AFTER SCHOOL
The final bell shrieked, unleashing a torrent of students down the stairwells. Laughter and hurried footsteps echoed as they surged towards waiting friends, cars, and lingering embraces. Megara navigated the throng with an inner confidence that set her apart, a solitary figure making her way to the school's front fountain. There, Hugo leaned against his car, his hand raised in a welcoming wave.
A smile touched her lips, and she quickened her pace. Suddenly, a rushing student bumped her, sending her stumbling. Strong arms caught her before she could collide with the cold marble. Hugo steadied her, his touch lingering for a moment as she straightened her skirt.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" The apologetic student mumbled, his ears flushed red as he hurried away. "Are you okay?" Hugo asked, his gaze concerned.
Megara laughed, adjusting her posture. "I'm okay. At least I didn't kiss the floor; I might have needed reconstructive surgery." She met Hugo's smile with her own. "So, what brings you here instead of hanging out with your friends? Did they finally kick you out?" She folded her arms playfully. "I don't want to come between you all."
Hugo shook his head, gently taking her shoulders to face her. "Don't be silly, Meg. It's my life, my choice. Uriel will get over it. I'm not going to abandon you or let anyone bully you." He extended a pinky finger. "I, Hugo Arnold, swear to be a good friend to Megara Smith. Pinky swear?"
Megara's smile widened, and she linked her pinky with his. "Yeah, pinky swear. Agreed. Okay, enough dawdling. I did promise you coffee, didn't I?"
"You did, and I haven't forgotten." He affirmed warmly. "So, are we heading to your work or home? I can drop you off."
Megara hesitated, wanting to decline, but the memory of her phone, destroyed by the earlier incident, swayed her. "Yes, I'm working the afternoon shift today, instead of my usual double." She gave herself a mental pinch.
"Are you hungry? Let's grab some McDonald's before your shift." He suggested, tugging lightly on her arm, his eyes pleading.
"I'm not really hungry, but I do need to get to work if I want to leave early." She lied, but the loud rumble of her stomach betrayed her. "Fine," she conceded, "but only fifteen minutes, and then we're going straight to my workplace."
He nodded, opening the car door for her. She slid inside, ignoring the curious glances and whispers of the remaining students. With a smooth acceleration, the car pulled away from the campus, its form shrinking against the vast horizon.
FLASHBACK BEGINS
Uriel's polished shoes clicked against the tiled floor as he approached the principal's office. Confidence, bordering on arrogance, radiated with each stride. The principal's secretary, head bowed, intercepted him just before the door. Her fingers danced across a digital register, confirming the absence of his name. Stepping forward, she politely blocked his path, her voice a carefully constructed calm.
"Sir," she began, her gaze fixed on the floor, "the principal is currently engaged in an important call with guests. I would advise that you schedule an appointment or return at a later time."
He scanned her like an ant under his feet, her sheer presence a fleeting shadow before him, and she trembled, a leaf bracing for his onslaught. "Are you mad, or is your brain just foggy? I have never needed an appointment to speak with the principal, and it's unheard of. So, if you still cherish your job for the next second, I suggest you be a good girl and step aside." He threatened, his gaze a burning ferocity.
She involuntarily gave way, pointing to the door. "You may go in, sir. It is I who is blind," she replied, bowing her head as he walked in, pushing the door open.
Once inside, his eyes swept across the well-furnished and brightly lit office. Mr. Armani sat at his desk, a phone pressed to his ear, his lips moving in unheard and incomprehensible murmurs. Uriel walked further, seizing a seat, and sat down proudly, crossing his legs on the table. Mr. Armani, still on the phone, looked at him with utter pity and disappointment.
He shook his head, staring blankly at Uriel, whose gaze held his. "Don't worry, I'll call you back later, and then we can go over the procedures again," he said, ending the call with deliberate slowness, shoving the phone into his suit pocket. "What a pleasant surprise, Mr. Jefferson Jr., but I didn't invite you over, nor did I ask you to sit down."
Uriel smiled, his white teeth flashing, revealing an immaculate set. His eyes glinted mischievously as he continued to cross his legs on the table. "I never asked, Mr. Principal, and I didn't see the need to ask. I have the right to be here, just as you have the right to answer me. And I don't care if you're my father's sworn brother, you have an obligation to answer to me," he replied, clicking his tongue.
Mr. Armani sat up straight, cleared his throat sharply, before opening the blinds of his office with a remote control. "It's a good thing you know my position, Uriel, but unlike you, I'm not taking advantage of it and sought not to do so myself," he teased, pouring himself a whiskey. "I'd love to treat you to a whiskey, but you see, kids don't drink, especially not in this institute. So, why are you here?"
Uriel sat up straight, retrieving his legs from the table. He stood up, joining Armani by the window, pouring himself a whiskey. He looked over at the excellent skyline of the entire campus, a sense of pride stirring within him. "It's a good thing you asked, Armani, because I think you know the main reason why I'm here, and it's not going to take much of your time to do it for me," he said, reaching into his jacket and retrieving an iPad, which he handed over to Armani.
Mr. Armani was shocked, his face paling, but he held his composure. "Oh, it's Megara's picture, and it's a nice one. Who shot this? If it's Chris, he is quite good at photographing," he praised, deliberately averting the conversation. "I'll make sure to add this to the yearbook's front page."
Uriel's gaze narrowed, something dangerous and angry shifting within it. "You'd do no such thing because I have decided to recall her scholarship, and I want it effective by tomorrow morning," he ordered, his voice cold and venomous.
Mr. Armani gulped. The worst he feared had happened, yet he remained unfazed. "You must be joking about such matters, Uriel. This was made public according to your orders. You said you wanted a one-time scholarship for a student regardless of anything, so we and the board members decided to select her as the best option. What went wrong?" he asked, setting the iPad on his table. "You personally oversaw that the world's best teachers set the examination to be hard and difficult, but she passed."
Uriel smiled, sipping his drink. "I did say those things, Armani, and I have the right to recall my words as a result of the dissatisfaction I felt with her," he retorted, nursing his drink. "She has not met my criteria, and that's a scholarship meant for another scholar, not Megara Smith, and I will not have myself repeated."
"Such an absurd choice of words, Uriel. It's because she is difficult to control, and you don't like it. The world already knows, and so you know how many schools will rally to take her in as a privileged student, or what impact it will have on the image of the school?" he asked, his voice serious and firm.
Uriel's gaze locked onto Armani, the distance between them vanishing in a heartbeat. "I don't care, and that's none of my concern, Armani, because the media will be taken care of," he clipped, clicking his tongue before turning back towards the wine gallery behind Armani. "I want her out before tomorrow, and I won't repeat myself. Get another scholar and kick her out."
Armani smirked, downing his drink in one swift gulp. "Cliché it is, but Uriel, your father has the final say, not me. He will decide alongside the board members, but for now, pray for the better," he stated before settling into his seat. "You can see yourself out, or should I call security?"
Uriel swallowed the rest of his drink, the glass crashing to the floor. The shattering sound echoed through the office. "I don't need prayer, Armani. I need action, and if I can't have it, I'll make sure it happens, and you'd better be ready to watch it." A smile stretched across his face as he sauntered towards the door, slamming it shut behind him.
FLASHBACK ENDS
A wicked laugh erupted from Uriel, filling the car and causing the guards to tremble, a silent question hanging in the air about their master's sanity.
A guard spoke, careful to avoid eye contact. "Sir, is there anywhere you need to go, or should we head home first?" His voice was barely a whisper.
Uriel smiled, closing his eyes and sinking into the plush leather of his seat. "Take me to Cat Tech" he replied, inhaling sharply.
The guard nodded silently, turning back to the front and driving off.
AT MACDONALD'S RESTAURANT.
Sunlight streamed through the large windows of the bustling McDonald's, illuminating the intricate and well-organized interior. People chatted animatedly at tables, their figures silhouetted against the outside world. With a warm smile, Hugo held the glass door open for Megara, who returned his gesture before stepping inside. She chose a seat by the window, and they settled in, ready to order.
Megara gazed out at the passing scene, her thoughts momentarily lost in the flow of time. "Oh, this is such a nice place," she remarked, glancing at her wristwatch. "Do you come here often?"
Hugo chuckled softly, placing his arm gently on hers. "Relax, Meg. You look like you're about to devour someone. You're not going to be late, I promise. And even if you are, I'll help cover your shift." He paused. "Actually, this is my first time here."
Megara's brow furrowed in surprise. "You mean to tell me you don't usually eat out? I thought you... well, you know... rich kids always dined out." She smiled, her eyes holding his.
"I totally get what you mean," Hugo replied, studying the menu. "But unlike Zack, Uriel and I don't really do the restaurant thing. Zack's a total regular, though. The only time I've eaten out was at the cafe with him – he always insists. For Uriel, it's even rarer; his stepmother would have a fit if he did."
Megara rolled her eyes playfully, then noticed a waiter approaching their table. "Wait," she said, a hint of disbelief in her voice. "Uriel doesn't eat out because his stepmother doesn't like it?"
"Yeah," Hugo affirmed, a fond tone in his voice. "His stepmother is one of the most loving people I know. She's incredibly supportive of everything he does and loves him more than anyone." He was interrupted by the waiter's gentle tap on his shoulder.
The waiter smiled warmly, first at Megara and then at Hugo. "Good day, Mr. Arnold. What can I get for you today?" he asked, pen poised.
Hugo scanned the menu thoughtfully. "Okay, I'll have the Caesar salad, a cup of cucumber juice, and a lemon water." He looked at Megara. "Did anything catch your eye?"
Megara eagerly looked through the menu. "Yes, I'd like the roasted braised chicken breast, an extra-large french fries, an orange juice, and ketchup sauce, please." The waiter diligently noted her order.
As the waiter walked away, Megara gave Hugo an amused yet slightly incredulous look. He simply laughed softly. "A Caesar salad, seriously?" she asked. "I thought I saw you devouring a bonito a few days ago?"
"Don't be silly," Hugo said, smiling. "I'm a vegetarian, and a model. So sometimes I eat healthy, and sometimes I indulge in some less healthy food, but not too much to worry my parents." He affirmed his statement, but their conversation was interrupted by a small group of teenagers, boys and girls, who had gathered beside their table, each holding a phone.
A girl with bright eyes smiled at him, and he returned an awkward smile. "You're Hugo Arnold, the supermodel, right? I'm a huge fan! Could we please take a picture with you? We promise it won't take long." Her pleading eyes made it difficult for him to refuse.
He stood up, straightening his posture, ready to pose for the cameras. He patiently took pictures with each of them until they finally dispersed. By the time he sat back down, they both realized Megara was six minutes late for her shift. Her eyes widened in shock; she only had seven minutes to get there. Hugo quickly paid the waiter, his own food untouched, and rushed Megara out of the restaurant, escorting her to his car before speeding off.
AT MEGARA'S WORKPLACE
Megara breathed a sigh of relief as the car screeched to a halt in the garage right by the café's front door. Eager to get inside, she fumbled with the door handle, completely unaware that Hugo had already hopped out to open it for her. The moment it swung open, she practically leaped out, her eyes darting around nervously, checking if the police had followed their hasty drive. Thankfully, the coast was clear.
Hugo chuckled at her frantic exit, prompting a playful fist bump to his chest from Megara. "Ouch! That hurt, Meg. You could have broken something," he teased, quickly suppressing any further urge to provoke her.
Clutching her bag straps tightly, she retorted, "You're laughing at me, aren't you? Besides, you're the one who should be worried. Unlike me, a commoner, you have a reputation to uphold." She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "There might be police on our tails as we speak, and I don't want you getting into trouble."
Hugo's expression softened. He licked his lips before gently reaching for her hand, holding it with genuine sincerity. "I'm just human, Meg. I'm sorry if you feel insecure around us 'rich folks,' but just give us a chance, alright? I'm not trying to intimidate you with my wealth; that doesn't matter. Only our friendship does." He caressed her hand briefly before releasing it. "This wealth isn't even mine; it's a legacy passed down from my ancestors to my father, and then to me. So, in a way, we're in the same boat."
Megara snorted, covering her mouth as she laughed heartily. A blush crept up her cheeks, but she held onto her bag firmly. "So, I'm poor, and you're poor too? Now we're even! But don't let them hear you say that, or you'll be bullied," she teased, playfully poking his chest. "Now, run along. People are staring, and I'm late for work."
He chuckled, pulling her into a warm, friendly hug. "See you soon, Meg, and send my regards to Tobi and Tara," he said, stepping back as Megara waved and headed into the café.
As Hugo turned to leave, his foot bumped against something hard. He looked down and saw Megara's phone lying on the ground.
He picked it up, carefully wiping it clean and slipping it into his jacket. "Oh, her phone's damaged, and she didn't even mention it," he muttered to himself. "Don't worry, I'll buy her a new one. I can just imagine the smile on her face."
A wave of excitement washed over him, and he practically skipped to his car.
Meanwhile, inside the café, Megara walked up to the front desk, ignoring the curious glances of the customers. She offered Tobi a warm smile before heading into the staff room to change for work. As she stepped back out, she found Tobi standing at the entrance, arms crossed and a look of eager anticipation on his face.
Megara nearly jumped out of her skin, her heart pounding in her chest. "Oh my God, Tobi! You almost gave me a heart attack!" she exclaimed, clutching her chest. "What are you doing standing there like you're waiting to ambush someone?"
Tobi's smile widened, his hands clasped together in theatrical anticipation. "Oh, spill it, Meg, the juicier the better!" He batted his eyelashes with exaggerated flair, a playful jab. "That hug looked rather… gentlemanly, I must say. And arriving in his fancy car? Living the high life with rich friends – my luck is clearly inferior." He punctuated his mock lament with a dramatic sigh.
Megara rolled her eyes, bumping his shoulder as she moved past. "You're reading too much into a friendly hug, Tobi. Besides," her expression shifted, a shadow crossing her features, "Uriel, that dimwit I told you about, tried to pull his intimidation tactics on me today."
Tobi straightened up instantly, folding his arms across his chest, a protective instinct kicking in. He stepped closer, his brow furrowed with genuine concern, though his voice remained measured. "Did he? Did you let him get away with it, Meg?"
"Absolutely not." A flicker of fierce pride lit Megara's eyes. "In fact, I taught him a rather memorable lesson. I even challenged him, and now the whole school is buzzing. His usual cronies aren't backing him up; it's like he's been running that place on fear for ages, and I was the first to call his bluff." She clicked her tongue, a hint of satisfaction in the sound.
"As for the other charming individual who smashed my phone and couldn't even muster an apology? Let's just say I personally supervised his and his friend's comprehensive cleaning of the entire school grounds." She added rolling her eyes nonchalantly.
Tobi let out a whoop of laughter, slapping her with a high five that resonated with shared triumph. "That's my girl! I might have a soft spot for the brooding types, the edgy ones, but arrogance dripping from their tongue? Absolutely not tolerated." His voice turned serious for a fleeting moment. "Now, come on, dish the details while we work. Every single delicious morsel, darling."
Megara chuckled, tugging him out of the staff room and into the bustling cafe where Tara was serving a customer with her usual cheerful demeanor. "That depends on how quickly we conquer our tasks. And you won't believe the latest drama with Brianna…" She patted his back conspiratorially, leaving him hanging in suspense.