CHAPTER 11: Secrets and Lies

FLASHBACK:

After Elsa left, Cam rushed to Zoe's room in his pajamas.

"Zoe, I need your help!" Cam barged in without knocking.

"What's so urgent?" Zoe asked, still groggy.

"Your friend who can jam signals—tell him to stop the signal from coming into the house. We need to help Wren."

"Why?" Zoe asked, confused.

"I'll explain later. Just come with me to the security room to distract the staff while I handle the CCTV footage."

"Why?" Zoe pressed.

"I said stop asking questions. I need to help Wren. Do this, and I'll give you a reply about your last night's request."

"Are you serious?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Let's do it," Zoe agreed, and they rushed to the security room.

"Good morning, Mr. Cole. Butler More said to…" Zoe distracted the staff member while Cam snuck into the CCTV room.

Cam accessed the footage, deleting the parts where Wren climbed the ladder and replacing it with old footage. Afterward, he sent it to Zoe.

"Done," Cam whispered, sneaking past the staff member and signaling Zoe.

"Okay, I'll come back to finish the topic later. Have a nice day," Zoe said as they left.

Back in Zoe's room, Cam and Zoe sat on the bed, exchanging a look. They burst out laughing.

"It was fun," Zoe said.

"Yeah, it was," Cam replied, but then they locked eyes, their laughter fading into something more intense.

"Can I kiss you?" Zoe asked, his voice raspy.

"Yeah," Cam replied, breathless.

They kissed, and their shirts began to come off when a knock at the door interrupted them.

"Who is it?" Zoe snapped.

"Sir, is young master Cam there?" came the voice from outside.

"And who are you?" Zoe retorted.

"It's Elsa, sir."

"Come in," Cam said after a moment, arranging himself.

"What is it?" Zoe asked when Elsa entered.

"Young master Dee said you should tell young master Wren that the big pink box is for the mistress, and she already knows."

"Okay, you can go," Cam said, and Elsa left.

"What's in the box?" Zoe asked.

"How would I know?" Cam responded, dialing Wren's number. "Oh, no network! I forgot it was jammed."

"I'll message my friend to remove it and put it back once you're done."

Zoe stepped outside and sent a quick message.

"Okay, it's done. Call now," Zoe said.

Cam dialed Wren's number, and it connected immediately.

"It's Cam. Young master Dee said the box is for the headmistress."

"So what's next?" Zoe asked as they both entered the mansion.

"Don't forget to have your friend jam the signal again," Cam reminded him.

"You're right," Zoe replied and messaged his friend again.

"Let's spy from the corner to see what's happening," Cam suggested.

"Okay," Zoe agreed, and they quietly watched from a corner.

"You guys need rest. Classes start in the afternoon," Zoe noted.

"True," Cam replied, and they both left.

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Thanks again, guys," Wren said, smiling at Cam and Zoe.

"No problem," Cam said, but Zoe looked at him expectantly.

"Do you have something to say?" Zoe asked, arching a brow.

"What do you mean?" Cam asked, confused.

"You said you were about to confess to Wren last night, that's what triggered this."

"I know that. Wren, I'm already with Zoe."

"Wait, are you guys boyfriends?" Wren asked, surprised.

"Yeah," Cam replied.

"Oh my God! That's good news!" Wren shouted, rushing to hug Cam.

"I told him I was about to confess," Zoe grinned.

"Hahaha…" Wren laughed.

"Are you forgetting I'm here?" Zoe said.

"Who cares? Zoe, I'll borrow your boyfriend when I need to make someone jealous," Wren joked.

"Who could that be? Don't tell me it's Mark," Zoe guessed.

"No, how could I like that fool?"

"Then who is it?"

"Zoe, you don't need to know," Cam said.

"Wait, don't tell me it's the butler," Zoe said with a smirk. "He's not that bad. You could be into daddies."

"How dare you insult my taste in men!" Wren shouted, pretending to slap Zoe.

"Then who is it?" Zoe teased. "It can't be young master Dee."

"Why not?"

"He's out of your league, and no one knows if he's really gay."

"You…" Wren was speechless as he chased Zoe around the room.

"Guys, stop it!" Cam intervened as they kept playfully bickering. Eventually, they both stopped.

"Don't mind Zoe, I'll help you get your man," Cam said.

"Thanks, Cam. I'm off. And Zoe, come here!" Wren ordered.

"Why?" Zoe asked, rolling his eyes.

"I said come here."

"Fine," Zoe grumbled as he walked over.

"What is it?" he asked.

"If you ever break my friend's heart or make him cry, I swear on your life I will kill you," Wren threatened.

"I won't, I promise," Zoe swore.

"Why did you swear on his life?" Cam asked, bewildered.

"Since the moment he started dating you, his life is no longer his," Wren explained.

"Oh..." Cam didn't know what to say.

"Do you know what's greater than beating someone?" Wren asked Zoe.

"No," Zoe replied.

"So you don't know?"

"I don't."

"What's greater than beating is more beating. The moment I notice something wrong with Cam, I'll gather people, including Zack, and we'll beat you up," Wren warned.

"I've heard," Zoe muttered.

"Classes start in an hour. I'm off," Wren said before walking out.

"Bye," Cam and Zoe replied.

Wren knocked on Dee's door as he made his way to the next task.

"Come in," Dee said when Wren arrived.

"Thank you so much for today," Wren said, gratitude clear in his voice.

"No problem," Dee replied with a smile.

"How did you help my friend?"

"I used resources."

"How come?"

"Most problems can be solved with what we have."

"Which is?"

"Money."

"How did you use money?"

"Why don't you go ask your friend?"

"I will. Let me head to my room first."

"Okay."

Wren left Dee's room, lost in thought.

AT THE ORPHANAGE

"Good afternoon, ma'am," Miss Divine greeted the orphanage mistress.

"You guys just arrived?" the mistress asked.

"Yes, ma'am."

"What about the box?"

"It's in your office."

"Okay, you can go back to your work."

The mistress entered her office, approached the box, and opened it. To her surprise, Zack stepped out.

"Good afternoon, ma," he greeted.

"Afternoon. You're lucky I received a call from a sponsor who donated a significant amount of money to the orphanage. If not for that, you'd have been punished," she said.

"Sorry, ma."

"In a month, you'll be 18, and you can leave the orphanage without any trouble. But until then, I'll keep my eyes on you. Now go."

"Yes, ma," Zack replied, relieved as he left the office.