A knowing smirk played on Dawson’s lips as he weaved his way through the throng of dancers, effectively interrupting Darryl’s make out with Blondie. Dawson was not surprised by the sight. In fact, he had never expected less from Darryl.
When he got Darryl’s text that they should have a drink at the club, he knew Darryl would never leave without having a fling. Undoubtedly, he had already met one, a Blondie to be precise.
Dawson shaked his head as she settled down on the sofa opposite the sofa Darryl and Blondie occupied. Darryl untangled himself from Blondie, he whispered into her ears and this caused her to giggle before taking her leave.
“Do you have a specific taste for women? Dawson asked Darryl as he watched him straighten his shirt, dusting away the remnants of his make-out session with Blondie.
“I do have a specific taste, Man. Don’t underestimate me.” Darryl replied in a joking manner.
“I don’t think so.” Dawson nodded his head sideways, showing he was not buying Darryl’s answer.
“Why would you say I don’t have a specific taste when it comes to women?” Darryl inquired.
“Take a look at Tania, Phoebe, Vanessa, this blonde and the others, they don’t have anything in common. Not even a similar hair color.” Dawson explained the reason behind his question.
“Variety is fun, my friend. I wouldn’t blame you because you are stuck with your wife.” Darryl teased Dawson.
“I settled down with Carolyn, I’m not stuck. You can’t understand because you can’t relate when it comes to marriage,” Dawson retorted.
“Coming from a man with an arranged marriage.” Darryl laughed, it was louder than the booming music. ” We are not so different, you know, right?
“We are not the same, either,” Dawson interrupted before Darryl could finish whatever he was saying.
“How are we not the same? Love didn’t work out for you, so you settled for an arranged marriage. Love didn’t work out for me also, but I don’t plan on settling down any time.” Darryl said.
Dawson understood where Darryl’s word came from. He knew Darryl was hurt by his first love and, seriously, he had not taken anyone seriously. However, Darryl can’t compare their situations. Dawson, on the other hand, got married because his family arranged his marriage with Carolyn. And that doesn’t mean he has not found love in his marriage.
“I’m married, you are not. Therefore, we are not the same. Case settled.” In a joking manner, Dawson ended the conversation because he didn’t want to open Darryl’s old wound.
“You know I met the blonde because of you.” Darryl noticed how Dawson closed the topic so he changed the topic of their conversation.
“How? I don’t remember introducing you to anyone.” Dawson countered Darryl’s claim.
“You did because you got here late. Do you expect me to wait for you all by myself?” A wide grin etched on Darryl’s face as he accused Dawson.
“You are unbelievable, man. Do you expect me to run to you like a knight in shining armor?” Dawson marched Darryl’s energy as he replied.
“Are you saying you can’t be my knight in shining armor?” Darryl asked sarcastically. “You just hurt my feelings.”
“Why did you leave work earlier than usual? Dawson asked.
“There was nothing much to do at the office.” Darryl shrugged casually.
“Are you saying Vanessa’s presence could not make you work late?” Dawson teased.
“This is not about Vanessa,” Darryl said in a dismissive way.
“I don’t believe that claim. Since you met Vanessa, everything has been about her.” Dawson accused him.
“Fine, it is about her.” Darryl gave in and confessed to Dawson’s claim.
“What have you done this time?” Dawson asked.
“What do you mean? What have I done? Why do you think I did something? Must I be the one to do something?” Darryl countered.
“We all know you have the power to do things.” Dawson teased him.
“I didn’t do anything this time. I just told her to stay away from Phoebe, but she wouldn’t listen. Why would she be so stubborn?” Darryl inhaled deeply, trying to control the anger brewing inside of him.
“The same Phoebe?” Dawson asked in disbelief.
“Yes, the same, Phoebe,” Darryl answered.
Darryl knew if Phoebe and Vanessa became friends, his chances of being with Vanessa would be ruined. And Vanessa was not making it easy to separate her from Phoebe. He thought of other ways to cause their separation, but he knew nothing would work when it came to Vanessa.
“This game with Vanessa is becoming a tough one for you. You should quit now if she is giving you a hard time.” Dawson advised his friend.
“If I wanted an easy task, I wouldn’t have settled for Vanessa. And I didn’t come this far to give up now.” Darryl winked.
If Vanessa continued to be hard to get, he was willing to find another way to keep her for himself. Even if he was going to marry her. The thought of marriage brought Darryl back to reality. Was he willing to get married because of Vanessa? He thought.
Dawson noticed Darryl was lost in his thoughts, so he asked him what he was thinking about. “What’s on your mind? What is your next move?”
“Since Vanessa won’t listen, Phoebe will have to listen,” Darryl smirked.
“You think Phoebe would give up without a good reason?” Dawson asked.
“I will give her a good reason to stay away from Vanessa. And she must do it quietly without raising the suspension from Vanessa.” Darryl clarified.
“Man, how did you come up with all these ideas?” Dawson was taken aback by Darryl’s lifestyle. He knew Darryl was an intelligent man, but he didn’t expect him to use his intellect to play women.
Darryl rubbed his hands together as he leaned forward. “I’m a player for a reason,” he teased Dawson.
“So you know you are a player.” Dawson laughed at his friend’s claim. He wondered if players recognized themselves as players.
“I’m just embracing the title given to me by my fans,” Darryl answered jokingly.
From the VIP lodge, Darryl sighted Phoebe’s as she entered the club. A satisfying smile etched on his face as he saw her. Dawson saw that his attention was not with him, so he turned to see what was making Darryl smile.
“Talk of the devil.” Dawson and Darryl said simultaneously. Their faced mirrored a knowing smile as they watched Phoebe approach them.