The second month my boyfriend was missing, I saw him on the street. He was holding court with his friends, that familiar arrogance draped over him like a designer jacket. "Missing? Of course, I'm not missing," he said, a smirk in his voice. "My girlfriend's just way too clingy. Time to teach her a lesson." Then he dropped the line that stopped my heart. "I've got Owen covering for me. She doesn't suspect a thing." Owen. His best friend. I pretended I heard nothing. Later that night, back in my apartment, a man wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Any news about him today?" Owen asked, his voice a soft murmur against my hair. "No," I whispered, turning to kiss him, my voice full of manufactured sorrow. "Nothing." "I think he might really be gone." 1 It was the second month of Caleb’s disappearance when I saw him. He was with his crew, looking just as infuriatingly self-assured as ever. "Caleb, man," one of his friends said, clapping him on the back. "This whole 'going missing' act… we barely get to see you either." "Can't be helped," Caleb replied, his tone lazy and careless. "Claire was getting way too possessive, always needing to know where I was. Had to teach her a lesson." "How'd you even come up with a plan like that?" "That was all me," a girl next to him chirped, her eyebrows raised in triumph. "You think he has the brains for a move this brilliant? Please." "Yeah, yeah, you're the genius," Caleb said, his smile indulgent as he looked at her. I knew her. Chloe. The only girl in Caleb’s tight-knit circle of friends. "But isn't this a little extreme?" someone else asked. "You think Claire won't get suspicious?" "Nah, I've got Owen running interference for me. It's solid." A wave of understanding passed through the group. "Oh, right. With Owen vouching for the story, who'd ever doubt it?" "Mr. Dependable himself." Chloe let out a dismissive little scoff. "It's not about Owen. It's because Claire is an idiot." I waited for Caleb to defend me. For a flicker of protest. Instead, he leaned in and murmured to Chloe, "It's true. She's got nothing on you." The rest of the group started hooting and catcalling, as if this was a familiar routine. "Dude, just get with Chloe already and stop messing around with other girls." "Nah, I don't eat where I shit," Caleb shot back. "Get lost," Chloe retorted. "As if I'd ever want you." They traded insults like playing cards, but under the table, their legs were brushing against each other in a lazy, intimate rhythm. Finally, as they were winding down, someone asked the question that was burning in my own mind. "You can't stay 'missing' forever, man. When are you planning on going back?" Caleb’s smile was pure confidence. "I'll wait," he said. "I'll go back when Claire has completely lost her mind looking for me." 2 I was on my way to the police station to finally file a missing person's report. I changed my mind. Instead, I went to the grocery store and bought all my favorite snacks. Then I treated myself to a long, luxurious afternoon at a spa. It was dark by the time I got home. The apartment was unlit, and I figured Owen had already left. I had just slipped off my shoes when a pair of arms slid around my waist from behind, pulling me against a hard chest. My body went rigid for a second. "Have you been drinking?" Owen didn't answer directly. "Where were you today? You didn't answer my calls." "Sorry, I didn't check my phone." "Any word on Caleb?" "No," I sighed, letting my voice fill with exhaustion. "Nothing." He held me tighter, his breath warm on my neck. "This is all my fault. If I hadn't pushed him to go on that stupid hike, he wouldn't be gone." He sounded genuinely remorseful. He would have been convincing, too—if the warm tip of his tongue hadn’t grazed my earlobe. Owen was one of Caleb’s best friends. After Caleb vanished, they had their roles perfectly cast. Caleb was the victim, hidden in the shadows. Owen was playing the part of the guilt-ridden friend. But Caleb, it seemed, had no idea just how… dedicated his friend was to the role. His method of repentance was… unique. 3 Owen was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, from a family whose wealth and influence dwarfed Caleb's. To the outside world, he was cool and aloof, almost untouchable. That’s how I’d always seen him, too. In all the time I’d been with Caleb, Owen and I had barely exchanged more than a few sentences. After college, I landed a job at a company that, by sheer coincidence, was one of his family's many assets. That made him my boss's boss's boss, or something like that. The distance between us felt even greater. It was only a month ago, when the news of Caleb’s "disappearance" hit, that we got closer. I was a wreck, and Owen, as the one who had organized the hiking trip, was consumed with guilt. He insisted on taking care of me in Caleb’s absence. But his care was… meticulous. He cooked all my meals, personally delivering them to me. It made me deeply uncomfortable. "Owen, you can't blame yourself," I'd told him. "Caleb loves hiking. He was planning on climbing that mountain anyway, with or without you. His parents don't blame you, and neither do I. You should get back to your own life. You really don't have to—hey, put that down!" I lunged across the room, snatching my lingerie from his hands. "I can wash these myself!" His expression was utterly serious. "I get things cleaner. Are you sure?" "Positive!" I was so flustered at the time that I didn't notice him hiding his hand behind his back, rubbing his fingertips together in disappointment. The moment I realized the full extent of Owen’s other side came late one night. I got up to use the bathroom and found he was still in my apartment, asleep in the guest room. I was about to ask him why he hadn't left when I peeked through the cracked door. He was shirtless, his back lean and muscled in the dim light. In one hand, he was holding my black lace camisole. His other hand was obscured by a nightstand. Under the soft, yellow light, the muscles in his back were pulled taut, the veins on his forearm standing out. He was completely still. The sight was so shocking, a small gasp escaped my lips. Owen’s head snapped around. The instant his eyes met mine, he tilted his head back, a low, guttural sound vibrating in his throat. 4 I had discovered Owen’s secret. And just like that, I was in his trap. I knew I should have pushed him away. I shouldn't have allowed the hugs, the kisses. But I couldn't stop myself. Maybe it was because when I was crying my eyes out for Caleb, Owen was the only one there, a silent, steady presence by my side. But there was a bigger reason. For weeks, I'd suspected Caleb's disappearance was a sham. What kind of parents learn their son is missing and not only refuse to file a police report, but actively stop me from doing it? What kind of friends lose one of their own and just keep partying, living it up as if nothing happened? All those nagging doubts were finally confirmed today. They had all conspired to put on a play for my benefit. And Owen was a star performer. Back in the present, he still wouldn't let me go. "Did you make dinner? I'm starving," I said, my voice tired. "It's ready. All your favorites." "Go heat it up." "Okay." Owen went immediately. The fact that I was ordering him around didn't seem to faze him in the slightest. After we ate, I slipped off the camisole I'd been wearing under my sweater and tossed it to him. "Wash this." Owen froze. "You want me to?" "Yeah. I'm too tired tonight." He looked like he'd just been given a prize. He cradled the piece of silk and disappeared into the bathroom. I knew he'd be in there for at least twenty minutes. With him out of the way, I picked up his phone from the coffee table. Just as I suspected, Caleb had a burner phone and a private group chat to stay in touch with everyone. In the early days, he’d actually asked about me. [Caleb]: How's Claire doing? [Owen]: She cried a lot today. [Caleb]: Don't worry about it. That's just her, always crying about something. It’s so annoying. Thanks for keeping an eye on her. [Owen]: When are you going to end this? [Caleb]: ? [Owen]: If you don't like her, just break up with her. You don't have to play with her like this. [Caleb]: I do like her. I just hate how she's always on my case, not even letting me go out for a drink at night. Chloe was right. A little scare will make her more obedient. Owen hadn't replied to that. A notification dinged at the top of the screen from another group chat. The name caught my eye. Princess Chloe and Her Three Servants. 5 [Princess Chloe]: Fresh tea, everyone! One of Claire’s coworkers saw her crying at the office again yesterday! [Servant #1 Caleb]: I heard. [Princess Chloe]: See? My methods work. You owe me dinner for this, Caleb. This was the group chat for Caleb and Chloe's little crew. There were four guys in their circle. Three of them were labeled as "servants." The one who wasn't was Owen. His name was just his name. I remembered Caleb telling me once that Owen had joined their group later than the others. I never knew why. I figured with his family's money and connections, Caleb and the others probably made a point of recruiting him. Owen rarely spoke in the group chat. It was mostly Caleb fawning over Chloe. [Servant #1 Caleb]: Owe you dinner? How many dinners do I already owe you? I literally gave you a credit card. Claire used to flip out about that all the time. [Princess Chloe]: That’s what’s so funny. We’ve known each other since we were kids. Who the hell is she to get jealous? eyeroll.jpg She’s just jealous that I have so many guy friends. Caleb sent a sticker of a knight captioned "Protecting my princess." [Caleb]: Alright, don't be mad. From now on, you get first pick of any gift I buy for her. How's that, Your Highness? [Chloe]: Hmph. That's more like it. I felt sick. I scrolled up, reading through weeks of their exchanges. It was a constant stream of flirty banter. Every single time Caleb had been late for a date with me, it was because of Chloe. The night I was sick with a fever, alone in an urgent care clinic with an IV in my arm, he was with Chloe. Even the Valentine's Day gift he'd given me… it was what was left over after Chloe had taken what she wanted. … A new message popped up. It was a private chat from Caleb to Owen. [Caleb]: Hey, something else I just remembered. I typed back in Owen's clipped style: [?] [Caleb]: That night of Chloe's birthday a couple of months ago, when I got wasted… I ended up crashing at her place. Make sure you never let that slip. [Caleb]: Remember, I was with you that whole night. Got it? My fingers moved slowly across the screen. [What happened between you two?] [Caleb]: Ugh, I thought we agreed not to talk about it? [Caleb]: Both of us are just pretending that night never happened. [Caleb]: It’s the only way we can still be friends. 6 Owen came out of the bathroom. The camisole was clean. His expression was calm, but the corners of his eyes were still flushed a faint red. I smiled at him. "Did you have fun in there?" Owen blinked, caught off guard. Even though I’d caught him, and even though we’d shared kisses and embraces, we had never taken the final step. "Did you," I started, pointing at the camisole, "get anything on it?" "…I washed it all out. You can check." "Don't worry," I said, my eyes raking over him. "I'm not judging." He was six-foot-two, with a body that was close to perfect. By any physical measure, he was miles ahead of Caleb. "I might need you to wash a dress for me in a little bit," I said softly. "What?" Owen looked down at me, confusion in his eyes. He didn't understand what I meant. Not yet. I slipped out of my clothes, stood on my toes, and pressed my lips against his. "Owen," I whispered against his mouth, my voice a breathy, tragic thing. "I think Caleb might really be gone for good." I pulled back, my eyes wide and pleading. "Will you stay with me tonight?" 7 After that night, all I had to do was crook my finger, and Owen would come. We had a chemistry, a silent understanding that I'd never had with Caleb. Owen was attentive to my needs, my pleasure. The entire experience was on another level—more intense, more satisfying. Honestly, the two of them weren’t even in the same league, physically or otherwise. I almost regretted not taking this step sooner. Why had I wasted so much time on a ghost? Owen didn't suspect a thing. I had deleted Caleb's incriminating chat history from his phone. Whenever I got the chance, I’d borrow his phone to check the group chat. In the last few days, I had stopped my frantic search for Caleb, and he was starting to panic. He tagged everyone in the group. [Caleb]: What's going on? Why did Claire suddenly stop looking for me? [Friend 1]: Chill, man. She's probably just tired. Give her a break. [Caleb]: No way. She would never give up, no matter how tired she was! [Caleb]: Should I go back? [Princess Chloe]: HOLD ON! You have to keep this up a little longer. If you go back now, it was all for nothing. [Caleb]: I can't. I have to go see her tomorrow. [Princess Chloe]: Are you an idiot, Caleb? I worked hard on this plan for you. You can't just ignore it. What does that make me? [Princess Chloe]: I'm a woman, I know how her little mind works. She probably heard a rumor and is trying to bait you into showing yourself. [Princess Chloe]: Just watch. I'll take care of her. Caleb went silent for a moment. In the end, he caved. [Caleb]: Fine. I'll listen to you. But even so, he was still worried. That night, he called Owen. The call came through right as I had climbed on top of Owen, straddling him. The screen showed an unknown number. I answered it myself, holding the phone to Owen's ear. "Hey, man," Caleb's voice crackled through the speaker. "Sorry to bother you, just… had to check in. What's going on with Claire lately?" Owen, thinking I couldn't hear, answered in a thick, distracted voice. "She's… she's fine." "Whoa, dude, what's with your voice? You got a girl over there?" "…How can you tell?" "I just know, man. You sound happy. Did I interrupt something? You gotta bring her out and introduce us sometime—" Caleb didn't get to finish. I leaned in close to Owen's ear and spoke, my voice clear and demanding. "Are you done? Pay attention." The phone went dead silent. When Caleb spoke again, his voice was completely different. "Owen, who the hell is with you right now?!" 8 The question jolted Owen out of his haze of passion. He quickly fumbled for the volume, turning it down as his voice regained its usual cool composure. "Just a girl. You don't know her." "But… that sounded exactly like Claire." "You heard wrong. Look, I gotta go. Don't call again." Owen hung up. He rolled over, pinning me beneath him, a playful glint in his eyes. "Now, where were we? I promise to be much more focused this time." "Forget it. Aren't you worried Caleb's on his way over here right now?" Owen froze. I continued, "He's probably been hiding out at that suburban house his parents own, right? That's only a thirty-minute drive." "You… you heard him?" "Owen, I've seen him. In person." His expression shifted into something complicated. It took him a long moment to process it all. "So you've known all along," he finally said. "That he wasn't missing." "Yes." "And you're not angry?" "I was. But I got over it pretty quickly. Getting angry at someone like him is just bad for my health." The day I saw Caleb on the street, I hadn't stormed over to confront him. I didn't scream or demand to know why he had deceived me. What would have been the point? He was already rotten to the core. You can't expect a dog to cough up anything but filth. I looked at Owen. "And you? Don't you have anything you want to say?" Of everyone in their little crew, Owen was the only one who had voiced any objection to the 'fake disappearance' plan. I was genuinely curious what had made him agree to it in the end. "I owed him a favor," Owen said, and it was like a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He told me everything. "Caleb helped me out with something big a while back, and he used that to guilt me into this. But it doesn't matter. I never should have lied to you. I'm sorry." "Don't be. I'm actually glad you were part of this." "What do you mean?" I reached out, tilting his chin up so he was looking directly at me. A slow smile spread across my face. "How would you feel about betraying them and becoming my accomplice instead?"
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