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Raina's House – Truth or Dare
The air inside Raina's house grew heavier as the bottle spun in the middle of the round table. The game was supposed to be playful, but the silence was suffocating.
Gabriella's eyes locked with Jake's, her voice cutting through the tension like venom.
"To find the culprit," she said with a smile that chilled the room.
Everyone gasped.
Ronnie broke the silence, waving his hands. "Guys! This is truth or dare, not some mafia game."
Jake didn't flinch. He kept staring back at Gabriella, as if reading her mind. Raina frowned, confused, while Selina smirked and said, "Yes… let's move on. I'll spin the bottle."
Han quietly sipped his drink, uninterested. Gabriella leaned back in her chair, calm but calculating. Raina tapped her fingers, lost in thought.
Jake suddenly stood and walked out.
"Where are you going?" Ronnie called after him.
Jake only raised two fingers to his lips, signaling for a smoke, before disappearing outside. Gabriella's gaze followed him. Something about him was suspicious.
She excused herself, murmuring, "I need the washroom," and left.
But Jake was nowhere. Irritation boiled inside her until she caught a faint, familiar voice. She moved down the narrow path near the washroom and froze.
Jake stood with Anitta. One hand was tucked in his pocket, the other against the wall, trapping Anitta between him and the cold surface. They were close—too close.
Gabriella narrowed her eyes. He brought her here… there's something between them. Is it about Lara's accident? Or… me?
Jake suddenly turned. Gabriella ducked behind a pillar, holding her breath. Once he walked away, she clenched her fists and left.
Later, she found herself on the balcony, staring at the night sky when a voice startled her.
"Where is your guardian?"
She spun, raising an eyebrow. "You."
Jake stood beside her, facing the balcony. "Han," he muttered, lighting a cigarette.
Gabriella gave a cold smile. "I don't need a guardian to protect me. I'm enough for me."
Her eyes pierced into his.
Jake smirked, biting his lip, clearly irritated. Smoke curled around him as he took a stylish drag.
"Are you a good person or a bad person?" Gabriella asked suddenly.
He paused, turning to her. "Didn't expect you to be this straightforward."
Her face stayed expressionless.
Jake exhaled smoke slowly, then smiled. "Not everyone's good."
Gabriella's lips curled playfully. "That means you too?"
Jake raised an eyebrow. "You believe that easily? Don't trust people so much. Do you think anyone tells the truth that easily?"
Gabriella tilted her head. "Are you playing a psychology game with me?"
Jake leaned in closer, his breath brushing her ear. "What do you think?" He winked.
Gabriella smirked—then shoved him back.
---
Gabriella's House – The Grand Room
Her maid opened the door to a massive bedroom. "Ma'am, your father suggested this room for you."
Gabriella frowned. "I don't want this big room. Arrange something smaller, one I can manage."
The maid chuckled. "There is no small room in this mansion, ma'am. And you don't have to worry—we're here for you."
Alone, Gabriella scanned the room. Shock filled her face. A private TV, PlayStation, a study room, even a balcony. It felt unreal. But still, something about it unsettled her.
A knock came.
"Come in," she called.
The door opened to reveal a tall man. "I'm your bodyguard. Kevin."
Gabriella blinked. "Aren't you the one I spoke to on the phone?"
"Yes," Kevin confirmed.
She cut to the chase. "Did you find out if she regained consciousness? Lara?"
Kevin's voice was low. "No, Ms. Gabriella. She's still unconscious."
Gabriella sank into thought. Why were Selina and Ronnie following Lara that night? I'm sure they're behind the accident. But why? Was it just bullying? No… there's a deeper mystery. One only they know.
---
Brighton Wisdom School – Confrontation
Whispers filled the classroom.
"I'm sure it's her."
"She kissed him."
"Silver Storm's dignity dropped the moment she joined."
Erica's voice rang loud. "Jake and Han fighting over her? Pathetic!" She laughed cruelly.
Gabriella clenched her fists, trying to stay calm—but failed. She stood, and silence fell.
"You're too loud, Erica. If you dare, say it to me now. Don't bark behind my back."
Gasps echoed.
Erica sneered. "Did you just call me a dog?!"
Gabriella leaned closer, inches from her face. "I didn't. You said it yourself. Dog."
Erica's face twisted with rage. "You two-timing bit—"
But before she could finish, Gabriella grabbed her hair and slammed her head against the desk. Erica screamed, struggling.
"Please! Leave her!" her friend begged.
Gabriella's eyes flashed. "You too—don't talk about me again." She shoved Erica away.
Erica's hair was a mess, her pride shattered. "You bitch!" she screamed.
Gabriella stopped, her smile turning venomous. "A bitch? Me? No. Look at yourself, chasing Han behind your boyfriend's back. You're the bitch."
Everyone froze. Erica's eyes widened. Harry stormed in, fury in his face. He grabbed Erica's wrist.
"Are you cheating on me?!"
"Harry! No, she's lying!" Erica cried.
But Harry dragged her out of the classroom.
Gabriella walked out, smirking, brushing past Harry with ease.
---
Silver Storm Private Room
Han sat absorbed in his laptop, typing rapidly, while Raina leaned toward Selina, who was lazily painting her nails. Jake lounged on the sofa, a magazine covering his face like he didn't care about the world.
Raina broke the silence. "Any update on Lara?"
Selina didn't look up. "Still unconscious."
Raina nodded slightly, then asked, "And what about… that girl?"
Selina's lips curved. "Andria? She disappeared. No information. Someone said she transferred."
Raina smirked. "That's better for her."
Han suddenly raised his head, suspicious. "Who is she? Don't tell me you two are tangled in another problem."
Selina's eyes flickered. "No."
Han narrowed his eyes. "I know you. Don't lie to me."
Selina shoved headphones onto him. "Focus on your project."
Just then, Gabriella walked in. Everyone greeted her casually, but the air shifted. She sat in a chair, tension written across her face.
She glanced at them. "What were you talking about? Why so silent after I entered?"
Raina replied coolly, "Nothing. Just… a trash girl."
Gabriella's eyes hardened. "Why are you calling a human trash?"
Selina snapped without hesitation. "If someone is lower than us, how else should I call them?"
Gabriella's voice dropped cold. "Everyone is human. We treat them equally. I don't like calling people trash—and neither should you."
Raina froze. Selina's jaw tightened in anger. Han, still typing, chuckled under his breath.
Selina slapped his thigh. "What's so funny?"
Han flinched, pulling off his headset. "What are you doing?!" He threw the headphones aside and shouted, his voice sharp. Selina stormed out, furious.
Raina casually scrolled through her phone, unbothered.
Gabriella sat back, her thoughts heavy. Raina suddenly asked, "Why are you upset?"
Gabriella's eyes narrowed. "Don't you know who's spreading rumors in school?"
Raina smirked. "That Black Secret channel, right?"
Gabriella's expression darkened.
Before she could reply, a hand suddenly covered her eyes. Instinctively, she twisted the wrist hard.
"Ahhh!" a voice cried.
Gabriella spun—Ronnie. His face twisted in pain.
"Do that again, and you won't have a hand anymore," she warned coldly, letting him go.
Ronnie stepped back, staring at his trembling hand. Gabriella glared at him. "Do you…?"
Ronnie stammered, stepping backward, "A-ahh…"
The magazine dropped from Jake's face. He sat up, annoyed. "Who disturbed my sleep?"
Ronnie froze. Jake's eyes locked on him, sharp and unreadable.
Before Ronnie could explain, Jake spoke. "We don't know."
Ronnie quickly nodded in agreement. Gabriella watched, confused.
Raina cleared her throat. "There are so many rumors spreading from that channel."
Gabriella leaned forward. "Anything about Silver Storm members?"
Ronnie chuckled smugly. "Impossible. Never about us."
Gabriella narrowed her eyes. That means one of them is behind it.
Aloud, she said, "Wrong. Look again."
Raina checked her phone. Her eyes widened. "What…? Han—it's about you. And Rico too."
Han snatched his phone, disbelief flashing across his face. "No way!" His rage exploded as he hurled his headset across the room.
Ronnie froze, staring at his own screen. Jake checked too, but his face remained unreadable, calm as ever.
Gabriella studied each one silently.But how can them spread rumors about themselves....
Han slammed his laptop shut. "We have to find this host. He's playing with us. I won't let it go."
Raina shrugged. "Let it be. We'll deal with it later."
Han scowled. "I don't—"
"Han," Raina cut in, her tone firm. "As you wish." She clapped her hands once. "Come on, guys. Time to go."
She grabbed Gabriella's wrist.
Gabriella pulled slightly. "Go where?"
Raina's lips curved. "You'll see once we get there."
Ronnie exchanged a glance with Jake. Han stormed out first.
When they were alone for a moment, Ronnie frowned at Jake. "Bro, what are you doing? Creating rumors about yourself?"
Jake's voice was casual, almost amused. "For fun."
Ronnie stared. "Do you hate her that much?"
Jake stopped, then asked softly, "Is she in your list?"
Ronnie paused, scratched his head nervously, and smiled weakly. "No…"
Jake gave no response. He just walked away.
---
Indoor Basketball Court
Gabriella entered with Raina. Selina was already there, joined by several other students. On the opposite side stood Erica, Harry, Anitta, and their group.
Behind Gabriella, Jake and Ronnie strolled in, calm as ever.
Raina flicked her gaze toward Harry. That was all it took.
Harry lunged forward, fists flying at the group of students. Erica and her friends joined in, beating them ruthlessly.
Gabriella's eyes widened. "Why are they beating them?!"
Selina laughed. "Because they're not like us. They're garbage. Don't pause—keep beating them!"
Jake leaned casually against the wall, scrolling through his phone. Ronnie watched with a grin. Raina stayed cold, arms folded.
Gabriella stood frozen, horrified.
Raina leaned close to her ear, whispering, "Welcome to our fun area."
Gabriella's jaw tightened. This is wrong… but it's not the right time to move. If I react now, I'll be caught.
Across the court, Erica whispered something into Selina's ear. Selina's expression snapped into fury—then she slapped Erica across the face.
Gasps echoed.
Selina returned to Raina's side. "How dare she say that to me."
"What?" Raina asked flatly.
"She said Han likes Gabriella. So I slapped her." Selina's voice was sharp. "Han is good to everyone, but that doesn't mean he likes them. How can she create misunderstandings like that?"
Gabriella smirked silently. So… she wants to ruin my image to get revenge.
Erica stood at a distance, glaring daggers at Gabriella.
Gabriella walked straight toward her. All eyes followed. Her hand lifted mid-air—but stopped just before slapping.
Erica flinched, eyes squeezing shut in fear.
Gabriella's voice was icy. "I won't slap you. You're trash. I don't touch trash."
Her eyes shifted. "Anitta."
Anitta hesitated, trembling.
"Push her," Gabriella ordered.
Anitta swallowed hard, then obeyed. Erica stumbled and fell to the ground. Laughter erupted around the court.
Harry didn't move, his face unreadable. Erica looked up at him, but he stayed silent.
Gabriella's voice sliced through the noise. "If anyone spreads rumors about me again… Silver Storm members or not… you're dead. Got it?"
Everyone froze.
She turned toward Silver Storm, her tone sharper. "How can you allow these peoples to bully them..? They are themselves a trash. Maybe you should throw them in the bin first."
Gasps echoed again as Gabriella stormed out of the court.
Selina muttered to Raina, "She's right. Erica and Erica and her friends aren't worth it."
Jake, still leaning, smirked faintly.
Ronnie whispered, almost admiringly, "She's something else."
Raina waved her hand, ending the session. The crowd dispersed.
But the echo of Gabriella's words lingered like fire in the cold air.
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