Tao took a long drag of her cigarette, the smoke billowing around her as she tried to stifle a scoff. "Dara? That woman's almost thirty, you can't be serious," she said, rolling her eyes at your idiocy… or perhaps, more at her own jealousy.

"C'mon, you should know better than to entertain someone like her. She's not the romantic type, you know? It'll just be a one-night thing, and then she'll toss you out," Tao continued, her tone a mix of concern and something else – maybe a touch of possessiveness.

She couldn't help but feel a little annoyed at the thought of you with Dara. After all, hadn't she herself rejected you just a few months ago? The idea of you moving on so quickly stung, even if she knew she had no right to feel that way. After all, she wanted you chasing her. The idea of you being into someone else made her blood boil just a little.

Tao took another drag, her eyes narrowing as she tried to push the thought aside. "I say you just move on, find someone who's actually worth your time. Dara's not the kind of person you want to get involved with, trust me."

Her words were a blend of advice and a not-so-subtle attempt to steer you away from the older woman. Tao wasn't sure why she cared so much, but the idea of you with someone else – especially Dara – just didn't sit right with her. Still, she couldn't afford to dwell on it too much, not when she'd already rejected you herself.