The Game of Secret

C1: The Game Begins

Engfa took a slow breath, steadying herself as the cameras began rolling. The stage lights burned bright, reflecting off the pristine white floors of the studio. In front of her stood the massive golden doors that led to the villa.

A week. It had been a full week since she last saw Charlotte—seven days of absolute silence. No texts, no calls. The game had started long before they entered the house, but tonight, it would truly begin.

She glanced at the villa—massive, luxurious, glowing against the night sky. Her heart pounded in her chest.

Beside her stood Alicia, her partner for the grand entrance. They had met only five minutes ago, another contestant handpicked by the producers. Tall, with striking features, a Colgate smile, and feline grace, Alicia exuded confidence. Engfa understood why they were paired—together, they were a vision, the "beautiful duo" meant to turn heads and attract viewers.

The host’s voice boomed over the speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the first players to enter the House of Secrets! Please welcome the beautiful Alicia and Engfa!"

Engfa plastered on a charming smile, linking arms with Alicia as they stepped through the villa’s grand doors. A wave of excitement washed over them as they crossed the threshold. The villa was extravagant—high ceilings, marble floors, sleek modern furniture, colorful sofas. Bright lights illuminated every corner, and cameras were embedded everywhere—a constant reminder that every move mattered.

“Wow, they weren’t kidding when they said luxury,” Alicia mused, her tone playful as she took in the space.

The house was filled with welcoming drinks and an abundance of food at every corner. Alicia wandered around, her excitement contagious. Before Engfa knew it, a champagne glass was in her hand.

"Cheers." Their eyes met as Alicia clinked her glass against Engfa’s with a playful smile.

The host's voice echoed again.

“Let’s welcome another duo of contestants!”

Engfa turned toward the doors with anticipation. Any moment now, Charlotte could walk in. Instead, two strangers entered, their mouths wide open in awe. They laughed and shouted about how ridiculously beautiful the house was.

“Hi, I’m Ben,” said the first, a strong-built guy with a small beard. His handshake was just as strong.

“I’m Alex,” said the other, noticeably shy, avoiding direct eye contact with Engfa.

Engfa struggled to switch into game mode. Everyone here had a secret to uncover, yet right now, they were just drinking and socializing. It felt more like making new friends than playing a game of deception.

“No, but seriously, I cannot figure out the taste of this!” Alicia said, her mouth full.

She handed a piece of cake to Engfa and Ben. Engfa smelled it, while Ben had already stuffed the whole thing into his mouth.

“Carrot, maybe?” Ben guessed.

Alicia suddenly gasped, clapping her hands together in revelation.

“That’s it!!”

Engfa tasted the cake but found no trace of carrot in it. Still, she smiled anyway.

She took a moment to scan the room, committing the faces around her to memory. Fifteen contestants. Fifteen hidden truths. The goal? To protect her own secret while uncovering everyone else’s. The winner got money. And Engfa wanted—no, needed—that money.

Small groups were already forming, drinks in hand, friendly chatter filling the space. But Engfa wasn’t fooled. This wasn’t just a game of charm—it was a battlefield of deception.

So far, she had mostly spoken to Alicia and Ben, but every contestant who entered greeted her.

One, in particular, stood out—Théo. With his athletic build and rigid posture, he was constantly scanning the room, his back always against a wall. Military, perhaps? Engfa made a mental note.

Alicia nudged her lightly. “You’re already analyzing everyone, aren’t you?” she teased, a knowing smirk on her lips.

Engfa let out a small chuckle. She knew Alicia was doing the same.

The host’s voice came through the speakers again.

"And now, let’s welcome the two last contestants!"

Engfa’s stomach tensed. She knew what was coming.

The doors swung open, and in walked Charlotte.

For a moment, Engfa forgot to breathe.

Charlotte was dressed in a tailored black suit, the sharp silhouette of her figure striking against the bright lights. The fabric hugged her frame perfectly, exuding confidence and power. Her dark hair was slicked back just enough to accentuate the sharp lines of her face. She was calm, composed—devastatingly handsome. A jolt shot through Engfa’s chest, the same feeling she had the first time she ever saw Charlotte.

Like everyone else, Charlotte wasn’t alone.

Charles, another contestant, stood beside her, his hand resting lightly on Charlotte’s waist.

Out of all the scenarios Engfa had imagined for Charlotte’s entrance, this—seeing her with a man, looking like they belonged together—was not what she had expected.

A flicker of something dangerous curled in Engfa’s stomach as the room erupted with admiration.

“Damn, you’re pulling off that suit like a model,” one of the girls commented.

Ben whispered to Alicia and Engfa, “I bet their secret is money-related.”

“Like, they’re both some rich CEOs?” Alicia mused.

“Look at this power couple entrance!” Maria shouted. Too loud. Engfa already didn’t like Maria’s volume.

Engfa’s jaw clenched, but her smile didn’t falter. She took a slow sip of her drink, keeping her posture relaxed.

She wanted to rip Charles’ hand away.

She watched, helpless, as Charlotte offered a polite smile, nodding at the compliments. She was playing the game, pretending they were strangers.

Engfa had thought she was prepared for this. She and Charlotte had trained for this moment—two months ago, in their tiny studio, rehearsing their roles.

—You can’t react. You can’t let anything show.

But now, seeing Charlotte like this—so effortlessly charming, so untouchable—made Engfa’s fingers twitch with the effort it took to stay still.

Alicia had been watching her, making a mental note of how tense Engfa seemed during Charlotte and Charles' entrance.

Charlotte and Charles, still close, introduced themselves to the others, moving through the room like seasoned players, smiling as if greeting old friends. Charles handed Charlotte a drink.

Everyone was still in their honeymoon phase—smiling, drinking, forming early bonds. But underneath it all, the real game was already unfolding.

Engfa caught Lena watching her from across the room. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Lena offered a playful smirk and turned back to her conversation.

She’s watching me.

Everyone had something to hide.

And so did she. For a second, she felt like everyone’s secret was well hidden. So far, she had no clues about anyone. But hers… she felt like she had already given away too many.

She and Charlotte had agreed: no slip-ups, no unnecessary risks. They were just two strangers competing in the same game.

But as Charlotte turned slightly, as Engfa caught the familiar curve of her lips reaching her eyes—Engfa knew.

This was going to be much harder than she thought.

C1: The First Encounter

The night settled into a comfortable rhythm of laughter, conversation, and the occasional pop of champagne bottles. The villa was buzzing—contestants still riding the high of the grand entrance, some already forming early alliances, others keeping their distance, observing.

Engfa sat on the plush outdoor sofa near the pool, the warm evening breeze carrying the sounds of distant chatter and clinking glasses. Alicia was beside her, legs crossed, lazily swirling a drink in one hand.

“I can already tell,” Alicia mused, smirking, “this house is full of very interesting secrets.”

Engfa hummed in response, but her mind was elsewhere. Her eyes kept flickering back to Charlotte, who was on the other side of the patio, standing too close to Charles.

Or rather—Charles was standing too close to her.

His hand rested easily on Charlotte’s lower back, fingers occasionally grazing her waist. Engfa had counted at least three times that he had leaned in, speaking low into her ear, and each time, Charlotte had responded with a polite smile.

It made Engfa’s skin prickle with something sharp and unrelenting.

“Looks like Charles is staking his claim,” Alicia remarked, following Engfa’s gaze. “Not surprising. He and Charlotte fit the ‘power couple’ look perfectly.”

Engfa didn’t reply.

Alicia tilted her head, studying her. “You don’t like him, do you?”

Engfa exhaled through her nose, keeping her expression neutral. “I don’t dislike him.”

Alicia chuckled. “You don’t have to play nice. I’ve been watching you all night—you glare at Charles every time he touches her.” She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “Let me guess. Ex-boyfriend?”

Engfa blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

Alicia’s smirk widened. “You and Charles. You have history, don’t you?”

Engfa hesitated.

“Believe what you want,” she said with a playful grin, her heart beating fast.

Alicia’s gaze gleamed with interest, but before she could push further, a shadow loomed over them.

“Mind if we join?”

Charlotte’s voice.

Engfa’s fingers curled slightly against her thigh before she forced herself to look up.

Charlotte stood there, effortlessly composed, her suit still pristine despite the humid night air. Beside her, Charles smiled, ever the charming presence. His hand, of course, was still resting on Charlotte’s waist.

“Of course,” Alicia answered easily, gesturing to the empty seats across from them.

Charlotte sat gracefully, her movements controlled, deliberate. Engfa had seen her in a thousand different moods—laughing until she cried, sleepy and clinging to her during late nights, teasing with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

But this? This was a version of Charlotte she had never seen before.

The stranger.

Charles greeted them, his voice smooth. “It’s good to finally meet properly. We’ve been waiting for the game to start forever.”

Engfa nodded. He spoke for both of them, but she didn’t comment on it.

Alicia, ever the flirt, leaned forward slightly. “I have to say, Charlotte, you’re absolutely stealing the show with that suit. Everyone’s been talking about it.”

Charlotte’s lips curled into a confident smirk. “Glad to hear I made an impression.”

Engfa’s throat tightened. She could acknowledge it—agree, tell Charlotte outright that she looked incredible, that the suit was doing things to her she didn’t want to admit.

She glanced at Charles, at his relaxed expression, the way he sat so comfortably beside Charlotte, as if he belonged there.

No.

She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“Not bad,” she said lightly, tilting her head. “You wear it well.”

Charlotte’s eyes flickered—just for a second. A flash of something Engfa couldn’t quite name.

Then, just as quickly, it was gone.

“Thanks,” Charlotte said smoothly, as if Engfa’s words hadn’t affected her at all.

Engfa swallowed down the frustration curling in her chest.

She hated this. Hated how good Charlotte was at pretending, how effortless she made it seem.

“Of course, how could she not look good?” Charles interjected, leaning toward Charlotte with a flirtatious grin. “She’s easily one of the most attractive people here.”

His fingers traced along Charlotte’s sleeve in an easy, possessive touch.

Engfa saw it happen in real time—Charlotte’s body remained still, her expression unchanged. But her eyes—her eyes—betrayed her.

For a split second, she glanced at Engfa.

Apologizing.

It was subtle, barely there, but Engfa knew Charlotte too well to miss it.

And that tiny moment was all it took.

Something inside Engfa twisted.

She needed to get a grip.

“So, Alicia,” she said suddenly, turning her attention away from Charlotte before she did something reckless. “I realized we haven’t talked much about you.”

Alicia arched a brow, amused. “Oh? What do you want to know, beautiful? I’ll tell you everything.”

Engfa smirked. “What do you do outside of this villa?”

Alicia took a slow sip of her drink, eyes sparkling with mischief.

She tapped a manicured nail against the rim of her glass. “Alright. Let’s make it fun. You guess first.”

Engfa narrowed her eyes, considering. Alicia had a certain effortless charm—confident but not overbearing. She carried herself like someone used to being in control.

“PR?” Engfa guessed. “Something in media?”

Alicia grinned. “Close. But not quite.”

“Model?” Charles tried.

“Flattering, but no.”

Engfa studied her for a moment. “You’re too comfortable under pressure. Too good at deflecting. Something public-facing, but with a level of control…”

Alicia’s smirk widened. “Go on.”

“…Lawyer,” Charlotte said mid-tone, as if completing Engfa’s reflection.

Alicia laughed, tilting her head back slightly. “Not bad, detectives. Not quite right, but I’m impressed.”

Engfa leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “So what is it, then?”

Alicia tapped her nose. “That’s for you to figure out.”

Engfa chuckled, but her mind was already at work.

Alicia changed the subject and was now talking about how she had memorized the weather for the next week.

Charlotte’s attention was on Engfa.

She glanced up, meeting those dark eyes, and for a moment, the world around them faded.

Charlotte was watching her.

Not the way she had been all night—playing the part, performing for the cameras and the contestants.

This was different.

Something almost like relief flickered in her gaze.

Engfa’s fingers curled against her knee. She wanted to reach for her. Wanted to pull her away from all of this, from Charles, from the act.

But she couldn’t.

So she turned back to Alicia instead, plastering on an easy smile.

“So how should we dress tomorrow, Miss Meteo?” she asked, her tone playful.

Alicia smiled widely. “I actually have no idea.”

Engfa laughed out loud. Charles did the same and, to steady himself, placed his hand on Charlotte’s thigh.

Charlotte shifted—just barely.

And Engfa knew.

She wasn’t the only one struggling tonight.

C1: The Quiet Moment

The first night in the villa was anything but quiet.

The contestants moved in a restless flurry—unpacking, claiming beds, laughing as they debated sleeping arrangements. Some had already changed into pajamas, others lingered in their day clothes, reluctant to let the excitement fade just yet.

Engfa moved with careful calculation, watching as groups formed naturally. The room selection had been chaotic, names shouted, beds claimed in a messy, unspoken hierarchy.

She had made her move subtly, slipping into a room where Charlotte had already chosen a bed. Not next to hers—that would be too obvious—but near enough. Close enough to hear her breathing when the lights went out.

Close enough to be there if Charlotte needed her.

No one questioned it. 

Now, as the house wound down, the bathrooms were crowded with people washing up, brushing their teeth, voices overlapping in tired but excited murmurs.

Engfa moved through the motions.

Then, when she finally found a bathroom unoccupied, she slipped inside—only to freeze.

Charlotte was already there.

Still dressed in her suit, she stood in front of the mirror, carefully removing her makeup. The dim light softened her reflection, but it did nothing to dull the sharp line of her jaw, the quiet focus in her eyes.

Engfa inhaled sharply. The scent of Charlotte’s perfume was still there, lingering in the air, too familiar, too intoxicating.

She hesitated in the doorway.

They still hadn’t spoken. Not really.

Charlotte glanced up, meeting Engfa’s gaze through the mirror.

For a fleeting moment, something cracked.

The confidence, the control—just for a second, it slipped.

Her lips curved into a small, tired smile. One that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

It was the real Charlotte.

The one Engfa hadn’t seen in over a week.

Then, just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.

Charlotte turned, her expression smooth again, the walls firmly back in place. “I’m done,” she said, voice calm, distant. “You can use the sink.”

Engfa didn’t move.

Her fingers curled around her toothbrush, the weight of the moment pressing down on her chest.

Charlotte stepped past her—close enough that their arms brushed.

It was barely a touch. A fleeting graze of warmth against her skin.

But Engfa felt it everywhere.

Engfa's breath caught in her lungs.
The moment Charlotte stepped out of the bathroom, Engfa’s frustration reached its peak.

They were supposed to be strangers.

Engfa knew better than to act on impulse, but her heart was pounding too loud in her ears. The walls around them, carefully built over days of tension, felt like they were about to collapse.

Without thinking, she stepped forward and grabbed Charlotte’s arm.

Charlotte froze. Her body tensed, eyes widening as she looked back at Engfa, clearly surprised. They had agreed—no contact, no breaking character, even when they were alone.

“Engfa,” Charlotte whispered, her voice soft but edged with caution.

But Engfa couldn’t help herself. Time was running out, and she couldn’t just stand there anymore, watching Charlotte, feeling like a stranger to her.

She pulled Charlotte into a hug, her body pressing against hers, trying to convey everything she couldn’t say in words.

At first, Charlotte was stiff in her arms, surprised, like she didn’t know how to respond. Then, in a heartbeat, the walls around Charlotte cracked.

She wrapped her arms around Engfa, pulling her tighter, burying her face in her shoulder for a moment, her breath shaky. Charlotte’s body softened, and Engfa felt the shift in her—the real Charlotte.

Engfa wanted to say something, anything—tell her how much she missed her, how beautiful she looked. But the words wouldn’t come. They were tangled in her throat.

She pulled back, reluctantly, her hands lingering on Charlotte’s arms.

Charlotte didn’t let her go immediately. Instinctively, her body leaned forward, trying to close the distance between them.

Engfa’s heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, it felt like they were back to the way things used to be—before the show, before the secrets, before the walls had to go up between them.

But the sound of footsteps grew louder in the hallway, and Engfa’s heart jumped into her throat. She stepped back, pulling away completely, just in time for Charlotte to quickly mask her emotions.

By the time the door opened, Charlotte had already put her walls back up.

She straightened, her posture perfect once again. Her eyes met Engfa’s for a brief, stolen second—stranger.

A contestant entered, oblivious to the exchange, and Charlotte immediately turned to face him, her smile cool and professional. “The place is all yours guys, I’m done here” she smiled, her voice smooth, the same controlled tone she had used since entering the villa.

Engfa took a steadying breath, her own heart still racing, standing straighter, returning to the persona she had built here.

As the contestant began brushing his teeth, Charlotte glanced over at Engfa once more, a slight shift in her gaze that spoke volumes.

Neither of them said a word.

C1: Lou and bed time

Engfa finished brushing her teeth, the movements automatic as the pressure from earlier slowly began to ebb away. She had a new sense of clarity, a weird sense of calm. 

Lou’s laughter broke through her thoughts. “You really need to relax,” he teased, his voice light as he continued brushing his teeth next to her, some white toothpaste around his mouth. “Your secret’s not going to get discovered on the first day, and anyway… it’s just a game, right?”

Engfa paused, glancing at him through the mirror, curious, she hadn’t talked to Lou at all tonight, at first sight he doesn’t seem to be someone Engfa could be friend with, but Lou’s carefree attitude was infectious.

“You’re right,” she said, starting to laugh too. “I guess I’m just overthinking it. What about you, though? What’s your secret?”

Lou smirked, raising an eyebrow. “I’m not telling you that just yet. Maybe you’ll get a clue later.”

Engfa let out another laugh, the tension finally breaking free as they stood there brushing their teeth like two people who weren’t trapped in a game of secrets and manipulation.

The laughter was contagious. Soon enough, a few other contestants wandered into the bathroom, confused by the sudden burst of mirth.

“What’s so funny?” one of them asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lou shrugged dramatically. “We’re just Tic and Tac, obviously. What else?”

A few of the other contestants exchanged glances, clearly not understanding, but the humor was infectious. They joked about the two of them sharing a secret, their laughter only escalating.

Engfa’s heart felt lighter, as if a weight had been lifted. The quiet pressure she’d been carrying all day started to dissipate, replaced by an unexpected camaraderie.

As the conversation died down, Lou leaned toward Engfa, a playful grin on his face. “By the way,” he said, lowering his voice so only she could hear, “where’s your bed? I was thinking of having a little pajama party with you.”

Engfa blinked, taken aback. “There’s no free bed in my room,” she said, shrugging. “You’ll have to find another spot.”

Lou’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “Oh, I see how it is. You don’t want me in your bed because you’re not single, right?”

Engfa’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she quickly recovered. “I’m single,” she said, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Lou’s grin widened. “Well, in that case…” He nodded toward her bed. “Guess I’ll be joining you then.”

Before she could protest, he was already sliding into her bed, plopping down with exaggerated ease. Engfa hesitated for a moment before following suit, sitting in the bed, even at the far edge their shoulders brushed.

Neither of them spoke for a while, the silence comfortable. Engfa felt the exhaustion of the day weighing on her, but it wasn’t sleep that kept her awake. It was the sound of Lou’s occasional chuckles, the feeling of him so close, and the way her mind kept wandering to Charlotte.

Across the room, Charlotte had noticed.

She stood in the doorway of the room, arms crossed, eyes narrowing slightly as she watched Lou and Engfa share a bed. Her expression was unreadable, but Engfa caught the flicker of something in Charlotte’s gaze—something that felt a lot like curiosity, perhaps even jealousy.

Still, Charlotte didn’t let it show. She wasn’t Charlotte in that moment. She was the stranger, the game participant.

The small talk between Lou and Engfa continued, meaningless chatter about the house, the contestants, and the overly luxurious bathroom. Anything to fill the silence. Lou even joked about how he felt like royalty in the villa, and Engfa found herself nodding along, lost in the rhythm of his easy conversation.

As the hours ticked by, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Everyone else began to wind down, the tired murmurs of the other contestants signaling the end of the night.

Charlotte, still in her distant persona, walked into the room again, ready to go to bed. Her eyes flickered briefly to Engfa and Lou, now fully settled into the bed together. She paused, the question lingering in the air.

“Are you two really going to sleep in the same bed?” Charlotte asked, her tone neutral but her gaze sharp.

Lou grinned, clearly enjoying the moment. “Well, we’ll see who ends up out of the bed in the morning,” he joked, shifting to get comfortable, his shoulder bumping Engfa’s lightly.

Engfa fought to keep a straight face, glancing over at Charlotte, who was clearly struggling to hide her reaction. There was something in her eyes—a flicker of disbelief or perhaps annoyance—but she quickly masked it, turning to the light switch with a calm expression.

“Goodnight,” Charlotte said, her voice low. She flicked the light off, leaving the room in darkness, the soft sounds of the villa settling into silence.