ROBBY

It was past noon and Robby was in the bookstore two days following Marco's arrival. The campus library ran out of the book that he needed for his Constitution class and was directed to get it from a nearby bookstore..

Robby ran his hand on the books neatly arranged on the shelf and his fingers closed in on what he was looking for. He pulled the book off and quickly skimmed through it. When he was certain that it was what he wanted, he started to make his way to the counter. He was about to step out of the aisle when he heard familiar voices, whispering from the aisle next to his.

" There's no way for you to prove it, " the first voice hissed.

" One week in a remote island, " the second voice exclaimed." What, they played beach volleyball the entire time?!"

Patty and Angela. Robby mused silently, wondering whom the girls were gossiping about this time.

He was about to walk to their aisle to say hello when he suddenly heard his name. He froze in his tracks and listened closely.

" Robby wouldn't dare make a play for Mia, " Patty argued. " Marco's going to have a fit!"

" Do you really think Marco's stupid rule is going to stop them? " Angela countered in an anguished voice.

" Marco is Mia's brother and Robby's best friend, " Patty reasoned. " Of course they care what Marco thinks."

Angela scoffed. " Something's going on Pat. I feel it. Something's up with those two."

" Ange," Patty said gently. " Things between the two of you had been long over. Don't you think it's about time to move on? "

Robby silently sucked in his breath when he heard what Patty said and waited for his ex-girlfriend's reply.

" I know, " Angela's voice was almost inaudible, Robby almost didn't hear her response.

" Let them be, " Patty continued in gentle voice. " It's time that you really move on."

Robby didn't want to listen anymore. He felt bad eavesdropping but he was relieved that Angela has finally conceded.

Or so he hoped.

" No, " Angela suddenly said, her voice urgent. " Marco must know about this."

Robby felt his heart dropped hearing her statement.

" But you have no proof, " Patty retorted in frustration. " You can't just accuse Robby and Mia of something like that."

" Oh I can, Pat, " Angela's voice was hard. " And I will have proof."

Robby knew she can and she would. He'd known her long enough to know that Angela can be sinister if she wanted to. And maybe, that was one of the reasons why he fell out of love with her.

Somewhere in that small body of hers lie a mean bone. She has a mean streak which was held at bay when they were together. She can be nice one minute and vicious the next. She had always been nice to Robby but he heard stories of how she can also be to people she disliked. And that was what Robby couldn't wrapped his head around. How a person like Angela who was gifted with beauty, brains and money can use her popularity to put people down.

He suddenly felt anger surging out of his body at the thought of Angela orchestrating a vicious plan to hurt them.

Never mind him, but Mia has not done anything wrong to Angela. She doesn't deserve to be a recipient of her wrath.

He clenched his jaw.

It had been a long time since Angela and he wrapped things up between them yet she kept acting like they just broke up a week ago. She had no right to spy on them, much more, tell on them like he was cheating on her.

Robby hurriedly walked out of the store, dropping the book at a nearby shelf. He was starting to lose his temper and he didn't want to cause a scene inside the bookstore.

He quickly got in his car and drove away. He was holding the steering wheel so hard that he can almost see his knuckles turning white.

He drove towards the side street and parked his car at the curb. After calming himself and gathering his thought, he fished for his mobile and dialed Mia's number.

" Rob, " Mia answered cheerfully after a few rings.

Like some kind of magic, her voice pushed all of his anger and worries away.

" What are you up to? " He asked.

" I'm with Iza shopping for some stuff, " Mia replied. " Did you get that book? "

Robby paused for a second.

" No, " he said quietly. " I need to get it from their other store."

" Ahh, " She said airily. He heard Melissa's muffled voice in the background.

" Listen, I need to go, " Mia said after awhile. " I'll call you when I get home, alright?"

She was about to hang up but Robby couldn't resist. He didn't know what Angela was planning to do but he knew it would not be pretty.

" Mia? "

" Yeah? "

" Take care of yourself, okay? " Robby said as his other hand gripped the steering wheel tightly. " If you need anything, I'm just one call away."

He heard her chuckle.

" Where is this coming from? " She asked laughingly. " You sound like my grand pop."

When he didn't reply, Mia dropped her voice and asked in a serious voice.

" Is something wrong? " Mia asked in a worried voice. " What's going on? "

Scolding himself for worrying her, he forced a chuckle.

" Nothing's going on, " he assured her. " Am I not allowed to ask my girlfriend to take care of herself? "

" Of course you are, " Mia replied laughingly. " Listen, I really need to go. I'll call you later, bye. "

Robby heaved a frustrated sigh as he leaned his head against the seat's.

They needed to tell Marco.

Before driving out of the curb, Robby promised himself that he was going to convince Mia to tell Marco about their situation.

The sooner that they tell Marco, the better and safer Mia would be from Angela's vicious plans.