The next morning, Titi woke up with fire in her chest. She dressed quickly, face set, and stormed out of her room without acknowledging anyone. About to reach the door to exit the mansion, her father called after her.
"Titi—wait!"
"Fuck you," she muttered, flipping him her middle finger as she exited the house, already set on her mission.
"Titi, don't make yesterday continue into this morning. I'm not taking anymore of your bullshit," he warned.
Stopping at the door, she sighed, anger boiling so hot she wished she had explosives to blow this whole place out of existence. Biting her lip until she tasted blood, she spun around with the fakest smile she could muster.
"Good morning, Mom. Sorry for talking to you harshly. The truth hurts for being a hoe—oops. My apologies again for bringing it up… again," she spoke, venom dripping from each word, sweetened only by sarcasm.
"Keep pushing my patience," her dad warned.
"I apologized. I complied. Isn't that what you wanted, Daddy? I mean, you can't get perfection in just a couple hours. Rome wasn't built in one day," she snapped, honestly not giving a fuck.
"Get my car ready. I'm leaving," she screamed, turning away from him.
"Twinkle Light," her mom spoke in a pleading voice.
"Don't you fucking dare call me that. My real mom—the one who isn't a home‑wrecker and family destroyer—can call me that. Last time I checked, you are all of the above and more. Goodbye." She spoke in disgust, giving one last glance before leaving.
Walking down the stairs, she slid into her car. The butler closed the door, and she sped off, leaving this burden of a family behind. Using the remote to open the gate, she flew onto the road at full speed as the gate closed upon her exit, her first objective clear: the phone store.
Once in town, she stopped at a small shop called Jimbo Technologies. Switching off the car, she exited and went inside, meeting the store owner, who greeted her with a warm smile.
"Good morning," the store owner greeted warmly.
"Morning," Titi replied curtly, scanning the displays.
"Looking for something specific? Prepaid or postpaid service?" he asked.
"Prepaid. No contracts. No strings. Just give me the damn card and the phone. Something fast. Secure. Doesn't matter the brand—just give me options," she snapped, not wanting him to waste her time.
He pulled out several models, listing features. "This one has extended battery life. This one's top of the line for security. And this one—simple, but reliable."
Titi picked each up, weighing them in her hand. "Not this. Not that. Hmmm…" Finally, she pointed. "This one. Wrap it up."
"Excellent choice," the owner said.
Looking at him like he was a mere servant, she pulled out her credit card and handed it over. He rang her up and packaged the phone with the SIM card.
DECLINED.
"Miss, your card just declined," the shop owner said carefully.
"That can't fucking be. Do you know who I am? Run it again," she ordered, knowing it was impossible. Her card was a black card—unlimited funds.
He nodded and swiped again.
DECLINED.
"Fuck… how much?" she asked in disapproval, glaring at him.
"$170," he answered sweetly, ignoring her rudeness.
Sighing, she yanked open her purse, slid cash across the counter, and snatched the bag. Without another word, she stormed out.
The store owner ran after her as she reached her car. "Miss, your receipt!" he called.
"Piss off, will you? The fuck I need a receipt for?" she screamed, slamming the car door shut. He froze, then retreated back inside.
She pulled out her personal phone and immediately dialed her father.
"Dad, what the actual fuck!" I screamed the second he picked up.
"Who do you think you're talking to like that?" he replied, voice calm, unbothered.
"My card! Not working! Do you know how humiliating that is? My fucking card declined on a purchase!" I shrieked, lungs burning.
"And whose fault is that?" he shot back, tone dripping with sass. "You don't appreciate me. Last night you screamed I gave you nothing. This is me not giving you nothing. You don't appreciate anything I do. You think money just appears because you demand it? So figure it out, you ungrateful brat."
"Don't start your lecture bullshit with me! I needed that card, and you—" I screamed louder, rage shaking my chest.
"When you want to speak to me like your father, call me back," he said flatly.
The line went dead. He had hung up.
My fury exploded. I slammed my palms against the steering wheel, over and over, screaming into the empty car until my throat burned and my hands ached. The sound of my rage echoed in the confined space, boiling, unstoppable.
Tears burned my eyes—not from sadness, but something darker. Bigger than hate. Bigger than revenge.
Suddenly, I tore open the box, powered the phone, and inserted the SIM card. Immediately, I typed in the unknown number—the stranger who had been guiding my revenge.
A text pinged instantly: Happy you followed instructions.
Another followed: Here's Veronica's address. Go there. Play princess.
Hatred boiled in my veins as I punched the address into GPS. I drove, eyes locked forward, disgust twisting my face when the house came into view. Yet, as I parked, I forced myself to inhale, exhale, and calm down.
Exiting the car, I walked up the porch lined with beautiful flowers, which for some reason softened me. Smiling genuinely for the first time that morning, the anger shifted for a moment. I rang the doorbell, waiting.
Inside, chaos. Veronica and Renae were racing to get ready, voices overlapping.
DING DONG.
"Guys, the door!" Julian shouted from the pantry, his hands packed with ingredients as he rushed toward the kitchen.
"Veronica! Renae! Doooor!" Anika screamed, fighting to put her socks on.
"Baby, all this cuddling last night made me wake late," Anika scolded Julian.
"Complaining now when you were screaming my name last night?" Julian teased, laughing when she threw her crocs at him. He laughed harder, vanishing into the kitchen. Smiling, reminiscing on last night's encounter, Anika went over to the door.
She flew to the door, opening it wide—only to freeze at the sight of the visitor.
"Hello. I'm Titi Bardot," she said smoothly. "I wanted to apologize for targeting Veronica yesterday. It was not the best first impression, and I am truly sorry."
"Well, I'm not the one you should be apologizing to, but I appreciate you being here, honestly," Anika spoke, smiling sweetly. She glanced at her watch, panic flashing. "I'm going to be late. We'll catch up later. Girls! Julian! Come greet our guest!"
Renae ran down the stairs from her bedroom, darted into the kitchen to kiss her mom goodbye, then appeared first. Her blood boiled the moment she saw Titi.
"You…" she hissed.
Suddenly, Veronica grabbed her arm tightly, holding her back. Julian stepped in from the kitchen, shocked, trying to lighten the tension.
"Well, well… the famous rich Titi Bardot at my door. After yesterday's outburst at USC? This is… unexpected." He chuckled nervously, eyes curious.
"Renae… remember our deal," Anika warned, walking over to kiss her daughter on the cheek, hugging Veronica, and kissing her husband passionately.
"Is there like two minutes I can massage that clit for you again?" Julian whispered into her ear, causing her to blush and smack his chest. He kissed her again, handing her the lunch kit he had packed with breakfast, coffee, and snacks for her shift.
"I'm gonna be late," she said, still blushing, running out the door.
"Titi, it was great meeting you. I'll definitely invite you over one day so we can talk better, but right now, I've got lives to save. Byeee!" Anika acknowledged Titi, giving her a gentle motherly pat on the shoulder, smiling warmly before bolting to her car. She revved the engine to life and sped off to the hell she called work.
Titi turned back to the six pairs of eyes staring into her soul. She only smiled, her gaze sharp, her presence heavy.
"I have waffles with chocolate filling, whipped cream, and strawberries on top. With coffee or orange juice. Would you like to come in?" Julian asked politely.
"Whose waffle?" Renae shot back.
"Who's anything… given to who?" I shot back, backing Renae.
"The bitch can starve for all I fucking care," Renae snapped, her blood boiling.
Smack!
"Owwww!" Renae screamed, rubbing the back of her head. Julian had hit her.
"Language, young lady. Don't play with me," Julian scolded, then turned back to Titi with a smile.
"Sure, I would love to come," Titi spoke with pure fake sincerity—but they didn't know that.
Titi entered the house, scanning every detail, then stepped into the kitchen with us. Julian was already shaking the pan, flipping fresh waffles with practiced ease. The smell filled the room, warm and sweet, cutting through the tension.
"Here," Julian said, sliding a plate toward her. "Waffles with chocolate filling, whipped cream, strawberries on top. Coffee or orange juice as promised?"
Titi waved it off at first, lips curled. "I don't eat pity food."
Renae's glare could have burned holes through steel. "Eat it," she hissed.
Titi raised a brow, smirked, then finally picked up the fork. One bite. Her eyes widened despite herself. "Shit… this is actually amazing."
Julian grinned. "Knew it. My food never lies." He leaned back, tossing a few jokes into the air.
"Why don't scientists trust atoms?" he asked.
Renae rolled her eyes. "Oh God."
"Because they make up everything!" Julian laughed at his own joke.
Only Titi chuckled, low and amused. Veronica and Renae sat stone‑faced.
Julian smacked both of us lightly on the head. "Dull the mood again and I'll smack harder next time."
"Why the fuck are you here, Titi?" Renae snapped, blood boiling.
"Yeah, why?" I echoed, crossing my arms.
Titi leaned back, fake sincerity dripping from her tone. "Obviously, I'm apologizing. My dad's pissed, my card's blocked, and I'm trying to atone for my sins. Happy?"
Julian checked his watch, eyes widening. "Shit. I'm late. Which means… I can't drop you girls to school." He cursed under his breath, pacing. "Mental note: this weekend, we're going to the dealer. You need a car. A nice one."
He turned to Titi. "Can you take them? Just this once?"
"Fuck no!" Renae and I screamed in unison.
Julian's voice hardened. "Well, unless you know how to fly or have Flash powers, I don't know of another way. She's your way to school. Got it."
The room went silent, tension thick. Titi smirked, savoring the chaos