The Velvet Room

Stick To The Plan

Robin sat waiting for Malia, the townhouse feeling too large and empty even with the morning sun streaming through the windows. She paced, replaying the night before in her head. The Don's eyes, the way he’d gripped her arm – it all felt like a dark cloud hanging over her.

A sharp knock echoed through the hallway. "It's me!" Malia's voice chirped, pulling Robin from her thoughts.

Robin opened the door, forcing a smile. "Hey! Come on in."

Malia breezed in, her energy filling the space. "So, spill! How did it go? Did you get close to my father?"

Robin hesitated, leading Malia to the living room. "It was… complicated." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "He asked me to dance. In the VIP section."

Malia's eyes widened. "And? What did he say? Did he mention anything about the business?"

Robin sat down, the weight of her decision pressing down on her. "He didn't talk business, Malia. He… he got a little too handsy." She finally admitted. "I don't know if I can keep doing this."

Malia's face fell, but her expression softened as she saw the distress in Robin's eyes. "What do you mean? What happened?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"I just… I didn't expect it to be like that," Robin said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I can stomach getting close to him like that, especially if he’s going to act that way."

Malia reached out and took Robin's hand. "Hey, it's okay," she said gently. "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it would be like that for you. You don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with, Robin. I really appreciate you trying to help me, but not at your expense."

Robin looked at her friend, relief washing over her. "Really? You're not mad?"

Malia shook her head. "Of course not! Your well-being is more important than anything else. Maybe we can find another way. This whole thing has been a mess. Maybe it’s best if I just leave things as they are."

"Maybe you're right," Robin said, squeezing Malia's hand. "Maybe there's a way to expose him without getting either of us hurt."

There was a sudden knock at the door that startled both Robin and Malia. The sound echoed through the spacious townhouse, breaking the tension that had settled between them. Robin glanced at Malia, who raised an eyebrow, clearly curious about who could be visiting.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Malia asked, her voice low.

Robin shook her head and walked over to the door, opening it cautiously. Standing on the doorstep was a delivery person holding a small, unmarked box. "Delivery for you," they said, handing it over without a second glance.

"Thanks," Robin replied, her brow furrowing in confusion. She closed the door and returned to the living room, placing the box on the coffee table. Malia leaned forward, her curiosity piqued.

"What's that?" Malia asked, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.

"I have no idea," Robin said, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. She sat down on the couch, the box resting in her lap. Slowly, she began to peel away the tape, her heart racing as she wondered what could possibly be inside. As she lifted the lid, her expression shifted from curiosity to shock.

"What is it?" Malia leaned in closer, her voice a whisper.

Robin pulled out a set of sleek car keys, the metal glinting in the light. Attached to the keys was a small tag with a logo that made her stomach drop. "These… these are keys to a car," she stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Malia's eyes widened as she recognized the logo. "Wait, is that…? No way. That’s a luxury car! Robin, who sent this?"

Robin's mind raced, piecing together the implications. "It has to be the Don," she said, her voice trembling. "But why would he send me this? What does this mean?"

Malia's expression turned serious, her worry evident. "This isn't good, Robin. If he’s sending you gifts like this, it means he’s interested in you. And that kind of interest… it’s dangerous."

Malia sat back, her hands clasped tightly together. "We need to figure out what his intentions are. This could mean he wants to pull you into something deeper, something you don’t want to be part of."

Robin nodded, fear creeping in. "I thought I could handle it, but I didn’t realize how serious he was. What if he wants more than just business? What if he thinks I’m… I don’t know, a trophy or something?"

Malia’s eyes darkened. "That’s exactly what I’m worried about. My father has a reputation, Robin. He doesn’t just let people walk away. If he’s taken an interest in you, it could lead to trouble."

Robin felt a wave of nausea wash over her. "What do we do? I can’t just ignore this. I can’t drive that car; it’s like a target on my back.

Malia smiled, a determined glint in her eye. "We’ll figure it out. Together."

As they sat there, the weight of the keys in Robin’s hand felt heavier than ever. The Don’s interest in her was not just flattering; it was a dangerous game, and she was now caught in the middle of it. They needed a plan, and fast, before the situation spiraled out of control.