Chapter seven

🌟 ENCHANTRESS IN DISTRESS 🌟

she is shy, he is cruel

Romance and Tragedy

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Episode Seven: a Nickname

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Next day

Gold cloves high

Hallway

Caterina was standing beside her locker, she dropped her books inside and removed the gift she bought for Rosanna on her way to school. She smiled at the gift she was holding before shutting the locker door, she used almost all her savings to get it for her but she didn't care, that's the least she can do for her best friend who has always been there for her.

" I don't know what Aurelio likes, if not I would have got him a gift too" she mumbled before sighing..

" Hello sweetie" Rosanna said jumping on Caterina's back and that statued Caterina

" Rosa you scared me" Caterina said as she laughed and Rosanna clinged to her more.

" What's that in your hands?" Rosanna said when she noticed the gift in her hands.

" Get down and I will tell you" Rosanna quickly got down and Caterina handed her the gift.

" Why are you giving me a gift?" Rosanna asked collecting the gift

" It's a thank-you gift" Caterina answered simply and Rosanna smiled brightly.

" You don't really have to but thank you" Rosanna said hugging the gift

" Can I open it?" Rosanna asked and Caterina nodded in reply, Rosanna quickly unwrapped it

"Wow! A Rolex high-end watch " Rosanna gasped " it's cost €8000, oh my, Thank you, thank you I have always wanted one of this" Rosanna said happily and hugged Caterina shortly she even peck her cheek and Caterina giggle she was happy that her friend was happy

"It's no big deal any thing for my bestie" Caterina said smiling, Rosanna was busy hugging and kissing her new expensive watch

" Hey! Wait, where did you get the money from? don't tell me you use the money you have been saving since your first year of highschool? That's your college fee, Caterina! Rosanna said with concern and worry written all over her face

" yeah, I used some of it, it was for a good reason, I would do anything so see a smile on your pretty face, don't worry about my savings I will make it back besides I didn't use all of it" Caterina said smiling sweetly at her and Rosanna calmed down a little

" If you say so anyway thank you so much but you really didn't have to" Rosanna said as they walked to class

"It's fine Rosa"

" Have you seen Aurelio?" Caterina stopped to asked and Rosanna stopped on her track staring at Caterina with a raised brow

" Aurelio! I don't know probably in their special room" Rosanna replied

" Oh I really want to thank him, I will look for him you go on to class" Caterina said

" Are you sure? Brielle and the rest have a problem with you, will you be fine on your own?" Rosanna asked with concern

" I will be fine, go to class, I will meet you, bye!" Caterina said and left in search of him

" I hope you don't bump into those bully, I wonder why Aurelio helped you, does he have any ulterior motives" Rosanna mumbled to herself with suspicion before heading for class

…

Caterina navigates through the school, asking student about Aurelio's whereabouts

" Excuse me, have you seen Aurelio" she asked a student

" yeah I think he is at the basketball court" the student replied

…

School's basketball court

"The basketball court was dimly lit, with only a few flickering fluorescent lights illuminating the polished wood floor. The sound of squeaking sneakers and bouncing balls filled the air, and the smell of sweat and fresh wax wafted through the space."

Aurelio was busy playing basketball alone he was practicing for the upcoming competition with the neighboring school he is the basketball captain, he wanted to play alone before the arrival of his team mate..

Caterina entered the dimly lit room and the closing of the door made Aurelio stopped what he was doing, he turned towards her with a cold expression and that sent shivers down her spine

" Uhm.. uhm I" Caterina stuttered, Aurelio Walked past her to the bleachers, he grabbed his towel placing it around his neck and a bottle of water gulping down the whole content while Caterina watched him

" What do you want to say coniglio piccolo ( little rabbit)?" she was taking a back because of his last statement

" Coniglio piccolo" Caterina mumbled staring at him with surprise, he cleaned his face before dropping it back inside his bag which was on the bleachers, he turned to her with a smirk

" Yes your nickname, what do you want? Aurelio said his gaze soften and Caterina blink repeatedly which he found cute

" well I want to say thank you, i know you were the one that paid for my uncle's hospital bill" Caterina said looking down like a shy girl receiving gifts from her boyfriend

"Tck, those lousy doctors"

" It's fine and you are welcome, be careful next time Coniglio piccolo" He said as he patted her head fondly. Caterina's heart skipped a beat as Aurelio's gaze met hers. She felt a flutter in her chest, and her feet seemed to curl under her as she shifted her weight, trying to process the intensity of the moment."

" I will but why did you help me that day and what were you doing in that area? She asked.

" Well I was on my way to my auntie's house to get some things and that's when I heard you screaming for help" Aurelio simply replied

" Thank you so much, I promise to pay you back for the hospital bill, anything you say I will do" Caterina said nodding enthusiastically, her ponytail bobbing behind her and he giggle and his expression darkened

" Any thing?" he said coming closer to her and she moved back, she instantly regretted her choice of word

Aurelio leaned in, his eyes locked on Caterina's, as he spoke in a low, smooth tone. Caterina's eyes widened.

" I didn't mean it that way" she said and quickly ran out bumping into the rest but she didn't look back she continued running he watched her run and he smirk

" We have an unfinished business Coniglio piccolo" he said

His friends walked in and stared at him suspiciously

" What was Catty doing here?" Loredana asked as she walked up to him before he could speak Nicoletta interrupted him

" Is something going on between you two? Was that why you stopped Ryan when he was punishing her?" Nicoletta asked staring at him with a smirk

" You two are unbelievable, nothing is going on" Aurelio replied and picked up the basketball

"I'm sure something is going on between you two" Nicoletta said and Loredana shooked her head and then replied her

" If he was, he would have told me"

" Yh whatever, I hope he doesn't like her" Nicoletta said with an eye roll and Loredana chulcked, Aurelio heard them and shaked his head

" To calm you down Nicole, I only helped her two weeks ago" Aurelio said as he tossed the ball into the basketball net and it entered.

"and for the love of God nothing is going on, you girls wanna play" he asked

" Sure" Nicoletta said and ran to meet him

" I will cheer you both on," Loredana said and sat on the bleachers.

" yay good job Nicoletta" Loredana cheered, Nicoletta throw the ball and it entered smoothly

The game continued for a while before Brielle rushed in opening the door with force worry written all over her face.

" Do you guys know where Ryan is? He is not in school" Brielle asked while catching her breath

" Shit! I didn't notice" Nicoletta said and dropped the ball she was holding

" Have you tried calling him" Loredana asked Brielle

" He is not picking, I'm super worried" Brielle said, Loredana quickly removed her phone from her back pocket and dialled his number

" His phone is switched off" Loredana said while standing up

Aurelio stared at the girls in confusion etched on his face

" Things are becoming clearer and all coming together" Aurelio mumbled but Brielle heard him

" What do you mean Aurelio?" Brielle asked

" I'm not too sure, do you guys remember how sweet Ryan used to be before?" Aurelio said

" I don't understand what you are saying" Brielle said while the rest of the girls looked at him with the same confused expression

"Do you guys remember the bruises we saw on his arms during gym class? When we asked him about it he said he was fine, something is definitely going on with him" Aurelio said and the girls were starting to understand

" I hope Ryan is fine, should we go visit him?" Brielle asked with concern. The ringing of Aurelio's phone diverted the girls' attention including Aurelio, he walked to the bleachers removing his phone from his bag, he stared at the caller's name before looking back at the girls.

" Who is it? The girls asked all at once

…..

Caterina and Rosanna sat down together, all the students were present, the atmosphere was tense, different students discussing Ryan's absences.

" No wonder everywhere is peaceful" Rosanna passed her comment, she rested her head comfortably on her chair placing her hands beneath her head.

" True but it's strange" Caterina said with wonder

" Strange things like this rarely happen once in a blue moon occurrence, let's enjoy it while it's last" Rosanna said smiling peacefully as she relaxed more

" Don't tell me you are worried about your bully, you of all people should be the happiest"

Caterina turned her face, staring outside the window as she sighed

" I hope everything is alright with him"she said, Rosanna just rolled her eyes

…..

Thompson's Lopez Hut

Thompson was sitting on the only good looking furniture in the house, he looked better and healthier. He just finished eating and was now talking his medication staring at the stack of bills in front of him. He had been struggling to make ends meet since his last trip to the Moonshine Bar, where he had lost a small fortune at the poker table. He had borrowed money from Ricardo's men to cover his losses, and now they were coming to collect.when the door opened roughly and Ricardo's men walked in the cup of water fell from Thompson's hand, he stared at the men that just walked into his house uninvited with fear

Caine stared at Thompson bitterly, he walked around the house the rest of the men stood by the door

" So this is the kind of mission the boss can send me to" he scoffed

"I see you have recovered from the little beating we gave you" Caine said as he walked up to him and sat beside Thompson who shifted fearfully

"Awwn scared puppy" Caine said and laughed mockingly before rising on his feet

Thompson stood up, trying to appear confident. "I'll pay you back, I promise. I just need a little more time."

Caine laughed. "Time? You've had plenty of time, Thompson. You've been dodging us for weeks. Now, we want our money."

Thompson swallowed hard. He knew he was in trouble. "I'll give you everything I have," he said. "Just please, don't hurt me."

Caine sneered at him. "We're not going to hurt you, Thompson. At least, not yet. But we do need to make an example out of you. You see, we can't have people thinking they can just borrow money from us and not pay it back. That's not how business works."

Thompson felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. He knew he was in grave danger. "Please," he said. "I'll do anything. Just don't hurt me."

Caine smiled. "Oh, we're not going to hurt you, Thompson. But we are going to make you pay. And if you don't, we'll make sure everyone in town knows what happens when you cross us."

Thompson felt a wave of fear wash over him. He knew he was trapped, and he didn't know how to escape.

Caine sneered." You have just two weeks to pay up your debt.

Thompson said at the edge of the chair

" How do I get €50000 on a short notice"

....