Regina looked at Amira thoughtfully.
"He should understand, Henry isn't that petty… is he?" she asked.
"I don't think so," Amira replied as she headed to the bathroom.
After bathing and getting dressed, Amira sat on the bed, picked up her phone, and dialed Henry's number. There was no answer. She tried again—still nothing. By the fourth attempt, frustration had taken over.
"Pick up the damn call!" she cried out.
"He's probably angry," Regina said casually, scrolling through her phone.
"Angry? Seriously?" Amira snapped. "I explained everything to him. He should understand."
"Well, he won't," Regina replied. "From his point of view, you intentionally ignored him. He called you fifteen times, Amira. Who wouldn't be mad?"
"I guess you have a point," Amira admitted quietly, dropping her phone.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Regina said.
"Good morning, my princesses," Linda, Amira's personal maid, greeted cheerfully.
"Good morning," Regina replied.
"I came to inform you that breakfast is ready. Should I serve it here?" Linda asked.
"No, we'll be downstairs in five minutes," Regina said.
Henry's phone buzzed again.
"Your phone has been ringing nonstop, and you're not answering," Reina said. "Why?"
"None of your business," Henry replied coldly.
"Can you stop acting this way toward her?" Fred asked.
"No, I can't."
"So you'd rather make me angry than make peace?" Fred asked pointedly.
"Of course not," Henry sighed. "I just—" He paused. "I'm sorry. I won't lash out at her again."
"That's more like it. But why aren't you answering her calls now?" Fred continued. "You tried reaching her yesterday without success, and now she's calling."
"Why?" Henry repeated bitterly. "I called her more than ten times, and she didn't pick up. When she finally called back, all she said was that she was busy. Too busy to return my call? Is that how unimportant I am to her?"
"I understand why you're angry," Fred said calmly. "But at least hear her out."
"I've heard enough," Henry replied.
At the dining table, everyone was already seated.
"Good morning, everyone," Amira and Regina greeted.
"Morning, my angels," Mirabel replied warmly. "Hope you slept well."
"We did," the girls answered.
"Good morning, my diamond," Clinton said. "How was your night?"
"It was awesome," they replied.
Throughout breakfast, Amira was unusually quiet. As soon as they were done eating, she excused herself and returned to her room without a word.
"What's wrong with her?" Zoe asked.
"I don't know," Regina replied.
"You're the closest to her, and you don't know?" Richard questioned.
"I really don't," Regina said, standing up. "I'll go check on her."
"Why are you so worried about him not answering?" Regina asked the moment she entered the room. "Don't tell me you're starting to like him."
"Are you serious right now?" Amira asked, unimpressed. "How does worrying about my friend make me like him?"
"You never worry about anyone this openly," Regina pointed out.
"Fine, that's true," Amira admitted. "But I hate giving people the wrong impression. He's my friend—I owe him respect. Now he probably thinks otherwise."
"I get it," Regina said. "Have you tried calling again?"
"What's the point? He won't answer. I'll see him in school on Monday."
MONDAY
As usual, Amira and Regina got ready and left for school. Upon entering the classroom, Amira glanced at Henry's seat—it was empty.
He probably hasn't arrived yet, she thought.
She sat beside Regina, growing increasingly impatient. When Henry finally walked in with Fred and Reina, Amira stood up.
"I'll go talk to him," she said—just as Chloe approached him first.
"Good morning, Henry," Chloe said sweetly.
"Good morning," he replied calmly. "How can I help you?"
"Can we talk outside?"
"Okay."
As they walked out, Regina turned to Amira. "Now what?"
"I'll still talk to him," Amira said and followed them.
Outside—
"Henry, I want us back together," Chloe said. "I promise I'll change."
"You should've said that before we broke up," Henry replied. "I'm into someone else now. Don't bring this up again."
"That's impossible," Chloe said, touching him seductively. She leaned in to kiss him—
"Sorry to interrupt," Amira said firmly. "I need to speak with him for ten minutes. After that, he's all yours."
"Were you eavesdropping?" Chloe snapped.
"I followed you—I wasn't eavesdropping," Amira replied.
"Are you jobless?" Chloe scoffed.
"Excuse you?" Amira said, shocked.
"What business do you have with my man?" Chloe sneered. "Oh wait—you're the girl he's into?" She laughed cruelly. "Of all girls, Henry, you chose this?"
"I didn't come here for this," Amira said. "Henry, I need to talk to you."
She grabbed his wrist, but Chloe stepped in front of them.
"Trying to steal my man?" Chloe smirked. "Who taught you that—your mother? Or are you just a cheap bitch?"
A sharp slap landed on Chloe's face.
"I can tolerate insults toward me," Amira said coldly, "but you will not mention my mother. And for the record, I don't ruin relationships—it's not my fault men can't keep their eyes off me. You're the one begging your ex to take you back."
She dragged Henry away.
"What do you want to talk about?" Henry asked coldly.
"You weren't cold to her," Amira replied.
"That's because she didn't ignore my calls."
"I wasn't ignoring you," Amira explained calmly. "My sister was heartbroken, so we went out. My phone was on silent. When I got home, I was exhausted and fell asleep. Ask Regina if you don't believe me. Please—stop being mad."
Henry burst into laughter.
"What's funny?" Amira asked.
"You," he said.
"So you were pretending?" she snapped. "Wow." She turned and walked away.
"Mira! I'm sorry," Henry called after her.
Chloe suddenly appeared. "You'll pay for slapping me."
"Touch my sister, and you'll regret it," Regina warned.
"Try me," Chloe sneered.
"Only one way to find out," Amira said coldly. "And next time, it won't just be my fingers."
She walked away, but Henry caught up to her.
"I'm sorry," he said, holding her wrist. "I just wanted to see your reaction."
"And you let her insult me?" Amira snapped.
"I'm sorry, princess," he pleaded.
She ignored him and walked into class.
"So?" Regina asked. "How did it go?"
"Terribly," Amira replied. "He was just playing with me."
Regina laughed. "You don't mean it!"
"That's not funny," Amira said. "His ex insulted me because of him."
"Okay, that part wasn't funny," Regina admitted.
"I hate being pranked," Amira said firmly.
"I know—but he's still getting to know you."
"That changes nothing."
"Princess, I'm sorry," Henry said softly as he approached their seats
"Did you hear anyone say anything?" Amira asked quietly.
"Yes," Regina replied. "I heard Henry apologizing to you."
"Well, I didn't hear or see anything," Amira said coldly.
"Come on, sis. He didn't know you hate pranks like that," Regina reasoned.
"I need to use the restroom," Amira said and walked away.
On her way, she ran into Chloe, who was bent over in pain, blood trickling down her legs.
"What's wrong with you?" Amira asked, genuinely concerned.
"None of your business," Chloe muttered weakly. "Just leave."
"Alright, if you say so," Amira replied and walked away.
Having an abortion at this age… how foolish, Amira thought as she returned to class, forcing herself to put what she saw behind her.
"Is she always like this?" Henry asked Regina in frustration.
"Yes," Regina replied. "Especially when you deliberately prank her. You have no idea how worried she was. She was anxious all morning, desperate to explain herself to you—only to be insulted by Chloe while you pretended everything was fine. Honestly, I don't see her forgiving you anytime soon."
"You think there's no way to talk to her?" Henry asked worriedly.
"Well, you could try chocolates," Regina suggested. "She loves chocolate. Anything chocolate-related is her weakness."
"Thank you," Henry said and hurried off to the cafeteria.
Amira went to the restroom, not because she needed to use it, but because she wanted to avoid seeing Henry. As she was about to leave, she heard strange noises coming from another stall.
What's that noise? she wondered.
She stepped out and began opening the restroom doors one by one until she reached the source. What she saw made her freeze.
"What in God's name is going on here?" Amira demanded.
"Reina and Jacob? Or am I seeing things?" she asked incredulously. "First Andrew, now Jacob. Are you heartless, or were you born this way?"
"Please don't tell Fred," Reina begged.
"Are you commanding me or pleading?" Amira asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I honestly don't care what you do with your body," Amira continued, irritated. "But you are someone's girlfriend—Fred's girlfriend—and despite all his love and care, you still do this?"
"Mind your business," Reina snapped.
"Of course I can," Amira replied calmly and walked out.
"Do you think this will get out?" Jacob asked nervously.
"No," Reina assured him.
When Amira returned to class, the bell rang signaling the start of lessons. Throughout the class, her mind wandered—this time focused on Fred and how devastated he would be if he found out.
"Are you okay?" Regina asked when the bell rang for break.
"Yes, I'm fine," Amira replied.
"Let's go to the cafeteria. I'm starving."
"You go. I'm not hungry."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
As Regina left, Henry approached.
"Hey, princess," he greeted. There was no response.
"Look what I got," he said, holding up two chocolate bars and a chocolate drink.
Amira raised her head. The moment she saw them, a smile appeared on her lips. She reached out, but Henry pulled them back.
"I thought you bought them for me," she said.
"I did—but you only get them on one condition."
"And that is?"
"You forgive me," Henry said softly. "I really didn't mean to upset you."
"You're forgiven," Amira said eagerly. "Can I have them now?"
"Are you sure?" Henry asked, surprised.
"Yes," she whined.
He handed them over. "Here."
"Thank you," she said happily.
"Where's Fred?" she asked suddenly.
"He and Reina went to the cafeteria."
"I need to talk to him."
"Hi," Fred greeted when she approached.
"Where's Reina?" Amira asked.
"She said she'd be back in ten minutes."
"Can I talk to you?"
"Sure."
"You consider me your friend, right?" Amira asked.
"Yes."
"And friends don't hide things from each other?"
"No… why?"
"I'm going to ask about your personal life, and I need honesty."
"Okay."
"How is your relationship with Reina?"
"Normal—like any other."
"You treat her well? You don't hurt her?"
"Never. I don't raise my hand against women."
"Have you ever slept with her?"
"No. We agreed to wait until marriage. Sometimes she asks, but I always refuse."
That explains everything, Amira thought bitterly.
"And she doesn't complain?"
"She says she understands. Recently she stopped asking."
"How sure are you that she's faithful?"
"Completely sure."
Henry, who was nearby, shook his head slightly.
What has love done to this guy? Amira wondered.
"Why all these questions?" Fred asked.
"Just checking something," Amira replied with a forced smile.
Later, Regina caught Reina and Jacob in an empty classroom. She said nothing and walked away.
"Sis! Guess what I saw—" Regina began, but stopped when she noticed Henry and Fred.
"Hi," she greeted.
"What did you see?" they asked.
Before she could answer, Reina walked in and kissed Fred on the cheek.
"Sorry, Fred. I need to borrow your princess," Amira said, dragging Reina away.
Inside an empty classroom—
"We need to talk," Amira said.
"About what?"
"Your relationship."
"You don't understand—I have feelings," Reina snapped.
"I do understand," Amira said calmly. "But you should've talked to him. He loves you enough to do anything for you."
"How are you so sure?"
"Very sure."
"I'll try," Reina said quietly.
Later—
"What were you gossiping about?" Henry asked.
"Girls' talk," Amira replied.
At closing time—
"Do you think we should tell Fred?" Regina asked.
"Not yet," Amira said. "Let's see what happens tomorrow."
The next day—
"It went well," Reina said quietly. "He listened."
"You don't seem happy," Regina observed.
"When I wanted him, he refused. Now he gives in just because I pretended to be upset. It feels wrong."
"So… you're no longer in love with him?" Amira asked.