This could (or would) be the day when Renata could flex her ability to intimidate people, using her father's influence, of course. She, along with Millie and Kim, were on their way to the Gaia dorm, another girl's dorm building. They were going to pay a visit to one of Millie's friends. The sun was still bright outside, giving off a slightly warm feeling in contrast to the chill air in the fall season. Why did Renata take Kim with her? Kim was there as a witness (and to hold Renata back, since Renata and her conscience were not in speaking terms lately).
According to Millie's story, a classmate of Millie came to their room on Saturday morning while Renata was in the library. Millie was close with this Janice when they were in 9th grade, but for unknown reasons, they are not that close anymore. They didn't hate each other or anything; they were just regular classmates. Until around two weeks ago, they started talking to each other again. Janice visited Millie because she told Janice she couldn't return home due to test week. So Janice asked if she would be interested in studying together for the upcoming test. Millie readily agreed to the idea. During their study time, Millie left Janice alone in their room once. It was when Millie made tea for them for about 15 minutes.
Ogre. That was the first word conjured in Renata's mind as she saw the door with "Gaia" written on it. This other dorm's theme was earth, so everything was in forest colors, which were green or brown. Kim immediately informed the dorm head about their purpose when they had just arrived, which was to visit Janice. They were told that Janice was on the third floor, the second last door on the left.
The door was wide open; apparently, there were other visitors in Janice's room. Three girls and Janice were sitting in a circle on her round pink rug. This couldn't be better, Renata thought. Janice's bed was decorated with many plushies, framed photos, and many accessories were the ornaments of a white Scandinavian bookshelf.
She knocked on the door rather loudly, and she could see, Janice was somewhat surprised by her visit. Renata looked at her ankle; Janice was wearing an anklet that was supposed to belong to Millie.
Janice, a dark curly-haired olive-skinned girl with green braces, quickly hid her anxious expression; she was surrounded by many friends, after all. "Yes?" Her voice sounded like a squeaky mouse.
"Janice, isn't it?" Renata smiled at her and asked, "Do you have something that belongs to me?" Renata stared into her eyes, challenging her to dare stare back at her.
As predicted, Janice turned her eyes first. "No, why would I have your things on me? I even have never touched any of your stuff. " The three other girls around Janice looked at her and Renata back and forth, confused by the sudden confrontation.
Renata rolled her eyes at her, "That anklet you are wearing, it's mine, give it back."
Janice stood up and came in front of Renata and said, "This is mine; my mom gave it to me." She crossed her arms.
"Fine, call your mom now; let me talk to her. Or better yet, give me her phone number, and I'll call her. Right here, right now."
"Do you think my mom is that idle? Why would she want to talk to you? Just because you are the owner of Rosaline Perlée?"
"Look, bitch, I haven't got all day. You have 3 options here:
1. We can keep it civil just between us. If you obediently return my anklet to me, I will pretend nothing happened.
2. I'll call the teacher and report you. You probably get to do community service for the rest of your life here.
Or 3. I'll call my father and lawyer. You will end up in juvie. You will have a criminal record forever; you can't get a job in the future, just because of an anklet. This won't end just with you; your family will also get the impact.
Now, which one do you want to choose?" Renata crossed her arms.
It was not in line with Renata's prediction. Usually, people would instantly cower after hearing the word 'lawyer', but this chick just huffed and puffed out her chest. "So this is the heiress of Rosaline Perlée, bullying people just because of an anklet. No matter what the truth is, I will be the guilty one because you are rich, right? You are so rich; why can't you just buy with your own money instead of robbing people less rich than you." Janice's friend was looking furiously at Renata.
Instead of being baffled, Renata was laughing. This was the first time anyone dared turn the facts in front of her. "Wow, I must say, Wow. I almost believe that you are innocent. If you are so sure that that anklet is yours, then tell me, what's the brand? Tiff & Co., Cartier, Bvlgari, or Pomelato? Named it!! Then what's the price? Is it $1k, $2k, or $3k? Where did you buy it?"
"How should I know? My mom gave it to me!!" Janice glared at Renata; this time, Janice's friends also cursing at her.
Janice could look as smug as she wanted, but Renata snuffed her out. "Cut the bullshit already, banshee. We both know who the real twat is here. I will call my father and lawyer and give them the anklet box. The police will surely find your fingerprint in it, which will raise a question, how is it possible your fingerprint is inside the case you never touched?" Renata was smirking and mockingly staring at her before she strode away from her door, followed by Kim and Millie.
Janice unexpectedly reached Renata's arm and said, "Wait, I was just joking." Janice failed to smile as she grimaced, "I just borrowed it from you. Please don't call your father, your lawyer, or anyone." Janice put the anklet in Renata's palm. At this moment, Janice's friend looked green, as green as the wall surrounding them. They might be thinking if Renata would accuse them of collaborating with Janice.
"Borrowing? Borrowing without the owner's consent is considered stealing." Renata jerked her arm away and pulled out her BlackBerry to compare the anklet on her hand to the photo she sent the other day to her parents. She also compared it to her own anklet she wore. "One ball is missing; you broke it. Buy me a new one, exactly the same as this." Renata told Janice.
"But I don't have that much money; my parents won't give me thousands of dollars." Janice was pale; she finally felt scared facing Renata.
"It's just $80; I bought it in a Murano Jewelry store in Mystick Village. The anklet model is Dolphin Sea Green & Coral. If you don't give it to me by tomorrow, I will really call my parents and my lawyer."
Janice looked flabbergasted, "How am I supposed to give it to you tomorrow? Do you really want to sue me for $80?"
Renata just shrugged, "At this point, I don't care if I spend $80, $1k, $100k, or even a million; it makes no difference to me." This time Renata really was leaving, while she mumbled and shook her head, "Your parents spend $60k a year for tuition, and you steal?"
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If only she didn't have to visit Janice this afternoon, Renata would have more time to study the French textbook on her cozy Gudetama bed. What a waste of time.
Millie had returned to herself around Renata, "I can't believe you asked her to buy you a new one. Did you really mean it? You wanted to sue Janice, just for an $80 anklet?"
Renata looked at her with an are-you-stupid gaze and said, "Of course not, but she is an idiot. Let her learn a good lesson."
Millie stared at her before asking, "You seem to know how to deal with this kind of situation. Did this ever happen to you before?"
"Oh, yeah. Many times in my previous boarding school, just a little bit worst."
Intrigued, Millie asked her, "What happened?"