Chapter 3
Sofia stumbled into her house, her injured leg throbbing with every step—but the pain in her chest was far worse. Despair clung to her like a shadow, etched into every line of her young face.
She dragged herself into her room and locked the door behind her.
Silence.
Standing before the mirror, she stared at her reflection through a blur of hot, stinging tears. Slowly, she raised her trembling hand and touched her face—as if trying to understand what she was looking at.
"Does this world only belong to the powerful… and the beautiful?" she whispered, her voice fragile.
"Is there no place… for someone like me?"
Her fingers curled into a fist.
She picked up her phone—her only connection to warmth—and called her mother.
"Hello, Mom…?" Her voice cracked. "I… I'm leaving school. I'm done."
On the other side, her mother gasped.
"Why, my child? You were the one who insisted on going to the city. What happened? And your voice… Sofia, are you crying?"
Sofia quickly wiped her tears, forcing a hollow smile her mother could never see.
"I was wrong, Mom," she said quietly. "City schools are a living hell. I'm coming back tomorrow. I'll continue my studies online."
A pause.
"What about your elder sister, Sehein?" her mother asked softly. "How will she manage alone?"
Sofia's eyes shifted toward her sister's room.
"She's older than me," she replied coldly. "She can take care of herself. I'm coming back tomorrow. That's final."
Her voice trembled at the end. She hung up before her emotions could betray her.
Taking a shaky breath, Sofia walked toward Sehein's room.
The door was locked.
She hesitated… then leaned closer, pressing her ear against the wood.
What she heard next—
Made her entire body freeze.
Her breath caught in her throat as she stumbled back, horror flooding her eyes.
I had my suspicions… she thought, her heart racing.
But I never believed… my own sister would fall this low…
Without another word, she turned away and began packing her bags.
As she stepped into the lounge—
The door creaked open.
A young man stepped out, half-dressed.
The moment his eyes met Sofia's—
Panic.
He rushed back inside.
Through the slightly open door, Sofia caught a glimpse—
Sehein lying on the bed, her body barely covered by a thin white sheet.
"Listen!" the man hissed nervously. "Your little sister saw me!"
Sehein jolted upright, fear flashing across her face.
"What?! How is she home this early?!"
The man smirked slowly, his expression darkening.
"She had a suitcase. Looks like she's leaving." He leaned closer. "If she's gone… no one will disturb us anymore."
Sehein bit her lip, uneasy.
"But… what if she tells Mom?"
He grabbed her shoulders, forcing her back.
"Relax. She won't say anything."
His voice dropped.
"Now… let's continue."
Sehein hesitated for a second—
Then giggled.
"Again? You just finished…"
Meanwhile—
Sofia was already on the bus.
The city blurred past the window as she sat in silence.
She looked down at her hands.
Dark. Shaking.
But no longer weak.
"My sister chose that life…" she whispered coldly.
"But I won't."
Her fists clenched tightly.
"I will change."
Her eyes hardened with a burning resolve.
"I will prove… that beauty is not defined by skin."
Her voice became sharper. Stronger.
"From this moment… Sofia is dead."
A pause.
"Aleza… has awakened."
She closed her eyes.
"Give me five years…"
"And I will become the Aleza this world cannot ignore."
The Next Day…
The teacher stood at the front of the class.
"Sofia Maseka has left the school and returned to her village."
A wave of whispers spread across the room.
Cruel smiles followed.
The boy who had led the bullying leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smirk.
"Finally. The 'Dark One' is gone."
He chuckled.
"A class with someone like me had no place for someone like her."
But then—
His gaze shifted.
He stared at her empty seat.
And for a brief moment…
His expression changed.
Dark. Obsessive. Unsettling.
Back to the Present…
Aleza rushed into the washroom, locking the door behind her.
Her breath was uneven.
Her heart racing.
She stood before the mirror.
Fear stared back at her.
"In five years… I've mastered this art…" she whispered.
"I turned my face into a canvas of beauty."
She splashed cold water on her face.
Her reflection changed.
Cracked.
Shattered.
"But without it…"
Her fingers trembled.
"I become her again."
"Sofia."
She closed her eyes—
Then opened her kit.
With precise, practiced movements—
She rebuilt herself.
Layer by layer.
Stroke by stroke.
Minutes later—
Aleza stood there once again.
Flawless.
Radiant.
Untouchable.
As she stepped out—
Rayzon was waiting.
He froze.
Completely stunned.
Aleza took a breath. "What are you doing outside the girls' washroom?"
Rayzon panicked instantly, looking away.
"Oh! I—I thought this was the boys' room! My mistake!"
Aleza saw through the lie immediately.
But she smiled.
"It's fine. Humans make mistakes."
That smile hit him like lightning.
"Yes… of course, Ma'am!" he stammered.
Inside, his heart was in chaos.
Her voice… her smile… this is something else…
As Aleza walked past him—
A faint fragrance lingered.
Rayzon stood frozen.
I've never smelled anything like this…
Is she even human…?
Sports Period
Aleza dominated everything.
Speed.
Strength.
Precision.
Every move flawless.
"Is there anything she can't do?" someone whispered.
"She's not just beautiful… she's incredible."
"She rejected He Sahon… we never stood a chance."
By the end of the day—
She wasn't just admired.
She was legendary.
After School
"I can drop you home," Rayzon offered shyly.
Aleza smiled politely. "No need. I can manage."
She walked away.
Moments later—
"Wait!"
Rayzon ran toward her, slightly breathless.
"My driver left… can I walk with you?"
Aleza looked down.
Her heart felt heavy.
Why are you being kind…?
You're the one I'm supposed to hate…
"Hello? Earth to Aleza?"
She blinked.
"Nothing."
Rayzon smiled and extended his hand.
"Then take my hand. I won't let you walk alone."
She stared at it.
Slowly—
She raised her hand…
Then stopped.
Pulled it back.
"No… I'll go ahead."
And she ran.
Fast.
Rayzon stood there—
Then smiled.
"Run as much as you want…"
His voice softened.
"I'm not letting you go."
He looked ahead, determination in his eyes.
"You remind me too much of her…"
"Sofia."
"The girl I realized I loved too late."
He started running.
"Aleza! I'm coming for you!"
"Let's see who reaches first!"