Mei-Yi Liu Cheated

"Are you ready, Young Master Damari?" Sawyer asked as they stood in front of the huge doors that lead to the main hall where the event was held. "Reporters are very pesky people. Don't loose control and if you do, I'll be there."

"Let's do this." He breathes out and signalled his bodyguards to open the door.

As soon as he did, the cameras turned to him and so did, the news reporters, journalists and bloggers, all asking incredulous questions.

He ignored them and walked in with Sawyer trailing beside him. He reached the high table where his father was sitting and sat beside him. Sawyer joined Assistant Wang and the two stood at the left side of the table.

Apart from Lucius and Old Sir Reyes, two other guests were seated. A high class art critic, Xiao Sheng and a well known Chinese artist, Yan Ling.

Mr. Xiao and Miss Yan had been judges for the event alongside Old Sir and Lucius.

Old Sir Reyes took a microphone and spoke into it. "Welcome everyone. To another painting event at the Damari Hall of Art."

All the chatter between participants, the media and guest had quieted down when they herd Old Sir's voice.

"As our participants were told six months ago, this year's theme is to capture the beauty of a sakura tree." Old Sir Reyes paused and looked at his son. "Now that it is in mid June, it is time to review our youngsters paintings. As it was done last year, each participant should come forward with their paintings and explain."

No one was allowed to take off the clothe used to cover the painting unless they were revealing it to the judges.

All the other paintings had been reviewed and the only people that were left were Zuri, Camie and two girls. The next person to be checked was one of the bullies form highschool, Mu Chen. She was a friend of Camie's who bellited Zuri at any opportunity presented.

She finished with her painting and left to sit down with the other participants. She had a mean look and growled at Zuri before leaving.

The next girl came up, Mei-Yi Liu. Mei was also in Zuri's highschool. She was a quiet girl who kept to herself and was a target for Camie and her minions.

Zuri had always protected her, not because it was an obligation to protect those in need but she felt pity for her.

Mei looked like an innocent daisy flower, with hair as black as coal and eyes that shone like the sun. Zuri never said anything to her back then. They were nothing more than acquaintances.

As she was about to join the others, Chen exclaimed loudly.

"No, she cheated. Mei-Yi Liu cheated."

Colour drained off Mei's face.."Wh...a..t? I didn't."

"I have proof." Chen said.

Zuri who had draped herself in a long coat and hid in a dark corner, strained her ears to listen.

Chen pulled out her phone and played a recording, loud enough for the whole room to hear.

"I will have to ruin that black girl's painting. She's the only obstacle I have." A voice like Mei was heard. It seemed like she was discussing with a male voice.

Mei fell to the floor, her pretty face was stained with tears. "I didn't do it. That's a fake. That's not my voice."

"Get up, girl." Lucius shouted and Mei slowly stood up. "That voice that sounds just like yours, isn't you?"

"Yes, Young Master." She bowed her head. "I would never do such a thing."

"Are you trying to deceive me?" He thundered and the hall went haywire.

'Is it true that the young daughter of the Lui family wants to ruin the first daughter of the Vesta family.' Questions arrived in hurdles and Mei knew her reputation and that of her family would be destroyed. The media have done their homework on every participant and know much about his or her background but they don't know a lot about Zuri.

"Silence." Lucius bellowed and the hall became quiet. "Go and sit down. I will deal with you later. Lucius said and Mei staggered away.

'Such a pretty girl. Too bad she isn't pretty on the inside.'

'Beauty does make people's heads swell.'

'Unfortunate thing.'

'Pretty face, poor attitude.'

'That's what you get for trying to deceive people.'

All the comments hit Mei hard and she thought she was going to die.

"We don't know anything yet." Old Sir said. "We will check the young Vesta's painting afterwards."