A couple of weeks passed, and by then, everyone—and their mother—was fully aware of Bobby and Lili's budding romance.
Well.
Everyone except the two people actually involved.
Over the past two weeks, Bobby had been meeting Lili every single day—per Foca's instructions. The reason was simple: Bobby needed to get to know Lili better, to understand her, to find inspiration for finishing the rest of her song.
Bobby agreed immediately.
No questions asked.
Very, very excited.
As Bobby and Lili met day after day, the paparazzi were having an absolute field day.
They were like a gift that just kept on giving.
Bobby and Lili were spotted all over New York's most iconic landmarks—Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building. They were seen strolling casually through famous parks too—Central Park, Bryant Park, just to name a few.
They were photographed sitting at an outdoor café, looking entirely too comfortable with each other. Laughing candidly. Exchanging those sweet smiles that could rot teeth on sight.
The kind of sweetness that makes you feel sick—and dentists absolutely furious.
They were captured walking close together, Lili hooking her arm easily around Bobby's as they strolled. It made them look like a couple that had been married for years.
It was that obvious.
Fortunately—or unfortunately, depending on who you asked—the two people at the center of this rapidly growing celebrity gossip storm were safely tucked inside their own beautiful little bubble.
Completely oblivious to the waves they were causing.
And not just any waves.
These were tidal waves. The kind that swallowed cities whole.
Thankfully, for the majority of netizens, it seemed that the "couple" had their support. And although there had been no official announcement, the way Bobby and Lili carried themselves so openly made it hard not to assume they were already hard-launching their relationship.
That was all the public knew.
What they didn't know was that even after Bobby and Lili parted ways for the day, they remained in constant contact—texting, video calls, endless messages stretching late into the night.
It got so bad that even Bobby's fellow artists weren't spared.
They, too, became unwilling victims of the cruelty known as puppy love.
Especially the single ones.
****
And so, one day—over lunch, of all times—the Kweens decided they'd had enough.
As Bobby's self-appointed, adopted gay aunties, it was officially time to get things straight.
Bobby sat alone at the table, blissfully unaware of the impending interrogation. He was smiling like an absolute loon, eyes glued to his phone as he read Lili's texts—grinning so hard it was honestly embarrassing.
"Hey, boo!" Pink called out as he and the rest of the Kweens arrived, setting their plates down and sliding into their seats. "Who you talkin' to?"
Bobby snapped back to reality at the speed of light—nearly getting whiplash in the process.
"Oh—hey!" he said quickly, flashing a smile that was equal parts charming and deeply panicked. "How've you been, beautiful people?"
He was trying to play it cool.
Unfortunately for him, he was dealing with the Kweens.
"You tell us, babes," Kitty said, pointing at him with a long, manicured acrylic nail. "You been sittin' here alone, laughin' and shit, glued to your phone the whole damn time."
"Mmhmm," Pink hummed in agreement. "You ain't even noticed we got here. You been on that phone like it's payin' rent. What's gotten into you, boo?"
"I—I'm not sure I'm following?" Bobby said, genuinely confused.
"Oh, honey," Aqua chimed in smoothly, arms crossed. "We're gay. Not stupid. You didn't think we wouldn't know, did you?"
"Erm… know about what?" Bobby asked, still very lost.
The Kweens exchanged looks.
A pause.
A collective realization.
"Papi," Javi said carefully, leaning forward, "you do know your… budding relationship is all over the internet, right?"
Bobby's eyes widened.
Not with realization.
With more confusion.
"What relationship?" he asked.
"Uh—" Kitty blinked. "You dating that chick, Lili. Like… both of y'all are plastered everywhere. Did you honestly not know?"
"Wha—? Dating?" Bobby stammered. "Dating who?"
Disbelief flooded his face as he finally did what he apparently hadn't done in weeks.
He checked his social media.
And there it was.
The very first thing staring back at him.
An article.
Not speculated.
Not alleged.
Written boldly. Loudly. In all caps.
BOBBY MILLER AND LILI: DATING.
****
When Bobby's face went pale, it finally dawned on the Kweens that he genuinely didn't know.
Like… at all.
"Wait," Aqua said, concern cutting through his voice. "You didn't know?"
"No…" Bobby answered slowly, shaking his head. He set his phone down on the table, looking like his soul had fully exited his body.
Honestly, at that moment, Bobby felt like it would've been better if it actually had.
Because what do you mean everyone was talking about it—everyone knew—except him?
Was he that naïve?
That detached?
Did it really look like he didn't give a flying fuck?
What was it about him that made this whole thing pass right over his head?
The truth was… he did know. Just not like this.
He had fallen for Lili—hard. And once that happened, everything else blurred. For the first time in his life, someone mattered more than the noise, more than the world around him.
And unfortunately, he got swept up too fast.
Too deep.
He never stopped to think about how it would affect his life.
Or his career.
He didn't regret falling for Lili.
What he regretted was how reckless he'd been about it.
"I—I honestly didn't know this was going on," Bobby said quietly, the weight of it all crashing down on him. He wanted nothing more than for the ground to open up and swallow him whole.
He rubbed his face slowly with both hands as the Kweens exchanged worried glances.
Pink and Kitty, seated closest to him, moved in instinctively—Pink rubbing slow circles against his back, Kitty squeezing his upper arm in quiet comfort.
"Bobby, you are fucking mental…" Bobby muttered to himself, kicking his own ass internally for being so careless.
"Hey, hey," Javi said gently. "It's gonna be alright, papi. You'll get through this. Plus, Sir Foca would've already called you if it was getting that bad, right?"
And just like that—
As if the universe itself was playing a sick, cruel joke—
One of the Vampire Squad approached their table.
And of course it had to be Bobby's personal manager.
Ruach.
"Bobby…" Ruach began, his calm voice carrying the energy of a grim reaper. "The CEO is calling for you."
Javi immediately clapped both hands over his mouth, eyes going wide.
"Holy shit…" Pink breathed.
"That is some voodoo shit," Aqua muttered.
And Kitty just… started hiccupping.
Bobby's heart dropped straight into his stomach.
He knew this was coming.
He'd fucked up. Thoroughly.
Now it was time to face the music.
If taking accountability could save Lili's career—her reputation—then he would do it. No hesitation.
Bobby stood slowly and followed Ruach without a word. The Kweens tried to give him encouraging looks, and Bobby returned a small smile.
It was all he had in him.
Once Bobby and Ruach disappeared, Aqua, Pink, and Kitty immediately turned on Javi.
Smack.
"Bruja!"
"Bitch—that hurt!" Javi yelped, rubbing the sore spots. "But I deserved that."
And honestly?
We love a queen who takes accountability.
Even if none of this was intentional.
Just coincidence.
Cruel, perfectly timed coincidence.