1 Aleia

The rays of the sun made its way through the closed plain white curtain of Aleia's room creating a wonderful morning of Monday or maybe not. The sleepy girl groaned as the light beaming into her closed eyes.

She then pulled the pillow into her head as it buried down to her bed and just as her alarm clock began to ring, a knocked echoed into her room. After knocking for three times, the door opened wide and a woman into her mid Forty's came into appearance. She wore her usual clothes composed of black shirt and a pair slacks.

"Good morning, milady. Time to wake up or you're gonna be late for school." the woman said calmly.

Aleia said nothing. She didn't even made an effort to move. The woman knew that she's wide awake but chose not to listen. She inhaled slowly and let the air out on her mouth then put her weary hand into her hips as she stomps her feet towards Aleia's queen sized bed.

"Okay. I'll take that as a no. Well then,-" as soon as the words left her mouth, she gripped the edge of the blanket and pulled it with all her might. Aleia got up into a sitting position still holding the pillow.

"Okay. Okay. I'm up, Marta. Happy?" Aleia said with the hint of sleepiness into her voice.

"Of course, milady. So please, kindly get up because the bath is ready." Marta said as a small smile appeared into her face.

"Scented with Lavender?" Aleia asked as she rubbed the sleepiness into her eyes.

"Yes. I'll take my leave so don't be lazy. Breakfast will be served in a minute. You know Madam Eleanor is strict about food and everything." Marta replied.

Aleia murmured her response as Marta made a small bow and took her leave as the door closed. Aleia got up and made her way to her bathroom and enjoys her bathing time.

After an hour the pale girl with her long midnight black wavy hair, deep blue eyes and a perfect jaw lines was staring at her reflection at her full-length mirror as she settled with a gray long sleeve, a ragged jeans and a black sneakers. She look very simple. She hated make ups so it's understandable. At a final glance at the full-length mirror, she nodded her head confirming her appearance and made her way downstairs to the dining table.

She marched the long well-varnished stairs and made her way to their dining table. There set a chandelier right above the long table, composed of twelve varnished wooden chairs, white table cloth and other untouched well-polished utensils. She noticed her father, Ryan sipping down his coffee and a newspaper into his other hand. Then her mother, Eleanor eating down her breakfast.

"Good morning, parents." she greeted them as she settled down into one of the chairs. She was used to call them parents as general instead of 'Mom and Dad'. Soon, the servant serves her meal and just she started her meal her mother spoke for the first time.

"Aleia, I've always told you that that-" she points Aleia's clothes "doesn't suit your status. You should wear more pleasant clothes. Your choice of clothing were always bad, my dear." Eleanor said in a motherly tone.

"Sorry, Mom. But I'm fine and comfortable with these clothes. I don't want to stand out or attract any attention." Aleia said with a little bit sadness into her voice.

"My daughter's right, darling. She should wear the clothes according to her choice so that she'll be more comfortable. Right, Lea?" Ryan said as he winks to her daughter and returned his attention to the newspaper. Aleia let out a small chuckle but cut off as Eleanor cleared her throat.

"Fine. But I hope someday, you wear the clothes I buy for you." Eleanor sounds defeated.

Aleia's mother, Eleanor is a successful business woman came from a rich family too. She's kinda strict but loves her children. Eleanor looks a little too young at her age of forty-eight, she looks like at her mid twenty's. She had a brown hair, deeps blue eyes and a spender body.

While her father, Ryan is a multi-millionaire and owns those large companies. Ryan is kind, approachable and easygoing kind of man to his family. Ryan, on the other hand, was a black haired man with gray eyes. For a business man like him, he was sure a little bit busier. Sometimes, Eleanor has to drag him to work because he liked to stay than to face a lot of papers. Ryan and Eleanor were about the same though just like her wife, he also appears like man at his mid-twenties.

Then her oldest brother, Anthony, at the age of twenty-four was now a successful businessman for years and now owns a few companies from Ryan but still a single and handsome man. Many had questioned his gender, suspected that he might be a gay because of his lack of interest into women, that's true though except the gay part. But all in all he's a sweet, caring and the best older brother in the world.

Next is her older sister, Angelene, at the age of twenty-two was now a professional designer, she too manages her own company of clothing and was currently engage to a rich supermodel and soon to be married. Angie was also the best older sister she ever had. She's very lucky enough to have everything she had despite the fact that she's the middle child.

Their parents always called them the triple A when they are together. But now that Aleia was the only left who's still on her sophomore year, she got most of the authority in the mansion.

Aleia snapped out of her thoughts just as she nearly finished her food. She stood up and bid farewells to her parents.

"Bye, parents."

"Be careful, honey." her mother said as she kissed her cheeks then turned to her father.

"Just be yourself as always, Lea." she chuckled and kissed his father's cheek.

"Love you guys!" she said as she ran into their gray limo.

Aleia went to a normal school open for rich people and also for the um, less fortunate. She doesn't mind though, she treated them equal without them knowing that she's the daughter of one of the wealthiest man in their country. She stared into the road through the window and slowly drifted into another deep thought.

You'll probably wonder why a daughter of a multi-billionaire family attends a normal school. The only and main reason is that they kept her in the dark not until she graduates in college. Because of their too much love, they want their remaining daughter experience a normal life. Like having normal friends not with the gold diggers, a normal love not with the arranged one. They only want the best for their daughter and will do anything just to set a normal life for her. Suddenly a thick voice has been calling her, again and again trying to get her attention.

"Miss Aleia. Um, Milady, we're here now." his driver Johnny announced. She then shifted but to reality and apologize right away. Her driver just nod in response. Johnny got out and opened the door for her. She murmured thanks and turned her gaze to her school.

She's been studying here since freshmen days now that she's in her sophomore years everything seems to be fine or she just thought it would. Everything went smoothly and already has been considered as one of the popular, popular among nerds thus never had a real friend. She always wanted one but couldn't. All she wants is to be noticed by someone. Someone who she could considered as a true friend not with the friends with benefit.

As Aleia made her way to her first class though she's early for 15 minutes. She saw a group of friends that has been laughing, joking around and really enjoys each company. She felt really jealous and as she passed by they came to halt.

The look in their eyes has always been the same. The eyes that noticed her flaws. The eyes that seems to be laughing at her. The pity that has been written through their faces was the one that she always wants to rip out.

She altered her gaze to the floor and continue her way but stopped by a pair of big hands on her shoulder. She remains calm and turned her gaze to the owner of the hands.

"Hi, there. Here's the money." He handed Aleia a cash as he grabbed her free hand.

"Buy a pair of glasses so that it will complete your get up, little nerd." and with a wink, he went back to his peers and started to laugh very loud. Aleia just stood there shock written into her face.

Did- did he j-just slap the money on me? D-do I really look like a nerd? I know I'm kinda smart and my choice of clothing was kinda boring, was that really bad?, she thought to herself but kinda agree to the last part. She sighed and gripped the cash then walked towards the group that has been mocking her.

"What? Not enough?" the same guy said.

"No. I don't need a pair of glasses 'cause I can see clearly. Here-" Aleia said as she handed back the cash. "Take them and buy tons of condoms for protection. I said that I can see clearly, right? Well yeah, so clear that I could see your tainted disgusting soul." and with that final blast, Aleia walked away with a satisfied smile appeared in the corner of her lips.

She glanced to her silver watch and sighed, "I've wasted ten minutes for that stupid show. I wonder if good manners have never been taught these days. Arrogant jerk!" she shook her head as she hurried to her first class.

A few more classrooms and she'll be in her first period but on her way, she saw a brunette picking up her scattered books. She rushed to it and offered a help.

"Let me help you." She saw her nods her head as her back facing her.

I'll take that a yes, she thought. After picking up few books, Aleia handed it over to the girl.

"Thanks for the help." the girl said as she turned her face to the stranger that helped her. The girl was a brunette, has fair skin, pink thin lips, light blue eyes and a petite body.

I'll bet, she's prettier than me. She thought again.

"So, what's your class?" Aleia asked eyeing her first class' room.

"Biology. But I'm fine. I'm a sophomore so I know where to go. Um, no need to guide me. I'm perfectly fine. Thank you for helping me. I really appreciate it. I really don't want to bother you any longer.You better go now or you-" Aleia got a chance to interrupt this brunette's speech.

"Calm down. Well, the good thing is, I'm a sophomore too and Biology's my first class. So, shall we?" Aleia said as they started walking.

"Um, sorry? I'm sorry if I talked too much for your liking." The girl said as Aleia noticed her rosy cheek.

Aw. How cute. Aleia thought as she stared at the girl's head that's probably because she towered her for a few inches. She suddenly wanted to pinched the girl's cheeks but forced herself to stop, she might offend the other party.

"No, I'm fine with it. What's your name by the way? I'm Aleia" Aleia said with a friendly smile into her face.

"I'm Ivonne. Ivonne McLelland." Ivonne said and a thought came to her mind.

"Oh? Your family is the owner of the McLelland Pasta House, right?" Ivonne blushed at Aleia's sudden question.

"Kind of. Well, yeah."

"I thought so. I always order different pasta there and it's always good." Aleia said with delight.

"Thanks. I think so too." Ivonne said as they entered their room almost filled with students.

They sit right at the middle just as the bell rings. An old man, maybe in his Fifty's came in as the students went back to their seats.

"Good morning. I'm your Biology teacher, Mr. Clark." Mr. Clark said as he settled down his things on the wooden table. Then, the class starts.

Everything went smooth after every class and Aleia found out that she's with Ivonne in all their subjects. Aleia even reached a conclusion that Ivonne was a little talkative. She talks almost about everything and anything.

As time goes by lunch came and Aleia and Ivonne got their meals and found an empty spot for them. As they ate their meal, Ivonne asked Aleia a question which made her choke.

"So, are you by chance related to that multi-billionaire family, the famous Villanueva family? because you have the same surname as they are. I'll be damned if you're their daughter. And by any chance you might be the richest kid here in our school." Ivonne asked with a serious face.

Not now, Aleia thought. She cleared her throat and smiled at Ivonne before she spoke.

"Seriously? Do I look like I'm one of their descendants? You're wrong, babe. I don't know how but were not related. And you that the Villanueva has only two children and are all adults. By the way why would you be damned if I'm related to them?" Aleia said shaking her head in disbelief.

Aleia stared into those two blue orbs that have been staring at her, searching her face if she was lying. The only reason was that the public didn't know about the Villanueva's third child. She was hidden from the public for her safety and to lead a peaceful life. Aleia understand it well and knew that everything was done for her sake. Ivonne frowned but soon blinks away the confusion.

"Duh! If you're related to them I'll be ashamed for not noticing right away. I just have to confirm my thoughts, the fact that they only have two children." Ivonne said confirming.

"I know right!" Aleia said in a cheery tone.

They soon talk about school and of course girl stuffs. After lunch they went to their next class still chattering about almost everything. Well, Ivonne covered almost the entire conversation though. This one sure is a weird girl, does she even have a stop button? Aleia once thought.

On their second period, the teacher has to leave earlier because she has an important appointment and decided to postpone the class. Of course, the students howl for joy. As for Ivonne and Aleia their chattering continued.Few hours later, the final ring of the bell echoed throughout the whole school. The two girls walked out of their classroom and made their way to the parking lot.

"So, see you tomorrow, Aleia." Ivonne said as she waves her hand up in the air.

"Okay. You go first. I have things to do before I go home." Aleia said as she turned her heel back to the campus. Ivonne nodded her head as she headed to the white car.

Aleia waited Ivonne to enter the car and soon she watches the car disappears. Aleia sighed as her eyes searches for their car. She took long strides as soon as she spotted their car.

She knocked the window and the car door opened to reveal Johnny. He opened the door for Aleia to enter. Before she entered the car she uttered an apology for her new found friend, "I'm sorry, Ivonne."