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In Raina's House – Front Garden
The evening air was filled with the faint scent of roses as Gabriella stood in the garden, her eyes locked on Jake. He was leaning casually on his sleek bike, golden hair catching the faint garden lights, his gaze sharp and unwavering on her. For a moment, it felt as though no one else existed.
Then, with a sudden flick of his wrist, Jake revved the engine, riding to the other side of the garden before parking. Immediately, a group of girls swarmed around him, giggling, touching his arm, laughing at his careless jokes. But even as he entertained them, his gaze kept drifting back to Gabriella.
Gabriella frowned, thoughts swirling. Is he the one who invited Anitta here? He arrived late… that's why she waited for him at the entrance. But then—where did she go? Her chest tightened as Jake's eyes lingered on her again, piercing.
One bold girl leaned closer to Jake. "Where is your focus? Don't tell me… you like Gabriella?"
Jake chuckled, flipping his blonde hair back with effortless charm. "No… but I admit one thing." His lips curved into a smirk as his eyes deepened on Gabriella. "She is interesting."
---
In the Pool Area
The laughter and splashes from the pool echoed around. Raina scanned the crowd impatiently. "Where's Ronnie?"
Selina shrugged. "Probably on the rooftop. Who knows which girl he's hanging around with now."
Raina rolled her eyes and dialed his number, but Selina teased, "Mmm… I wouldn't bother."
Before Gabriella could escape the chatter, another group of girls surrounded her.
"Are you new here?" one of them sneered.
"Of course she is," another chimed in. "The new member of Silver Storm."
Gabriella smirked, pretending she didn't hear, and stepped aside. But one girl grabbed her wrist tightly.
"Wait. Is it true you became rich overnight? I heard your mother only loved your father for money—"
Smack!
Gabriella's hand connected across the girl's cheek with such force that the crowd froze. Gasps filled the air.
"You—!" the girl raised her hand to slap Gabriella back, but it stopped mid-air. Han's strong grip held her wrist firmly.
"Han…" she stammered, her bravado shattering. "Leave me! She slapped me first!"
Han's eyes narrowed, cold and unyielding. "Don't play innocent. I heard everything. Apologize to her. Right now."
The girl hesitated, trembling under his stare, before mumbling, "Sorry…"
Han let her go and turned to Gabriella. His tone softened. "Don't mind her. She's always like this."
"Mm." Gabriella nodded, though inside she thought, He's different… odd compared to the rest of his group.
Suddenly, Jake strode forward, grabbing Gabriella's hand roughly.
Han instantly caught Jake's wrist. "What are you doing?"
Jake smirked. "Why are you so concerned about her?"
Selina rushed in, panic rising. "Don't fight!"
Han's voice was firm. "He's the one picking fights. Of course, I'm concerned—she's one of us."
Jake's eyes gleamed dangerously. "One of us? Look at what's happening since she arrived." He yanked Gabriella closer. "Why are you still standing here? Haven't you had enough? Go!"
But Gabriella resisted. "I don't need your permission to decide where I go."
Jake's smirk twisted. In one motion, he grabbed a wine bottle from the nearby table, popped it open, and poured it over Gabriella's dress. Red liquid drenched her, dripping down like spilled blood.
The crowd gasped.
Han snatched the bottle from Jake's hand, fury in his eyes. But before anyone else could react, Gabriella's face hardened. With one powerful shove, she pushed Jake straight into the swimming pool.
Splash!
Jake surfaced, shaking his hair, water flying everywhere. He slapped the water in frustration as Gabriella stood above him, her expression cold, unmoved. Then she smiled faintly, turned, and walked away.
The others were stunned silent. Ronnie extended his hand to Jake, but Jake refused, glaring in humiliation.
---
Inside Raina's House
"Wow…" Raina's eyes sparkled as she looked at Gabriella. "My dress fits you perfectly. Shall we go down?"
Together, they descended the staircase. At the same time, Ronnie and Jake emerged from another room. Their eyes met halfway. The silent clash between Gabriella and Jake sent sparks into the air.
"No more fights," Raina warned sharply.
"Yes, yes." Ronnie grinned. "It's party time now."
They gathered around a round table—Ronnie, Jake, Selina, Han, Raina, and Gabriella.
"Let's play Truth or Dare!" Ronnie announced.
"Yesss!" Selina cheered, spinning the bottle. It slowed… and landed on Gabriella. Gasps rippled.
"Truth or Dare?"
"Dare," Gabriella replied coolly.
Jake leaned forward. "Then… kiss someone here."
Cheers erupted. Gabriella stood, her steps graceful, deliberate. She walked toward Jake. His smirk faltered as she leaned in—then brushed a kiss against his cheek.
But Jake wasn't satisfied. He caught her wrist, pulling her closer, whispering with a dangerous grin. "No. Kiss me on the lips."
Everyone froze.
"Jake, that's too much!" Han snapped, half-rising. Selina quickly held him back. "Don't interfere."
Gabriella leaned close to Jake's ear, her voice sharp as a blade. "Do you want to die?"
Jake's whisper was playful, teasing. "No. I want to play."
Gabriella's eyes narrowed. Then, without hesitation, she kissed him full on the lips.
Jake's eyes widened. Heat rushed to his cheeks. For once, he was stunned, speechless.
Gabriella calmly pulled away and sat back in her seat as if nothing had happened.
"Heyyy, Jake, are you blushing?" Ronnie teased.
Jake quickly hurled a pillow at him, flustered. Laughter broke the tension.
Han spun the bottle next. It pointed at Selina.
"Truth or Dare?" Gabriella asked.
"Truth."
Gabriella leaned in. "Then tell me—who else owns shoes like yours?"
Selina chuckled nervously. "You're still asking that? Honestly… I don't know."
Raina spun next. The bottle landed on Jake.
"Truth or Dare?" Ronnie asked.
"Truth," Jake said, confident.
Before Ronnie could speak, Gabriella cut in sharply. "Do you have a girlfriend?"
The group erupted in cheers and laughter.
Jake smirked. "Why? Do you have an interest in me?"
Gabriella stiffened, but Raina interjected, "Hey, answer the question. No countering!"
Jake shrugged. "No. I don't."
Gabriella's thoughts twisted. So Anitta isn't his girlfriend… But how can I believe him?
Jake spun the bottle. Fate pointed back to Gabriella.
"Truth or Dare?" Han asked.
"Truth," she said firmly.
Han opened his mouth, but Jake beat him to it. "What is your motive for joining our group?"
The room went silent.
Gabriella's lips curled into a venomous smile. "To find a culprit."
Gasps echoed around the table.
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