Secret

HUXLEE

We are back at Cyprus’s underground hideout, and honestly, I still cannot help but feel amazed every time I see this place. This is not even my first time being here, but somehow, it still manages to impress me. Everything looks so elegant and expensive, from the sleek furniture to the modern walls and the soft lighting that makes the entire underground space feel less like a secret hideout and more like some kind of luxurious private residence. I am pretty sure Cyprus could stay here for weeks and barely notice the outside world.

Actually, if a zombie virus suddenly broke out, I would not be surprised if this place became one of the safest places to survive. It has everything anyone could possibly need. All we would have to do is lock the entrance, stay inside, and wait for the world to go completely insane. And judging by how much this place must have cost, Cyprus’s family has to be insanely rich. I cannot even imagine how much money it takes to build something like this underground. What exactly do his parents do for a living to be able to give their child a place like this?

For a second, I find myself wishing I had parents like them. Not that I am complaining about Mom and Dad. We are not poor, and we have more than enough to live comfortably. They can buy the things we need, pay for everything we need at home, and make sure that I have what I need. I know how lucky I am to have that. Still, I cannot deny that having a ridiculously wealthy family sounds pretty awesome.

I look around the room again and let out a quiet breath.

This place does not even feel like an underground hideout anymore. It is like someone took a cave, renovated it, filled it with expensive furniture, added modern technology, and somehow turned it into a private vacation home.

“So...” Signy breaks the silence as she sits down on one of the couches beside her boyfriend. She looks around at everyone before crossing one leg over the other. “What’s the plan?”

Her question immediately brings everyone’s attention back to the reason we are here.

Jacob is sitting beside Ciela, who is sitting beside me. The three of us are on one side of the room, while Signy, Cleovon, and Cyprus are sitting across from us.

“I’m sorry, guys,” he says, lowering his gaze for a moment. “I know I haven’t exactly been helpful.”

“Yeah, you can say that again,” Cleovon mutters. He leans back against the couch and gestures toward Jacob with one hand. “So, what’s the plan? Because this guy isn’t really helping us with anything. I’m starting to think he’s just messing with us.”

Jacob immediately looks at him. “I’m not.”

“I don’t know, man. You’ve been acting suspicious since the beginning.”

“I’m not trying to make you guys fail.”

Cleovon raises an eyebrow. “Really? Because you’re doing a pretty good job of it.”

Jacob sighs and rubs his forehead. “Look, I know my reputation isn’t exactly great with you guys. I get that. But I really am trying to help. I didn’t even ask to be involved in any of this. I blame that guy for getting me stuck here with all of you. If it wasn’t for him, I’d be with my parents right now.”

“Or maybe if it wasn’t for your stupidity, you wouldn’t be stuck here with us in the first place,” Signy says, folding her arms across her chest.

“I take a deep breath before finally butting into their conversation. ‘That’s enough, guys.’”

Both of them look at me.

I sit forward and glance between them. “We can argue about who’s responsible for what later. Right now, we have more important things to worry about. We need to figure out a way to find that man and the admin.”

“Exactly,” Ciela says quietly beside me.

“Yeah, and what happens if this guy still isn’t any help?” Signy asks, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I roll my eyes at her, feeling my patience slowly wearing thin. I can’t stand her attitude anymore, especially the way she acts as if nothing ever happened between her and Cleovon. I still don’t understand why she is even here with us. And why is she with Cleovon again after everything she has done to him? She used him, made a complete fool out of him, and now she has the audacity to take him back as if she has every right to have him by her side again.

Her secret is already exposed anyway, so finding the admin won’t change anything for her. Whatever damage has been done, it has already happened. Unless, of course, there is something else she is hiding—another secret she is desperate to keep buried.

Signy slowly rises from her seat, her eyes fixed on me. “Did you just roll your eyes at me?”

I snigger and lean back slightly, keeping my eyes fixed on Signy. “So what if I am? What are you going to do about it?”

“Seriously, guys, are you actually going to fight right now?” Ciela cuts in, glancing between me and Signy with an exasperated look. “We need a plan, not a war. Can we just focus on what we’re supposed to be doing?”

“We can make a plan without her,” I say, folding my arms across my chest.

Signy immediately turns toward me. “Without me?” she repeats, her voice rising with disbelief. “Why? So you can have my boyfriend all to yourself and make out with him again?”

“Signy.” Cleovon reaches for her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers. I cannot tell whether he is trying to calm her down or silently warning her not to make things worse.

I let out a quiet scoff. “I don't involve myself with married men.”

Signy’s eyes narrow. “What?”

“Wait, hold on.” Jacob suddenly stands from his seat, looking completely lost. He points at Cleovon with a confused expression. “What is happening here? You’re married?”

Cleovon looks at him, clearly just as confused by the sudden question.

“Mr. Gill is your boyfriend, and Cleovon is your ex-boyfriend,” I say, looking at Signy. “Do I really have to explain all of that to you?”

“She already broke up with him, Huxlee,” Cleovon says, finally speaking up. There is a defensive edge to his voice, as though he is trying to correct the story before it gets any more complicated. “Signy and Mr. Gill is not together anymore.”

“Okay, wait.” Jacob scratches his head, his confusion only growing. “Who the hell is Mr. Gill?”

“Can you shut up for one second?” Ciela snaps at him, clearly losing her patience. She quickly turns her attention back to me. “And Huxlee, that's enough.”

I only smirk. My eyes remain on Cleovon. “Are you sure their relationship is over?” I ask, my voice calm. “Did you actually confirm it yourself? Or did you just take her word for it?”

Cleovon’s expression changes slightly.

I continue before he can answer. “Did you really believe her after everything she did? After she used you and deceived you for years? You’re just going to trust her again without even asking questions?”

“Huxlee!” Signy suddenly shouts. She jerks her hand away and tries to stand, but Cleovon tightens his grip around her wrist and stops her before she can get any farther. Her face turns red with anger as she looks down at his hand. “Why are you stopping me, babe?” she demands. “Let go of my hand!”

Cleovon doesn't release her immediately. Instead, he looks directly into her eyes, his expression becoming more serious by the second. “Did you really break up with him?”

For a moment, Signy says nothing. Then she lets out a quiet, almost disbelieving laugh. “Are you seriously listening to her bullshit?” She shakes her head and looks at me with pure resentment. “She's just trying to ruin us because she wants to take you away from me.”

“You’re being paranoid, Signy,” Cleovon says. His voice remains surprisingly calm. “She and Cyprus are dating, so she has nothing to do with us. Just answer the question.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Cyprus and me?”

I turn toward Cyprus, expecting him to immediately deny it, but he only shrugs his shoulders as if this entire situation has nothing to do with him. I slowly turn back toward Cleovon.

“Wait, what?” Ciela blurts out. Her eyes dart between me and Cyprus, her expression becoming even more confused. “You and Cyprus are dating?”

“Woah, woah, woah!” Jacob suddenly points at the two of us, his eyes widening. “So you guys are actually dating?”

I immediately shake my head. “No! That’s not true!”

Cleovon’s brows furrow. He looks at me, then briefly at Cyprus. “Huh?” he says. “Cyprus told me about it.” He suddenly smacks his forehead with his palm, as though something has just clicked in his head. “Oh, shit.” Cleovon lowers his hand and looks at me with an awkward expression. “Sorry. He also told me that the two of you were supposed to keep it a secret.”

My stomach drops. “What...?” I slowly turn toward Cyprus. He is no longer shrugging. He just stares back at me.

Where the hell is this conversation going?