The Phone Call
1125 Words
Jade stood by the kitchen counter, tossing frozen strawberries into the blender. The sharp chill bit at her fingertips, but she barely noticed. She was still trying to shake off the remnants of that ridiculous dream. André Young, of all people? Her subconscious had a terrible sense of humor.
It was Saturday, which meant comfort over style. She wore her favorite oversized shirt and loose pajama pants, her hair tied in a messy bun. She was in no rush, leisurely pouring almond milk into the blender before adding a drizzle of honey. The rich scent of strawberries filled the air as she pressed the button, the gentle hum of the machine momentarily drowning out her thoughts.
She grabbed a glass and poured the smoothie, admiring the thick, pink swirl. A small moment of peace.
Then her phone rang.
Jade frowned, glancing at the screen. The number was unfamiliar. She hesitated, fingers hovering over the answer button.
Who would be calling her this early?
Curiosity won out.
“Hello?”
“Good morning, Ms. Ventura. Hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.”
Jade nearly dropped her glass.
That voice.
Smooth, confident, with the faintest hint of amusement.
André.
Her grip tightened around her phone. “How did you get my number?”
His low chuckle sent an uninvited shiver down her spine. “You underestimate my resources.”
She was about to demand a real answer when he added, “A certain girl with a red bow might have had something to do with it.”
Jade’s jaw dropped. Apple.
Of course.
That woman.
She pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling sharply. “When I see her on Monday, I swear I’m going to strangle her. With her own red bow.”
André chuckled again, the sound infuriatingly pleasant. “She told me you’d be expecting my call.”
Jade narrowed her eyes. “Oh, how thoughtful of her.”
She made a mental note to have words with Apple later. Betrayal. Treason. She should’ve known better than to trust someone who always looked like she was scheming something.
André, clearly enjoying himself, continued. “Anyway, I thought I’d check in. See if you’re still upset with me for canceling last night.”
Jade sipped her smoothie, using the pause to school her expression—even if he couldn’t see her. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m absolutely delighted.”
“I knew it.” His voice oozed amusement. “But I’m sure you’ve already forgiven me.”
“Oh, have I?” she deadpanned.
“Of course.”
The audacity.
“You know,” he continued, as if she hadn’t just called him out, “I’d hate for you to miss out on my company. How about we reschedule? I’m a firm believer in second chances.”
Jade nearly choked on her drink. His company? As if she’d been heartbroken over his absence?
She set her glass down with a little too much force. “Not interested.”
“Now, now, don’t be so hasty.”
Jade rubbed her temple. This man was relentless. “I have better things to do than entertain your ego.”
André laughed softly. “You’re cute when you’re mad.”
Her fingers twitched. She was seriously reconsidering her stance on violence.
“Fine,” he said, the smirk practically audible in his voice. “I’ll stop pestering you. For now. But don’t get too comfortable, Ms. Ventura. That raincheck still stands.”
Jade rolled her eyes. “In your dreams.”
She ended the call before he could get the last word, sighing as she stared at her phone.
Unbelievable.
She took another sip of her smoothie, hoping the coldness would drown out the irritation bubbling inside her.
But before she could fully enjoy her drink, her phone rang again.
She groaned. This man.
“I have plans.” She didn’t even bother with a greeting.
“No, you don’t.”
Jade Jade clenched her jaw, resisting the urge to throw her phone across the kitchen. “Excuse me?”
“I said,” André repeated, his voice entirely too smug, “you don’t have plans. Which means you’re free.”
She exhaled sharply. “And if I did have plans?”
“Cancel them.”
Jade scoffed. “You are unbelievable.”
“And yet, here you are, still talking to me.”
She was going to hang up. Right now. She really was.
“Sunday,” he said before she could press the button. “Afternoon. I’ll pick you up.”
Jade frowned. “For what?”
“Our date.”
She blinked. “Wait—”
“Since I still have things to do tonight, Sunday works better.” His voice was smooth, as if it were already decided.
Jade hesitated for half a second before she caught herself. No. She was not getting dragged into whatever this was.
“I never agreed to anything.”
“Oh?” André hummed. “Well, that’s unfortunate.”
A beat of silence.
Then, his next words sent every nerve in her body into high alert.
“Guess I’ll have to call your school admin then.”
“I’ll tell them how devastated I was to be stood up. How I reconsidered my sponsorship for the school because a certain Ms. Ventura didn’t even bother to show up.”
Her mouth fell open. “You—”
“Relax,” he interrupted, laughter in his tone. “I’m kidding.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Are you?”
“Mostly.”
Jade clenched her jaw. “I don’t like you.”
“That’s a shame. Because I kind of like you.”
She could hear the smirk in his voice, and it irritated her to no end.
Her fingers tightened around her phone. He was impossible. Infuriating.
And yet, here she was, still talking to him.
Jade inhaled deeply before exhaling through her nose. Fine. If this was a game, she’d play. But on her terms.
“Sunday, then.”
“That’s the spirit.”
She rolled her eyes. “Opo, Kamahalan (Yes, Your Highness).”
A low chuckle. “You’re adorable, Ms. Ventura.”
“And you’re annoying.”
“Yet you still agreed.”
Jade sighed, rubbing her temple. “I already regret this.”
“No, you don’t.”
Before she could fire back, the call ended.
Jade stared at her phone, gripping it tightly as if she could somehow strangle him through the screen.
She took a deep sip of her smoothie, letting the cold sweetness cool her irritation.
Sunday.
This was a bad idea. A very bad idea.
But she wasn’t about to back down.
- Writer
