The Foolproof Plan

Chapter 16: ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE

It was already Wednesday when Minda called and asked to meet me on campus. I told her what time I was done with my class and what time we could meet at the campus cafe. I was drinking coffee, reviewing some charts on my laptop when she walked in and stood by my table.

"Hello, handsome," she said, then leaned down and gave me a quick peck on my cheek.

I blinked at the unexpected action, but I said nothing as she sat down.

"I had fun on Saturday," she said. "I think the plan is going well, don't you?"

I stopped my typing and looked at her. "Well, I don't have the girl I want yet, so I don't know." I saw the edges of her lips droop down, but she immediately smiled again.

"Believe me, it's going well," she said. "I think we need to keep working on the Red Jealousy Phase of our plan. There's nothing that makes a girl take action faster than jealousy."

I closed my laptop and leaned back on my chair. "Sure, as long as that action isn't murder. I'm not interested in having this turn into a drama. Hell hath no fury...and all that. I don't want to hurt Bella's feelings after all." I cleared my throat. "And I don't think that what happened afterward should happen again. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea." I recalled getting carried away and kissing Minda that night after the party. Alcohol and heartbreak are never good companions.

Minda bit the inside of her cheek before taking a deep breath. "Of course. No worries. It was just practice, but it certainly was fun. We just need to push it a little bit further, just to make sure that she's taking notice. Here's my idea." She leaned her elbows on the table. "This Friday Allie is having a girls' night sleepover at her place, and Bella's invited. I saw the way her eyes were eating you up at the party. She definitely is very much into you, but she needs a little nudge. Leave it up to me. Now, let's go shopping."

I sighed tiredly, but smiled. "Okay. I'm trusting you here." She nodded with a big smile and jumped to her feet.

It turned out to be just the usual: a new dress, a small handbag, and a pair of shoes. She said it was for her upcoming birthday, but it would also serve as something that would light the jealousy fires in Bella. I wasn't sure how this was a good plan, but I felt stupid asking Minda to explain it to me. I really did have to trust her.

The last store we stood in front of was a lingerie store. I looked between her and the entrance then shook my head. "Look. As much as I want to believe in your plan, I can't go in there with you. And I can't have anyone seeing me buying you any type of underwear. Sorry."

She nodded. "Of course. I wasn't going to ask you anyway. As a matter of fact, this is one store where I will pay for my own purchases. There is such a thing as going overboard on the jealousy angle," she said.

I sighed. "I"m glad you understand. Now, go on. I"ll wait out here."

After about 20 minutes, she came back out holding a small bag. "All done. Can we just walk around the shops for a bit? I might find something else I like."

Again, I frowned, but I simply said, "I wish I could, but I have a project to work on, and I can't delay or my team will kill me."

I didn't realize she had taken out her phone until she said, "Say cheese!" I looked up right as she snapped a few pictures of me.

"Minda," I admonished gently then turned to leave.

"Wait up," she said. She leaned in and snapped a few pictures of the both of us. "Okay. That's that. Let's go."

"What are you going to do with those pictures?" I asked warily.

She started walking away then stopped. "Don't worry. It's all part of the plan. Now, I thought you had some work to do." She hurried away, leaving me to follow in confusion.