CHAPTER 2: BAD IMPRESSION
With a look of pure loathing, John pulled a silk handkerchief from his pocket and began wiping his face, his jaw tight with suppressed rage. He took a predatory step toward Anna, but stopped dead when the sound of melodic chuckling reached his ears.
He whipped around to find his sister, Ruby, leaning against the car door, watching the drama unfold with an amused glint in her eyes.
"Oh my gosh! You should see the way you look right now," Ruby laughed, shaking her head. "Honestly, John, you should have just apologized. It would have saved you a face full of... whatever that was."
"Will you shut up, Ruby?" Joh snapped, his knuckles turning white as he balled his hands into fists. "She just disgraced me in public."
"Whatever. You really brought it on yourself," Ruby said, rolling her eyes. she pushed off the car and walked toward Anna, who was still fuming.
"Don't tell me you're just like this jerk here," Anna said defensively as Ruby approached.
"No, I'm definitely not like him," Ruby replied, her tone softening into one of genuine apology. "I want to apologize on behalf of my brother. I really need to get to school and I don't want to be late because of his ego."
Anna took a deep breath, her gaze flickering from the sincere girl to the scowling man behind her. "Arrogant jerk," Anna muttered, directed at John. "I'm only going to let this slide because of this sweetheart here. You don't deserve a sister like her."
Without waiting for a rebuttal, Anna signaled a passing cab and disappeared inside.
"You know I didn't ask you to apologize for me," John growled, staring furiously at the space where the cab had been.
"Oh, please. A 'thank you' would be much more appropriate," Ruby retorted, folding her arms across her chest.
"Keep it up and you can walk to school," John said, sliding back into the driver's seat and starting the engine.
"Hey! Don't you dare leave me here!" Ruby yelled, scrambling to get into the car before he could peel away.
AE RESTAURANT
AE Restaurant was Esther's pride and joy, named after the first letters of her name and Anna's. Though the space was modest, it hummed with the energy of a loyal customer base. The doors stayed open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Anna was always there to lend a hand.
"Mom, I'm back," Anna called out, dropping her bags and heading straight for the steam-filled kitchen.
"Did you get everything on the list?" Esther asked, looking up from a bubbling pot.
"Yes, Mom," Anna answered, though her voice lacked its usual cheer.
Esther paused, raising a brow. "Why do you look like someone who had a very rough morning?"
"Because I did! I crossed paths with an arrogant, rich jerk who thinks he owns the road," Anna said, her eyes flashing with renewed anger.
"Just let it slide, honey," Esther sighed, wiping her brow. "Don't let a stranger ruin your day. Help me out here; I have a line of hungry people to serve."
"Okay, Mom," Anna replied, tucking her frustrations away and picking up an apron.
DREAM HIGH COLLEGE
One look at the campus and its pedigree was undeniable. The architecture was gargantuan and elegant, draped in Ivy League prestige. The Riccardo family had been major contributors in its construction, in many ways, they were the unofficial owners.
A sleek sports car roared into the parking lot, instantly commanding the attention of every student on the lawn. John stepped out, looking cool and composed, having already dropped Ruby off at her building.
"Oh my gosh! Is that John Riccardo?" one girl whispered.
"He is so handsome," another gushed.
"I didn't think he was resuming this early in the semester. He looks incredible."
While the girls swooned, the male students cast envious, hateful glares his way. John ignored them all, his face a mask of indifference as he strode toward the main hall.
Suddenly, a heavy hand wrapped around his shoulder. John stopped instantly, peeling the hand off as if it were a pest.
"Can you stop being so clingy for once? You aren't a girl, Daniel," John said dryly.
Daniel, one of John's two closest friends, the third being the elusive Nicky. "Whatever, man. I'm just surprised to see you here so early."
"What did you expect me to be doing at home?" John scoffed.
"You know, chilling... enjoying the mansion," Daniel replied.
"I don't have time for your nonsense. Where's Nicky?"
"You know how that dude is," Daniel sighed. "He's probably barricaded in the library, stuffing his brain with facts. He acts like books are his oxygen."
Their conversation was cut short by a shrill, piercing shout. They turned to see the school's "Queen," Katherine Martin. She was undeniably beautiful, a doll-like face, long brown hair, and a perfectly sculpted nose, but her beauty was overshadowed by her reputation as a ruthless bully. Her favorite targets were always the scholarship students.
"What the heck is wrong with you? Are you blind?" Katherine yelled at a trembling girl who had accidentally bumped into her.
"I'm... I'm so sorry. Please forgive me," the girl pleaded, her eyes glassy with tears.
"Well, if you want my forgiveness," Katherine said, a cruel smirk playing on her lips, "you'll have to lick my shoe."
Her friends, Megan and Kiara, together known as the CMK, burst into mocking laughter.
"Huh?" the girl gasped, frozen in horror.
"Wow, so you're not only blind but deaf, too," Katherine mocked.
"She will do no such thing," John's voice rang out, cold and commanding. He might be arrogant, but he had no patience for bullies.
"Don't you ever get tired of this, Katherine?" Daniel added with a sigh.
In the confusion of the intervention, the girl scrambled to her feet and ran away.
Katherine turned, her expression shifting instantly. She draped her arms around John's neck, ignoring his stiff posture.
"Babe, she was the one who bumped into me," she pouted. "I was just trying to teach her a lesson in manners."
"I'm not your 'babe,' and I don't care about your stupid excuses," John said, coldly yanking her hands away. He turned on his heel and walked away with Daniel.
"Ouch. That had to hurt," Kiara teased. "I'm telling you, Katherine, you need to give up on this obsession with John."
"Kiara is right," Megan added. "It's clear he doesn't feel the same way."
"I didn't ask for your advice!" Katherine hissed. "And you, Megan, don't act like you aren't still pining for Daniel, who doesn't even know you exist."
"At least I'm not obsessed," Megan shot back, emphasizing the word. Katherine glared at her with pure venom.
"Stop it, both of you," Kiara urged. "Let's get to class; we're going to be late."
6:00 PM: THE MARTIN MANSION
The Martin compound was a sprawling display of wealth, second only to the Riccardo's in all of California. Mr. and Mrs. Riccardo stepped out of their car, flanked by their security detail, and walked toward the grand entrance.
"Long time no see, Riccardo! How have you been?" Mr. Martin boomed, extending a hand for a firm shake.
"I'm doing well, my friend," Mr. Riccardo replied.
"Mrs. Tessa, you look absolutely radiant," Patricia Martin said, embracing Tessa in a brief hug.
As the families settled in for a private dinner, the conversation turned to business, and family.
"Next month," Mr. Martin said, leaning back in his chair, "we'll bring Katherine over so she can spend more time with her soon-to-be husband."
"Hmm. Very well," Mr. Riccardo agreed, sealing a deal that neither of their children knew about yet.
8:00 PM: THE NICHOLAS'S HOUSEHOLD
The peace of the evening was shattered the moment Anna and her mother stepped through their front door. They were met by Nicholas, who stood in the living room vibrating with fury. Celine, his second wife, stood by his side like a poisonous shadow.
"How can you leave this house without making me any food?!" Nicholas roared at Esther.
"I thought you had Celine here for that. Why didn't she cook for you?" Esther replied tiredly, trying to walk past him.
He lunged forward, grabbing her arm and raising his hand to deliver a blow. He hesitated for a split second.
"Go on! Slap me!" Esther yelled, her eyes shimmering with tears. "That's all you're good at, isn't it?"
Anna felt a white-hot rage boil in her chest. Seeing her mother break down was more than she could stand. She looked at her father and Celine with a gaze that wished for their destruction.
"You call this witch a wife?" Anna spat, pointing at Celine. "All she has ever done is poison your mind against us."
"Watch your mouth, young lady," Celine hissed. "You are just as pathetic as your mother. Shouldn't you be in school like my dear Megan? But oh, look at you... still stuck here."
"I'd rather be like my mother than a home-wrecker like you," Anna countered. "And for your information, I got in. But I'm not even happy about it, because it means leaving my mom with two monsters like you."
"Don't you ever speak to me that way!" Celine shrieked, her hand flying out and striking Anna across the face.
The room went silent for a heartbeat.
Then, Esther moved. With a cry of maternal fury, she slapped Celine right back. Within seconds, the two women were locked in a desperate, chaotic fight.