Everything had finally started falling into place.
The chaos that once threatened to break them apart had settled, and somehow, the group had found its way back to each other. Janaya was back to her lively self, like nothing had ever dimmed her light. Maya and Tan had gone on countless dates, growing closer with each passing day. And as for Jason and Elena… their bond had only deepened.
Peace.
For now.
"Babe! What do you think about a double date… or maybe even a triple date?" Maya asked excitedly as she walked beside Tan, pushing a cart filled with household items.
"No," Tan replied immediately. "I'm a very shy person, and you know that."
Maya stopped walking and turned to him, giving him that look.
"No, babe… you don't have to do the talking. You have me. And trust me, it's going to be fun. I've been thinking about this for a while, and I really want it," she said, her eyes soft, almost pleading.
Tan looked away quickly.
"Don't give me that face. I hate that I can't say no when you look at me like that."
"Please, babe…" Maya dragged, holding his arm gently.
Tan sighed.
"Okay, okay… just do whatever you want, my princess," he said, finally giving in with a smile.
Maya's face lit up instantly.
"Thank you, baby. I love you! Oh—and I was thinking we should change the kitchen rack too. I want something unique."
Tan shook his head slightly, smiling.
"Of course you do."
Later that day, Maya dropped a message in the group chat.
"Hey guys! I was thinking… what do you all think about a triple date?"
Minutes later, Timothy replied:
"Are we going to wait for me to have a girl first?"
"I'm talking to Janaya and Jason. You're hopeless when it comes to love, Timothy," Maya replied immediately.
"Wow 😭 I mean… I could rent a girl for that day. Please guys."
"You guys know how Damian can be… very tough sometimes. Telling him about this is already scaring me," Janaya replied.
"Use your girl power. That's why you're his woman. Do I need to remind you?" Maya fired back.
"Sorry to say this, but no amount of girl power will make me go on a date with all of you," Jason replied.
"That's my boy," Timothy added instantly.
"I'll add Elena to this group and tell her myself if you won't," Maya threatened.
"No! No! Please… I'll tell her myself. Jesus, how is your man still with you with this your character?" Jason replied.
"He loves me either way," Maya shot back.
"So Janaya, talk to Damian and pick a date, okay?"
"Guys… are we sure this is not a bad idea? Damian can be really cold sometimes. He has never said no to me before. If he says no now… it will hurt," Janaya admitted.
"Maya, add Damian to the group and tell him yourself. Why aren't you threatening Janaya like you did to me?" Jason asked.
"Janaya, don't be scared. The worst he can say is no," Timothy added.
"Nah, he won't say no. Who wants to bet?" Maya typed confidently.
"I've lost too much money betting with you people these past few days. I'll pass," Jason replied.
"Same here," Timothy added.
And just like that…
The group went quiet.
Everyone suddenly had the same problem—
How would they convince their partner to show up?
Later that day, Janaya walked into the kitchen to meet the chef.
"Hey Ma'am, don't bother about cooking for my man today. I have something special in mind," she said confidently.
"Ma, I'm afraid he said we shouldn't stress you," the chef replied carefully.
"You'll stress me if you make me repeat myself," Janaya said.
That was enough.
The chef bowed slightly and walked out of the kitchen.
While Janaya focused on preparing dinner, Jason was in his room rehearsing.
He stood in front of the mirror, forcing a smile.
"Hey babe, I was thinking… maybe a triple date with my friends?"
He paused.
Shook his head.
"No. That's terrible."
He sighed and gave up.
Just then, his phone buzzed.
It was Elena.
"Hey babe! I got us matching outfits, and trust me, it'll fit you so well."
Jason stared at the message for a few seconds, a smile slowly forming on his face.
Then he typed:
"I actually have a triple date planned with my friends… we could wear it there?"
"A triple date? Count me in," she replied almost instantly.
"I've always wanted to meet your friends. This is perfect."
Jason blinked.
That was… too easy.
Relief washed over him.
Before he could even process it, another message came in:
"Jason, I have a client to attend to right now. We'll talk later tonight. I love you."
Jason smiled softly.
"Okay. Talk to you later."
It seemed like everyone had figured things out…
Except Janaya.
She couldn't bring herself to say it.
Damian wasn't exactly the type to sit around with her friends, laughing over random conversations.
"The aroma from this food… I didn't expect to see you here. Why are you cooking?"
His voice came from behind.
Janaya turned.
Damian was already close, his hand resting on her waist.
"I wanted you to taste something I made. I've never cooked for you before, so I thought…" she said, turning fully to face him.
"Tell me, is there something you want? Money? A vacation? Women usually do something new when they want to ask for something," Damian said, placing a soft kiss on her neck.
"No… it's not money. It's not a vacation. It's something else," Janaya said, her hands resting on his shoulders.
"What is it, baby?" he asked, his voice low.
"Do you… I don't know if… can we…" she stuttered.
"Can we what?" Damian asked, now serious.
"You won't say no to me?" she said, holding his hands.
"Tell me what you want, Janaya."
She closed her eyes for a second.
"A triple date… with my friends this weekend?"
Silence.
Damian stared at her for a moment… then stepped back.
"No, baby. I'm too busy for that," he said simply, walking out of the kitchen.
The words hit harder than she expected.
Her chest tightened.
Just then, her phone buzzed.
"You guys won't believe it. My babe agreed—she was even excited about the date," Jason sent to the group.
Janaya read it and sighed.
"Why can't things ever be easy for me…" she muttered under her breath.
A few moments later, Damian walked back in.
This time, more relaxed—shorts on, a towel around his neck, casually biting into an apple.
"If I agree… what do I get in return?" he asked.
Janaya turned immediately.
"What do you want?"
Damian paused, a small smirk forming.
"Something that makes it worth my time."
"What do you want?" she repeated, more serious now.
He stepped closer.
"I get to eat you up till day break?"
Janaya blinked.
"What? I've not fully recovered from the last one. My leg still shakes occasionally" she said
"Relax," he said lightly. "I'm just saying… after the date, you make it up to me."
She exhaled, shaking her head.
"No Mr.Damian. I might not survive this time"
"Deal or no deal?" he asked, raising a brow.
She hesitated for a second…
Then sighed.
"Deal."
A slow smile spread across his face.
"I need to tell the world my man is crazy…" she added.
"… Crazily in love with you," he completed, walking away casually, still biting his apple.
Janaya stood there for a moment…
Then smiled.
Finally.
She could go back to the group chat and proudly say—
her man agreed too.
Somewhere else…
Daniel sat quietly, scrolling through the group chat.
A faint smile played on his lips as he read through the chaos—
the arguments, the jokes, the excitement.
The date.
The time.
The location.
He noted everything carefully.
Every detail mattered.
Moments later, he placed a call.
"Dad, there's a triple date happening this weekend. All six of them will be together. It's the perfect time to attack," Daniel said calmly.
On the other end, a low, dark laugh echoed.
"The moment I've been waiting for," Victor said.
"I'll send you your team pass tonight. Inform them and plan accordingly. And Daniel…" his voice dropped slightly, "don't touch Damian."
A pause.
"The rest? Injure them, kill them—I don't care. But Damian… I want him to suffer."
Daniel's eyes flickered.
"Okay, Dad."
The call ended.
Almost immediately, Daniel returned to the group chat.
Then he typed:
"Me and Timothy should tag along as dates since we're both single."
"Good idea," Timothy replied instantly.
"I told my babe we are three already," Maya added.
"Yeah, one more couple won't hurt," Timothy said.
"You guys are not even couples," Janaya replied, laughing.
There was a pause…
Then—
"I forgot to tell you all… I'm into men. And my spec is Daniel," Timothy typed.
"Wait WHAT???" Jason replied immediately.
"What??!" Maya added.
"What is wrong with you people?" Janaya typed.
"I hate to admit this, but we once kissed," Daniel added casually.
"We did??" Timothy replied, completely shocked.
"Okay… okay… since when did this start?" Maya asked, confused.
"A few weeks back. But the kiss happened yesterday," Daniel replied.
"WHAT???? I'm out of this group," Janaya typed.
"Holy Mary!" Jason added.
"Wait… this is not a prank?" Maya asked again.
"I see why you never had a woman. It's because you're into men?" Jason typed.
"Yes. I liked you at first, but Vivian came in," Timothy replied.
"Sorry to say, but you can't handle me," Jason fired back.
"More like you can't handle Timothy. Have you seen his inches?" Daniel added smoothly.
"Okay… I might actually throw up," Jason typed.
"Let's just let them come with us. I'm still trying to process all this," Janaya replied.
"This is actually so weird. You guys are friends and you've been… eww," Maya added.
And just like that…
The conversation shifted.
Laughter. Chaos. Confusion.
No one suspected a thing.
But behind the jokes and madness—
Daniel had already secured his place.