Same Day
Emirates Academy
The courtyard hadn't fully settled as Esmeralda made her way toward Class E.
Eyes followed her.
Like she was gravity.
And everyone else… just falling.
Whispers trailed behind her like rumors afraid to die.
And as usual
she's the center of every attention.
"ESMERALDA!"
Two voices rushed toward her.
Poppy and Emilia.
Poppy reached her first, grabbing her hand tightly.
"Oh my God, we heard what happened! We were so worried"
Esmeralda stopped walking.
Slowly…
She looked down at the hand holding hers.
Then back at Poppy.
Silence.
She removed it.
Gently.
Coldly.
"And I guess…" she said calmly,
"…you don't have a phone to call?"
The words landed like a slap.
Emilia jumped in quickly.
"We tried your line, honey but it was switched off!"
Esmeralda turned to her.
"You, my dear… are a terrible liar."
Emilia froze.
Poppy forced a laugh, already sweating.
"Okayyy, okayyy you win. But what's this we're hearing?"
She leaned closer.
"You and that pale-looking boy… what's his name again?"
"Andre," Emilia cut in quickly.
A pause.
Then
Esmeralda laughed.
"So that's what brought you two running."
She tilted her head.
"Well… just so you know…"
A small smile formed.
"He's my boyfriend."
Silence.
Then
"What?!"
"No way!"
"That's a lie!"
"Why him?"
"He's poor!" Poppy added quickly.
"I mean yes, he's good-looking but he's not our class!"
Esmeralda scoffed.
"Good-looking?"
She shook her head.
"Not even close."
Poppy stared at her.
Deadpan.
"Mm. You know he's good-looking. You don't have to lie about it. Your eyes don't lie, but your mouth is doing Olympic-level gymnastics."
Esmeralda waved it off.
"Whatever."
Then
Her expression shifted.
"But let me make one thing clear."
Her voice dropped.
"I don't like him."
A pause.
"I need him."
Her eyes darkened.
"He's useful. That's all."
"And moreover, he's not even worthy to look me in the eye. Talk more of being close to me…"
She stepped closer to them.
"…but I need muscle by my side."
Her gaze flicked between them.
"Not two useless dummies or would I say two decorative accessories."
Poppy blinked.
"…Did she just call us furniture?"
Emilia sighed.
"I don't think she meant us."
A beat.
"Yes. I'm talking about you two."
Poppy blinked.
"…Wow."
Emilia blinked too.
"…That hurt a little."
Esmeralda continued, unfazed.
"I need a shield."
"A shield that follows… while I lead."
A faint, cruel smile.
"A lap dog."
"And he fits perfectly."
A beat then,
Poppy's face lit up like she just witnessed a villain speech.
"There she is!"
Emilia clapped softly.
"The Cold Stone Queen returns!"
Poppy laughed.
"We almost thought you developed feelings. That would've been tragic."
"But nope, still the baddest bitch alive."
They both hyped her up, laughing like loyal fans.
Then
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
A slow clap echoed behind them.
"You are a terrible liar."
The voice sliced through the moment.
Carlos.
They turned.
He stood there casually, a faint smile resting on his lips.
"I could smell what you were cooking from miles away."
Esmeralda didn't flinch.
"What a fascinating ability."
A pause.
"I never knew you were fond of eavesdropping."
Carlos shrugged.
"I'd rather eavesdrop…"
He stepped closer.
"…than manipulate people."
Esmeralda stepped forward until they were inches apart.
"Mind your business, Carlos."
Carlos leaned even closer.
"Or else what?"
His hand lifted
And brushed her hair.
SMACK.
She slapped it away instantly.
Hard.
Poppy snapped.
"How dare you talk to Esmeralda like that?!"
Carlos turned slowly.
Stepped into her space.
Towering.
His voice dropped.
Cold.
"Raise your voice at me again…"
A pause.
"…and I'll rearrange your face permanently."
Poppy froze.
"…I like my face."
She stepped back immediately.
Emilia rushed in.
"No need to get aggressive!"
Carlos stared at her.
Then smiled again.
"Well… this has been entertaining."
He glanced at Esmeralda.
"And proves one thing."
A slight tilt of his head.
"I know you too well."
Esmeralda's eyes narrowed.
"Be a good boy… and don't ruin things for me."
Carlos chuckled.
"A quick reminder you are mine."
A pause.
"And I don't care who you chase… or who chases you."
His voice dropped lower.
"But when the time comes…"
"…I'll take you from whoever you're with."
Silence.
He turned to leave.
But paused.
Without looking back
"As for Andre…"
A beat.
"Don't waste your time."
"He won't buy what you're trying to sell."
Another pause.
"He's smarter than you think."
He walked away.
Just like that.
Leaving silence behind.
Esmeralda turned to Poppy and Emilia.
"This proves my point exactly."
Her voice was ice.
"The two of you are useless."
She walked off.
Silence.
Then
Poppy mimicked her instantly.
"'This proves my point exactly, the two of you are useless.'"
Emilia rolled her eyes.
"She should have just died there."
A pause.
"Honestly, nobody would have to deal with her crap."
Poppy nodded thoughtfully.
"…Or maybe we kill her ourselves."
Emilia gave her a long, disappointed look.
"Sometimes I understand why she thinks one of us is brainless."
Poppy blinked.
"…What did you say?"
"Nothing."
"You said something."
Emilia smirked.
"Oh yes… I did."
She leaned closer.
"When are you planning to tell Esmeralda you have a crush on Andre?"
A pause.
"…or should I go tell her right now?"
She ran.
"HEY—DON'T DO THAT—WAIT!"
Poppy sprinted after her immediately.
The Williams Mansion
"Dad! I'll be backI'm going out with Rihanna!"
Mr. William's laughter boomed from upstairs
"That's my boy! Go get her!"
Pacho chuckled, grabbing his keys.
Outside
The gates opened as Pacho drove out
Then stopped.
"…What's Maxim doing here?"
He stepped out.
Walked closer.
Maxim suddenly dropped to his knees.
"I'm really sorry, Pacho…"
"…please find a way to forgive me."
Pacho blinked.
Then smiled softly.
"I never hated you."
He helped him up.
"It was hard staying away from you too."
A pause.
"I'm sorry as well, brother."
Maxim looked up.
"Thank you… thank—"
Then
He burst into laughter.
Loud.
Uncontrolled.
"Oh my God…"
"I deserve a Grammy for this performance."
Pacho sighed.
"…Not like I didn't expect this."
"What do you want?"
Maxim stood straight.
Dusted his trousers.
"…Rihanna."
A pause.
"She's mine."
Pacho chuckled.
"She's yours?"
A smirk.
"How much did you buy her for? Please, I'm curious."
Maxim smiled.
"Wow. Smooth lines, when did you learn that."
A pause.
"But so you know I'm not threatening you…"
He stepped closer.
"…stay away from her."
Silence.
Maxim leaned in slightly.
"…Or next time…"
"…I won't use words."
A pause.
"I'll hurt you."
Another pause.
"And I'd like a rematch… with your 'Superman' brother."
Pacho checked his wristwatch casually.
"Well…"
"I'm getting late for my date."
A smile formed.
" I'm going to go have a great time."
He stepped closer.
Lowered his voice.
"Quick question…"
"Do you know how soft her lips are?"
A pause.
"How they taste?"
"Do you think they have a flavor maybe strawberry or vanilla?"
"Does her lips even have a Taste?"
Maxim's eyes darkened.
Pacho smiled wider.
"…Oops."
"You've never kissed her, have you?"
He walked past him.
"Well see you later, Maxim."
"Try not to cry and have a great day because I'm going to enjoy mine ."
Maxim stood still.
Hands clenched.
Heart pounding.
"I'm going to kill him."
A pause.
"I swear."