Megara peeled herself from the sheets, a knot of apprehension tightening her stomach at the thought of school. Yet, beneath the lingering unease, a quiet satisfaction simmered.
She had told her father of the new scholarship she received and he was happy about it but she was still careful not to tell him that she was bullied at school to prevent him from worrying too much or worse.
The chaotic terror of the previous week was finally behind her, and despite the sting of humiliation from Uriel and Brianna, she felt a newfound resilience. She anticipated further torment from Uriel, but she was determined not to let him dictate her education or her life, a mistake she felt others had made.
A quick shower later, dressed and ready, she descended to the aroma of baking. Her father, a picture of cheerful concentration, stood at the counter frosting a cake. Megara settled at the dining table, pouring herself a cup of coffee as she waited for the treat.
Mr. Smith leaned down, pressing a kiss to her head. "Good morning, sweetheart. Sleep well?" His voice held a note of concern. "You missed three days last week. Ready to head back today?"
Megara smirked, taking a sip of her coffee. "Wouldn't miss my education for the world," she replied, a small smile gracing her lips. "Dad," she continued, her brow furrowing slightly, "do you really have to go to the military? I'll miss you terribly, and even though I get annoyed, the thought of you in danger..."
He moved closer, his gaze calm as he observed her through her thick lashes. "I'm sorry, sweetie, but if I don't go, I wouldn't be much of a soldier. And more importantly, if I don't go, this city could face terrible consequences." He settled on the stool beside her. "I know it might seem like I'm a bad father for leaving you, but I'd be an even bigger failure if I didn't try to protect you and the future you'll grow up in."
Megara sniffed, a tangle of confusion and frustration knotting within her. But she knew her father. He was as unyielding as she was, a trait that had ultimately driven her mother away – a woman who couldn't reconcile their unwavering commitment to their beliefs. She rose and carefully hugged him from the side, his arm instinctively wrapping around her. Tears welled in his eyes as he smiled.
"I know, Dad. You'll never fully tell me the details, and you certainly won't change your mind. But you also know I'll always support you," she assured him, pressing a kiss to his temple. "You're the best dad anyone could ask for. I have friends here to look out for me, and Aunt Milicent isn't so bad. I promise to be good, someone you can be proud of when you return."
He stood, turning to face her, his expression overflowing with emotion. "I am proud of you, sweetie, more than you know. But promise me you'll call every day, and no more secrets." Megara nodded firmly. "Now that you've agreed… why did you lie about being bullied at school?"
Megara's brow furrowed again, but a sudden smile bloomed as the oven timer dinged. "Hey, Dad, are you trying to make me late?" she exclaimed, gesturing towards the oven. "The cake's ready! I'm starving, and Hugo will be here any minute." She giggled, successfully diverting his attention as he rushed to retrieve the cake.
"Nice try, kiddo. You're a little trickster, just like me," he chuckled, placing the cake on the table.
Megara winked, sticking out her tongue playfully.
She sat down, picking up her fork. "Like father, like daughter, remember?" she said with a smile as he served her a slice. "Thanks, Dad. Just going to eat quickly so I'm not late. I'll put some aside for Hugo too."
"Yeah, whatever," he retorted, a smile still playing on his lips. "Nathan's mum has been calling for days. She just wants to apologize for his behavior and says you shouldn't stop visiting because of it."
Megara shrugged, slicing into her cake. "I'm not angry, and I'll see her soon. Just been busy," she replied, and he simply nodded. "But Dad," she continued, her tone shifting, "have you ever thought about remarrying?"
The question caught Mr. Smith completely off guard. He snorted, coffee splashing against the wall. "No! Why would you ask such a crazy thing?" he asked, his voice softer now, almost shy. "I'm happy with just you and my job. Don't want anyone complicating that."
"Yeah, well, you're not getting any younger, and you need a wife! Plus, I know the perfect candidate," she said brightly. "Don't you want to know who it is?"
"I'm only forty-three, that's not old! And who exactly is this candidate?" he asked, taking a tentative sip of his coffee.
Megara looked up, meeting his grey eyes over the rim of her cup. "Nathan's mom! I mean, have you seen the way she looks at you? Or how happy she is when you bring her things? Oh, and did I forget to mention her phone background is a picture of you? And it hasn't changed!" Immediately, Mr. Smith's coffee cup clattered against the wall, sending another spray of brown liquid. "Oops. Guess we'll have to repaint that wall again."
"You mean Nathan's mother? Not the Ethan down the street?" he asked, feigning confusion.
"That's why you're still single, Dad! Ethan's mum is married. I'm talking about Nathan's mum, Mrs. Santiago!"
He mentally slapped his hand over his face at her blunt suggestion and he could feel his cheek heat up like a shy teenager. "I've never thought of her like that plus she's rich and I'm just a man fallen from grace. He replied getting his cup filled. "She deserves someone better than me and I'm not sure I want a relationship right now. All I want is to see you graduate, get married, have kids and you know whatever suits you.
Megara clicked her tongue shaking her head vehemently. "I want you to do all those but with someone you can trust Dad I don't want you being lonely again. She replied eating the last piece of cake on her plate. "Think about it Dad there's nothing wanting to be with her although she's rich she never despised us either.
Mr smith moved closer clearing out the dishes in the sink. "I'd think about that sweetie but it doesn't mean I'm going for it. He said assuring her and immediately a car horn was heard from outside. "I think Hugo's here. You need to be careful of that guy I don't like the way he looks at you like he's going to screw you any minute.
Megara shrugged walking to the door. "Whatever Dad Hugo has a way of looking at people and don't forget he is a model and it's his professional behaviour.
"I don't like that kind of professional look and that's final I want you to focus on your schooling and become successful. He replied following her out of the house. "Goodbye sweetie see you later. If I'm not home know that I'm at the soccer field down the street.
Megara hugged her father before letting go. "Goodbye daddy have a nice day. She replied walking towards the car as Hugo held the door open.
Hugo waved smiling at the frowning father. "Good morning Mr Smith it's nice to see you. He remarked. "Don't worry she's safe with me.
"It's not so good to see you and she better be safe. He said and Hugo only laughed not taking the word to his heart as he walked to the driver seat shutting the door before riding off with full speed.
"Hmm kid's of nowadays they grow pretty fast and the times you're not looking they'll do things you don't expect them to. He murmured walking into the house before shutting the door. "He better not put his paws on my girl else I'll fry his balls.
AT ROYAL VON HIGH PREMISES.
Hugo's sleek Roy Rolls Royce glided to a stop in their usual spot. He cut the engine and unbuckled, stepping out to assist Megara before tossing his keys to the waiting security guard, who expertly maneuvered their car into its reserved space.
A warm smile touched Megara's lips as Hugo pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, his gesture almost courtly. "Stop it, Hugo," she chuckled, gently pulling her hand away. "I might actually start expecting this. Besides," she added with a playful glance, "your girlfriend might take issue, and while I value our friendship, I'd rather not become a target for your secret admirers."
Hugo threw his head back and laughed, a sound that made Megara pout. "What's so funny?" she demanded, pointing at him before quickly checking her reflection in the side mirror. "Nothing's out of place, so what's the joke?"
He gestured towards her, still chuckling. "You're hilarious, Megara. Afraid of a nonexistent girlfriend and some phantom admirers I couldn't care less about." He pressed the lock button on his key fob, the car doors clicking shut. "For the record, girlfriend count: zero. Not yet, anyway."
Megara gasped dramatically, reaching out to touch his forehead. "Are you feeling alright, Hugo? I thought it was practically a rite of passage for rich kids to start dating in kindergarten," she said, a picture of confusion as they strolled away from the parking area.
"Well, some of us buck the trend. Zack, for instance, has a girl at school. They aren't officially 'dating,' but let's just say they're… involved. He definitely plays the field, but mum's the word, okay?" He batted his lashes with mock sincerity, and she nodded in amusement. "Uriel, though, he's another story. Cloak and dagger when it comes to girls. Doesn't really socialize with them much."
Megara's eyes widened. "Is he… you know…gay?" she ventured, lowering her voice. "Because he's almost too pretty to be a boy."
"Nah, not even close. In fact," Hugo leaned in conspiratorially, his voice hushed, "he's pretty vocal about his…discomfort… around anyone like that. You've got him all wrong. Once, when we were in the States, some guy tried to assault him in his apartment after we got back from the Grammys interview. Uriel practically put him in the hospital."
"Wow! That aggressive, huh? Hmm, makes you wonder if he's secretly training to be a Shaolin monk," she mused aloud.
"Beats me," Hugo shrugged. "But what I do know is that between Zack and Uriel, he's the one everyone wants. The Z3 crew? We're all about entertainment, fashion, online gaming, advertising." He flipped his phone open, showing Megara their profile. "We get hired by all sorts of big companies and celebrities to promote their stuff, and we even launched our own shoe line."
Megara's gaze was drawn to Uriel's image on the screen. His sharp features and sculpted abs were undeniably striking. He was pictured in low-slung army khaki jeans, a sliver of his Hugo Boss underwear peeking out. Adidas Ultra Boosts adorned his feet, and the lion tattoos emblazoned across his toned chest were captivating. She wondered if they were real, a surprising mark on his otherwise immaculate appearance. His smile in the photo could probably melt glaciers, and she couldn't shake the feeling that he'd be more convincing as a mafia boss than an influencer. Yet, despite his rumored arrogance and bullying tendencies, she felt an inexplicable pull towards him.
Hugo snapped his fingers in front of her face. "Earth to Megara," he teased, noticing her fixed stare. "You're practically drooling." Megara instinctively touched her lips, a blush creeping up her neck. "Don't worry," Hugo chuckled. "He has that effect on pretty much everyone. No need to be shy."
"Who says I'm shy? And who on earth would be attracted to that brute?" she retorted, quickening her pace as Hugo trailed behind, a knowing smirk on his face.
They finally reached the school's grand entrance. As they began their familiar walk inside, they were met with the collective, curious gazes of the students gathered outside and lining the hallways. Megara felt a wave of self-consciousness under their scrutiny, but she lifted her chin, walking tall beside her friend. There was nothing to be ashamed of.
Unbeknownst to them, a carefully orchestrated scene was unfolding. Megara's "welcoming ceremony" was in motion, the brainchild of Uriel himself, who watched their approach on a live camera feed from his hovering helicopter. A smug smile played on his lips as Zack sat beside him, completely absorbed in the latest issue of Z3 magazine.
Hugo accompanied Megara to her locker where they chatted quietly saying a few words to themselves before Hugo pulled her into a hug before sauntering away.
Megara sighed in relief proceeding to open her locker and when it was finally opened a red liquid squirt out of the locker hitting her square on her face it smells was so irritating that she almost felt like puking. "What on earth is this? She barked hurriedly searching through her locker but as she reached for it more kept squirting out of the locker staining her uniform and books. "Uriel so this is one of your childish tricks right well I've got mine coming up.
The empty hallway were finally filled with taunting and videoing students who were so enamored by the unfolding scene in front of them. Megara looked too furious to even care about them she was more bothered about her classes that were going to have to be delayed because of this mess.
"Wow that's the true scents of poverty,right guys? A blond girl remarked and everyone cheered laughing hard. "It's only a pity looks like your monthly is here on time well there's no giant pad to clean you up.
Megara felt disgusted by the thickness and the foul odour coming from it. "Do you realise this is the school grounds and you could be punished for bullying? Do you remember Damion and Brianna's situation?
A boy walked out of the crowd his haughty eyes and mockery etched on his face. "Damion and Brianna? suspension? Don't kid yourself Megara they were just freaking unlucky because they did everything out of the welcome ceremony.
A torrent of laughter echoed the hallway and the sound clicking camera shuttered but Megara removed to be moved by them. "Welcoming ceremony? So you call this kind of bullying welcome ceremony? She asked trying to understand the level of stupidity among these students. "Excuse me but I think I've got classes I want to attend.
"You're not going anywhere near our classroom with the stench of your poverty and who said anything about you like leaving? Another girl bellowed signaling the onlookers to cover the exit. "You still have to take this! Release the goose wings.
Before Megara could fully register the bizarre spectacle, a sudden deluge of white goose feathers rained down, clinging to her uniform as if she were dressed for a feathered masquerade. Humiliation and a rising tide of tears threatened to overwhelm her, but she fought them back, her gaze hardening into a fierce glare.
A boy emerged from the jeering crowd, a mischievous smirk plastered across his face as he swaggered toward her. "Who are you looking at like that?!" he sneered, his voice loud and arrogant. Megara remained unmoved. "You dared to mess with someone powerful, and now you have the audacity to try and attend school with us? You clearly don't know your place, and perhaps this little demonstration will teach you that you are not one of us."
He punctuated his words with a mocking poke to her shoulder, igniting a fresh wave of laughter from the assembled students. But in a lightning-fast move, Megara seized his arm, flipping him over with surprising ease. He landed on the floor with a pathetic thud, like a discarded dollop of greasy margarine. The laughter died in their throats, replaced by a stunned silence. Panic flickered through their eyes as they instinctively recoiled. Unwavering, Megara refused to let a single tear fall as she strode past them, heading towards the sanctuary of the gym bathroom.
The heavy silence hung in the air until the sound of approaching teachers sent the remaining students scattering like startled pigeons. Jane, who had witnessed the entire scene from the periphery, made her way to the gym bathroom. She gently knocked on the stall doors.
"Hello Megara, it's Jane Roosevelt," she called softly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Don't be afraid. I've brought a spare uniform; you might need it." There was no immediate response from Megara, who, having finally stilled her sobs, was now surprised by Jane's unexpected kindness. "I'm not here to bully you; I only want to help."
Megara cleared her throat, her voice still thick with emotion. "Jane, what are you doing here? You should leave before they start bullying you for helping me." She continued washing, trying to scrub away the humiliation along with the feathers.
Jane shrugged, moving to the bathroom door and locking it from the outside. "I'm not leaving you, Meg. You've helped me twice already, a rare kindness from a stranger, so I'm returning the favor." Her voice was firm but gentle. Megara nodded, turning off the shower. "Don't pay them any mind; they're just a bunch of arrogant bullies."
Megara chuckled, reaching a soapy hand over the stall. "You can say that again, Jane. But they've picked a fight with the wrong person. They're in for a rude awakening." She affirmed as Jane passed the clean uniform under the stall door. Megara quickly changed. "Are you alright? It's good to see you again. I was hoping to call you, but I don't have your number, and no one would give it to me."
"Yeah, of course, no one would give you the number of a girl who was just publicly humiliated," Jane murmured, stepping out of the stall, her wet hair clinging to her skin as she hastily secured it with a band. "That was fast. Let's head to class before we're late."
Megara nodded, stuffing her soiled uniform into a nylon bag. Together, they left the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Uriel stormed out of the helicopter, his face a mask of fury. Zack trailed behind, his eyes glued to the screen of his iPad, a chuckle escaping his lips as he replayed the scene of Megara's swift takedown. He watched his friend's signature smirk twist into an ugly scowl, a familiar sign of thwarted plans and wounded pride.
Zack clapped Uriel on the shoulder, his tone gentle. "Hey, mate, try not to get so worked up. That 'trillions of dollars' frown is etching lines; not good for business." But Uriel's anger flared, misinterpreting his brother's amusement as mockery. "Don't look at me like that! Things didn't go as planned, so what? It doesn't mean the others will fail. Honestly, maybe just leave her be, man. It's clearly not working."
Uriel's frown deepened into a scowl. He grabbed Zack's collar, nostrils flaring. "Are you daft?! Abandon what I intend to obliterate? She insulted me, Zack, not you! So don't you dare tell me to leave her alone!" He snarled, releasing his brother and slamming the rooftop's metal door behind him.
Zack's signature smile flickered across his lips as he smoothed his ruffled collar, running a hand through his fiery hair. "Hmmmm, well, that was charmingly brutal. But if my hunch is correct, this animosity will blossom into something beautiful later." He chuckled, jogging towards the door Uriel had just stormed through. "Looks like I might become a best man soon."
Uriel descended the stairs to the elevator leading to their private third-floor suite. As the doors began to close, Zack slipped his hand in, forcing them open and stepping inside beside his brooding friend, whose mind was already racing with new schemes for Megara. Thirty seconds later, the elevator dinged, announcing their arrival. Chris stood waiting, a cheerful and polite expression on his face, his notepad in hand. But Uriel brushed past him, a familiar smirk playing on his lips, instantly conveying his desired tone for the day.
Chris trailed Zack, his footsteps measured, until Uriel halted abruptly. "Chris, is everything in place?" His tone was flat, devoid of warmth.
"Yes, Boss, everything's set. She'll definitely fall for it," Chris replied, attempting to maintain his cheerful demeanor. "Pedro came by an hour ago. He asked me to relay that he's acquired the Moore and Wills family shares under your pseudonym, Black Agates."
Uriel turned, his gaze piercing Chris, who avoided his scrutiny. "Careful, Chris. Walls have ears. I don't want anyone outside our circle of four to know I'm one of the largest shareholders in the twelve principal UK families. Understood?" He paused, glancing pointedly at the CCTV camera. "If word gets out, your tongue will be a treat for my hounds."
Chris nodded quickly. Zack chuckled, patting him on the back as Uriel strode into the suite. "You heard the boss, and he means every syllable." He clicked his tongue. "Head to class, and don't forget to tell Tanya we're meeting at the gym."
Chris nodded and headed for the elevator as the suite door closed behind him. Inside, a silent, hostile standoff was taking place between Hugo and Uriel. Hugo's hand gripped Uriel's collar, their eyes locked in a fierce challenge, while Uriel nonchalantly displayed his middle finger.
Zack stepped between them, pulling them apart. "What in the name of diamond-encrusted guns is wrong with you two?" They both pointed accusingly at each other. "Are you trying to melt my brain? Look, you're scaring the teacher."
Hugo scowled, gesturing for the teacher to wait outside before turning his accusatory glare back to Uriel, who had settled on the couch, seemingly unconcerned. "He started it! Why didn't you inform me before proceeding to humiliate Megara like that? Do you even consider how distressed and frightened she might be?" He snapped, but Uriel simply inserted cotton wool into his ear, meticulously cleaning it.
"Why would I care about anything concerning Megara?! You think I'm a fool, that I'd tell you so you'd sell us out?" The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, a stark truth for Hugo, who indeed harbored such plans. "It's not my concern if she gets hurt. All I want is for her to leave this school, or else this place won't be big enough for both of us."
"She has decided not to leave, Uriel, and that's final," Hugo stated, sauntering back to his seat. "Sometimes, Uriel, things don't go your way. Deal with it and stop acting like an immature brat."
Zack frowned at Hugo's remark, reaching out to lightly grip his shoulder. "That's enough, Hugo. I tolerated your bluntness, but this is going too far." He met Hugo's gaze, his own hardening slightly. "You're both fighting like animals over a girl who isn't even concerned about your existence.