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After a long and exhausting week, a girls' night was exactly what I needed. There I was, curled up on Marielle's bed, absentmindedly stroking Silvia, her pristine white cat, as she lounged comfortably in my lap. The soft rhythm of my fingers against her fur was soothing, a contrast to the faint hum of the city outside.

Marielle stood in front of her vanity, carefully applying the finishing touches to her makeup. She pursed her lips, adjusting the deep shade of lipstick that accentuated her features, then ran a hand through her dark waves, ensuring each strand fell perfectly into place.

Tonight was about unwinding—drinks, laughter, and catching up. But more than anything, I was curious about Arthur. Lately, Marielle and he had been spending a lot of time together, and that intrigued me. It wasn't like her to grow close to a guy, not after her last breakup. She had always kept a certain distance, guarding herself behind a carefully built wall.

I still remember when she first moved in with me years ago, leaving behind the comfort and security of her family's influence. She had been desperate for independence, for a chance to carve out her own path—one that wasn't dictated by her father's wealth or expectations. And she did. Now, she had a job she was passionate about, a reputation built on her own merits, and a home she could call her own. She no longer lived in the shadow of her father's name.

Her ex, however, was a different story. A rich snob who had been more of a family obligation than a true relationship. For the first couple of months, he wore a mask of charm, pretending to be the perfect gentleman. But once that facade cracked, his entitlement seeped through, revealing the person he truly was. Even now, despite everything, he still tried to win Marielle back. A futile effort, but one he refused to abandon.

Marielle suddenly turned to face me, pulling me from my thoughts.

"How do I look?" she asked, spinning in place to give me a full view of her outfit. The backless black dress hugged her figure effortlessly, the fabric smooth and elegant against her skin.

"Stunning," I said, giving her a thumbs-up.

She grinned, a spark of confidence in her eyes. Tonight was hers to own.

🤍🤍🤍

The rooftop bar stretched out before us, a quiet sanctuary above the hum of the city. The skyline shimmered in the distance, a sea of golden lights against the inky night sky. A gentle breeze carried the faint sounds of laughter and clinking glasses from the bar below, but up here, it was peaceful—the kind of night where conversation flowed effortlessly, uninterrupted by the usual chaos.

I swirled the gin in my glass, letting the coolness of the drink contrast with the warmth of the evening air. Beside me, Marielle leaned against the railing, her gaze lost in the twinkling skyline.

"So," I began with a teasing lilt, "Spill. What's going on between you and Arthur?"

She rolled her eyes, but the soft pink dusting her cheeks betrayed her. Marielle wasn't one to blush easily, and that alone made this interesting.

"He's a dork," she admitted, a small smile tugging at her lips. "A cute dork. He's funny, kind... Do you ever just meet someone and immediately know they're good? Like, their soul is just pure?"

I raised a brow, taking a slow sip of my drink. "You really like this guy."

"I'm testing the waters," she said with a light shrug. "So far, it's only a toe dip."

"Damn, not even a whole foot? Just a toe?" I smirked, and she nudged me playfully with her elbow.

For a moment, we stood there, letting the city sprawl out before us. The night was young, and the air buzzed with an easy energy. But then Marielle turned to me, her tone shifting.

"I heard you ran into John's grandmother?"

My grip tightened slightly around my glass. John. The name alone sent a ripple through me. I hesitated for a beat before simply nodding. "Yeah."

She studied me, waiting for more, but I wasn't ready to open that door. Not tonight. Instead, I pivoted, launching into a half-hearted rant about my internship—how it was both exhilarating and completely kicking my ass. It was easier to talk about biopsies and cases than to think about him.

Marielle let it slide, taking a sip of her drink. She understood.

And for now, that was enough.

Two men sauntered toward us, their confidence practically radiating from their smug expressions. We knew their type all too well—the kind who strutted in, convinced that a few smooth lines and a cocky grin were all it took to sweep a woman off her feet.

It was almost amusing, really. The way some men assumed women were so easily charmed, as if a well-rehearsed pickup line held any real magic. At times, it was even worth indulging in the spectacle, just to watch their efforts crumble when we turned them down without an ounce of remorse. And no one delivered a rejection quite like Marielle.

"Hey—" one of them started, leaning in as if he were about to drop the most irresistible line of the century.

Marielle didn't even let him finish. With practiced ease, she raised a hand in front of his face, silencing him before his tired words could pollute the air.

"I don't need either of your corny, half-baked pickup lines ruining our night," she said coolly, bringing her glass of gin to her lips. "So do us both a favor—save your breath and move on to your next attempt."

Blunt. Effortless. Unapologetic.

Classic Marielle.

The man's pride was bruised, his ego fragile. His grip tightened around Marielle's wrist as he leveled her with a sharp, scrutinizing gaze. A slow smirk curled his lips.

"Pretty, and a smart mouth," he mused, his voice laced with condescension.

My pulse quickened. "Let go of her," I warned, my voice firm despite the knot of unease twisting in my stomach.

Both men exchanged amused glances before chuckling at my defiance. One cocked his head, eyes gleaming with mockery. "Or what?"

I opened my mouth to retort, but before a single word could escape—

"Is there a problem here?"

The deep, commanding voice sliced through the tension like a blade. It was a tone that didn't ask but demanded an answer.

I turned toward the source and, for the first time, found myself relieved to see a familiar face.

***

AUTHORS NOTE:
Hey loves ❤✨

Did you guys like Addilyn's POV ?

Well buckle up guys. Get ready 👀😂✨

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