Mira
I couldn't help but gasped when I drove into Alexa's compound. I always had a knack for beautiful things and this was it. Alexa's house was exactly what I imagined it would be. It was grand, pristine, and perfect even. A towering black gate opened into a well manicured lawn and a wide stone driveway that curved toward a cream-colored mansion with gold-trimmed windows. This was the kind of place that didn't just whisper money and power. It screamed class, money and everything in between.
I parked just outside and took a deep breath, already regretting this arrangement. When I rang the doorbell, it chimed like a symphony. Moments later, the door opened. It was alexa. She stood there in a cropped white blouse and designer shorts, leaning against the doorframe with a smirk etched across her face. Her arms were folded, and she looked down on me condescending.
"You're late," she said, raising a perfectly sculpted brow.
I checked the time on my phone to confirm. "It's five on the dot."
She shrugged. "That's late to me." she said as she turned and walked away, leaving the door wide open. She didn't even welcome me in or do anything. She just left me at the door to sort myself out which was typical of her. I stepped inside and immediately the scent of expensive candles hit me. Vanilla and sandalwood. The hallway was sleek, the floors were polished and the ceilings were high. Paintings that cost billions of naira could be seen displayed on the walls.
I followed her past a crystal chandelier and into her room, which looked more like a five-star suite. Plush rugs, massive canopy bed, an L-shaped study desk by the window, and a small couch nestled beside a bookshelf. It was elegant and intimidating—just like Alexa.
I placed my bag beside the desk and started pulling out my materials. "So... which report do should we start with? History, maybe?"
I didn't get any reply.
I looked up to see her lounging on her bed, tapping away on her phone with a faint smirk on her lips. Her long legs were crossed, and her nails clicked rhythmically on the screen.
"Alexa?" I called out hoping she would pay attention but she just glanced up lazily. "Oh? Are we studying already? I thought you'd want to take a selfie first. Y'know, for your fans. Keep that blog drama going."
My eyes narrowed. "I don't have time for games. This is thirty percent of our grade."
She gave a mock gasp. "Thirty percent? My God, we better start then! Hurry." She swung her legs over the bed and dragged herself dramatically to the desk like a child being forced to do chores.
She flipped open her textbook and stared at the first page for exactly five seconds before returning to her phone. I tried to focus on my own notes, tuning out the sound of her scrolling and giggling.
I suggested we divide the topics. "I'll take the American Revolution, you cover the Civil War."
"Mmm... sure," she said without lifting her eyes.
Ten minutes passed, and I had already written two pages. She hadn't written a word. Her phone kept buzzing with constant notifications.
"Are you planning to contribute?" I asked finally, trying to keep my voice level.
She blinked at me with faux innocence. "Relax, princess. You're doing amazing. Why ruin a good thing? You're doing so well already."
I clenched my jaw. She was beginning to get on my last nerves. She kept pushing me to the wall trying to see me break and do something rash but I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction.
"We're graded as a team," I said. "And I won't carry out this task this alone."
She smirked. "You think your grade's gonna get you to some Ivy League hun? Cute."
I ignored her and went back to work.
Over the next hour, she dismissed every idea I had. When I showed her my outline, she tossed it in the garbage without even looking at it. When I asked for her notes, she said they were in her locker. I offered to send her a digital version, but she refused, saying that she only worked with handwritten drafts—but then never wrote anything.
By the time we got to the science section, my patience was beginning to thin out.
"You're impossible to work with." I muttered under my breath.
She tilted her head mockingly. "And you're so easy to provoke. Look at you. You should loosen up a bit so you don't get wrinkles when you grow older."
"You're supposed to be studying not taunting me with words"
"I don't really need to you know, You could just get the work done and turn it in on behalf of both of us."
I inhaled slowly. "You don't think I would report this to Mrs. Princely?"
She stood up and leaned closer, her expression icy. "I would like to see you try if you want to get expelled. You think she'll believe you over the principals daughter."
That made sense actually. Not that I was scared of her or anything but I didn't feel the need to play into her trap. And I'm sure the principals influence would prevail over Mrs. Princely no matter how honest or fair she claimed to be.
We continued in awkward silence for another half hour until her phone rang. She stepped out to take the call, and I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. I stood up to stretch my legs when I spotted her jewelry box on a corner shelf. It sat open on the shelf, ornate, glass-covered piece, with several glittering bracelets and rings inside. One silver bracelet was hanging out slightly, like it had been left there on purpose.
I didn't touch it. Instead I turned on my camera and placed it to video us from that angle.
When Alexa returned, her mood had shifted. She moved with calculated calm, but her eyes were sharp, like she had something up her sleeves
"You should probably leave," she said coolly.
"What? We haven't even started"
"I said, we're done. I have plans. You can come another day."
I stood up slowly, while gathering my materials, I looked up to her and gave her a piece of my mind. "If this is your idea of collaboration, I'll let the project speak for itself."
"Sure," she said with a little laugh. "Do take care."
I was halfway through zipping my bag when she suddenly called out loudly, "Mom!"
A few moments later, a tall woman in a silk robe stepped into the doorway. Alexa's mother looked just as polished and pristine as the house itself.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"I think something's missing from my jewelry box," Alexa said, in the sweetest voice I'd ever heard her use. "It's that silver bracelet I love, Mom it's gone. I think she took it."
I froze, straightening up. "Are you seriously accusing me?"
Her mother looked at me, surprised. "Alexa, are you sure?"
Alexa blinked innocently. "what else would I think? She was the only one here." she wailed, crying actual tears even when she was lying.
I laughed. "You've got to be kidding me."
Her mother's eyes darted between us, visibly uncomfortable. "Mirabel, would you mind just… checking your bag? Just to be safe?"
"With pleasure," I replied.
I unzipped the bag and laid it flat, turning every notebook, textbook, and paper out in full view. I lifted it and turned it upside down. Nothing but school supplies.
Then, with calm precision, I pulled out my phone and tapped a button.
"What's that?" Alexa asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Just something I do during study sessions," I said. "Voice memos to help me review later."
I hit play.
The recording played back our earlier conversation, including the part where Alexa mumbled sarcastically: "Let me put this bracelet away before I accuse this poor girl of stealing it." She gave an evil laugh and continued "She won't know what hit her."
The room went still. Her mother's face turned pale. Alexa's lips parted, but no sound came out.
I tucked the phone back into my pocket and met Alexa's gaze dead-on. "Nice try. But if you're going to play dirty, make sure you're smarter than your target."
I didn't wait for a response. I threw my bag over my shoulder and walked out, my shoes echoed against the marble floors but no one followed. The silence in that grand house was only interrupted by my car engine as I started it. I didn't see the news in playing dirty with Alexa. But if that's what she wants I'm fully up to the task.