HEAR ME TOO!

PART TWENTY-SIX

"He's not picking up," said Isabel, staring at her phone dejectedly. Since the party three nights ago, she had been trying to call Ben but none of her calls or messages had been returned. She knew he didn't want to talk to her but that made her feel even worse.

"If you were him, would you pick up?" Winnie asked, holding up a yellow dress in front of the mirror. Her date with Uche was tomorrow evening and she wanted to hold all of his attention. In other to do that, she needed an outfit that was a showstopper. Scrunching up her face at the yellow dress, she threw it aside and proceeded to pick up an emerald green strapless jumpsuit.

"I thought he'd be over it by now. I mean, it was just a stupid game and nothing really happened. That kiss did not mean anything."

"Are you sure it didn't? Because from where I stand, it was more than just a kiss," Winnie said, turning from side to side with the jumpsuit held against her body. A big smile crossed her face and then she said triumphantly "This is the one!"

"Winnie, how can you say that? You know I was caught unawares. I was too shocked by all that happened."

Winnie sighed, kept her outfit aside and went to sit on the bed beside her friend.

"You didn't push him away Isa, that is the problem. It seemed like your shock disappeared after two seconds. You leaned in!"

"I- I didn't! I just-" Isabel said, trying to explain but realizing words had failed her.

"Look Isa, I know getting over someone you once loved so much is as difficult as anything but you can't go into something new without closing off your past entirely. As your friend, I would ask you to cut Ken off right now and just forget all about him but I know you won't do that. Hell, you might even end up going back to him and I'll still stand by you. All I'm saying is, decide on what path you want to follow. You can't string Ben along while still having feelings for Ken."

"But Ben and I are friends Winnie. I don't want to lose that friendship."

"I have seen the way you two are around each other and It's not just friendship that exists there. You both like each other but can't seem to move on from your pasts and that's a huge problem."

Isabel fell back on the bed and released a frustrated sigh.

"Why is this life so complicated?" she asked, taking a pillow and holding it over her face.

"It isn't life that is complicated Isa, humans are."

Isabel groaned into her pillow and mumbled something incoherent.

"Just clear your head and decide Isa. Now, I have to pick the shoes I'm going to wear tomorrow so please stop going through your existential crisis for a bit and help me out."

"Wear the white pumps. They'd look amazing with that outfit."

"Thank you!" said Winnie. She walked to her shoe rack and picked out the white pumps.

"Where are you guys going though?" Isabel asked, trying to take her mind away from her problems and tap into her friend's excitement.

"I don 't know but it's a dinner date so I know it will be someplace nice," Winnie said, grinning widely. Suddenly jumping up, she ran to the mirror and looked at her hair.

"My hair is a mess! I need to fix it ASAP. Please call the hairdresser and ask him if he can come to the house."

"Calm down Winnie. The date isn't until tomorrow and your hair is fine. Why do you want to change it?"

"It isn't good enough for a date. You know what they say about first impressions."

"Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't this be the third impression? Y'all already met twice before."

"Whatever, smart ass. Please just call him and set up an appointment. I need to be glowing tomorrow."

Isabel laughed, reached for her phone to place the call and saw she had a message. At first she thought it was Ben but she didn't recognize the number.

"Hi Isa, this is Ken-" she started to read aloud and stopped. Winnie waited for her to continue and when she didn't hear anything, she walked over to the bed, took the phone and read the message.

"HI Isa, this is Ken. Can I please come pick you up today? Let's just go somewhere quiet and talk. I really want to start over with you."

Winnie looked at Isabel who suddenly seemed pale and asked "Did you give him your number?"

"No I didn't Winnie. I don't know how he got it. After the party that day, he told me he'd call but I just ignored him since I was certain he didn't have my number."

"Dude is starting to act like a creep," Winnie said, handing the phone back to Isabel. They sat in silence for several minutes before Winnie decided to ask the question on both their minds.

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know Winnie, I really don't know. My heart keeps wanting to believe he's changed and that things will be different this time," Isabel said.

"Things can be a worse kind of different you know. I really don't think you should do this Isa."

"Let me just hear him out and at least give him a chance and if it doesn't work out, I'll end it. For real this time," Isabel said and took her phone to text Ken back.

"It seems you've already made your decision. I hope this turns out the way you expect it to Isa, I really do," said Winnie, the disappointment clearly evident in her voice.

She stood up, grabbed her bag and left for the salon. She was going to just set up an appointment with the hairdresser and have him come to the house but now she needed to be somewhere else. In as much as she supported Isabel's decision, it didn't mean she would welcome Ken with open arms.

*****

Ken heard his phone beep and picked it up. He saw the message was from Isabel and hesitated to open it because he wasn't sure what her reply would be. Preparing his mind for the worst, he opened the message and read it out loud.

"Hi Ken. Pick me up at 6p.m."

He whooped, did a little dance of celebration and read the message again, just to be certain he wasn't mistaken. She had finally agreed to listen to him and he was going to make sure she was eating out of his hand by the end of tonight. He knew it would only be a matter of time before she gave in. She loved him way too much. Isabel was a really smart woman but when it came to matters of the heart, she was naive.

Whistling loudly, he walked to his bedroom to choose his outfit.

A/N
Well... there goes our IsaBen ship I guess. Someone please help me tell Isabel not to cave in!😩😩
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Well, there's still Uche and Winnie's date night to cheer us up. Who's excited for date night?

P.s: If you enjoyed the chapter, please vote after reading😁❤️