Chapter 19
Serendipity: I had fun tonight.
Wildflower: Me too. I’ve never done anything like that before.
Serendipity: Honestly, I’m surprised someone like you got involved with Engima in the first place.
Wildflower: Someone like me?
Serendipity: Don’t take it the wrong way. It’s a compliment.
Wildflower: Sure.
Serendipity: I mean it! You were so sweet tonight.
Wildflower: I was nervous. You probably found it pathetic. You’re a King after all. You could hook up with anyone.
Serendipity: I’m part of the King tier, that doesn’t make me anything special.
Wildflower: Tell that to the entire student body. More than seventy-five percent of them would sell their soul for a chance to make it to that tier. Kings have all the power. They can connect with whoever they want, make demands…Take what they please.
Serendipity: …Is that how you view things between us? Did you agree to meet with me because you thought you didn’t have a choice? I would never hurt you, Iris, and I’m nothing like those asshole Demons who rule the school with intimidation and fear.
Wildflower: The Demons? Are they really that bad? Yejun seems nice.
Serendipity: That’s how he gets you. How they all do. They put on a believable front to fool the world. It’s disgusting. Don’t buy into it. Yejun Sang is the worst of the worst. If you knew some of the deplorable things he’s done, you’d never go near him again.
Wildflower: Like what?
Serendipity: I’ll tell you in person next time we meet.
That is…if you want to meet again? You really don’t have to.
I’m not ordering you to do anything you don’t want.
I just enjoyed talking with you. I’d like to get closer, if that’s possible?
It’s hard to find someone I can be open with like this.
Wildflower: I’d like that too.
Serendipity: Great! How about we meet up at the library in two days? Does that work for you?
Wildflower: See you then!
Serendipity: Can’t wait! Oh, but, Iris…Don’t tip Yejun off. Just keep acting the way you always have whenever you’re around him. He’s not the type of person you want to make suspicious.
Wildflower: Okay.
Serendipity: Promise?
Wildflower: Promise.
* * *
Wildflower: I’ve never felt this type of connection with anyone before. Up until now, only my cousin has ever seemed to understand me.
Serendipity: The cousin who texts you all the time?
Wildflower: Yeah, that’s the one. You’d really like him if you ever got the chance to meet.
Serendipity: That’s probably not wise, all things considered.
Wildflower: No, you’re right. I just meant, if things were different. Or, maybe, after all of this? When we’re finally done and your family has gotten the respect they deserve?
Serendipity: Maybe. Let’s try to focus on one thing at a time.
Wildflower: Of course. When should I pick up the stuff?
Serendipity: I’ll pass it to you in Café Soul tomorrow. Same spot as always?
Wildflower: I’ll pretend not to see you then.
* * *
Wildflower: I can’t believe that really worked! I was so scared he was going to catch me, or the drug wouldn’t knock him out all the way!
Serendipity: Did you find anything?
Wildflower: Nothing. Just a weird collection of single shoes? What the hell is that about?
Serendipity: I have no idea. Send me a photo.
Wildflower:
Serendipity: Okay…that is a little weird.
Wildflower: But not incriminating.
Serendipity: Keep searching. You have less than fifteen minutes before the dose wears off and he starts to wake up.
Wildflower: Where is West?
Serendipity: Still having lunch with Professor Bardin.
Wildflower: Good Light. Could the professor be any more obvious?
Serendipity: Apparently not. West has rocks for brains and clearly hasn’t realized the man is hard for him.
Wildflower: Lmao
* * *
Wildflower: What if we never find anything? I’m getting nervous. I’m the one taking all the risks here.
Serendipity: You know I’d draw too much attention if I went near the Roost. I’m sorry.
If you don’t want to do this anymore, I completely understand.
This is about my family and the hardships we’ve had to endure, not you.
Yejun has been nice to you even. I’m sure you’ve questioned whether or not to stay with me or just go be with him. I don’t even blame you.
Wildflower: Of course not! Is that really what you think of me? I’m not disloyal. I promised I’d do this with you.
Serendipity: It’s okay. If you ever do get caught, I’d understand if you gave them my name to save yourself.
Wildflower: I would never do that! You know how I feel about you.
Serendipity: I care about you a lot, too. I just can’t think of getting into anything serious until this is over.
Wildflower: I know. But once we’ve found dirt on them and exposed them to the school, you and I can finally be together officially, right? We can go public?
Serendipity: Absolutely! That’s what I want.
Wildflower: That’s what I want too, Juri.
* * *
Serendipity: Why weren’t you at the library? I waited for you for over an hour.
Wildflower: I was. I thought you wanted to meet in a different section and I…Never mind.
Serendipity: No, what? Did something happen? Tell me.
Wildflower: …
Serendipity: You know you can trust me, don’t you?
Wildflower: I’ll tell you in person. It’s not something that should be said through messaging.
Serendipity: Enigma is the most protected app out there. Besides, I’ve already redirected our chat logs, remember? The Demons will never know. Just tell me.
Wildflower: It’s not the current Demons I’m worried about. Just meet me in an hour.
Serendipity: I can’t. I already promised the guys I would study with them the rest of the day. Did you see something we could use to our advantage?
Wildflower: Not against Yejun or West.
Serendipity: …What does that mean?
Wildflower: Later. Professor Bardin just walked into class. I have to go.
* * *
Serendipity: Update? I’m worried.
Wildflower: West came home early! Did you know?
Serendipity: I told you, it’s too dangerous to follow Professor Bardin after what you saw. If he’s onto you, we’re both in danger.
Wildflower: I saw him fucking a student in the library, not committing a murder. Calm down. I still think you’re being too dramatic. He’s a professor, after all. And he isn’t a Demon anymore.
Serendipity: He’s a professor who sleeps with his students. Yeah, sounds like an awesome guy.
Wildflower: You said he’s always been supportive of your family. He’s backed up everything the Ferds have suggested, and even came to your brother’s defense, isn’t that right? That’s why when I offered to get close to him instead of Yejun, you told me not to.
Serendipity: Yeah, he has always been kind toward my family, but that doesn’t change the fact that we now know something that could potentially affect his career.
He won’t lose his job over it or anything, but people like Beck Bardin can’t stand the idea of looking bad in front of anyone.
The fact that he and Dew have been screwing each other in secret?
Gossip will spread. He wouldn’t like that. It’s best if we play it safe.
Wildflower: Play it safe?! West is here! There’s nothing safe about this!
Serendipity: Relax. You know what to do. He’s obsessed with that one tea. Just slip him the drug I gave you.
Wildflower: What if this is a mistake?
Serendipity: You’ll be fine. I’m about to enter the Club House. The app won’t work there.
Wildflower: I’ll switch to regular texting.
Serendipity: Ill-advised. This is the most secure network on planet.
Wildflower: I thought that was the club’s system. Lol.
Serendipity: Have you done it?
Wildflower: Yes, how long will it take again?
Serendipity: Not long.
Wildflower: It won’t like…hurt them, will it?
Serendipity: Of course not. We’re just teaching them a lesson, remember? It’ll knock them out for a bit, that’s all. You’ve used something similar on Yejun before.
Wildflower: Why didn’t we just use the same stuff this time?
Serendipity: This is better.
Wildflower: Okay.
Serendipity: Look, I can tell you’re worried.
It is the same stuff, all right? It’s just a stronger dose than the one we’ve been giving Yejun.
West is built differently. If we tried to give him the same potency, we’d run the risk of him waking up too soon and you getting caught.
And even if you are caught, it’s nothing serious.
They’ll be pissed, but they won’t hurt you. It’s just a sedative, nothing harmful.
Wildflower: The whole reason we’re doing this is because they’re supposedly monsters. How can you believe that, yet think they wouldn’t beat the shit out of me if I’m caught drugging them?
Serendipity: Because you’re a woman. The only time they harm women is if they’re sleeping with them. You’re not planning on fucking either of them, right?
Wildflower: Of course not! Are you serious right now?
Serendipity: I’m sorry. I was just trying to make a point. I know you’d never betray me like that.
Wildflower: Hold on. I think he’s nodding off. I’m going to go check on Yejun and get this over with. I don’t like being here alone with the two of them.
Serendipity: Let me know if you find anything. I won’t be able to respond until later. I’m walking into the Club House now. Stay safe, Iris. I love you.
* * *
Wildflower: Meet me in the library at eight.
Wildflower: Where are you?
Wildflower: Seriously, where are you? I went to your apartment and you’re not there.
Wildflower: They said you left the semester early! What’s going on? Is that why you didn’t help me?
Wildflower: Juri?! Juri, damn it, this isn’t cool.
Wildflower: Answer me!
Wildflower: Answer me, asshole!
Wildflower: You’re a cheat and a liar, Juri Ferd. You were wrong about everything. I hope you rot in hell.
Wildflower: I’m going away now. I just want you to know before I do, that this is your fault. You ruined my life. I hope you get everything you deserve and then some.
WILDFLOWER HAS LEFT THE CHAT.