★★★MIGUEL'S HOUSE★★★
The apartment's heavy door swung shut behind Rafael as he and Damien trudged in, their exhaustion palpable. They flopped onto the couch, the worn cushions exhaling a soft sigh beneath their weight. Michelle, however, bypassed the living room altogether, her footsteps light as she disappeared into the sanctuary of her room, the door clicking shut behind her.
Rafael and Damien erupted into laughter, their tiredness momentarily forgotten. "Can you believe Claudia's project partner is Daniel?" Rafael chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "She was gunning for Miguel, wasn't she?"
Damien snorted, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh man, if I were her partner... I'd make her work her butt off." Rafael joined in, their laughter filling the room as they joked about the humorous ways they'd torture Claudia if they were her partners. The camaraderie was infectious, and they reveled in the lighthearted banter.
As their laughter subsided, Rafael started being sarcastic . "You know, I actually like Daniel. He's cool." Damien laughed "Same, man. He's a good dude. Claudia sorry, you'll like Daniel too. Maybe you should switch partners with Claudia, Rafael."
"You're sick."
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, and soon they were giggling about Gabriela being Miguel's project partner and the fact that they'd be working at Professor Liz's house.
Rafael stood up, his movements purposeful. "I've got to head out. I've got the project meeting with Isabella." He ambled into his room, emerging moments later with his backpack slung over his shoulder, books and pens neatly packed. Damien watched him go, a smile still playing on his lips.
"Later, man," Damien said, settling in for a bit more TV time before heading out to meet Michelle for their own project. Rafael skipped out of the house, his step lightening as he disappeared into the evening.
In the living room, Damien was engrossed in the TV show, his laughter punctuating the air. Suddenly, the TV screen went dark as Michelle emerged from her room and abruptly switched off the TV. Her sudden movement seemed to bring an abrupt halt to the relaxed atmosphere, leaving an unsettling silence in its wake.
The cool smile stayed on Damien's lips.
"How are you doing, Michelle?"
"Let's start this, formally. Please." She sat next to him. Damien's heart started racing.
"What do you want us to do? At least, to get the most grades." Michelle asked.
"I think we should make matching T-shirts."
"Sounds ridiculous." Damien's eyes widened.
"Ridiculous? How could you say that? What's your idea?"
"Why don't we design bottles to promote sales and gift the entire school? That would be nicer."
~~~~~~~
Gabriela alighted from the cab at Professor Liz's house, it was a two-storey with a golden gate.
The gate opened immediately the guards saw her and with a straight face, she entered the building.
"Gabriela! You're here!" Professor Liz's daughter Phoebe welcomed Gabriela nicely and ushered her to their plush sofa.
She sat, her eyes scanning every furniture and pictures around the house.
"Miguel and I began the project when you said you weren't interested in working with him. My mama caught me and scolded me a little. Sadly I had to stop."
"Is Miguel doing it alone now?"
"Alone? Of course not. Didn't Mom tell you he was your partner?"
"Sadly," she tried to use Phoebe's tone, "He is."
Miguel's loud footsteps from the stairs attracted the girls and they turned to look at him. He was wearing a white tank top and red tight shorts.
He got down the stairs and clicked his fingers in their faces. They jolted back to reality.
"Why are you guys staring like that? Mesmerized by my biceps?"
"Something like that..." Phoebe replied, biting her lower lip seductively.
"Phoebe and I got different thoughts about your biceps."
"Really? Spill it." He stared at Gabriela with a disgusted expression.
"I think your mama made a mistake. Instead of praying for her only son to have big brains, she decided that having big biceps are more imperative." Gabriela replied sassily. Phoebe giggled.
"Oh really? Your expression said otherwise." Miguel retired on the other couch.
"I wasn't drooling. I would rather die than drool over you. I'm different from the other girls."
"Let's get to work, Phoebe. I don't know what this bitch wants from us."
"Bitch? Your sister is a...." Gabriela stopped herself from completing the sentence.
"So, Gabriela. Miguel and I decided to print a magazine that discusses and promotes sales. It's gonna be a school magazine, with the help of my mom, and the head of the college, you guys stand a chance of getting the highest grades." Phoebe explained. Gabriela kept her deadly gaze on Miguel and he didn't take his eyes off her too.
"Did you hear me?" They both flinched.
"Huh?"
"Why the fuck did your mom choose this loser to be my partner? She's not even attentive." Miguel faced Phoebe. Phoebe chuckled.
"Staring at you makes me sick. That's why I can't do this project." Gabriela stood up to leave and unfortunately for her, Professor Liz entered.
"How's the work?" She asked her daughter.
"They can't stand each other. Maybe Gabriela should leave." Phoebe replied her mom.
"Gabriela Flores. Miguel Jackson. What is wrong with you two? Do you want the grades or not?" They didn't respond.
"If you're not interested in this project, you can leave. You act as though this project isn't important."
"I'm sorry, professor Liz. I'm not asking for much. I need a new partner." Gabriela pleaded.
"You're not getting a new partner. Get to work right now." Professor Liz headed upstairs, and Phoebe made sure she was out of sight before continuing.
"Gabriela, do you have any ideas to add to the magazine? We can write them down." Phoebe was holding a notepad.
"To increase sales, businesses should focus on customer acquisition and retention by building trust through excellent service and targeted marketing, optimizing sales and marketing processes with data-driven insights and technology, increasing the value of each transaction with upsells and bundles, and expanding reach through partnerships, social media, and new markets. Customers should be understood, trust should be well-built, digital channels should be used to reach out to buyers, like social media online presence, offer customer rewards and..."
"Diversifying sales channels is a strategic way to enhance business growth and increase revenue. By leveraging - "
"I wasn't done talking..."
"multiple avenues, such as e-commerce platforms....
" Focusing on your customers and how they respond to different sales and marketing strategies...."
"Using multiple channels allows you to reach more customers. Relying on a single channel can be risky."
"GUYS!" Phoebe snapped loudly.
"I didn't catch a single thing!"
"Gabriela, what is wrong with..." Miguel wanted to scold her.
"What is wrong with my smartness?" Gabriela interrupted him with a boast.
"The White's Academy was incomplete without a girl with a rich father to donate for the school. Now, with you in our college, I feel like The White's is finished." Miguel shot at her. Gabriela's eyes widened.
"Oh yeah? The college would have been better if they didn't have a guy who glorifies bullies."
"How is it that you know everything - except the time to shut up? That means you're not smart at all."
"You remind me of my dog, who chases his own tail for entertainment." Gabriela mocked.
"Why are your lips like that?"
"Wanna kiss them?" Miguel stopped in his speech at her question, his eyes widening.
"No, it looks like something I drew with my left hand."
"I expected nothing from you, Miguel Jackson, but I'm still disappointed. I mean, you speak like someone fed you in your dreams."
"I wonder why a disappointment like you was chosen to be the Flores heiress."
"It should have been you, right?" Gabriela asked in a sarcastic tone.
"You're so stupid, Gabriela. Having a partner like you is bad luck for me."
"I'm having a headache right now! I would have been saved from so much crisis if your parents protected themselves then!"
"You think you're the clapback queen."
"Of course I am."
"You're nothing but a loser."
"Compared to you, I'm winning." Gabriela winked.
"I prefer slipping into slime than talking to you."
"How about you slip into something more comfy....like a coma?" Gabriela said with a smug smile.
Miguel gritted his teeth.
" You foul loathsome evil tiny fucking cockroach!"
"You mean a good-looking princess?"
"You got your good looks from your mother. I heard she was a plastic surgeon." Gabriela was taken aback.
"This is an excellent time for you to become a missing person."
"You tiny brained wiper of other people's bottoms!"
"Ugh, you baboon faced bastard!" They were silent for a second.
"Are you done? Can I speak now?" Phoebe asked them in a pissed voice.
"Speak to Gabriela, she's going crazy."
"You're intellectually retarded, Miguel."
"I don't reply garbage trucks."
"Garbage trucks like me drive away because they can't stand your sh!t."
"ENOUGH!" Phoebe shouted.
~~~~~~~ THREE HOURS LATER ~~~~~~~~~
"Mom... I have something to tell you." The youngest daughter of the mermaid queen, Princess Cordelia said.
"I've finally thought of what I want from you on my 18th birthday." The Queen was all ears for her daughter's wish.
"I want you to speak to the Sea Prince on my behalf. I'm deeply in love with him and I would like us to be married."
"Oh really? That's a good idea, but its gonna be really hard since he is cursed. He is a wanderer, searching for his treasure. The woman who would break his curse."
"Can't I break the curse?" Princess Cordelia asked. The mermaid queen chuckled.
"No my dear, you're not able to break the curse because you're not his true love." Princess Cordelia grumbled.
"But Mom, I love him! Find a way to talk to him. I want to get married to the Sea Prince and nothing else! That's the only thing I want for my eighteenth birthday! Do it - or lose me forever!"
~~~~~~
Gabriela woke up in the dark and she remembered she was still at Professor Liz's house.
"Phoebe?"
"Miguel?" She called but there was no response. She found her way and turned on the lights.
Gabriela stared at the clock. It was 10pm.
She ascended the stairs, expression mixed with tension and good nature.
"What the hell? Who is Princess Cordelia? A new character in this stupid dream of mine? Arggghhh! What do I do to stop this?"
She pushed open the first door she saw quietly and peeped.
Her lips parted.
Was it what she was thinking?
She barged in and the sight was unbelievable.
Miguel took his hardness back into his shorts while Phoebe wrapped herself hurriedly with a sheet and hugged her knees to her chest, hot with shame.
Books were scattered on the ground.
They both stared at Gabriela with shocked and anxious expressions.
"Did you...did you both drug me to do this?"
"No, no, no, Gabriela. We...didn't..." Phoebe replied in an innocent shaky voice.
"Miguel, you're...fu..cking Professor Liz's daughter?"
"You are so dead." Gabriela turned to leave and they both yelled.
"NO!" Miguel grabbed Gabriela's wrist.
"How old are you , Phoebe? Agreeing to the advances of this jerk? You are a sick pathetic girl!"
"She seduced me, Gabriela." Gabriela yanked her hand off.
"Save it. I'm telling her mom right now." She walked out. Miguel went after her, shutting the door and grabbing her wrist again. Gabriela stopped.
"Gabriela Flores, please. Please don't do this to me." He pleaded.
"Please."
"Wow. The great Miguel Jackson, crying to an ordinary girl like me. Wow. I feel superior." Gabriela said in a casual tone. Miguel felt like slapping her but he couldn't do that right now.
"I will keep your secret." She leaned closer in a whisper.
"But there's a string attached."
"Tell me."
"Michelle. Treat her with some respect. Treat her like your sister. Love her. Buy her presents. Tell everyone and warn them not to disregard her. End those bullies who tortured her in high school."
Miguel sighed.
"I will."
"And me. Don't you dare insult me. Else, I'll just spill it." Miguel nodded. She realized he was still holding her wrist.
He freed her from his grip.
"I hope...you didn't see anything." He wanted to confirm.
"Of course not. That part of you is still private." She smiled and winked.
Miguel watched her leaving the house until she was out of sight.
~~~~~~~~~
After their first three lectures, it was lunch time. Gabriela saw Michelle alone in a corner as usual.
"Michelle, hi." Michelle waved. Gabriela sat next to her.
"How was the project with Damien? Was he annoying?"
"No....he's a great listener. And he's intelligent too."
"I can't wait to see your work." Gabriela said with an encouraging smile.
"Tomorrow is Professor Jennie's wedding. With your dad." Gabriela remembered and rolled her eyes.
"Please, honor my invite, Michelle."
"I don't think so. I don't know what to wear and plus, Claudia and her minions will be present."
"No! You don't have to be scared of them, okay?"
"Hey, Gabriela. Wanna sit on the same table?" Gabriela was surprised to see Miguel offering her a hand.