"My dear Alejandro, from the moment I met you, I knew that you were someone special. Today, I stand before you, promising to love and cherish you through all of life's joys and challenges. You are my partner, my best friend, and my soulmate.You make me laugh when I need it most, you listen to me when I need someone to talk to, and you support me in everything I do. Your kindness, your patience, and your love inspire me to be a better person.As we stand here today, I promise to stand by your side through thick and thin. I vow to love you, to support you, to laugh with you, and to cry with you. I promise to be your rock, your safe haven, and your forever home.I love you for who you are, and for who you help me to be. I love your strengths and your weaknesses, your passions and your quirks. I love our late-night conversations, our silly jokes, and our deep, meaningful talks.
As we begin this new chapter in our lives, I promise to hold your hand, to cherish you, and to love you with all my heart and soul. I promise to build a life with you that is filled with love, laughter, and adventure. I love you, Alejandro, now and forever." Alejandro smiled and said his vows.
After exchanging rings, the priest then said,
"You may now kiss your bride," and Mr. Alejandro lifted Jennie's veil and kissed her. The priest declared,
"I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Flores," and the guests erupted in applause.
"Did you hear them? Late night talks? Silly jokes?" Isabella and Diana laughed. Gabriela laughed shortly.
"It means Claudia now has equal right with you in this house, Gabi. Are you just going to sit and watch this happen?" Diana asked Gabriela.
"Of course. I'll let it all happen. But, Claudia and Jennie will have to let me have my way, later." Gabriela said with a smirk.
"I'm turning 18 in the next two months." Gabriela remembered.
"We're gonna party!" The girls did a happy dance.
"But, Claudia is turning 20. Does it mean that she gets to be the new heiress?" Diana thought aloud.
"Obvi." Isabella nodded.
"Nonsense! Dad would never do that to me."
~~~~~ WEDDING NIGHT ~~~~~
Jennie and Alejandro sat on their matrimonial bed in the dark, drinking exquisite alcoholic wine. Candles were arranged around an 'I LOVE YOU' rose petal design and they stared at each other lovingly.
"I'm the happiest bride in the world right now." Jennie broke the silence.
"Really?" Jennie nodded.
"I can't believe it. Us, married? Me, married to the third richest man in the entire country. Why shouldn't I be the happiest woman? I wasn't this happy during my first marriage."
"Hmm."
"And when we took the pictures, our daughters look so happy together. They are gonna get along so well."
"Yeah. Seems. Gabriela has a problem with her but since they are both attending The White's Academy, I think I should arrange for Claudia to move in with Gabriela and her friends so they'll get closer." Alejandro replied.
The door flung open and the couples' eyes widened.
"There's no space." Gabriela entered and they heaved a sigh of relief.
"You scared us Gabriela!" Jennie half yelled.
"I didn't mean to, Professor." Gabriela faked an apology, spinning the glass of red wine in her hand.
"Gabriela. Jennie and I are married. You should call her Professor only when you're in college. But when you're home, she's your mom."
"My mom is dead." Gabriela snapped. Alejandro was furious. Jennie touched his hand.
"My love, Gabriela and I are used to the Professor-student thing. One day, she'll get acquainted with the new title."
"She should be acquainted now!"
"Don't yell, my love. We've had a stressful day."
"Indeed." Gabriela said with a mischievous chuckle.
"By the way, why did you barge into my matrimonial bedroom like that? What do you want? Money for your upkeep? Shopping? I'll give it to you." Gabriela walked closer to them, still spinning the wine in her fingers.
"We haven't had time to talk since the wedding. I wanted to congratulate you...." The wine was about to fall and it startled them.
Gabriela wanted to save the glass but splashed the red wine on Jennie's wedding dress in the process. Jennie gasped loudly.
"Oops."
"Have you gone insane? Look at my dress!" Jennie roared, staring at the stain with disgust and anger. She tried to wipe it off.
"The dress is ruined. Aw, poor thing!" Gabriela pretended to be sorry.
"GABRIELA!" Alejandro growled. Gabriela flinched.
"Get out! Right now!" Gabriela walked out of their room angrily.
"How could Dad yell at me all because of that witch, Jennie?"
~~~~~~~~~~
The morning lectures were almost commencing and students were coming in with their books.
Claudia, Nadia and Sandra looked furious and they stormed to Gabriela's seat.
"You little piece of shit. How dare you ruin my mother's wedding dress last night?" Claudia pulled her hair.
"Ow!" Gabriela screamed and all eyes were on them.
She got up and Claudia let go of her, waiting for her response.
"Whoever told you to be yourself really gave you a bad advice. What do you want from me? Ruin my dress too? You're welcome."
"The next time you take your ass to my mother's matrimonial room again, to the extent of ruining her belonging, I'll ruin you, Gabriela Flores." Claudia went to sit and her minions followed.
"You should come with a warning label."
Gabriela wanted to annoy her even more. She went to sit next to Miguel and Diana went to sit in hers, nodding with an understanding look.
"Claudia, look."
"What?" Claudia fumed in her seat.
"Again??"
"These two are dating!"
"Did you notice he was complimenting Gabriela during the wedding?" The talks among students made Claudia's blood boil.
"I'm going to kill that bitch."
"Why are you here, Gabriela?" Miguel asked.
"Shh."
The professor came in.
Phoebe isn't here." Gabriela thought aloud.
"She's ill." Miguel replied.
"Ill or pregnant?" Gabriela smirked and Miguel rolled his eyes.
"It can't be." Miguel mumbled.
~~~~~~
"Claudia and Daniel, present your project to us." Professor Liz called on Monday morning and duos were ready to show off their project.
"I didn't do this to make couples, but to show the meaning of teamwork and partnership in business. Male and female can be close business associates; without envying, hating or even falling in love. I don't teach - office romance. And I don't advice anyone to engage in it."
"Claudia and Daniel???"
"Professor, we have nothing to present." Daniel said in a lazy and relaxed tone.
"What?"
"She refused to work with me."
"Claudia? Any explanation? Did you choose another partner for yourself?" Claudia rolled her eyes.
"Oh please. You failed. You gave me a wrong partner. Do you think I can associate myself with a guy as gross as Daniel?"
"This is what I mean when I'm talking about partnership in business. If Daniel graduates and becomes one of the most successful businessmen, won't you love to partner with him? It'll be a great opportunity for Flores Corp."
"What would Claudia be doing in Flores Corp? Cleaning." Gabriela said to herself.
"Daniel is a red flag. You should have paired me with Miguel."
Everyone snickered.
Professor Liz shook her head and wrote an F on Claudia and Daniel's box on the whiteboard.
"What does that mean?!" Claudia yelled.
"Failed. You both have failed!" Professor Liz snapped back at her. Claudia took off her sneakers and threw it smack in Professor Liz's face. Some students burst into loud laughter. Others were shocked at the sudden action.
"Claudia Flores! Get out of this lecture room!Two hours in detention!" Claudia stormed out angrily.
"Claudia Flores? Sounds like puke." Gabriela thought inwardly.
The professor called other duos and their presentations were well graded.
"Isabella and Rafael." They both came out presenting a cute black and red poster with 10 strategies to boost sales.
They explained each strategy together and the students couldn't help but admire their chemistry.
"You both get a B." Professor Liz graded them on the whiteboard and they were applauded.
"Damien and Michelle." They both exchanged glances and smiled. They presented their cups, customized with each sales promotion tip.
The students loved the design, and they all wanted it.
"Everyone will be given the cups after the lecture. I want one of these too." Professor Liz smiled and graded them A.
"Miguel and Gabriela." They got a D and made a perfect fool of themselves with stutters. The students had a good laugh.
"Despite the fact that you did the project in my house, your work isn't satisfactory enough. What distracted you? TV?"
"Gabriela didn't work with me. I did this all alone with Phoebe. Phoebe and I worked so hard." Miguel told Professor Liz confidently.
"Yes, Professor Liz. They worked so harddd! The moaning and heavy breaths made it evident." The students burst into giggles and murmurs. Miguel shook his head, washed with embarrassment.
"Moaning? What do you mean?" Professor Liz was confused.
"Phoebe with this loser were doing their project on her bed!" The murmurs grew louder and Professor Liz was furious.
"What?! Explain to me, Miguel. What is she talking about?" Professor Liz couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Miguel was speechless.
"Quiet everyone! Miguel, to detention! The whole day!" She ordered in a loud voice. Miguel walked out, hot with shame.
~~~~~
"I'll have the premium chicken cordon bleu, please. The one with the free-range chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto and Emmental cheese, served with a side of truffle mashed potatoes. Thank you." Gabriela paid for the packed food and walked slowly to detention, clutching it tight.
She noticed that the staff in the detention room was out, and she took quick steps there.
She opened the door and saw Miguel sitting looking troubled and angry. A few rows away, Claudia was sitting, reading a book.
"Um...hi Miguel." She greeted him with a smile.
"What do you want, Gabriela?" He asked dryly.
"You've been here for so long. You must be hungry. I thought I'd buy you some food." Gabriela's smile didn't waver.
"Trying to be nice doesn't make you prettier, Gabriela. What the hell is wrong with you? We had a deal, right? Why did you spill the truth to Phoebe's mom?" Gabriela walked closer and sat next to him.
"Look, I'm sorry. You were making me look like an antagonist. Like I wanted you to fail. You were making it look like I was lazy. I said it out of anger. I'm sorry, Miguel. Please."
Miguel was still frowning. She touched his hand.
"You've done what you wanted to. Land me in detention. Now you're here with food. I don't want any food from you!" He yelled.
"Please eat this. I spent a lot to get it, please."
"$5??"
"Much more."
"Why?"
"I want us to be friends." She spoke, barely above a whisper. Miguel's eyes widened.
"Really?" She flinched.
"Oh no." She thought.
"That would be cool. But I'm not ready to be friends with someone who's proud, rude and lands others into trouble."
"I'll never land you in trouble again, Miguel. Promise." Gabriela raised her pinky finger a little and pouted. She looked cute. He chuckled.
"Yayyy!! He smiled!!!" Gabriela pinched his cheeks. Miguel rolled his eyes.
"You're crazy, Gabriela."
"Are we friends now?" She asked to confirm.
"Of course. Sealed." Claudia walked towards them angrily.
"Miguel, what does this idiot have for you? Food. She hates you. She might poison you." Claudia held his hands and caressed them lovingly.
"Tell her, Miguel. Tell her that we're in love. Tell her to stay away from you!"
"Get a doctor, Claudia. That was in the past." Miguel told her in a pissed voice.
"Dramatic. If you're gonna be two-faced, at least make one of them pretty." Gabriela added.
"And if I really wanted to poison someone, it would be you. Your existence makes me tired of existing." Gabriela stood up to face her.
Claudia was stroking his hair with her fingers.
"Look at us, we look so good together. You are the odd one here, please leave!" Claudia said.
"Please leave me alone, Claudia!!" Miguel shouted at her. Claudia took her hands off his hair and pushed Gabriela slightly.
"Didn't you hear me? I said leave!"
"Go sit. And don't touch a hair on Miguel's head again. Please. Save yourself from more trouble." Gabriela's voice had changed.
She was enraged.
"What will you do if I touched him?"
"You'd regret it." Gabriela's voice was barely above a whisper. Her fist was already clenched.
Claudia went to Miguel and caressed his arm. Gabriela landed a heavy punch on her face and she fell to the ground, pushing the next seat backward and hitting her head.
Blood oozed out of Claudia's nostril.
"Gabriela, leave! Leave right now!" Miguel ordered her. Claudia attacked Gabriela slapping her hard. Gabriela pulled Claudia's hair and she hit her head on the wall hard continuously until it was gushing out blood. Miguel found it hard to separate them.
"Stop it, Gabriela!" Miguel pulled Gabriela away lifting her above the ground by her waist. Her hair was messy. Claudia fell to the ground.
She was fuming.
He was grunting.
"Fuck! She's so heavy!" He was walking backwards.
He wanted to take her out when he bumped into the detention staff.
"What's going on?" The staff's eyes widened to see Claudia on the ground unconscious.
"Miss. Claudia! Miss Claudia! What's wrong with her?" The staff went to Claudia.
"Gabriela, look what you've done." Miguel was scared.
She didn't speak.
He was tightly and possessively grabbing her waist.
And his hand was stained with blood. He fell to the ground.
"Gabriela? Gabriela!!!" Her side was bleeding.
"Sir!!"