A few hours before the party, Keisha had made a decision.
She grabbed her phone and dialed Noah's number.
— Hello?
— Noah, she murmured. I'm going to Maya's party tonight. I need you to come with me.
— …You? The queen of the school? With me? he asked, surprised.
— Exactly. And you stay discreet. Just present. The way I want.
— Very well, he replied, a smile in his voice.
A simple call. A calculated move. And the rest of the strategy was set in motion.
The party was in full swing. Music, laughter, dim lights. The students had gathered in Maya's large house, where every detail exuded illusion and prestige. Chandeliers, soft rugs, cozy corners, and darker zones for those who preferred to vanish from sight.
Keisha stepped through the door, Noah by her side. She took a deep breath, letting her natural calm blend with an aura of control.
Maya, perched on a small improvised stage at the center of the room, spotted them immediately. She wore that smile that conveyed both charm and superiority.
— Well, look who's here! she exclaimed, her clear voice carrying above the music. An unexpected duo… but very interesting, she added, pointing at Keisha and Noah with a dramatic gesture.
Some guests exchanged curious glances. The queen of the school… and her companion?
— Keisha, said Maya, stepping forward, your entrances are always so… remarkable. You really spoil us.
Keisha remained still, a slight, controlled smile on her lips. Noah, by her side, gave a subtle nod — discreet but confident.
— I present Noah, said Keisha calmly. He is accompanying me tonight.
Maya examined Noah from head to toe, a playful smile forming on her face.
— Very well, very well… You'd better live up to the Aïna you're escorting, she said with a light laugh.
Then, as if to punctuate their presence, Maya snapped her fingers. The music softened for a moment, and several guests cast curious glances toward Keisha and Noah.
— Go on, enjoy the evening! she added, moving away gracefully, yet keeping an attentive eye on every guest's movements.
Keisha felt the weight of the gazes. But her composure did not waver. Every gesture, every smile, every movement Noah made at her side was calculated. The game had entered a new stage.
Léandro, on the other side of the room, noticed her immediately. His gaze hardened — a mix of challenge and fascination. He had tried to provoke her before, but Keisha had already regained control effortlessly.
She pretended to chat with Noah, lightly placing her hand on his arm, tilting her head toward him. For Léandro, every move was a silent challenge, a subtle declaration of power.
— Are you here for me or for the show? Noah whispered, a faint smile on his lips.
— For me, she replied, almost inaudibly.
Their eyes met Léandro's. Instinctively, he turned his head, aware that he had been challenged — yet unable to look away completely.
The game had begun.
Léandro stepped forward slightly, trying to mask his agitation, while Keisha remained still, wearing a subtle smile and total control. Every second she spent near Noah triggered a reaction in Léandro that he struggled to conceal.
In her calculated silence, Keisha repeated to herself: Bad strategy…
And she knew that in this kind of game, real power never lies in loud gestures, but in the ones you withhold.
Keisha had already gained the upper hand.
The music was still pounding, but for Keisha, everything felt different. Every movement, every glance, every laugh reached her as if filtered. She no longer saw the party. She saw Léandro — and what he was attempting.
He approached, a glass in hand, a light smile on his face. A calculated smile, too deliberate to go unnoticed. His gaze settled on Keisha and Noah.
— Wow, look who's here… he said loudly enough for others nearby to hear.
Keisha didn't move. She only turned her head slightly, an almost imperceptible smile on her lips. Noah understood immediately: remain still, silent, attentive. No overreaction.
Léandro moved closer, subtly blocking Keisha's path to the buffet. Every movement was measured — a quiet provocation.
— You came with him, huh? he murmured, almost to himself, but loud enough for her to hear.
She waited a few seconds, letting the tension settle.
— Yes. Does that bother you?
His laugh was light, but it carried restrained tension.
— Maybe… I was just wondering if you needed a guide to navigate this kind of party.
Keisha leaned slightly toward Noah, her voice calm and low.
— Keep your attention on me. Nothing else matters.
Noah nodded. He knew his role: protect her space, stay composed, never draw unnecessary attention.
— Very well, Léandro murmured, a spark of challenge in his eyes.
He stepped back, pretending indifference, but every smile he gave other girls, every deliberate gesture, was meant to provoke her.
Keisha didn't react.
She walked toward the buffet, picked up a glass of water, then turned to Noah.
— Show me you're up to the task.
He moved closer, subtly reinforcing her presence. Nothing excessive. Just enough.
Léandro watched.
This wasn't pure jealousy. It was obsessive curiosity. Every gesture, every smile from Keisha was analyzed, dissected. And yet, he could do nothing.
Keisha knew exactly what she was doing. Every second she spent with Noah reinforced her control. Every glance Léandro sent their way confirmed it: the rules had changed.
She met his eyes briefly. Her smile was barely there — but clear enough.
Don't think you can surprise me. I control everything.
Léandro looked away, frustrated, intrigued, fascinated. Somewhere deep inside that restrained tension, he knew he would have to escalate.
He just didn't know how yet.
Keisha, motionless, shielded by her mastery and Noah's presence, had already won the first round.