CHAPTER 10

~The shifts of fortune, test the reliability of friends~

~Cicero

Taylor Swift: Blank Space

UNKNOWN POV

"Seductress switch on. Okay, I see you girl." Q laughed, munching on a chocolate bar. Pig. I replayed the footage for the millionth time and exhaled when I found what I've been looking for. It's about damn time.

"How long will you conti...

"Got it. Shut up. " He lifted his leg off the table and scooted over.

"You're jesting right?" I smirked and twirled the smartpen in between my fingers.

"Damn J." He whistled and patted my head as he would to a dog and boy was it irksome?

"How did you do it?"

"None of your business and can you please quit the chewing." He was starting to get on my nerves. I took the footage two minutes back and zoomed in, perfect.

"You're genius. Not even R's this smart. she attempted several times upon the initial release of the footage." I leaned back in my seat with a smug look.

When I set my mind on something, I must get it despite all odds.

" Do I've to remind you that It's me we're talking about here? Y'all can deny it all you want but I'm the best in the operation. "

"Please, don't be so full of yourself. We're only four. Stop making it sound like it's an entire organisation. " Envy had spoken.

"Whatever." I plugged in my earphones and tuned him out, redirecting my focus on the now downloading image, counting the minutes until it gets secured into the drive. Tick-tock Seraphina, tick-tock.

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SERAPHINA'S POV

"Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell meeeeee!."

"Jesus Maya, behave." I covered my ear with one hand and dragged her to the janitors closet with another.

"Girl I'm dying, please. Even if it'll just be a sentence, tell me." She pouted. Maya and gossip.

"Fine, what do you want to know?" Neither of us would have peace if I don't tell her sometime soon.

"Are you serious? You'll tell me?"

"Don't make me change my...

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Tell me now Phina. We've got only ten minutes before the first period." She whined.

"Ten for you. I've got an entire hour." I smirked.

"Please." She dragged.

"Well, tell me what you want to know already."

"Everything, everything. From the beginning to the end...

"Forget it, bye." I adjusted the straps of my bag and held the doorknob only to be yanked back against the wall by an annoyed-looking Maya. I was cracking up at this point. This girl will do anything for gossip.

"Okay fine, but I can't guarantee you'll know everything in just ten minutes."

"Okay fine. Then go into the juicy details only. I won't mind sacrificing the rest." She shrugged.

"Why can't you just leave it until lunch break." I offered, but she was quick to shake her head.

"Nope, I want it now." She placed her bag on the floor and leaned against the door. No escape route.

"Okay, so we made out in the pool, and later relocated to the bedroom to spend some quality time. We showered together after that and then he dropped me home. End of story." Maya initially appeared to be in a stupor after my explanation but was quick to recover.

"Is that it? was that all? You're lying bitch." 

"What else were you expecting us to do? " I raised a quizzical brow.

She shrugged and opened the door.

"Nothing. I wasn't expecting anything outrageous. I'm just surprised you guys haven't done the traditional dance yet." She whispered the last part since some students were still lurking around in the hallway. My eyes noticeably widened upon realising the true meaning of her words.

"Traditional dance? Really?" I couldn't curb my giggling fit.

"That's how my grandma calls it." She winked.

We walked to the theatre door and parted, each going to her respective class. My first class, which was psychology, was in thirty minutes so I'd enough time to kill. Might as well watch the drama club before then. I raised my knuckles to the door until the lyrics of a familiar song halted me.

To my bed by Chris Brown was playing, and I followed the sound until I found myself standing at a huge sliding door, out looking to a spacious hall. It wouldn't take a genius seconds to figure out the name. The Michael Jackson poster already screamed dance. My mind told me to walk away but my legs worked on their own accord.

Zara stood at the centre of the room, choreographing, while a group of about twenty stood behind her. Some either copying or watching. She jumped up and landed in a split, effortlessly gliding her legs around her before doing a 360° twirl. The crowd cheered and clapped.

Zara was a very skillful and talented dancer. Back then, we used to train together but I quitted in the long run when it started affecting my schedules. Unlike Zara, I didn't take a course in performing arts. I just did dance for fun and to give off steam, when necessary.

"Isn't it Seraphina?"

I turned around and my lips broke into a wide smile. She didn't change a bit over the years, and despite recently giving birth, she still managed to pull off the gym body.

"Hi, Mrs Roberts. It's been a while."

The woman doesn't look a day over thirty.

"I'm doing fine dear, and yourself? You're just getting prettier by the hour." she complimented.

"Look who's talking. How's the baby by the way?"

"Betty's fine, getting lousier by the day." She exasperated.

"Well, she didn't steal it now did she?" I joked. She chuckled and lightly punched my arm.

"Haha, funny. What are you doing standing outside? c'mon in." She slid the door open but I rejected the offer, giving some lame excuse about having to study for an upcoming test but damn Mrs Roberts and her fast-tracking brain.

"Yeah right, a test in the absence of the lecturer. I'll believe you next year. Now c'mon in."

"Mrs Roberts, you know I can't go in there."

She exhaled and twitched her lips to the side.

"You're right. God, I feel so awful. I'm so sorry."

"It's alright, I understand. None of this is your fault." I assured with a small smile.

She cupped my face and gently squeezed my cheeks.

"You're a great girl Seraphina."

"Thank you." I smiled, blinking back tears.

"You take care of yourself." She patted my back and went inside.

Mrs Roberts knew about my issue with Zara but being a rational person, she never brought the topic up unless otherwise necessary.

I spent the rest of my free time in the library until Psychology.

The class was surprisingly empty except for Ace whose head was bent over his phone. I gently tapped his arm and he initially looked up with an annoyed expression before his lips stretched into a genuine smile.

"Hey, sup?" He greeted.

"I'm good." We fist-bumped and I sat down beside him.

"You don't sound good though."

"I'll be fine."

"Sure?" He asked, and I nodded in response. He didn't press the matter further, knowing I wasn't ready to talk about it.

"So, how's life?" I stared at him for a split second before we both busted out laughing.

"Is this the best way to end awkward silence?"

"I'm trying here okay." He grumbled.

We chatted for some time and gradually, students came in their large numbers. The lecturer though was five minutes late.

"I'm sorry for my tardiness. Staff meetings took a little over the normal time." He apologised while flipping through the pages of a book that seemed to be thrice his head. I silently laughed at my thoughts and Ace cast me a weird look.

"What?"

"What are you laughing at?"

"The lecturer. His book is thrice his head," I explained. Ace's face flushed from trying so hard to muffle his laughter.

"Change Seraphina." He mused.

"Tell me I'm lying."

"You're not but...

"Then shut up." I dismissed. He snickered and opened his textbook.

"Okay. Let's turn to page 355 and look at Anxiety. Jessica kindly read the first paragraph and audibly please." Mr Williams requested from a brunette seated at the front.

"I hate this course." Ace sighed.

"Then why are you here?"

Isn't one supposed to refrain from what they don't like or have trees started growing boobs?

"Parents." He muttered and I nodded in understanding.

The class lasted for one hour ten minutes after which I left for home since it was the only class I had for the day. Unlike the other days, the house wasn't empty. Everyone was present, including mom and dad which was absurd considering they were mostly home during weekends.

"You're home early today." Tiffany, who was laying on the coach said.

"Yeah, I'd only one class."

"What's going on?" I asked, referring to the running chefs and bustling butler.

"Mom invited some guests over for dinner and you know her rules, everything has to be chic and whatever mom wants." Tiffany chuckled.

"Some guests? Who?"

"She didn't mention but I'm sure it's one of her many business partners."

"Asher and Severina, are they home?" Tiffany nodded and pointed her finger upstairs.

"Okay then. I'll be in my room."

"Alright. Wait! I forgot to mention, your dress is in your closet. Mom chose our outfits in the name of "she doesn't need us disgracing her in public"

I checked the time and groaned. 4:26 pm. I've less than an hour nap. Might as well make good use of it.

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"And we're done." Kate, our mom's stylist and long time friend gushed after fixing the pins in my bun. I turned and looked at myself in the full-length body mirror and gasped. I couldn't recognise the girl staring back at me. The black dress, which I initially detested, communicated well with my figure. It hugged my upper torso at the right places and flowed down to the floor with my right leg revealing through the long slit.

My hair was patted at the centre and sleeked down to a low bun. My makeup was natural but flawless. Just my taste. The look was finished with dark brown lipstick, which popped up my face and black stilettos to match the dress. Never have I admired myself so much before.

"Woah." I breathed. Kate smiled, proud of her work.

"I'm taking you with me to the matrimonial home I swear," I said in a serious tone, making her chuckle.

Kate left shortly after and as I was busy admiring myself, the door opened. I raised a questioning brow at the intruder who was none other than my elder brother. Wasn't he taught knocking?

"Mom said to come down, the guests are almost here. You look stunning." He complimented. I thanked him before sprinkling on perfume and headed out.

I slowly descended the stairs, being extra cautious not to trip on my dress and fall. I met Severina at the bottom and we stared at each other for a while, each not saying anything. She had on a long, black form-fitting dress, with tiny straps and a deep neckline. Unlike mine, hers was backless and only flared from her knees. She eventually broke eye contact and stormed off. Albeit, I didn't miss the flicker of guilt in her eyes.

I was so busy staring into space that It took me some time to feel a hand slipping into mine.

"Thinking about Enrique huh?" Tiffany teased, standing in front of me. Her dress was simple yet elegant, with rhinestones covering the torso and slits on either side of the dress, going all the way to her upper thighs. She paired the look with black toe-out heels. Her hair was let down in waves, similar to Severina's and her face was make-up free except for a nude lipstick.

"Shut up. You rocked. "

"Tell me something I don't know. I'm the prettiest sibling after all." Egotistical much.

"Unfortunately. " I playfully cringed. We joined the rest in the living room and sat on an empty couch.

"Now this is what I meant by God had blessed me with the perfect children. From physiques to the brain, everything's a ten." Dad smiled, boasting with pride.

"I'm not sure about the brain part though." Mom shifted her fiery gaze to Asher, making us lowly laugh.

"Not cool mom." He pouted.

"I didn't mention any names."

"Ma'am they're here. " A butler rushed in and announced.

"Great, send them in."

Shortly after, the sliding door opened, at the same time, I accidentally dropped my phone.

"No fucking way." Tiffany gasped. I lifted my head and my heart stopped, my phone revisiting the floor.

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