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The Moonlight Restaurants rooftop was a world of silver and shadow. Above, a sliver of moon hung in the inky sky, casting a faint, ethereal glow over the tables, minimalist décor. Soft jazz drifted from hidden speakers, an elegant counterpoint to the tension in the air.
Gabriella, in a shimmering, short silver gown that caught the moonlight, stood frozen. The delicate fabric hugged her figure, making her look both fragile and formidable. Beside her, Dona was equally still, her short purple gown a vibrant splash against the darkness. They were statues of shock.
A figure emerged from the deep shadows near the staircase, materializing like a specter. He was a boy, and the sight of him made them gasp. He was impeccably clean-shaved, with sharp, idol-like features. He possessed a striking, almost breathtaking handsomeness, yet his eyes held a cold, cunning glint that belied his looks.
Gabriella narrowed her eyes, the recognition a slow, unsettling crawl. The face was maddeningly familiar, like a half-remembered dream.
"Who are you?" Dona demanded, her voice tight, a sharp break in the silence. She paused, her eyes challenging him. "And do you think we will believe that you are the reason she won the election?"
The boy's smile was thin and mocking. "You believe or not, it's me."
He stared intensely at Dona, then turned his full attention to Gabriella, his voice dropping to a low, teasing drawl. "Are you really forgot me?"
Gabriella thought hard, her mind racing. Her gaze drifted over him, searching, until it landed on his wrist. There, a simple, brightly colored Friendship band was tied. Her eyes widened momentarily, but she quickly masked it, maintaining a cold, knowing smile.
"Ah, you are that Friendship band guy, right?"
He looked genuinely confused. "What?"
"The one who approached my while voting," Gabriella clarified, her tone casual, as if discussing the weather. "Is that you?"
He scratched his head, a genuine look of bewilderment briefly crossing his features. "Yeah, it's... me. But you really don't remember me before that?" He laughed, a dry, humorless sound. "Of course, you are a Silverstorm member. How can you remember me?"
Gabriella just stared coldly.
Dona stepped forward. "You still didn't say who you are!"
He ignored Dona completely, his eyes locked on Gabriella. "But... you met me before that." His stare turned cold, and then he suddenly smiled, his eyes twinkling. "In the Indoor Swimming Pool. While you and this girl..." he gestured to Dona, "...helped a group of students from bullying."
Gabriella instantly understood. A slow smile spread across her face.
"You're one of them, right?" Dona asked, realization dawning.
"Yes," the boy confirmed. "One of the students bullied by them. I hate them. Erica and her friends." He paused, his gaze turning assessing. "Wait. Is that you, right? The person behind the Erica incident?" He raised a knowing eyebrow.
Dona quickly leaned into Gabriella, whispering, "How does this guy know it?"
Gabriella's smile widened into a smirk. "You know a lot. How did you change the result at the last time?"
He threw his head back and laughed. "Don't think that I am the only one! The students who were bullied by them and hate them—they are also part of this. And I didn't do anything illegal. We did a genuine vote." He winked. "We were also waiting for someone like you to stand against Raina."
"Then why didn't any of you stand against her?" Dona challenged.
The boy's laughter died down. "You don't know anything about our school, Short Girl."
"What? Me?" Dona bristled.
"Yes. The whole Brighton Wisdom is controlled by the heirs of Business Tycoon. Especially like Raina. Only a person like them can stand against them." His gaze returned to Gabriella, full of respect. "But you did that. So, we used our voting power for you."
Gabriella smiled, a spark of camaraderie in her eyes. She took a step closer to him. He offered his hand to her, a gesture of alliance more than mere friendship.
"Let me introduce you first," he said, his smile genuine this time. "My name is Ajax. Nice to meet you."
He extended his hand. Their hands met in a firm shake. Dona watched them, still staring at Ajax, a flicker of suspicion lingering in her eyes.
The Wounds of Vengeance
At Brighton Wisdom School Rooftop, the evening air was cool and crisp. The time was around 7 PM.
Raina, Selina, and Ronnie were sitting dejectedly on the very edge of the building, their silhouettes dark against the twilight sky. Their bodies were slumped, and the faint light revealed multiple wounds and bruises, physical marks of their recent humiliation.
A person approached. They turned, and as he stepped into the light, his face appeared. He had striking golden hair. It was Jake.
Ronnie, driven by a surge of anger and relief, picked up a loose stone and threw it at Jake, missing him by inches. "Where are gone! Why aren't you come to rescue us?" he shouted, his voice hoarse.
"And Han too," Selina added, her voice cracking. "He left me alone! Where is that idiot?"
Raina remained silent, her eyes cold and hard, fixed on Jake.
"Bro, I am not a superman," Jake said, his expression serious. "If I came there, I would also get caught by them. I already tried to help you, but... you trapped yourselves."
Ronnie turned his face down in defeat. Jake tossed a clean T-shirt to Ronnie, who caught it automatically. He then gave new clothes to Selina and Raina. As he handed Raina hers, he asked, "Are you okay?"
Raina didn't reply, just shook her head curtly. All three went to change.
Jake took out his cigarettes, lit one, and started to smoke, his eyes scanning the city view below, a silent sentinel on the rooftop.
After a few minutes, they returned, dressed in fresh, clean clothes.
"It's the worst day of my life," Selina declared, her voice heavy with bitterness.
"Me too," Ronnie echoed.
"It's all because of her. Andria," Raina spat out, the name laced with venom. "How can you blame a day?"
Jake turned, his cigarette smoke curling around his face. "Andria?"
"What?" Selina asked, confused.
"The girl we bullied before," Ronnie said, acting nonchalant.
Selina found it impossible to believe. "How can it be her? Impossible, she transferred to other school!"
Ronnie smirked, taking a cigarette from Jake and lighting it. He took a drag and exhaled. "That Andria is Gabriella."
Selina's jaw dropped in disbelief. Jake's expression hardened, and he faced Raina. "What did you exactly do to that Andria?"
"We bullied, not... me," Raina hesitated. "Erica... we were just enjoying that."
"Is that her who witnessed Lara's accident right?" Jake asked, his voice low and pointed.
Ronnie nodded, looking away.
"What's the point of that?" Raina asked, deflecting.
"Why did you guys hide this matter from me that She is Gabriella?" Jake demanded, his voice rising.
Raina smirked. "I already gave a chance to you—that video in the pendrive. But you didn't..." Her tone suddenly shifted to doubt. "You are one hiding something from us."
Jake feigned confusion. "You're doubting me that I fell for her?" He laughed, a loud, artificial sound.
Raina, Selina, and Ronnie all looked confused.
"I am trying to get her trust and trap her in love. That's why I did it," Jake stated coldly. "Otherwise, it's all acting. Who would fall for an enemy?"
"Then that's good," Raina said, a hint of relief in her voice.
"But her face, how it's changed?" Selina asked, her mind still grappling with the revelation.
"Is that necessary now!" Raina shouted, her anger flaring. "Can't you feel how they revenge us? It will prove that she is Andria!"
Selina's confused face instantly cleared, replaced by sudden anger. "Why didn't you guys tell me before?"
Raina hesitated. "Because... we thought we could handle ourselves before you knew."
"Excuse me?" Selina was livid.
"You and Han were busy dating, so... We can't change the past. Let's think for the future," Raina said, trying to calm her down. She paused. "How can we handle her?"
"Yes," Ronnie agreed.
Selina nodded, grudgingly.
Suddenly, Han arrived. When Selina saw him, she rushed over and slapped his face hard. "How dare you leave me there alone!"
"Sorry, but... I don't know what to do at that second. It happened so quickly, so I left," Han stammered, his hand going to his stinging cheek.
Selina was crying. Han quickly pulled her into a comforting embrace. "Sorry. Are you okay? Did they attack you?"
Han looked at Jake. "I rescued him, don't worry, nothing happened to him," Jake said dismissively.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier? I worried about him!" Selina demanded of Jake.
"I forgot in the middle of the conversation," Jake lied smoothly.
Han stepped back, troubled. "I still can't believe why is she going against us. She told me she is doing it because we bullied other students, but I don't think that alone is the reason."
Selina was about to speak, but Raina grabbed her hand fiercely and signaled her to keep silent.
"We have to talk to her," Selina said instead.
"Yes, maybe she'll listen," Han agreed, ever the peacemaker.
"Yes," Raina said.
"I know you guys are angry with her. Leave it to me, I will handle her," Han offered, sincerity in his voice.
Jake looked confused, and Ronnie rolled his eyes. Raina gave a subtle signal to Ronnie. Ronnie understood and pulled Han towards the exit.
"Where?" Han asked.
"Let's go out and bring something to eat," Ronnie said with a forced smile.
Han nodded, and they both left.
Jake turned to Raina. "Why did you do this?"
"Can't you understand? He is still supporting his sister! How can we plan against her if he is here?" Raina said, her eyes blazing. She then stared pointedly at Selina. "And I stopped you because if he knew what we did to her earlier, he would get mad with us. So, don't say anything to him."
"Okay. What are we going to do?" Selina asked.
Raina stared back at Jake.
"Are you still doubting me?" Jake smirked, then his face turned cold. "If I have to choose her or my friends, I will choose my friends."
Raina finally smiled, a predatory gleam in her eyes.
Ronnie returned. "Believe him, Raina. He is the one who always helped to hide what we did earlier, the bad things. If it's revealed, we won't be standing here now."
"Fine. Let's go," Raina said.
"What's your plan?"Jake asked.
"Not now. Let me think first," Raina replied. "Then I am leaving."Jake replied
Before he could go, he paused. "I know. She is revenging us not only for her. It's more than that. I can sense that. Be careful. And one more thing: I can sense that you are hiding something from me and Han too." He smirked, turned, and walked away, rotating his bike key on his finger.
Raina smirked.
Ronnie looked at Selina. "Han is waiting for you at the Entrance." He threw a chocolate bar from his snack bag to her.
Selina was about to leave when she turned back. "What are you going to do?"
"I want to snatch what she took from me," Raina hissed, her face contorted in anger. Ronnie's expression was equally angry.
"And I will take from her what every girl believes as their pride," Selina added, her eyes narrowing with a malicious smirk.
The eyes of both girls dazzled with the fierce, cold light of revenge.
Raina smirked again, a cruel, self-assured expression. "She underestimated me as Erica. But me..." She paused. Selina and Ronnie gazed at her, waiting.
"No one can escape from a snake after stepping on its tail. I will bite her. No one can help her from me. No one." Raina finished, her voice a low, cold whisper of vengeance.
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