Beauty and Horror

Friday morning at West-Castle High school, the students get ready to start their class. In one of the lecture rooms, the two flowers of the school were sitting together, one reading a book, the other playing with her phone.

Students steal glace at the black-haired beauty and the blonde hottie, but none dare to approach them.

Few peoples are on close terms with them. They are not outcasts, but their beauties are overwhelming for the average student.

But recently, a young man is often seen, accompanying the beauties. Witnesses see them close to each other, take lunch together, and even go home together.

Many boys on the campus envied this young man for attracting the flower's attentions.

The young man was not even considered the most handsome on campus. But he still managed to befriend the campus's unreachable flowers.

One boy, Ryan Doyle, was outraged by this young man.

Ryan Doyle knew the Lambert sisters since middle school.

He always admired the older sister, Lily Lambert. Even if they barely interacted, they were on relatively good terms.

At the beginning of high school, he finally decided to start courting Lily Lambert. But it was also the year that Alex Maxwell came to West-Castle high school.

And, to Ryan Doyle's horror, Alex Maxwell quickly managed to befriend the sisters.

Alex and Lily were not a couple, but his presence shattered many of the Lambert's pretenders' chances for three straight years.

And Ryan Doyle was one of these victims.

However, among the many, Ryan Doyle is the most persistent. He'll do anything to win the girl's affection. This year could also be his last chance to woo Lily Lambert. Next year they will be university students. And there is no knowing yet which university Lily has decided to attend.

He needed to seize any chance he could get, and he decided to ally himself with Andy Norton, an old rival of Alex Maxwell.

"Norton. Thanks to you, I managed to invite Lambert for tomorrow," Ryan Doyle was grateful for Norton's help. They were discussing outside the lecture room.

Under the pretext of preparing the thank-you speech for the school's anniversary, Doyle managed to arrange a date with Lily Lambert.

"Everything is up to you now," Andy responded. "The other members will not be there, so it is your chance to progress your relationship." He added, knowing the plan they prepared to get Doyle and Lambert alone.

"Don't worry," Ryan responded confidently.

"Great. Oh! I have another good news for you," Norton said to Doyle with a smile, "It's highly probable, Maxwell will not be at school today."

"Is that true?" Doyle ecstatically responded.

"Just now, a subordinate of mine saw him this morning," Norton explained. "He seemed to have some business in the middle of the city."

"But I'm not sure yet what he is plotting."

____

During the morning classes, Ryan Doyle took advantage of Maxwell's absence to get closer to Lily Lambert.

Despite her aloof attitude, Lily Lambert was a gentle and caring young woman. She will respond when asked and will help when requested.

When the occasion occurred, Ryan Doyle struck some conversations with Lambert and managed to have a lengthy discussion with her, despite the triviality of the subjects.

And when noon came, he took Maxwell's place to have lunch with the three beauties. Lily and Ivy Lambert, Eliana Carter, and Ryan Doyle were sitting at the same table.

Ryan Doyle was finally able to share a meal with Lily Lambert.

"It's funny that we've known each other since we were 13, but we rarely have lunch together," Doyle said to Lily sitting in front of him.

"Hm... Now that you have said it, it's true," Lily responded to Ryan Doyle's remark.

"Hey, where is Alex?" Ivy, the youngest of the group, cut into the discussion with a dejected expression.

"I wonder," Eliana replied in a puzzled tone. "This morning, he didn't show up either," She tried to explain the situation to Ivy.

"I hope it's nothing serious," Lily also gave her opinion, a faint worrying expression on her face.

"Are you worried him?" Eliana teased her friend after seeing her concerned look.

Lily shugged her friend's teasing remark. And she continued her meal with a slightly pink cheek. Eliana chuckled, noticing Lily's expression, then she proceeded to re-immerse herself in her phone.

Witnessing the interaction, Doyle couldn't help but bitterly smile. Even when he is away, Alex Maxwell is still able to snatch the attention.

During the whole meal, Ryan Doyle tried to turn the subject around. But every time he managed to change the topic, in one way or another, the discussions seemed to go back to Alex Maxwell.

____

The day passes by quickly, and the students are about to return home. The sky darkens as the night approaches, and almost all students have left the school building.

When the group also comes out, they notice a mid-aged woman standing next to a white minivan. The woman was waiting for Eliana, and she was someone from her company.

"I'm sorry, guys," Eliana apologized. "I must go to my company first."

"Alright, see you tomorrow for the science project," Lily responded with a smile.

"Bye, Eli," Ivy said while waving energetically.

Eliana approaches the woman and enters the sliding door of the vehicle with her. The rest of the group also scattered.

"How was your day?" The woman asked Eliana.

"So so, I guess" She responded, showing little interest in the discussion. Eliana continued to play with her smartphone, making herself comfortable in the seat.

The woman just smiled. Being her manager, she is used to the young blonde beauty attitude.

"Today, there was a big change in the company," The woman continued. "It may affect your contract, so the president wants to discuss it with you," She added, explaining the situation.

Hearing the woman's statement, Eliana remembers her conversation with Alex Maxwell. She deduces Alex's involvement in this change. She grins and replunges on her device.

"Eh?... Is that so?" Eliana nonchalantly asked.

"From what I know, a subsidiary of Maxwell group will acquire the agency," The woman continued her explanation.

____

The both of them finally arrive at the company location. They enter the building and head toward the president's office.

After knocking, a voice allows them to enter.

There, they find Alex Maxwell and a red-hair beauty discussing with the company president. Maxwell was comfortably sitting on the leather armchair. Beside him, a gorgeous young woman in an elegant navy blue dress.

"Oh! The both of you finally come," The middle-aged man sitting in front of the two guests said. "We were just talking about you, Carter." He continued seeing the two women entering the office.

Eliana recognizes Maxwell gives an amused look, then sits beside her manager.

"This is Young master Maxwell," The man introduced Alex. Then he proceeded to explain the situation to the two newcomers.

To resume everything, Alex Entertainment has reached a deal to acquire their talent agency company, with Alex Maxwell as the top executive.

Now they are here to negotiate with Eliana Carter about renewing her contract.

The green-eyed young woman hands her some documents, explains some points inside the papers and lets Carter inspect the content.

Eliana gives a few glances at Alex, investigating his reaction. Maxwell just sends her a beam without uttering a word.

After a few minutes of silence in the room, Eliana agrees to the term and sings the document, and the group celebrates its new collaboration.

Alex Maxwell shakes hands with the ex-president then makes his way outside with the red-haired and blonde beauties. The manager also followed behind.

"Well then, young master. I will take my leave first," Kayla said to Alex.

"Take care, Kayla!" Alex responded.

Kayla nodded at the group, then entered a blue berling parked in front of the building. After watching the vehicle leave, Alex breaks the silence.

"I'll take you home," Alex addressed Eliana, hinting to the woman standing on the side that he would take care of Carter.

The woman understood the clues and boarded the white minivan, which she and Eliana came in.

"I will entrust her to you, young master," Said the woman to Alex. "Eli, close your door well when you return. Many incidents have occurred recently," She told Eliana, the left.

The two were left alone together on the sidewalk. Eliana didn't follow her manager inside, insinuating her agreement to be accompanied.

"Let's go, then," Alex said and led the way to a red sports vehicle.

____

Late at night, the two arrive in front of the building of the private property.

"Thanks for the ride," She expressed with a smile. "And thank you for keeping your word." She added talking about the contract, then exited the vehicle

"Good night Carter!" Alex exclaimed, bending himself to look at the back of Eliana.

"Good night!" She responded with a seductive smile, turning her head without stopping.

After he made sure she entered the building, Alex started the car to leave. But suddenly, the same black van as before appeared again.

When Alex's vehicle disappeared out of sight, the van parked where he was and two men came out.

They go toward Eliana's building entrance carrying a toolbox then enter the building.

The men take the elevator and stop on the same floor as Eliana's apartment. They walk to Eliana's front door and pick the lock.

At this time, Carter is showering, oblivious to the horrible event unfolding.

Without anyone noticing, the men are now inside. One of them takes out ropes from the toolbox, and the other set up a camera. Their routine shows this is not their first time.

They seem to be aware of Eliana Carter's routine, knowing she would take a shower after coming back.

They continue their preparation then hold positions to ambush the lady.

As soon as Eliana leaves the bathroom, one of the men immobilizes her in a hold.

Surprised and confused, she struggles to free herself, trying to give hits, stomps, or anything to escape.

She tries to cry for help, but the other man tapes her mouth.

When she manages to fight back against one, the other one contests her effort.

The men overpower her.

Carter scuffles as hard as she can while the men attach her limbs.

Eliana's tears drip down her red cheek, Mortified by what is coming next.

She pleaded in her heart that everything was a bad dream. That once she opened her eyes, everything would go back to normal.

But no one heard her muffled cry.

____ End of Chapter 8 ____