The soft morning light spilled into Gabriella's ,grand bedroom. She stood before her dresser mirror, clad in her crisp, newly ironed Brighton Wisdom school uniform: a pleated gray skirt, a white collared blouse, and a navy blue blazer with the school crest embroidered on the chest pocket. Her dark hair was wet from a recent shower, and she was steadily pulling a brush through the long, damp strands.
As the brush worked its way down, she caught sight of something glinting on the mahogany wood of the dresser: the silver chain she'd impulsively taken from Jake's room. It was a simple, yet expensive-looking piece, probably a gift. A flicker of worry crossed her eyes. I have to put it back before I get into trouble, she thought, the casual thrill of the previous night replaced by a sense of impending consequence. Before he knows, I'll put it back.
She picked up the chain, its cool metal a contrast to the warmth of her palm, and slipped it into an inner zip pocket of her black leather backpack. Zipped and secured, she adjusted the bag's straps and turned to leave for school, her expression settling into its usual, controlled neutrality.
In Brighton Wisdom School
Morning
The main courtyard of Brighton Wisdom was a hive of activity. Hundreds of students in their identical uniforms moved with the urgent, noisy energy of the morning, their chatter echoing off the grand, ivy-covered stone walls of the central building. The air was thick with the scent of fresh-cut grass and cheap cologne.
Jake was unmistakably following Gabriella. He walked a comfortable five paces behind her, a slow, deliberate strut. Gabriella knew, of course; she could feel the heat of his gaze and the way the crowd parted slightly for him. But she acted as though she were walking alone, her eyes focused straight ahead.
Whispers zipped through the crowd like static electricity.
"Oh, I think Silver Storm's Jake is chasing Gabriella," a girl in a bright pink headband murmured to her friend.
"Something's definitely going on between them," the friend replied, eyes wide.
Jake enjoyed it. He could hear every envious, speculative comment and let a slow, satisfied smile spread across his lips.
Suddenly, Gabriella stopped dead. She gripped the straps of her backpack tightly behind her back and slowly turned, her face a perfect mask of disinterest.
"Why are you following me?" she asked, her voice flat and without a trace of emotion.
Jake stopped a foot away, his hands casually shoved into the pockets of his gray trousers. "Nothing. I'm not following. You're in my way."
Gabriella's eyes, a surprisingly deep shade of brown, narrowed as she continued to stare at him. "Then where are you heading to?"
Jake leaned in, a conspiratorial glint in his blue eyes. "Where you go."
"Are you that free to follow me?"
Jake flipped a stray lock of his golden hair back from his forehead, a characteristic gesture. As he did, his attention was abruptly drawn away. He noticed a girl's figure in the distance, a fleeting glimpse from the back—the same height and build as the girl who had sneaked into his house.
He narrowed his eyes, his playful mood instantly replaced by a predatory focus. He was about to follow her when Gabriella's voice snapped him back.
"Jake."
He turned back to her, all previous amusement gone. "I'll talk to you later. I have to go now," he said rashly, already pivoting back around. But the figure had vanished, swallowed by the morning crowd.
"What happened?" Gabriella asked.
"A stalker," Jake muttered, his eyes still scanning the faces around them.
Gabriella's eyes widened, a subtle tremor running through her controlled demeanor. "What?"
"A girl who sneaked into my house," he elaborated, his gaze hardening.
That's really me, Gabriella thought. The realization sparked an unexpected, playful smile on her lips.
"What?" Jake asked, his suspicion immediately triggered by her reaction.
"I think you have lots of fangirls in Brighton Wisdom," she teased, the smile growing. "Are you everybody's crush?" She gave him a sharp, bold wink.
Jake paused for a second, then adopted a dramatic, teasing tone. "Are you jealous, my girlfriend?"
"Who is your girlfriend?" Gabriella snapped, her composure cracking with a surge of genuine anger. She turned to leave, but Jake grabbed her hand, his grip firm and unyielding.
"Leave me," she demanded, struggling gently.
Students around them slowed, their gazes drawn to the intense standoff.
Far away, Han and Selina were walking together. They paused as they saw the scene unfold. Han's jaw immediately tightened, and he started to move toward them, with Selina trailing a step behind.
"I'm warning you, leave me," Gabriella repeated, a clear threat in her voice.
He didn't release her. "You accept it," he insisted, his tone abruptly shifting to a lower, darker register. "Your video is still with me."
Gabriella smirked. "Not anymore."
Jake's face registered a moment of shock. He quickly pulled out his phone and checked his gallery. The video wasn't there. He smiled, biting his lip in grudging admiration.
Gabriella leaned in, whispering huskily in his ear. "Did you think I was a fool? I won't let any evidence against me." She paused, then added, "I erased it while we were playing 'couple' yesterday."
Jake just smirked, acknowledging her skill.
She took a step back, her voice now a low warning. "Don't mess with me again."
She went to turn again, but Jake's grip was still like iron on her hand. She pulled, but his hold only strengthened. Jake simply stared at her, his expression a complicated mix of desire and fascination. "I won't."
Suddenly, Han was there. His hand shot out, separating their locked hands and releasing Gabriella from Jake's grip. Jake looked utterly confused, while Gabriella was momentarily shocked.
Han's voice was cold and hard. "What are you doing?"
Before anyone could move, Han's fist shot out and connected squarely with Jake's cheek.
Gabriella gasped, her eyes widening. A ripple of gasps went through the watching students.
Jake staggered back a step, a slow smile returning despite the blow. "Why are you meddling with us?" he challenged.
His question seemed to ignite Han's anger further. Selina, seeing the imminent explosion, grabbed Han's arm. "Han! Jake's right. Why are you meddling with them? Why are you always standing up for this girl?"
Han violently shoved her hand away. "Because," he said, his voice a roar of rage, "she is my sister!"
Selina had never seen Han this angry. Gabriella, too, was stunned by his ferocity.
Jake merely smirked. "Don't joke around with me."
"Then ask yourself," Han shot back.
Gabriella looked around at the stunned faces, then gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod.
Jake couldn't believe it. Selina whispered, "How is this possible?"
"My Auntie's daughter," Han stated. He turned back to Jake, his face set. "Stay away from her."
Jake raised an eyebrow, a cold spark in his eyes. "No."
Han wound up for another punch, but Gabriella instantly moved, stepping into the space between them, standing directly in front of Jake. Han stopped inches away from her face, his fist hanging in the air.
Gabriella stared at him, her expression unreadable. Han slowly lowered his fist, stepping back to his original place. "Are you protecting him?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion and betrayal.
Gabriella didn't reply.
Jake, too, was in disbelief. She was standing up for him. For a second, his hostility melted away, and he looked at her with genuine, uncharacteristic affection.
Selina tugged at Han's arm. "Come with me. I don't want any drama."
Han let her lead him away, but he turned and stared intensely at Jake and Gabriella as they walked off.
Gabriella turned, and only then did she notice the trickle of blood seeping from the corner of Jake's mouth. An unfamiliar feeling—not exactly warmth, but concern—stirred within her. "Come with," she murmured.
Jake, still lost in the affectionate haze of her protection, couldn't hear her. He just stared at her with deep affection.
"Jake!" she called, louder.
He snapped back to reality. "What?" he asked.
"You're bleeding. Come with me to the infirmary."
"Not necessary," he said dismissively, wiping the blood with the back of his hand.
She didn't argue. She simply took his hand and pulled him. He let her.
In Empty Classroom
The empty classroom was dusty and quiet, the morning sun streaming through the tall windows and illuminating the chalk dust motes dancing in the air.
Gabriella had found the first aid box tucked away in a cupboard. She knelt before Jake, who was perched on a student desk, and began to treat his injury. She carefully picked up a piece of cotton and dipped it in an antiseptic solution, gently wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
Jake could hardly believe this was happening. Gabriella, who treated him with such consistent disdain, was tending to his wound. He felt himself melting under the sincere gesture, watching her with deep, unguarded affection.
Gabriella's gaze shifted from his mouth up to his eyes. For a split second, their eyes locked. Jake, startled by the intensity, quickly averted his gaze.
As she continued to apply the ointment, Jake watched her intently. His eyes fixed on her mouth, mesmerized by the way her lips shimmered in the light.
"Why did you make him angry?" Gabriella asked, breaking the silence. "Are you guys really friends?"
Jake smiled. "Of course we are. But… every brother acts like this when it comes to his sister."
Gabriella paused, her mind processing the relationship between the two.
"And," Jake added, his voice dropping to a sincere murmur, "every boy who likes a girl will act like me."
Gabriella's mind blanked for a second, stunned by the sincerity of his words. She couldn't process her thoughts.
Suddenly, Jake leaned in, bridging the small gap between them, and sweetly kissed her lips.
Gabriella was stunned. Her heart hammered against her ribs, and a wave of heat rushed over her face. She blushed, a rare, beautiful sight.
Jake pulled back, smiling gently.
The spell was broken. Gabriella's surprise turned to a rush of panic, and she instantly shoved him away. She scrambled to her feet and rushed out of the empty classroom.
Jake watched her go, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
He pulled out his phone and made a call. "How is it so far? Did you find out anything about her?"
Ronnie's voice came from the other side. "I was about to call you. Is it true Han punched you? What happened there?"
"Big story," Jake said casually. "Is there any progress?"
"I couldn't find her with that single picture of the ring," Ronnie sighed.
Jake reached into his pocket and pulled out the silver ring, the one with the bold, embossed letters 'A' and 'a' on the front. He tossed it lightly in the air and caught it. "One more thing. That stalker is from our school."
"Okay. I'll inform you if any updates," Ronnie replied, and they ended the call.
Jake stared at the ring. As he turned it over, he noticed other, smaller letters etched on the inside. They read: 'ndri'. He quickly connected the front and back letters.
"Andria," he whispered.
In that moment of realization, the ring slipped from his fingers and fell.
It dropped silently into Gabriella's slightly open black backpack, which was resting on a chair near him. He reached into the bag to retrieve it. As his fingers searched the bottom, he felt the ring—and something else. He brought his hand out, the ring resting on his palm, alongside the silver chain.
The chain. The one the stalker had taken from his room.
He widened his eyes, his breath catching in his throat.
In Washroom
Gabriella was standing in the girls' washroom, splashing cold water on her face. What happened to me? she thought, looking at her reflection. Why do I feel something strange inside me? Why is my heart beating so fast after Jake kissed me? She aggressively splashed more water on her face, trying to wash the confusion away.
Then, she remembered. My bag!
She rushed out of the washroom.
In Empty Classroom
Gabriella hurried back into the classroom. It was empty. Her bag and Jake were both gone. Her confusion turned to a spike of anxiety.
"Your…" a cold voice said behind her.
She whirled around. Jake was standing in the doorway, holding her backpack in his hand.
"Your bag," he repeated, his expression unnervingly normal.
Gabriella tried to snatch it back, but he held it tight. She saw his face, now as cold as ice. A shiver went down her spine. Why is he staring at me like that?
She managed to pull the bag from him and was about to bolt when he spoke, his voice low and devoid of warmth.
"Wait."
Gabriella turned, and this time, her eyes widened perceptibly.
Jake was holding the silver chain and the silver ring in his hand.
He raised his gaze from the objects to her face.
"Andria," he stated.
Gabriella paused, her face frozen in disbelief. Then, she let out a sharp, cynical laugh. "Yes, it's me. Did you think I would be afraid that you found out? No, I didn't."
Jake's question was a statement of fact, delivered with a cold fury. "If your real name is Andria, why did you fake your name as Gabriella?"
He suddenly grabbed her throat, his fingers pressing hard against her windpipe. "What are you up to?"
Gabriella didn't flinch. She smiled, the expression chilling. "Because I have to hunt."
Jake's eyes widened as a horrifying realization dawned on him. "Are you targeting Raina?"
Gabriella removed his hand from her throat with a swift, strong movement. "Not only her." Her smile vanished, replaced by a deep, terrifying anger. "The Silver Storm members. Including you."
"Why?" Jake asked, his voice now a desperate whisper.
Gabriella turned away from him, her body trembling with suppressed rage. "I can understand you can't remember me," she shouted, spinning back around. "Because you guys hurt so many students! How can you even remember me?"
She slapped the nearest wooden desk with a resounding crack. Jake involuntarily flinched, stepping back. He had never seen her this angry, this unhinged.
She turned back to him, the anger melting away, replaced by that same, unnerving smile. "You can see it today. What I'm going to do." She leaned in, her voice dangerously sweet. "Surprise. More than you expect."
Gabriella stared at Jake, her eyes burning with pure, unadulterated vengeance.
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