After the poll concluded and the results were tallied, the group decided to take a lighthearted diversion by playing a game of Truth or Dare, but with an intriguing twist. The setup was straightforward: we would arrange ourselves in a circle, with an empty glass bottle placed strategically in the center. The bottle would be spun with fervor, its glass glinting in the dim light. It would whirl around, gaining momentum until it slowly came to a halt, pointing toward one of us. The person at the bottom of the bottle would then pose the question to the person at the head: Truth or Dare?
Choosing Truth would require the answerer to respond honestly to whatever question was asked while selecting Dare meant they had to undertake a challenge posed by the other player. However, the game came with a daring twist—if anyone opted out of answering or refused to fulfill the dare, they would be subjected to taking a shot of alcohol.
As much as I appreciated the spirit of games, I found myself firmly against participating. It felt too risky, especially considering that there were individuals present who relished the opportunity to tarnish my family's reputation. Not everyone was eager to join in the festivities, but those who were began to form a circle around the bottle. The air buzzed with excitement as Eve, Thia, and Liam—among the most enthusiastic participants—settled into their spots. Their eagerness only heightened the tension for me.
With a playful shove, Liam initiated the game by spinning the bottle with a dramatic flourish. It rotated energetically before finally stopping, its neck directing attention to Mary, a girl who used to be a close friend of mine. The head of the bottle pointed to a girl seated beside her whose name I didn't know—a stranger in this intensified scenario.
"Truth or Dare?" Mary questioned with an impish grin.
"Truth," the other girl replied, her voice steady but laced with anticipation.
"Who's your worst and favorite ex?" Mary's inquiry sent ripples of laughter through the group. I couldn't shake the feeling that this game was teetering precariously on the edge of a social disaster. Such questions could ignite conflicts that led to company wars, not to mention how deeply personal they were.
"My worst ex is Sebastian, and my favorite ex is James," the girl declared candidly, prompting uproarious laughter in the room, much to my dismay. Gradually, the noise subsided, and the game resumed, the bottle spinning once more. However, it seemed to have a mind of its own, as it stubbornly skipped over both Eve and Thia, visibly irking them.
The tension peaked when the bottle finally pointed to Liam and Thia. This was a significant moment—I could feel everyone brimming with anticipation. The arrow of fate landed on Thia, and the collective gaze in the room shifted towards her, heartbeats quickening. Liam, undeniably good-looking, stood at the center of everyone's attention, but I felt an uneasiness brewing in my stomach.
"Truth or Dare?" This inquired, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Truth," Liam responded, his tone betraying a twinge of hesitation.
"Who have you had the biggest crush on?" Thia asked, throwing a curveball that caught everyone off-guard. I certainly didn't see that coming, but it was the kind of revelation that fueled the fiery atmosphere in the room.
Faced with the unexpected pressure, Liam paused, wrestling visibly with the choice of either drinking or sharing a secret. Then we locked eyes—his deep gaze momentarily stealing my breath. I could feel a hot flush creeping up my neck as panic flared within me. No, no, no—I did not want this attention. Yes, I had harbored a crush on him, but I had no desire to act on it, especially not in front of others. The weight of potential scandal hung in the air like a heavy fog.
"Kayla," he finally admitted, the name dropping like a bombshell in the room. Instantly, I felt the heat of embarrassment wash over me, and I had the desperate urge to escape the uncomfortable predicament. The buzz of collective attention turned toward me, and the sensation of multiple eyes on me felt suffocating. This was not just playful banter; it had the potential to spiral into rumors I didn't want to be a part of. I was acutely aware of the possibility of someone recording this moment.
"Kayla!" I heard Thia call out, pulling me from my thoughts. I hesitated before venturing a glance back at her.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her brows knitted together in genuine concern.
"Nothing's wrong; I just feel a bit uncomfortable with everything that just happened," I replied, casting a sideways look at Liam, who stood behind Thia, seemingly attempting to convey some unspoken apology.
"Where are you going? It's already midnight," Eve interjected, sensing my unrest.
"I just need to find a quiet spot to decompress until dawn," I replied, hoping my voice didn't betray the rising panic.
"Let me come with you," Thia insisted, determined as she began to maneuver down the staircase.
I dared to glance back at Liam one last time before following Thia, the need for clarity pushing me onward. We made our way towards the pool area on the ground floor, a familiar enclave where we often found solace.
"I thought you should be thrilled to know that he has a crush on you too," Thia remarked, trying to lighten the mood as we walked side by side.
"This is entirely different. I feel like I was specifically targeted," I said, unable to shake off the uncomfortable feeling of being the center of attention.
"How do you mean?" she asked, stopping mid-stride to face me fully, concern etched across her features.
"I'm friends with Liam on Instagram. I engage with his posts regularly, yet he's never sent me a message. Now, out of nowhere, he's publicly declaring he has a crush on me. He could have just taken a shot instead; I know he drinks. Think about it—this all seems calculated."
"I can see where you're coming from. That does raise some eyebrows," Thia replied, stroking her jaw in thought. The tension between us began to morph into a somber realization that I might not be overreacting.
"I think he might be trying to boost their company's sales by igniting dating rumors. I heard whispers that they're on the verge of bankruptcy," I suggested, my thoughts racing.
"You know their family often resorts to contract marriages, right?" Thia asked, her tone grave.
"Yes," I confirmed, still watching her, eager for her next insight. But she only raised an eyebrow, the wheels in her mind turning.
"What are you implying?" I inquired, already bracing myself for where this conversation might lead.
"Maybe he's trying to make a daring move on you," she implied, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"Not! Not a chance!" I retorted, lightly smacking her on the shoulder in playful admonition.
"Liam is a massive red flag. Sure, I've had a crush on him, but I was under no illusions that anything serious would materialize."
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to us, Liam had followed Kayla and Thia, hoping to find a moment to apologize. Eavesdropping on their conversation, he caught every word, his thoughts spinning as he processed what he had just overheard.