Page 85 of Unwritten Rules

I had the most prestigious one. Purple.

I bet I could get in.

“More exclusive area?” she whispered.

“Where we find secrets,” I replied.

We beelined it for the door and were let in with no hassle. Purple wristband.

The atmosphere inside was alien to what the party was. The noise was almost nonexistent–like the walls were designed for it. No flashy lights or loud music. Just clusters of people engaged in hushed conversation and a woman on a harp in the corner.

She looked like a prisoner over there.

I looked around and I saw secrets, business, and lies in the mouths of everyone.

More snippets of conversations wafted by as we waded through the tables and over to the bar.

“...he’s worried about shipments...”

“...no more loose ends tonight...”

“...the scandal needs to be tempered down. Fitzgerald...”

My heart pounded with the conversations. It felt like I wasn’t supposed to be here and everyone would stand up and point me out. Like a nightmare. They’d point me out as an outsider and throw me off the building next.

I wasn’t supposed to be here. I could feel it.

Kelly elbowed me cautiously, nodding over to the corner. Brent was speaking with someone across the room.

“Drinks,” I whispered and turned my attention to the men manning the...stations of sorts.

I wondered what Brent would be discussing in a place like this. He was number one, after all, and his grandfather was the top businessman in the country. You didn’t get there without being in places like this and working with the other top dogs. Youalsodidn’t get there by being a stand up person, ready to make a difference in the ways a commoner would expect. You got there by dealing in money, power–blood.

“Champagne?” The man behind the bar offered out a glass to each of us, his hands covered in white gloves. “We also have something stronger.”

The man at the second station gestured to hisbarof sorts. Trays of drugs. Casually displayed for all to use at their convenience. No way this was happening.

Holding my flute, I smiled and declined politely.

“What the fuck do I do?” I kept my voice as low as humanly possible, hoping to avoid any eyes that came my way.

She smoothed out my skirt, looking unbothered. “Drink and observe. The best thing is to watch quietly.”

This was a whole new side to the girl I knew for a large chunk of my life. She was prudent despite the playful side, but she must have her fair share of secrets by how I’ve seen her behave on occasion. Her silence spoke volumes to me now. Our bond seemed to be able to withstand anything, but I sent up a silent prayer that it would surviveanything.

We drank in silent observations until Brent inevitably left his conversation and made his way over to us. He accepted a champagne and tucked away a packet of something from the table in his pocket.

“Enjoying the party?” He took a sip of his drink.

Despite the wild events, I felt a form of relief to have two familiar people next to me. “Mhm.”

I couldn’t exactly say I was enjoying the party, right?

“I realized something earlier. You were kept out of things for a reason, but you’re in it now.” He kept his voice hushed enough that I could barely make out what he said.

What the hell did that mean?

He shook his head and smiled. “Not here. You two staying out of trouble?”

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