SIX YEARS LATER ...
"Come on, I don't want to be late on my first day, Alex!" Frudi shouted, her angry voice echoing throughout the whole house.
It was Frudi and Alex's first day at Sapphire University but apparently Alex was too busy trying to look good making them run late.
They were both in the same faculty studying different courses but they were living in the house Cisco bought for them alongside Sergio who was also attending the same university.
That morning Sergio had a project to submit so he left before them. Now Frudi was getting her patience tested by her personal bodyguard who's also her best friend.
The girl couldn't take it anymore so she pulled out her pistol and went to stand front of his door. "Dude, I will so put a bullet through this door if you don't co-" Frudi's words were cut off when Alex came out looking like a complete meal waiting to be eaten. "Gurl.. your outfit!"
Alex looked conflicted by Frudi's reaction. He didn't know if it was a compliment or otherwise. "Is it that bad?"
Frudi rolled her eyes and let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "I'll say this once... You ate and left no crumbs. Slay baby boy!"
The duo smiled and left for school. The ride to school was just about them chatting and vibing to songs. It went on like that until Frudi turned the volume down. "What do you think today is gonna be like?"
Alex thought for a moment before answering. "I don't know but I wished it'd be memorable for both of us. Even if the boss made us attend this university because Dylan Martinez is in it, it should be worth it."
"Lexie, I beg your pardon, don't contaminate the car with his name" Frudi hissed.
Alex laughed at his friend's reaction. "Wow, you seriously hate him."
" I don't!.." Frudi defended. "I just detest his livelihood"
Alex looked at Frudi like she was loco. "I beg to differ."
Frudi hissed and wind the volume up while singing along to whatever was playing.
As soon as they arrived, they hurriedly went to their individual classes promising to meet at lunch.
__
Frudi's phone buzzed discreetly on her desk, displaying a message from HQ which simply means her dad. She excused herself from class, meeting Alex outside. "Operation briefing," Alex said, eyes scanning the message.
Their mission: escort Shin Yunho, Cisco's business partner's son, from the airport.
Upon arrival, Yunho emerged, designer luggage in tow. "Annyeonghaseyo," he said, eyeing them haughtily.
Frudi forced a smile. "Welcome, Mr. Yunho. We're your escorts."
But Yunho continued speaking in Korean, leaving Alex frustrated. "Can you please speak English?" Alex asked.
Yunho smirked. "I can, but I won't."
Frudi's smile began to falter as Yunho's insults flew, aimed at their competence. That's when she snapped. "Neo-ui eomma-ui gat-eun geos-eo," she retorted, her Korean sharp as a blade.
Yunho's smirk vanished. Alex raised an eyebrow. "What did you say?"
Frudi's smile returned, sweet as sugar. "Just a little Korean hospitality."
Frudi and Alex successfully escorted Shin Yunho to the designated drop spot, where Roland and other guards took over. Without incident, they returned to the university, slipping back into their classes unnoticed.
After class, they headed to the faculty cafeteria for lunch. As they ate, Frudi's phone remained silent, a welcome respite from the morning's events. But her tranquility was short-lived.
A commotion erupted nearby, drawing her attention. A first-year student, Emily, had written a heartfelt letter to Dylan Martinez, son of the notorious Martinez mafia family. Instead of keeping it private, Dylan chose to read it aloud, mocking Emily's writing and embarrassing her in front of the cafeteria crowd.
Frudi's anger, still simmering from the morning's encounter with Yunho, reached a boiling point. She strode over to Dylan, her eyes blazing. "Give me that," she demanded, snatching the letter from his hand.
Dylan smirked, but Frudi's gaze made him take a step back. "Mind your own business, Freshman," he sneered.
Frudi's smile was icy. "This is my business. You're making a scene, disturbing my lunchtime and I won't let you humiliate her like that."
Emily looked up, tears in her eyes, as Frudi handed her the letter. "Thank you," she whispered.
Frudi turned back to Dylan. "Apologize to her. Now."
Dylan's smirk faltered, but he didn't back down. "Or what?"
Frudi's eyes flashed with warning. "You don't want to find out."
Alex, sensing the tension, put down his phone and watched, ready to intervene if needed.
Dylan's eyes widened as Frudi walked away, her confident stride leaving him speechless. But his shock turned to rage as he attempted to hit her. Alex, anticipating the move, swiftly punched Dylan, sending him crashing to the ground.
Frudi turned, a satisfied grin spreading across her face. She high-fived Alex, and they shared a triumphant glance. "Let's finish lunch," Alex suggested, as if nothing had happened.
But their calm was short-lived. Dylan, still seething, spat a homophobic slur at Alex. "Faggot"
Frudi's eyes blazed with fury. She turned, her fists flying, and pummeled Dylan mercilessly. The cafeteria erupted into chaos – some recording the fight, others laughing at Dylan's misfortune. Even his friends joined in, abandoning him.
As Frudi stood over Dylan's battered form, her chest heaved with anger. "Don't ever use that word again," she warned, her voice icy. Alex stood beside her, a proud smile on his face.
Frudi and Alex walked out of the university, still buzzing from their morning escapade in the cafeteria. They had taken down Dylan, the arrogant Martinez, and were feeling quite pleased with themselves.
As they approached their car, they couldn't stop grinning. "That was epic!" Alex exclaimed, unlocking the doors.
Frudi chuckled, sliding into the passenger seat. "Totally worth it. Dylan's face was priceless!"
They drove home, reliving the highlights of their showdown. When they arrived at their apartment building, they tried to be discreet, hoping to avoid Sergio's notice. Sergio, their friend and quasi-older brother, was a third-year student at the same university and he was hands down strict
When they saw Sergio's car was gone, they breathed a sigh of relief. "Chores, let's do chores!" Alex exclaimed, and they spent the next two hours scrubbing, vacuuming, and cooking, trying to earn Sergio's good side.
After their domestic duties, they collapsed onto the couch, gaming controllers in hand.
Just as they were getting into their zone, Sergio walked in, a knowing glint in his eye. "Hey, troublemakers! I heard about the cafeteria showdown."
Frudi and Alex exchanged nervous glances, but Sergio just chuckled. "Impressive, you two. Lan's got a big mouth, but you shut him down."
Sergio set down a steaming plate of pasta, and the aroma filled the room. "Dinner's on me, kids. Celebrating your... memorable first day?"
Frudi and Alex laughed, tension dissipating. Over dinner, Sergio regaled them with stories of his own university escapades, making them laugh until their sides hurt.
As night fell, they cracked open beers, cheering to Frudi and Alex's unforgettable first day. "To many more adventures!" Sergio toasted, and they clinked bottles, grinning at each other like partners in crime.
Frudi's phone chimed showing a text from her father. [Garnet Hotel. Tomorrow 7:AM]
She read it and sighed. 'At least he didn't scold me for today'
"Guys, I'm retreating. I've got an early class tomorrow"
Sergio and Alex bid Frudi goodnight as she left for her room.
That night, Frudi couldn't get her head wrapped around two things - Why does her dad want to see her? And why couldn't she control her anger when Lan was involved?
Of course she knew that her dad and Tristan Martinez, Dylan's dad are enemies. But she doesn't plan for it to be a hatred passed down to her.
With all the chaos going on in her head, Frudi decided it was better she slept.
The next morning, Frudi got up at five, had cereal for breakfast, took a shower and got dressed up in her normal outfit - black cargo pants, black oversized t-shirt and combats. After everything, she made her way to the location her dad had given her.
At the hotel, she met her dad and his most trusted men. 'Things are normal. Why am I needed?' Frudi thought as she took a seat looking at her father. "Hi boss"
"Boss? Really? What offense did I commit?" Cisco dramatically puts his hands on his chest overemphasizing the fact that his daughter called him boss.
Frudi laughed at the little display from her dad before going back to her bored expression. "Alright. Please stop it and cut to the chase"
"We received a hint that the Martinez family are up to something and Sapphire University is involved." Cisco explained pacing back and forth around the room.
The bored expression on Frudi's face turned skeptical. She needed to feed her curiosity so she asked. "What hint? If they have something to do, then it's not our business"
Cisco took a halt on his steps. "They're gonna distribute coke using the Rivera Group name"
"Now this is the kind of mission I love. Let me guess, I should get close to Dylan Martinez to get info."
"Now we're talking, kiddo"