Deception Of Friends?

This story is a work of fiction. It contains mild violence and emotional themes. Reader discretion is advised.

The festival lights flickered across the crowd, casting a warm glow over Daniella and Dess as they navigated through throngs of excited partygoers. The bass from the music thumped in their chests, making the night feel electric. Daniella stuck close to Dess, her nerves slightly on edge—she didn’t know a single soul here, and the thought of stepping into a sea of strangers was… awkward.

Dess, on the other hand, thrived in the chaos. She tugged Daniella toward a group of familiar college friends. “Dani! You have to meet them,” she said, grinning.

Daniella hesitated. Chase, Samuel, Clover, and Ben the latter being Dess’s boyfriend looked friendly but loud. Daniella tried to keep a neutral smile, internally noting that none of the guys were her type. Clover, in particular, tried too hard to charm her, flashing a smirk and leaning in. Daniella offered a polite smile but remained distant.

Then Lucas arrived. The crowd seemed to part for him, or maybe it was his confidence. He was dressed immaculately, carrying the latest phone, the kind of guy who clearly had money to burn. Daniella traced him with her eyes and forced herself to see past the shiny exterior. Attractive? Not really. Charming? Maybe. And the worst part? A faint body odor that made her stomach twist.

Dess nudged her subtly. “If he asks, just go with it, Dani. He’s loaded. Trust me.”

Daniella hesitated. How could she date someone she found so unattractive, and with that smell? If her brother ever found out, he’d probably stage a full-blown intervention.

Before she could spiral further, Lucas turned to her with a casual smile. “Hey… can I get your number?”

Daniella blinked, then scribbled it down, keeping her expression neutral. Clover, noticing, scowled. Just because he’s rich… I’m way hotter than Lucas, he thought bitterly.

A few days later, Daniella nervously adjusted her dress. Tonight was the date with Lucas. She tried to ignore the little knot in her stomach as she remembered the festival how polished he looked, how unnervingly confident he was… and that lingering smell.

Lucas arrived, sharp as ever, and Daniella realized this time for sure it wasn’t sweat. The smell was permanent. Her stomach twisted, but she reminded herself he was generous and somehow… strangely charming.

Dinner was polite, with Lucas asking about school, hobbies, and personal details like her birthday and favorite foods. Daniella found herself sharing things she normally wouldn’t, while discreetly tolerating the smell. By the end of the night, she left with a polite smile, a phone full of messages, and a head full of conflicted thoughts.

Over the next few days, Daniella noticed Ben Dess’s boyfriend acting unusually attentive. He kept replying to her stories, messaging her frequently. Daniella carefully kept her responses neutral; Dess was her best friend, and she couldn’t risk crossing boundaries.

Finally, Daniella’s birthday arrived. Lucas appeared with a massive money bouquet, a teddy bear, and chocolates. Her eyes widened. Nobody had ever gone to such lengths for her. Lucas had even been sending her money daily, unasked. Part of her felt overwhelmed and guilty because she didn’t know how to react.

But then Ben’s gift arrived. Dess noticed a flicker of unease. Why would he give my best friend a gift without telling me first? she wondered but stayed silent, trusting Daniella. Clover, ever observant, noticed Ben’s growing attention toward Daniella, and even Lucas seemed to sense it. Glares and tensions simmered quietly, but no one could predict what would happen next.

The following morning, the police found Ben’s body in his living room. He was found lifeless in his home.The question echoed in the city, the press, and the police:

“WHO MURDERED BEN?”

The investigation began. Lucas, Dess, Daniella, Samuel, and Clover were called in for questioning.

The investigators asked:

• “Where were you last night around the time Ben died?”

• “Did you have any disagreements with Ben?”

• “Who knew about Daniella’s birthday gifts?”

• “Did you notice unusual behavior from Ben recently?”

• “Were there any financial disputes, jealousy, or secrets involving Ben?”

• “Has anyone here had romantic or personal conflicts with Ben?”

• “Did anyone here have access to Ben’s house?”

Specific questions targeted each person, highlighting potential motives: Lucas’s attention toward Daniella, Dess’s awareness of Ben’s gifts, Clover’s jealousy, Daniella’s interactions with Ben, and Samuel’s calm observations.

During questioning, subtle tensions emerged:

• Lucas twitched whenever Daniella was mentioned, hinting at jealousy or hidden motives.

• Dess avoided eye contact and adjusted her hair whenever Ben’s name came up.

• Daniella flinched subtly at mentions of Ben, carefully controlling her expressions.

• Clover’s glances and smirks were suggestive of obsession.

• Samuel remained calm, cataloging every response, his quietness making him seem detached but suspicious.

The investigators sensed something wasn’t right. Samuel’s background check revealed he lied about his parents being divorced. Ben had allowed him to stay at his house for a few days under false pretenses.

The breakthrough came from Ben’s phone. Texts and secret video files revealed Samuel had been recording Ben in private. That night, Ben returned home late and discovered Samuel’s obsession. Shocked, he rejected Samuel, explaining, “I love you, but not in that way.”

In a flash of rage and heartbreak, Samuel stabbed Ben in the chest, unable to control his emotions.

When confronted, Samuel confessed fully. Then he added, almost quietly:

“I… I’ve always loved him.”

The words hit the room like a thunderbolt. Daniella’s hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide. Dess froze, jaw slack. Lucas’s face twisted in shock. Even Clover, usually so quick to judge, stared in stunned silence.

The quiet, calm Samuel… had been hiding a love for Ben that no one had suspected. The truth was darker, more complicated, and more heartbreaking than any of them could have imagined.

Weeks later, life had returned to a semblance of normalcy. Daniella and Dess grew closer, Lucas learned patience, and Clover remained vigilant. Samuel faced trial, and the case served as a grim reminder of obsession and hidden motives.

Yet one evening, Daniella received an anonymous message:

“He didn’t act alone.”

A chill ran down her spine. Somewhere, someone else could still be out there watching, waiting. The city’s question returned, sharper than ever:

“Who really murderded Ben?