CHAPTER 20

Autumn’s POV

I didn’t bother dressing up too much for the class gathering.

Just a pair of jeans and a loose black top. Nothing fancy. I tied my hair up in a messy bun and slipped on my boots. I looked at myself in the mirror for a few seconds. My face was calm. My eyes were blank. I liked that. I didn’t want to look excited or scared.

Because this wasn’t just some random gathering.

This was my plan moving forward. This was me starting the game on my own terms.

As I walked out of the room, I adjusted my sleeves and headed down the hallway, only to stop when I saw them—Adonis, Dante, and Knox—leaning against the wall near the staircase, like they had been waiting.

Seriously?

I rolled my eyes inwardly and forced a small smile.

“Evening,” I said, acting like I wasn’t surprised to see them there. “I’m heading out for something.”

Dante frowned. “Dressed like that? Where to?”

“It’s a school thing. Class bonding or whatever. You wouldn’t understand,” I replied casually, brushing past them. I could feel their eyes on me as I walked, so I turned slightly. “If you’re that curious, you can follow me.”

Knox raised an eyebrow. “You’re…inviting us?”

“Sure. Why not?” I smirked. “You might find it fun.”

The three of them exchanged looks, confused but curious. I knew they wouldn’t trust my sudden friendliness, but they followed anyway.

“I still find this kind of odd that your inviting us to come with you. Do you have some other plans in mind?” Knox questioned me.

I scoffed, “I don't think I should explain myself to you. You can leave if you don't want to come with me. I'm not forcing you after all.”

But I know I was very wrong about that. I wanted them to come with me because how would this plan move forward if I didn't let them follow me?

We arrived at the bar where the gathering was already starting. Loud music, dim lights, and teenagers acting like they owned the world. I turned to the three brothers and pointed toward a hallway leading to private rooms.

“You guys stay there. Get a private room. I’ll come back to check on you.”

“You want us to get a private room? Why are you even telling us that? We're supposed to be older than you!” Dante scolded me.

“You’re not staying with us?” Adonis asked, his tone skeptical.

I laughed a little. “No. I need to make an appearance with my classmates. It’s kind of a group assignment. But don’t worry, I won’t be long.”

I was expecting them to get mad at me and also complain more about me bringing them here and leaving them alone. If they got mad at me I wouldn't be so surprised, which is also something I want them to do.

Surprisingly, they listened.

They followed the bartender into a private area, and I stood still for a moment, watching them disappear before turning around and heading into the main part of the bar where the other students were.

The moment I stepped in, the noise hit me like a wave. Laughter, glasses clinking, people shouting over music. I didn’t even know most of their names, but somehow they were all being extra friendly tonight.

“Autumn! Over here!” one of the girls waved.

I walked toward the table where a group of students were already seated, drinking and playing games. There were a few familiar faces from my class. Some of them I remembered well from my past life.

They were part of the ones who mocked me. Since when did we become so close that they were acting nice to me? This plot is so obvious and I don't understand why they think I can't see through them. They are all working for Agatha.

I sat down without saying much.

“Let’s play spin the bottle!” someone shouted, placing an empty bottle on the center of the table.

Of course.

The bottle spun and pointed at different people. They dared, laughed, drank.

It spun to me.

“Kiss someone on the cheek or drink!” one of the boys said.

I gave him a cold smile. “I’ll drink.”

They laughed and handed me a shot. I drank it without blinking. The burn in my throat reminded me I was still in control.

I played a few more rounds, choosing to drink every time. I could feel my head getting warm, but I kept my eyes sharp. I wasn’t here to make friends. I was here to watch. To see who was watching me too closely. To catch Agatha's hand in something dirty.

Just then, I saw her.

She was dressed in a shiny silver dress, acting like some kind of innocent angel. She walked toward our table with a fake smile plastered on her face.

“Sister! I didn’t know you’d actually come,” she said sweetly.

I smiled too. “Surprised?”

She giggled. “Not really. I just thought you might be too shy or something.”

I said nothing. I just watched her. What's a pretentious person. If I didn't know her so well, I would be deceived by her nature. Calling me her sister in front of everyone when she has never seen me that way. It's a good thing we are not related by blood, I would have killed myself for having such a family.

Agatha held a drink in her hand—red liquid, maybe wine—and handed it to me.

“You’ve been drinking a lot. Try this instead. It’s lighter,” she said softly, her eyes twinkling with fake concern.

I could see the excitement in her face. She thought I’d be stupid enough to drink something she handed me without question.

And I did. Because this was all part of the plan.

I took the glass and smiled. “Thanks.”

Then I drank it.

She looked too satisfied. That gave it away. I already knew she was planning something, but now I was sure.

After a few minutes, I leaned back and rubbed my head. I blinked a few times, then placed my hand on the table.

Agatha rushed to me. “Are you okay?”

As I expected, no one else notice that something is wrong with me and she's too quick to notice. Obviously she would notice because she's behind all of this.

“My head… it feels… heavy,” I whispered, pretending to slur my words.

She grabbed my arm quickly. “Let me help you rest somewhere quiet. You don’t look well.”

Right.

She didn’t even try to pretend it wasn’t part of her plan. She was too eager to get me away from the crowd.

I followed her down a dark hallway, letting my body fall against her slightly like I couldn’t walk properly. My heart was steady. My mind was clearer than ever. I kept my breathing slow, pretending like the drink was working on me.

Agatha opened a door quietly and pushed me inside. The room was dark. Very dark. I heard footsteps. Not hers. They were heavier and I could hear men’s voices.

“Put her down here,” one said.

I stumbled to the floor, acting like I couldn’t stand anymore.

“She’s already dizzy,” another one said.

“Good,” Agatha replied. Her voice was colder now, like she wasn’t even trying to pretend anymore.

“She won’t be able to scream,” someone laughed.

I laid there, motionless, my hand tucked under my body, reaching for the object hidden inside my jeans—just in case.

They didn’t know. Agatha didn’t know either that I never drank the wine she gave me. I only let it touch my lips. She also didn’t know that I had texted the brothers before I left the table.

And she didn’t know this entire trap was mine. This was my own plans and she fell for everything.

These idiots were touching me too much and I already hated the fact that I had to pretend with them. I was done pretending since she already left. Now, it's time for the main show.

“Get your hands off me, you idiots!” I jumped up, tasing all three of them hard at the same time and I watched them fall to the ground.

Just then, they barged inside. They were shocked to see the number of men surrounding me.

“What on earth is going on here Autumn? Explain yourself!”