“Benita, you okay?” Adrian’s deep voice came from behind her, startling her out of her frozen state.
She turned her head slightly, her lips parting to speak, but no words came. Adrian stepped closer, his sharp gaze locking onto the man standing in the doorway.
“Who’s this?” Adrian asked, folding his arms across his bare chest. His tone was calm, but there was a protective edge beneath the surface.
The man’s eyes widened as he took in Adrian’s shirtless form, his gaze flicking back to Benita, then to Adrian again. He looked like he wanted to say something, but his words seemed caught in his throat.
Adrian didn’t wait for an answer. He turned and strode back toward the bedroom, leaving both Benita and the man at the door momentarily stunned.
A moment later, Adrian reappeared, now wearing a simple black t-shirt that somehow made him look even more intimidating.
Sliding an arm around Benita’s shoulders, Adrian leaned slightly closer to her, his voice dripping with faux affection. “Hey, babe. Everything okay here?”
Benita stiffened, her eyes widening at his unexpected gesture. She glanced up at him, her mind racing. Adrian was playing along, but why?
Her shock melted into a tight smile as she turned to face the man at the door. “Uh, sure, babe,” she said, her voice overly sweet. “This guy here just… lost his way.”
Adrian tilted his head, giving the man a pointed once-over. “Lost your way, huh?”
Kelvin’s mouth opened and closed like a fish, his confidence visibly shaken. “Uh… y-yeah. My bad. I… I must have made a wrong turn.”
Adrian hummed, his lips quirking into a subtle smirk. “Happens to the best of us.”
Benita’s nails dug into her palms, her patience wearing thin. “Well, thanks for stopping by. Have a good day.” She reached for the door, but Kelvin suddenly blurted out, “Benita, wait—”
Her heart skipped a beat, but before he could finish, Adrian’s arm tightened ever so slightly around her shoulders. “We’re kind of in the middle of something here,” he said, his tone firm but polite.
Kelvin hesitated, then forced a sheepish smile. “Right. Of course. Sorry for the interruption.” He stepped back, nearly stumbling over his own feet, and walked away.
As soon as the door shut, Benita exhaled loudly, leaning against the doorframe. “What was that?”
Adrian arched an eyebrow. “You tell me. That guy looked like he had history with you. Is that the ex-boyfriend?”
Benita shook her head quickly, brushing past him. “It’s nothing. Forget it.”
Before Adrian could press further, the doorbell rang again.
Benita groaned, muttering, “What now?” She opened the door without hesitation, only to freeze for the second time that morning.
Standing there was Lisa, her best friend—or at least, the woman who used to be her best friend.
“Benny!” Lisa’s eyes were wide, her face pale. She looked desperate, almost frantic.
“Lisa?” Benita’s tone was sharp, her guard immediately up.
“I… I need to talk to you,” Lisa stammered, glancing nervously at Adrian, who was now leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed as he observed the scene.
Benita folded her arms, narrowing her eyes. “I’m busy.”
Lisa’s face crumpled, and she took a shaky step forward. “Please, Benny. It’s important.”
Adrian caught the flash of pain in Benita’s eyes and straightened slightly, ready to intervene if needed.
“I don’t have time for this,” Benita said coldly, moving to close the door.
“I’m pregnant!” Lisa blurted out, her voice cracking. “And it’s Kelvin’s.”
The air seemed to leave the room. Benita froze, her hand still on the doorknob, her mind struggling to process what she’d just heard.
“What did you say?” she whispered, her voice dangerously calm.
Lisa’s eyes filled with tears. “I didn’t mean for it to happen! It just… it just did.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened, his gaze flicking between the two women. He had pieced together enough to understand that Lisa’s words had cut deep.
Benita let out a bitter laugh, stepping back from the door. “Wow. You’ve got some nerve showing up here to tell me that.”
Lisa wiped at her tears, her hands trembling. “I didn’t know who else to turn to. I’m scared, Benny.”
“Don’t you dare call me that,” Benita snapped, her voice rising. “You’re scared? You’re scared? After what you and Kelvin did to me, you think I care how you feel?”
Lisa flinched, but before she could respond, Adrian stepped forward, placing a hand on Benita’s arm.
“Maybe this isn’t the best time,” he said softly, his tone measured.
Benita shook her head, her eyes blazing with anger. “No, let her speak. Let her explain how she thought it was okay to betray me—not once, but twice.”