Chapter 3 Junior

“She’s just desperate for some cheap  attention, Kayd. Why did you think she slipped and showed her big brown panties yesterday? The whole dramatic fall was because of you.” That was the sentence that triggered me.

“You are right, Killian. She probably thinks Kayden is now in love because he was rarely kind enough to give out his jacket to her.” The girl on Kayden’s lap added. “And Kayden can’t even remember her.” She laughed. Careless laughter from others followed. Even Kayden was now laughing.

My head spun. Did they just claim that I tried to seduce their star boy? And just like that, the memory came- when I was standing in my uncle’s friend's living room. When my aunt slapped me after the man claimed that a fourteen year old me lured him to bed.

I remembered how everyone believed him- including my own father. Only my mother took my side.

My chest constricted. I could feel panic clawing up my chest again. The familiar one that usually requires me to use meds to calm down. I wasn’t going to shy away from it this time around. I was going to let it out.

Before I could think, my arm moved. The jacket flew from my hand and hit Kayden square on his face. The laughter died instantly. “You are all childish.” I spat, voice shaking out loud.  “And incredibly insensitive.”

Kayden looked stunned for half a second as if taken aback. I didn’t care about consequences at this point. The blonde on his lap folded her arms across her chest. “Aww,” she said sweetly, eyes raking over me like I was pitiful. “Did we hurt your feelings? Maybe next time wear something cuter if you’re going to flash everyone…brown panties? That’s tragic.”

My tongue sharpened, my chin lifting on its own. “At least I don’t have to sit on someone’s lap to feel wanted.” I replied calmly. “You look uncomfortable, by the way. Like a decorative pillow that talks too much.” 

The boys gasped. The blonde’s smile faltered. My eyes dropped to Kayden, taking in his tightening jaw.

I didn’t wait for any of them to react with words. I was barely holding myself together. My lungs felt heavy, burning as I rushed to the restroom. I locked myself into a stall, slid down against the door, and fumbled for my bag with trembling fingers. Breathe. I popped my medication, gulping the water from my bottle and swallowing hard. 

I let my body shake violently, staying in one place before my body finally started to ease.  

A knock came at the door. 

“Alyssa?” a gentle voice called behind the door, startling me. “It’s me Louisa.” The name rang a bell. I quickly wiped my face, staring at the mirror to take in the difference as I forced myself to something neutral.  

I unlocked the door and the girl from morning entered. Her eyes scanned my face for a moment. It was awkward so I broke the silence. “Hi”

“I saw everything.” She said unexpectedly. “You didn’t deserve that.” 

I shrugged to downplay the situation, “I was just… returning something.” She shook her head. “Stay away from Kayden. He’s cold and arrogant. He never cares who get hurt as long as he stays on top. And you look way too cool to be the object of their mockery.”

“I wasn’t trying to…” I started, then stopped. “Forget it.”

Louisa smiled and extended her hand. “Come on. I’ll be your friend here. And I’ll scare those spineless bullies away from you.”

My chest bloomed with warmth, feeling a little better. Louisa did really sound honest. And truly? I needed companionship. And maybe I was ready to meet the Jackmans’ heir as well,whom they said was in his second year already . Maybe he was someone in this school and could also be my ally.

I took Louisa’s hand.

Her warm grip was firm and reassuring. “Come on,” she said lightly, already tugging me along. “My driver is waiting. He will drop you at yours, or is your car outside?”

Her driver? She already has a driver at this young age…

“Um… I will go with you.” I replied, not admitting nor denying that I had a car. I smiled and followed while silently regretting my decision too. Would she still want to be my friend if she knew my real status? I wondered. 

The car smelled faintly of vanilla and leather. Louisa talked easily like we had known each other longer than a day. About teachers she hated, how she loved being a cheerleader, the unspoken hierarchy of Calderon private university, and many more. Before I knew it, she was already talking about Kayden’s friend too. “Killian is more expressive than Kayden, and he’s more flirtatious and outgoing. He’s a total jerk. I heard he was suspended from school twice last year. So much for being a minister’s only son.”

I listened more than I spoke, laughing genuinely because she was funny. She made everything feel lighter.

When the car finally slowed and stopped in front of the Jackmans’ estate, Louisa leaned forward, eyes widening.

“Wow,” she breathed. “Your parents must be really rich.” 

My stomach twisted- because I knew that wasn’t my truth. I almost rejected the praise and told her my reality, but I didn’t.

“Yeah,” I simply said with a faint smile. “You should see my parents’ house too one of these days. It isn’t this big though.” She added cheerfully. “We will hang out properly.”

“I’d like that. See you tomorrow, Louisa.” I waved as the luxurious black car pulled away, my smile dropping the moment the gate closed behind it. Guilt sat heavily in my chest like stone. What have I done?

I walked toward the servants’ quarters, unlocked the door with the spare key I had, and stepped inside. The space here was small- narrow and minimal. But truthfully, it was luxury- compared to any place my mother and I had lived before.

I dropped my bag and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing.

Kayden’s face flashed through my mind. His facial expression when I talked back was satisfying. Then Louisa. My beautiful, unexpected friend… how will I manage with her assumption of me? 

I was doing my school assignment when my mother came in that night, looking tired and sweaty. “Mum?” I rushed to her side. When I touched her skin, it was hot. “You’re burning up.”

She sank onto the gray couch opposite the bed, blinking shallowly. “Aly… you will help serve dinner tonight. I cooked dinner, but can’t serve them.” Her voice sounded too weak, like she could barely speak.

“Do we need to go to the hospital?” Panic sharpened my voice. She shook her head. “It’s just… stress.”

No, I knew there was more. “Mum? Tell me the truth.” A short silent ensued between us, but when our eyes met, she started pouring. “Your father took my money. All of it.”

My nerves went cold. I closed my eyes, forcing calmness onto my voice. “I told you to change your bank account’s password, mum.” 

A tear fell from her eyes. “I didn’t think he would do that again. He hasn’t even been in town. He… he said he thought he could double it by gambling. He has no shame.” Her voice kept breaking. I wanted to suggest again that she should divorce him, but knowing my mum… I swallowed my words.

After helping her clean her tears with tissues, I rose to my feet, straightening the faded beige round neck I wore on my jean. “So tell me, how will I locate their kitchen? And how does each of them like their meal being served?”

She explained to me. “As for Junior, he likes his food served hot so make sure he’s seated before you serve him.” I almost rolled my eyes. Junior was the son-a.k.a the heir I was yet to meet. My mum had no idea that I was going up there to serve once whether he was seated or not.

Sincerely speaking, I had not even met any of the Jackmans closely before. The owner of the house was hardly around as well.

When I got to the main house, I was immediately stunned by the interiors as I registered them. Polished floors, soft lighting, air that smelled like wealth. 

I was still looking around when a female’s voice pulled me out of my dazed moment. “Are you the daughter that would be serving us dinner tonight?” I turned to her, immediately finding her exceptionally gorgeous. She was staring at me with blue eyes that looked sleepy. 

“Yes. I’m Alyssa. Good evening, ma’am” Her eyes ran me over once. “Okay. Nice timing. Junior just finished gaming and will soon be here. The meal is already at the dining table. Go serve it,” I bowed slightly, darting toward the dining, while making a mental note that she probably knew my mum was sick since she knew I was coming to serve, but didn’t ask after her health.

I didn’t take it personally though. I noticed that water wasn’t here yet so I went to locate their fridge to get it. When I returned, three people were now seated around the dining table. The lady, a very much looking older man- probably the father, and…the third person’s face was bowed. That was probably the heir of the family- Junior.

My chest tightened as I started pouring water from the jug into the glass cups. I greeted the older man. “Good evening, Sir,” 

That was when the boy’s head jerked up from his phone. Our eyes met and I gasped. My hold around the jug  suddenly slipped, causing it to fall on his glass cup that I was already filling. The water soaked up his white T-shirt immediately. I heard the gasps, but I remained rooted to a spot, eyes on him.

Because the boy that was seated with the Jackman family was no junior. This was Kayden. The boy who had just humiliated me after I tried returning his Jacket hours ago.