The surge of emotion after winning the verbal kung fu against Dresden is yet to ebb when Sena drove back to the HQ. On the way, she was almost caught in an accident when a motorcycle cut in from the right alley.

The stupid driver whizzed past without a care in the world. It happened too fast but good thing she stomped on the brakes and stopped in time. If she were a second late, something bloody might have occurred right before her eyes. As for the motorcycle? It had long gone leaving her there nervously gripping the wheel. Her face is paperwhite.

Then someone knocked on her window. 

“Hey miss, are you okay?” 

Sena gingerly let go of the steering wheel and forced herself to calm down before facing the person. Beyond the glass, a man in a white shirt stood. She rolled the windows down and smiled.

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“Are you sure? You’re shaking.” he pointed out good-naturedly.

Sena managed a reluctant smile, “I’ll be fine. Just a little surprised.” 

He nodded, said a few perfunctory words of caution and went back to the silver Phantom behind. Sena followed him through the rearview mirror. Seeing the familiar car once again piqued her interest. 

She knew the car too well because it is the brand Pytheas Hotel uses as a service vehicle for important clients. Lately, she has been frequently seeing them in the streets. Putting the thought at the back of her mind, she started her way back to the HQ unknowing of what was going to unfold next.

Inside the silver Phantom, the man held on to the thin smile. 

“Sir, where to next?” his driver asked.

The person leaned back comfortably, “Return to the hotel.”

There isn’t much to do since he couldn’t contact Yang. The authorities were on high alert after discovering the secret laboratories. His guess is that either Yang fled with the drug sample or that he was caught. 

Thinking of the funds they burned just to set up those labs hurt his flesh. All their profits now turned to ash. If Yang fled and chose to betray them… a cruel smile dawned on his face. 

He will make sure he will suffer a life worse than hell! 

 

Back at the office, when Sena passed by the concierge she was called by a staff who handed her a small card. It was a plain one with no decorations and only a single line saying: Don’t think you have changed anything.

Sena frowned unconsciously. Her first reaction was to think that it was a joke but as a natural skeptic person, she couldn’t help but think about it more. Why send her a cryptic message like this? It doesn’t make sense.

Then another question came. Why would they send one in the first place? What for? 

Wait, there seems to be something surfacing in the shallows of her mind… it made her heart thud double time. 

Don’t think you have changed anything… 

She paused. Could it be something about her rebirth? 

This is a threat then. She closed the card and looked around to find out if the sender was still in the area. To her disappointment, she didn’t find anyone suspicious. Her mind turned. Is someone else out there the same as her? 

It’s possible, after all, if she can return from the dead, why not them? She had to think calmly. Based on the person’s tone, he or she seems to be hostile. But who could it be? 

“Do you remember who sent it?” She asked the staff.

The girl nodded her head, “It was the same person who delivered our morning paper. Does Ms Erde need him for something? I have his number.” 

She shook her head. There is a high chance that the delivery guy doesn’t know where it came from since he was only in charge of running an errand. Sena felt momentarily panicked, after a while, she regained her balance and decided to proceed step by step. 

So far she hadn’t encountered any problems. She will be the first person to know if an anomaly occurs and if something did deviate from the original trajectory. That is where she will start to investigate. 

The staff saw her look at the white card then frown, but after a while, Ms Erde folded it neatly and smiled at her. 

“Thank you.” 

The message came to puzzle her but as days passed without seeing any clues, Sena eventually put it aside.  

April’s training under Apple’s guidance went on as planned and is going smoothly. In recent days that she alternated between, office, home and training, she had also accumulated a lot of techniques, knowledge and tears.  

“She’s a fast learner,” Apple commented during their break. 

“It’s rare for you to compliment someone.” 

“Just stating facts. The girl has a good memory, she’s organized and quick unlike those who look outwardly polished but does a messy job. By the way, have you seen Maya Luz’s interview with the lifestyle show? You better brace yourself.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Bad?”

“Worse.”  

By worse, Apple meant more than that. When Sena watched the replay on her tablet and scanned the comment section, she couldn’t help laughing coldly.  

The show is a popular talk show favoured by the masses because of the host’s Ms Day’s quirky personality. It was a long-time popular program that had guested many high profile people and celebrities talking about their experiences that are either inspirational or controversial. 

On the screen, Maya sat on a red chair while amiably bantering with Ms Day. 

As the current hot figure in the industry, it was inevitable to inquire about her background. In this Maya did not hide her wealthy origin and connection to Luz Companies. But far from the light atmosphere on the screen, the comments went crazy as Maya cleared out the issue of her mother being a mistress by vaguely revealing that her mother and father were the first ones to meet before he married Paula Erde. 

“So it turns out like this?”

“Does it mean that Paula Erde got in between the old lovers?”

“Who knew right? Rich women can do anything they want.”

“I heard Miss Paula was a headstrong woman. No wonder they divorced.”

Sena pressed her lips tightly. She stared in disgust at Maya’s sweet and innocent smile on the screen. 

She can lie without blinking. Well, what could be more surprising when you are born from a narrow-minded and jealous woman? Maya is an expert at concealing truths, she’s thorough when insinuating a discord using vague words. She can blatantly fabricate and twist words for her use.    

The good thing is that she can no longer trap her like before. 

Apple almost broke his pen in anger, “Do you plan on answering this?”

Sena smiled at him. “I do but not for now. Just let her strut around first, when she’s most confident, I’ll pull her down.”

“Good!” Apple approved. 

After work, she and April drove back home to Paragon. 

“How is your training going?”

April swallowed a mouthful of saliva first before talking, “Boss, Sir Apple is very strict. But he is very good. I never thought that what I have learned online will be covered by him in just a week.” 

She had been brought around the city to memorize places and people’s faces. She did nothing but chase after Apple’s tail while he talked to some high-profile clients. The first time she handed her business card, her hands trembled so much but she endured. All these contacts are for the boss. 

No matter how difficult the errand is, she must make sure to finish it as instructed. Either the boss asks her to fly in the sky or float in the sea, she must do so as a qualified secretary!    

Sena saw the visible changes in her, she became more calm and confident. No longer that shrinking girl in her memory and she is gratified at her changes. She bet even April’s mother wouldn't recognize her now. 

“I’m glad you’re coping well.”

“Hehe…” April smiled silly. 

“But we’re not done yet.”

April was sent to the gym while she went straight to her bedroom to find something in the cloakroom.

Under layers of shelves are boxes of things neatly lined, she took a blue cardboard box filled with her mother’s important collections. There are plenty of things inside, including a USB, photo albums and some folders. 

Sena carefully opened the album page by page. Most of these were her mother’s pre-marriage photos. She looked so dazzling and charming in every picture, it made her smile. Then her fingers paused to the middle page. 

It was Paula Erde wearing a maternity dress during a party. She looked through several more pictures and confirmed that what she was looking for was here. Sena sighed for a moment then carefully closed the box again. 

That afternoon, Chang’an called her to talk about investing in the horror flick their team is working on. Ramsy and Sydney were already in the location, an old village with a rich history in the mountainous regions of the north. She freshened up for a little bit then patted her butt before hurrying to the meeting place. 

She thought Chang’an would choose the usual place, who knew the brat upgraded and told her to come straight to the cinema area of Hallmark Centris. It didn’t take long for her to locate the tall youth wearing casual street clothes.

“Tsk, tsk, being handsome is a sin,” she muttered.

Poor Chang’an was reduced to a statue when surrounded by all kinds of females. His height was already an advantage, added by those seductive eyes and a gentle face, no wonder he can become a crowd favourite anywhere.

“Ahem.” Sena cleared her throat. 

The moment Chang’an spotted her, he looked like a hapless man seeing a saviour. He quickly gained energy to slip away from the barricade of ladies that intentionally or ‘unintentionally’ crowded him. Children these days are proactive and impertinent, how can Chang’an drive them away with only a few polite words? 

Seeing that the handsome guy did not even give them a smile, some girls felt discouraged. They turned around to find the culprit.   

“Did you wait long?” asked the girl in a blue shirt and black shorts. 

Silently the enthusiastic ones surrounding him could only disperse in heartbreak after seeing the rival. Huhu… look at those long legs whiter than peeled radish. No wonder the handsome guy did not even blink when they flaunted their assets.

Chang’an smiled, “No, just a quarter of an hour. I had an appointment in the nearby building.”

“Why did you suddenly invite me for a movie date?” Sena snatched his ball cap and put it on her head. 

“Hush, watch your tongue. My brother will certainly kill me and he won't bat an eyelid.” He exaggerated.

Sena gave him a pitying look. “So why are we here?”

Chang’an nudged his chin on the poster and grinned, “I want to see the film directed by J.”

She snorted inelegantly, “You like this guy?”

“You sound like you don’t.” He pointed out.

Sena walked slowly while he followed, unknowingly they had exited the theatre area. 

“There’s nothing special in it. You’ll know by tomorrow if you don’t believe me.” she said with a shrug, “Let’s talk about investment. I mentioned to Ramsy in our last meeting that if you guys plan on making a movie project before graduation I will help.”

“Are you really serious?” Chang’an stopped in disbelief. “I thought that was just lip service… After all, our movie was neither backed by a large studio nor has any deeper content.”    

“Of course I’m serious. Why would I let go of a chance to make a profit?” Their movie is bound to reach international screens. “I heard that your last work with Director Nang was about done and that he had a good impression with you boys.” 

“Why didn’t I hear about that?’ Chang’an muttered sullenly. The old director was grumpy and picking every little detail. Their team of amateurs shed a lot of blood during the apprenticeship. 

Sena just smiled playfully. “The fact that he chose your team amongst the many who pleased him was already great luck. The likes of J is not someone you should admire.” 

“What’s wrong with J?”

“I hate to be a spoiler.”

He snorted knowing he couldn’t pry out an answer. Sigh, he can only patiently wait for tomorrow. 

They walked for another quarter of an hour until they reached the Game Hub area. She curled her eyebrows thinking that she was mentally too old for this kind of entertainment when she spotted a familiar figure near the basketball machine. 

“Layla?”

Layla in her ponytail and preppy uniform turned with red eyes. Her small face crumpled like a bitter gourd but she didn’t see Sena. She looked like she was busy looking at something… or someone. 

“You know her?” Chang’an asked.

“She’s Michael Saldini’s little sister. I like her very much.”

This little girl must have stepped on luck to get fancied by Sena. “She’s wearing an Edelweiss Academy uniform and she seems to be having conflicts with the brats from Mason Private School.” 

Sena looked again and finally got a clear view of the situation. It made her frown. Classes just officially resumed this week but the students still have their post-summer hangover and are still leisurely on the first few days. But a school like Edelweiss will not allow its students to loiter around public places like this. 

She tugged on Chang’an to go where Layla was at, fortunately just in time to stop a disaster. 

“Didn’t we agree to meet at the coffee shop on the ground floor?” Layla asked, obviously annoyed at the timid looking girl hanging on a guy’s arm like a keychain. 

“I’m sorry, I went earlier but you were still not around. The coffee shop looked fancy so I was embarrassed to enter…” she said in a small voice. 

“You could have chosen anywhere but here.” 

The guy holding the timid girl looked at Layla with hostility, “Lyn is not used to going to places like that. You know her circumstances but you still insist on doing it your way. It’s good for someone like you but think about her at least.” 

Layla scoffed, “Have I offended you somewhere Mat? This is between me and Lyn, she called me wanting to return the bracelet she borrowed and let me set the place so I did. The coffee shop doesn’t eat people. You’re not a three-year-old, nobody will get mad if you come in. besides, I told you it was my treat.”

The boy named Mat was dazed. He came here because Lyn called him, although she said she was meeting Layla, she did not specifically say as for what. Lyn paled when Layla revealed the reason. This was not what she expected. Before Layla would help her a lot in school and would even subtly consider her poor background so as to not embarrass her but now… she would even watch her words when Mat was around. 

“Well since we are here, can you return my bracelet to me?” Layla said with a wave as if the previous argument did not happen. 

“Uh,” Lyn tugged on her sleeve uneasily. The truth is that she did not want to return the bracelet. She was hoping Layla would give it to her just like the previous one she liked that is why she initiated calling her.

“Bracelet, what bracelet?” Mat frowned. 

How could a good girl like Lyn borrow Layla’s thing? 

Being put on the spot, she could no longer pretend to be deaf so she showed the gold Alhambra bracelet with a cute leaf, butterfly, clover and heart design. Lyn bit her lip pitifully. 

“This is yours?” Mat asked Layla.

“Exactly. This is a gift from my brother but during Lyn’s audition in the school play she said she lacked any accessory so I let her borrow this.” The audition was over three months ago so was the play but she still wore the bracelet. 

Lyn was frustrated on the side. How could Layla talk so much today? She wasn’t like this before! “I, I didn’t know it was a gift.” 

“I thought you wanted to return it to me but you’re still wearing it.” Layla sighed. 

Lyn had no choice but to take off the jewelry in front of many witnesses.

She thought it was hers for sure. The stupid Layla was always nice to her but since that incident, she grew to hate her. Luckily, the most handsome and wealthy boy in their grade seems to have taken a liking to her. At first, she did not want to show obvious interest but after hearing that Layla and Mat were childhood friends, something inside her snapped and distorted.

She was born rich… she already has everything… 

Lyn's mouth curled subtly. After today, let's see how proud you are. 

Mat waved his hand impatiently, “It is returned then.” 

He thought Layla would make another fuss but surprisingly, she just took it and turned to leave. Mat was slightly at a loss, didn’t she like him? According to his expectation, Layla would linger around here. He was aware of her crush on him for a long time. But since her brother came to their school, she changed. She was also transferred.  

“You’re leaving?”  

“Otherwise?” Layla rolled her eyes. “I can’t stay here after all. I already said that my new school is very strict. Please do not invite me to similar places again.”

“I didn’t know.” Lyn bowed her head humbly but she was biting her molars.  

Layla paused, then gave her a puzzled look, “I just told you last night, you forgot so soon.” 

Mat on the side looked thoughtful. So the reason she invited Lyn to the coffee shop was not to embarrass her but because of her school. Come to think of it, Edelweiss does have that rule that after school, students must not stay long outside while wearing their uniform.  

“Layla, I’m sorry I did not deliberately do it. It’s just—”

“Stop. The more you explain the more it appears that I’m making things difficult for you. Let’s just forget about this. Anyway, I finally got my bracelet back.”     

Lyn’s facial expression crashed. This bitch. Wait until tomorrow! 

“L-Layla, I feel that you have changed a lot… you used to—”

“I do? Well, that’s great. People cannot remain ignorant forever.” 

Mat was angered, “Don’t you think you’re being too much?”

“Whatever.”

After her bullying at school, she realized that few of these so-called friends were real. Mat was an old acquaintance but he turned a blind eye to her suffering, so was Lyn. She took the opportunity to step on her head instead while enjoying the benefits from her pockets. Once she saved her from a bully who was egging her to pay for their expensive cafeteria meal. 

“Lyn’s family is not the same as you, how can she afford your wasteful eating? You’re just picking on her!” 

Thinking about it, Layla almost laughed. She thought Lyn genuinely liked her for defending her. She did not expect that she would be hated for blurting out that her family is not wealthy. 

“If you have a problem with Lyn why don’t you just speak directly?” Mat was annoyed now. He couldn’t stand the indifference and alienation of a former playmate who used to idolize him. 

“Layla,” Sena interrupted. Her eyes briefly scanned the two on the side. 

“Sis!” the girl blushed so hard thinking that she must have witnessed this farce. "Why are you here?" 

“We happen to pass by. Want to eat together? We booked a seat in Sky Garden.” 

They have been lurking nearby like ghosts watching these three with the same enthusiasm when watching a clichéd teen flick. A while ago, she saw someone raising a cellphone about to click on Layla’s photo, Chang’an snatched it in time and warned the boy that if he maliciously did it again they would report him to his parents. 

The method was effective because the boy was frightened he fled the scene forgetting his cellphone. 

“Chang’an, take Layla’s bag. It’s quite heavy for her.” 

Chang’an raised an eyebrow but he sincerely followed the request of Her Majesty the Queen of Catastrophe. 

“May I?” He offered cordially. 

Layla’s neck creaked when the giant approached. Blush! He’s so tall. Long legs, handsome face and eyes. Nice smell and gentle voice. Such high specs. 

The teenager’s heart who had not experienced puppy love began to beat abnormally. 

Layla: Am I okay?

“Erm, my bag is not heavy…”

“I’ll take it anyway.” Chang’an chuckled, plucking it from her expertly.  

Mat and Lyn who were ignored on the side eat an unknown sour feeling.  

“Layla,” Mat called out unwillingly. The moment this guy appeared the space seemed to have shrunk. He doesn’t like the feeling of it. 

“I’m leaving,” Layla said. “Enjoy your date.”

Mat looked like he swallowed flies. 

“Wait.” Sena suddenly said then faced the other girl. “You are Lyn?”

Lyn nodded her head mechanically but before she could ask, Sena showed her the cellphone they confiscated from the boy a while ago. 

“You asked someone to take Layla’s photo and sent it to school.”

“N-No!” Lyn was horrified. 

Shit, how did they find out? 

"I have not…” she stuttered, tears forming in her eyes.

Sena did not argue and dialled the number on top of the chat interface. The phone in Lyn’s pockets rang.  

Holy cow, Chang’an exclaimed inwardly, she’s out for blood again! 

“That answers it.” Sena looked at her intently, her eyes forming ice sleets scaring the girl in front. “No next time.”

She tossed the cellphone to Mat before leaving. “Look over your little girlfriend.” 

Layla was indifferent to it and just casually followed Sena and Chang’an like a baby chick following her siblings. The short episode was thrown at the back of her mind, not even enough to upset her now. 

Those who left can only face each other in awkward silence. Mat looked at the timid Lyn clinging on his arm with disappointment. Quietly he compared her to Layla who was quirky and energetic but was never involved in dirty tricks like this. 

Ever since the two of them got closer, his relationship with his childhood friend deteriorated, seeing her freely exploring without him gave him a sense of crisis. As if something important was about to be lost… 

Did he make a mistake when he indulged Lyn too much? It seems his action truly hurt Layla and this time.

“Mat, d-do you believe me? I really did not mean to drag her up here for this. I, I did not know Edelweiss was so strict; they would put demerits on students by just visiting the arcade…”

He patted her hand, but his attention was somewhere else. Lyn could see that and she hated her situation even more. 

“Layla,” Lyn continued a little hesitantly, then used her best weapon. Her fragile face and soft voice, “S-She used to be so nice.”

After a moment... 

“So you want to frame her?” Mat said without filtering his words.

“Mat…” she choked.

“She was nice enough to become your friend when you were alienated at school and then lend you her bracelet for many months.” 

He is also to blame but there is no way he would admit that.

“By the way Lyn, I have seen you wearing it several times, how come you did not tell me it was borrowed from her?”

Lyn was so surprised she let go of his hand. “I, I… I forgot,”

She forgot or did she treat him as stupid? 

Perhaps she's right, he is indeed stupid. How could he assume that Lyn can afford a two-thousand dollar worth of bracelet?