Twin Inferno

4.got outplayed

Esha s POV

There was something so satisfying about watching Siya squirm. She was too naive for this world, too innocent for her own good, and definitely too trusting of someone like me. I had to give it to her, though—she had guts coming with me tonight. Maybe she thought she’d make friends, maybe she believed I was genuine when I invited her back to my place. But she was wrong.

She didn’t belong in my world, and tonight, I was going to make sure she realized that.

We stepped into my penthouse, the cool air brushing against us as I guided Siya inside. She glanced around nervously, trying to hide her unease, but it was written all over her face. I smiled to myself. The first step was getting her here; the next step would be far more entertaining.

“Relax, Siya,” I said, pouring her a glass of wine and handing it to her. “We’re just going to have some fun, loosen up a little. You need to stop worrying so much.”

She took the glass hesitantly, nodding with that shy, grateful smile of hers. Ugh. She was trying too hard to fit in. It almost made me feel sorry for her.

Almost.

A few minutes later, my friends arrived. Siya watched as they filed in, her eyes wide as she tried to keep up with their rapid-fire banter and their effortless, glamorous presence. She stood out like a sore thumb in her simple dress and quiet demeanor. I could feel the energy shift as they noticed her, curious glances flicking in her direction. They knew the drill. It was time to play.

After a few drinks and rounds of laughter, I could see the alcohol loosening Siya up. She was giggling more, her face flushed from the wine, and I knew now was the perfect time.

“How about a game?” I suggested, grinning as I leaned back against the couch. My friends immediately perked up. “Let’s play truth or dare.”

The game started off innocently enough—light questions, silly dares. But I had something far more interesting in mind. And Siya? Well, she was going to be the star of the show.

When it was her turn, I leaned forward, my smile widening. “Truth or dare, Siya?”

She looked nervous, her eyes flicking around the room. I could tell she didn’t want to pick dare, but her pride wouldn’t let her back down now. She swallowed, and I could practically see her steeling herself.

“Dare,” she said, her voice wavering just slightly.

Perfect.

I leaned back, taking a sip of my drink as I watched her closely. “I dare you to go up to the guy at the bar,” I nodded toward the back of the room, “and ask him if he wants to sleep with you.”

The room fell silent for a moment. My friends exchanged amused glances, trying to hide their laughter, while Siya’s face went pale. She looked horrified, as I expected she would.

“W-What?” she stammered, glancing toward the bar. “I… I can’t do that.”

“Oh, come on, Siya,” I said sweetly, leaning in with feigned concern. “It’s just a dare. No one’s going to take it seriously. It’s all in good fun. You don’t want to chicken out, do you?”

I could see the panic in her eyes, but also the pressure to not embarrass herself in front of everyone. My friends were watching her, waiting to see what she’d do. There was no way out for her now.

With a deep breath, Siya stood up, her hands trembling slightly as she made her way toward the bar. I watched her, trying to suppress my laughter. Poor thing had no idea what she was about to walk into.

But then, as she reached the bar and turned to face the man standing there, I felt my stomach drop.

It was Rudra.

Of all the people in this room, it had to be him. My pulse quickened as I watched them, panic rising in my chest. Siya had no idea what kind of game she was playing now, but Rudra? He wasn’t a fool. He’d know exactly where this was coming from.

Siya, completely unaware of the storm she was walking into, nervously tapped Rudra on the shoulder. He turned to look at her, his eyes narrowing as he took her in. For a moment, I could see the confusion on his face, followed by realization.

I couldn’t hear what Siya said, but I could imagine it—the awkward stammering, the embarrassed way she asked him the dare. And then Rudra’s eyes flicked toward me, cold and calculating.

I felt a wave of panic rise in me, but I forced a smile. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not like this.

Rudra said something to Siya, and I watched as her face fell, confusion spreading across her features. And then, in one swift move, he took her by the arm and led her away from the bar, heading toward the exit.

“What the hell…” I muttered under my breath, standing up as they disappeared through the door.

Rudra didn’t even glance back at me. He was leaving—with Siya.

And that was not part of the plan.

***

Later that night, as I sat alone in my suite, I couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened. I could still feel the sting of Rudra’s eyes on me, the way he had known exactly what I was doing and shut it down without a second thought.

And Siya. The look on her face as she left with him—it made my blood boil. I wasn’t worried about her; she was nothing. Just a pawn in all of this. But the fact that Rudra had taken her side? That he had stepped in like her knight in shining armor?

That wasn’t supposed to happen.

I poured myself another drink, trying to shake the growing anger bubbling inside me. Rudra wasn’t someone who could be easily manipulated, I knew that. But now, he was getting too close to Siya, and I couldn’t have that. She was supposed to be a casualty, not a threat.

I would have to handle this carefully. Rudra might have won this round, but I wasn’t going to let him walk away unscathed.

No one outplays me. No one.