It was incredibly silent, save for the autumn breeze. The tears in Julianne's eyes had completely retreated; she couldn't even bring herself to cry anymore. What Aditi had said was undoubtedly a slap to her face as her expression alternated between red, white, and then green.
"Senior..." She tried to force a smile, but it looked more like she was crying instead, making her look incredibly ugly. Her fists were clenched in humiliation. She didn't even know how she came to deserve it or what the cause had been.
"Stop claiming relations with people you never talk to, otherwise expect a real slap next time. I won't be nice to relation-diggers like you," Aditi delivered once again, her voice reaching all the students who had gathered around to watch the ongoing drama. They pointed at Julianne and whispered to each other.
Suddenly, an idea came to Leila's mind, and her eyes shone with a mischievous light. Only Jayden, who paid attention to even the smallest things she did, and Julianne, who had spent lots of time learning more about her, understood what that light meant the most.
For a moment, a bad feeling came over Julianne as she knew whatever Leila was going to do wouldn't be good.
A heavy sigh was heard as an apologetic-looking Leila stepped forward, chiding softly. "Aditi... it's alright, Anna is still my younger sister, so don't blame her; blame me instead. I am the one who failed to teach her not to go around like this. Actually, I thought Aunty would teach her better, but... sigh, forget it, Aunty is probably too busy going to salons to do her hair and nails..."
In a few words, Leila had added salt to Julianne's injury, and that too in Julianne's style. Julianne was too stunned to even say a word, and without her knowing it, her two classmates had already fled from embarrassment. She dug her nails into her palm, the pain helping her to stay sane; otherwise, she would have pounced on Leila and punched her dirty mouth.
Unhurriedly, Leila and the others walked away. After she was sure that Julianne couldn't hear them, Aditi's expression changed as she held Leila's arm and squealed. "Leila! Did you see her face? Do you see the way her face alternated between green and red? Hahahaha, I've never enjoyed destroying b*tches' facades like today! Her reaction is enough to make me full without eating, hahahaha."
Leila also happily smiled. This was the first time she tasted the sweet feeling of revenge, and it felt indescribably good. The feeling of returning right with right and wrong with wrong was so sweet. And she hadn't even begun yet, because by the time she started, Julianne would be begging for mercy.
"But hey babe..." Aditi called out for her attention. "Don't call me Aditi again, call me Addy, okay?"
"Why?" Leila couldn't understand. To her, Aditi sounded pretty good, and the meaning was good too.
Aditi insisted firmly. "No reason, just address me as Addy and we'll be good."
"You remind me of someone..." Leila said thoughtfully.
"Who?"
Leila smiled without the intention of telling who the person was. It was Julianne who insisted for some reason on not being called Anne, which was the right moniker for her name, but instead wanted to be called Anna. Pretty weird people both are, you know, but one was playful and the other was villainous.
They had already walked to the school gate where luxury cars were parked as students were picked up one after another. Aditi pulled Leila into a hug before cheerfully pecking her cheek. "See ya tomorrow, babe, don't forget to miss me. And you too, Jayden!"
Leila waved back with a smile.
After Aditi's departure, a middle-aged man who was Jayden's driver walked forward, bowing respectfully. "Hello, Young Master. Hello, Miss Leila."
"Hi Uncle Chucks, how have you been?" Leila cheerfully asked. She was very familiar with the workers in Jayden's mansion as she was close with them.
"I have been in good health recently, thanks for asking, Young Lady, except that we all miss you."
Leila smiled apologetically. "I have been busy recently. I will try to clear my schedule and pay a visit once I have time."
"Then inform the Young Master when you are coming so that the chef will prepare the new recipe he just learned for you."
"I can't wait then."
"Us too."
Jayden then turned to Leila. "Sister, let me drop you off."
"I am going home, I mean to the Old Mansion today, and the driver is coming to pick me up, so don't bother, okay? Uncle Chucks is here, quickly go home with him."
"Can't sister go home with me? That Julianne... she... she loves to bully Sister...."
Leila couldn't help but smile at his grudging attitude and she pulled him into a hug, messing his hair up again. "It's alright, no one can bully me anymore, okay?"
"...Then... then Sister should call me once she reaches home, and don't forget to miss me..." He whispered the last part silently, keeping a straight face as he walked away with his driver.
Leila rubbed her ears dazedly. Damn, her Jayden is growing up! Uncle Chucks, who was standing at the side, sighed silently. Their Young Master really likes Miss Leila; look at how coquettishly he is acting. No one would believe him if he told them about it.
***
The Faisal's car was a white Audi A8 L and was a little low-key when compared to other extravagant cars pulled to the sides. Leila entered the car, and the driver's enthusiastic voice greeted her as he turned around. "Young Lady, you are he..." Suddenly, he paused as he met Leila's eyes.
"Who are you? This is the Faisal's car, get down from the car, please."
Feeling slightly tired of having to introduce herself to many people, Leila sighed and looked at the driver. "Whom do you think I look like?"
The familiar voice caught the young driver's ear, though he wasn't really sure. "Miss Leila?"
The difference in address didn't escape Leila's ears as she nodded. "Please proceed home, I have something to do."
The driver's brow furrowed. "I am sorry, but I can't go home without the Young Lady."
"My father had another daughter behind my back?"
The displeasure in the driver's eyes deepened. "Miss Julianne is your sister."
"Step-sister," Leila corrected. "Then give her a call. I don't want to waste my time sitting here all day long when we haven't even seen her shadow."
"She went to the bookstore with her friends. Please exercise patience, Miss."
In other words, an unserious element like you should just sit still and not get in the studious Lady Julianne's way...
"We are waiting for ten minutes. If she doesn't show up, then you take me home," Leila suggested coldly.
"I can't go home without Lady Julianne." The driver was deadpan, and Leila felt even more ridiculous as she took a deep breath. She was already tired, and talking to the stubborn driver was draining the little energy she had.
She glanced at the time on her phone then showed it to him, tapping on her phone coldly. "Ten minutes max. If she isn't here, we are going home."