It started small - the way all betrayals do.
Two days after that brunch, Derrick texted Keisha about meeting for dinner. She was busy in a meeting at work, so she told him she'd call later. By the time she finally checked her phone, there was a message from Monique.
Monique: "Girl, just ran into Derrick at the gas station! Small world, huh?"
Keisha:"Really? What's he doing on your side of town?"
Monique:"He said he was grabbing something before heading home. We only chatted for a minute."
Keisha shrugged it off. Atlanta wasn't *that* small, but fine.
---
Two Weeks Later
Keisha and Derrick had plans for dinner. He canceled, saying he was "working late." Later that night, Monique called, her voice syrup-sweet.
"Hey girl, you know Derrick likes Pinot Noir? I'm thinking of getting a bottle for y'all next date night."
Keisha smiled into the phone. "That's nice of you, Mo."
But she didn't know Monique was already Googling *best wine pairings with steak* while Derrick was sitting on her couch.
---
The Texts
At first, it was "innocent" check-ins.
Monique: "Hey, what's Keisha's favorite flowers again?"
Derrick: "Roses. Why?"
Monique: "Just making sure I get the right ones for her birthday."
But soon…
Monique: "You still up?"
Derrick: "Yeah. Can't sleep."
Monique: "Me either. Guess we both got insomnia."
By the end of the month, the messages were full of emojis, inside jokes, and just enough flirty undertones to make them dangerous.
---
Beauty Shop Warning
One Saturday, Keisha was back at Miss Gloria's, getting her silk press touched up. Miss Gloria leaned in like she was about to give the secret recipe for collard greens.
"Baby, I'm gon' tell you this once… watch your plate. Somebody's eating off it with you, and they ain't even asking for a fork."
Keisha laughed it off. "You always saying something dramatic."
Miss Gloria didn't blink. "And I'm always right."
---
Monique wasn't just circling Derrick - she was circling Keisha's blind spots.
And the day she finally slid all the way in… there'd be no turning back.