Elara didn't sleep that night. She sat on her bed, staring at the wall, waiting for the security to escort her off campus.
Her phone was buzzing constantly with messages. Marcus was asking if she was okay, other scholarship students were shocked and worried, even a few elite students were sending her laughing emojis and predictions about her expulsion.
She turned it off.
Morning came too soon. Elara dragged herself out of bed. She wore her uniform and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked tired, clearly visible she hadn't slept at all.
The hall was crowded as she walked towards her first class. Students stopped talking when she passed. Some stared at her, some whispered, and some laughed. She just kept her head down and walked faster.
She made it to her history class and sat on her usual seat at the back. Marcus looked at her from another row looking worried. She nodded telling him she's fine but she wasn't.
Class started. Elara tried to focus, but her mind kept drifting to what would happen after the class.
Would they call me to the principal's office? Would security be waiting outside?
The class ended. Nothing happened. Second class also passed, still nothing.
By lunch, Elara was panicking even more. She sat with Marcus in the cafeteria, playing with the food in her plate.
"Maybe they're not going to expel you." Marcus said. "Maybe Blackwell didn't report it."
"He's definitely going to report it." Elara said. "He's probably just making me suffer first."
"That sounds like him." Marcus reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "Whatever happens, we'll figure it out."
Before Elara could respond, someone came at their table.
"Elara Sinclair."
She looked up. Trevor, one of Caden's friends, stood there with a smirk on his face.
"Caden wants to see you in the library. Top floor. Now."
"Why?"
"Do you really want to keep him waiting after what you did yesterday?"
Marcus stood up.
"She doesn't have to go anywhere."
Trevor's smirk widened.
"But if she wants to stay in this school, she probably should." He turned and walked away.
Elara's hands trembled. Marcus gripped her shoulder.
"Don't go. It's a trap."
"If I don't go, he'll make things worse." She stood up. "I have to face this eventually."
"Then I'm coming with you."
"No." Elara shook her head. "If he's planning something, I don't want you getting caught in it too. Just wait here. I'll text you when it's done."
She left before he could argue.
The library was almost empty. Elara went to the top floor, where private study rooms were.
Caden was waiting in the last room. He stood by the window, his hands were in his pockets, his back was facing her. Elara shut the door and she became even more nervous when she realized that it was just the two of them alone.
"You wanted to see me." She said.
Caden turned and looked at her. His face was expressionless, but his eyes were cold. There was still a faint red mark on his cheek where she'd hit him.
"Sit down." He said.
"I'd rather stand."
"It wasn't a request."
Elara didn't move. Caden's jaw tightened, but he didn't push it. Instead, he walked towards her. She forced herself not to step back.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" He asked.
"I defended myself."
"You assaulted me in front of half the school and on camera." He stopped a few inches away. "My father's lawyers could bury you. They can have you arrested for assault and make sure you never get accepted to another school for the rest of your life."
"So, do it. Get it over with."
"Oh, I could." Caden tilted his head. "But that would be too easy, and honestly, too boring."
"What do you want?"
He smiled.
"I want you to understand your place. You seem to have forgotten it yesterday." He circled her like a predator. "So, here's what's going to happen. You're going to do exactly what I say, when I say it, for as long as I feel like it. You'll be my personal assistant. My errand girl. Whatever I need, you provide."
"You can't be serious."
"Oh, I'm very serious." He stopped in front of her. "And if you refuse, or if you ever raise your hand on me again, I'll have you expelled so fast you won't even have time to pack. Your scholarship will be revoked. Your record will show disciplinary action for violence. Good luck getting into community college after that."
Elara's hands clenched into fists.
"You're a bast*rd."
"Maybe." He leaned closer. "But I'm a bast*rd who holds your entire future in his hands. So, the question is, are you going to behave or are you going to throw away everything you've worked for?"
She wanted to hit him again. But he was right. He had all the power. He could destroy her with a single phone call.
"Fine." She said through gritted teeth. "What do you want me to do?"
Caden's smile widened.
"That's better. For now? Nothing. But keep your phone on. When I text, you come running. Understood?"
She didn't answer.
"Understood?" He repeated.
"Yes."
"Yes, what?"
Elara's nails dug into her palms.
"Yes, I understand."
"Good girl." He patted her cheek. "You can go now. Enjoy your lunch."
The next week was a nightmare for her.
On Monday afternoon, Caden texted her during class.
Bring me coffee from the café downtown. Extra hot. You have 30 minutes.
She'd run, missing her chemistry class, and returned sweating and out of breath. He'd taken one sip, made a face, and poured it in the trash. It was too cold for him.
On Tuesday, he'd had her carry all his books between classes while he walked beside her empty handed, laughing with his friends.
On Wednesday, he'd made her clean his car. His driver had dirtied it on purpose on his orders. She'd spent two hours scrubbing while Caden and Seraphina watched her, drinking iced lattes.
On Thursday, he'd sent her to buy Seraphina a birthday gift.
Spent at least $500.
He'd told her. Elara had used her entire month's savings and still had to borrow money from Marcus. She got her a silk scarf which Searphina threw in the donation bin the next day.
On Friday, he'd made her organize a party in his suite. She'd set up decorations, arranged food, even served drinks to guests. Caden had thanked her at the end by handing her trash bags and telling her to clean up.
By Saturday, Elara was exhausted. She'd barely eaten and slept. Marcus kept telling her to report Caden, but who would she report him to? The teachers who ignored scholarship students? The principal whose biggest donors included the Blackwell family?
She was trapped.
On Sunday, there was a charity gala.
It was one of the school's biggest event, a fundraiser where wealthy parents and donors came to see how their money was being spent. The students were expected to prove that Ashford Academy was worth the investment.
Elara had borrowed a simple black dress from another scholarship student. In the morning Caden texted her.
Be in the ballroom two hours early. You're working tonight.
When she arrived, she saw the event staff setting up tables and arranging flowers. Caden was there, looking devastatingly handsome in a custom suit.
"What am I doing here?" Elara asked.
He gestured to a uniform hanging on a nearby chair. It was a server's outfit with an apron.
"You're waitressing tonight."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. The staff is short, and you're going to help." He smiled. "Unless you want me to call the principal?"
Elara stared at the uniform.
"You can't be serious. I'm a student."
"You're whatever I say you are." Caden stepped closer. "Put it on and smile when you serve. People tip better when you look grateful."
She changed in the bathroom, her body was shaking with humiliation. The uniform was weird. It was too tight in some places, and too loose in others.
The gala started at 7. Elara spent the first hour carrying trays of champagne. She saw her teachers laughing with donors pretending not to recognize her.
Around 8, when she was walking past Caden and Seraphina's table, Seraphina "accidentally" knocked her champagne glass. The liquid splashed on the floor, and the glass shattered.
"Oh no!" Seraphina gasped. "I'm so clumsy tonight."
Caden leaned back on his chair.
"Looks like you've got a mess to clean up, Elara."
The nearby tables had gone quiet. People were watching.
Elara grabbed napkins from a nearby table and knelt on the floor, picking up glass shards with shaking hands.
"Careful." Seraphina said sweetly. "Don't cut yourself."
Students at other tables laughed. Caden picked up his own glass and looked at it.
"You know, this doesn't taste right." He turned the glass over and the red wine fell on the floor. "Oops. Better clean that up too."
Someone whistled. Elara's vision blurred with tears but she refused to cry. She reached for more napkins, her hands were filled with broken glass and soaked napkins.
Then suddenly the ballroom doors burst open.
The sound was so loud that the entire room went silent. Elara looked up.
A dozen of men in dark suits were entering the ballroom. A tall man, who looked like their head, walked directly towards her.
Oh God. What now? Am I being arrested after all?
She stood up. The tall man looked at her. Then he dropped to one knee. The other guards followed him. Then they all bowed their heads.
"Your Highness, we've been searching for you for fifteen years."
"What?" Elara muttered.
"You are Elara Marriana Aldridge. Crown Princess of Veloria and daughter of King Theodore and Queen Marriana." He raised his head. "You were stolen from your crib when you were three years old. We never stopped looking for you. Welcome home, Your Highness."
The room exploded into chaos. Elara stood frozen, broken glass was cutting into her palms. Around her, people were gasping, shouting, pulling out phones.
She looked at Caden. He'd gone pale. Next to him, Seraphina had stood up, her face was as white as milk.
Elara looked down at her hands, at the glass shards and champagne soaked napkins. Then she looked up at Caden Blackwell, the boy who'd made her life hell, who'd called her worthless, who'd made her kneel.
It was time for the payback.