Chapter 23: Partner in Crime

"Congratulations to those participants who were successfully included in the final list for the search of Mr. and Ms. Milanosa!" Mrs. Yang gratefully announced the names of all representatives of each section.

The competition will be held at the school's covered hall and thousands of students expected and mandated to attend.

"Remember, the winner for this year will be able to get the most promising prize. So good luck and see you tomorrow in the gymnasium."

All of the partakers who gathered in the gymnasium nodded and listened to the event's organizer. Mrs. Yang gave them an assuring smile and told them to take a rest until the afternoon.

Sandra giggled when she saw her name in the final list. She looked for Halora's name but it wasn't included at all.

"I thought she will be able to make it!" She rolled her eyes, sipped her ice coffee, and smirked. Sandra knew that she has the potential to be the reigning Ms. Milanosa.

Among the others, there was one girl who has the power to best her. She was beautiful, tall, and intelligent, not just like her, she was just a pretty girl without a brain.

Sandra immediately took her cellphone from her pocket, she dialed Sunny's number and waited for a moment. "Pick up the phone, Sun."

"He–hello, San? Where are you?" Her voice was different, "You have to see something, hurry up! I am at the school's garden and it is an emergency," Sunny told her and quickly ended up the call.

She witnessed something important and intriguing. "Why does he's with her?" Sunny whispered as she hid at the back of the big tree found in the school's garden.

The classes were resumed after the recess, everyone came back to their perspective classrooms except for Sunny. She was about to buy something to eat when she suddenly saw someone familiar with her.

He was with Zenith and they talked about it seriously. "Where are you, Sandra? You have to see them!"

She took a deep breath, stomped her foot, and looked back into their way. Zenith suddenly grabbed his arm and hugged him tightly.

"Wh–what the... the–"

"Sun–" Sandra arrived at the school's garden, tired and exhausted. Her head filled with sweats but she was surprised by what she saw.

Sunny widened her eyes and quickly covered Sandra's mouth. She wanted to curse, fortunately, she stopped her friend from shouting.

"Calm down! Please, calm down!" She told her as she slowly released her hand from her mouth.

Sandra was shocked, disgruntled, and disheartened. Why would Zenith hug him in a public place? "Let me go, Sun! I need to know the truth!"

"Damn! Can't you see? Sebastian is rubbing her back gently and that only means... he wanted it too!"

Sunny failed to control her emotions. She never understood why Sandra adored Sebastian so much that she was willing to take the risk.

However, Sandra pushed her back and walked closer to them. Anger urged her, "What is the meaning of this?" She asked them, closed her fists, and threw a sharp gaze at Zenith.

"Sandra!"

Sebastian slowly turned his head and looked simply at her. "Why? Do we have to explain everything to you, huh?" He asked her coldly which made her gulped and angry.

Sandra smiled sarcastically and replied, "What about Halora? Do you think she won't be hurt? Knowing that you are just using her for goodness sake!"

Sebastian glared at her sharply, walked nearer to her, "Don't you ever say her name again! She is my friend and why would she get hurt?"

"He's right, my old good friend. Why would a poor girl get hurt knowing the truth about our relationship?"

Zenith raised her eyebrows on her, she was smiling at Sandra who looked like a loser. "From now on, don't you ever flirt with my boyfriend or I will pull your hair until you became bald!"

Sandra was about to slap her but Sebastian quickly hindered and caught her arm. "Stop pestering my life anymore, Zenith is my girlfriend and I love her!"

It was too painful for Sandra. She wanted to cry, she wanted to scream yet she chose to be silent.

She nodded her head slightly, took a long sigh, "Do you think he will love you until the end? I'm telling you Zenith, you will regret it!"

She then quickly turned her back on them and led the way back to their classroom. Both of them watched Sandra from a distance until a peal of loud laughter echoed around the school's garden.

"Damn! I can't believe she fell into our trap," spoke Zenith who caressed her stomach.

"Perhaps I owe you a cup of tea," Sebastian put his hands on his pocket simply. He looked like a fashion model who stood attractively. "Or a bunch of fried chicken?"

Zenith licked her lips and said, "That's why I like to be your partner in crime, Seb."

She smiled at him sweetly like she used to. "I trust in you, Ze. I hope you will keep your promises until the end." It wasn't the bad boy who told her.

He became soft, genuine and there was a trace of violence in his eyes. It was a secret, a favor, and a promise to be kept between the two of them.

She shook her head slightly, "Shall we?"

"Let's go!"

He walked beside her, looked at the bright sky, and sighed heavily. Until he saw someone who hurriedly ran away from the garden.

"Halora!" He utterly mumbled her name but she was too fast. Zenith looked at him coldly as she was surprised that Ha saw them.

"Damn, I need to follow her! I'm sorry Ze, but I have to go! Tell me when you're free, I will treat you!"

"I'll call you then! Hurry up and make it up with her," spoke Zenith who stood firm in front of him.

He winked at her and quickly vanished like a flash of lightning in the sky. Seb stopped in the middle of the hallway when Halora touched her chest and breathed deeply.

He waited. He watched over her back. He was nervous and scared until she slowly turned around. And by then, their gaze met.

Sebastian held his breath and felt something odd inside of his chest. He wasn't sure what it was but, the only thing he wanted was to explain his side.

"Sebastian...," She mumbled.

"Halora...," He whispered her name to the wind as guilt drawn to his face.

Who is Zenith? And what is her relationship with Sebastian? Find it out and hold your breath for more revelations.