His Lovable Klutz (Completed)

Segment Sixty-eight.

♥ Gone Too Far ♥

      Coby arrived home later than usual, the evening shadows already creeping into the corners of the living room. She pushed the door open, stepping inside to find Stefan already settled on the couch, flipping through the channels on the TV. His gaze shifted to her as she walked in, and she greeted him with a casual Hey.

      "Hey," Stefan replied, his voice neutral, though there was a hint of something lurking beneath the surface. He turned off the TV, focusing his attention entirely on her. "Where have you been?"

      Coby set her purse down on the kitchen counter, glancing at Stefan before replying, "Hung out with Lucius."

      The words hung in the air like a sharp blade, and Stefan's expression darkened almost imperceptibly. He sat up straighter, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face.

      "Lucius again?" he said, his voice edged with a coldness that hadn't been there before. "Coby, I've noticed you've been getting way too close with him lately, and I don't like it."

      Coby paused mid-step, turning around to face him fully, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Why does it bother you so much if I hang out with Lucius? He's a friend, Stefan."

      Stefan felt a twinge of annoyance building inside him, the frustration that had been simmering for days now threatening to spill over.

      "Because," he snapped, "I don't trust him. I can feel it—Lucius doesn't have good intentions towards you, Coby. I want you to limit the time you spend with him."

      Coby's eyes narrowed, her irritation flaring at his words. "So, you want me to limit my time with Lucius? Why don't you try limiting the time you spend with Tessa? You're always with her, Stefan. Don't you think I notice that?"

      Stefan's temper ignited at her words, the restraint he'd been clinging to slipping away. "I'm only taking care of Tessa because she needs help!" he barked, his voice rising. "She's in a fragile condition, and I'm doing what I can to make sure she's okay. Nothing is ever going to happen between Tessa and I, and you know that."

      Coby turned away from him, her voice cold and sharp as she spoke. "Fine, Stefan. You keep taking care of Tessa, and I'll keep hanging out with Lucius."

      Stefan felt a surge of anger and jealousy twist inside him, and he couldn't hold back the words that spilled out next.

      "What are you trying to do, Coby? Are you trying to get back at me with Lucius? Is that it?"

      Coby froze, her hand gripping the edge of the counter as if to steady herself. She turned slowly, shock and disbelief written across her face.

      "What did you just say?"

      Stefan didn't stop, the frustration pushing him further. "Maybe you like him, huh? Maybe this friendship is just an excuse to cover up something else. Are you using him to fill in for whatever you think is missing between us?"

      Coby's hand moved before she even realized it, her palm connecting with Stefan's cheek in a sharp, stinging slap that echoed through the room. Her chest heaved with anger and hurt as she stared daggers at him, her eyes blazing with a fury he had never seen before.

      Stefan was stunned, the slap leaving him momentarily speechless. He stared at her, his cheek burning from the impact, shock and regret quickly replacing the anger that had driven him to those cruel words.

      Coby's voice trembled with emotion, her words slicing through the air like a knife. "How dare you, Stefan. How dare you accuse me of something like that. I've been nothing but loyal to you, and this is what you think of me? You know, sometimes I wonder if you truly love me, Stefan. You've never! Told me that you love me—not once, even when I've told you several times. You know what? Fuck this."