The storm raged outside, wind howling against the windows as if the house itself was trying to escape the chaos within.
The library, hidden away on the second floor of the sprawling estate, was silent except for the soft scratch of pens on paper and the occasional sip of wine.
Tequilla and Fin sat across from each other at the massive oak desk, the tension between them palpable in the dim candlelight.
Tequilla's fingers trembled slightly as she turned a page in the book she'd been pretending to read for the past hour.
Fin, on the other hand, had her eyes fixed on the rain streaking down the glass, a storm brewing in her mind far more dangerous than the one outside.
"I never thought we'd come to this," Tequilla said quietly, her voice carrying the weight of years of unspoken words.
Fin didn't look up. "What did you think would happen? Did you expect peace in this house? In our lives?"
Tequilla shifted, eyes drifting to the fireplace where the flames danced lazily. "I don't know," she admitted. "But I didn't expect this this constant game we're playing.
Every person in this house has their own agenda. Even Lurvy-especially Lurvy.
"Fin finally turned her gaze to her. Her eyes were colder than the storm outside. "You don't get to lecture me about him.
"Tequilla's chest tightened. "I wasn't. I just" She sighed. "I don't know who I'm married to anymore.
There it was the unspoken truth. The question that had been lingering between them for months,maybe even years.
Fin set her glass down with an uncharacteristic sharpness. "You never did.
"A sharp knock at the door interrupted their brittle silence.
---
Downstairs in the Foyer.
The sound of heels clicking against the marble floor reverberated through the hall as Ivy made her entrance. She had discarded her blazer, now wearing just lingerie beneath a flowing robe, a surreal combination of beauty and danger.
She was unpredictable, a force of nature whose whims seemed to dictate the lives of everyone around her.
She found Arson standing by the large mirror in the foyer, staring at his reflection. The rain had soaked his shirt, his hair messy in that way that made him seem both out of place and irresistible.
"I didn't think you were a fan of mirrors," Ivy purred, stepping closer. Her presence was intoxicating.
"I'm not," Arson said quietly, his gaze flickering toward the door of the library. "But sometimes, it feels like I'm stuck in one.
"Ivy laughed softly, a sound that seemed to echo too loudly in the otherwise silent space. "Oh,Arson, you're more than that.
She reached out and gently touched his chest, her fingers brushing over his skin. "You're not just some experiment. You're a storm. A beautiful, broken storm".
"His breath hitched slightly, but he didn't pull away.
"You shouldn't play with me," he muttered, though there was an odd vulnerability in his voice. "I'm not your project" .
"Ivy leaned in closer, whispering against his ear, "That's exactly why I want you."
---
In the Garden
Waravan stood at the edge of the garden, watching the house through the security monitors. His fingers drummed on the edge of the screen as he observed Ivy's every move, his eyes narrowing as she slipped her hand onto Arson's chest.
"Predictable," he muttered to himself. His lips curled into a smirk. "They're all so predictable.
"Behind him, Xeno stepped out of the shadows, a grin pulling at the corners of his lips. "You're watching them, aren't you?"
Waravan didn't turn. "I know you're here. You're always here.
"Xeno chuckled, his coat fluttering dramatically behind him. "It's my nature. But you, Waravan-you're the real player here. You've known it for years, haven't you?"
Waravan finally turned, eyes cold. "Don't flatter yourself.
"I'm not," Xeno said, his tone dark and smooth like velvet.
"I know you've been writing your own little scripts in the background. Creating chaos. Watching them tear each other apart. But you're not the only one with power here."
Waravan raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?" Xeno's grin widened. "I'm talking about her. Ivy is far more dangerous than you think."
---
Lurvy's Game
Meanwhile, Lurvy was already setting up his equipment in the corner of the grand hall, a handheld mic in his grip. He knew everyone was waiting for him, just as they always did. The attention, the power it was his now. And he relished it.
"Are we ready?" he asked, speaking into the mic as he glanced around at the assembled group.There was a certain satisfaction in his voice, a cold, calculated edge that didn't miss a beat.
From the shadows, Apple appeared, her gaze sharp and calculating. "Ready for what?" she asked flatly.
Lurvy's grin widened. "The real show begins now. You all think this house is a circus, but I'm about to turn it into a damn theater. Everything's live now. Betrayal+. They're watching."
Apple's eyes narrowed. "You're selling our lives again?"
"Isn't that what we do?" Lurvy replied, voice dripping with mock sweetness. "You, me, all of us. We're all just performances. But I'm the one in charge of the spotlight now."
Apple was already drafting a lawsuit in her head. But there was something in the air tonight something almost thrilling about it. She didn't know whether to kill Lurvy or applaud him.
---
Back in the Library
Tequilla's fingers brushed against the spine of a book as she stood up slowly. Fim remained seated,her posture rigid. The air between them was thick with the unspoken.
"Fin, I" Tequilla hesitated. "I know we're not perfect. But can we at least try to fix this? Whatever it is?"
Fin's eyes softened, just barely. She stood and walked to the window, her voice low. "I don't know what to fix anymore, Tequilla. This house it should have burned years ago".
Tequilla looked away, heart heavy. "I can't fix it alone."
Fin turned, her gaze searching Tequilla's face. "You don't have to. But we need to understand that there's no escape from this."
She gestured toward the house, toward the people who ruled it.
"This is our prison."
---
End of Chapter 2: The House That Never Was