The Foolproof Plan

Chapter 15: THE NEXT PHASE IS RED

I immediately stood up straight and moved away from Minda.

"Hey, Bella. How are you?" I asked, my voice taking on a softer quality. Minda looked at me with a cocked eyebrow.

Bella stood still, staring at both of us. After an awkward few seconds, she said, "Hi, Seokjin. I'm fine. I was just going to get a drink." She paused. "Hi, Minda." Minda nodded at her.

"Okay," I said and threw open the refrigerator. I pulled out another hard seltzer can and held it out to her. "Here. Take this."

She hesitated. "Um. I was just going to get some water."

I was about to put the can away, but I noticed Minda's slight head nod. "No, here," I said, pushing the can into her hand. "This is better. It's a party, after all."

"He's right, you know," Minda said. "This stuff is delicious."

Bella glanced down at the can. "I've never tried this."

"Don't let that stop you," Minda said. "You should always be willing to try new things." She grinned. "Guys love that." She took another drink.

Bella looked between me and Minda with a frown. "Is that right? Well, I guess I'll get back to--"

I walked toward her. "Bella, can we--?" I heard Minda clear her throat. "Let's talk." I held her by the arm and pulled her out of the kitchen. I didn't let her go until we were in the dining room, where only two other people were serving food onto small plates. I waited until they left before speaking.

She slipped her arm out of my hand. "Why did you pull me like that?"

I felt my throat get painfully dry. "It's been so long since we've...talked."

She shifted the cold can from one hand to the other. "I suppose. Do we need to talk about something?"

"Yes," I replied. "We need to talk about many things. Don't you...miss me?" I sighed. "Because I've certainly missed you."

"I can't imagine you've been lonely," she said softly. "I heard that you and Minda--"

"Me and Minda nothing!" I hissed, interrupting her. "Whoever told you that is full of it. There's only one girl I want." I began getting closer to her, trapping her against the table's edge. I leaned my face closer to hers. I could see her chest rising and falling faster with my proximity.

"Seokjin! Come on!" Minda called from the doorway. I straightened myself back up, and Bella turned her face away. "They're starting a shots contest. Both of us need to go! Hurry!" She walked away.

"There's only one girl you want, huh?" Bella asked. "She must be very lucky. Since you're so...fucking hot." She put the can down on the table, maneuvered herself around me, and left the room.

I growled and went to find Minda. She was standing by a small table overflowing with tequila shots.

"Minda, what the hell?" I hissed in her ear.

She laughed. "Oh, honey, that was some good smoldering, but that alone won't get her back. This is the next phase of the plan." She looked around.

I followed her gaze and saw that she was looking at Bella who was talking to Cindy and Tae.

Unexpectedly, Minda pulled me by the collar until her lips were next to my ear. "Jealousy."

I pulled away from her and looked in Bella's direction again. Her hazel eyes were laser focused on me. I swore they looked red. I tried not to smile. Jealousy. Next phase indeed.