Billionaire's Childhood Love

III. Scavenger Hunt

He exhaled softly when he didn't find a burn. "Yeah."

"Like...1...0...0...0...0? Four zeros?"

He cleaned up the mess, "Yeah."

I place a hand on my chest, "I need to sit down."

I stared at Josh, who cleans up everything then makes two new cups of tea. He moves one cup towards me, and when I don't take it, he sets it on the nightstand. "What's wrong?"

"Ten grand."

He set down the other cup, "Yeah, and some sort of mystery prize."

"What was last year's mystery prize?"

He glances toward the ceiling, "I think it was a bracelet?"

"Bracelet?"

He ran his hand across his chin, "Yeah. Some sort of diamond bracelet."

I laid down on the bed. I cannot believe what I'm hearing. If you win a scavenger hunt, you get ten grand and a diamond bracelet. I know the school I'm attending is extravagant but isn't this a bit too over the top?

"Give me the letter," I said.

Josh hands it to me.

I tear it open, only to see a blank page. "What's this?" I jumped up. "How can I win with a blank page?"

"Wait." Josh presses his fingers against his temple. "You're going to attend?"

"Of course! Won't you?"

He shook his head, "No."

"Then, what did you do last year?"

"Same thing I always do. Attend class. Attend sports meetings. Sleep. Eat."

"So, let me get this straight. You're not interested in winning ten grand?"

Josh stares at me, "I'm the heir to a multi-billion dollar corporation."

"Oh, right." Sometimes, I forget that Josh is exceptionally wealthy.

"You want to do it?"

"Yes!" I hope I didn't sound too desperate. The money can be used to pay back my parents, and I got extra to spend on whatever I like. Plus, I may earn a diamond bracelet. I can sell it off for more money! I've been really low on the financial side.

Josh burst out laughing, "Alright." I know he's simply humoring me. He grabbed the lighter inside the drawer and took the note from my hand. I watched as he flicked on the fire.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Just watch," he said. He swirls the fire underneath the paper, and words make their appearance.

My mouth parted, "How?"

"It's an old trick with invisible ink. Apparently, Aunt Alice loves doing this."

"How did you know?"

"When I was younger, I caught mom staring at a bunch of white papers. She stared at it for weeks until Mike tripped on something and knocked over the candle. The fire burnt a small part of the paper, and the rest of the letter was revealed."

I nodded, "How cool."

Josh turned off the fire and handed me the letter. I tucked a strand of hair back and read it.

"Finally,

Joshua Greyson. You're attending a scavenger hunt. Thank you, Hailey Vaughn."

I stop reading and nod to the letter. "You're welcome," I responded.

Josh shook his head.

"Solve. The school went on a field trip, and every single person died. Who survived? Bring the survivors to the club room."

I stared at Josh. "Ha?" No matter how many times I read it. It doesn't make sense.

Josh grasped my hand, "Alright. Let's go."

"What are you talking about?"

"We survived."

"Josh-" I shook my head, indicating that I didn't understand what he was talking about.

"The school went on a field trip, and every single person died. Who survived? Bring the survivors to the club room," he said. He smiled, "If we go together, we aren't single. The words also said survivors, plural, i.e., more than one person has to go into the club room at the same time."

My mouth gap opened, "You're so smart."

Josh's grin only widens, "This is fun." Josh dragged us towards the club room. When we opened the door, there were several other people. Each group had three to five people. We were the only duo. Somehow, I feel like we made a mistake.

"Josh!" Ahmend screams, "What the fuck? You never attend these things." Behind Ahmend were Tyson, Jasmine, and a few others.

Josh looks at me and smiles, "Change of heart."

Ahmend's eyes went from left to right. "Oh, you two," he said in a teasing voice.

When my eyes met with Jasmine, I held onto Josh's jacket. He noticed my signal and took a step in front of me.

I tilt my head, and my eyes widen. "Austin?" I didn't know he was a part of M.I.N.D.

Austin hid behind two other guys, so I didn't notice him. He steps aside, "Hey Hailey."

"You're a M.I.N.D member?"

He nods, "Yeah." Austin somehow looks guilty. I noticed he's avoiding Josh's eyes.

"What a surprise!" I turn around to see Madison and Mason. Madison hugged me, and I returned her affection. "I'm so happy you're here." She looks at Josh. "And you."

Josh grins, "Always get what you want, right?"

"Of course." She turns around and clinks her glass to get everyone's attention. "Now. Now. I'm happy to see you all here. First, I need you to separate yourselves and stand beside those you walk in with."

I move towards the fireplace with Josh.

Madison points the silver knife around, and her mouth motions. "Four groups and 16 people. Not bad. Well, I'm assuming you all know your team members for your hunt, so I guess there's no need for greetings."

"Wait-" I said, "Team members?"

"Yeah," Madison responds. She points her knife at Josh. "Well, you two are more like a duo than a team."

I was utterly speechless.

Then, it hits. It said, survivors! As long as we don't come in as a single person, we're allowed to be in a group with as many people as possible.

I look at Josh, who looks away.

"You knew!" I whispered.

He gave me a grim smile, "I thought it was a hassle to have too many members." He hangs an arm over my shoulder, and I elbow his stomach.

"Now. Now. You two love birds can flirt later." She looks at the clock. "Since we only have five more minutes. We can start-" before Madison can finish her sentence, the door bursts open.

Wait.

This doesn't look right.

Taniyah. Crystal...Ricardo?