Megara and Hugo sat inside the Snowflake ice cream shop, their laughter echoing over a shared conversation. They happily ate their ice cream, oblivious to the other girls in the restaurant who watched them with green-eyed jealousy.
Just then, Jane and Laura walked in. Megara's face lit up, and she stood, pulling them into a tight hug.
Hugo rolled his eyes, annoyed that they had both decided to come, even after he had tried to persuade them not to. Thanks to them, his personal date with Megara was ruined. It would be even more awkward when the paparazzi showed up, leading to a headline like, "THE ROOSEVELT AND LANCASTER HEIRESSES SPOTTED ALONGSIDE THE ARNOLD HEIR AND A GIRL OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN AT SNOWFLAKES HAVING A COLD ICE CREAM." The newspaper could make billions in a day if it got published, and neither they nor the British were tired of daily gossip.
He smiled, joining in on the hug before pulling away quickly. "Hey, girls, you're late," he said, but Jane just shot him a playful glare before hugging Megara tightly.
"Hey, girl! We both missed you dearly," Laura confessed, pulling away and taking a seat next to Megara.
"So no one misses me?" Hugo asked dramatically, faking a tear. Jane moved to console him with a friendly hug.
"Don't be such a crybaby, Hugo. Of course, we miss both of you, but Megara comes first," Laura said as they both reached for the empty seats. "Hugo, it's common courtesy not to say a lady is late. Instead, you should say she's gorgeous."
Hugo chuckled playfully fist bumping her. "Courtesy it is pardon my manners. He said mockingly a hint of humour in his words.
"You just saw me two hours ago, and you already missed me?" Megara giggled, scooping a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. She savored the creamy taste. "You really have to try this."
Hugo smiled, running his hand through his hair as he admired her enjoying her meal. "You're such a foodie!" he exclaimed, and Jane winked, giving him a knowing look. "You guys should order. Here are the menus."
Jane quickly scanned the menu before sliding it back onto the table. "I'll have a family-sized chocolate ice cream with two scoops of vanilla," she announced.
"I'll have blueberry and strawberry," Laura said.
Hugo stood and walked toward the counter. As soon as he was gone, Jane and Laura crowded around Megara, their eyes filled with anticipation.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Megara asked, startled by their intense gazes.
"You know why we're looking at you," Jane remarked, playfully jabbing a finger into Megara's arm.
"Come on, spill the tea already!" Laura begged, as if the gossip were a matter of life or death. "Don't tell me you don't notice how Hugo looks at you with those gooey eyes."
Megara almost spit out her ice cream. "Are you serious? You guys always notice how guys look at girls, but I don't have time for that. To me, he's just like a big brother."
"Don't be delusional. Get your act together," Jane urged, giggling as she shook hands with Laura. "Sooner or later, some girl is going to take him away from you, and it's not every day you get such a cute guy."
Megara laughed and playfully threw a spoonful of ice cream at both of them. "You two are such gossips! Hugo better not hear that," she warned, hiding a blush.
"Hear what, Meg?" Hugo asked, setting the tray of ice creams down. "What are you two gossips bothering her with?"
Megara's face grew hot with a definite blush. She quickly covered her face with her hand and excused herself to the restroom.
Jane giggled, patting Hugo's shoulder as she took her ice cream. "Don't be such a busybody. Leave girl talk to us." Laura nodded in agreement, seizing her own ice cream and taking a big spoonful.
Hugo nodded in agreement, his phone vibrating in his hand. He stepped out, his face a mask of deep fear and disdain before he quickly recomposed himself, storming off to take the call.
Meanwhile, Megara stood before a large mirror, splashing cool water on her face before patting it dry with a paper towel. She unfastened her hair from its band, admiring how it cascaded over her shoulders, framing her face.
"Stop being delusional, Megara. You can't let those kinds of thoughts get to you," she reprimanded herself. She tied her hair back into a loose ponytail. "Ugh! I'm so furious. How could he ask me to impersonate someone?"
She pushed the thought aside, adjusting her uniform before preparing to leave the bathroom. Her phone rang, the screen showing an unfamiliar number. She hesitated for a moment but answered, her curiosity winning out. Unbeknownst to her, it was Uriel.
Megara frowned, bringing the phone to her ear. "Hello, who is it?" she said, her voice laced with doubt.
A low chuckle came from the other end. "You've already forgotten me so easily, Megara? That's painful." Uriel's voice was smooth and seductive.
Megara groaned in frustration. "Uriel, it better not be you calling my phone," she retorted, her voice threatening. "Don't you have anything better to do? Or have you switched tactics? Is this your A-game or just a revenge plan?"
"You praise me a lot, Megara. But I like it," he teased, and Megara couldn't help but roll her eyes. "I'm craving your special coffee."
Megara scoffed in disbelief, staring at the phone screen before returning it to her ear. "You know the way to the cafe, so go get one yourself and stop disturbing me."
"You didn't hear what I said earlier. Maybe I'll be merciful enough to repeat myself," he said, his voice still calm. "I want your special coffee, and no one else's."
Megara mentally facepalmed at his insistence. "Well, Mr. Uriel, I don't work at the cafe anymore, and I don't make coffee. So stop pestering me," she warned.
"I don't care, Megara. All I want is coffee and for you to reconsider my cousin's generous offer. Otherwise, I won't let you off the hook," he threatened. Megara's foot hit her right toe, and she immediately yelped, catching his attention. "Are you alright?"
"I am. Thanks for asking," she said mockingly. "Why can't you understand what I'm saying, or should I spell it out for you? I'm not agreeing to his offer, and I'm not making any coffee for you."
"I don't care because I'm not listening," he said, much to Megara's disappointment. "I've sent my address to you, and unless you want Jane and Laura to pay for your crimes, I suggest you personally send them over ASAP."
Megara's breath hitched, her blood boiling at his demand. "I don't have the equipment, and I'm at Snowflake in Knightsbridge. That's a long drive back to Ecoland estate," she protested. Uriel simply hummed, a clear sign he wasn't listening.
"I don't care how you do it, but you have to get over here. Or I can't guarantee that you or your girlfriends are going to have a good school year," he said, ending the call.
Megara screamed at her phone but stopped as she heard footsteps. She roughly opened the door, storming out, only to bump into two girls—a brunette and a blonde.
The blonde pushed her back, glaring with a disgusted expression. "Watch where you're going, freak!" she cursed, but Megara tried to walk past her. "Where do you think you're going without an apology? Do you think just because a tacky country bumpkin like you came in with Hugo, you can treat us with condescension?"
Megara stopped in her tracks, turning to face them. "I'm sorry, but have you looked in the mirror lately?" she asked in a mocking tone, which only annoyed the girls further.
"Why would you ask such a ridiculous question? Didn't you see we both wear makeup? Which technically means we have a mirror?" the brunette asked, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
Megara chuckled, folding her arms in surprise. "I wanted to mind my own business until you insulted me and mentioned my friend. While he is single, he wouldn't touch two small fries and ugly-looking ogres like you," she mocked, pointing at them. "And you, Blondie, your hair smells like pig urine. I could hardly breathe when I walked past you."
"And you, Brunette, I think you need a makeover because your mirror lies just like your tacky and clumsy-looking ex-boyfriend," she taunted. "Next time, pick someone your size and stop aiming higher than your reach. Secondly, my friend is single, but girls like you are not on the list. You can try your luck; I'm not stopping you."
Both girls stood stunned by her words, their blood running cold as they lowered their heads. Megara exited the washroom, meeting Jane and Laura by the doorway, who in turn complimented her on her display.
The girls chatted while awaiting Hugo's arrival, and when he came in, his expression was a mirror of sadness. Megara held his gaze for a few seconds before he tapped her shoulders.
"Hey," Megara greeted sheepishly. "Done making your call?"
Hugo leaned in, sniffing her hair, a scent of almond and orange. He pulled away casually, pinching her cheek as she flinched playfully. "Alright, girls, you have a good time because I gotta go ASAP."
Megara nodded as Hugo placed a kiss on her forehead, making Jane and Laura gasp. "Alright, you gotta stop it before some jealous girls maul on me," she replied, pushing him toward the door playfully.
Hugo left after waving goodbye to his friends. Megara and the girls continued their conversation, and after a few minutes, they were saying goodbye in front of the Snowflake store. Jane and Laura entered their personal car when the guards opened the door for them, and the car exited, disappearing into the horizon.
Megara flagged down a taxi, and upon entering, a car blew its horn loudly, attracting her attention. Two black-dressed bodyguards walked over to her, bowing to her while one of them walked over to the taxi driver, paying him before the taxi left.
Megara was stunned for a moment. She turned to the already leaving taxi before turning to the bodyguard, her mouth agape. "What is wrong with you?" she asked, but the bodyguard bowed respectfully, stunning her. "Why do you keep bowing like you're a mannequin?"
"Ma'am, our boss asked us to bring you to the mansion," a bodyguard replied, gesturing to the car, which Megara was holding forward with her gaze. "Please, this way."
Megara followed the guard toward the car after staring at the message on her phone, which read, "I've sent my guards and driver to get you." She groaned, watching the guard as they opened the car for her.
She sat down in the car as a guard closed the door before joining her in the backseat. The car zoomed off, leaving the streets of Knightsbridge in silence.
Once Megara arrived at the Jefferson mansion, she was stunned at the gorgeous mansion before her. Everywhere was illuminated with glowing lights, and sentinels marched around the compound, ensuring not even a fly could escape. A question was etched on Megara's mind: why was Uriel's mansion in their estate without her noticing?
She quickly discarded the questions ramming in her head. "I need to get this over with and leave here before curfew," she muttered, staring at her watch.
Gabriel and Mariah stood before her at the entrance of the mansion, bowing to her as they ushered her into the house. "Hello, I'm Gabriel, the butler of this house, and this is my wife, Mariah, the head maid," He introduced as they stood in the living room. "You can make yourself comfortable while awaiting our master."
Megara sat down on the couch but didn't hesitate to stare at the diamond-ornate chandelier. The living room was decorated with a big, luxurious TV illuminating the room, a huge Siberian bear rug, and a mini-library. She gasped, unable to suppress her astonishment.
Uriel walked down the stairs with his JB headset over his ear. He wore a plain blue jeans, a white singlet paired with Adidas sneakers, and a face cap on his head with its front turned backward, giving him the look of a gangster. He came to an abrupt halt, intently watching Megara as she stood up from the seat, adoring the magnificent paintings on the wall.
"Looks like you're enjoying my home," Uriel said, and Megara almost choked on her saliva. "Calm down, I'm not going to eat you."
Megara pulled her hand away from the painting, startled by his sudden appearance. She walked back to the couch, holding his gaze, green eyes boring into her soul like a soul searcher. "You almost scared me to Mercury," she said, palming her chest. "Why did you forcefully bring me here? Do you know I've got curfew by 7 p.m.?"
Uriel shrugged nonchalantly, a sign he wasn't interested in her curfew, before walking toward her. "I'm not interested in your curfew since I don't live by those rules, but you should be rest assured you'll leave once you make me a good coffee," he said mischievously as he lifted her chin with his bandaged hand.
Megara pulled away from Uriel's tempting gaze, his deep emerald eyes seeming to drown her. She pushed past him and headed toward the stairs, hoping they led to the kitchen. "Stop standing there and show me the equipment. I'll improvise with anything I can find to make the coffee." Her voice was low and shaky, but Uriel burst out laughing to her utter astonishment. "What's so funny? Don't you have a coffee pot?"
Uriel walked up to her, closing the distance between them and making Megara gulp nervously. "Fine, since you plan on making the coffee in my room, I don't mind indulging you," he whispered in her ear. "So, are you up for it?"
Heat crept up Megara's face as embarrassment washed over her, sending chills down her spine. She stomped on his foot and scurried back downstairs as if nothing had happened. Meanwhile, Uriel clutched his foot, the pain spreading through it as if he'd been stung by hornets.
Megara smiled sheepishly as Uriel stood before her, his gaze intense. "Where's the kitchen so I can leave already? I don't want my uncle scolding me. Unlike you rich kids who spend the night out, some of us have guardians watching over us," she scolded, but Uriel grabbed her waist, pulling her closer.
He leaned in, sniffing her hair before looking back at her. "You're such a schemer! This little plan of yours isn't enough to change the subject or make me fall for you," he said with a faint smile.
"This is sexual harassment, Uriel and I could sue you. She threatened but Uriel still leaned in closer than usual, her words falling on deaf ears. "Step aside or I'll scream.
Uriel chuckled turning dramatically as he stares at the living room. "Go ahead then you can scream but see if you leave her alive without paying for trespassing and deliberate noise making. He said and Megara rolled her eyes dramatically. "And sexual harassment? Who'd believe you a unattractive pale faced ghost like you versus I the dream of every girl? Or an unattractive tomboy versus a cute rich handsome trillionaire like myself?
Megara's fake smile quickly disappeared. He pulled away when she moved her leg, almost stomping on him again. "Wow, it seems like stomping on my feet has become your favorite hobby," he teased, and Megara hastily pulled away. "First, defying my orders; secondly, always appearing before me; thirdly, sitting in awkward places; and now stomping on my foot."
"Don't get ahead of yourself, you chicken brain! I have important things to do, like homework and private study sessions, which you wouldn't understand," she said, flashing another fake smile.
Uriel stood behind Megara, resting his head on her shoulder as Mariah and three other maids walked in with huge boxes. Two guards followed them, also carrying boxes.
Mariah and the other maids lowered their heads. "Young master, the goods have arrived," Mariah announced. Uriel simply pulled away from Megara, signaling for them to take her to the kitchen. "Young madam, please, the kitchen is this way."
Megara turned to Uriel, who was heading upstairs with his hands in his pockets. She looked away, her head bowed as she walked, disappearing into a large, ornate white door. The kitchen was vast and wide, with each expensive utensil neatly arranged, a testament to its value.
Mariah cleared her throat, grabbing Megara's attention. "Young madam, you can use all the utensils the young master got. If anything isn't to your taste, don't fail to notify us," she said. Megara nodded before getting to work. "Open the cartons so young madam can see them."
The maids opened the cartons, revealing their contents. Megara's mouth fell open at the sight of the expensive, top-notch utensils—far more than she needed for a single coffee. The maids gushed over her expression, finding it cute and priceless.
Uriel stood outside the slightly open door, observing everything happening in the kitchen. Gabriel approached and stood like a sentinel at his side. "Young master, aren't you going in?" he asked, careful not to overstep.
Uriel's eyes remained glued to the scene. "I'm not heading inside yet. Don't let anyone stress her. Just tell the maids to attend to her needs, and please get her a nice dress," he said. Gabriel nodded, watching his master depart and head upstairs.
Gabriel dialed a number on his phone, muttering his conversation low enough not to attract any attention.