Yokubo

CHAPTER 4: THE DROWNED

Ana sniffled as she wiped away her tears. Hailey stood beside her with her hand on Ana's back tenderly rubbing her. Tim and Fabian return from their outside conversation.

 "Hey, guys... Everyone feeling better now?" Tim asked cheerfully as if not reading the room. The girls looked at him and Ana smiled sheepishly. 

"Sorry for ruining the night Tim," she said. Tim walked behind the bar.

 "Ah! Nonsense! Nothing to worry about". Tim said as he fixed himself another drink.

 "Anyone want another?" he asked. 

"We're good Tim, thanks," replied Hailey. Tim turned to Fabian. 

"Another Coke Fabian?". Fabian stared a moment before replying. 

" Uh, no thanks, Tim. Uh, we should be leaving anyhow. It's 2 am already haha." Tim gives him a thumbs up as Hailee turns to Fabian. 

"Hey babe do you think we can send Ana home?" she asked." Fabian nodded. 

"Oh no don't worry I can send Ana home." Tim chimed. Ana looked up at him. 

"Really? You sure Tim?" she asked. 

"Yea no seriously it's no problem. I've got a new car and I wanna give it a chance to run a little." he said smiling at Ana who smiled back. 

"Well okay then. I'll see you soon yea? Text me if you need anything okay?" Hailee said to Ana before giving her a hug. 

"Bye Fabian," Ana said as the two of them left. Fabian smiled thinly, waving back to her. In the car, Hailey sighed heavily leaning against her seat exhausted. 

"Fuck, what a day." she sighed. Fabian without turning to her replied. 

"What a fucking day." She turned her head ever so slightly to face him. 

 "Did something happen today babe?" she asked. Fabian smiled turning to her before quickly turning back to focus on the road. 

"Nothing babe. Just tired."The next day as the morning sun shone brightly down on the fish pond Fabian and Hailey sat on the chairs overlooking the pond as they had their morning coffee. Fabian peacefully stared at the running water. Haley meanwhile was busy texting. Her fingers ran at lightspeed on that keypad with the constant sound following immediately after the buttons were pressed. Slightly annoyed Fabian remarked. 

"Who is that, your boyfriend?" Hailey replied without looking up. 

" Chill babe it's just Tim. Turns out we both like rom-coms and right now im explaining to him how 500 Days of Summer is far superior to Ruby Sparks." Fabian's eyes reflected his concern. 

"So you're talking to Tim now?" he asked. Hailey sighed and looked at him. She put her hand on his and smiled at him. 

"Tim's nice babe but he's not you," she said chuckling lightly. Fabian smiled thinly as he tried to keep up appearances of him being happy with what he just heard. 

"Im gonna go inside first. You want more coffee babe?" he asked before opening the grill to the house. 

"Hm? Oh no im fine thanks," said Hailey without looking up as her fingers resumed her sonata of typing. Fabian blinked, annoyed at her attitude but more so that he hadn't suspected Tim as a threat sooner. The sound of water bubbling filled his ears as he began thinking about Tim at that moment. He was good-looking, funny, not super rich, but richer than he was for sure. He opened the grill walked in and closed it behind him with a metallic twang. The sound stopped.

Fabian stood silently under the shower. Letting the water flow over his face as if trying to wash away the anxiety he now felt. His mind drifted back to Tim and Hailey together. He shut the shower off. Taking a few deep breaths. As he exited the bathroom, towel wrapped around his waist he sees Hailey doing her lipstick in the mirror. He turns to her.