Where everyone tells everything
It was... a box?
I probably shouldn't have watched so many horror movies all these years to then imagine the most terrifying things that could be in this box. Overall, I hated horror films, but Ella adored them, so we sometimes watched them together. Elizabeth was one of those people who laughs at everything that happens, so she diluted the entire effect of watching those films.
Interest completely consumed me for a moment, and suddenly I was standing with the box in my hands. To open or not to open — that is the question. Shakespeare is probably turning in his grave. I entered the apartment still holding the box and placed it on the table. I could have just eaten it with my eyes at that moment. But the mystery seemed quite light, so I finally dared to open the lid. And... a note, seriously?! I thought my organs would spill out from fear. I grabbed the little paper. It was written somewhat illegibly, in a slanted handwriting:
You don't play fair, princess
Oh mio… He actually found me. This is bad, but strangely enough, I felt more intrigued than disappointed. After all, I understood that he would find me. The geolocation and photo searches were still valid. But how did he know I would be at Elizabeth's apartment? Did he really follow me? Madness.
I don't even remember how I dialed Ella's number; I only heard the beeping from the phone and waited for her response.
— Ella, are you still awake? — I asked my friend instead of greeting her.
— Of course, I am awake, — she replied with disdain, — I have to get up early tomorrow. Did you forget? — just as I was about to object, she understandingly interrupted me. — A-a-a. Just don't say he found you.
I fell silent.
— Dale! I told you so! — her voice instantly became incredibly kind, and she jumped on me, trying to extract every detail. — So, so how was he, did he show up in that same fancy suit? Did he bring flowers? — it seemed she was now fully awake.
— Hold on, he didn't come, — I interrupted her flow of words.
— I just knew he was a coward, — my friend changed her tone again. My head was spinning from her mood swings. Not that I wasn't used to it, but this time she was too fast for my understanding.
— But he left a box with a note. I'll send a photo now, — anticipating my friend's reaction, I offered. Ella responded instantly:
— He has nice handwriting; he's almost like your personal Sherlock. I'm starting to get jealous! — I didn't remind her that less than a minute ago she called him a "coward."
— More like my own stalker, but I could introduce you, — I noted instead, laughing into the receiver.
— No, thanks, not my type. You know I don't like people like myself.
Draco Malfoy isn't my type.
— You have a type?! — I asked in disbelief.
I was just splitting with laughter. For Ella to have a type? I thought I was dreaming. Although I was indeed tired, maybe tomorrow I would even realize that all of this was a dream.
— Let's move on, so what will you do? — Elizabeth interrupted my ghostly thoughts.
— Now it's my turn to make a move, — I stated out of the blue. — He must not win this game, but I don't know what exactly to do.
— We'll think about it tomorrow, alright? I'm not in the mood to plot revenge or anything, — and my friend's voice returned to being sleepy, devoid of enthusiasm or optimism. She quickly gave up, but I agreed with her. A lot of time had been wasted, so I had to lie down to avoid oversleeping tomorrow. We wished each other sweet dreams.
I wasn't in the mood for work, so I lay on the bed and began to fall asleep, looking out the window. Outside, the sky was so clear that the stars looked like diamonds glittering in the light. I was gazing at them, trying to find some constellation, but nothing worked. Surely, it was all because of fatigue, and I had studied astronomy long ago. Sleep wouldn't come. I had a ton of questions for the person who left the box with the note at my door. I thought that Leo hadn't left a return address, so I probably shouldn't have given him my phone number. This thought calmed me incredibly. My eyes continued to wander over the stars, trying to count them, and when I lost track for about the tenth or eleventh time, I realized my eyelids were slowly closing. And then I finally fell asleep.
The next morning was almost indistinguishable from the previous one. I had already arrived back home. I went to the kitchen, made myself my favorite avocado sandwiches, scratched Louis, and started getting ready for university. Everything was as usual, as if it were some kind of closed cycle. Day in and day out, week in and week out. The same thing.
Two classes for today and we're free. Business and management. I chose these courses hoping they would help in the future. They might help, but right now they're only helping me fall asleep. I would rather be doing something else.
Ella was literally dozing off next to me, covering her sleepy face with her hair. I quietly laughed at this scene and, as a true friend, took a photo of her. When we were finally let go, I still had to wait for my friend to pack all of her things and follow me to the next class. But as soon as we stepped out of the classroom, we were stopped.
— Elizabeth, Adele, come here, I have something for you, — shouted a girl with curly hair tied in a low ponytail and caramel-colored skin from the other end of the hallway.
Ella and I exchanged surprised glances and made our way to her, pushing through classmates who were also rushing to their next classes.
— Hi, Sara, did something happen? — asked Ella, but the girl just waved her hand in our direction, signaling that nothing serious was happening and we shouldn't worry.
— You just received an invitation to a game, — Visconti extended two envelopes with our names.
— What game? — I asked, confused, and took my envelope from her, Ella did the same from her left, and then she also widened her eyes, eager for some explanation from Sara.
— You'll find out when you open the envelopes, — the girl smiled mysteriously. — I can't say anything more, see you later, — and she simply turned and ran off, leaving us standing with our mouths agape. "Looks like someone is taking my habit as an example..." — I thought.
— Just like you, — as if reading my thoughts, sighed Elizabeth, pulling the still stunned me upstairs.
As soon as the classes ended, we rushed home to open the invitations and examine them in detail. On the way to my apartment, we stopped by a café where Damiano worked. Ella insisted on it. I wanted to rip the envelope apart and not hesitate.
— Yo, what torpedoes flew into me? — I just made a face, to which Dam, like a little child, stuck his tongue out at me.
— We got strange invitations, and we need your help, — Elizabeth answered for both of us and settled into her favorite spot at the bar. There was almost no one in the café, but I knew that wouldn't last long.
— No, no, no, I actually wanted to ask you about this invitation because I got it too, — Damiano suddenly noticed, and his eyes started darting around.
— What do you mean you got it? Maybe some other one? — the blonde inquired, too slowly pronouncing each word.
Gennari extended a perfect copy of our envelopes with his name written in the same black ink. We all looked at each other, and then each began to open their invitation.
— Miss Elizabeth.
— Mr. Damiano.
— Miss Adele.
— You are invited to a game of "Monopoly," — we shouted in unison. Thank goodness we were almost alone.
— "Monopoly"? — Dam almost contemptuously asked, even though it was a rhetorical question. — I thought there would be something more interesting. We can play "Monopoly" ourselves. So the monthly session is canceled? — he looked at me more mockingly than questioningly, and unfortunately for him, I noticed and remembered.