Chapter 13 & 14 : The Showdown at the Cafeteria
Winnie struggled to walk alone till she got outside the gate, the pains all over her body couldn’t be explained with mouth alone.
Yeah… Freddie left.
He left like she wanted, she felt bad about it but she was left with no other choice.
She also doesn’t want to give her heart to a playboy but deep down, she badly wants him.
She flagged down a taxi and left for her house.
5PM
~HUDSON’S MANSION
“Hey mum”. Dwight greeted pecking her cheeks.
“Welcome back son”. She replied with a smile and help him with his bag.
“What’s for dinner?”. He asked staring at the dinning table.
“Your favorite”. She replied and he pecked her cheeks again.
“Thanks mum! I love you!!!”. He yelled and ran to his room.
He pulled off his uniform and danced round the room but suddenly stopped when his mind when to Daphne.
“I hope she is fine”. He muttered with a deep sigh before going into the bathroom.
He’s the only child of his mum, he didn’t grow up with his dad and he had always prayed since he was a kid for his dad to return but it seems it’s never happening.
He has been trying his best to keep his mum happy but she still cries every night and has refused to open up to him, he hopes peace can be restored in his family.
~GREY’S MANSION
“Shit!”. Freddie groaned for the tenth time and threw his pen away frustratedly.
He couldn’t concentrate on his assignment, his head is a mess right now, it was all means on how to bring down his dad that troubled him but now Winnie.
“I’m going crazy!”. He hissed and dashed into the bathroom.
6PM
~THE PRESIDENT’S VILLA
Brandon walked into his well furnished studio and smiled a bit.
“It’s good to be here again”. He muttered and sat before his keyboard.
He saw a competition flyer online and he’s pretty sure the school would have been notified, so he decided to begin his practise from now.
He cleared his throat and began You were there for me by Henry Moodie:
{Verse 1}
🎤Legends never lie, we were meant to be
🎤I’m blessed to be alive when I’m in your company
🎤The battles that I fight, blood that I would bleed, if you found danger
🎤Memories we made, could fill a whole book
🎤If we were a movie, we’d be in Hollywood
🎤All my lowest days, you were all it took
🎤My biggest saviour
{Pre-Chorus}
🎤You make my demons go away, bleach the sky on rainy days
🎤Clear the part when I’m afraid, I’ve lost my way….
{Chorus}
🎤In all of my lonely nights, when I was a ghost inside
🎤You were there for me, (You were there for me)
🎤Whenever I drank too much, whenever my eyes cried flood
🎤You were there for me, (You were there for me…….)
His voice alone was enchanting and sweet as he sang in a cool tone, he sang more couple of songs before calling it a day.
He went downstairs and met his dad in the sitting room. He frightened a bit but mustered courage.
“Good evening dad”. Brandon greeted but got no reply.
“Do you think Mr Bobby is a fraudster?”. His dad suddenly asked and he stopped.
“Huh? I don’t know what you’re talking about”. Brandon replied and he hissed.
Mouth couldn’t express how happy he is right now, this is the first calm moment with his dad. Although, he didn’t grow up with his mum but all he knows is that he was never there for him.
“I know you’re such a dummy and it was my fault trying to have this conversation with you! Too dumb to be call the president’s son!!”. He spat and left for his room.
Brandon only sighed and sat for dinner, his dad never ate with him, it’s either he eats in his room or whenever he leaves the dinning table. He really what’s to know how fatherly love feels.
“Guess I shouldn’t be expecting much”. He muttered and ate silently.
He stood up and left after taking few spoon.
He got to his room and dialed a number.
“Hi”. The caller said and he sighed.
“Hi”. He replied.
“Who please?”.
“The guy that bumped into you at school today”. He replied and he heard her sigh.
“Oh”.
“So…… How’s your knee?”. He asked.
“Fine but it still hurts so much”. She sniffed and he sighed.
“I don’t think I’d be able to walk to school tomorrow”. She added and sniffed again.
“You walk to school?”. He alsked.
“Yes but it’s nothing, I chose to do that, so I’m….”.
“Send me your address, I’d pick you up tomorrow”. He interrupted.
“You don’t have….”
“My mind is made up, goodnight”. He said and hanged up.
“Her voice is cool”. He muttered and his phone dinged.
He checked it out and smiled, he dropped his phone and walked to his reading table.
After singing, reading is his other hobby and let’s not forget sport and swimming.
He’s really a genius.
NEXT MORNING
~MCKENZIE’S MANSION
Daphne got dressed and styled her hair in ponytail. She got a message and limped downstairs.
Nobody asked how she got injured and she isn’t bothered because she is used to it. She greeted them and limped out without waiting for a response because she wasn’t expecting it.
She got outside the gate and met Brandon leaning on his car, he walked towards her and carried her into the car.
He got in and the drive to school began.
“What’s your name?”. He suddenly asked after a long silence.
“Daphne McKenzie”. She replied and he nod.
“I’m Brandon”. He said and she also nod.
“How did you get my number?”. She also asked.
“A source”. He simply said and she rolled her eyes.
~CRYSTAL HIGH
He drove in and as usual the students rushed out screaming his name, it’s like they recognises all his cars.
“What’s going on?”. Daphne asked.
“Obsessed students waiting for their demigod”. He said with a wink.
“You don’t look like one”. She replied and he rolled his eyes.
He locked eyes with her and leaned closer, she gasped and blocked her face with her hands. He chuckled and unlocked her seatbelt.
He leaned back smiling, she dropped her hands slowly and opened her eyes, she rushed down in embarrassment and the noisy students stopped for a while.
Brandon also came down and that got them talking in confusion.
👥 Isn’t she the newbie?
👥 What’s she doing with our Brandon?
👥 Btch!!! Get away from him! 👥 Gosh! I hate her already! 👥 Btch!!!!
Daphne sniffed and fiddled with her fingers, she is nervous as h*ll.
Brandon ignored them and walked over to her.
“Ignore them and let’s go”. He said and held her hand.
She withdrew her hand instantly and stepped back.
“I don’t want anymore complications, I’m okay with this”. She said and limped away.
He hissed and carried her in a bridal style and it stirred up their screams.
“I caused this, I’d fix it”. He said and left for the hallway.
~VVIP GRADE
“You stirred up arguments this morning. Who’s that hottie?”. Rudy asked shining his white teeth.
“The new student and it’s not what you all are thinking!”. Brandon said glaring at them.
“You know, you two would make a great couple”. Valentino said.
“Don’t worry, I’d chase Marielle away. I gat you”. Valentina winked and he groaned.
“The last time I checked, you both don’t belong here”. Brandon said, obviously in frustration.
“The crazy twins of the great Paris, why shouldn’t we be here?”. Valentino asked flipping his imaginary long hair backwards.
“Your voices are wack!”. Phillip said making an ugly face.
“Then it’s because you haven’t heard us sing, c’mon baby let’s show them what we’ve got”. Valentina said pulling valentino up. They folded their fist in form of a mic and winked at the others.
“Are you ready kids?”. Valentino asked.
“Aye, aye captain”. Valentina responded.
“I can’t hear youuuuuu!”. He said again.
“Aye, aye captain!!!”.
“Oooooooooohhh”
They both started off with different keys singing so loud beyond their pitch.
“Enough!!!!!!”. Brandon yelled covering his ears.
“Who lives in the pineapple under the sea?”
“Spongebob squarepants!!”
They sang at the same time but with different keys.
“That’s enough!!!!!”. The four yelled at once but they didn’t stop.
Valentina rushed to lock the door and return.
“Absorbent and yellow and porous is he”
“Spongebob squarepants!!!”.
They both screamed with Valentina jumping on Jude’s table.
The four rushed to the door but Valentina has the key.
“If nautical nonsense be somethin’ ya wish.
Sponge Bob Square Pants!”.
“Geez! Just kill me!! This is noise!!!!!!”. Brandon cried as he fell on his knees.
They kept screaming and singing it over and over again.
~SPORT PERIOD
Daphne limped to the locker room and took out her sport wear and snickers. She could have stayed back but she doesn’t wanna be left out.
She proceeded to the female restroom and bumped into the Crystal Queens.
She held on tight to her sport wear and tried walking away. Winnie wasn’t among them because she is absent.
“I can see you got yourself some courage after spending the night with Brad”. Marielle said with a dangerous look.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about”. Daphne said and they all burst into laughter.
“It’s show time girls!!”. Marielle said and they aimed at Daphne.
Valentina appeared from nowhere with pepper sprays and sprayed their faces with it.
Their screams scared the other students as they all rushed out to the scene.
Valentina dealt with them at the same time, wiping them cord and spanking their flat asses.
The students present at the scene mocked them and as usual, took shots.
“I love oraimo cords!!!!”. Valentina screamed crazily as she kept on wiping them.
Daphne grabbed a cord from her and joined the fun while they jammed their hands and ass together.
Chapter 15 & 16 : A New Friendship
~BOBBY’S MANSION
“Who the fck did this to you?”. Mrs Bobby yelled. Marielle said nothing but just kept on crying, her face is pepper free but fcking red. Various red marks all over her body, in fact, her whole body is on fire.
“I said who did this to you?”. She yelled again.
“That b*tchy daughter of the Paris”. Marielle spat.
“Are you crazy?”. She yelled.
“Well, you called this upon yourself! I warned you stay away from those psychopathic twins! Now look at what you’ve done to yourself!!!!! Don’t you ever listen?”. She screamed.
“Yell at me for all I care, I’d make sure she pays for what she did to me!!”. Married said and staggered to her room.
“Marielle, do you want to get yourself killed?” She asked screaming on the top of her voice.
She fell to the chair and burst into tears.
“Why don’t she ever listen to me?”. She weeped.
“This is too much to bare, we weren’t the only one”. She muttered and cried harder.
7PM
~STREET
Winnie strolled down the street enjoying the cool evening breeze. She looks pale and pitiful but who cares?
She has been enduring the pains for many years now and her mother isn’t an exception.
She sighed and blinked back the tears, she doesn’t want to remember those days and how she and her mother got into this mess.
She lays curses on her father anytime she thinks about it despite how bad she wanted her father back.
A car honked beside her, she recognizes the car but didn’t stopped.
“Hey”. Freddie called and she sighed.
She didn’t stop nor look back, she increased her pace, suddenly, she was swept off the floor.
Yeah…. He carried her in his arms.
She struggled with him but he never let go till he got to his car, he dropped her and also got in.
She tried coming down but he locked it and she doesn’t really know how to open a locked car, her parents never owned one.
“Hey big sis”. Carl said from behind and that scared the shit outta her.
“Hi”. She replied nervously.
“He’s my kid brother”. Freddie said and she nod.
“Are you my brother’s girlfriend?”. Carl asked moving closer to her.
“Ehm… Me? No I’m not”. She replied laughing nervously while Freddie sighed.
“Where are you going? I’d drop you off”. Freddie said and she scoffed.
“I was enjoying the cool breeze until you came out of nowhere to kill the fun”. She replied rolling her eyes.
“I’m sorry!”. He said and she scoffed.
“For?”.
“How I reacted back then in school, I shouldn’t have done that, I wasn’t thinking straight”. He replied and she nod.
“Like I said, I’d live to help my mum out if you stay away from me. Your presence around me disgusts me”. She said coldly and he nod.
“I will, if that will make you happy”. He muttered and she nod.
She faced the other side and a tear slipped out of her eyes, she wiped it off and acted cool.
“I’d drop you off”. He said and she shook her head.
“I don’t need your help, I’m fine here”. She replied and he slowly unlocked the car.
“Please don’t go”. Carl said with a pout.
“I’m running out of time, my mum needs me”. She said and ran off into the dark.
“You like her?”. Carl asked and he sighed.
“I don’t know”. He replied and drove off.
~SEOUL HOSPITAL
Phillip sat dejectedly on the floor crying his eyes out. He is covered in sweat but stopping his tears is the last thing on his mind.
“You’d kill yourself at this rate!”. His sister said trying to console him.
“What’s the point when she is laying almost dead there and I can’t do anything about it”. He said in tears.
“Phil, we are meant to stay strong for her, she would be worried even in that critical state if she sees us like this”. She said patting his back.
“You should go home and rest, you’ve been here since you returned. Be optimistic, she’d be fine”. She added.
“I don’t want to go home”. He replied stubbornly.
“Dad would be here anytime soon and he won’t be happy to see you like this, we need to make….”.
“What’s the use of all this wealth when our mother is laying there half dead?”. He asked and broke down into another round of tears.
“God knows best!”. She simply replied consoling him.
Their mum has been down with kidney problem for years now, she is relying on one for now and the one is gradually failing. She needs kidney transplant as soon as possible but every means to get one seems fruitless.
He acts cool in school but deep down, he needs his mum back, he is the last child and his doesn’t toy with his mum neither does he hate his dad.
He’s the best kid one would ever wished for, he’s obedient, polite and kind but has a this bad boy trait which he got from his dad.
~THE PRESIDENT’S VILLA
He’s the only one at home with the creepy looking guards, in as much as he wants his safety, he hates the sight of the guards.
He refused taking any along with him whenever he leaves the house.
“Such a boring life”. He muttered.
He laid on the bed staring at the ceiling.
“Friends can’t come over, can’t go out to meet friends, this… that…. I’m fed up for real”. He groaned and his phone rang.
He picked it without looking at the screen.
“It’s a video call dummy”. He heard the voice, he sat up and hurriedly brought down the phone from his ear.
He stared at her and swallowed hard, she is just putting on short and tank top.
“How are you you Brad?”. She asked softly.
Her voice sounded so sweet and he wondered how sweet it’d sound when she sings.
“Sing me a song”. He suddenly said and she gasped.
She hanged up and he sighed.
“I’m indeed stupid!”. He muttered and fell back on the bed.
NEXT MORNING
~BANKS’ MANSION
Laylani’s red and disfigured body was the first thing Mr Banks came to check, he checks her school report everyday to know how she is fairing.
“Morning dad”. She greeted and he almost hit her but her mum held his hand.
“What is good about this morning?”. He yelled pointing at her.
“She is still recovering,you don’t have to scold her”. Mrs Banks said.
“You keep spoiling her and I hope you don’t bit your fingers one day!!! See what she has done to herself”. He shouted while Laylani sighed.
“Still, you shouldn’t yell at her, you almost hit her for Christ sake!!”. She yelled back and he nod.
“You’re grounded, you get a drive to school and back home from me with strict guarding, no friends gathering, no phones or gadgets and you read for five straight hours without sleeping a wink. I can’t let you tarnish the image of this family! Not when I’m alive”. He spat and stormed out of the room.
Laylani burst into tears while her mum ran after him.
“For how long would you have to keep doing this to her?”. She asked.
“For how long would you also keep spoiling her?”. He fired.
“She’s our only child and she needs to be pampered and not scolded”. She said and he scoffed.
“I don’t have time to banter words with you woman”. He said and took few steps.
“For how long will she be grounded?”. She asked sniffing.
“Till I see changes”. He replied a left the house with a loud slam from the door.
He is a disciplinarian, also a politician with the fear of God, he tried bis best to bring uo his only daughter in the best way a father should but her mum just keep spoiling her. She now prefers her mum to her dad, her mum takes her side even when she is at fault while her father scold her.
He prays everyday for a change in her life but it worsen day by day.
~MERCEDES APARTMENT
Winnie woke up looking better than the previous day. She stretched happily and got out of bed.
It’s Friday and it’s just music all through, she is super excited, coupled with the fact that the rest of the Crystal Queens won’t be coming.
She saw the videos on the school blog and mouth can’t express how happy she is but her mood changed when she remembered Freddie.
“Guess I’d be free from Laylani as from now”. She sighed
She hopped into the bathroom and got ready for school.
“Morning mum”. Winnie greeted but her mum was lost in thought.
“Mum?”. Winnie tapped her and she flinched.
“Baby….”
“What’s wrong?”. Winnie asked and tears strolled down her face.
“Your dad is out of jail!”.
She released the bombshell.
Chapter 17 & 18 : The Power Struggle at Crystal High
Winnie didn’t stop her tears since her mum broke the news to her. She couldn’t even go to school.
She is still in great shock, her dad is the last person she would ever wish to see despite how bad she wants him back.
“Stop crying, please”. Her mum pleaded also in tears.
“Mum, do you mean he is back to torment us?”. Winnie asked fearfully.
“I’m sorry”. She replied.
Winnie pulled her into a tight hug as she shed more tears.
“We just have to stay strong, whoever that bailed him has evil intentions, well he is bound to come out one day though”. She whispered patting Winnie’s back.
“What do we do? I don’t want to die”. Winnie said crying harder.
“You will not die but live, you are my life and everything I’ve got, stop talking about death”. She said pulling out of the hug.
She held her face tight and sniffed, brushing her hair off her sweaty face.
“Look at me, I’d take you away from here and take to a save place, I will not let anything happen to you”. She said but Winnie could only cry in response.
Her father is no different from a beast that torments them, he had always hated Winnie and her mother from the very day Winnie was born.
“Just pack few clothes and we’d leave tonight”. She said and Winnie nod.
“What of those people? They are everywhere”. Winnie said looking at her mum.
“Your safety matters first”. She replied and pulled her up.
“You have to stay strong and pray for the best”. She said and Winnie nod.
Winnie wiped her tears and hugged her mum tight.
~P.S GROUP
They just concluded the meeting with the board of directors and are currently heading to their office.
“What do you intend to do to them?”. Mrs Paris asked.
They got to their office, they run the companies together and also share the same office.
“We just have to lay low for now, bet they won’t expect what’s coming”. Mr Paris replied smirking.
“Your kids are handling their daughter already, those two”. She chuckled and he sighed.
“They don’t even know anything about all this, they are just dealing with her because she stepped on their toes”. He replied chuckling as well.
“I’ve got lovely kids”. He added.
“Don’t forget to add crazy, they are handful”. She hurriedly said and he laughed.
“I love them that way, thanks for bringing them to life”. He said pulling her into a warm embrace.
“I get it now get back to work!!”. She snapped stepping on his toes.
“Now I see who they got their craziness from…. Arrgh!!!!”. He cried jumping on one leg.
~CRYSTAL HIGH
~CAFETERIA
Daphne sat with Reece munching on her lunch.
“So……”
“May I?”. Dwight asked interrupting Reece.
“Dwight!!!”. She called happily.
He smiled and sat beside her scattering her hair while Reece sighed.
“You were saying?”. She asked Reece.
“Nevermind”. He simply replied facing his food.
Reece suddenly stood up and rushed out.
“Reece!”. Daphne called and tried standing up but Dwight pulled her back.
“He would be fine!”. He said and she nod still looking at the door.
~RESTROOM
Reece rushed in coughed out blood into the sink, he hit his chest hard and coughed out more.
Blood oozed out of his nose and he washed it off. His tensed breathing became stable, he sighed sadly as he washed his hands and face.
He left the restroom and went straight to class.
~MUSIC CLASS
As usual, the hall was filled up with the whole students, the Crystal Queens are absent which didn’t move him a bit aside the absence of Winnie. She is one of his best students.
“Good day students”. He said and they all echoed a reply as usual.
HOT 5 rushed in immediately panting heavily.
“We’re sorry, Mr Rogers”. They said and rushed to settle down.
Brandon ended up sitting beside Daphne, she smiled and poked his cheek.
“Hey”. He replied nervously without looking at her.
Dwight who sat on her left hand side just sighed.
“So, this afternoon’s class will be brief, I just want to pass a message across”. He said and they began murmuring.
“Can you just keep quiet and listen to what I have to say?”. He asked and the hall became silent.
“As I was saying, there is a competition coming up in a month’s time and….”.
They began murmuring again not giving him the chance to speak.
“Are y’all done now?”. He asked and they kept quiet again.
“As usual, there would be an audition next week Friday. The competition is for both genders but there is a certain number of students that can participate in it”. He said.
“A total number of 10 students, all students must participate because I won’t distinguish one from the other! It’s a must y’all take part in the audition!”.
“The audition will be held at the main hall and further details will be passed across by Monday”. He said and their murmurs continued.
“Reach out to your friends who are absent and inform them about it because everyone must take part in the audition, Good day”. He said and left the class.
The hall became noisy again and Daphne turned to Brandon.
“Would you participate?”. She asked and he nod.
“Okay then, see yah”. She winked and left the hall with Dwight.
Freddie who seems bothered and bothered just sighed and left the hall.
~GRADE 12
“Why did you leave like that?”. She asked.
“I was pressed and went to make use of the restroom”. Reece replied and she nod.
“I’d believe you, you don’t look like someone who tell lies”. She said and he chuckled.
“If only you know”. He said inwardly.
“So would you be participating in the audition?”. He asked and she nod.
“I’ve always waited for opportunities like this, so I would”. She replied and he smiled.
“Same here”. He said and they bumped hands together.
~VVIP GRADE
“I have an advice for the both of you”. Rudy said pointing at the twins.
“What’s that?”. Valentino asked curiously.
“Don’t you think of participating in that audition if you don’t wanna get mocked”. Rudy replied and they all burst into laughter.
“Says who? Our voices are the most enchanting voices you’d ever hear, it’s a rare type”. Valentina said flaunting her hair.
“Indeed, it’s rare because it worse than the most awful voice”. Freddie replied and they laughed.
“We’d audition and get selected, we are the….”
“Just don’t make mention of your horrible surname”. Brandon said rolling his eyes.
“What’s yours? Mars? Tell me which is more horrible if not yours? I mean who would dare have the surname of a planet name?”. Valentino asked.
“Maybe you should ask the President that question”. Brandon replied and they kept quiet immediately.
~BOBBY’S MANSION
Marielle looks much better than before, the redness on her body are all gone, just the scars left which would be be gone before Monday.
“What a nice way to start the plan”. She muttered laughing like a maniac.
She left her room and went downstairs, she met her mum in the living room deep in thoughts.
“Hey!”. Marielle called.
“Hey? Is that how you were taught to greet your mum?”. She asked standing to her feet.
“What mum? The one who doesn’t see me as her child or what?”. Marielle asked rolling her eyes.
“Marielle! I carried your for nine months and almost died while giving birth to a brat……”.
“Maybe you should have just died!”. Marielle cuts in rudely.
Slap!
Slap!
Slap!
Her mother landed three consecutive slaps on her face.
“Mum did you just slap me?”. Marielle asked almost in tears.
“I would give you more till you learn to make use of your sense”. She yelled and Marielle nod repeatedly.
“You know what? If you’re willing to be at loggerheads with me, bring it on but just know that I will not rest until I see the downfall of the Paris!”. Marielle spat and left the house angrily.
“Oh God! Just take my life instead”. She cried falling back on the chair.
NIGHT
~MERCEDES APARTMENT
With her shaky hands, she rushed downstairs with a bag to meet her mum.
“Just stay cool, you’d be safe when we get out of here”. She said and Winnie nod.
She pulled her hoodie cap over her head and held on tight to the bag. Her mum tied a scarf using it to cover her face, she is also with a small bag.
She pecked her forehead and wiped the tears on her daughter’s eyes. They haven’t taken up to three steps when the door burst open roughly.
A handsome looking man walked in with a devilish look on his face and a cigar in his mouth.
He smirked and puffed out smoke from his ear, mouth and nose.
He walked closer to them while Winnie buried her face in her mum’s chest holding her tight.
“Surprised right?”. He smirked puffing another smoke on their face.
“Yeah….. I’m back!”. He smirked taking his seat on the couch.