His Games, Her Rules

I catch my breath inside my car as I shut it down. I’m in the parking lot of my apartment building, head leaning against my car seat. I’m stressed out of my mind due to the overtime I’ve been working at the hospital.

Today is Monique’s birthday and I have to be there for her. I unlock my car, with the cake and my handbag in my right hand and the birthday present on my left as I shut the door with my foot.

I walk into the lobby, greet the doorman, and head straight to the elevator. I press open the elevator as I step inside and press my floor button. The elevator rides up as I lean against the wall, tapping my feet on the floor impatiently. The elevator slides open and I step out, almost running into someone.

“Shit.” I curse.

“I’m so sorry.” A masculine voice says.

I balance the things I’m carrying as I look up. Tyler stands in front of me, dressed in his signature bad-boy clothes.

“Hello, Tyler,” I say, plastering up a small smile.

“You’re just coming back from work.” Isn’t that obvious?

“Yeah.”

“Are you guys having a party?”

“Not really. It’s Monique’s birthday today and I got her a cake. We are probably gonna have a girls’ night together, nothing big.” I say, trying to sidestep him, but he moves to stand in front of me.

“I’m sorry, Robyn. I just… I’ve been meaning to talk to you for a while now and I know you’re busy with work. I just… would you be free tomorrow Saturday?”

“Sorry.” I smack my lips, feigning disappointment. “I’ve got work.”

“What about Sunday?” He asks, licking his bottom lip.

“Still gonna be at work,” I mutter, stepping to the left, but he moves to stand in front of me again.

“Can you get out of my way, Tyler?”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” He runs his fingers through his hair and moves to the side.

I roll my eyes and walk past him toward my apartment. I can feel Tyler’s eyes on my back and it just creeps me out. Tyler stays in the building, right on my floor. I don’t know the type of job he does and it has never crossed my mind. He goes out in the morning sometimes and comes back in the evening and how do I know that? We always see each other in the lobby, the elevator, and even the parking lot.

Tyler moved in two years ago and ever since then, he’s found me interesting and I don’t even know why. Each time we cross paths, he always stops me and tries to start a conversation which is always awkward. Tyler is attractive, but he’s not my type. And like I said, relationships are the last thing on my mind and even though I want to give someone a chance, it’s definitely not going to be Tyler.

I pull out my key, unlock the door, and push it open. I step inside the apartment and shut the door with my foot.

The house smells nice like someone just made dinner. Monique isn’t supposed to be at home until 8 in the evening, at least that’s what she told me.

“Robyn.” I spin around at the sound of my name, my heart already dropped to the floor.

“Monique, what the fuck?”

She smiles, her eyes scanning the things in my hand. “Oh, Robyn, honey, did I startle you?”

“Oh, fuck off.” I turn around and head toward the kitchen with Monique on my tail.

“What are you doing here? You said you won’t be back until 8.” I say, placing the items on the countertop.

Monique stands on the opposite side as she leans her arms on the counter, her eyes on the already-wrapped present.

“You got me this?” Monique asks, a big smile on her lips as she reaches forward to grab the gift. I swat her hands away.

“Don’t touch. You gotta tell me what you’re doing here first.”

“I left early. It’s my birthday, duh.”

“Right. I got you cake. We’re gonna light up a candle and you’re gonna make a wish.” I say.

“Can I open my present first?” Monique asks, giggling like a teenage girl.

“Yeah. Knock yourself out.”

“Okay. I’m already flattered trying to open it.”

“Stop being a baby. It’s nothing huge.” I wave her off, walking to the fridge to grab a bottle of water.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I shut the fridge and lean my back against it as I watch Monique rip out the wrap. As dramatic as always, she slowly picks up the jewelry box as she opens it, mouth wide open and her eyes widened.

“You got me this?” she asks, giddily, picking up the necklace as she places it on her left palm. “Oh, my god, Robbie. You bought me this? I mean you remembered? And you even got it customized.”

I smile. “Of course. Well, you won’t shut up about it, but it’s nothing.”

She surprisingly wraps her arms around me in an embrace. “You’re a darling. I mean I love you so much, you can’t begin to fathom.”

“Nah, it’s okay. It’s just a gift.”

She pulls back, hands on my shoulders as she stares at me. “This is not just a gift. This is what I’ve been secretly admiring and this cost more than ten thousand grand. Where did you get that kind of money?”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s your birthday present and you deserve it.”

Monique smiles warmly and hugs me again. “Thank you so much, sis. I love you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m starving. Is there any food?” I ask.

Monique steps away, keeping back the necklace inside the box.

“I didn’t make anything. I just entered not too long ago when you showed up.”

“Right. I’ll just order.”

“Great. Did you stumble upon Tyler in the hallway?” Monique asks, smirking as she wiggles her brows.

“Ew. What’s that look?”

“It means Tyler is hot and you’re single. There’s nothing wrong with giving him a shot. I mean I know he lives in our building, and you’re the last person who would date a man from our building, but dude, he’s a charm.”

“That guy looks like a fucking serial killer. Like he creeps me out.”

Monique raises her eyebrows. “Seriously? You’re the only person who’s ever said Tyler creeps you out.”

“And look at his name. Tyler.” I groan. “Names of men that will cheat on you and break your heart, Tyler tops that list. I don’t like him.” And that’s final.

I’ve never been wrong about anyone before, it’s part of my superpower. And I mean it when I say Tyler creeps me the fuck out. He’s charming, sure. Attractive, obviously, but he’s not even my type.

“Yeah, whatever,” Monique mutters. “Also, you’re not gonna believe what happened today.”

“What?”

“Well, you know about my recent gig. How I’ve been modeling for Didi & Morgan, AKA D&M. The jewelry company.”

“Yeah, I know them.”

“Well, there’s this party tonight. Not just an ordinary party, but a really big party. You know the type, right? There are gonna be important people there. Well, my publicist talked to the person in charge and they did me a birthday favor. I got two invites. One for you and one for me.”

“No shit.”

“Yeah.” Monique chuckles. “You’re in, right?”

“Damn, right, I’m in. It’s your birthday, we are doing whatever you want.” I say.

“Thanks, Robyn. I know how you’re with parties like this, but I’m glad we are doing this tonight. You’re not gonna regret it.”

“I know I won’t,” I say, but yet I don’t trust the words that just left my mouth.

I’m definitely going to regret it.