Hide And Seek. They All Betrayed Me Chapter 01

Hide And Seek. They All Betrayed Me Chapter 01

Before Wren left the country, she wanted to play hide and seek one last time.

Loser paid.

I drew the seeker. Three hours. I couldn’t find anyone.

Then I saw them. In a Michelin restaurant.

My brother Adrian was taking photos at another table.

My boyfriend Nathan and My sister Wren sat facing each other.

Candles. Flowers.

I was shaking. I called Adrian.

He flipped his phone face down.

“Not now. Let her look a little longer. Don’t ruin the mood.”

“Besides, my sister’s dumb.”

“The note she drew was all seekers. She didn’t even notice.”

I called Nathan’s sister, Elena. Nothing.

She was fixing Wren’s hair.

“Wren leaves next week. Let her have one romantic dinner with Nathan.”

Last, I called Nathan.

He put his phone on silent.

“She’s stubborn. She’ll keep looking. Let’s eat first.”

Elena directed them.

“Get closer. Nathan, feed Wren the steak.”

“Nathan, put your other hand on her face.”

Adrian snapped photos.

I stood less than ten meters away. I felt cold.

When we played Freeze Tag, the second I was it, they stopped playing.

Hopscotch, I was always the one waiting on the side.

Graduation day, we agreed to take a group photo. I wasn’t in it.

I never fit in. Not once.

Like this Michelin restaurant. Nathan never brought me here.

But Wren was leaving. So romance mattered.

I only wanted to say I lost. That I’d pay.

But I didn’t want to squeeze into a four-person friendship anymore.

—

I pushed the door open. Walked straight to their table.

Their smiles froze.

“I called so many times. Why didn’t any of you pick up?”

Nathan put down his fork. Frowned.

“What are you doing here?”

“Weren’t you supposed to be looking for us at the mall?”

I froze.

Adrian stood. Pulled me aside.

“Blair, it’s just a game. Don’t take it seriously.”

Elena was impatient.

“You saw it. Nothing to hide.”

“Wren’s leaving soon. We just wanted her to have dinner alone with Nathan.”

“With your temper, you’d have ruined it.”

Nathan nodded.

“Wren studied out of town. Barely comes back.”

“We’ve known each other for years. One dinner isn’t a big deal.”

Wren lowered her head.

“Blair, don’t misunderstand. We just thought you’d overthink.”

I looked at the four familiar faces. Didn’t want to say another word.

“Go on.”

I turned and walked out. No one followed.

Behind me, their chatter picked up again.

My appearance had only briefly interrupted their dinner.

I crouched by the wall outside. Tears hit my dress.

Two waiters were clearing a table nearby.

“That couple by the window is so sweet.”

The other laughed.

“Overheard them. Childhood sweethearts.”

“The guy said if her family hadn’t objected, they’d already be married.”

I didn’t move for a long time.

Five of us lived in the same neighborhood.

Adrian’s my brother. Elena’s Nathan’s sister.

Wren was the sun. We just orbited.

I thought their care for Wren was family-like.

Never once did I think Nathan had feelings for her.

Laughter drifted from the restaurant again.

I wiped my tears.

Some answers were clear enough.

—

I went home alone.

The second I stepped into the yard, I heard my mother in the garden.

“Wren and Nathan are the real match.”

“Too bad the Sterlings never agreed.”

“If Wren weren’t leaving, Blair wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Father grunted.

“Wren’s got a good personality. Good family too.”

“Our Blair’s a step below Nathan. Lucky she got him at all.”

My hands and feet went cold.

So my parents knew too.

I pushed the garden door open. They turned.

Mother’s face changed.

“Blair. When did you get back?”

“Just in time to hear I’m not good enough for Nathan.”

Father frowned.

“We were just talking.”

“Don’t blow it up. Wren’s more sensible than you.”

Mother walked over. Took my hand.

“Don’t fight Wren over everything. Men hate women who nitpick.”

I pulled my hand back slowly.

Then an unknown number called.

“Hello, is this Miss Vance?”

“Mr. Sterling’s table has finished. Total is eight hundred.”

“They said you lost the game and are covering the bill.”

“Can you come pay?”

I held the phone. Said nothing for a long time.

“Sorry. That dinner has nothing to do with me.”

“Tell them to pay it themselves.”