A week later, Megara walked out of the principal's office with a smile. Mr. Armani had informed her that the charges had been dropped and she was free to go. She couldn't contain her joy, leaping into the air before quickly composing herself when she saw Hugo and the girls.
Hugo smiled, ruffling her hair. "You look healthy—a stark contrast to someone who just returned from the hospital," he said.
Megara patted his hand. "I have a healthy body, so things like that are just a breeze for me. They pass before you know it," she replied, trying to sound collected. "Guys, what are we going to do about the test coming up in a week?"
Jane giggled, scratching her head at the sudden question. "I don't know, maybe I'll just study like usual."
"My parents already arranged for tutors, so I don't think that's going to be an issue for me," Laura replied confidently.
Megara sighed. "I was wondering if we could hold a mini study session for subjects we're struggling with," she suggested, and Hugo nodded in agreement.
"I'm pretty much lacking in math, astrophysics, and mechanics," Hugo said.
"I think we can work it out, as I also lack in geography and cartography," Jane said with excitement. "I'll arrange the venue if you want. Maybe at my house? We have a huge library where we can study."
Megara was momentarily stunned. "Okaaayyy," she said awkwardly. "Isn't that an inconvenience for your parents?"
Jane lightly hugged her, making sure not to touch any sensitive areas. "No, it won't be a bother for anyone. My parents aren't always around, so you can come to my house," she said reassuringly.
"If you want, we could use the public library, since we all know Megara isn't comfortable with the rich," Hugo offered, and both girls quickly agreed.
As they walked toward their classes, leaving Megara for her Greek history lecture, she felt lonely and watched. Megara had convinced everyone she was fine after the incident, but she knew she wasn't. The scene replayed in her mind, and she wondered what would have happened if Uriel hadn't arrived.
She had seen the pictures in the student forum earlier that morning—Uriel holding her bridal style, close to his chest. She couldn't find anything to soothe the warmth she felt in his arms. To top it off, the initial disgust she had for him had turned into something unfamiliar.
She walked into the classroom to find lectures already underway. She desperately hoped no one would notice her, but that was impossible. The murmurs were skyrocketing. The teacher allowed her inside, offering a light smile before turning back to the class. Megara walked past Tanya and Amaya, who both whispered to each other and rolled their eyes.
"If I were someone, I wouldn't dare come to school after a near-death experience because I look like shit," Amaya mocked, and the class erupted in laughter. Tanya stuck her tongue out at Megara.
Megara stuck her tongue back at Tanya, who was stunned. "It's quite a shame that in such a good school, as you claim it to be, that the security is so poor," she taunted, and the class fell silent before murmuring grew louder. The teacher managed to calm everyone down, and the lecture continued, but not without glares and silent taunts.
AFTER CLASS
The bell rang, its sound hanging in the air, signaling the end of the lecture. Students rushed out, chatting in pairs about things Megara cared not to listen to.
She made her way down the hallway to her locker when Amaya tripped her. Laughter echoed down the hall as Megara steadied herself from the ground.
"What is your problem?" she asked, but Amaya chuckled sarcastically. "Don't you have anything else to do than to disturb me all the time?"
Amaya poked her forehead. "You piece of shit actually disgust me," she confessed, her voice dripping with menace. "Looking at you and the way you act so sneakily around the Z3 makes me fucking sick. You've got Hugo and Uriel wrapped around your chubby little finger, and who knows, you might even do the same to Zack."
Megara let out a mocking laugh, stunning both girls. "Why accuse me of something so despicable? Just because you can't get the guy you want doesn't mean you get to talk to me however you want," she scoffed, jabbing at Amaya's uniform. "Now if you don't have anything else, get out of my way and stop contaminating the air."
Amaya scoffed in disbelief. Upon seeing the gossiping students, she raised her hand to hit Megara, who caught it mid-air. "If you dare to hit me next time, I'll fight back hard," Megara declared, shoving Amaya's hand aside. "I never thought I was going to say this, but you shouldn't forget I'm way ahead and above you."
"You might come from a rich family, but don't forget I'm a golden badge student, holding the highest authority," she added sarcastically. "My authority is significant to that of the Z3, and unless you're trying to get yourself into trouble, I suggest you leave while you can."
"The nerve?! You are unbelievable!" Tanya exclaimed angrily, but upon seeing Uriel in the crowd, glaring at her, she tapped Amaya, and they both left.
Everyone fell silent, their conversations dying out as they watched Uriel approach Megara. No one dared to pull out their phones, fearing his punishment.
Megara, her back to him, was focused on tucking books into her locker. Her golden ponytail shimmered in the light, and Uriel couldn't tear his gaze away. He noticed she wasn't as cheerful as she usually was; there was a sadness in her posture, a forced quality to her movements. It was as if she were hiding a deep-seated pain.
Still arranging her things, Megara sensed someone behind her. Without turning, she handed over a notebook and iPad, assuming it was her friend Hugo. "Hey, Hugo, glad you're here," she said, her voice a strained whisper of forced cheer. "Can you believe the audacity of those two, Amaya and Tanya?"
Uriel took the books, holding them steady in his hand. "What did they do?" he asked, his voice low.
"Why do you sound like that arrogant jerk?" she retorted, finally turning. Her eyes, a stormy gray, widened as they met Uriel's piercing emerald gaze.
A thick silence hung between them, a tension that seemed to stretch for an eternity. Finally, Uriel broke it. Before Megara could speak, he slammed her locker shut and began pulling her away.
"Let go of me, Uriel," she ordered, trying to wrench her arm free. "I'm not kidding—I'll hit you."
A low chuckle escaped him. "With those small fists of yours? You really think you could?"
Megara should have been furious, but a strange sense of pleasure bloomed in her chest, a sharp contrast to her previous anger. Uriel dragged her up a flight of stairs, ignoring her protests until they reached the rooftop.
The view was breathtaking, something Megara never expected from her school. "Why did you bring me here?" she demanded, feigning anger. Uriel said nothing. "Are you insane?"
He grabbed her roughly and pushed her against the wall, a cruel smirk on his face as she grimaced in pain. "I'm not insane, Megara, but you are," he retorted, pinning her hands above her head. "Are you okay?"
Megara struggled against his grip. "How do you expect me to feel? Like I'm sick? Drained? So you can get a thrill from bullying me again?" she spat sarcastically. "You sent those guys to get me out of this school, and now you have the nerve to ask me a stupid question?"
"We don't know each other," she pleaded, her voice rising. "We're nothing to each other, so stop pretending to care and trying to confuse me. I'm tired. We're not in a Cinderella story, and if you think your charm will attract me like a nail to a fucking magnet, you'd better think again."
A muscle in his jaw twitched. He raised his fist, and Megara flinched, closing her eyes and bracing for impact. But the sound that followed was a sickening thud against the wall. She opened her eyes to see his knuckles, bruised and bloody. A lump formed in her throat, and she felt herself growing faint.
Megara, despite being the daughter of a military commander, had always been terrified of blood. Uriel leaned in, their faces inches apart, before pulling back and moving to the iron railing that bordered the rooftop.
"I didn't send those guys. Chaplain did," he confessed, staring at his bloodied hand before meeting her gaze. "I would never stoop so low to get rid of you."
Megara let out a dry, disbelieving laugh. "Are you crazy? You expect me to believe a lie like that?"
Uriel chuckled, his eyes turning cold and dangerous. "I didn't expect you to believe me, Megara. That's why I'm here—to negotiate." He took a deliberate step closer.
"What do you want now, Uriel?"
"I'm sure you've heard the rumors about the Black Agate fiasco," he said with a sarcastic emphasis. "I need you to do something for me, and you can't refuse."
Megara wanted nothing more than to hit him. "Look, you rich folks don't interest me at all. And Black Agate? Fuck him." She stomped her foot, shifting her body away from him. "I'm not helping you with anything. And just so you know, I don't want you standing next to me or meddling in my life. The air I share with you stinks."
Uriel was stunned by her boldness, and a laugh escaped him. "I don't care if the air stinks, but what would you do if I told everyone in school that you called me your sweetheart and your boyfriend?"
Megara's heart leaped into her throat. "You wouldn't dare. And what proof do you have?"
"I would, and they'll believe me over a scholarship freak like you," he said, his brow furrowed. "Besides, Meg, you owe me two million for the medical services. How do you and your 'poor self' plan on paying me back?"
She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry as she cursed the misfortune of owing this arrogant boy. "I didn't ask you to save me! You did it of your own free will."
Uriel laughed, pointing at himself in mock shock. "Free will? Megara, I'm not a charity. I saved you because you're a poor stigma—I didn't want you to die at our school and drag us down with your mess."
His words stung. She wanted to tell him she had twenty million in her account and could pay him off in an instant, but for some reason, she couldn't.
"I don't have that kind of money," she said, her voice sharp, "but that's no reason to make me a slave."
He grabbed her chin, holding her gaze. "You need to stop this, Uriel. I'm not going to be nice about it anymore." She demanded her voice defiant despite her confused state.
He smirked mischievously, then pulled out a file. Megara opened it and saw the word CONTRACT written in bold letters.
"What the hell is this?" she asked, confused, as she skimmed the document.
In stark contrast, Uriel remained calm. He had the upper hand and he knew it. "Many speculate that you're Black Agate's daughter, and I believe that narrative," he said. "I need you to uphold that identity for six months until all the drama dies down."
Megara slammed the file down on the table. "Are you delusional? You want me to impersonate someone I've never even met?"
He nodded as if it were a simple request. "Do you know that impersonation could get you a ten-year sentence, and someone like me could get a life sentence for daring to impersonate a rich person, even though I'm poor?"
"And so?" Uriel replied with a sarcastic shrug, his words leaving Megara speechless.
Megara's blood boiled. She wanted to lunge at him, but she held back. "I won't do it, Uriel. Don't ask me again. And as for the money, I'll transfer it tonight." She turned to leave, but he stopped her, grabbing her wrist and pulling her close until she was pressed against his chest.
Megara was stunned. She stomped on his foot, and he recoiled, grabbing his toe in pain. "Ouch! That hurts, Megara!" he cried. She stuck her tongue out at him.
"You asked for it," she said, adjusting her uniform. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way."
Uriel stood up quickly, blocking her path. He lightly grabbed her chin and leaned in, his breath a feathery whisper against her neck. "I don't need the money, Megara; I lack nothing. But I can assure you that sooner or later, you will do this for me." He straightened, his eyes locked with hers, the tension between them hot and palpable.
Megara looked up, maintaining her composure. She couldn't let him think he had won. "You want me to impersonate someone? Here I was thinking you were just arrogant and…"
"Ridiculously handsome," he interjected. Megara shot him a glare and scowled.
"Don't, or you'll grow old from poverty," he teased. Megara stomped on his foot again.
"You know, ridiculously stupid, if I must say. But wanting me to impersonate someone is the highest level of stupidity," she said, her words not getting through to Uriel.
"Black Agate is my cousin, Kyle Emerson, and he doesn't want our family to find out he's the richest man, dismantling all 12 principal families across the UK." He lied effortlessly, but Megara looked at him suspiciously. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I'm not looking at you anyhow, it's your imagination," she said, rolling her eyes. "Kyle Emerson? Isn't he a musical sensation and the CEO of TIM K Records? Why would he want to get involved with someone of my standing? Besides, he doesn't look like he could do something so rebellious."
Uriel almost laughed, and Megara flinched. "Stop overthinking with that small brain of yours. My cousin has many dark sides you wouldn't know about," he said, flicking her head with his finger. She recoiled. "He's in the hot seat. A wrong move at the exact time of your purchase of their shares could call off the charges."
"And now he wants me to be a stand-in shield for him, which I am going to refuse," she said, shoving him aside as she opened the door. "Get a life, Uriel. No method of yours is going to work on me."
Uriel smirked. "Keep this a secret between us. Hugo isn't supposed to know about it." Megara hissed and slammed the door behind her.
Once she was gone, Uriel's self-control snapped. He kicked the table, sending its contents flying in every direction. He walked out onto the rooftop, spotting Hugo speaking to Megara before they hugged. Their eyes met, and the tension grew.
He walks over to Hugo and Megara who pulled away instantly before looking at him. Hugo puts a hand in his pocket and protectively pushes Megara behind him as he and Uriel clashes face to face.
Uriel smirked raising his hand as though he wanted to hit Hugo but to their surprise he only pats him on the shoulder. "It's a good thing you've decided to return to Z3 Hugo and to be honest I have high expectations for you. He remarked his tone cold and sarcastic but he couldn't take his eyes off Megara.
Hugo sees him and defensively blocks his gaze shielding Megara completely with his back. "It's not like I had a choice Uriel but I also hope you could respect boundaries and not take Megara to the rooftop again. He said but Uriel chuckles. "She's afraid of heights.
"Wow that's so shocking and a stark contrast from what I saw. He declared feigning amusement. "I don't care what you do or what you say Hugo but you should know better than to demand negotiable terms from me.
"I'm not asking. Hugo said his voice challenging as she stormed off his hand cuffed around Megara wrist.
Zack walked past Hugo who didn't even stop to greet him. He stopped before Uriel gently tapping his shoulder. "Don't worry he'll come around. He assured but Uriel pushed his hand away. "He just came back to Z3 and it's not easy to adjust because he now has Megara to watch out for.
"That's his business and not mine. He replied his gaze narrows. "When a Jefferson wants something he always gets it.
He storms off and Zack closely followed behind as the elevator door shuts hiding their presence.