They all turned to the teacher who had just gotten in, and the students started retreating. “Miss Luzares, Mister Hernandez, and Miss Mendez?”
She looked calm but her aura was far from calming, she was eyeing them like she could see their soul. “To my office children,” she said and started walking. Nick walked next to Fera while Jade hold onto his arm and acted scared, which boil Fera’s blood more. She looked so scared while Fera was beyond furious. They quietly entered her office, the teacher signaled them to sit down Fera’s eyes fell into her name engraved in a white marble frame colored with bronze. Marianet Rentoza under her title School Principal.
As the realization hit her, she found the principal eyeing her straight. But she didn’t show any hint of fear.
“Do explain the chaos,” she ordered and sat in her majestic chair that scream power in a crimson black leather swivel chair.
Fera turned to Jade, and the principal did so as Nick. She restlessly played with her fingers and obviously gulped. “Ahm, Miss Rentoza… I don’t really have a clue of what was happening,” she pointed to Fera and plastered an innocent face. “She was there at the bulletin when I arrived, I just got here when I saw those pictures. And now she is accusing me that I did that.”
‘She dares to lie in front of a principal, what a bold liar,’ Fera remarked in her head.
“I said none,” the only word Fera answered and the principal turned to her, she was dangerously silent and her gaze was throat drying tension.
“What is your part in this narrative young man?” Her slow and clear question made him straighten his back it was nerve-wracking but they manage to keep their cool excluding Jade, her sweaty palm was visible and she kept looking away.
“Jade was about to slap Fera when I got into the scene, so I stopped her,” Nick answered truthfully.
“And what was the conversation about that trigger you to slap her?” She asked Jade, she opened her mouth but she shut it again and failed to give her an answer.
“Care to explain, Miss Fera?”
“Ma’am, I think you miss the part about the pictures in the bulletin.” She bravely answered, she did not even stammer or rush her words, it was smooth and calm. It was an attempt of avoiding the awkward conversation they had.
“I did not, child. It was you, and I saw the whole scenery yesterday. I was only making sure that I miss nothing. You are bullied by this little girl Jade because of jealousy, correct me if I’m wrong. I see you hadn’t taken her bullying seriously until now. Surprising mature response.” But that wasn’t a sound compliment to Fera she could feel the double talk of the principal. No one of the students spoke again so she nodded.
“All set then, bullying is prohibited so as relationship. None of you were innocent in this trouble, I want to meet your parents tomorrow morning.” She smiled at them but she was answered with silence. “Is it clear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Jade answered alone and Nick only quietly nodded.
“We’re not in a relationship, Miss.” Fera declared which made the Principal smile.
“That is not what I saw, darling.” She sweetly answered but venomously to scare Fera from answering.
“Not everything that you saw is true,” she rebutted and Nick elbowed her. But she didn’t even turn to him.
“You may now go,” she dismissed them but Fera stayed and didn’t move an inch. She was only eyeing the principal who was looking straight at her too, and, her decision was final.
“Let’s go,” Nick tugged Fera’s uniform but she only looked up to him.
“You can walk without me,” he was hesitant but he eventually left the office. The principal gives her an amused smile and leaned on her chair.
“What a surprise?” she commented. “Nice to see you again, Miss Fairly Luzares Fuentes.” She stood and stretched out her right hand to offer a handshake.
“You might want to include Raliya, Miss Marianet Rentoza.” She stood too and accept the handshake and she tighten her grip on Fera’s hand.
“No need, how are you? I heard you never showed up in your father’s wake. I was once there and I didn’t spot you.” They both took their seat again.
“Let me get this straight, I am not here for friendly updates and chitchats.” She only smiled even more.
“Of course, what do you want?”
“I don’t want this meeting to reach the news publishers or anyone who knew me.”She chuckled and placed her hands on her table then lean towards Fera.
“Why would your words matter to me, Fera? You are never your father, not even your mother. Let’s get this straight too. You are so full of yourself to tell me what to do when I am your principal. I hate that.”
“You are right, I will never be and never wish to. If I need to use their power to escape from that reality, I will. As you can see, I am here. Away from camera, media, and luxury. This is the freedom that I never had and I could not lose this still. Please, I am tired of being the cup of tea in every newspaper, I’m done with those condolences and I am done with those pressures. You witnessed my misery, please consider my request.” Her voice was submissive but never sound begging, she still had her straight face.
She knew her life, she knew her father, and her mother was a good friend to her. The child in front of her had been through a lot of pain.
“Where were you at?”
“Mama Tes’ apartment. I am living alone now.”
“How about all those businesses and your company?”
“Fred stepped in.” She forced herself to now to cast a worried expression and pity on Fera. She knew how would it affect a depressed child.
“I care nothing as long as it has nothing to do with me. You can stay in my yard but I have nothing to do with this.” Her family was full of controversy and the principal was not interested to get inclined with their family. She crossed her hands while eyeing the whole being of Fera. On the other hand, Fera felt a little relief hearing her words, but she was never a believer in promise and loyalty. People change as time goes by, and situations and events may change a person’s stand.
“Thank you, Miss.” Yet it was an assurance for now.
“But until when?” The question that kept hunting her, she just move but the world she left had managed to invade her new world.
“I can not tell still.” She nodded after hearing her answer but she notice her sudden tension when she asked her.
“Suit yourself, young lady.” And their conversation should end there, in Fera’s head. She stood and straighten her uniform.
“Thank you again, ma’am. I am counting your words in.” She nodded in response but the rush of the student didn’t fail to be noticeable to her. Fera bow a bit and hurriedly walk to the door. She was thankful that air had returned and aided her lungs, she’d been having a hard time breathing inside the principal’s office.
ON THE OTHER hand, Marianet got her laptop and open her email. She started composing a mail to someone.
“I have seen her, she is fine here. She got into a little trouble but she was calm upon handling it. She is still the same Fairly I know, calm and dead aura. And doesn’t talk a lot.” She wrote it down and send it immediately. After sending it she instantly deleted the mail and went browsing about the girl.
Fairly Raliya Fuentes.
“Why do you secure her safety this much? What is more aside from being a Fuentes?” She asked but the internet was never detailed at ever. Especially when it was about a powerful person who can easily cover their selves. The only daughter of the Fuentes couple, the only heiress of their billion properties, and an orphan. Her mother died at the age of seven and her father died recently to an unknown killer.
Different news, and publications about their family. The prestigious family with such a great reputation. And she clicked their family picture, it was taken at Fera’s fifth birthday party, the most glamorous birthday party for a child. She stared at her mother in a baby pink blazer. A sudden ache struck her heart. It was her best friend that never leave her when she was at her worst and her death forgotten not even had the justice she deserved now her husband was dead too. “The perfect family has fallen,” she whispered. “And your little princes were left alone.”
She is more than sure that there is much more behind this death and Fera may be the next target of this murderer. That explains why Fera was hiding in her place, she’s in grave danger.
“Don’t worry Rain, I will protect your only daughter.” She whispered while looking at her best friend.