The Cycle Repeats

Chapter 5: Unlock Pranksters

Elijah’s POV

Swyne changed the topic into the plan pranks for Elijah’s revenge to Harper.

“Alright, let’s plan something epic for Harper. How about we put clear wrap across her doorway? She’ll be freaking out” Swyne suggested.

Elijah took a sip of his wine, hi eyes never leaving Swyne’s face.

Elijah’ response was immediate. "Do it.”

He drank more wine, his mind still consumed by thought of Harper.

Swine’s grin grew wider “I’ve got it! we will hack into her phone and change her autocorrect to something hilarious.”

Elijah’s response was flat.

“Do it.”

Duke chuckled. “Or lets switch her favorite coffee with decaf, she’ll be dragging all day. You know Harpers favorite coffee shop right?” he talked to Elijah interestingly.

Elijah’s response was predictable. “Do it.”

As the prank continued to flow, Elijah’s wine glass was constantly refilled. His expression never wavering from its cold, calculating mask. Swyne raised an eyebrow, his grin faltering slightly.

“Dude, you keep repeating your answers, you’re starting to freak me out with all the ‘do it’s.”

Elijah’s gaze slowly lifted from his wine glass, his eyes switching looking onto Swyne's and Duke. For a moment, they jut stared at each other, the air thick with tension.

Then, in a low even tone, Elijah spoke. “I’m in.”

Duke leaned in, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Alright, let’s think of something really epic. How about we...”

Elijah cut him off, his voice cold and detached and continue to refilled the wine and drink in.

“Suggest worst.”

Elijah’s gaze never wavered, his seeming to bore into Duke’s soul. “Suggest worst.”

The atmosphere in the room grew heavier, and Swyne shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Dude, maybe we should just stick with the pranks we had planned...”

But Elijah's expression remain unyielding, his voice still low and menacing. “Suggest worst.”

Duke’s eyes gleamed with mixture of excitement and fear as he leaned in close to Elijah.

“Alright, if you want the worst pranks, I’ve got a few ideas. How about we hack Harper’s social media and post some embarrassing stuff in her name?” Duke said.

*Swyne’s POV*

“Alright, if you want the worst pranks, I’ve got a few ideas. How about we hack Harper’s social media and post some embarrassing stuff in her name?” Duke said confidently.

Swyne felt some dissapointment without Elijah and Duke noticing it.

“Is it too much Dude? Let’s think another I guess, “ he said with a calm voice.

But Elijah didn’t mind him,

“Just continue.“ Elijah, fill again his wine glass and drink it.

At that time, Swyne has no choice but to suggest pranks. Inside of him was a feeling of sadness because he's concern about Elijah and Harper situation. Swyne knew them since college and the impact of their relationships in Swyne life is the best.

Swyne wandered back to their college days, when Harper and Elijah was around. They would go to great lengths to make their relationship happy. Their love was infectious and Swyne often found himself caught up their whirlwind romance.

As he watched Harper and Elijah’s relationship unfold, Swyne couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealously. Not because he wanted Harper for himself but because he envied the deep connection they shared. He is the quiet type of person to observe from the sidelines as his friends lived their lives to the fullest.

But as Harper and Elijah’s relationship progressed, found himself drawn to their feelings. He admired how they balanced each other out, how they laughed and how they supported each other through think and thin.

Swyne often joked that he was the third wheel in their relationship, but deep down, he was grateful to have them in his life.

Now, as he sat with Elijah and Duke discussing pranks to play on Harper, Swyne felt unease.

“What’s wrong, dude?“ Elijah said drunken. Noticing Swyne’s distant expression. “You’re not into this anymore?”

He didn’t want to contribute to the toxicity that was slowly destroying their friendship. He wanted to see Harper and Elijah happy, like they used to be in college.

Swyne force a smile, trying to brush off his concerns. “Nah, I’m just thinking about other ideas. Maybe something that doesn’t involve hacking Harper’s social media.

Elijah look seriously to Swyne. “You’re getting soft, Swyne. What’s going on with you?“

“Just don’t want to cross any lines, man. Let’s keep it light.“

Duke chuckled. “Light? You’re no fun, Swyne. Elijah, tell him to loosen up. “

Elijah leaned back in his chair, a sly grin spreading across to his face. “Oh, I think Swyne just needs a little motivation. Let’s make it interesting.“

Swyne’s eyes narrowed, sending trouble brewing.

As Elijah’s grin grew wider, Swyne's instincts told him to be cautious. “What kind of motivation?“

Duke whooped in excitement and already brainstorming ideas not until he heard Elijah's answer.

Elijah’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “A woman,“ he smirked.

“Oh no, I have so many girls. I don’t need that, “ duke said with disappointment.

I love that,“ Swyne smiles widely. “I have one woman in my mind,“ he added, and looked at Elijah's eyes.

“My sister, the woman you bumped a while ago.“

The smile on face of Swyne replaced by pissed off expression.

“I want other. Not her.”

That time, Elijah doubled mind and he had one girl in his mind, Harper.

“Not my ex.“

Duke cut the discussion and leaned closer to Elijah, started dropping the idea he had in his mind.

“Maybe we spread some false rumors about her business practices or sabotage her relationships with key partners.“

“Stupid. That’s too much.“ Swyne said with a little anger draw in his face.

Elijah gaze never wavered, his eyes fixed on some point in front of him as he continued to support his wine. His silence was oppressive, and the other seemed to be waiting for him to make his move.

Swyne’s voice was low and cautious. “Elijah, are you sure you want to go down this path?“

Elijah’s response was a single, chilling word. “Continue.“

Duke’s voice dropped to a whisper. “We could also dig up on her past, find something that could ruin her reputation for good.”

Elijah nodded slightly, his gaze never leaving Duke’s face.

Swyne shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his voice laced with a hint of unease.

“Dude, I don’t know if this is a good idea. We’re talking about destroying someone’s reputation and livelihood.“

Elijah’s response was a single, icy word. “Proceed.“

“Bro this isn’t you, are you sure you will do this?” Swyne asked Elijah with a bit of begging don’t do it please.

“I’m positive,“ he said, his voice low and even.

*Phoebe’s POV*

8 p.m. in the evening.

Phoebe decided to go to a bar and accidentally she saw the group of Elijah and his friends, so she decided to sit on the next table. She couldn’t help but be drawn into the conversation between Elijah and his friends. The smell of wine and smoke hung heavy in the air. The jazz band’s melancholy rhythm seemed to match the mood of the group inside.

As she listened to Duke’s suggestions, a smile spread across her face. When Duke proposed spreading false rumors about Harper’s business practices, Phoebe’s smile grew wider. She found herself rooting for Duke’s ideas, her interest piqued by the potential chaos that could ensue.

But when Swyne spoke up, her voice was laced with caution and concern. Phoebe’s expression darkened. She felt a surge of irritation at Swyne’s hesitation.

“I’m positive,“ Elijah said to Swyne, his voice low and even.

“Dude you’re not thinking straight. This is Harper we’re talking about. You’ve always had a thing for her, and now you’re planning to...“

When Phoebe heard the contradiction of Swyne’s at Elijah’s plan, she attempted to stand and go to their table but she stopped herself when Elijah said an interesting word.

“This has nothing to do with feelings. This is about business, and about teaching her a lesson. “ Elijah's eyes flashed with anger.

Swyne’s voice was getting serious with skepticism.

“A lesson? You’re going to ruin her business and reputation just to teach her a lesson?“

“Chill, we’re friends not enemies.“ Duke cut the conversation of Elijah and Swyne’s off.

But Elijah’s jaw clenched, and he leaned in closer to Swyne. “You don’t know what’s at stake here. You don’t know what she’s done.“

Phoebe kept listening on them, and she looked on with interest, thinking that her plans were working well and would be successful.

*Elijah POV*

Swyne’s eyes searched Elijah's face, looking for any signs of hesitation or doubt. But Elijah’s expression remained the same. His determination to see this through was clear in his eyes.

Elijah's wine glass seemed to refill itself magically, and he grew increasingly more intoxicated. And his eyes took on a glazed-over quality.

“Dude, pranks... yeah, pranks... gonna teach her good.“ Elijah mumbled while his head was nodding forward.