ABSOLUTE INSANITY: A forbidden bond

Chapter 289: Shopping

Chapter 289

KATYA POV

The phone vibrated again in my hand. Michael.

For a second, I just stared at his name on the screen. Then I exhaled quietly and answered.

"Hello?" There was a brief pause. Then his voice came through, a little surprised.

"Oh—hey. I didn’t actually expect you to pick up." Guilt pressed lightly against my chest.

"Hi, Michael," I said, adjusting the phone against my ear as I leaned slightly against the side of the car. "Sorry. I’m just getting my phone back."

"That’s a relief," he said, the tension in his voice easing immediately. "I thought you were ignoring me again."

Again.

The word sat there. "I wasn’t," I said quickly. "I left my phone in Chiara’s car that night." Behind me, the driver’s door opened.

Chiara slipped into her seat, but the moment she saw the phone against my ear, her eyes widened dramatically.

She leaned toward me immediately, lowering her voice into an exaggerated whisper. "Who’s that?" she mouthed.

I ignored her. She leaned closer. "Is it handsome Michael?" she whispered louder this time, her eyebrows wiggling.

I shoved her shoulder with my free hand. "Leave me alone," I muttered under my breath.

On the other end, Michael hesitant voice came. "...Uh sorry?" he asked.

I sighed quietly. "No, no—it’s not you. It’s Chiara. She just got in the car." In the background, Chiara rolled her eyes and mouthed rude before starting the engine.

"She can be... annoying," I added.

"I heard that," Chiara muttered, already adjusting her mirrors.

Michael chuckled softly. "Sounds like her."

The engine came to life, and the car slowly began moving out of the parking area.

"So," he continued, "where are you guys?"

"We came back to the beach," I said, watching the waves in the distance as Chiara pulled onto the road. "To retrieve the car we forgot that night. Remember?"

"Oh yeah, I do," he said and I nodded instead of speaking and that brought us into a silence that was not comfortable but not completely awkward. Just... empty.

I stared out the window as the car moved, the sound of the engine filling the space between his breathing and mine.

I cleared my throat. "So... uh," I said, forcing my tone to stay casual. "Where are you?"

There was a brief pause on the other end. And for some reason, I found myself waiting for his answer more carefully than I expected.

"I’m at work," Michael stated and I blinked. "Work?"

"Yeah. At the club." I frowned slightly, trying to picture it. The last time— Yesterday at dinner —he mentioned the place, it had still been concrete, wires, and unfinished walls, right?

"The one you were building?" I asked. "How’s it going? Last time you said, it was still under construction?" It was more of a question than a statement.

In the background, I heard faint sounds—voices, movement, something being dragged, and music testing through speakers in short bursts. Michael let out a small laugh. "That’s the thing."

I waited. "It’s not under construction anymore," he said. "Everything’s done." I straightened slightly in my seat. "Done?"

"Completely," he confirmed. I could hear the pride in his voice now, the kind that comes from months of stress finally turning into something real.

"Lights, sound, bar, VIP section, everything. We finished the final inspection this morning."

"Oh," I said, a genuine smile forming before I could stop it. "That’s... that’s really nice." There was a short pause, and then he added,

"Actually... today is the opening."

My brows lifted. "Today?"

"Yeah. Opening night. Soft launch. Private guest list, industry people, friends, partners. Nothing too crazy yet. The official grand opening is next week." He spoke as I looked out the window, watching the road move past us while Chiara drove.

"That’s amazing, Michael," I said honestly. "Congratulations. You’ve been working on this for what, months now?"

"Almost a year," he corrected quietly.

That made me pause. "Wow then seriously... congratulations. That’s a big deal."

"Thank you," he replied. There was warmth in his voice. Relief too.

For the next few seconds, neither of us spoke until he did and his tone shifted slightly. More careful. More hesitant.

"Actually..." he started. I felt something in my chest tighten a little.

"I was wondering..." he continued slowly. "If you’re free tonight." My fingers tightened slightly around the phone.

"I mean," he went on quickly, like he didn’t want to sound pushy, "it’s opening night, and I know you probably have plans, and this is last minute, but..."

He paused.

Then, softer, "Would you like to come? As my guest?" Everything inside me went still and I didn’t answer. I stared ahead, but I wasn’t seeing the road anymore.

Tonight? A club? His guest? In another life, another version of me would have said yes immediately. Easy. Simple.

But my life wasn’t simple anymore. Not with the house. Not with Romeo there now.

"Uh..." I started. My throat suddenly felt dry. "I... I don’t know if I—"

The car slowed. We stopped at a red light. And before I could form another word, the phone disappeared from my hand.

I turned sharply. "Chiara!" She had snatched it so smoothly I hadn’t even seen her move.

She pressed it to her ear immediately. "Michael!" she said brightly. "Congratulations on your club! That’s huge!"

My mouth fell open. On the other end, there was a surprised pause. Michael’s voice came, slightly confused but amused, "Uh... thank you?"

"Yes, yes, we are very proud of you," Chiara continued like she had been part of the project from day one. "Now, the important question."

I reached for the phone. She leaned away.

"Chiara..."

"What’s the address?" she asked.

I froze.

On the other end, Michael hesitated. "The address?"

"Yes! For tonight." Chiara said smoothly. Michael voice came through again, cautious and careful, "Does that mean you’re coming?"

Chiara smiled, glancing at me with a look that said you’re welcome. "Yes," she said confidently.

"We are."

My eyes widened.

"Chiara!" She ignored me. Michael’s tone shifted immediately, relief and excitement mixing together.

"Yeah, of course. I’ll send it to Katya’s phone. You don’t need to worry about entry. Just give your names at the door."

"Perfect," Chiara said. "We’ll be there."

The light turned green. She ended the call before I could protest and placed the phone back in my lap like nothing had happened.

For three full seconds, I just stared at it. Then I slowly turned toward her.

"How the fuck did you hear all of that?" Chiara adjusted her sunglasses, eyes back on the road.

"I have excellent hearing."

"The phone was not on speaker, Chiara." I hissed but She only shrugged and chuckled, lifting a finger to her lips.

"Shh, Katya. We’re going shopping for tonight." My stomach tightened. What the heck had I agreed on?