The Warning

Aria

She felt like more people are looking at her as she walked down the hallway. She was never the popular kind, she even doubted that half of her class knows her name, but today, it seemed like she suddenly became a supermodel.

The hushed voices followed her like shadows through the hallways of Bellrose College , and even the professor shot her a dirty look as she called her name.

As she walked through the hallway, she suddenly understood the reason for the hushed whispers.

"She must've thrown herself at him…"

"Didn't you hear? The Moretti guy? The rich one who gave that speech?"

"I heard she waited behind after the event. Alone."

"She's not even that pretty."

Aria walked faster, hugging her books close to her chest like they could shield her from the invisible daggers. Her fingers were clenched white around her notes, heart pounding beneath her blazer. She was not sure how the rumours even started, but everyone is looking at her like a slut.

She turned a corner, and the conversation shifted instantly. As if someone flipped a switch.

Fake laughter. Forced smiles.

She wasn't imagining it.

It had started two days after the dinner with Alessio. And after his black-tinted car had dropped her outside her building. Somehow, someone had seen them together that night and started spreading rumours all around the campus.

At first, she thought the rumors would die down. But they didn't, they became worse and they became wide spread.

It wasn't just gossip now — it was targeted.

And somehow, everything pointed to her.

The stares lingered longer in class. Professors gave her knowing glances. Even the security guards paused when she walked in.

It was like someone was pulling strings.

And today, when she opened her locker, she found a note.

One line, written in red ink:

"Hope it was worth it."

Her blood had turned cold. Her fingers trembled as she crumpled the note and stuffed it deep in her pocket. She didn't tell Valentina. She couldn't.

Because if Valentina knew… someone would bleed.

And Aria didn't want a war.

Not when she does not know who she's waging war against.

*******

Camille

Camille Bianchi; daughter of a wealthy Italian socialite, senior student at Bellrose, and the baby sister of Sienna; Alessio's former lover, stood beside her locker, painting her nails.

She didn't like Aria. Not because Matteo keeps on following her around like a lost sheep. And certainly not because all the professors seemed to like extra well. But because Sienna didn't like her. And what her sister hated, she hate also.

"Are you sure it's working?" her friend whispered beside her.

Camille smirked, blowing lightly on her freshly painted nails. "She looked like a ghost this morning. Trust me, give it a few more days and she'll crack. Maybe even cry in the cafeteria."

Her friend laughed, and Camille's smile sharpened.

"I promised Sienna I'd keep things subtle. No real damage. Just enough to make that little tramp crawl."

"What about the guy who's been defending her?"

Camille's smile faltered.

Matteo!!

She has always had a crush on Matteo since the first time he enrolled into the college, but he had always been a cold loner.

He never smiles or talk to anyone except that little bitch Aria.

She will get him to see the kind of slut she truly is.

Aria

"You okay?"

The voice pulled her out of her soliloquy.

She looked up, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the afternoon sun.

Matteo stood there, holding a can of Coke and a half-eaten sandwich. Tall, dark-skinned, with warm eyes and the type of quiet charisma that made people feel safe. He was her best friend, someone that has always made her safe and loved.

Even though there has been rumours about them dating, he has never harassed her inappropriately.

And now, he was smiling at her despite the number of stares and glares coming their way.

"I'm fine," she said too quickly.

"You're a terrible liar," he said with a soft laugh.

Aria looked down at her food tray. "Is it that obvious?"

"You've been sitting in the sun for twenty minutes without eating. That's not normal Aria behavior."

She sighed. "People are talking. And I don't know why or how it even started.

Matteo leaned forward, his voice dropping. "I think I do."

Aria stiffened. "What?"

"I overheard Camille and some girl from her dorm laughing near the quad. They mentioned your name. And Moretti's."

Aria's stomach sank.

"Camille??" I don't even talk to her."

Matteo nodded. "Yeah. I think this is personal."

Aria was quiet for a long time.

"Thank you for telling me."

He shrugged. "If anyone asks, I'll say you were with me that night. Studying in the lab. I'll be your alibi."

Aria's eyes widened. "You'd do that?"

Matteo gave her a small smile. "You're not alone, Aria. You don't deserve this crap. And besides…" he paused, rubbing the back of his neck, "You are my best friend, and I can't stand back and watch you get criticised. Thought I'd step up."

She felt heat rise to her cheeks. "I… I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. Except promise me that there is truly nothing between you and Morreti."

Aria's cheek burned hotter. "I... I.." She stammered.

Matteo just stood up from his seat, just as he stood, walking off with a casual wave, Aria's phone buzzed.

Unknown Number:

They're trying to rattle you. Don't break.

- A

She stared at the message, a strange heat curling through her stomach.

Alessio.

He knew.

And suddenly, the cold around her heart melted into something else.

Fire.

Alessio

"They're playing with her reputation," Alex reported, sliding a tablet across the table. "Anonymous posts. Rumors. Notes. There's a younger Bianchi sister involved. Camille."

Alessio sat back in his chair, the crystal tumbler in his hand untouched.

"Sienna's brat sister."

Alex nodded. "Likely got the instruction straight from her."

Alessio's jaw ticked. "I told her to be careful."

"Do you want me to handle it?"

"No," Alessio said darkly. "Not yet. Let them play. Let them think they've won."

"And the guy who's been defending her? Matteo something."

Alessio's hand tightened around the glass. "I know."

"Should we be worried?"

"He's a boy with a crush," Alessio said coldly. "Let him play hero. The game has only just begun."

Aria

Aria dropped her bag, walked into the bathroom, and stared at herself in the mirror.

Messy ponytail. Faint bags under her eyes. Chewed nails.

She didn't recognize the girl staring back.

But she didn't want to be that girl anymore.

She reached into her jacket and pulled out the note she found earlier.

"Hope it was worth it."

She burned it in the sink.

And as the ashes scattered down the drain, her phone buzzed again.

Alessio:

> Be ready by 8 on Friday. The car will pick you up. I've sent you something.

Wear it.

Her heart thundered.

She checked her messages.

There was a second text.

From: Valentina:

> A huge box just arrived in your name. It's from HIM. I'm not opening it until you get here. Hurry up. 😱🔥

Aria smiled for the first time all day.

Maybe someone was playing behind the scenes, but she is also done hiding.