The Cycle Repeats

Chapter 2 : Within The Lies

Phoebe’s POV

Phoebe couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction as her plan was unfolded perfectly. Elijah and Harper’s relationship was on the brink of collapse.

She thought back to the old days when Harper, Elijah, and she were in the same university before they graduated. She had admired Elijah, they were classmates in high school and throughout college. That's why she was always updated, and she even put a tracking device on Elijah just to make sure he was near her. Phoebe met Harper in the same club they were in, the arts club of their university; they became best friends because of activities that the two of them were partners in. Back before then, Elijah had a crush on Harper. He did everything secretly just to catch Harper’s attention, but Phoebe didn’t know it. Because of Harper, Elijah started talking with Phoebe, treating her to food, and driving her around so that Harper would notice him through phoebe. Phoebe fell in love with Elijah little by little because of his efforts and decency in talking with her. And when she knew that Harper and Elijah dated, she started coming closer to Harper and ruining her slowly without Harper noticing it. Instead of turning harper into an enemy, Phoebe turned herself into the most lovable best friend of Harper’s to break her into pieces sooner.

She remembered those nights vividly when Harper called her, Harper’s voice trembling with frustration and sadness. As she’d pour out her heart.

Phoebe’s had listened on Harper's rant about Elijah’s distant behavior, his lack of attention and dismissive words. She’d listen attentively, offering words of encouragement and advice as her self proclaimed loyal friend.

“Maybe he’s just stressed with work,” she would say.

“Give him some space, and he’ll come around.” Or,

“You know Elijah loves you, he’s just not good at showing it sometimes.”

Phoebe had pretended to be the best supportive friend. But secretly, she had been thinking about how Elijah’s behavior was a sign of his true feelings. How he was drifting away from Harper and she was the one who truly understood him.

She was good at fueling the fire, manipulating Harper’s perceptions of Elijah and their relationship. And now, it was paying off.

Elijah and Harper were at each other’s throats and their love turned to anger and resentment.

“Would Elijah finally notice me and see me for who I truly was? I hope so." cheering herself up.

“But I know I had to be patient, I couldn’t just reveal my true feelings and expect Elijah to fall into my arms. No, I had to play the long game.” she added.

Phoebe went outside to check if anyone is in the hallway to leave a note saying “You’re mine.” in front of Elijah's condo.

“I hope he will get angry after he read this, and confront Harper again using a prank.”

she giggled and left it succesfully in Elijah’s front door.

As Phoebe entered in the elevator, she couldn’t help but feel a rush of adrenaline. Elijah was standing in front of her, his eyes fixed on the floor as he seemed lost in thought.

“Hi, Elijah.” she greeted him with a light voice and a friendly tone.

Elijah looked up, his eyes locking onto Phoebe for a brief moment before he nodded curtly, “Phoebe,” his voice low and rough.

“I saw a paper on your door a while ago when I was walking in the hallway.” she said, trying to appear nonchalant.

The elevator doors slid open, and Elijah stepped out without a word. Phoebe watched him go, a mixture of emotions swirling inside her.

With the elevator door closed, I had set things in motion and now all she had to do was wait and see how they would play out. The game was heating up and Phoebe was ready to play.

She got into her car and started to drive it, while she was driving Harper's calling.

“Bitch.” she said in brutal tone before he answer the incoming call of Harper.

“Yes, my dearest friend? Did you miss me?” she said with sarcasm.

“Don’t play dumb with me, Phoebe,” Harper snapped.

“Let’s go shopping.”

“Shopping? You want to go shopping right now? Are you kidding me?” Phoebe replied, her voice laces with amusement and sarcasm.

“Don’t you have more pressing things to attend to, like saving your relationship?” Phoebe added. She couldn’t resist taking a jab, knowing Harper’s relationship was on the rocks.

Harper’s anger was up high even over the phone. “Just meet me at Mall. And don’t ever mention Elijah again, okay?”

Phoebe smiled at herself as she drove towards Mall.

She pulled up to the mall, the lush greenery and vibrant shopping districts a stark contrast to the drama unfolding in her life. As she met Harper outside the entrance, she couldn’t help but notice Harper’s frazzled state.

“Hey, what’s with the long face?” Phoebe asked, feigning concern.

“I thought you wanted to go shopping, not attend a funeral.” she added.

Harper shot Phoebe a dirty look.

“Let’s just get this over with. I need to get out of this toxic situation.”

Phoebe raised an eyebrow. “Toxic situation? You mean Elijah?” She knew she was pushing Harper’s buttons, but she couldn't resist.

Harper nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. “I don’t know what to do. I’m bursting with anger, I want to revenge on him, I want him to suffer for what he did but stupid me, I’m missing him so much.”

Phoebe's expression remained neutral but inside she was angry.

“Well, let’s go shopping and take your mind off things. Maybe we can find you a new outfit to boost your confidence.” She suggested gesturing towards the mall entrance.

While walking, the words of Harper kept repeating on Phoebe's mind. “I’m missing him so much.” she whispered to herself.

“Huh?” Harper voice with full of curiosity.

Phoebe's toxicity was not visible in Harper’s eyes. As they walked towards the boutique, Phoebe was happy to take advantage of Harper's state, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She was manipulating Harper’s emotions like a pro, and Harper was eating it up.

“Let’s check out this new collection, and try this. This suits you well” Phoebe said, gesturing towards a rack of designer clothes.

“Try on this dress,” Phoebe suggested it, handing Harper a revealing red dress.

Harper hesitated for a moment before taking the dress and heading towards the fitting room. Phoebe smiled to herself as she waited outside thinking about how she was slowly but surely manipulating Harper’s perceptions of Elijah and their relationship.

“Wow, you look stunning, Harper!” Phoebe’s eyes widened in fake admiration.

“Elijah wouldn't be able to resist you in that dress.”

“I don’t want to impress him again, I just wanted to take a revenge for what he did on me these morning.” Harper’s eyes welled up with tears again, and Phoebe knew she had hit a nerve.

Phoebe's expression remained the same but inside she was thrilled and her plan working perfectly. Harper was falling into her trap.

“Well, let’s get this dress anyway,” Phoebe said,

“You deserve to treat yourself, Harper.”

As they paid for the dress, Phoebe couldn’t help but think about how she was slowly destroying Harper's relationship with Elijah. And she was loving every minute of it.

They walked outside the boutique and accidentally Phoebe saw Elijah in the shoe store standing infront of it. Phoebe's eyes locked onto him, a sly grin spreading across her face. She nudged Harper, trying to keep her distracted from noticing Elijah.

“Hey, let’s check out that new sneaker store over there,” Phoebe said, pointing in the opposite direction.

“I heard they have amazing deals.”

Harper followed her gaze, but Harper moved her head around and accidentally the eyes of Elijah and her met, so Elijah put down the shoe in his hands and went in the direction of Harper and Phoebe. Harper didn’t know if she would react, because as of now she wanted to slap badly Elijah because of that black balloon that had a written note : “You’re a joke” infront of Harper's condo.

Elijah walked towards them and asked Harper straightforward.

“Are you the one who sent a box in my condo?” he said with serious tone.

Harper's looked coldly at him but her expression turning guarded. “What box?” she asked, her voice was a bit angry.

Elijah's eyes bore into hers, searching any signs of deception. “Don’t play dumb, Harper. The box with the key and the note that said 'Mine'."

Phoebe watching the exchange with interest, her eyes darting between Harper and Elijah. She seemed to be enjoying the tension between them.

Harper’s face remained impassive but her voice took on a slightly defensive tone.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Elijah. Why would I send you a box with a key and a note? I’d rather slap you as my revenge.”

Elijah sighed and gave heavy expression towards Harper.

“You think you’re funny, don’t you? Sending that note and the box. But let me tell you, Harper, it’s not amusing.” His voice was low and menacing, sending shiver down Harper’s spine.

Her face was still guarded. “I’m telling you. I didn’t send any box or note. And even if I did, I will never write ‘Mine’.” she crossed her hands, her stance defensive.

“You know what I’m talking about, Harper. Don’t play games with me.” he said with a serious tone.

“I’m not playing games with a liar like you. Don’t accuse me of the things I didn’t do.” she glared at him with anger evident.

Phoebe intervened, her voice light and casual. “Hey, guys, let’s not fight about this here. We’re drawing a lot of attention, why don’t we talk about it over coffee or something?” She smiled, trying to diffuse the tension.

“I want to know the truth, if you’re going to revenge for what I did then do it. Surprise me with hurtful things but not that one,” he explained

“It makes me think that you’re still in love with me,” he added.

Harper's face twisted in anger and hurt.

“You think I’m still in love with you?” she repeated. her voice low and cold.

“After what you did this morning and what you did in the past...” she took a step closer to him, her eyes blazing with fury.

“I’m not going to fall for you again.”

When Phoebe heard this she felt irritated and a bit jealous. She thought to herself that Elijah isn’t in love anymore with Harper but she failed.

“Stop hurting my friend, Elijah. Let's go Harper.”

Phoebe stopped them because of anger that she heard in Elijah's lips, she felt jealousness for she had feelings for Elijah.

As Phoebe and Harper disappeared into the crowd, Elijah stood alone there, feeling defeated and helpless.