𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐒

XI. The Act of Plotting.

"Getting in late," The receptionist commented, glancing up from her computer.

Keem barely acknowledged her with a nod as he headed straight for the elevator. He knew she was trying to make small talk, but Keem wasn't in the mood-same as every other time.

It wasn't that she wasn't fine. She was gorgeous, actually. But Hakeem wasn't in a place to entertain anybody.

especially not her.

"Hey! I was wondering―" She started talking, but Keem was already hitting the elevator buttons, making sure the doors shut before she could finish her sentence. Keem was beyond drained, and all he wanted was a hot shower and his bed.

When the elevator reached his floor, Hakeem stepped out, adjusting his slipping backpack as he fished around for his keys.

Sliding the key into the lock, Hakeem turned it and pushed the door open. He closed the door behind him with a soft click, turned the lock, and kicked both off his shoes before heading deeper into the apartment.

He closed the door behind him with a soft click, turned the lock, and kicked off his shoes before heading further into the apartment.

"Hey, boo." Sae's soft voice cut through the quiet, making Keem jump. Keem hadn't expected her to be there. With his heart still racing, Hakeem turned to see her standing there with a sly smirk. Truth was, she'd been posted up around the corner, waiting on him to come in.

"I scared you?" Sailym asked, stepping closer. Her arms sliding around his slim torso, pulling their bodies together, Sailym's face tilted up to meet his because of their height difference.

"Mhm." Hakeem hummed low, leaning down slightly and wrapping his arms around her waist. He didn't think much of it, deciding to just go with the flow. With all the weird stuff happening lately, this barely phased him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Sailym lied smoothly, pulling back just enough to give him some space. Hakeem brushed it off with a wave before tossing his keys onto the hook. He was already planning his escape to his room to call it a night.

"Where Kai at?" Keem asked, his eyes scanning the kitchen as if Kai might suddenly appear.

Sae trailed after Keem, casually pointing toward the living room. "In there―we got something to talk to you about, if you're not too tired," She added, slipping the information in at the last second.

"Bout what?" Keem thought, his palms already sweating. His mind raced, wondering if she somehow knew about the kiss.

He wasn't really trying to focus on it―not like it was his fault Kasim "cheated." Still, the thought had him feeling even worse for being all up in Sailym's face.

"Dunno. KJ said he was gon' explain it." Sailym shrugged, tossing Kasim straight under the bus so she wouldn't have to do the talking. Keem nodded and followed her into the living room, his face unreadable.

Sailym dropped onto the couch beside Kasim, who was kicked back and high out of his mind. He barely lifted his head at the sound of more footsteps but locked eyes with Keem as soon as he spotted him.

For a split second, Keem's chest tightened, his heartbeat quickening. He frowned slightly, but before he could say anything, Kai licked his lips and mumbled, "C'mere." His voice was low, but Hakeem caught it as Kasim patted the empty spot beside him on the couch.

Keem set his backpack down on the other couch and sat next to Kasim, his long legs spreading out naturally, knees almost brushing his.

"Both holes throbbing." Sae muttered under her breath, squirming slightly where she sat.