her and stared at the ceiling. "She didn't pick up," she whispered.
Tiana's voice softened. "Maybe she's asleep… or maybe she's still upset."
Zara smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Told you. She doesn't care anymore."
"Or maybe," Mia said quietly, her tone sharper now, "she's tired of fake friends."
Zara rested her hand under her chin and grinned. "Girls, I have an idea," she said.
"Hope it's something reasonable," Tiana muttered.
"Yep," Zara said, smiling wider. "Let's try and settle the beef between us and Kaylee, then…"
"Then what?" Tiana asked.
Zara's grin turned sly. "Then we look for a way to persuade her to give us one of the boys each. They're four, we're four."
Mia's head snapped up. "You're such a bitch. I never knew you were this dirty and disgusting," she said, clearly annoyed.
"How dare you say such a word to me?" Zara shot back.
"Geez, can you be more human?" Tiana said, frowning. "So all you care about is the boys? We all know how dangerous they are — and they've made her theirs. The highest thing I'll do is end my crush and root for them."
"I can't believe you're this cheap and desperate," Mia said sharply. "So you'd jump at the opportunity if they asked you to grace their bed?"
"Of course, yes! Do you even know what that means?" Zara retorted.
"You're such a bitch," Tiana hissed. "Since you won't tell yourself the truth, I'll do it for you — you're not their class or type. You can't even stand a chance with Kaylee; there's a huge difference."
Zara's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"If we're talking beauty, she's more beautiful than you. If it's wealth, she's far richer. She's more intelligent, more perfect — and she's got that figure eight you'll never have. Who can you seduce with that flat ass of yours?" Mia snapped.
Zara's jaw dropped. "Wow. So all these insults because of that bitch?"
"Don't mess with her, Zara," Mia warned coldly. "The boys won't take it easy on you."
Zara stood up, shook her head, and stomped out of the room.
MILE'S MANSION
The water shimmered under the soft lights, calm and quiet.
Kaylee floated near the middle of the pool, her eyes half-closed, lost in her thoughts, when the boys came in.
"So this is where you've been hiding your little self," Kadeem said, grinning before diving into the pool and splashing water everywhere.
"Must you act like a baby?" she asked, smiling.
"I live for it, darling," he shot back.
Kadin joined next, smile soft. "Ignore him, you'll live longer."
I'll do just that ," Kaylee replied, nodding her head. "I value my peace of mind."
Kaden stepped in next and went straight to her, brushing a soft peck against her forehead.
"Mr. Romantic," Kadin teased immediately.
"That's my man," Kaylee said with a knowing smile. "He's the only romantic gentleman among you guys."
"I'll agree with you," Kadeem said. "'Cause I'm not really a gentleman… but I think that's a blow to Kayden's face."
"Yeah, he's more of a gentleman," Kadin added.
"Don't mistake silent for gentle, guys," she said, grinning while staring right at Kayden.
He just stood there, staring back at her.
"He didn't even react," Kaden said, chuckling. "This motherf***er is cold-blooded."
"Let's make a bet," Kadeem said suddenly. "First to reach the other end gets a gift from the second and third. Second gets from the—"
"We're five here, Deem," Kaylee interrupted.
"We all know Kayden will never agree," he said with a smirk. "And I don't want you stressing yourself, princess. This is not a gentle game."
"Okay, let's go!" Kaden said, and the race began.
They took off, splashing water and dragging each other backward, making it impossible to tell who'd win.
Kaylee turned, watching Kayden with an amused smile.
"Why are you standing there?" she asked Kayden.
He shrugged. "Nothing in particular."
"Then come here," she said.
"Nahhh, not a gentleman," he teased.
"Come on, I was only joking."
"Okay, fine. Don't whine like a baby." He slid in slowly, careful not to splash water.
"Here I am," he said, stopping in front of her. "What do you want?"
She met his eyes, water glistening against her skin. "Maybe I just wanted to see if you'd come."
He swam closer, his voice low. "You know I always will."
The words hung in the air, quiet and heavy. The sound of the others laughing at the far end faded, replaced by the soft rhythm of their breathing.
Her heart skipped. He didn't move any closer, didn't need to — his eyes said enough.
And in that silent space between them, everything else just… disappeared.