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"Is anyone sitting here?" he asked, noticing the empty chair across from her in the library.

"No," she replied, briefly glancing up before returning to her book.

He took the seat, observing her. She's majoring in anatomy and pathology, final year of her degree, he mused to himself.

After an hour, she left for the washroom. Upon her return, she found him gone, but his phone was left behind. She picked it up, smirking.

Later at home, she placed his phone on her study table, focusing on her preparation for finals. Suddenly, the phone rang with an unknown number flashing on the screen. She answered it with a sly smile.

"Hello?"

"Ah, are you the person who found my phone? Where are you?" he paused. "I'd like to get it back now."

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She grabbed her coat and left for her garage, driving towards the arranged meeting place. He approached her.

"Hi," he greeted.

"Here," she handed him his phone.

"Are you busy? Let me treat you to something as a thank you," he offered.

"Do you usually ask girls out who find your phone?" she retorted, eyebrow raised.

"Huh!" He looked down, embarrassed. "I just wanted to express my gratitude, but if you don't feel like it----"

"Let's go. To eat," she interrupted.

She doesn't seem as cold as I thought, he mused. But it's clear she won't be easy.

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At the café, she checked her watch. 

"So, what now? Are you going to ask for another meeting, or should we go for a movie or a hotel?" Her words froze him in place.

"Huh, what do you mean?" he asked.

"Isn't this a common trick to get closer to a girl? Let's skip the games......dilly-dallying isn't my style."

"Don't tell me you're actually going to say you left your phone behind by accident?" She leaned closer. "Because it was way too obvious."

He smiled. "That look on your face, I like it."

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It wasn't easy getting this close to her, he thought. I even had to date a girl whose ex only knew about her involvement with the secret club because she admitted it herself.

"You've heard about the secret club, haven't you?" her ex had asked Serena once. "Do you know anything about it?"

"Of course I do. I'm a member," Serena had replied nonchalantly.

"Can you recommend me for entry?" her ex asked eagerly.

"I can try, but it depends on the other members."

Despite his request, he was rejected, not even a favor granted. 

That's why no one knows the identities of the other members except Serena, who openly admits she's part of it. They're all from powerful families, after all.

Serena herself came from one of the wealthiest families her father was the director of SSS University, Australia's top institution, and her mother was the chairman of the board. 

But why did she come back during her last year from U.S.?

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"Let me be frank," Adrien finally said. "I heard rumors about you being part of the secret club."

"So?" she replied, unbothered.

"I want in, through you. As your partner."

She raised an eyebrow. "Partner?"

"I heard you can enter the club if you're a member's partner. Given my background, I can't qualify otherwise. So, will you pretend to be my partner?"

"Why are you so desperate to get into the club?" she asked, her expression sharp.

"My personal reasons," he muttered, eyes lowering.

"And what do I get in return for this favor?" she asked.

"Is there something you want that I can offer?" he countered.

She smirked, grabbing her car keys. 

"Let's go. I'll drop you home."

"I can call a taxi," he protested.

"Aren't you my partner now? Let's go." 

She walked ahead, leaving him no choice but to follow.

"Isn't it usually the guy who drops the girl home?" he asked, puzzled.

"Then drive yourself home." 

She tossed him the keys. He caught them and drove silently.

"We're here," he said as they pulled up to his place.

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Adrien sat silently for a moment, gripping the steering wheel as he processed the situation. He glanced at Serena, who remained calm and collected in the passenger seat, her face unreadable. He hesitated, then turned to face her.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked, his voice low. "You barely know me, yet you agreed to this... arrangement."

Serena tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into a mysterious smile. 

"I find it amusing."

"Amusing?" he echoed, perplexed.

"Yes," she said, unbuckling her seatbelt. "You're desperate to get into the club, yet you don't even know what you're getting yourself into." She opened the door and stepped out of the car. "But that's none of my concern."

Adrien followed her out, confused. "What do you mean by that?"

Serena leaned against the side of the car, her arms crossed. "There are things you don't understand, Adrien. This isn't just some social club it's more complicated than that. The members are... dangerous. You might be walking into hungry wolves pack."

He narrowed his eyes, intrigued but cautious. "Dangerous how?"

She shrugged. "That's for you to find out." 

"Wait!" Adrien called out, taking a few steps toward her. "You're still going to help me, right?"

Serena stopped but didn't turn around. 

"I'll hold up my end of the deal," she said over her shoulder. "But don't expect me to save you from whatever mess you end up in." 

"I'll call you," she had said before driving off. With that, she disappeared into the night, leaving Adrien standing by the car, a mixture of excitement and anxiety swirling in his chest.

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The next day, Adrien couldn't stop thinking about Serena's warning. What exactly was this club, and why was it so dangerous? He had only heard rumors whispers about a secret society of the wealthy and powerful, controlling things from behind the scenes. He thought it was all exaggerated, but now he wasn't so sure.

Three days passed, and there had been no word from Serena. Every time his phone buzzed, his heart leapt, only to sink when it wasn't her. By the third day, Adrien had almost given up. She probably forgot, he thought, his hope of entering the secret club slowly fading away. Maybe she never intended to help me. He was about to dismiss the whole ordeal when, suddenly, his phone chimed. This time, it wasn't a call it was a message.

Meet me at 9 PM. The location will be shared later. Dress appropriately.  

Serena

Adrien's heart raced as he read the message. He knew this was it his chance to finally get inside the club. But Serena's warning still lingered in the back of his mind. 

Should I trust her?

Despite his reservations, he couldn't resist the pull of curiosity and ambition. He replied with a simple "Okay" and began preparing for the night ahead.

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Adrien arrived at the address Serena had sent him. It was an upscale mansion in the most exclusive part of the city, surrounded by high walls and guarded gates. The kind of place that screamed wealth and power.

"You're on time," she remarked, glancing at her watch. "Good. Follow me."

She led him through the gates, past the grand entrance, and into a dimly lit corridor that seemed to stretch endlessly.

"I thought this was the only elevator to the top floor," he said, trying to ease the tension in his voice. "But we have another one hidden?"

"There are still so many things you don't know," she replied, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips.

Serena stopped in front of a plain wall, pressing a hidden panel that made the wall slide open to reveal a sleek, silver elevator. 

"This leads directly to the private chambers of the club," she explained, stepping inside. "No one else has access to it."

He followed her in, the doors closing silently behind them. The elevator began its ascent, the soft hum of machinery contrasting sharply with the tension in the air. Adrien's heart raced, both from the thrill of what lay ahead and the mystery that surrounded Serena.

The elevator dinged softly, and the doors slid open to reveal an opulent room filled with luxurious furniture and dim lighting, with members already mingling and chatting. Adrien stepped out, awed by the lavishness around him.

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"Welcome to the inner circle," Serena said, her voice low. "This is where the real games begin."

Adrien swallowed hard, taking in the atmosphere. He could sense the weight of the secrets being shared and the alliances being forged. Everyone in the room wore foxy masks that obscured their identities, giving the atmosphere a surreal and slightly sinister edge.

"Serena, finally, you're here!" a tall, sleek guy called out, his voice smooth but commanding. He stepped forward, his mask glinting in the light. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show."

"Who is he?" another masked figure asked, crossing his arms and leaning back against the wall, scrutinizing Adrien.

"Meet my partner, Adrien," Serena replied confidently, gesturing toward him. There was a protective edge to her tone, as if she were vouching for him amidst a pack of wolves.

The tall guy Silas raised an eyebrow, intrigued. 

"Your partner, huh? What makes him worthy of being here?" His eyes bored into Adrien, assessing him like a potential threat.

Another man with sharp features stepped forward, his cold gaze fixed on Adrien. 

"So, you wish to join us?" His voice was smooth, but there was an underlying threat in his tone.

Adrien swallowed hard but nodded. "Yes."

The man studied him for a moment before glancing at Serena. "You vouch for him?"

Serena met the man's gaze without flinching. "I do."

There was a long pause before the man finally spoke again. 

"Very well. You'll be tested, of course. No one enters without proving their worth." Silas eyes narrowed. "And if you fail... there will be consequences."

Adrien's stomach tightened, but he forced himself to remain composed.  The man's lips curled into a cruel smile.

TO BE COUTINUE...............

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What did you think of the dynamic between Adrien and Serena? Did it capture your interest?

How do you feel about the tension and conflict introduced by Silas? Does it add to the story for you? 

Are you excited to see where Adrien's journey takes him next? 

What are your predictions for the upcoming chapters?

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