Bea's POV
As the sun peeked through the curtains, I slowly opened my eyes to find Luca chuckling softly beside me. Confused, I remembered how, in my sleep, I had found comfort in his hand holding mine. Promptly, I pulled my hand away, feeling a touch embarrassed.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Luca greeted, grinning mischievously. "Did you enjoy our little slumber party?"
I shot him a playful glare. "Don't get too cocky, buddy. That was purely accidental. I don't remember signing up for any hand-holding in my sleep."
With that, we made our way groggily upstairs to join the rest of the gang, who were already hovering in the kitchen. Luca, asked me what I wanted for breakfast.
"Pancakes!" Josh shouted from behind me. "Bea loves pancakes, trust me."
Theo chimed in with a sly comment, causing Josh to turn beet red. "Wow, Josh, for someone who isn't even in a relationship with Bea, you sure seem to know an awful lot about her cravings."
Josh fumbled for words, trying unsuccessfully to hide his sudden awkwardness. "Well, you know, just as a friend, I pay attention to the important things."
Theo let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Josh, one thing's for sure: you care for her a lot, even for a non-relationship."
Josh's expression softened as he looked at me. "I know I'm not her partner, but I'll never stop caring for her. She means a lot to me, you know?"
I couldn't help but smile at his sincerity, feeling touched by his words. "Thanks, Josh. That means a lot, too."
Theo, Ryan, and Josh seemed determined, standing shoulder to shoulder as if preparing for a secret mission. I couldn't help but giggle at their intensity, wondering what kind of mischief they had for the day ahead.
Just as I was about to join them, ready to unleash my own wave of fun, Luca sauntered up to me with a boyish grin across his face. Without missing a beat, he planted a playful kiss on my lips, leaving me... let's just say pleasantly surprised.
"How about we ditch the gang, Bea?" he whispered, his voice dripping with mischief. "Let's just stay here and create our own little paradise."
I playfully nudged him and responded, ", Luca. But maybe you should hang out with the boys too. They'd be lost without you."
Theo and Ryan, overhearing our conversation, shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah dude, we're cool if you want to stay back," Theo chimed in. "We can handle ourselves."
Josh, in typical fashion, rolled his eyes dramatically, ready to add a sly remark to the mix. "Of course, our beloved playboy Luca doesn't even have friends to hang out with. It's just an endless parade of girls for him."
I shot Josh a warning glare, not wanting him to spoil the lighthearted atmosphere. "Come on, Josh, cut it out. No need-"
But before I could say anything else, Luca smirked and interjected, "Don't worry, Bea, I've got it all under control. We'll continue this outside, boys. Time to hit the road."
And just like that, the boys bid their farewells, leaving me standing there. As they sauntered away, Josh and Luca turned towards me in sync, both saying, "Bye, Bea!" simultaneously.
I couldn't help but shake my head and laugh. These boys and their antics never failed to bring a smile to my face.
With the boys off on their own... who the fuck knows, the house was filled with a rare and blissful peace, only interrupted by the joyful chatter of the girls.
I found myself surrounded by Grace, Steph, and Jess, ready to delve into the night's happenings and secrets.
Little did they know, I had a secret of my own to reveal.
As the conversation flowed, the topic naturally turned towards love, relationships, and the eternal quest for the perfect partnership. Steph, always the one yearning for something real, mentioned that she was on the lookout for a genuine, committed relationship.
I nodded in agreement, adding, "Absolutely, Steph. You deserve stability, someone who will love and cherish you."
Jess, ever the confident one, couldn't help but interject with her signature sass. "But come on, Grace, there must be something wrong in your perfect relationship with Theo. Nobody can be that perfect!"
Grace's expression faltered for a moment before she admitted, "Well, actually, I've been a bit worried lately. Theo keeps getting all these new girls snapping him every day. I can't help but think if he's getting bored of me."
The room fell silent, an aura of concern and understanding among us. Sensing the need for reassurance, we all chimed in, assuring Grace that everything would be fine. After all, trust and communication were the foundations of any healthy relationship.
I know that for sure.
Jess, joined the conversation with a mischievous grin. "Speaking of relationships, Ryan is great. But sometimes, I just need a bit more thrill and adventure, you know?"
We all nodded in agreement, acknowledging the importance of finding that balance. Steph, eager to contribute, recommended a friend who might just fit the bill for Jess's need for excitement.
Amidst the lively conversation, I found myself fidgeting with my fingers, battling the nervous need to share my own secret. Everyone seemed to have their love lives figured out, but little did they know about the hidden intricacies of my own relationship with Josh.
Taking a deep breath, I finally spilled the beans. "Okay, guys, listen up. I have a secret to share. Please, don't judge me too harshly."
The room grew silent, all eyes fixed on me.
"I'm actually in a secret open relationship with Josh," I confessed, my voice tinged with vulnerability.
The girls exchanged glances, their thoughts spinning.
"But why, Bea?" Grace finally spoke up, her voice filled with genuine concern. "We're your friends. You could've talked to us about it."
I nodded, my eyes brimming with a hint of regret. "I know, Grace. I was just scared of facing negative comments and judgments about our relationship. I wanted to keep it a secret."
Steph reached out and squeezed my hand, her voice filled with empathy. "You should've known you could trust us, Bea. We're here for you."
I nodded, a renewed determination in my eyes. "I know, and I'm sorry. From now on, this secret needs to stay within our group. No one else needs to know."
The girls, united by our bond and understanding, nodded in agreement. We had each other's backs.
-7.30pm
As the evening unfolded, the energy in the house was interesting . The girls, determined to make the most of their time together, had an idea brewing in their minds. We all agreed that it was time to let loose and get a little wild.
"Let's get drunk!" Jess exclaimed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And Steph, don't forget, I'm counting on you to invite that friend of yours who knows how to bring the excitement."
Steph flashed a mischievous smile, already plotting the perfect plan to fulfill Jess's desire for thrill. "Consider it done. He'll fit right in, I promise."
Our glasses were filled, and we were ready to indulge in some deliciously irresponsible fun.
But just as the night was reaching its crescendo, Grace suddenly blurted out, "Wait, everyone, stop! I have something to share."
The room fell silent, curiosity brewing in our eyes. Grace's voice quivered with a mix of confusion and concern. "Theo just messaged me. He said he's having so much fun and sent a video. And guess who's in the background kissing a girl? It's Josh!"
Shock washed over us like a tidal wave, the news hitting us with unexpected force. The atmosphere shifted from raucous laughter to stunned silence.
"But...but Josh is Bea's boyfriend," Steph stammered, her voice laced with disbelief.
I felt my heart sink as the reality sunk in. My playful secret open relationship had taken an unexpected turn, the immense weight of betrayal crashing down upon me.
"You know what guys, let's have a house party. Let's have our own fun."
Josh you think you've won this, but the game is just starting...