Chapter 9 Executing The Plan

Robert pulled a chair and sat beside Mandy.

"You are a handsome man, Robert. It is a pity that you can't be my boyfriend."

Robert arched an eyebrow and studied her. The bartender started mixing an exclusive cocktail for his boss as soon as he saw him with a woman. However, Mandy was immersed in her thoughts that she didn't notice what was happening around her.

"I didn't mean to kiss you last time. But you kissed me in return." Mandy thought that the man refused to be with her because she had barged into his room and kissed him. Therefore, she wanted to make her intentions clear to him.

Robert pursed his lips and studied her face. He wondered what she was going to say.

"Look, I have come here to be friends with you. I'm not a bad woman, and most importantly --" Mandy paused as a mysterious smile crept on her face. ''-- I will not tell anyone about your sexual preference. It will be our little secret."

The smile on Robert's face vanished in an instant. Just then, Noah entered the bar and saw Robert sitting with Mandy. He was surprised that the man had come out on a date.

"It is a good idea; think about it. I don't mind if you want to continue your relationship with that man. Don't worry about others; your secret is safe with me. You can continue to see your boyfriend, and I could be your best friend with whom you can share your feelings and emotions. What do you think?"

Mandy eyed him with expectation. It seemed like the perfect plan that would be beneficial for both of them. Since Robert was confused about his sexuality, she could help him figure out what he wanted.

Although everyone was entitled to their preferences, Mandy assumed that someone had forced Robert to be with a guy. She felt that the man was going through a phase and that he would eventually start seeing women again.

Robert closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I have said this before, and I'm saying this again," he hissed through his teeth, stressing on every word.

The anger simmering in his heart was waiting to explode, but he tried controlling himself.

Judging Robert's tense posture and the expression on his face, Noah understood that the man was furious. He feared that his boss would vent out his anger on him.

"We are not in a relationship. I am not his boyfriend. Do you understand?" Robert was on the verge of exploding. Why couldn't the woman understand a simple truth? She preferred living in her imaginary world, believing what she felt was right.

"Well, that makes things easier. I can ask you out without feeling guilty." Mandy smiled. She thought that Robert was still hesitant to accept his sexuality.

"I don't care if you are into men. You could still be my boyfriend." She patted his shoulder and flashed a generous smile.

Robert groaned with frustration. "I'm sorry. I'm not ready to accept your offer." He somehow liked Mandy's candid approach. She was bold and straightforward, unlike other women who threw themselves at him -- at least for a night's pleasure. Mandy shone like a diamond among the other women who were interested in his good looks and wealth.

Robert could predict the moves of every woman who tried winning him over, but Mandy continued to be an enigma.

He stared into the woman's eyes, wondering what she wanted from him.

He had been curious about her since the first time she kissed him.

"You might not want to be with me now.

But I will keep pursuing you until you accept me." Mandy smiled confidently. She hadn't met anyone who caught her interest and wasn't ready to let go of Robert -- even if their relationship was just a means to put an end to her family's torture.

"Oh, are you sure?" Robert arched an eyebrow.

The woman's confidence amazed him.

"I'm not forcing you, so think before you decide what you want. And don't worry; I will not spill your secret out even if you don't want to be with me." Mandy smiled, praying that he would agree.

"I am just asking you to pose as my boyfriend. I won't create any problem. Please think about it."

Mandy had charted an entire plan in her head, thinking that Robert would accept her. Introducing him to her parents would solve all her problems.

Mandy's aunt had been calling her only to talk about marriage. She had lied about being in a relationship without thinking about the repercussions. Her mind was whirling with countless thoughts. How was she going to answer their questions?

A loud voice of a woman snapped Mandy out of her reverie.

"You actually made the handsome man at the stall apologize to you?" one of the girls asked, shaking her head in disbelief.

Robert and Mandy looked at each other before listening to their conversation.

Mandy peered through the crowd and saw that it was the same woman who had caused trouble the previous day.

"Yeah. Honestly, that guy was incredibly handsome. But he was rude and arrogant. It took a great deal of effort to make him apologize to me," the woman guffawed, twirling a lock of her wavy hair.

The women accompanying her laughed in return.

She looked like a woman from a wealthy family. The people couldn't offend her even though she was just bragging.

The bar was quiet except for the melodious ballad blaring in the speakers. Everyone's focus naturally flitted to the noisy women.

The woman's shameless attitude disgusted Mandy.

"Looks like you have apologized to her in her version of the story," Mandy teased. Robert's heart skipped a beat every time Mandy smiled.

The woman's unique attitude drew him closer to her.

"She is just bragging." Robert shrugged nonchalantly. He had met several women like her who cooked up stories for attention. The problem had ended and he had no intention of revealing the woman's lies in front of her friends.

But Mandy didn't want to let go of her easily.

"How did you put up with such a bitch? God! She is annoying." Mandy witnessed what happened last night with her own eyes.

She couldn't watch the woman bragging and twisting the truth like that.

Robert craned his head and looked at the woman, who was still chatting with her friends.

"What are you going to do?"

Mandy rubbed her hands excitedly. "Expose her lies." She stood up, smoothed her dress, and sauntered towards the woman.

"Interesting." Robert propped his chin in the palm of his hand as he eagerly watched Mandy's next move.