Page 16 of That's Too Pucking Bad

He sighs. “I know, I know. I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you, promise. Maybe tomorrow?”

“Yeah, sure.” My voice sounds as flat as I feel. “Good luck with the project.”

I hang up and toss my phone onto the bed, leaning back with a sigh.

Maya’s grinning from ear to ear. “Well, look at that! Guess what that means?”

I give her a deadpan look. “I don’t know. Enlighten me.”

She bounces off the bed, practically buzzing with excitement. “It means you’re coming to the party. Duh!”

I groan, shaking my head. “I don’t even have anything to wear.”

“Oh, please,” she waves off my excuse, grabbing a floral dress from my closet. “This is cute. Throw it on with those white sneakers. We’re keeping it casual.”

I eye the dress skeptically but slip it on anyway. It’s actually...not bad. I grab a cardigan and lace up my sneakers, shrugging at my reflection.

Maya whistles, raising her eyebrows approvingly. “You look adorable.”

“Adorable’s not really the vibe I was going for,” I mutter, adjusting the cardigan.

She laughs, grabbing her purse. “Well, too bad. Let’s go.”

I follow her out of the dorm, feeling both excited and nervous. “I hope this isn’t how I accidentally join a cult,” I joke, half-seriously.

Maya smirks as she leads me to her car, her Range Rover Evoque gleaming under the streetlights. “If you do, at least you’ll look cute doing it.”

I stare at her car and shake my head. “This thing is ridiculous. You look like a suburban Pilates wife.”

She bursts out laughing as we hop in. “God, I know, right? But I like the vibe. Rich and unbothered.”

I can’t help but laugh along as we drive through the winding streets, my mind spinning with curiosity. “So what kind of party is this?”

Maya’s lips curl into a sly grin, but she stays quiet. “You’ll see.”

After about twenty minutes, we pull up to a massive mansion on the outskirts of town. It’s all high Coburn walls, wrought iron gates, and perfectly manicured lawns. It looks like something out of a movie.

Maya claps her hands in excitement. “We’re here!”

My stomach does a little flip as I take in the scene. “What the hell kind of party did you drag me to?”

We walk up to the front door, where a guy in a suit stands, clipboard in hand. He looks like a bouncer, and my anxiety kicks up a notch. Maya confidently strides up to him and gives her name. He checks the list and nods, letting us through.

Inside, the mansion is just as fancy as I expected. Crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and art that probably cost more than my entire year’s tuition. But what really surprises me is how sophisticated everyone looks. People are dressed in formal wear, tuxedos and gowns like they’re attending some high-society event.

I pull off my cardigan, feeling suddenly out of place in my sneakers and dress. “Are we underdressed?”

Maya just grins. “Nah. You’re perfect.”

She grabs us each a glass of champagne from a passing tray. I take a sip, trying to play it cool even though my heart’s racing. “So...what kind of party is this, exactly? I swear Maya, if you got me into a cult, my mom will kill me.”

Maya gives me a mysterious look, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “You’ll see.”

Before I can press her for more details, the lights in the room dim, and a hush falls over the crowd. All eyes turn towardthe grand staircase at the far end of the room. My breath catches as I watch several men descend the stairs, all of them wearing elaborate masks.

It’s like something out of a movie. The men are tall, broad-shouldered, and exude this weird air of power and mystery. The one in the center, wearing a red mask, steps forward, and the room seems to hold its breath.

“Welcome to the Reapers Brotherhood Party,” he says, his voice deep and commanding.

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