Honeyed Deception

~~ On Other side of the Road ~~

~* In Shyla's Car *~

In a soft whisper, she began, "Peony, Benedict, and I were in the same class." The revelation hung in the air, the car door closing with a subtle thud, heightening the intimacy of the moment.

"Benedict was a transfer student in our high school, and all the boys and girls in the class equally admired him."

"Did Peony feel the same way?" Garret inquired with a mix of curiosity and a hint of insecurity.

Shyla, with a seductive sway, silenced him, delicately placing her finger on his lips. Garret's initial frown melted into a puzzled fascination.

"Benedict wasn't the only transfer student, His best friend, Timmy, transferred with him. Both of them together were called "Lady Killer Duo".

Garret's fists clenched, a surge of jealousy coursing through him. "Did she like his best friend too?"

In Shyla's mind, frustration danced with amusement. "Where did Peony find this fool? Never mind, it's too late; I need to embellish."

She pressed her lips against Garret's, who initially resisted, his emotions playing on his face, a blend of reluctance and desire. Soon, he surrendered to her allure. With a teasing tone, she whispered, "Didn't I ask you to listen?"

Garret, consumed by desire, questions, "Is this your way of storytelling?"

Shyla smirks, a playful glint in her eyes, and retorts, "Who knows, maybe it's just the story you bring out in me."

She flits around his thoughts like a bee, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. With a teasing tone, she continues to weave her narrative,

"Well, Peony and Benedict were practically inseparable. They'd bicker whenever they crossed paths, but everyone knew she harboured a massive crush on him. It was like a secret dance; she wouldn't let other girls get too close to him." Shyla adds a touch of mischief, savouring the impact of each word.

With practiced ease, she conjures a tale in her mind, "Well, it's actually the other way around, but who cares. You're curious, right? Besides, Benedict has weird taste anyway." A sly grin crosses her thoughts, feeling sure in her ability to play the game.

Garret's hand clenched, and he questions, "You must be kidding me, right?"

Shyla, maintaining her smirk, replies, "Who knows? You can ask anyone who studied in the same class as us if she didn't have a huge crush on him."

"Why didn't she date him then?"

"Are you kidding me? Benedict, the son of Quinton Auguste, the Sole Heir of K City, dating a girl like her? Is she anywhere near his standard? Peony shamelessly circled around him. Benedict was actually relieved when he finally left abroad for further education," her voice carrying a hint of past grievances.

"She dared to do that! Mom was right; she planned everything. She must have secretly seduced Benedict.No wonder she always hesitated mentioning her high school. Now I know exactly why she asked me to stay away from you," his anger boiled over, a storm brewing in his eyes.

Shyla, gently patting his head, drew closer. With an enticing touch, she placed her hand on top of his, sitting intimately beside him. She skillfully fueled his anger, whispering, "You must be furious, right? She doesn't deserve you anyway. You envision a future with her, and she, what can I say, sigh!"

"You're no saint either! Recording me and airing it for everyone to see. Don't think I've forgotten," Garret slams, his words heavy with a mix of accusation and lingering frustration.

In her thoughts, she scoffs, "You're all bark and no bite. Do you really think I'll be afraid of you? Shyla is never intimidated by men, especially those easily swayed by seduction."

"Yes, I know. I am greedy, alluring men, but at least people know who I am. But her? Her mind is for someone else, and her soul is for someone. She might be ready to sign a divorce paper by now, seeing Benedict; she can't restrain herself. But you, what about you? Poor Garret," she continued, weaving a tale of empathy and understanding, her words adding layers to the tumult of emotions within him.

~~~~~~

Meanwhile,

Peony sat in the car, getting antsy to find Garret.

She wrestled with the car door, a sense of frustration building with each unsuccessful attempt to escape. Dialling Garret's number, a glimmer of hope turned to dismay as the familiar ring echoed from within the confined space.

"Did I just get locked in here?" she questioned, a tinge of anxiety in her voice.

Seizing Garret's phone, she tried calling the driver, but no one answered.

Feeling more tired, the air inside the car felt stuck. She couldn't even open the car windows.

Panicking, Peony scans the car for any sign of an unlock button. With each attempt to fight the manual lock, her strength diminishes, leaving her feeling trapped and helpless.

Time left exactly,

5:00

.

.

.

~~~~~~~

~Amidst the bushes at a distance to view the car~

Hidden within the thick bushes, the driver shares with Mrs. Gonzalez, "Madam, your instructions have been executed precisely. No one can get in or out of the car."

"Well done! Are both Garret and Peony trapped inside? How much time is left?" Mrs. Gonzalez inquires, her excitement palpable.

"Apologies, madam. Sir Garret left early before the lock could be activated. However, Miss Peony is inside, and there's only 5 minutes," the driver responds urgently.

"No matter, at least one is in our grasp. When Garret comes to her rescue, both will be ensnared. You've got your next steps down, correct?" Mrs. Gonzalez checks, a mix of anticipation and authority in her tone.

"Yes, madam, crystal clear. I'll obliterate the SIM and make a swift exit," the driver smirks, a subtle confidence colouring his words.

"Excellent job. Your reward will surpass anything you've witnessed before," Mrs. Gonzalez assures with heightened anticipation.

"Thank you, madam, for placing your trust in me."

"You've consistently been my most reliable confidant," she smirks, a twinge of satisfaction evident in her voice.

With a malevolent grin, Mrs. Gonzalez concludes the call, "Peony, you've unwittingly stepped into a far darker game. Prepare for the consequences."

~to be continued