Chapter 1

Liana's Point of view

"She's here."

"Huh... where?"

"I heard she's meeting another guy later."

"Haha, what a b*tch."

As I strolled along this lengthy corridor, I could hear the conversations they were having. I have no interest in whomever was their subject of conversation for today since they tend to chatter about another person being a slut or a b*tch practically every day; it's as if conversations like that have become their routine.

I marched straight to my course, ignoring these people's rants, until I got stopped in my tracks. I spotted my little sister, Lily, standing in front of me.

"Well, well, would you look at that, the infamous No. 1 beauty... uh, that, I mean, the most widely known slut of the year!"

While she stared straight into my eyes, I frowned.

"Lily, are you referring to me?" I muttered, making an effort to compose myself. I am dumbfounded by whatever I've just heard coming out of her obnoxious mouth.

I was not expecting my very own sister to shame me in the presence of so many people. I'm still reeling from a state of shock. Whatever comments I overheard previously appeared to have been aimed at me.

I did my best to prevent myself from rushing at her face.

"What? Cat got your tongue?"

"Sigh. Lily, you should stop. If it is you who circulated that kind of rumor, I will let it slide , so please just stop with whatever you want to say." I asked her as modestly as I possibly could.

'You must be incredibly grateful that you bear the same blood as me; otherwise, I could have smacked your replicated face.' But my mind is not modest at all.

I was tempted to say it out loud to her, but I was unable to, and if I said that to her, she would probably tell our parents, and I don't want that to happen. It's merely me, an obedient child who fears the prospect of disappointing or upsetting her parents in any way.

"Oh, it's not true? Then prove it if you are not exactly who they think you are, sis."She simply walked away shortly after that, leaving me standing here, surrounded by people who were staring at me with disdainful eyes.

I intended to assert myself and explain that I was never that sort of a woman, but nothing came out of my mouth at that point. If I start to defend myself, the matter may worsen.

Casting a glance over my surroundings, I went into the lecture hall and waited for the classes to get started.

After all the classes had been finished, I walked out of the lecture hall, straight to the washroom. As I open the door to the washroom and walked in three girls entered after me, shutting the door behind them, I remained upright in front of the mirror.

I glanced at them, after which I stepped back. I presumed that they were just going to use the mirror, but the girl in a position facing me came towards me.

"Hey!"

"What?" 'What's with her tone, Is she asking for a fight?'

"Ha, I'm merely starting to get acquainted with the campus' b*tch."

"That was funny; only right now have I encountered a person who appears to be the campus b*tch right in front of me."

"What!? What did you just say, you filthy tramp!?"

She pounce at me and snatched my hair. I tried to fight back, but the two girls she was with grabbed a hold of me and then started swarming upon me, pulling my hair and kicking my abdomen multiple times until they were satisfied and left.

I huddled on the floor, grasping my aching stomach. I was nearly about to sob, but I held myself back. I managed to stand up, holding against the faucet. I straightened myself and stepped out of the washroom, peering down at the tiled floor instead of looking at any person I walked past.

"Are you alright, Liana?" I heard a voice of a man asking me if I was alright.

I turned to face the man who had unexpectedly approached me. Lucas was his name, a tall guy with short brown curly hair. Last year, I ran into him at the library. He is a nice and humble guy.

"I'm fine, Lucas; thank you for asking."

I cracked a smile at him and scurried off, trying to get home as soon as possible.

Almost every day felt like a long trek to every part of the institution for me. Every step of the way, I'm being ridiculed and mocked. I almost gave up on life, but I remain resilient because I want to make it out of this torment.

The last few months felt like a terrible dream that I am still tormented by. At last, the moment for me to complete my studies has come.

Stepping out of the university, I feel like a completely different person.

'Finally, a fresh start; I'm hoping for a pleasant life ahead of me.'

I got a phone call while carrying my phone. I checked it, and as soon as I saw the caller's name, I eagerly answered it.

"Hello! May I know who's calling?"

"Oh hello! This is the CEO of Cabello Cosmetics. I am looking for my forgetful friend; do you perhaps know her?" she said, which made me giggle.

"Could we meet, Ruth? We weren't able to see each other in an entire year, and I'm already missing you."

"That is precisely why I contacted you, girl; you meet with me at the office. I'll see you there. You know where it is, right? Ok, bye! See you later."

'She didn't change.'

I could only shake my head as I headed towards my car and drove to her company.

I met Ruth when I was a third year college student and she was at her last year. At that time we always run into each other when we have our lunch. Our friendship started from the time when Ruth begin to have a conversation with me and it leads to us spending almost all of our free time together until she graduated and handled her parents company.

Arriving at my destination I parked my car and went into the company. I messaged Ruth to inform her that I have arrived and that I was heading directly to her office. The employees here still remember me from a year ago, back when I used to accompany Ruth whenever she frequented the company.

Upon entering the elevator, I pressed the top floor button and waited for a few moments.

Ruth's secretary was waiting at her office door when the lift opened. I nodded while she opened the door for me and welcomed me into the office.

"Hey! Ruth, I missed you so much!" I approached Ruth at her workspace and gave her a tight hug.

"Aww... I missed you too, by the way. Congratulations! I'm so proud of you!" She returned my hug and congratulated me.

She was like an elder sister to me; regardless of the fact that we hadn't met in a full year, she was constantly reaching out to me, motivating me, and checking if everything was alright with me. However, I didn't tell her about the bullying and now I'm feeling ashamed.

"It's already dark outside; why did your graduation take so long?" "I actually intended to go shopping with you; now we have to stick to the club and get wasted!" Ruth said after she got her things and led me outside.

We walk out of her office and down to the parking lot. We decided to drive her car and go to the nearest nightclub.

While we were on the road, I told her everything that had transpired at the college. Beginning with my sister's scheme and other people's harassment.

When she heard that, she grew enraged and nearly crashed the car in front of us. She was whining about why I hadn't told her and asked for her assistance, stating she could've done something to aid me.

I waited for her to calm down, after which I had her scold me like she was my mother. Once we got to the nightclub, we were through with the speech she was giving.