Found.

I immediately snatch the bottle of champagne from last month and run to the front to find Drake unconscious.

No! Urgh! How am I to wake him up. I don't even have water.

Sprinkle the champagne. It should work.

Oh, yes! Thanks, Greta.

I twist open the cap of the bottle and sprinkle the liquid on his eyes. His eyes flutter open. Without waiting another moment, I press the mouth of the bottle to his lips and whisper, "Drink, Walters. You can't just stop it completely. You need to reduce the dose, not stop abruptly." I feel him nod before he takes hold of the bottle and tries to gulp down the whole of the liquid.

I don't let him though.

As soon as he finishes a little more than the quarter of the liquid (the extra gone to wake him up), I pull the bottle out of his hand. Seeing his bloodshot eyes, I close my eyes and brace myself for angry words, a punch and a violent tug of war. But instead.....

Silence.

I open my eyes and see hin staring at me while chewing his lower lip.

That full lip.

That red full lip.

That naturally red full lip.

That kissa....

Yea, yea. We get it. You want to kiss him. Now stop talking like a broken old recorder.

I hate you.

Feeling 's mutual, sister.

"Stop that."

"What?"

"You know what."

"No, I don't!"

"Stop staring at my damn lips!"

Busted. My cheeks flame red. I try to focus on my breathing. So what, I am caught? I mean, I am Julia Archer. I don't just stare at boys' lips, I stare at their....

"There, that look is there on your face again."

"Wha-what lo-look...?"

"I-am-having-a-hard-time-trying-to-stop-myself-from-jumping-his-bones look."

"No, I am not."

"Yes, you are."

"No."

"Yes."

"Yes."

"No."

I smirk at him. He looks dazed then glares at me.

"You cheated me into agreeing with you!"

I blow him a kiss and wink at him saying,"Aw, you look cute trying to look furious."

"Cute or......sexy?"

"You are drunk."

He snickers and replies,"Obviously. Or else how do you think I am saying all this? Contrary to your belief, I am drunk from the morning and not trying to stop my doses abruptly. I was um.....umm....trying to overdose?" His expression turns sheepish. I glare at him. "Umm.....sorry?"

"Don't apologize to me. I am no one."

"Yes you are. You are my friend."

I swear this boy is going to be the death of me!

He was drunk all morning?!!

Yea, so? I have to make sure he doesn't try anything else like this. He might end up with....

He was drunk all morning! Meaning he fought Keyneson while he was drunk. Do you know what that means?

What?

That means he is talented in the art of deception as well as a hell of a good fighter. He. Is. Dangerous. Stay away!!

I look at him. Him and dangerous? Just look at that face. Mischievous? Sure. But dangerous? That's kinda overboard.

No! Stay away. Red alert! He looked clean even when drunk! He took down someone like Keyneson! He....

Cut it, Greta!

Fine! Die!

I will and so will you.

"Why are you frowning, Trice?"

"Nothing. Let's go back."

"Sure, but may I know why do you have a bottle of champagne in your car?"

"Last month was my birthday. Emily was out of state for her boxing match, you obviously know it. Landon and Melinoe went after you and Emily left, to support Em. I couldn't go due to....err....some personal work. So, I was left celebrating my birthday in my car alone."

"And you were celebrating with that?"

"Yes. I didn't want to become anyone's painkiller that night. I didn't want to become someone's replacement. Neither a sex toy. So I just kept to myself. Now can I ask you a question?"

"I have a feeling you will ask anyway. So go ahead. Ask."

"You said you were drunk all morning, right?"

He nods.

"So how come you fought and won against Keyneson?"

He chuckles and then replies, "You know the rumors about me and Austin being a part of a gang headed by Francis?"

I nod.

"Well that's true. So we kinda have to fight even when we are drunk. It's a part of the training as well as sometimes a few situations call for that. So, yea......I am somewhat trained."

"One last question?"

"Sure."

"How did you manage to look clean? As in not looking drunk?"

"That? It's simple. Char and Candace hate it when we drink. So we have to pretend we are clean. So, I have a practice."

"What other practices you have? The practice of playing with a girl's heart until she gives you what you want?"

He frowns. Then realization dawns on his face and he opens his mouth to speak but I cut him off,"No, I am not talking about myself. So quit looking at me like that. I am just curious." He sighs and shakes his head replying, "I will never do that. Especially not when I have a sister who can be subjected to such a thing. I don't want myself to be called a hippocrate."

"Let's go."

"Yea, they are probably worried sick about us."

"Not us. You. Just you."

Drake remains silent. I help him out of the car and tow him back to the house. Immediately Candace screams, "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU TWO DOING? MAKING OUT? HUH? WHAT TOOK YOU....."

"Shut up, Auburn. You are giving Walters a headache. He is already hard to carry around I don't need him passing out on me. As for what took us long, was we were talking. I had to make sure he was conscious enough to walk back and to not sleep on me. Literally."

Thump!

Drake lands on the sit ungracefully. I feel a powerful tug on my wrist and almost immediately I am seated on Drake's lap.

Okay, calm down. No need for hyperventilating. You are a lap toy, anyway. It hardly matters. Breathe.

"Relax. I won't misbehave. I just need to make sure I don't speak more than required. You just have to keep me in check." He whispers in my ears. The hair on my neck stands up. I simply nod not wanting my voice to give off my panic.

Why am I panicking? This is not the first time. I have been pulled by many on their laps. I.....

Urgh! Whom am I kidding? This is Drake Walters. I am bound to panic. He doesn't allow anyone this close.

Unaware of my internal panic attack but clearly aware of the watchful eyes on us, Drake speaks up, "Just get to the point. I am tired and drunk. I can't take it longer."

"Why is Julia in your lap?"

"Your boyfriend wanted her to be seated according to some stupid pattern that I know she will not follow. This way she won't be jumping seats."

Trying to avoid anyone from knowing about my nervousness (I didn't feel this nervous even when Francis pulled me in his lap) I speak up.

Me : "Let's begin by writing down names of the ones we suspect. We can tail them, and when we are sure they are not involved we strike off their names."

Candace : "But that will take a lot of time. Weeks. Maybe months. Charlotte is too sweet to make enemies but there are still a lot who don't like her. As for Emily, forget it. It's going to take years."

Austin : "You are right, Candy. But....what other choice do we have?"

Francis : "How about we all make different lists then make a final list of the most common names?"

Drake : "That could work. But most of the times the criminal is that person whom we least expect. Sometimes hidden in plain sight."

Me : "Well according to both Johansen and Walters, I am the prime suspect. I am sure all of your lists except for mine will contain my name. And I am the one who can be hidden in plain sight. Why these riddles? Flat out take me to the police and dump me in the jail. Isn't that what you all want?"

Francis : "So you are confessing?"

Me : "There is nothing for me to confess."

Drake : "I didn't mean you. If Emily trusts you, then I do too. Moreover you were with me when Charlotte was last seen."

Austin : "We have to first check people outside the group. Doubting each other right now can prove fatal."

Candace : "Yea, I agree."

Francis : "Then let's visit the crime scene, the place they were last seen. Also the places they frequent."

Me : "Nice idea. But I feel we should split. One team for Gray another for Em. We can share the info, that we accidentally stumble on about the other girl, with one another but one team specifically focuses on one girl that will be faster. So?"

Candace : "I can't believe but I agree with Archer. There is one problem though...."

Drake : " Number of members in each team and who to team up with whom."

Austin : "I know who to team up with whom but the number....."

Francis : "First tell us what you have in mind."

Austin : "Well, I think Julia and Drake should team up and go after Emily. Me and Candace will team up and go after Charlotte. We have a a better chance that way. I am brother like to Charlotte so I have a bit of idea and Candace obviously knows her best friend. Similarly, Drake is Emily's brother and Julia her best friend. You, Francis are valuable on both teams so you choose."

Francis : "Yea, I think I will join......"

Me : "Go after Charlotte. You are her boyfriend. I will get Emily's boyfriend to help us. I am calling Kevin."

Francis : "NO!"

Drake : "Back off, France. Trice, call Parker. I hate him but not more than you, Francis. At least he didn't leave my sister heartbroken."

Francis : "Drake, you know........"

I ignore them and call Kevin.

Me: Kevy, can you come to address I provide tomorrow morning?

Kev: Sure, but why?

Me: For Em. Come then, I will explain.

Kev: OK. I am guessing you didn't find her but a clue right?

Me: Not exactly. I will tell you tomorrow once you arrive.

Kev: Why not today?

Me: It is already dusk. No use arriving at night.

Kev: Okay then. Bye.

Me: Bye.

"Kevin is coming tomorrow
I asked him to come tomorrow because I am really tired right now. So my brain will stop working and so will my charms if I am tired." I touch my head and wince at the feeling of the bandage, I had almost forgotten about it. "As if you have a brain." Candace retorts. I roll my eyes at her. "But before I show myself to one of the guest rooms upstairs, I have a question. What did Drake mean by Francis leaving Emily heartbroken?" "That's none of your business, Archer." "It is, Johansen. Anything about Emily Walters is my business. So tell me." Before anymore conflict occurs Austin answers my question, "Up till middle school, Me and Drake were best friends and Emily and Francis were best friends. In the eighth grade, Francis and Emily would always fight. We were all shocked because prior to that they never said one harsh word to one another. By the end of the year both of them were fighting so terribly that Emily fell really sick and so did Francis. Francis still continued school but Emily took a year break. Emily and Drake are fraternal twins and Emily is older by five minutes. We don't say that because we don't want people taunting Emily. I told you 'cause you are her present best friend but try not to tell Kevin for we all know what happens when Kevin and Francis face each other."

I turn to look at Francis and then it all suddenly makes sense. He always behaves like a pet of Charlotte and Emily. Charlotte is his girlfriend so it makes sense now even Emily's part makes sense. He is just guilt ridden.

I feel anger course through my veins. How? How could she hide such a big thing from me? Whenever I asked her why Francis always listened to her, she used say that it is because he is afraid of her. I feel the ground shaking and thunder rumbling outside. I let out a scream and Drake let's me go. I stand up and scream again, "WHY EMILY? WHY HIDE SUCH A BIG THING?"

"Hey, calm down. What's the big deal? They were best friends. They aren't anymore. Why get so sentimental?"

I glare at her. Another thunder rumbles and ground begins to shake violently toppling things down. I can see them trying their best to not fall out of their chairs.

Stop it, Julia! Stop before you regret

How? How can I not be angry? She knew Francis so well she could......she could.....

She could what, Julia? She could what? Influence Francis into making you his girlfriend? Then what?

I........I don't know! How many more times did she betray me? Is she even in a problem now or this is an act of betrayal as well?

She will never. She only wants your best. You think she could have influenced Francis into making you his girlfriend and also be loyal? He would have just ran off to Charlotte behind your back. Sure Charlotte has morals. But how do you think would she able to hold back her love if he kept on going back?

You are right. She was only protecting me.

Austin's voice pulls me out of my thoughts, "Are you alright, Reine Julia Tentratice Aigle Archer?"

Shit! Identity revealed....

************************************
Heya, buttercups! So, another chapter in the same day! Yeh! Well this is the chapter for this week. The previous two are the ones I couldn't update the last two weeks. Sowy😅😅!!

Anyway, how about some questions???

1) Do you like drunk confident Drake or do you want sweet shy Drake? ( You will get him in the next few chaps)

3) Do you think Greta is right? Should Julia stay away from Drake?

4) Do you like the groups I made or do you want some changes? If you want then I will see to it in the next chap.

5) What do you think Austin means by 'Reine Julia Tentratice Aigle Archer'?

6) What identity of Julia do you think is revealed?

7) Lastly, did you see I skipped number 2?😂😂