The Dimitri mansion
Maxim stood quietly with a glass of whiskey in his hand, watching the traffic below like a man admiring ants beneath his feet.
Behind him.
soft footsteps approached.
Carmen.
She wore one of his oversized shirts, her hair slightly damp from a shower, expression relaxed at first.
"…You're deserve an Oscar after that performance."
Maxim smirked faintly without turning.
"…Really?"
Carmen walked beside him.
"…I didn't think you would be able to bring up those tears."
That finally made him chuckle softly.
"…I was surprised I did."
Carmen leaned against the railing beside him.
"…So what are you planning for them?"
Maxim took a sip calmly.
"…Leave that for now."
A pause.
"…Lets just celebrate the fact that they bought the drama."
Carmen frowned slightly.
"…Hmmm... What if he has doubts?"
Maxim laughed softly.
"…Pacho is a fool."
"He is emotionally stupid."
"…That's why he'll lose."
Carmen folded her arms now.
"…So when do I get my pay?"
Maxim smirked.
"…Immediately when the job is done."
A pause.
"…As soon as I complete my objective."
Carmen shrugged.
"…Well, it's been an eventful day, I'm off to bed."
He turned toward her fully now.
"…Where are you off to."
His voice lowered slightly.
"…You are my girlfriend?"
Carmen stared at him carefully now.
"…No honey, I'm only in this for the money?"
Maxim's eyes lit slightly.
"…And what if I pay."
A pause.
"…Just for a little touch."
Carmen frowned immediately.
"…Nah I didn't sign up for that."
Maxim smiled faintly.
But it didn't reach his eyes.
"…Then just sign it."
Carmen looked at him differently now.
"…Honey…"
A pause.
"…You are not my type."
She smiled faintly again.
"…I don't get turned on by shady guys."
Maxim walked closer to her.
"Am I shady?"
Carmen stepped closer carefully.
"…Just focus on your target?"
"Good night."
She left him standing there as he gave a smirk.
"Keep playing hard to get, you will eventually fall for me."
Next day
Emirates academy.
Marco leaned back dramatically, "So what's the relationship update today."
Hugo didn't even look up.
"…You're still single. That's the update."
Misheal smirked.
"No, let him cook. This is the only place he feels important."
Marco clutched his chest.
"You people don't respect greatness."
Maria sat quietly, pretending to read.
Rufus beside her.
Close enough to maintain the illusion.
Far enough to feel the distance.
Andre sat across from them enjoying Marco's drama.
Then.
From the door.
Sonia walked in.
Late.
Again.
Marco spotted her immediately.
"…Ah."
He stood up.
"…Shes here."
Sonia paused.
Turned slowly.
"…Why the hell did you stand up like a rod just went through your ass."
The class burst out laughing.
Marco froze.
"…Rod—?"
Hugo nearly fell off his chair laughing.
Misheal wiped a tear.
"Yeah, that's my sister ."
Marco recovered quickly.
Smirk forming.
"Don't be shy come give daddy a hug."
Sonia blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
He walked closer.
Lowered his voice slightly.
"You missed me."
"Just admit it."
Sonia stepped forward.
Too close.
Way too close.
"…Say that again."
Marco swallowed.
But didn't back down.
"…I said you mi—"
She grabbed his ear.
Hard.
"YOU LIKE PAIN?!"
"AHHH—MY EAR— IT HURT'S—!"
The class exploded.
She let go of his ear and whispered to him.
"…We will talk later."
Marco rubbed his ear.
Grinning.
"…She likes me."
Hugo shook his head.
"What did you say."
"I said she likes me."
Then.
The classroom door opened again.
Esmeralda
As Poppy and Emilia chased after her.
Poppy grabbed her hand.
"…How dare you walk away from us."
Esmeralda looked at her with a scary frown.
"…Let go of my hand"
Emilia crossed her arms.
"…Else what."
Now
Esmeralda looked up.
Slowly.
"…Emilia."
A faint smile.
"…Do you have a death wish or what?"
Poppy stepped forward.
"…Get something clear bitch, we are not scared of you"
Esmeralda grabbed poppy's collar and pulled her closer.
"…You should be."
A pause.
"…You know."
"I can buy your entire family if I want."
Emilia's voice sharpened.
"…You're embarrassing yourself."
"…Lately you've been doing just that running after vampire boy like a ha--"
Esmeralda cut her off instantly.
"…Finish that sentence and I will make sure you swallow your tongue."
Emilia hesitated.
Poppy scoffed.
"…Oh, you don't want to bring him up."
A pause.
"…You know he's not yours that's why."
Esmeralda stepped closer.
Their height clearly visible.
"…Are you jelouse ."
A small smile.
"…If it's about him."
Another step.
"…I will make sure you two burn in that emotion ."
"…And let me make something clear."
Her voice was calm.
"…You two are and always will be dog's."
A pause.
"…So quit barking around and go back to your kennel."
The class erupted.
"Woahhhhhh....."
Poppy clenched her jaw.
"…How dare you?"
Her hand shot forward
But Esmeralda caught her wrist mid-air.
The sound never landed.
The room froze.
"…What were you about to do?" Esmeralda said tightening her grip on poppy's hand.
"Let go of her."
Emilia swung from the side
But before it could connect
Another hand intercepted.
Firm.
Strong.
Misheal.
"…I dreamt of this daily, finially getting to put my hand on you."
She pushed Emilia back.
Hard enough to create space.
Poppy scoffed.
"…Stay out of this."
Misheal stepped forward.
Cracking her knuckles slightly.
"…Make me."
The room exploded with noise.
Students shouting.
Chairs moving.
Energy spiking.
Poppy tried again
This time faster
But Misheal blocked her and gave her a clean right hand.
Emilia rushed Misheal from behind but misheal grabbed her hair pulled it forward and yanked her face into the side of the desk.
Misheal stood over their bodies.
"You still want more, I still have plenty left in the tank."
Esmeralda stood there.
Watching.
Mouth open as she whispered to herself
"She didn't even need my help."
Misheal went to grab poppy's head again then
Esmeralda stepped forward and pulled Misheal slightly back.
"…That's enough Misheal."
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!"
The door slammed open.
Teachers rushed in.
"Four of you, Principal's Office now!!"
Principals office.
Mrs. Jean Cancelo sat behind her desk.
Eyes sharp.
Unmoved.
Poppy.
Emilia.
Esmeralda.
Misheal.
All standing.
All waiting.
"…Now I want you all to give me a valid explanation of what happened out there."
Poppy spoke first.
"…She provoked us."
Emilia nodded.
"…She's been acting superior—"
Mrs. Cancelo raised a hand.
Silence.
"…Esmeralda?"
Esmeralda stepped forward slightly.
Composed.
"…They attacked me."
A pause.
"…In front of the entire class."
Mrs cancelo stood up.
"Let's head to the class and hear what happened."
Class E
"…What happened here?"
Marco didn't hesitate.
"…They jumped her, ma'am."
Hugo nodded.
"…Misheal stepped in to stop it."
Maria added quietly:
"…Esmeralda didn't throw a single hit."
Mrs. Cancelo leaned back slightly.
"I don't buy it, you are all her friends."
Then
Mario added.
"Ma'am they followed her into the class agressively and attacked her."
Another student jumped in.
"Yh, poppy and Emilia were the trouble makers."
Then Mrs Cancelo's voice shot up.
"…Poppy."
"…Emilia."
Her tone hardened.
"…You initiated violence."
A pause.
"…That alone is enough."
Both girls stiffened.
Verdict
"…Detention."
"…Disciplinary record."
"…And suspension from extracurricular activities for two weeks."
Mrs. Cancelo turned.
"…Misheal."
A pause.
"…For violence you initiated."
Misheal nodded slightly.
"…Yes ma'am."
"…One week detention."
Then
"…Esmeralda."
Silence.
"…Report to higher authorities if this happens again."
"Let this be a warning to anyone who wants to start a battle royal in my premises."
The door slammed hard as she stepped out.
Poppy's eyes burned.
Emilia looked furious.
But said nothing.
Because they lost.
Clearly.
Publicly.
Esmeralda walked past them.
Paused slightly.
Didn't look back.
"…Next time…"
A small pause.
"…think before you act."
Then she kept walking.
Poppy whispered.
"…This isn't over."
Emilia nodded slowly.
"…Not even close."