A Night of Secrets and Betrayals

On her way to the dinner, Mia's car hit a pothole. Her phone slid off the passenger seat, landing screen-up. The background picture caught her eye - young Mia and Olivia, arms linked, wearing those purple bracelets.

The memory hit her like lightning.

Ten Years Ago

"You're doing it wrong," Olivia laughed, taking the purple thread from Mia's clumsy fingers. "Here, watch me."

They sat cross-legged on Olivia's bedroom floor, surrounded by magazines and snacks. Summer break had just started, and they'd chosen to make matching friendship bracelets.

"It's not my fault," Mia argued. "Some of us didn't go to fancy summer camp to learn bracelet-making."

"That's why you have me." Olivia's fingers moved quickly, weaving the threads. "Best friends forever, right?"

"Forever and ever," Mia agreed.

They'd been inseparable since third grade, when Olivia saved Mia from bullies making fun of her glasses. Now, at sixteen, they shared everything - clothes, secrets, dreams.

"Done!" Olivia held up two perfect bands. "Make a wish while I tie yours on."

Mia closed her eyes. "I wish we'll always be like this."

"Of course we will." Olivia sealed the knot. "Nothing could ever come between us."

That was the last normal day.

The next morning, Ethan arrived.

He moved into the house next door to Olivia - tall, mysterious, with a smile that made both girls' hearts skip. His folks traveled for work, leaving him alone most of the time.

"He's so dreamy," Olivia sighed during their daily phone call.

"I guess," Mia tried to sound casual, but her pulse increased whenever Ethan looked her way.

At first, it was fun. The three of them spent every day together that summer. Ethan taught them to pick locks ("A useful life skill," he'd said with a smile). They explored abandoned houses on the edge of town. He showed them secret places no one else knew about.

Including the basement.

"This is my special place," he'd told them, unlocking the heavy door beneath an old warehouse. "Where I keep all my secrets."

The basement became their hideout. They decorated it with fairy lights and old furniture. Ethan set up a projector, and they'd watch movies on the wall.

But things started changing.

Ethan gave Mia extra care when Olivia wasn't looking. Secret smiles. Brushing hands. Notes slipped into her pocket.

Then came the night that changed everything.

"I need to show you something," Ethan texted Mia. "Don't tell Olivia."

Mia knew it was wrong, but she went anyway. The basement felt different that night. Colder.

Ethan was waiting with a third purple band. "I want to be part of your forever," he'd said.

Before Mia could answer, the door slammed open.

Olivia stood there, tears running down her face. "How could you?"

"It's not what you think," Mia started.

But Olivia wasn't looking at her. She was looking at Ethan. "You promised. You promised you'd help me."

Ethan's smile turned nasty. "Plans change."

That's when Mia saw what was behind him. Stacks of paper. Photos. Files with government stamps.

"What is all this?" she asked.

"Ask your best friend." Ethan's words dripped with mockery. "Ask her about the money. About her father's company. About what really happened to my sister."

Olivia lunged for the papers. "Shut up!"

"Your dad killed her!" Ethan shouted. "And you helped cover it up!"

Mia's world spun. "Olivia?"

"He's lying." Olivia grabbed Mia's arms. "We have to destroy everything. Please. You promised we'd always be there for each other."

"Don't listen," Ethan warned. "She's been using you. All those years of friendship - she was just keeping you close, making sure you never found out."

"Found out what?"

"My sister worked for her father," Ethan said. "She found he was stealing money, hurting people. She was going to reveal everything. Then she had a 'accident.'"

"It wasn't like that!" Olivia screamed.

Mia looked between them - her best friend and the boy she thought she loved. Both wearing purple bands. Both keeping secrets.

"Show her," Ethan ordered.

Olivia's face crumpled. From her pocket, she pulled out a folded paper. "I'm sorry, Mia. I never meant..."

The paper was a check. A huge amount. Signed by Olivia's father.

To Mia's mother.

"What is this?"

"Hush money," Ethan said. "Your mom knew too much. They paid her to keep quiet. And you..." his eyes softened. "You were just collateral damage. Olivia's job was to keep you distracted."

"No." Mia backed away. "No, that's not..."

"I had to!" Olivia cried. "Daddy said if anyone found out, we'd lose everything. Your mom needed the money. You needed me."

"You used me." Mia's voice shook. "All these years..."

"I really did love you," Olivia whispered. "You're my best friend."

"Lies," Ethan said. "Show her the rest."

He reached for a file, but Olivia moved faster. She grabbed a candle, smashing it against the wall.

Fire spread quickly.

"What are you doing?" Ethan lunged for the papers.

"Solving everything," Olivia said.

The fires grew higher. Smoke filled the room.

"We have to get out!" Mia choked.

Ethan was still grabbing files. "Not without proof!"

"Leave it!" Olivia pulled Mia toward the door.

"You can't hide the truth forever!" Ethan shouted.

The ceiling cracked. Burning debris fell.

Mia never saw what hit Ethan. Just heard his scream.

Olivia dragged her out, closing the door. "We can't help him."

"But..."

"He's gone, Mia. We have to go. Now."

They ran into the night, smoke staining their purple bands black.

Later, the cops called it an accident. No body was found. Too much fire damage.

Olivia's father paid for everyone's silence.

And two best friends never spoke again.

Present Day

Mia's hands gripped the driving wheel as the memory faded. The gala site loomed ahead, lights blazing.

Her phone buzzed with a new message from Ethan: "Now you remember. But you still don't know the whole truth."

Another message appeared below it: "Look in your glove compartment."

Inside was a file. Recent. Photos of Olivia's father with known faces. Documents showing money moves.

And a newspaper article from last week: "Chen Industries Announces Merger with Phoenix Investments"

The same company where Ethan's sister had worked.

The same company now run by Derek.

It wasn't just about the past. The plot was still going.

And tonight, at the gala, all the stars would be in one room.

Mia felt her charred purple bracelet, then checked her lipstick in the mirror.

Time to find out who was really pulling the strings.

As she stepped out of her car, another text arrived: "Basement door's still open. Want to know what really happened that night? Meet me inside. Bring the key."

The message came from Olivia's number.