The Royal Von Academy's entrance was a sea of luxury cars, neatly parked across the estate, leading right up to the main gate. Uriel drove his sleek vehicle into a reserved spot, where a guard was already waiting, gesturing for him to park.
He glanced at Megara before opening the car door, tossing the keys to the waiting guard. "Be quick, or you're going to be late for class," he said, his voice a low command as he pushed the door open.
Megara shrank into the seat, only her head visible. "Stop it! They're going to see us together, and that will only make things worse," she whispered, her voice laced with panic. Uriel simply chuckled, widening the door to give everyone a better view. "Close it, or I'll stomp on you!" she threatened.
Uriel pulled her out, his grip on her wrist firm but gentle. She instantly turned her back to the incoming crowd of girls. "Stomp on me all you want. At least I'm not the one who's late for class," he said with a smirk, closing the car door and giving her a playful push forward. "Your boyfriend is heading for us," he teased. Megara's fist shot out, connecting with his stomach. He let out a pained groan, clutching his midsection.
"You're such a gossip! Hugo is a friend, not my boyfriend!" she shot back, her hand tightening on her bag strap as she stormed toward the school building.
Uriel followed about ten feet behind her. A path seemed to form in their wake, the students parting to let them pass. Phones were instantly pulled out, and camera shutters clicked as fans shrieked upon seeing him.
Megara reached her locker, pulling out the books and her iPad for the day before stowing her bag away. She slammed the door shut and turned to leave, only to jump back with a yelp as she saw Laura and Jane standing right there, a prankish glint in their eyes.
"Ahhh, Jesus!" she shrieked, and both girls instantly clapped their hands over their ears. "You scared me to death! What are you doing here? Where's Hugo?"
Jane embraced her in a quick hug before gesturing over Megara's shoulder. "He's right there," she said, pointing to the approaching Hugo.
Hugo looked like he'd stepped off the pages of a magazine. His school uniform—black trousers, a purple suit jacket with a golden horse crest on either side of a shield with crossed swords, a black tie, white shirt, and a black inner suit—fit him flawlessly. The hallway was abuzz with girls gushing over how handsome he looked, conveniently forgetting that just last week, they were criticizing him for not being a Z3, a term for a fallen grace.
Jane and Laura giggled at each other, lost in their admiration, but quickly composed themselves when Megara gave them a silent, pleading side-eye.
"We have to admit, he is a cute eye candy," Jane whispered. "How can a human being be so cute?"
Laura shook both Megara and Jane by the arm, her excitement practically vibrating off her. "He must be a beauty king—a true Adonis!" Megara nodded in agreement, a sigh of relief escaping her as she finally freed her arm. "I'm just glad I get to sit with this handsome man since he's my friend."
Megara rolled her eyes at their antics. "Do you want to eat him? He's a model; models are supposed to look good," she pointed out, but Jane gave her a look that said, Seriously, are you kidding me?
Hugo navigated the swarm of girls, finally making his way to the three friends. "Sorry for the delay, girls. As you can see, those fake fan girls were blocking the entrance," he said, slightly out of breath. Jane and Laura immediately went into full fan-girl mode, thrusting a pen and notepad at him for an autograph.
Megara groaned as they beamed with joy, flaunting the autograph to the jealous crowd. Finally, she and Hugo were alone. "Yeah, that's definitely not going to sit well with your female fans," Megara said, pointing at the girls whispering in the hallway.
Hugo chuckled, patting her head affectionately like she was a puppy. "Who cares about them?" He turned his head to glare at the girls before facing her again. "Anyway, how was your night? Did you sleep well?"
"I did sleep well, but you don't look like yourself today," she said, her voice filled with a hint of genuine concern. "Are you sick?" She reached out, placing the back of her hand on his forehead to check his temperature before checking her own. "Your temperature is fine, but your eyes say otherwise."
Hugo almost choked on her words. He felt completely exposed, as if she could read right through him. There was no way he was going to tell her he had spent the night kneeling in the cold outside their mansion after his father had punched him. He'd used two layers of foundation to hide the injury and maintain his composure.
"You've heard the saying, 'Don't judge a book by its cover.' I'm a model, and my eyes are meant to be filled with emotion," he said, trying to deflect. She gave him a weary look. "That's how we models roll."
Megara clutched her iPad to her chest, glancing at Jane and Laura, who gave her a thumbs-up. "Anyway, if you say so, but you know my intuition never lies." She turned to leave, but Hugo gently pulled her, guiding her to the end of the hallway and into the janitor's closet.
Megara looked around the small space before staring at him in confusion. "What are you doing? Are you okay?" she asked, but Hugo's chest tightened with a dark cloud of emotion.
He cornered her against the wall, his hand pressing against it, trapping her. "Did you get into Uriel's car this morning?" he asked, his voice low, possessive, and thick with anger.
Megara tried to speak, but he placed his index finger over her lips. "Don't lie to me, Megara. I saw you both walking out of the garage together, and he held the car door open for you—just like I used to." She almost chuckled at his possessiveness, but held it in, a thrill of power running through her.
Is he jealous? she asked herself, a smile playing on her lips. But Hugo's intense gaze demanded an answer.
Megara gulped, pushing his hand away to ease the tension. "Calm down, Hugo. He offered me a ride to school since I was running late, and there's no way in the world I was going to share a car with that Lilith Lacey." But Hugo didn't budge.
He met her gaze, his honey-brown eyes locking onto hers. "You could have just called me. I would have had Tobi pick you up or sent a guard for you. You absolutely can't go anywhere near Uriel," he said, his voice laced with a deep, protective worry. He held up her hand, checking for any sign of a struggle. "Did he hurt you?"
Megara pulled her hand away, visibly annoyed. "I don't like this, Hugo! I adore you as a big brother because you've been so nice and have proven that you can be rich but also kind," she said, and a flicker of pain crossed his face as his hand fell. "But this is too much. I'm not weak; I can handle myself."
"But... but he could have harmed you, given that you're sworn enemies and his hate is so obvious," he stuttered, cupping her cheeks. "I don't want you getting hurt again because of him."
"He didn't do anything to me. Or do you want to see his funeral on the media?" she asked with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Just believe me, okay?"
Hugo nodded like a child taking candy. Megara smiled at him, patting his shoulder before pulling him into a heartfelt hug. "I believe you, Megara, but I'm afraid you'll fall for him and leave me behind." The confession stunned Megara, but she quickly dismissed it as a simple friendly worry.
"Nah, that's impossible. He's a brute and a rude brat. Who would fall for a person like that?" she replied, a hint of disgust in her voice. "I'm busy with my education and don't have time for such complications." Hugo pulled away, a small smile on his face.
"I'm glad you're my friend."
"I'm glad too," she replied. "Now, let's head to class."
They walked out of the janitor's closet and into the classroom, leaving the tense moment behind them.
DURING BREAK PERIOD, BOXING HALL.
Sweat poured down Megara's face as she pummeled the heavy bag, a relentless blur of purple jersey and powerful fists. The gym, empty and echoing, was her secret refuge during the break period—a place where no one else cared about the brutal, rhythmic art of boxing. It was a place where she could finally clear her head.
Megara paused, catching her breath as she held the bag steady. She walked to a nearby table, grabbing her white towel to wipe the sweat from her eyes before downing half of her water bottle. The weight of her thoughts settled back on her shoulders: her father's recent recruitment into the army, the lonely mansion she now shared with her hateful aunt and scheming cousin, and the unsettling presence of her uncle. Each punch grew heavier, fueled by the turmoil swirling inside her.
She replayed her earlier encounter with Hugo, the possessiveness in his eyes that had both irked and intrigued her. She tried to dismiss it, telling herself it was just genuine care, and that romance was a luxury she couldn't afford—besides, she was far too "unattractive" for him anyway.
Then, a new voice echoed in her mind, a new face flashing behind her eyes: Uriel.
"I want your attention, Megara. I want you to look at me and smile the way you smile at Hugo."
Megara hit the bag harder, trying to push his words away.
"I want that smile to be mine alone, and I know just how to get it."
The voice, the memory, tormented her. She struck the bag with such force that the chain snapped, and the heavy sack crashed to the floor.
"Ugh! Shit!" she cursed, pulling at her hair in frustration. "Get out of my head!"
"You do have a lot of fist power for a girl," a voice said smoothly. Megara's head whipped around to see Uriel descending the stairs, a food tray in his hand. "I hope I'm the one you were thinking about."
"Hahaha, very funny, dimwit," Megara retorted, her chest still heaving. "I'm thinking of a thousand ways to get rid of you."
Uriel dramatically clutched his chest, feigning shock.
"The feeling is mutual," he retorted, settling his food tray on the table.
"Why are you here, Uriel?" she asked, her voice sharp with annoyance.
"Well, I was hoping to watch a good boxing match," Uriel said, gesturing with his head toward the fallen punching bag. "But it seems you ended it prematurely."
Megara rolled her eyes and walked over to a chair, sinking into it to catch her breath.
"Hungry?" he asked, holding out a slice of olive and chicken pizza. "Eat up."
She eyed the slice warily. "Is it poisoned? And why would I ever trust you?"
Uriel chuckled, grabbing a slice for himself. He took a bite, eating it with a deliberate slowness while maintaining eye contact. A blush crept up Megara's neck, but she quickly looked away. She tried to stand up to leave, but her stomach rumbled loudly, betraying her. She hadn't eaten anything since the night before.
Uriel held out another slice. "Go on," he said softly.
They ate in an awkward silence, sharing the pizza until only one slice remained. He offered it to her, but she shook her head. "We have to share it equally," she said, suggesting a game of rock, paper, scissors.
"Only kids do that," he scoffed, his lips curling into a smirk.
"And you're trying to act like a mature adult but end up just being a freak," she shot back.
He expected to feel the familiar surge of anger—the symptoms of his Intermittent Explosive Disorder flaring up. Even his friends, Zack and Hugo, had to walk on eggshells around him to avoid a fight. But with her, he remained calm, smiling as if nothing had happened.
Megara picked up his apple juice and took a long drink before handing him the bottle. As he drank, she found herself watching his Adam's apple bob with each swallow. When he caught her staring, she quickly averted her gaze.
"That's an indirect kiss, you know," he teased, a playful glint in his eyes.
Megara almost choked, then reached out and smacked him on the head.
"You're such a pervert," she grumbled, rubbing her knuckles.
"And you're a mob," he shot back.
"Arrogant."
"Unattractive auntie."
Megara rolled her eyes. "If you need a kiss so badly, go get yourself a girlfriend and stop bothering me."
"You should cherish this moment," Uriel said, leaning back with a smug grin. "A lot of girls would kill to share a bottle with me."
"Well, I'm not 'a lot of girls'," she retorted, her voice firm. "I'm Megara. You should remember that."
Uriel tilted his head, a cocky grin on his face. "I can obviously see that. No girl acts like that," he pointed out, tossing his water bottle aside. "And a point of correction: don't punch with your arm shortened. You'll strain yourself and hurt your shoulder."
Megara rolled her eyes, hissing, "Yeah, correction taken. I just had a lot on my mind lately." Her head dropped low.
"Yeah, this is the first time you've actually taken a correction seriously. I see it's an upgrade," he said, and the compliment didn't slide without Megara giving him a withering side-eye. "Don't give me that look! I'm serious. All you ever do is try to oppose me."
"Well, if you weren't such an ass, I wouldn't," she retorted, her voice sharp with anger.
Uriel stood up from his chair and walked to the locker, pulling out a hand wrap and a boxing glove. Megara stared at him blankly, wondering what he was doing as he walked back toward her, holding the gear in his hands.
Megara cleared her throat, slipping on the gloves. "What do you think you're doing?"
He scoffed, clashing his gloved hands together. "What do you think? I'm getting ready to box. It's just the two of us here who are actually interested in this sport," he replied, lightly punching the air.
"Okay... but why would I want to box you?" she asked awkwardly, her hostility evident. "I could just destroy your shoulder with my powerful attack, and then you'll have a million lawyers at my door the next minute."
"Because your bag is obviously ruined," he said, gesturing to the damaged bag. She sighed in defeat. "Plus, I want to see what makes you so sure you can defeat me."
"Fine," Megara said, launching an attack at Uriel, who narrowly dodged before returning a punch. Unbeknownst to them, Hugo remained hidden behind the door, watching them intently, his heart aching with an unfamiliar pain.
Hours later, the monotonous drone of class was broken by a familiar voice crackling over the loudspeaker. Uriel. The radio came to life with his smooth, confident tone, a stark contrast to the classroom's silence. He greeted the students of Royal Von High, his voice laced with the kind of casual authority only he possessed.
"I'm hosting a pool party at my private villa in Knightsbridge," he announced, the words hanging in the air like a challenge. "Everyone's invited. Or else it's a whole semester of bullying. You know the drill."
Megara groaned, burying her face in her hands. She knew he'd said that just for her, a calculated move to ensure she had no choice but to show up. Graduation was on the line, and as much as she hated to admit it, Uriel would make it difficult for her.
Her friends, Jane and Laura, were immediately buzzing with excitement. They huddled around her, their voices a flurry of plans and promises. "You'll be the gem of the night!" Jane squealed. "We'll do your makeup!"
Megara rolled her eyes. "Don't be ridiculous. I don't wear makeup."
"Well, you should!" Laura chimed in. "It would suit you perfectly. Don't worry, we've got you."
The pool party wasn't the only thing on Megara's mind. Hugo hadn't shown up for class, and it bothered her more than she cared to admit. She'd seen the sadness in his eyes that morning, but he had brushed it off, a flimsy "I'm fine" that didn't convince her for a second.
She recalled her sparring session with Uriel. To her surprise, he hadn't been a complete jerk. There was a moment—a flash of something genuine—that contradicted the arrogant persona he so carefully maintained. But she couldn't let her guard down. Trusting Uriel felt like stepping onto a landmine.
Suddenly, Uriel's voice broke through the radio again. "Miss boxing, make sure my coffee is delivered. Or else you know what happens."
A hot wave of annoyance washed over her. She cursed inwardly, her fingers flying over her phone screen. Since when were we close enough for me to be your personal barista? she texted.
His reply came not on her phone, but through the loudspeaker, echoing through the silent classroom. "Since you caught my eye."
A ripple of whispers spread through the room. Megara felt her face flush. Don't get ahead of yourself, she typed, her thumbs shaking slightly.
Uriel's voice returned, a low, teasing chuckle. "I'm always one step ahead of myself."
Megara felt her friends' curious gazes on her. She quickly hid her phone, the heat in her cheeks refusing to subside. She wondered why her heart was doing things it had never done before, fluttering at Uriel's teasing remarks while remaining steady and calm around Hugo. She shook her head, forcing herself to focus on the computer screen in front of her.
A text from Uriel popped up. His name, "Mr. Arrogant," appeared on the screen, followed by a message that made her breath catch: I have a lot of surprises in store for you.
Meanwhile, in the media room, Uriel disconnected the microphone. His friend Zack playfully clapped him on the shoulder. "So, who's the lucky girl everyone's buzzing about?" Zack asked, showing him the school's online forum. The headline blared: "THE HANDSOME KING OF ROYAL VON JOKES OVER THE RADIO TO HIS MYSTERIOUS CRUSH AMIDST THE POOL PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT."
Uriel just grinned, a playful, secretive look on his face. "It's no one," he said, the lie tasting sweet on his tongue. "That's the school's specialty gossiping. It will die down sooner than later.
"I don't think so. Zack smirked but Uriel remains indifferent sipping his apple juice.
Zack's expression turned suspicious, but before he could press the matter, the door burst open. It was Hugo, his face a mask of fury.
Uriel looked towards Hugo who doesn't hide his anger before him his face plastered with a mischievous smirk leaving Zack at a loss for word as he stares at both of them.
Zack trying to ease the tense atmosphere palmed the seat next to him. "Hey yo come sit I haven't seen you in a while sup? Hugo is silent but glares at Uriel stunning Zack.
Uriel stood up and walks towards Hugo both of them engaging in a stand off as he towered above Hugo. "That's a heavy makeup you're wearing Hugo did you get into a fight? He asked sarcastically reaching out for his tie but Hugo pushed his hand aside. "Oh that's new don't tell me you came here to just stare at me all day.
Hugo's face contorts in anger but uriel remains unfazed sizing him up. "Stay away from Megara Uriel I'm not asking and I won't say it again. He said in warning tone. "I'm in love with her and I won't let anything or anyone come between us.
Uriel is momentarily stunned as he laughs. "Ooh finally Hugo's in love. He teased moving backwards as though to get a better look at him. "I'm glad you fell in love with her but that's not my problem it's yours. I'm not stopping you from loving her am I?
Zack stood between them his hand on Hugo's heaving chest and on Uriel's shoulder. "What's going on between you two and Megara? He asked confused before staring at Uriel. "Don't tell me you're in love with her.
"Me? Uriel asked pointing to himself but Zack gives him a don't lie to me look. "Don't be ridiculous! I'm just intrigued by her it's just an infatuation it will pass.
"Either way being with her is kind of fun makes me want to toy with her. He added a mischievous glint in his eyes upon seeing Hugo's angry face.
Zack stares at him for a while but Hugo tries to lung forward but Zack tackled him backwards by grabbing his shoulder in a cuff hold when he tries to retaliate. "Calm the fuck down and don't make me say it again. He turns pointing at both of them. "This nonsense between you two and Megara has got to stop.
Zack's fury flared. He ran a frustrated hand through his fiery red hair packed sleek into a ponytail and pointed a finger at both of them. "This has to stop," he bit out, his voice low and dangerous. "This has to stop before Megara ends up like Aliyah Norman."
Uriel went from simmering rage to outright fury. "Don't you dare bring her up!" he snarled, a visceral disgust on his face. He turned his eyes on Hugo, a cold, hard glint in their depths. "I'm not finished with her yet. Not until I've accomplished what I came here for and you better not stand in my way."
He turned on his heel and stormed out, the door slamming shut behind him with a final, echoing crash that made Pedro and Chris flinch. Chris immediately followed, leaving a stunned Pedro by the door.
Zack stood motionless, his mind reeling from Uriel's words. He couldn't believe his two best friends had come to this because of a girl. "I have to fix this," he muttered, the thought already a desperate promise. He walked over to Hugo, who stood in a daze, his fists still clenched.
"Don't worry," Zack said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'll talk to him."
Hugo looked up, his face a mask of worry. "Zack... i can't believe Uriel still blames me for Aliyah's death," he whispered, his voice cracking. "This is his revenge, and Megara is the target."
"That's impossible he wouldn't have anything to do with Megara whom he already has a disliking to," Zack argued, though a cold dread was already forming in his stomach. "We've been friends for far too long.
"Is it?" Hugo countered, his stare unwavering. "You know how he is. Uriel doesn't do anything without an agenda and a through backup plan."
"Then you have to win her," Zack said, his voice firm. "Keep her away from him, at all costs. It's getting dangerous."
Hugo moved toward the door. As he pushed it open, he came face to face with Pedro.
"Boss knows what he's doing so I suggest you don't get involved," Pedro warned, his eyes holding a gravity that chilled Hugo to the bone. "Things are already getting dangerous for Z3 and for Megara. If word gets out that we're fighting over a girl, everything Z3 has worked for will be over."
Zach strode toward Pedro and Hugo, his usually flirty, peaceful demeanor shifting to something dangerous. His electric blue eyes flashed with fierce anger.
"It's your fucking job to make sure words don't get out," he said. Pedro stepped aside, letting Hugo exit. "Pedro, you should know your boundaries and just be a good boy. Don't make me repeat myself."
Pedro nodded, and a faint smirk played on Zack's lips.
"Sebastian Norman is in school, and it's most likely he's here for revenge," Pedro said, and Zack halted. "I plan on telling the boss, but he seems unhappy."
Zack walked back to him, palming his shoulder in a reassuring manner and adjusting his smudged tie. "Don't worry, I'll relay the message myself. Just don't forget to keep a close watch on him. I have a feeling from this semester going forward, we're in for a nice show."
He walked away. Pedro arranged his collar before walking into the media room, closing the door. He carefully connected the CCTV cameras to his laptop, his gloved hands moving with unreadable speed. He tapped enter, and all the memories of their conversation stored on the security server were disconnected and destroyed. He slipped out of the room, closing the door just before the student media board president could return.