Rachael's lip curled into a smile as she listened to the last part of the recording. Breathing in and out gently, she rested on the books on the dining table.
She has been secretly recording Zack's every word. After all, Zack was not cautious enough not to reveal his plans. Right from the time, she called Joy a dumb girl till when Zack even proposed to him. It was more like a loose end on his part.
Rachael raised her head looking at the small recorder containing all Zack's voices. Rachael fully realized it was time to put Zack in his right place. If Joy gets to hear the recordings, she won't let him go scot-free, especially if she realizes that Zack was simply playing with her feelings.
Rachael felt a wave of calmness within. It was a good thing to sacrifice just to get one's friendship back on. She has missed her best friend, Joy, even Heaven can testify.
Rachael shifted slightly as she heard the doorbell ring. She looked at her wristwatch which clocked 5 pm. She was not expecting anyone. Even her mum won't be back not until 7 pm.
Keeping the recorder safely in her side pocket, she made her way to the door. Opening it only to meet the last person she least expected, Zack.
"Hey, beautiful lady," Zack smiled widely as Rachael scoffed inwardly. 'Why is he such a pest?', she could not help but think.
"What are you doing here?" She asked,
"Well, my mum made some brownies so I thought I would bring them over for your mum. Can I come in?", he questioned, his eyes looking calm, which only made Rachael have a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.
" You can bring it. I will deliver your message to my mum," Rachael hesitated, bringing her hands to collect the brownies from him.
"Oh, I insist. And do you think I will take advantage of you," Zack pinpointed as Rachael frowned slightly?
"Come right in then," Rachael sneered, making way for him as he stepped inside, walking towards the center table as he dropped the plate of brownies on it.
Closing the door, Rachael stood on the other end of the living room. Zack moved towards her, as her heartbeat fast.
"You seemed to be stubborn against what your hormones brought for you,"
Rachael felt her throat dry up at the words of Zack.
"I do not understand what you are saying," Rachael deadpanned, looking sideways.
"Oh really? Well, your blazing eyes say it all. You keep suppressing that feeling, even against your will. How courageous," Zack looked at the girl in front of him, his expression more lively. It was obvious he was beginning to fall for Rachael.
All the time he had spent with both Joy and Rachael, he still finds his heart tingle when around Rachael. As for Joy, she looks like a pawn in his hand. But was she a pawn? Only time will tell.

Rachael knew in her heart that Zack knows about her feelings for him. How he knows that she does not have any idea about. It was like a burden for Rachael to develop feelings for a player like Zack.
"Are you done being a drama king as well as delivering your speech? If yes, buzz off," Rachael never gave in as she stated sternly. Within a swift, she turned to leave.
"Have you heard?"
Rachael stopped, feeling her back hair stand up at Zack's shrill voice.
Turning abruptly, she said
"What are you planning again,"
She gently placed her right hand in her pocket, putting on the recorder.
"You are curious again, my lady," Zack let out in a Russian accent.

Rachael kept quiet, glancing at Zack slightly.
"We are taking our relationship to a new level. After all, we are over a month in this relationship,"
Rachael's face was wrinkled. She understood pretty well what Zack meant. He simply wanted to have sex with her friend and then dump her. This thought makes her burn in fury.
"It is obvious you see my friend as a plaything. How shameful of you," Rachael glared at him.
"Shameful? I am not shameful. Girls are easy to use and dump. They are frail, and using most of them as pawns is so easy," Zack chuckled.

Rachael raised her hand to slap Zack but was stopped mid-way by Zack's hand. He held her arm, and Rachael was shocked.
" Angry huh? Try to be calming down. After all, I did not see you as a pawn. I like you," Zack chuckled.
Rachael grimaced as she let go of her hand from Zack.
"Get out," she ordered as she glared at him.
"Okay, dear. Do think about my proposal. It is the only thing that can change my mind. And of course, try to focus more on your studies. Exams are behind the corner," Blowing her a kiss, he strolled out of the house feeling satisfied.
Rachael sat on the chair as she pulled out the recorder. It is high time she put Zack in his right place. Looking at her last hope, she made it in mind to tell Joy everything the next day.
It was true she has not been preparing well for his exams, but she still had to put Joy's interest at heart. 'Joy, Zack is playing you," she whispered before sleeping off.

.....THE NEXT DAY
Rachael looked at the recorder as she locked it in her locker. Taking it along to class is a disadvantage as she might lose it.
Today, she is planning on playing the recordings at school. In the cafeteria, precisely. It was the perfect time to reveal Zack's real nature both to Joy and other girls obsessed with him.
Closing her locker, she peeked sideways as she saw Joy walking down the hallway. She adjusted as she fastened her walking pace to get to Joy.
"Joy, wait up," Rachael called out
Joy stopped, turning back suddenly. "What is it again Miss Jenkins," Sarcasm was written over Joy's as she glanced slightly at Joy.
"I have evidence that Zack does not have good intentions for you, " Rachael said.
"Oh really! Where is the evidence then?" Joy requested?
"At the cafeteria today, I will show it to you," Rachael assured as Joy nodded slightly.
"All the best. If this is not true, expect more of my angry self. Not only do I trust Zack, but I am wary of those trying to put an end to our relationship," Joy deadpanned, before strutting away.
Rachael was restless throughout her first and second lessons. She can't wait to get Joy back to being her friend. Just because of this, the group friendship has been in the mud. It was a sad sight to see.
English was supposedly her best subject but concentrating now was more like forcing herself. She is waiting patiently to reveal the truth to Joy.
The bell rang signaling lunchtime. Rachael did not waste time, as she made her way out of the class, immediately their English teacher left.
She increased her pace as she moved to the front of her locker. She opened it as she looked for the recorder, but never saw it.
She moved two steps behind as she breathed in and out. Scrambling through her belongings in the locker, she felt her breath hitch for a while.
She felt disoriented as she could not find the recorder. She facepalmed trying to remember where she kept it, but could only remember she left it inside her locker.
"Looking for something?"
Rachael felt her hair stand up, as she felt goosebumps.
This is not happening