" you!!!...you bitch, what did you do!" My heart began to race in fear what have I done now, why was she angry with me?
" I...I didn't do anything," I stuttered
"What's up, Kaylee? what has she done?" Paula said, staring between us.
" I...I went to find out why I didn't get an email and guess what I was told," she said through gritted teeth, her eyes red from crying. I began to fidget as my eyes drifted to Sage who was standing beside her daughter with her hands crossed, I swallowed.
" That my name isn't among those that took the exams, how is that possible if I applied and this good-for-nothing wrote the exams?." she screamed, coming closer to me.
I took a step back to create a safe distance between us
" Claire, did you take the exams?" Sage said in a low tone, I nodded in response, my head bowed.
"Speak up!" Kaylee growled
"Yes...I did "I replied.
" Then what happened? Did you get caught?" Paula said, grabbing my arms tightly. I winced struggling to get out of her grip
"I didn't get caught. let go! " I shouted
" Then what happened? Mom, you see, I told you this bitch was out to destroy me, she wants me to be as pathetic as she is!" Kaylee cried out, her mother placed a hand on her shoulders
" Why is my daughter's name not on the list of students who took the exams?" she said, glaring at me
" I don't know. shouldn't you ask your daughter? She was the one who applied for the exams. besides, I went there with the pass she gave me and wrote the exams," I narrated
" It doesn't make sense. If you got a pass, it means your name was registered....or did it get removed after you wrote the exams?" Paula said, rubbing her temples, I rolled my eyes irritated by her nosy attitude. I wasn't even supposed to write this stupid exam in the first place.
" Tell us all that happened that day, Claire, " she added, I sighed, narrating everything, not leaving a single detail as their mouths fell open.
"What do you mean? you got into an argument with a girl? Who was she!" Kaylee shouted
"Well, I don't know. She was rude to me. All I did was try to defend myself"
" Defend yourself? "
" What was her name? What did she look like? " Paula asked pinching the bridge of her nose.
" I don't know. She called herself Belki...something of that sort...I can't remember her name" Kaylee stared at me ghastly as her breath quickened and clenched her hands into fists
" bell?....do you mean Belkis Berhan, as in Belkis, the daughter of Mr Berhan Bishan?!, did you mess with her?!!!!!" She wailed, her hands pulling at her Auburn, middle-length hair. She stared at me comically, and I swear I would have busted into laughter if the matter wasn't so serious.
" Oh God, she messed with an m5," Paula pronounced, falling to the couch, her face terrified. They all held the same expression of doom which made me chuckle silently. I wasn't sure what the issue was, but it must be huge.
That was the first time I heard such a title and unfortunately wasn't the last.
"M5 " I whispered, biting hard on my lower lip. her eyes gawked at me, staring holes, if possible.
" Don't tell me you do not know who the M5 is!" Kaylee asked looking pale oh God why do they keep saying the m5, will they just tell me?
" wait I mean it might not be the Belkis the entire rome knows right?" Paula asked giving a nervous chuckle. she went inside and brought a laptop, opened it and searched ambassadors of Rome High International School and it immediately brought a group of students with uniforms
"Tell me if you recognise anyone in this picture," Paula said raising the computer to my face, I squinted my eyes to accommodate the bright light that emitted from it, As my eyes drifted from each image taking mental notes of their appearance. The group comprised of five members, three guys and two girls and one of those girls was the girl I fought with. My palms became sweaty as my gaze landed on those prying eyes eagerly waiting for my answer, I gulped pointing to the picture of the girl
" She was the one I fought with" I whispered, Paula groaned taking the laptop from my sight
" Of all the people to fight within that school you fought with an m5?!" Paula shouted, I flinched at her sudden tone... anyway what is she doing here?
" Do you know the meaning of m5?....it means mandrake 5 this group is named after a very dangerous plant because they are indeed dangerous!" Kaylee narrated, her emerald eyes darkened with every word she said
"Mattio Capo, the fifth member of the group and the most insignificant there, is the boyfriend of Belkis. Yes he holds the least power but he is still feared, his father is also the secretary to her father. Emiliano Smith...son of Henry Smith who is the CEO of Fame Cooperation as well as a huge stakeholder of JJ pharmaceutical company! Andrea Russo son of Gabriel Russo, who is the right-hand man to Mr Edoardo Esposito the most powerful drug lord here in Rome! Not only is he a right-hand man he also owns Rome High International School!." she said stepping closer to me, my mouth went dry hoping this was a dream. If these people are so powerful just who is Belkis's father and am I going to regret slapping her?
" And his brother is Luca Leonardo Russo the most feared mafia so, in summary, Andrea could be regarded as the most powerful male in that group, his father is a right-hand man to a drug lord and his uncle is a mafia boss, Aurora Esposito granddaughter of Edoardo Esposito am sure you can connect the dots, both her and Andrea are a thing you must know how much power those two possess. And last but not least, The Queen you messed with Belkis Berhan, daughter of Berhan Bizhan who happens to be the lord of ammunition. her father produces weapons Claire!, you messed with the daughter of a man who produces weapons that kill people " Kaylee sang
"Oh Belkis is a big shot" I muttered, now I feel bad
" Let me tell you a quick story about her, her grandfather migrated from Ethiopia to Italy to start a new life and from there began this business. He supplies weapons to the armed forces and even criminals like mafias and drug dealers" Paula said I frowned
"Isn't that illegal, these m5 are children of criminals?" I said
"How does that matter now? You ruined everything for me, you ruin everything you touch!" She screamed tears rolling down her eyes
"Calm down my dear," Sage said quietly
" I should be calm Mother? No, I can't be, why did you bring this girl to our house she is unlucky, mother! She wants to ruin my life I hate her!" She cried out, I stood there with no form of expression my eyes hurting from the tears that was trying to form but no I won't cry. I really did try my best for her I didn't think my foolish outburst would take away something she really wanted.
" I hate you Claire, I wish you had died along with your parents in that fire!" She shouted as my eyes widened in shock, and that was it I began to cry, the tears I thought I stopped just came flowing with no warning I clenched my dress biting hard on my lips.
" am sorry" I sobbed, she glared at me picked up the novel that was on the table and started to hit me with it first on both sides of my arms then my head constantly
"you're sorry?! You bitch will sorry give me the admission!" She spat not stopping I just stood still not moving an itch as the tears blurred my vision
" that is enough now okay? Just you both go to your room" Sage said snatching the book from her hands as we all left the living room, the next five days were tense and what worried me the most was the cool attitude Sage kept throughout the matter which was really unlike her. I on the other hand tried my best to make sure I didn't get on their bad side, I sat in the living room quietly cutting the carrot I would be using for the sauce I was preparing. while Sage was busy watching the TV and Kaylee, well she has been sulking since then and refused to speak to anyone
"Lucky girl!" Aunty exclaimed watching the tv
" A girl who was bullied in a famous school has been given admission," the aunt said again talking to me, I gave a slight smile in response before facing what I was doing, suddenly we heard a scream coming from Kaylee's room we both stood abruptly exchanging the same confused look, she ran into the living room her face red and phone in her hands, her eyes were literally bulging out of its socket.
" The video is viral!" She screamed I frowned puzzled
"Mom the video of Belkis and Claire is viral! It's all over the internet! " she stated as my eyes widened, I swallowed
" What?... Wait is she the girl on the news?!" Sage asked increasing the volume of the TV
" And as a result of this issue Rome High has decided to increase the number of people that would be given scholarships this year, from twenty to fifty, " the female newscaster said, her lips in a thin line. we all stared at each other before turning back to the tv
" And the female that was being bullied will be given a public apology by the bully along with a scholarship to study in Rome High. Her college education will also be funded as well" the woman said with a bright smile, suddenly my phone made a sound I opened it to see a message that left me shocked. Kaylee snatched my phone reading its message out loud
" Congratulations you have been given a scholarship to study at Rome High?!" She screamed glaring at me and like that, my life changed for the worse.