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Gabriella's House
Gabriella's room was a complete mess. Clothes scattered, drawers pulled out, bed sheets wrinkled from her hurried search. She checked every pocket of her school uniforms, one by one, but still found nothing.
"Where is it…" she muttered under her breath, frustration mounting. Suddenly, her eyes widened. A memory flashed—her old uniform. It's missing… but where did it go?
Her heart skipped. Maybe… maybe it's still at the old house.
She grabbed her phone and was about to leave when she stepped down the grand staircase.
"Andria, look… who is here!" Roselette's voice echoed warmly through the hall.
Gabriella paused mid-step. Her gaze turned to the sitting hall, where a woman—graceful yet carrying an air of sadness—sat near Roselette.
Gabriella approached slowly, then sat down on the sofa opposite. The woman's eyes narrowed with recognition, then confusion.
"Wait… who is she? Where is Andria?" the woman asked.
Roselette hesitated, her lips trembling. "She… she is Andria. She had a face surgery, so—"
The woman frowned. "But why? Her face was perfectly fine."
Roselette forced an awkward smile. "Nowadays… youngsters like these beauty surgeries…" Her words trailed, clearly uncomfortable.
Gabriella's eyes softened. "Auntie Jasmine… I remember you."
The woman blinked in surprise. Gabriella continued, "Oh… you've changed a lot since you went to the UK. Did you cut your long hair?"
Jasmine smiled faintly. "Yes. But… I'm not in the UK anymore."
Roselette leaned forward, concerned. "When did you return?"
Jasmine's smile wavered, sadness flickering in her eyes. "One year ago. Me and my husband… we divorced."
Both Gabriella and Roselette gasped.
"I went to the UK when Kevin was in eighth standard," Jasmine said, her voice cracking. "And then one day… just like that, everything shattered. The marriage ended."
Roselette reached out, hugging her tightly. "Don't worry. We'll always be with you."
"Yes," Gabriella added softly. "You can stay with us, Auntie."
Roselette's tears slipped down her cheeks. "You once supported me when I was alone with my daughter… you did more than even a friend would."
Jasmine wiped Roselette's tears gently. "Worries are gone now. You've reunited with your husband, and I'm truly happy for you. As for me… I live with my brother's family now. You don't need to worry."
She quickly tried to change the subject. "Do you remember… when Andria and my Kevin were so naughty in their school days? Every day the teachers would call us to complain about them!"
Roselette chuckled through her tears. "Yes… and do you know, Jasmine? We even planned to marry them both in the future."
Jasmine laughed, shaking her head. "I remember that!"
Gabriella blushed and signaled her mother. "Please, Mom… don't embarrass me."
Trying to escape the teasing, Gabriella asked, "Where is Kevin now, Auntie? Why didn't he come with you?"
Jasmine's smile faltered. Her eyes glistened, and her lips trembled. "He didn't…" Her voice broke. "He won't anymore."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Roselette froze. Gabriella's breath caught in her throat.
"Kevin… died." Jasmine's words hung heavy in the air.
Both mother and daughter stared in disbelief.
---
Night Club
The music was loud, the lights flashing, but Gabriella heard none of it. She sat slouched at a small table, a half-empty glass in her hand.
Across from her, Dona leaned forward, frowning. "Girl… please stop. You're drinking beyond your limits."
But Gabriella's tears wouldn't stop. She raised the glass again, her voice trembling. "Still… I can't forget the pain of losing him. I can't believe he's gone. Every time I close my eyes… I see Kevin's smile."
Dona softened. "I know you're hurting. But no one can bring back the dead. You have to take care of yourself first."
Gabriella shook her head, crying harder. "You don't know… he was the best boy I ever knew. I was always the naughty one, fighting with classmates, standing against to bullies… but Kevin… he never fought. And yet, he always took the blame. He'd get punished just to protect me.
He didn't even want to go to the UK… but he went for his mother. I miss him so much. We still talked on video calls. Then, a year ago, he stopped answering. Mom said maybe he was busy with studies… but I never imagined… he was dead."
Dona asked softly, "How did he die? Was he sick?"
Gabriella shook her head. "I don't know… Auntie Jasmine cried but refused to say. How can we force her?"
Dona hugged her, patting her head gently. "Shhh. It's okay."
Her phone rang suddenly. She pulled back. "Gabby, sit here. I'll attend this call outside. Don't go anywhere, okay?"
Gabriella nodded vaguely, still drunk and dazed.
Moments later, she forgot Dona's words. She stumbled up, searching for her friend, her steps unsteady.
Through the blurred lights of the club, she spotted a jacket—so familiar, like Dona's. She hurried forward.
"Dona!" she cried, wrapping her arms around the figure from behind. "I was searching for you everywhere. Why are you wearing a hat now? And your hair—black before, now short and blond?"
The person froze.
Gabriella clung tighter, whispering like a child, "Please… don't leave me. I need a comfort hug."
The man's eyes widened. That voice… Gabriella? Why is she here?
In front of him, a mirror reflected his face—Jake.
Gabriella's tears wet his jacket. "Dona… I can't forget him…"
Jake stiffened. Who?
"Who can't you forget?" he asked quietly.
She sniffled, almost scolding him. "Are you dumb? I told you the whole story already! It's Kevin… I can't forget him."
Jake's expression darkened. "Was he… your lover?"
Gabriella pulled back slightly, glaring drunkenly. "Why do people always think that? Can't a girl just have a boy as a friend? He wasn't my lover!"
Jake hesitated.
She tilted her head, confused. "Wait… why is your voice… like a man's?"
He didn't reply, only asked gently, "Then… why are you crying so much for him?"
Gabriella's voice broke. "Because he died…"
Her words stabbed Jake's chest like a blade.
Still hugging him from behind, Gabriella held on tightly, her fingers locked around his arms.
"Gabriella!" Dona's voice cut through the noise. She rushed forward, her eyes widening at the sight.
Gabriella turned slowly, dazed, her vision dimming. Before she could even realize what happened, her knees buckled.
Jake caught her swiftly, his arm around her waist.
Dona froze in shock. Her lips parted, whispering, "…Jake…"
For a moment, their eyes met in silence, heavy with unsaid things.
"Can you take her home?" Jake asked softly, steadying Gabriella in Dona's arms.
Dona nodded numbly. "…Yes."
Without another word, Jake released Gabriella and disappeared into the crowd.
Dona stood frozen, her heart pounding, holding her unconscious, tear-stained friend.
---
Morning – Gabriella's House
The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, stinging Gabriella's eyes as she stirred awake. Her head throbbed faintly, remnants of last night's drinking weighing her down.
Her phone buzzed.
"Hello?" she answered groggily.
"Finally, you picked up," Dona's voice teased. "I thought you'd still be drunk in bed, unable to sober up."
Gabriella frowned, rubbing her temple. "What happened last night?"
Dona hesitated. "Ah… that's a big story—"
Gabriella yawned, cutting her off. "Then I'll listen later. Bye."
"No, no—wait—!" But Gabriella had already cut the call.
As she sat up, a memory jolted her awake. The pen drive!
She rang for the maid. "My father said our old things were shifted here. Where are they?"
"Yes, Miss. They're in the storeroom," the maid replied.
Gabriella's heartbeat quickened. "Did you see my old school uniform in those boxes?"
The maid shook her head. "I don't know exactly. Another maid arranged them. I can call her if you like."
Gabriella waved it off. "No need. I'll search myself."
Moments later, she rushed into the dusty storeroom, tearing open boxes, pushing aside books, old photo frames, and bundles of fabric. But the uniform was nowhere. Exhausted, she sank onto the cold floor.
"Where is it…" she whispered desperately.
Just then, another maid entered. "Miss, did you call for me?"
Gabriella shot up, hope surging. "Yes! Where's my old school uniform?"
The maid tapped her chin. "I think I know… wait here." She rummaged through a pile, finally pulling out a faded blazer. "Here it is."
Gabriella's eyes brightened as she snatched it. "Thank you."
The maid tilted her head. "Why do you need the old one? You have new uniforms now."
Gabriella hugged the blazer close. "Because this one… carries too many memories."
"Shall I wash it? It's dusty."
"No. Leave it."
The maid nodded and left.
Once alone, Gabriella's hands shook as she searched the blazer's inner pocket. Her breath hitched. A small, black pen drive slipped into her palm.
Her eyes widened. "O-Oh my God… It was here all along… but I searched everywhere before…"
Her pulse raced. Let's see what evidence is inside.
She bolted back to her room, locked the door, and shoved the pen drive into her laptop. Files appeared. She clicked on the first video.
Her heart stopped.
On the screen, Silver Storm members bullied helpless students.
Raina sneered, grinding her heel on a boy's hand until it bled. "I don't like poor people."
Ronnie punched another boy, laughing cruelly. "If your girlfriend likes you, why was she with me? You're nothing compared to me."
The boy roared back, "We worked hard to study here! Unlike you, who bought your way in with your parents' money!"
Ronnie's face twisted. He kicked the boy to the ground. "You dare talk back? You're worthless!"
The boy gasped, "You trapped my girlfriend with that improper video… delete it or—" He lunged, choking Ronnie by the collar.
But suddenly, a tall figure kicked the boy to the floor.
Ronnie coughed for breath and smirked. "Nice kick, bro."
Han's voice thundered. "How dare you attack us? Without us, you wouldn't even be here."
In the corner, Jake lounged casually on a bench, laptop resting on his legs. He spoke calmly, almost lazily. "I erased all the camera footage. Relax. No one will know."
Raina laughed chillingly. "Good. Then why wait? Punish them. Their cries are music to my ears."
Selina yanked two girls by the hair and shoved them into the swimming pool. Han and Ronnie kicked random students, laughter echoing.
Jake leaned back, sighing. "This is boring. I'm going back to sleep." He lay down, ignoring the chaos.
Raina turned toward someone behind the camera. "Did you like our welcome gift?" she asked with a devilish smile.
The screen glitched, then ended.
Gabriella's hand flew to her mouth. "No… this is worse than I imagined."
She clicked the second file.
This time, the shaky footage showed a boy running, face unclear, chased by a girl with a knife.
Gabriella's heart clenched as the boy stumbled closer to the camera. His frightened face came into focus.
Her lips trembled. "N-No… Kevin…"
Tears blurred her vision.
The girl caught up, slashing his wrist. Blood spilled as Kevin collapsed, gasping in pain.
Gabriella's cries shook her chest. "No… no… this can't be true…"
The girl's face was hidden behind leaves—until she stepped forward, looking into the camera.
Gabriella's body went cold. Her eyes flared red with rage. "You…"
She slammed her laptop shut, hands trembling, and grabbed her phone.
The call connected.
"Hello, Andria," Jasmine's tired voice came through.
Gabriella struggled to breathe. "Auntie… tell me. Did Kevin study in Brighton Wisdom School?"
"Yes…" Jasmine's voice quivered. "Why are you asking?"
Gabriella's tears streamed freely. "What exactly happened to him?"
Jasmine broke down. "He… he committed suicide."
Gabriella froze. "What…?"
---
Brighton Wisdom School – Auditorium
The grand hall buzzed with chatter, packed with students. On stage, Raina stood confidently at the microphone, her Silver Storm members seated beside her—Han, Selina, Ronnie, and Jake, while Principal John looked on proudly.
"Today marks one year of my service as Student Representative," Raina declared with a smile. "If you continue to support me, I promise to work harder for all of you. I believe you'll choose me again!"
Thunderous applause filled the room.
But suddenly, the auditorium doors burst open.
A figure stood framed in the light.
Gabriella.
Her steps were steady, her eyes burning with fury. The crowd hushed as whispers spread.
She stormed forward, her pace quickening. Raina faltered mid-sentence, her confidence wavering.
Before anyone could react, Gabriella mounted the stage in one swift motion.
And then—smack!
The sound of her palm against Raina's cheek cracked through the silence.
The entire hall gasped.
Even the Silver Storm froze, stunned.
Raina clutched her face, eyes wide with disbelief. She had never seen Gabriella like this.
Gabriella's voice thundered, filled with rage.
Her eyes blazed like fire.
---