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Dona's House
The sprawling, ridiculously large Dona House was quiet, but inside one specific room, the energy crackled. It was the "grand room," though it currently looked more like a cave—the thick velvet curtains were sealed, making the mid-afternoon outside feel like midnight.
The only light source was the massive, luminous monitor screen, casting a blue-white glow on Dona's face. She was a whirlwind of focus, her dark hair pulled back in a tight pony tail, dressed in her usual comfortable gaming sweats and an oversized graphic tee. Her lips were moving, a silent mantra of, "No... No... Oh... Yes!"
She ripped off her black and red headset, a rush of triumph flooding her. "I won!" she exclaimed to the empty room, her earlier frustration melting into pure, giddy excitement.
She typed quickly. Hey, why did you join late today?
The response from HotJas was immediate: I had to finish my assignment so I was a bit late, but I'm done now.
Mm. Let's play together, Dona typed.
Give me 2 minutes, I have to find my headset, HotJas replied. On the small webcam feed, only a pair of large hands could be seen, rummaging around. What's your plan after the game?
Dona paused, a little flush crossing her cheeks. She typed a quick lie. Oh, I forgot. I have to meet my bestie after that.
The friend you mentioned before, right? A karate kid and dancer too?
Dona felt a little twinge of curiosity mixed with annoyance. Yes. Wait… Why are you asking about her every time?
HotJas stopped typing. After a moment, the cursor flickered and started again. Actually...
Dona cut him off, a sudden suspicion boiling up. Don't tell me you're interested in her!
What? No! HotJas typed, too quickly.
Are you studying at Brighton Wisdom, or do you know me? Dona pressed.
Are you this curious about me? We can meet one day, HotJas replied, a line that made Dona pause. Was he flirting with me?
No. It's not necessary. I won't meet random boys I play games with.
Dona watched the screen. HotJas—or rather, the person behind the name—must have rolled his eyes in real life. Oh, okay. I found my headset. Let's play.
Oh yes, Dona agreed, her guard still up.
Shall we form an ally to capture the treasure there? Just you and me. No others, HotJas suggested.
Dona blinked, processing the audacity. Hey, wait. I think it's impossible. There are lots of enemies there. How can we suppose to steal the treasure from there?
Aren't you confident in yourself? HotJas baited.
Dona felt a burst of anger at the challenge. I can!
Don't worry. I will be with you. Nothing will happen to you, HotJas promised.
Dona hesitated but typed, Okay.
No more words. I need action only.
They began the game. HotJas's player moved with swift, almost unnatural ease, effortlessly reaching the treasure area and fighting smoothly. Dona's player, meanwhile, managed to get close, but was visibly struggling.
Hey, you said you'd help me! Come help me, everybody surrounded me! Dona typed frantically while playing.
The crushing reply appeared on her screen: Don't call yourself a gamer to anyone else. Look how pathetically you're playing.
Dona typed, What?!
HotJas ignored her, taking down enemies on his side. Dona's player, surrounded and abandoned, was quickly dead.
Dona threw her headset across the dark room. "Damn!"
Hey, HotJas! Where did you go? Because of you, I lost this game!
HotJas typed back: Dona, don't believe other players' words.
On the monitor, HotJas's player smoothly took the treasure. Dona was pissed.
😊 HotJas sent a smile emoji.
Liar! I won't even play with you anymore! She violently shut down her system.
In a different room, in front of a similar glowing screen, Ajax—a tall, lean boy in a dark hoodie and casual pants—leaned back and chuckled, a cold, knowing sound. He took off his own headset and whispered to himself, "Childish."
The Hall of Secrets
At the grand Han House, Gabriella waited in the royal hall. The room was breathtaking—soaring ceilings, intricate carvings, and light oak wood paneling that spoke of old money.
When Han appeared at the top of the sweeping, curved staircase, he rushed down. He wore a simple white sleeve shirt and trousers with sneakers, looking athletic and relaxed, a contrast to the formality of the room. Gabriella stood from the plush sofa, her posture perfect. She offered a small, controlled smile. She was wearing a simple, elegant peach-colored gown that flowed softly to her ankles, making her look both youthful and slightly untouchable.
"What surprise is this?" Han asked, smiling warmly.
"Let's talk in the garden," Gabriella said.
Han nodded, and as they turned to leave, Janette, Han's mother, swept in.
"Gabriella! When did you come?" she asked, a wide, bright smile plastered on her face.
"Just now," Gabriella replied, matching the polite tone.
"Come inside, where are you going?" Janette insisted.
"Mom, maybe later. We have to discuss our school project," Han interjected.
Janette nodded, her smile fixed. "Yes, yes."
As soon as Han and Gabriella were outside, Janette's smile evaporated. Her pleasant demeanor was replaced by a look of sharp suspicion. She walked quickly to her room.
When she opened the door, her husband, Richardson, quickly hid something behind his back. Janette noticed instantly. She rushed to the bedside and snatched the object from behind his back.
Her eyes widened. It was a photo of a beautiful young lady.
Richardson jumped up, clearly panicked. "Honey,—"
Janette's eyes were furious, but her voice was a deadly calm smirk. "Can't still forget her, can you? Your ex-girlfriend." She stared hard at him.
Richardson stammered, "No, honey. I accidentally got that photo from my old bookshelf. Give it back to me."
Janette didn't reply. She threw the photo onto the bed and stalked out of the room. Richardson rushed forward, scooped up the photo, and pressed it to his chest, a palpable wave of relief washing over him.
Royal Garden
Gabriella and Han were walking through the enormous garden, a space that was almost painfully perfect—wide varieties of trees and flower plants, all meticulously cut, reflecting the precision of the family who owned it.
"So… I didn't expect you to come here. Is anything urgent?" Han asked, breaking the silence.
Gabriella flashed a smile. "Is your sister not welcome here?"
Han laughed. "Of course, but when did you start using cringe dialogue?"
Gabriella's face immediately straightened. "Actually, I'm not like that. I don't know why I said that." Her composure was momentarily strained.
Han, casually plucking a flower, said, "You can be yourself. Don't change. I know it takes time for you to accept me as a brother."
Gabriella stopped. She turned to face him, her eyes sincere. "No. I accepted you as my brother when you stood with me. I needed someone that time."
Han felt a rush of genuine, protective sisterly love. "I'll always be with you," he promised.
They began walking again. Gabriella brought up her question casually. "You and Raina have been friends since you were little kids, right?" Han nodded.
Gabriella's voice dropped slightly, becoming intensely focused. "Is it true that Raina dated a guy in our school for two years?"
Han stopped walking instantly, turning to her, his smile gone. "How did you know?"
"I overheard students' conversation. I want to know if that's true," Gabriella said, her heart hammering beneath the elegant peach dress.
"Yes, they dated. Raina even stood against us for him," Han confirmed, his expression grim.
Gabriella's eyes widened, a flicker of something dark dancing there. "Really?"
"Yes."
"Who is he?" Gabriella asked, maintaining a facade of normal curiosity. "How could a boy even love an adamant girl like Raina?"
Han smiled slightly. "You're right. We also had that doubt. But he was serious about Raina. I actually can't remember his name… his name started with K… Aha, I got it. Kevin."
Gabriella froze, staring at Han, her breath catching.
"What? Do you know him?" Han asked, confused by her reaction.
Gabriella shook her head, a denial that felt like a lie. "No. Where is he?"
Han looked down. "He is no longer here."
Gabriella's voice was barely a whisper, her throat suddenly dry. "Is he dead? How?"
"He suicided," Han said, his voice flat with lingering confusion. "I don't know why he did that. He was actually a good student."
Gabriella's whispered response was barely audible: "Yes, he is too good." She controlled her emotions fiercely, pushing back the wave of feeling.
"What?" Han asked.
"Nothing," Gabriella quickly replied, changing the topic. "Where is Grandma?"
"She isn't here. She went to a meeting.
"Oh. Then I have to go now. Dona is waiting for me at the coffee shop," Gabriella said.
"Bye, see you tomorrow," Han replied, relieved by the change in subject.
Gabriella began to walk away, then stopped and turned back. "Don't worry about me. I won't disturb Raina."
Han was genuinely shocked. "Really?"
"Don't be too happy, but it's temporary," Gabriella smirked.
"I know you. If she doesn't cross you, you won't. Otherwise…" Han trailed off.
"Otherwise, I will," Gabriella finished, the earlier simplicity replaced by cold resolve.
Han narrowed his eyes. "But Raina doesn't leave her enemy that easily. Be careful. I know her since childhood, and she is adamant to get anything if she likes it."
Gabriella's smirk widened, a private, dangerous smile that promised trouble.
Han suddenly took a step forward, his friendly gaze turning intense. "Do you really like Jake?"
Gabriella was stunned. Her composure shattered for a fraction of a second. Han stepped closer, gazing into her eyes.
"No," Gabriella whispered, looking away. "I won't allow myself to fall for him."
Han smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "That's better. Because you don't know him as well as I know him."
Gabriella turned, completely confused. What was Han hiding? Did he know somthing about Jake ? And why did her heart skip when Han mentioned Jake? She had come here for a reason, a powerful, dark reason connected to the Kevin, but now Han had raised a curtain of uncertainty, threatening to make her carefully constructed revenge plan fall apart before it even began.
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