The clouds were glowing orange, painted by the setting sun. The bell had rung, and students were gradually leaving school.
Lisa was waiting in the car, trying to spot the two girls in the crowd.
"Here." She waved her arms out of the window at them. Nathalia and Sophie were chatting cheerfully, beaming, radiant with joy.
The two happy girls got in the car and told Lisa how well classes went. Then Nathalia remembered something and said determinedly, "Ms. Watson, as soon as the stock market opens tomorrow morning, let's sell all the stocks."
Was Lisa a bit startled, "All? Are you sure?" Though she was confident that Nathalia knew what she was doing. She had never doubted her or underestimated her, and now after the incident, she was more certain than ever.
It was carefully plotted to perfection.
Knowing someone at such a young age could be so calculating was supposed to be frightening, but when Lisa saw the video, saw how Nathalia was beaten, she understood the calmness and aloofness in her eyes and why she was doing what she was doing.
Home isn't home to her. She has no family. They use her, hurt her. She has to fight to be free.
Lisa felt protective of her, thinking about how she had to protect herself in a house of cruelty and evilness, how she still had to defend them even though they had harmed her.
She's a young girl still.
Nathalia replied with certainty and a smile, "Yep. I'm sure. Let's sell them all."
Lisa patted her head, lovingly, "Sure. Whatever you say. But any plans for the next move?"
They bought most of the Carter's stocks at its lowest price, and now the price had gone up and tripled.
"Invest half of the money into our company, and keep the other half for me. I need it." She answered, straight away.
I have played the first game well. They have suffered a great loss, and I have gained a lot.
Their clothing company, The Trend, had been doing very well since the start. Lisa used Nathalia's designs at the annual fashion show, and it was a great success. Their first production sold out within two weeks.
As agreed, Lisa managed the company, and Nathalia helped with designing and offering brilliant ideas. And as expected, the two of them were perfect partners.
Back at the Carter's, things seemed to have returned back to normal except that Zack had been sent abroad to avoid the potential attacks from the public. Frank had been presenting himself as a responsible and caring father to Nathalia, and Nathalia, as usual, did her part perfectly.
However, she kept her guard up still and remained cautious. She knew this was just the peace before the arrival of a heavy storm.
It was a weekend. The shopping centers were heaving. Nathalia was wearing a new beige spring dress, her hair up in a ponytail. She enjoyed wandering about the shops and trying on new clothes, curious to see what was in trend this season.
Evette was with Nathalia. Though she was dressed in her best, as usual, she looked annoyed.
If her parents had not requested it, she would not spend a second with Nathalia at all, let alone going shopping with her.
However, when she thought about how people had been looking at her and the whispering she heard recently, she knew she had no choice but to put up with it for now. I will get my revenge one day. She thought.
Nathalia spotted a new shop and went in with curiosity. She glanced around and picked a pinkish-purple dress.
Nice fabric, reasonable price, and good style. Not bad. Nathalia thought as she looked at herself in the mirror, holding the dress in front of her.
The salesgirls were extremely keen as they had noticed the brands of the outfits Nathalia and Evette were wearing. That was the way they could tell who had the money to spend.
Evette showed no interest at all but rolled her eyes in disapproval. "Nathalia, really? Do you like this sort of cheap stuff? Custom-made is the trend now. You know, unique, custom-made." She commented impatiently.
All those expensive clothes that filled her wardrobe were designed and made by renowned designers. Not a copy could be found elsewhere.
Nathalia smiled and replied gently, "Evette, why don't you go home if you are bored?"
"What? Huh..." Of course, Evette wanted to go home, but she knew she would get a good talking to if her parents found out.
She had been working hard to try and rebuild her reputation lately, attending charity events, visiting orphanages as well as going out with Nathalia as often as possible so as to show people that she was a good sister.
I can't just let all my effort go into waste. She thought, yet she couldn't hide her anger either, so she walked to the door and waited there, sulking.
Nathalia couldn't care less. She went on browsing and trying on new clothes. With those that she liked, she had the salesgirls wrapped them up and paid with Frank's credit card. It's not my money anyway, why not spend it.
As she was paying, she heard Evette screaming with excitement "It's him!". Nathalia turned around and saw Evette rush out.
Who is it? Nathalia wondered as she went out to have a look. A few guys dressed in smart suits were walking towards her direction. The one at the front was Spencer Davidson, and he stood out with his charm like an attention magnet.
As usual, they had caused some commotion in the crowd. Girls were stopping to look at them admiringly. Evette rushed forward and exclaimed excitedly, "Spencer! What a coincidence, seeing you here. It must be fate. Don't you think?"
Evette had been thinking of him all the time, but she had tried every possibility she could to get close to him and had no luck.
Now that she had seen him by accident, how could she let go of such a wonderful opportunity? She played with her hair while she spoke. Nervous and excited, she blushed, and her cheeks reddened.
Spencer looked at her and frowned, "Do I know you?" he said coldly.
What? How can he have forgotten me? It's impossible.
"It's me. Evette Carter. We've met before. Don't you remember me?"
Evette felt humiliated and frustrated. I'm stunning looking, and every man I've met adores me. They even fight for me. But how can he not remember me? How come?
Spencer reacted like he suddenly remembered and replied in an even colder tone, "Oh. Yeah. I do remember you. You are the one who bullies your own sister, right?"
Evette was almost in tears, hearing what Spencer said. Immediately she tried to explain, "No, it's not like that. It's all rumors. They are not true. It was...you can't believe them..." She stuttered for a while and noticed the sharp aloofness in Spencer's eyes.
She was so desperate to justify herself.