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🚪 Principal's Office – Brighton Wisdom School
The air was thick, suffocating with shock. In the sterile silence of the Principal's office at Brighton Wisdom School, a prestigious academy known for its polished facades and dark secrets, Gabriella's palm connected with Erica's cheek. The sound was a sharp, brutal punctuation mark.
Erica, notorious for her venom, stumbled back, her eyes wide, a thin cut on her chin throbbing. Everyone—Principal John, a nervous teacher, and two witnesses—gasped.
Gabriella, her dark eyes blazing, stood over her. She was wearing the school's uniform—a crisp dark green blazer over a pleated skirt—but she looked like a warrior in armor.
"You have no right to talk about my character," Gabriella's voice was a low, dangerous whisper that cut through the silence. "Before you pry into others' lives, look at yourself."
Erica's face, a mask of surprise, twisted into rage. She lunged to retaliate, but a thunderous voice stopped her.
"Enough! Everybody, get out!" Principal John, a man whose patience was clearly threadbare, pointed to the door.
Gabriella walked out, her jaw tight. Just as she stepped into the hallway, she saw her.
Raina.
Coming across the corridor, wearing a custom-tailored uniform that screamed authority, Raina was a vision of cool, calculating power.
As they passed, time seemed to slow down.
Their eyes locked. Gabriella's were a cold, challenging brown ; Raina's were an light brown, holding an endless, knowing amusement. It was a silent conversation, a declaration of war.
Raina didn't flinch. She entered the office.
"Raina, ah. You have arrived," Principal John said, relief flooding his voice.
Raina's voice was cold, echoing the authority she hadn't yet claimed. "Why did you call me?"
"Because… one time, students make mistakes," John glanced meaningfully at Gabriella, who had paused near the door, her hand on the frame, about to leave. She stopped, staring back.
John turned his gaze back to Raina. "And I am correcting that mistake. Accept the authority as School President." He leaned forward, presenting a shining School President's badge.
Raina didn't flinch. She simply smiled, a secret, terrifying smile, confirming she knew this was the plan all along.
"No," she said.
John was genuinely surprised. Raina sputtered, "I want this power! Where I lost it…" She turned her gaze to Gabriella, a vicious triumph in her eyes.
Gabriella's gaze was locked on Raina, two feminine forces of nature staring each other down across the room.
"Yes," John quickly recovered, smiling at Raina.
Raina whispered, looking directly at Gabriella. "Look. You lost again."
Gabriella's lips barely moved, a soft counter-whisper. "No." Her smirk was dark, the kind that promised ruin. "When you think you get back everything, and you won, that time you lose everything you had, within a second."
Her eyes turned darker, promising a storm. The battle for Brighton Wisdom had just begun.
🍃 Act II: The Garden of Deceit 🌳 Afternoon – Brighton Wisdom Garden
In the dappled shade of the vast school garden, where bright pink and white blossoms rained down like confetti, Ronnie and Lara were sitting. Lara was bent over a textbook, a lock of her vibrant copper hair falling across her cheek.
Ronnie, her boyfriend, picked a long blade of grass and gently teased her by running it along her neck.
Lara giggled, pushing his hand away. "Ronnie, don't! Can't you see I'm studying?"
Ronnie smirked, his eyes full of affection. "But now it's boyfriend time."
Lara smiled, completely melting.
"Did you take your medicine?" Ronnie asked, a sudden seriousness in his voice.
"No," she replied, diving back into her book.
"Where is it?"
"In my backpack."
Lara continued to study. Ronnie reached into her open backpack and took out the pill bottle. His face was soft with concern.
But then, his expression hardened. He quickly replaced the bottle in his hand with an identical one from his other pocket. He dropped the new bottle into the backpack and pulled out a single pill.
He looked up. Lara had turned. He froze, his smile vanishing, then instantly returned it.
"What?" he asked, a tiny bead of sweat forming on his temple. Did she see?
"Water," Lara said simply, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Oh, I forgot!" Ronnie breathed a silent sigh of relief and quickly handed her a bottle of water.
He watched intently as she took the pill. "I placed the pill bottle back in the same side of your backpack. Don't forget to take it in time," he instructed.
Lara nodded, offering him a radiant smile.
Ronnie's smile disappeared the moment she looked away. He looked down at his hand, clutching the original pill bottle.
"I'm sorry, Lara," he thought, the guilt a heavy stone in his chest. "I have no other choice. I want you forever by my side. And I don't want you to get back your memory."
💍 Act III: The Secret Lover ☕ Women's Club – The Unseen Engagement
Gabriella's mother, Roselette, a woman of elegant poise in a deep sapphire dress, arrived at the exclusive Women's Club. She exchanged warm smiles and waves with her fellow society mothers. But then she noticed Jake's mother, Julie, who was actively avoiding her gaze. Roselette was confused.
After the meeting ended, Roselette followed her. Julie hesitated, trying to move aside, but Roselette was persistent.
"Are you Mrs. Robert, right? My husband told me you're in this club."
Julie offered an awkward, strained smile.
"Why are you avoiding me?" Roselette asked gently.
"I'm… sorry." Julie's tone was genuinely remorseful. "How can I confront you after what my son did to your daughter?"
Roselette was confused. "What?"
Julie sighed, showing Roselette her phone. The screen displayed a news article: 'Emilda Heir Caught Kissing Gabriella at Party.'
Roselette was shocked but a tiny smile played on her lips. Is she in love with him? she wondered. He's a nice boy. When Gabriella was drunk and dazed, he was the one who helped her get home.
Roselette was about to defend the situation, but Julie quickly interrupted.
"It won't happen again. I warned my son. Don't play like this. You are already engaged to… Elizabeth."
Roselette's smile vanished. "What? He's engaged?"
"Yes. But only our family knows. We didn't announce it to the public. But now everything is spreading across social media…"
Roselette's calm shattered. "He is an adult now! Tell him! Don't act like this!" Roselette turned and walked away, her sapphire dress swishing with angry purpose.
Julie retreated, confusion clouding her face.
📚 Gabriella's Class – The Fight for the Fiancé
Gabriella entered her class, her mood dark from the dread of the day. She sat at her table and opened a textbook. Something was written on the page in a looping, elegant script.
She whispered the words aloud: "I have arrived. I won't allow you to get close with him."
What?
"Secret lover!" a voice barked from behind her.
Gabriella turned. Standing there was Elizabeth, Jake's fiancé. She was stunning in a designer outfit that screamed expense, but her face was twisted with fury.
"You didn't expect me, right?" Elizabeth's mocking smile instantly changed to terrible anger. "Your secret love… ends."
Classmates gasped, staring at the impending verbal fight.
Gabriella instantly understood. She stared back, cold as ice. "Who is the secret lover?"
Elizabeth smirked. "You! While I wasn't here, you stole my fiancé!"
Gabriella gave a short, humourless chuckle. Elizabeth was shocked.
"Who is the secret lover? Me?" Gabriella's eyes turned dark and cold. "That's you. Couldn't you see what happened at the party?" She raised one eyebrow. "He kissed me in front of everyone. He didn't even consider you. Then… who is the secret lover? You or me?"
"GABRIELLA!" Elizabeth shouted.
Gabriella stood up, about to walk away, when Elizabeth grabbed her hand.
Gabriella showed her hand, turning to stare deep into Elizabeth's eyes. Elizabeth felt a small flicker of fear.
"Do you watch a lot of dramas?" Gabriella said mockingly. "You do, I think. Instead of asking questions and bullying me, ask your fiancé." Her voice dropped, becoming deeper and colder. "Don't mess with me. I don't have time for a love triangle drama."
Elizabeth was left seething as Gabriella walked out of the classroom.
🏀 Act IV: The Warning and the Confession 🏆 Indoor Basketball Court – Brother's Fury
Jake was sweating, his jersey soaked, but his face was triumphant. His team had won the tournament. Suddenly, the court doors burst open, and a tall figure barged in.
Han.
Han spun Jake around and grabbed his jersey in a tight fist. "How dare you!"
Everyone gasped. Jake's teammates tried to intervene.
"It's between him and me!" Han roared. "Don't interfere, anyone. Otherwise…" He warned, his eyes blazing. Everyone stepped back.
"Why did you do that?" Han demanded.
Jake, confused, tried to play innocent. "What?"
"Yesterday. The party." Han stared at him terrifyingly.
Jake instantly mocked him. "That? Yes, I kissed her. So what?"
Han's grip tightened on Jake's jersey. "Stay away from my sister!"
"What will you do if I say no?" Jake challenged, raising an eyebrow.
Han groaned. "Jake, don't play with Gabriella like you did before to my sister."
Jake's smile disappeared. He didn't reply.
"I left you before, and forgave you as my friend before. But not this time."
"What's going on?" a voice cut through the tension from ten steps away.
Han and Jake turned.
It was Gabriella. Her face was straight, devoid of expression.
Han instantly smiled and released Jake's jersey. "Casual talk… as friends."
Gabriella started to approach. "Is that how you guys talk casually?"
Han slung his arm over Jake's shoulder. "Isn't that right, Jake?"
Jake played along. "Yes, we are."
Gabriella's eyes narrowed.
Han whispered into Jake's ear, "Stay away from her."
Jake immediately removed Han's hand from his shoulder. Han just smiled and walked away.
Jake turned his eyes away, avoiding Gabriella's gaze.
Gabriella reached him and grabbed his hand.
"I need to talk with you. Alone," she said, her grip firm. She dragged him outside.
🌸 The Garden
They reached the bright, blossom-filled garden.
"What are you thinking, huh?" Gabriella demanded.
"Lots," Jake smirked, trying to deflect.
Gabriella rolled her eyes and shoved her phone into his hand. Jake saw the news: 'Emilda Heir's Secret Lover: Jake and Gabriella Kissing at Party.'
His smile vanished. He snatched the phone. "Who wrote this article? Secret lover?" he whispered, annoyed.
Gabriella snatched the phone back. "Then what do they tell? You already have a fiancé, then you act like this. What do they say?" she said coldly. "I'm warning you, Jake. Don't put two girls in a fight because of you. It's all happening because of you." Her eyes pierced him.
"Did Elizabeth do anything to you?" he asked, seeing the genuine danger in her eyes.
Gabriella smiled, a frightening softness returning. "I won't allow it, even if she tried. Now, clear my name from the news and rumors. And stay away from me now onwards."
Gabriella turned to move, but Jake grabbed her hand. She stopped.
"Yes, I have a fiancé," he said, his tone gentle, honest. "But she isn't the girl I love. It's an elders' arrangement."
Gabriella turned back, her fierce expression softening, a crack in her icy composure.
Jake took a step closer, his voice barely a breath. "It's you. That's you, Gabriella. The girl I love."
Gabriella's heart hammered against her ribs. She blinked, once, twice.
As if sensing the monumental moment, the flowers on the nearby tree began to fall, raining down on them like tiny, delicate snow.
Gabriella and Jake are staring at each other, the weight of a secret engagement, a public kiss, and a deadly revenge plot hanging between them.
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To be Continued...
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