Chapter Four

"Wait, wait, let me get this straight," Aubrey said, turning to look at Fabiola as she styled her hair at the salon. "Joshua had feelings for you, and that's why Sefa broke up with you? Bitch, what the fuck did you do?" Aubrey asked pointedly. 

"Nothing!" Fabiola replied. "I treated Joshua just like how I treated the rest of Sefa's family. I have no idea how this happened," Fabiola continued.

Aubrey asked Fabiola, "So, what are you going to do now that you know the real reason Sefa broke up with you? Are you going to take him back? Stay away? What's the plan?" Aubrey shook her head as she spoke.

Fabiola shrugged, uncertain of what to do. She felt relieved that Sefa hadn't actually ended their relationship over a lack of commitment. However, she now questioned whether she could continue seeing Sefa, knowing that Joshua might still have feelings for her - she did not want to come between the two brothers.

Fabiola explained that if she decides to date Sefa again, she will have to deal with Joshua, and believed no one would leave them alone together anytime soon because she suspected his whole family was aware of the situation, or at least his siblings and parents were.

"You should set Joshua up with Kettie since she's your sister and you two share similar personalities," Aubrey smirked. "That way he can get over you, assuming Sefa was telling the truth about his feelings," Aubrey added.

Fabiola tsked at Aubrey's idea, unwilling to put her little sister in harm's way just for the sake of a relationship she was no longer sure she wanted.

"No, I won't drag Kettie into this," Fabiola said. "She doesn't need to get caught in the crossfire just so I can be with Sefa," Fabiola added.

Aubrey shrugged and said, "Well, I'm single and have nothing to lose, so let me handle Joshua for you." Aubrey smirked.

Fabiola gave her a knowing look. "You just want to sleep with him," Fabiola said.

Chuckling, Aubrey replied, "Can you blame me? Have you seen the man?" as she licked her lips.

The salon door opens and Aubrey and Fabiola look over to see who is entering. Aubrey grins as Sefa enters with a large bouquet of red roses.

Aubrey greeted Sefa warmly, noting it had been a while since they'd seen each other. She was pleased to see her friend finally being spoiled by a potential partner after such a long time of singlehood.

As he handed the bouquet to Fabiola, Sefa greeted Aubrey, "What's up, Aubrey." Then he said to Fabiola, "Hey, baby, these are for you," and placed the bouquet on the table.

Fabiola looked Sefa up and down and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Honestly," Sefa answered, "I just wanted to check up on you and see where your head is at after I dropped that bomb on you the other night," Sefa continued.

Fabiola hummed. "A bomb indeed," Fabiola said.

Aubrey cleared her throat, flipped her hair over her shoulder, and leaned in towards Sefa. "I heard about your potential issue and mentioned to Fabi that I have a great idea to keep Joshua from interfering in your relationship," she said.

Frowning, Sefa looked back and forth between Fabiola and Aubrey. "Did you tell her?" Sefa asked Fabiola.

Rolling her eyes, Fabiola replied, "Of course I did - she's my best friend." Fabiola doesn't know why Sefa was surprised that she told Aubrey. She tells her everything. Like she can't keep a damn thing from Aubrey and vice versa.

"Anyway, I was telling Fabi that I could you know the scope of scenery out with Joshua, if you know what I mean," Aubrey said while winking suggestively.

Sefa chuckled. "Oh Aubrey, never change," Sefa said.

"I'm so serious, one week with me and he won't be trying to steal your girl," Aubrey said.

Fabiola finished Aubrey's hair while Sefa sat there and listened to Aubrey's plan. Fabiola could tell that Sefa was taking Aubrey very seriously and even made suggestions to improve her plan.

"You two can't be serious," Fabiola said.

"Girl, you don't even matter in this situation anymore. I'm doing this for Sefa," Aubrey said.

Fabiola feigned sadness, saying with scorn, "So much for ride-or-die loyalty, I guess." Fabiola lightly pushed Aubrey's head.

"This is me riding for you, Fabi," Aubrey said while waving her arms in the air.

Sefa chuckled and said, "Well, Aubrey, let's do something together and see if we can make your plan a reality." Sefa held out a hand.

"Great," Aubrey said, smiling, shaking Sefa's hand.

"Let's wait on implementing her plan until we decide how we want to proceed with this," Fabiola told Sefa, pointing between herself and Sefa.

"I already told you, Fabi, I want you and I'm not going anywhere," Sefa said.

Aubrey clapped her hands and squealed. "I love it!" Aubrey exclaimed, watching their interaction.

"Goodbye, Aubrey," Fabiola said.

"Stay, Aubrey," Aubrey said.

aubreykennedy ✓ • 35m

Aubrey hugged Galina and exclaimed, "Oh my girly, you look so beautiful!" She stepped back to admire Galina's physique before smiling and saying, "Your body looks amazing after having five kids. What's your workout routine? I'd love to join you." Aubrey took a seat next to Joshua at the restaurant table.

"Aubrey, I see you're still a smooth talker," Galina said.

"I'm just telling the truth," Aubrey replied, glancing over at Joshua.

"Joshua," Aubrey said, seeking to get his attention.

Determined to ensure her best friend's happiness, Aubrey had another plan up her sleeve to uncover the truth, and she would not let Joshua obstruct it, even if it meant going against Fabiola's wishes.

"Aubrey, call me Josh," Joshua said.

Aubrey nodded. "Josh, I heard you're the reason Sefa and Fabi broke up. I hope you don't still have feelings for her, because I want to see her in a wedding dress, and I don't see you as the groom," Aubrey said as she got straight to the point.

The table fell silent as everyone stopped talking and stared at Aubrey, seeming to think she was crazy, which she likely was. No one spoke up to stop Aubrey from continuing to question Joshua, as they secretly wanted to hear Joshua's response.

Joshua chuckled and looked at Aubrey before glancing around at the others at the table. Standing up, he asked Aubrey to take a walk with him.

Aubrey stood up and, glaring at Joshua, threatened menacingly, "If you harm me in any way, I'll cut off your dick, blend it into a smoothie, and make you drink it." She then followed him away from the table.

Jon asked, annoyed, "Well damn, why did they have to walk away from the table to have a conversation?" He was irritated that he wouldn't know his twin brother's answers to Aubrey's questions.

Trinity said that Josh was better off letting them hear the rest of the conversation because Aubrey is going to tear him apart.

Sefa and Fabiola looked at each other. "Please tell me she isn't going through with it?" Fabiola asked Sefa.

Sefa shrugged. "This is all her," Sefa answered.

Sitting outside on a bench of the restaurant, Aubrey confided in Joshua, "Fabi is like a sister to me. All I want is for her to find happiness, and I believe she can find it with Sefa. But your actions are preventing that happiness." Aubrey watched Joshua's facial expressions.

"You need to move on from your unrequited feelings for Fabiola, as she will not return them," Aubrey told him.

Joshua nodded in understanding as Aubrey spoke, realizing he would never impede his brother and Fabiola's joy. Though he no longer harbored feelings for Fabiola, Joshua occasionally pondered what could have been if he had pursued her first when they first met at The Experience.

"I understand everyone is concerned that I'll behave as I did years ago when I made Sefa choose between me and Fabiola," Joshua said, "but I promise I won't. It may be awkward at first, I won't deny that, but I believe I can handle it," Joshua added.

Aubrey nodded in understanding. "I've been in a similar situation with my child's father," Aubrey revealed to Joshua.

"Really?" Joshua asked.

"Yes," Aubrey answered. "It was a messy love triangle between him, me, and my stepsister, but I removed myself from it long ago. You can't stay where you're not wanted," Aubrey explained.

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Joshua said sympathetically, placing a comforting hand on her lap. "How did you manage to move on?" Joshua gently asked Aubrey.

Aubrey gave him a smirk. "Got up under someone new," Aubrey answered.

Joshua chuckled and licked his lips. "That doesn't sound too bad," Joshua said.

Aubrey placed a hand on top of his hand on her lap.

"If you are interested in getting up under someone, hit me up," Aubrey said with a wink.

"Are you serious?" Joshua asked her.

"Hell yeah, I got eyes and I'm definitely trying to see what you're working with," Aubrey answered before sighing. "Alright Josh, let's be real: the best way to get over someone is to see them as they truly are - not as some trophy you put on a pedestal or glorified in your mind. Keep that in mind," Aubrey advised.

Joshua nodded. "You got me thinking," Joshua said.