You Are Nothing But A Charity Case

The rhythmic pulse of the music vibrated through the walls of the practice studio, a dynamic backdrop to the flurry of movement within. Noelle, her focus laser-sharp, moved with practiced grace, her body responding to the choreography with an effortless fluidity. Sweat glistened on her forehead, but her determination remained unwavering. She was immersed in the world of her music, the intricate steps and formations a welcome distraction from the turmoil that had been brewing in her personal life.

Suddenly, the music faded, and the dancers dispersed, taking a much-needed break. Noelle, however, remained in the center of the room, running through a particularly challenging sequence, her brow furrowed in concentration.

After a while, she headed to her dressing room to rest for a while. She was so absorbed in her phone that she did not notice Ma-Ri slip into the room until she was standing right beside her.

"Areum," Ma-Ri said, her voice laced with a saccharine sweetness that grated on Noelle's nerves.

Noelle stopped abruptly, turning to face Ma-Ri, her expression neutral. "What do you want, Ma-Ri?" she asked, her voice cool.

Ma-Ri's smile faltered slightly at Noelle's frosty tone. She had expected a warmer reception, a more vulnerable Noelle, perhaps one still reeling from the recent events. But Noelle's composure was unshaken, her gaze steady and unwavering.

"I… I wanted to talk to you," Ma-Ri said, her voice softening. "Privately."

Noelle raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. "About what?"

Ma-Ri hesitated, her eyes darting around the room before settling back on Noelle. "About… about us, about our relationship." she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Noelle's lips curled into a wry smile. "Us? There is no 'us,' Ma-Ri," she said, her voice laced with disdain. "There never has been, and there never will be thanks to your constant schemes."

Ma-Ri's smile vanished completely, her features hardening. "Don't play coy with me, Noelle," she hissed. "You know what I'm talking about. I'm talking about Evan."

Noelle's expression remained unchanged. "Of course, you are here to speak about Evan," she said calmly. "You must think that I am so naive, so stupid, that I don't see what has been going on between you and him."

Ma-Ri's eyes widened slightly, her surprise evident. She hadn't expected Noelle to be so direct, so confrontational. This new Noelle was a surprise to her.

"There is nothing going on between me and Evan," Ma-Ri protested, her voice rising slightly. "You are only imagining things, Noelle. You're letting your insecurities get the better of you. Evan worships the ground you walk on."

Noelle laughed, a short, humorless sound. "Insecurities? I have no insecurities, Ma-Ri," she said coldly. "I know exactly what you are. You are a user, a manipulator. You are trying to take what's mine."

Ma-Ri's face flushed crimson. "That is not true!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with anger. "I would never do anything to hurt you, Noelle."

"Listen, I already told you both to do what you want to do with each other." Noelle said, her voice firm. "I don't know why you insist on denying what we both know to be the truth."

Ma-Ri remained silent, her gaze shifting away from Noelle's piercing stare.

"So why then did you tell grandma that you would bring a husband to her?" Ma-Ri asked, unable to understand.

Noelle raised an eyebrow and smirked as she stared at Ma-Ri, making her uneasy. So she has decided to get to the point.

"Why should I tell you anything about me?" Noelle asked sharply, "You have never been interested in my life, so why is it starting now?"

"You know that you are nothing but a piece of garbage that was thrown out, Noelle," Ma-Ri spat sudden, her voice dripping with venom as her mask of friendliness was lifted. "You were brought into our family by that barren Annie, and you think you belong here? You are nothing but a charity case."

Noelle's expression didn't change. She had heard it all before, the whispers, the snide remarks, the constant reminders of her "outsider" status. She used to be so focused on being one of them, on being accepted. But now, she decided to tune them out, to build a wall around her heart, protecting it from the barbs of their cruelty.

"And soon," Ma-Ri continued, her voice rising in pitch, "Grandmother will cut you off. She will see you for what you are, a gold-digging orphan who is only after her money."

Noelle simply shrugged, her indifference a stark contrast to Ma-Ri's fury. "Enjoy being with Evan, Ma-Ri," she said, her voice cool and dismissive. "He is all yours. My leftovers is all you will ever have."

With that, Noelle turned and walked away, leaving Ma-Ri seething with anger in the dressing room. She knew that her father was going to be mad if he learned about this new development.

Shortly after Noelle exited, May, entered and when she saw Ma-aro, her face brightened.

Ma-Ri, her face contorted with anger, rounded on May. "You!" she hissed, her voice sharp. "You are supposed to keep tabs on her and tell me what she is up to. Now, Tell me! Which men has she been talking to?"

May's eyes widened slightly, startled by Ma-Ri's sudden outburst. She had thought that Ma-Ri liked her, so why was she being so mean all of a sudden?

"Sh… she only met with Caine Weston once." May stammered, her voice trembling slightly. "I haven't seen her with any men since then."

Ma-Ri's eyes narrowed. "Don't play coy with me," she snarled. "I know that she has been seeing someone. Someone important. Someone who could threaten my plans."

May shook her head, certain of what she had said. Yet, Ma-Ri remained in disbelief. She had a sneaking feeling that Noelle was up to something that could really destabilize her entire family. And she had to put a stop to it.

It seemed that she would be forced to pay Caine Weston a visit very soon.