Azalea's POV,
"Breakfast is ready, Señorita!"
I got up from my bed once I heard manang's voice from outside my room.
"I'll come later!" I shouted, arranging my bed. I didn't hear her response perhaps she already went down. After arranging my bed, I went to my closet and took my uniform before proceeding inside the bathroom.
After finishing my daily routine, I went downstairs to eat breakfast. It's only quarter to 7 I still have plenty of time to prepare.
Once I arrived at the dining area, I saw manang arranging the plates on the table. She didn't seem to notice me that's why I promptly took my seat and took food.
"Oh, Señortia Aza, sorry I didn't notice you." She bobs her head and I just nod my head in answer. I'm not in the mood now to talk with her.
"Did you have a good night's sleep, Señorita?" she asked, curving a genuine smile after arranging the plates.
"Yes," I replied, munching the bacon she cooked.
"You seem tired, Señorita," she muttered with her concerned tone.
"Sorry manang, but I'm not in the mood to talk right now," I apologized without looking at her.
"I'm sorry, Señorita." She bobs her head. "Then, I'll take my leave now, enjoy your food." After that, she went to the living room to prepare something.
Upon leaving me alone, I massaged my temple stressfully. I kept contemplating about what happened yesterday at the school cafeteria. Since Rico already did that terrible thing to me, I'm sure he will keep nagging me at school just like what he's doing with other students.
But should I tell him now to my grandpa or let my grandpa see it himself? No, that would be impossible. Rico is probably cautious with his doings and I'm sure no one will tell my grandpa too.
"I should watch him for now and take some evidence so once I tell him to my grandpa, I have sufficient evidence to show!" I whispered, clapping my hand.
Upon finishing my food, I arranged the plate I used and placed it in the sink. I proceeded to the living room, took my bag from the chair, and looked at manang to bid goodbye.
"Manang I'll go now," I said, wearing my backpack.
"You will drive?" she asked, making me nod my head.
"Yes, manang. Manong is still sleeping and I don't want to interrupt his sleep, knowing that he did a lot of work last night," I uttered, curving a smile before leaving the mansion.
"Okay, then take care," she said and I just waved my hand, striding to the garage.
My phone vibrated as soon as I reached my car. I hop inside the driver seat first before checking why my phone suddenly vibrates.
"We're here outside the university," I read Krystal's message on my phone and texted her back by saying I was coming too.
After that, I didn't waste my time revving up the engine and drove off from the mansion. Fortunately, manang went outside to open the gate which made me feel relieved.
—
Third Person's POV,
Azalea parked her car as soon as she arrived at the university. She saw her friends standing at the waiting shed near the entrance gate. They are all waiting for her to arrive so they can accompany her to their classroom.
"What's the matter? All of you look so serious?" Azalea asked, tilting her head sideways, scanning their whole expression.
Krystal sighed before answering Azalea's question, "I anticipated that some students will mistreat you because of what happened yesterday and just earlier I heard some peeps talking sh*t about you when we got here."
"We decided to wait for you and go to the classroom all together to protect you from danger. We aren't sure what they will do to you, especially Rico's friends," Maica added, making Azalea facepalm herself.
"It really came to this huh." She shook her head in disappointment.
"I'm sorry I got you dragged with me," Leonel apologized, bowing his head which made the three look at him.
"No, Leonel. I told you it's not your fault." Azalea waved her both hands, disagreeing with Leonel.
"Azalea is right Leonel," Krystal said. "No need to blame yourself for what happened. We chose to do that."
"I see." Leonel lifts his head, curving a thankful smile.
The four started to walk towards their room, ignoring all the mysterious looks from the students especially from the girls who admired Rico. Maica is holding back herself not throwing her hands, but deep inside she wanna grab every girl's hair who's staring badly at her friend.
"Calm down, Maica. We can't afford to get into trouble again," Krystal reminded, tapping her back.
"Tch! They should be thankful that Azalea didn't choose to expel Rico," she hissed in a low tone.
"Speaking of that, what's your plan Azalea?" asked Krystal who was walking in front of Leonel and Azalea.
"Let them," she replied nonchalantly.
"What?!" Maica asked surprisingly, eyes widened.
"I mean let them for now. I have a plan to turn back the tables," Azalea whispered to them, curving a devilish smile.
"Whatever that plan is, we should succeed it to stop Rico," Leonel whispered back which made the three nod.
"Could you discuss with us what is your plan?" asked Krystal when they reached their building.
"First I should talk to Rihanna to tell our classmates to keep my secret as a granddaughter of the chairman," Azalea whispered, looking around if anyone was listening except her friends. But fortunately, there wasn't.
"Why?" asked Leonel as he stopped from walking the same with the three. Fortunately, there were no students in the hallway they stopped.
"So Rico will keep bullying me and while he's doing that y'all need to capture it by pictures and video and when the right time comes, I'll tell my grandpa about this and pursue him to discipline Rico," Azalea explained, looking back and forth to her friends.
"But what if Rico saw us capturing photos of him while doing his terrible doings?" Leonel asked nervously.
"He won't as long as the one who will capture is far away from him," Azalea answered, making Leonel nod.
"But we need to be more cautious," Krystal reminded and they all agreed.
"I understand. Then, I'll go here for now. I'm STEM so I have a different building," Leonel said, pointing to the building next to the ABM building.
"Okay, see you later at lunch!" Azalea waved her hand before Leonel took his leave.
The three looked at each other first before taking the stairs. Wordlessly, they entered their room, seeing their classmates talking and laughing with each other.
When they saw Azalea, their expression changed not in anger but they pitied her for being one of Rico's victims.
The three didn't waste their time and proceeded to their respective seats. Once Rihanna saw them, she immediately approached Azalea.
"I saw what happened yesterday, are you okay?" she asked with her concerned tone, making Azalea look at her. All of their classmates are looking at Azalea, waiting for her answer.
"I'm fine. Rico didn't hurt me physically," she answered, curving a smile.
"I'm glad you're fine. You know what? All of us admired you for being brave yesterday. We didn't anticipate you to stand in front bravely to protect your friend." Rihanna's voice is so soothing to the point that it makes Azalea chuckle.
"Of course, I'll be brave for my friends. By the way, Rihanna I have a favor to ask you," she whispered, but enough for everyone to hear since they are all focused on her.
"What is it?" Rihanna asked confusedly, glancing at Maica and Krystal who were also looking at Azalea.
Azalea took her deepest breath first, ignoring all the stares from her classmates. She leaned closer to Rihanna to whisper what she wanted to say. "I want you to tell the whole class to keep my identity secret."
"You mean to keep your secret for being the granddaughter of the chairman?" Rihanna whispered back which made Azalea nod.
"Yes, you got it right."
"But why? You can use that to stop Rico from bullying you," Rihanna exclaimed, making Azalea shake her head.
"No, I have another plan. So please tell our classmates. You're our class president you can do that," she whispered back, curving a hopeful smile.
Rihanna sighed in defeat. She really wanted it to be Azalea's weapon to stop Rico but since it's her decision, she chose to agree. "Okay, I understand. You take your seat, I'll start announcing it to the whole class in front."
"Thank you, Rihanna." Azalea smiled again as she took her seat.
"You're welcome." Rihanna nodded before she went in front of the class. Their classmates look so confused because they didn't hear the last conversation from them.
"You told her?" Krystal asked, once Rihanna went in front.
"Yes."
"Everyone please turn your attention here," Rihanna started, making some students shift their gaze to her. "Azalea wants me to do this and I hope all of you will listen."
Some students look at each other confusedly while some are still looking at Rihanna, waiting for her speech.
"We all know what happened yesterday right?" she asked and all students nodded, except for the three. "I want you all to keep your mouths shut about Azalea's identity."
"You mean about her relationship with the chairman?" One of their classmates asked, named Samuel.
"Yes, you're right."
"But she can use that to threaten Rico to prevent him from doing something bad," Jessica said, also one of their classmates.
"Just keep it secret okay? Azalea has a plan." Rihanna looked at Azalea and they both nodded in unison.
"Her plan of what? Is it connected to Rico?" Jefferson asked.
"Indeed."
"Then we're willing to participate if it's connected to Rico. Knowing that bastard attitude tch." Carl shook his head in disappointment.
"Most ABM students despise him hahaha!" Jessica agreed, nodding her head.
The three looked at each other before shifting back their gazes to Rihanna. Azalea once saw Rico enter the room next to them so she was sure that Rico was an ABM student too to make her classmates hate him.
"Then hope we all grant Azalea's wish," Rihanna said, looking at all of her classmates.
"Okay, we understand." Half of the class answered in unison while the half kept silent while nodding in agreement.
"I'm glad you understand, thank you." Rihanna bobbed her head as a thank you before she went to her seat.
As soon as she reached her seat, their first subject teacher entered their room, preventing them from talking to each other.
"Okay class good morning!" he cheered out, putting his laptop onto the table.
—
Lunch break finally arrived and the three went outside their room, waiting for Leonel to arrive.
"Sorry, I'm late! Our last teacher didn't let us dismiss early," he apologized as soon as he arrived at their meeting place.
"It's fine let's go!" Maica cheered out before they entered the cafeteria.
As usual mysterious look welcomed them inside once their feet touched the floor. They all ignored that and went to their usual seat.
"Maica, stay here with Azalea. Me and Leonel will order." Krystal pushed Maica to her seat softly before she asked what they wanted to eat.
After telling them, the two didn't waste their time and immediately went to the counter to order food.
"Gladly, Rico's friends are still not here." Krystal looked around the cafeteria while the two of them were in line.
"They are still probably inside their classroom," Leonel said nonchalantly, looking straight at the counter.
"Leonel, how long did they bully you?" Krystal asked, shifting her gaze to the man beside her.
"I don't know how long. I can't remember it anymore." Leonel dropped his gaze to the floor.
"I see. But as long as you're with us they can't bully you now," Krystal assured him, tapping his back.
Leonel chuckled because of what she said. "Thank you but starting from now I can't afford to get bullied anymore."
"That's nice."
"What's your order?" a woman who's about in her late 20's asked when they arrived in front of the counter.
After getting their orders, the two went back to their seat and started eating while talking about their lessons and how difficult they were.
"I swear I hate math!" Azalea complained, raising her right hand.
"No one's like math duh!" Maica rolled her eyes.
"I actually love math. It's easy," Leonel muttered making Krystal nod.
"I agree."
"Okay fine." Azalea narrowed her eyes before swallowing her food.
"Look what we have here!"
The four stopped eating when Rico and his friends went in front of them. All of them are smirking teasingly and ready to do something terrible at any minute.
"Look the gay and the bad b*tch are here!" Rico pointed his index finger to Leonel and next to Azalea. Because of that, he caught again all of the students' attention.
Leonel stood up from his seat next to Krystal. "Stop this Rico. We didn't do something bad to you."
"I ain't talking to you." He grabbed the chocolate cake from Maica's hand and slammed it on Azalea's face. "Perfect!" He clapped his hands, making some students laugh at her. Meanwhile, all of Azalea's classmates look so frustrated especially the men's group and Rihanna.
"You bastard!" Leonel was about to grab his collar but Krystal immediately stopped him.
"OMG! I'm sorry, Azalea." Maica grabbed a tissue and wiped Azalea's face.
"How does it taste, A-Z-A-L-E-A?" he asked teasingly as they all laughed.
Azalea stood up from her seat when Maica wiped some of the cake on her face. "Did you just say that Leonel is gay?"
***