CHAPTER 9: I Like You

11:00 PM – Secret Meeting

"Zack, I missed you!" Wren hugged Zack tightly.

"Me too!"

"How did you sneak out?"

"I followed the woman buying groceries. You know the gatekeeper is forgetful—he still thinks I'm her son."

"No one saw you?"

"It was thanks to Cam convincing his guard friend that I managed to get in unnoticed."

"Speaking of which, where is your 'Cam baby'?"

"He'll be here soon."

Right on cue, the door opened, and Cam walked in.

"I'm Cam," he introduced himself.

"Zack, as you know."

"I didn't know you were this handsome," Zack teased.

"I know, right? Too bad I love boobs," Cam shot back.

"Such a shame," Zack sighed, and they both burst into laughter.

"Are you guys done chitchatting?" Wren interrupted.

"No—"

"Whatever," Wren cut Cam off.

"Let's get to business. Cam, you said Zoe likes you but refuses to admit it?" Zack asked.

"Yeah, he claims he's confused."

"Then we need to push him into acknowledging his feelings."

"Zack's right," Wren agreed.

"But how?" Cam asked.

Before Zack could answer, there was a knock at the door.

"Who could it be?" Cam whispered.

"Hope no one saw you coming," Wren asked Zack.

"No one did," Zack assured.

"Who is it?" Wren called out.

"It's me."

The three of them exchanged glances.

"Let's check the peephole," Cam suggested.

They peered through.

"Zoe?!" they all whispered in unison.

Relieved, they sighed.

"I almost had a heart attack," Wren muttered, clutching his chest.

"Me too. Now, your man is here—go handle him before he wakes the whole house," Zack said, nudging Cam. "Update us in the group chat tomorrow morning."

"Night, guys," Cam whispered before stepping out.

"Night," they replied. Wren shut the door, making sure Zack remained hidden.

"Now," Zack smirked, "let's talk about your man."

"I have so much to tell you," Wren grinned.

"I know—'he's the most handsome man ever'—blah, blah, blah."

"But he is! He's—"

"People in love always see their crush as the most handsome," Zack teased.

"Who said I'm in love?"

"I did."

"I'm not."

"It always starts with denial."

"It's just attraction. A crush, maybe. But not love."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night."

"Anyway—back to what I was saying—he is the most handsome."

"Are you implying I'm not as handsome as him?" Zack raised an eyebrow.

"Are you handsome?"

"You—!" Zack was speechless before launching himself at Wren, chasing him around the room.

Minutes Later

"Now, repeat after me: 'Zack is the most handsome,'" Zack said, holding Wren captive.

"Zack is the most handsome," Wren laughed.

"Good. Now, bedtime."

"But Zack—"

"No, I need to wake up early."

"Fine. Good night."

"Good night."

The lights switched off, and they drifted off to sleep.

Zoe's Room

"We've been here for half an hour, and you're still beating around the bush," Cam said, crossing his arms.

"Okay," Zoe sighed. "I know you're using Wren to make me jealous."

"What? Who told you that?"

"I just know."

"That's a lie."

"Admit it."

Cam hesitated. "Fine. I was trying to make you jealous, but—"

"I knew it! You had a crush on me, and I—"

"Thank God you used the past tense," Cam interrupted.

"What do you mean?"

"You said 'had' a crush. Had. Not anymore."

"I don't get it."

"At first, I used Wren to make you jealous. But over time, I realized… he's not so bad. He's everything I want in a man. You know how in those stories, someone tries to make their crush jealous but ends up falling for their fake boyfriend?"

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah. I think I should consider Wren. You weren't picking up on the jealousy act anyway. I was this close to confessing my feelings to him when you dragged me away. Imagine if I had—our eyes would meet, the air would turn steamy, and then we'd kiss—"

"I don't want to imagine anything," Zoe interrupted.

"Why? Unless… you have feelings for me?"

"Who said I don't?"

"You do? Don't tell me it's just because I was about to confess to Wren."

"No! I swear it's not that. I've figured out my feelings."

"And?"

"I like you. A lot."

"Oh." Cam pretended to be unaffected.

"Just 'oh'?"

"What do you expect me to do? Jump on you after everything I've been through?"

"I'm sorry for taking so long to realize it, but I promise I'll treat you well. From now on, I'll love you."

"I thought you liked me just now?"

"It'll grow into love."

"I hear you. But I have to talk to Wren first before I give you my answer."

"Okay. I'll wait."

"Good night." Cam stood up to leave.

"You're going?" Zoe asked.

"Yes. Wait… is that how relationships work? You confess and expect to sleep together immediately?"

"That's not what I meant! I just asked."

"Good. Good night."

"Good night. Love you."

"I thought you liked me just now?"

"I presently love you."

"Jeez… I never knew you were this fast. Whatever. Good night."

Cam shut the door before he could hear Zoe's reply.

Walking five steps from Zoe's room, Cam suddenly broke into a happy dance.

"Long live the My Man Alliance! We made the impossible happen!" He clasped his hands together in a dramatic bow.

"I need to recruit more members. I'll tell Wren and Zack tomorrow!"

With that, he headed to his room, still grinning.