CHAPTER 41

~People who don't care will never let you know;

they simply don't ~

~Mina.

UNKNOWN POV

"When should we set the fog?"

"You'll have to wait for my command." I ran my knife's edge on the grinder one more time before switching off the machine.

"Q?"

"Set."

"R?"

"On it."

"Evacuate once you receive my signal. We'll intercept at the base."

"Got it."

"Perfect."

"What should we do with the body?"

"Did I mention anything relating to the aftermath?"

"No, ma'am."

"Then shut up and do as ordered, unless you want your head replacing the contents of the package."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good."

SERAPHINA'S POV

"Oh my God! he didn't just twerk." I adjusted on the bed to get a better view of the video.

"He just did."

"Markell is something else, and the way the thing jiggles. He puts thee stallion to shame." I've never seen a guy with so much sass before.

"He makes tik tok lively. He and the hype house crew."

"But he owned all the attention. "I laughed, not having enough of the trio. Cassidy, Markell and Noah are real vibes.

"I've saved tons of their videos. Wanna see some?"

"And how many of mine have you saved?"I smirked. He had three albums of my videos and didn't mention anything to me. Today, the cat will topple out of the box.

He scratched the back of his neck and ran a finger through his already dishevelled hair. I was tempted to laugh in his face but didn't want to make him more uncomfortable than he already was.

"Justfouralbums." huh?

"What? can you repeat that more slowly?" My ears must be playing tricks.

He groaned and ran a hand down his flushed face. Was he that embarrassed?

"Just four albums." What?! I stared at him, stunned. With my mouth agape.

"You call that just!" I laughed

"Babe, not now, please. " He grumbled and buried his face under the pillow. I jumped on him and covered us with the blanket.

"That much obsession huh?" I smirked. He removed his head and gave me a once over, licking his lips. Pervert.

"Of all the dresses you own, this is my favourite and I pray you continue wearing it."

I glared at him and removed my head from under the blanket, covering my naked form to the chest.

"Why did you do that? I wasn't done staring." He pouted.

"Why shouldn't I?"

"No one denies kids candy you know."

"Good thing Seraphina likes unique."

He rolled his eyes and yawned, delving further under the sheets.

"Excited for the party?".

"Yup. Speaking of which, I've to go back to the dorms."

The girls and I planned to spend some time together before the party, which was in two hours. And I'm yet to be dressed.

"Why? you haven't stayed that long." I stared at him with a blank expression and rolled my eyes. I've been sleeping on this bed throughout the remaining days of midterm.

"I've stayed with you for one week straight."

"For your own safety. Not to mention most of the days you were busy cozying up to papers and books, barely giving me a chance to breathe your way." He shrugged.

It's obvious he was hurt, but we'd talked about this. My parents don't joke with academics. I sighed and got up, gathering my discarded clothes on the floor.

"We've been over this Rique. I told you my p...

"Parents are strict with grades, yeah yeah I got it. You've sung it enough. I'm just pulling your legs." He wiggled his brows. What a jerk! and to think that he almost got to me. I launch a pillow at him, but he effortlessly dodged it like the skilled quarterback that he was.

I took a quick shower and dressed up, before texting Maya.

"See you at the party?"

"Yup." I leaned over the bed, and we shared a short but sensual kiss.

Enrique insisted that his driver drop me, saying crap about how it's not safe for me to go alone and whatever.

Needless to say, I was downright annoyed. Anyway, it's Enrique and his damned adamant ass, so I'm not left with much of a choice.

Now, here I am, at my door, waiting for the queen to open up.

"You seriously won't let me break the door down?" Miskha asked for the gazillionth time. I pursed my lips and ignored her. We've been standing outside for over ten minutes, waiting for Zara to complete whatever luxurious shit she's doing and open up.

"This is ridiculous." Severina clenched her jaw, pounding the door one more time, but as usual, we were met with dead silence. To add more to the provocation, she dared blast music to the last volume.

"The girl has some nerves." Malu frowned.

"Relax, Lu. The only thing she's good at is hiding. She's all bark no bite." Maya calmly stated without looking away from her phone. She was the least bothered amongst us. I don't know how she did it though.

"This door won't protect her forever." Miskha snorted, reaching for her hairpin. I'm not going to stop her, because I was fed up.

"Misha, what are you doing?" Leila Panicked. Her reaction is justified as we were strictly warned not to pick at locks.

"Miskha, the staff could walk up on us. Zara will open this door or we'll report to Mr Harts."

"I'm with Severina on this." Maya shrugged.

"No, Maya. Let her do it, the disrespect is getting out of hand."

"Thank you Phina, finally one person with sense." Miskha twisted the pin in the lock and the door creaked open.

Zara laid upside in bed, with a lollipop in her mouth and legs propped up on the headboard.

"This bitch." Miskha reached for her shoe, but I held her back. I don't need the board going off on our problematic asses again.

"Ignore her." I turned the speaker down, ignoring the witch's piercing glare behind my head. We both have equal rights in this room. If she has a problem with that, then suicide might be a better alternative.

"Girl, you won't believe it." Miskha shrieked.

"I knew it was a matter of seconds until she's opening her fat mouth. " Maya laughed.

"What is it?" I removed my shoe and joined them on the bed.

"Long story short, Mr Black has been arrested." Miskha frowned at Severina, who stuck her tongue out and shrugged nonchalantly.

"You couldn't have let me finish before sticking in your lousy ass. But to add up to her words, yes, he's indeed arrested and currently in detention." Miskha further explained.

"With Madeline." Leila continued.

"As in they're detained together or at the same place?" This newfound information was definitely unexpected. What could've gotten Mr Black arrested?

"Both," Lalia confirmed, chewing on a piece of bubble gum.

"Any information relating to the reasons for his detention? "

"Madeline accused him of talking her into sneaking the Ecology answer sheet in your bag, otherwise there's none. Not that we know of anyway." Severina responded.

I couldn't begin to imagine my feelings. I was astounded but mostly disappointed. I'm not sure if the allegations are true, but if they happen to be, I'd say Mr Black had stooped so low. I mean, going the extra length to taint my image just because of some mere rejection?

"You know what, let's forget this. The party is in one hour thirty minutes. So, let's get you all dolled up." Miskha chirped, jumping off the bed.

Too late for that. My mood was already ruined, and I can't put a finger on the reason.

***********************************

"I can't believe uni is almost over," Nathan sighed, taking a sip of his vodka

"We still have an exam to go, bro" Asher chuckled.

He had his arm around Assiya, who was busy running her claws all over him. Maya was very upset with this and had been reserved in her corner since we arrived, not for once talking, or engaging in any form of conversation.

The only time she talked, was when she needed something, and that too was short-lived. Noting that she was a ticking time bomb, I decided to give her space.

"So, any after school plans?" Ace threw his question out in the open.

"Is this a party or job interview? " Miskha whined.

"I'm getting married and grooming a football team." Who else but Kabia.

"We should be the ones thinking that Kabia, not you. A grown-ass man." Sophia mused.

"Well, excuse me for laying my plans out in the open for losers. He retorted with sass, pretending to flip his imaginary hair, and making us crack up. These are the rare moments I'll miss the most, and hope will never end. I know deep down that's impossible, but a girl can dream, okay.

"I'm moving back to Brazil." Sophia's declaration muted everyone.

"Why?" Miskha blurted out. Sophia shrugged, her lips morphing into a sad smile.

"I just need a peace of mind." She briefly glanced at Ahmed, who had AirPods in, not for once staring in her direction. The tension between them was noticeable.

"You don't have to go Soph." Aisha went over to her seat and engulfed her in a hug.

"When are you coming back?" Caleb asked.

"I'm not sure about that."

Miskha placed her drink on the table and left the living room.

"I hate being emotional, but Sophia hit pretty hard. " Enrique mumbled in my neck. Being the sweetheart that she's, I know she never intended to make us feel this way, but the truth always stabs hard.

No one said anything after Sophia's revelation. The once serene atmosphere surrounding us suddenly became awkward and pensive. Sophia herself left moments later. Not being able to stand the tension I supposed.

"What do you say? we go to our favourite place." Enrique bit my earlobe.

"Do you even have to ask?" We excused ourselves and started for the one place that holds the solution to all the world's problems.

We sat on the round sofa facing the balcony, and with a perfect view of the backyard. I snuggled closer to Enrique and laid my head on his warm chest.

"I don't want school to end you know." I yawned. Yes, I'm getting sleepy during a party.

"Nothing lasts forever babe." He chuckled, gently rubbing my arms.

"I know, it's just that I'm going to miss everything. The parties, hangouts, heck, even the drama." I noticed Enrique's chest was reverberating with laughter. I looked up, to find him already staring at me.

"What? won't you miss it too?"

"Of course, I will. I'm just laughing at the fact that you mentioned all that you'll miss except the lecturers and classes." This hypocrite. I glared at him and punched his arm.

"I'll reply to you when you're any better." I snorted.

"Babe." He softly called, moving my hair out of my face. I hummed in response and patiently perked my ears.

"I love you." Okay, now that was unexpected yet heartwarming. These are the little gestures that turn me into mush.

"I love you too." I returned with a shy smile, unable to hide the blush that took over my face.

"You're cute when you blush. " He traced my lips with a finger.

"S...

I was interrupted by a loud ear-piercing scream.

"What was that?" Enrique and I exclaimed in unison. He held my hand securely in his and together we ran outside. I spotted some people running in the same direction as well. Panic was the order of the day.

Not very far from the garden and just a few feet away from the entrance, a large crowd gathered by the pool, which spotted a pale red colouration at one end. Oh no!

My hands slipped out of Enrique's hold, as I stilled in my steps, dreading whatever awaited at the forefront.

"Babe, c'mon." Antique tugged my hand, teleporting me to reality. We met Severina on the way, and I asked her if she knew what was up, but we were in the same lane. Clueless as fuck. We struggled through the bustling crowd to the front.

Time froze, my breath hitched and the world spun around me.

Miskha knelt on the floor, violently trembling. Her shivering form wasn't what drew my attention. The bloodied knife in her possession and the body lying limp by the pool did. Not just any body but...

Sophia's.