When Jada stepped out of her room the next day, three gossipmongers were lounging on her couch. She went inside the restroom to wash up and brush her teeth and when she stepped out, there were already four of them.
Kobe has arrived.
"Are we not going out tonight? It's Saturday!" Ada asked no one in particular.
She looked at them one by one before sitting next to Ada. "Yeah, no gimmick?" she asked too.
"Us? Why? You're not joining?" Honey asked, confused. She even secretly nudged Kobe for backup.
"Come on Jada, let's go out tonight!" the man chimed in.
"No, thanks! You know I don't like going out when I'm here," eyeing Honey for help.
"You mean you came back some time ago?" Kobe asked. Jada nodded at him and he frowned, turning to Honey and creasing his forehead at her.
"You guys broke up at that time!" she said immediately to defend her friend.
"You came back without letting me know? I thought we were friends. I thought I was your second BFF?" he stated dramatically.
"So what are we then? Third and fourth?" Ada butted in, pointing at himself and Bambi, and everyone laughed at him.
Jada sighed at him, smiling faintly, "It took me a year to come back. Besides, we only stayed here for a while. I was in the US for two years, seven months in Singapore, then two months in Japan. Before I came here, I was in France for three months. Now I'm not sure how long I'm staying here," she explained. "Besides, I really don't like going out here, it's so hot!" flipping her hair before laughing.
Honey hummed, grabbing her arm and shaking it, "Let's go out later, sis! I do miss going out too," she pouted. Jada narrowed her eyes at the woman and saw her glance at Kobe.
"Honey's right Ja, it's been a while since we all hung out," there you go, there goes the backup. "Besides, Lyken's not here. He's in Singapore for a business meeting so you're safe," he added, grinning at Jada.
'Safe? Me? Why should I be the one to feel safe when he's the one who did me wrong?' Jada thought to herself.
She laid back on the couch, thinking. She's a little apprehensive about going out, but even Bambi and Ada are now begging her to agree.
"Please..." they all said in unison.
Jada forced herself to nod and she was startled when the pinks screamed happily. They're like kids promised a Happy Meal.
It was only 10 AM, they still had eight hours to prepare for their night out. Honey and Jada, together with the pinks, decided to go to the spa for some relaxation, and then they ate out.
When they came back, Honey and Jada decided to sleep to pass time. Ada and Bambi did the same on the couch. Kobe, on the other hand, went back to their office to attend a meeting.
At the spa earlier, he calls Honey to let everyone know that Steve and Robin are joining them. Jada also found out that RJ migrated to Canada three months after she left the country.
After several hours, Jada woke up to the sound of the phone ringing. It was Honey's phone and it was Kobe calling, so she woke her up.
She looked at the wall clock and it was already past 5 PM, it was time to prepare for their gimmick. Jada went straight to the bathroom to take a shower again before waking Ada and Bambi up.
She then went to her room to get ready while Honey went back to her unit to do the same. After a few more minutes, she could hear the pinks' shrill voices.
Jada peeked outside her room to see what was going on. When she saw the familiar faces in her living room, she didn't have to ask why the pinks were freaking out.
"Sorry, we just got excited. If you didn't come back, we wouldn't even see these two," they almost said in unison, referring to Robin and Steve.
She chuckled and shook her head in amusement before going back in and facing her dresser to finish preparing. Jada wore an ash-colored tube paired with ripped shorts and gladiator sandals.
She added a bit of makeup and accessories and she was done. When she came out, the pinks couldn't stop praising her.
"O-M-G! My talent's really gorgeous!" Bambi shrieked.
She walked towards them, making a turn as if she was on a ramp. She enjoys modeling. That's why she does her best at every event so she can get invited often.
After almost an hour, Honey came back to her unit. Jada and Honey's tops look the same but Honey's come with a plunging neckline in pastel pink. It wasn't revealing but she looked sexy in it.
She paired it with a denim skirt and open-toed sandals. She looks dashing. Oh well, they're best friends anyway!
It was around 7 pm when they heard the doorbell. They knew it was Kobe, so she grabbed her purse to get ready to leave. Honey, Ada, and Bambi did the same.
"Ohhh Kobekins, you look dapper!" she praised him, then tapped his shoulder.
"You too, Jadakins, you look stunning!"
"That's right! I praised you so you can praise me back. That's what friends are for!" then they both laughed after a high-five.
When they came out of the building, two cars were waiting for them. She suddenly felt cold but she calmed down when she realized that the first one was Kobe's car and the other one was Steve's.
Jada took the initiative and went for Steve's car. She's pretty sure the pinks will squeeze themselves into Kobe's car.
Robin opened the door for her and Steve gave her a high five when she got in. Both were quiet on their way to the bar, they didn't bother asking her anything.
And because the car's radio was on, she started singing. Jada sang along to all the songs played and both men couldn't stop laughing at her.
As soon as she stepped out of the car, she saw Kobe's frowning face. He was about ready to rip off his ear in irritation.
"What happened?" Jada asked, though she already knew what pissed him off.
"These two!" he exclaimed, "They rode with us but they won't stop screaming, looking at Steve's car," he narrated, stomping his feet.
Ada and Bambi, both embarrassed, tried their best to hide behind Honey. But they couldn't stop themselves from squirming when Steve and Robin waved at them.
Jada shook her head. She suddenly remembered how we were back in college. Things were simple back then. No complications whatsoever.
They used to go out as a group during weekends. They even go out on weekdays if all of them don't have morning classes the next day.
They'll hang out at their favorite spot and Lyken and Kobe will pick them up after their review. They'll eat out, then they'll drive them home.
Their routine was the same the next day, but it was still fun. Still exciting. Honey and Jada would still look forward to it every day. Until that damned day.
Kobe walked towards the bar with Honey holding his arm. Rob did the same for Jada, while the pinks hung on Steve's arms.
"The guys have been checking you out since we stepped out of the car," Robin told her, clicking his tongue.
"That's what I'm here for. So that the guys can check me out!" she joked. It was really meant as a joke, but then Kobe heard it and he shot her one of his deadliest death stares.
Jada gave him a flying kiss before smiling sheepishly. He even pointed his finger as if sending her a warning, but she just laughed at him.
When they got in, Jada let go of Robin's arm and told him she'd go to the CR first. She had to retouch her makeup as she got all sweaty because of Robin's reaction. She then joined them right after.
They're already seated on the VIP table, not far from the dancefloor. They actually picked a good spot as people don't pass by often and the music's not that loud.
Jada ordered vodka while Honey opted for some ladies' drink. Kobe, Steve, and Robin settled for whiskey, while Ada and Bambi ordered vodka as well.
There are only a few people at the bar and Jada likes it that way. Not too crowded. Not too suffocating.
"You did change a lot, Jada. I almost didn't recognize you" she smiled at Robin after what he said.
"Same man," Kobe seconded, and Steve nodded at them in agreement. She could only chuckle at their reactions.
'Well, it won't be Jada 2. 0 for nothing.'
After an hour of drinking and catching up, Ada asked them to dance. Jada even saw Kobe widen his eyes when he saw her one-shot the contents of her glass before joining the pinks.
All three men, together with Honey, remained sitting. She knew why they were going to talk about her again.
She grabbed a bottle of beer from the waiter passing by her and then winked at him before pointing at their table. The waiter nodded and left. She jumped onto the dancefloor and turned her party mode on.
Whenever she turns around to look at their table, she can see all four of them whispering to one another, but they will stop when they see her looking. They were very obvious.
Jada doesn't mind though, she understands. It's because until now, they couldn't solve the mystery behind her sudden change.
She knows they're not used to her being like that. Back then, she couldn't even talk to Steve and Robin because she was shy.
Jada felt like it was unfair to not tell them anything. To not let them in on what happened almost 3 years ago, but she can't help it.
She really can't force herself to tell them anything. She's certain they'll find out soon. But not now, she just can't.