Paula rushed out of the Chairman's room early in the morning towards the guest house. Her breathing was heavy with each inhale and exhale.
Despite limping out of pain, she forced herself to walk as quickly as possible. Her hands were covered in bruises. She hid them beneath the folds of her shawl.
Each step sent waves of pain through her body, but she endured it with one thought running through her mind- Amara had trusted her with Liora's care, and she had betrayed that trust, all because of the Chairman's demands.
As she neared the guesthouse, her heart raced with anxiety. The night had been a nightmare, and now all she could think about was Liora.
The sun's rays started to filter through the window where Liora slept. Her phone vibrated, gradually pulling her out of her dream world. She reached for it with a fumbling hand and placed it to her ear while cuddling in her blanket.
"Hello?" She murmured in a drowsy voice.
"Good morning, Ora," came Caspian's familiar, gentle and teasing voice.
"So soon? Is it already morning?" Liora mumbled with her eyes still closed.
"Ora." This time, Caspian whispered her name most affectionately, softly, as a secret shared between lovers, and warmly, as the first light of dawn breaking the night.
"Yes?" she replied, half-asleep."Never, ever do a video call while changing clothes."
"What?" Liora's sleepy head struggled to process his words. "What are you talking about? When did I even...?"
Suddenly, her eyes flew open as realisation struck her like a bolt of lightning. She sat up abruptly, the blanket falling away from her body.
Caspian bit back a laugh. His eyes sparkled with amusement, and he could imagine Liora's cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"I think you're awake now. Have a good day!"
Liora sat there, stunned, her eyes wide open and her lips slightly parted in disbelief. She slowly lowered the phone, still trying to comprehend what had just happened. She checked her call records. Oh no!
With her thoughts still lingering on Caspian's words, Liora left the room without changing her clothes, walking towards her home in a daze. As she approached, she spotted a figure standing in front of the house, and it was Paula who started to run towards her, looking worried.
She wrapped her arms around her tightly. "I'm so sorry I couldn't inform you that I won't be able to come. Were you scared, Liora? Did you sleep in that secret room yesterday? I'm so sorry, Liora, so sorry, my darling!"
Paula's voice was filled with remorse, and her body was trembling with all the pain inflicted on her throughout the night.
Liora gently pulled back her thoughts, and her focus now shifted to Paula.
"I'm fine, Paula. Really! I slept in that room safely last night and..." Liora shyly smiled.
The handsome face of Caspian flashed in front of her eyes, "and Caspian kept me company through the call. So don't worry. I am alright."
Paula's expression darkened. She couldn't hear anything else Liora was saying about safety and being fine. Her mind could only focus on one word: Caspian Glacier.
She released Liora from her embrace, making a distance between them so she could look into her eyes. "Liora, you're growing into a beautiful woman. Be careful who you're friends with, and don't walk around in such clothes."
Paula wasn't old-fashioned, but she wanted to protect Liora from the men of Glacier Mansion.
Liora's brows knitted together in confusion. She didn't understand Paula's concern. But seeing her so worried, she pinched Paula's cheeks playfully.
"I have only a few friends, and they're all very trusted. You worry too much, my dear Paula."
Poor Paula couldn't tell Liora the truth, so she forced a smile. While walking inside the home, Liora noticed Paula limping. "Did you hurt yourself?" Liora asked as concern etched on her face."I fell down the stairs and got some bruises," Paula lied smoothly.
"Were you in the hospital? Is that why you couldn't call me? " Liora's worry deepened.
"Yes," Paula lied again, her voice steady despite the guilt gnawing at her."
Paula, rest on the sofa. I'll prepare breakfast." Liora's tone left no room for argument. Once she set her mind to something, she wouldn't take no for an answer.
Knowing that she had no chance of winning against Liora, Paula nodded. She eased herself onto the sofa, her body aching with each movement. However, her body welcomed the comfort, and she quickly relaxed, sighing softly.
Liora quickly got ready for school and then returned to the kitchen. She prepared a simple breakfast of milk and chocolate cereal for the two of them. Placing the bowls on the table, she called Paula, who had her eyes closed.
"Come on, Paula, join me."
Paula opened her eyes with effort. She managed a weak smile and forced herself to get up then joined Liora at the table. Sitting across from each other, they ate in comfortable silence.
After breakfast, Liora grabbed her school bag.
"I'm off to school. You rest well, Paula," she said firmly. Before Paula could argue, Liora skipped out of the door, hauling her school bag over her shoulder.
Paula watched as Liora left, the door closing softly behind her. Exhausted and in pain, she lay down on the sofa, finally allowing herself to rest, but the thoughts of the chairman were not far from her mind.
At the school, after saying goodbye to Officer Park, Liora heard Daran call her name among the crowd of students. Of course, she recognized his voice and turned to smile at him. They stood near the gate, giggling and smiling when suddenly, a thunderous roar of engines echoed behind them on a clear sunny day.
Three bikers dressed in black leather racing suits appeared on sleek, expensive motorcycles. The front rider accelerated slightly, their Ducati Panigale V4 R glinting in the sunlight.
The riders were outfitted in Dainese Misano leather gear, Arai Corsair-X helmets, and Alpinestars Tech-Air Race vests, giving them the look of professional racers from a high-speed chase.
As if the scene wasn't dramatic enough, a black BMW X7 SUV followed closely behind them. The front biker revved his engine again, a clear signal for Liora and Daran to step aside.
Daran and Liora quickly stepped aside, allowing the bikers and the sleek BMW SUV to pass. Others nearby watched in awe as if they were witnessing their favourite stars drive by. The thunderous roar of the engines and the sight of the luxurious bikes left everyone spellbound.
As the bikers entered the school gate, the front biker momentarily turned his head. His eyes briefly lingered on Liora's legs. With a rev of the engine, he straightened up and sped off into the distance. Liora felt his eyes on her and reflexively checked her skirt.
A thought crossed Liora's mind: 'Are they going to join the school?' She glanced at Daran. 'If so, that meant three more bullies added to the current ones.'
"Please be careful." She warned Daran.
"Yeah, I am."Both of them put on their thick black glasses and walked inside the school, drifting away from each other like strangers. Liora glanced down once more at her school uniform, and this time, she noticed her skirt had become a little short for her.
'Did that biker notice?' Liora pondered. Luckily, she was wearing white knee-high socks as part of the school uniform. She made a mental note to tell her mother that she needed a new uniform in a different size.
Boy, she was growing fast!
The three bikes roared into the parking area, coming to a stop in perfect alignment. The black SUV followed closely, pulling up beside them. In a synchronised motion. The bikers removed their helmets and placed them on their bikes. Each of them dismounted, shaking out their hair with practised ease.
The motorcycle registration plates indicate that these bikes had been driven in France.
The first biker, Kai Rothschild, represented the epitome of financial prowess. With blond hair styled in a carefree yet deliberate manner, it falls just above his eyes, giving him an air of effortless swagger with an athletic physique. His eyes, with a touch of gold, just like his hair, radiated confidence, capturing the attention of everyone around him.
He carried the legacy of the Rothschild family, known for their unmatched influence in the European stock market. The Rothschilds' company, 'EuroWall Securities,' dictated market trends with its decisions, earning it the moniker of the 'Wall Street of Europe.'The second biker, Logan Wolfgang, is tall and athletic, exuding discipline- probably because he spent his childhood dodging vegetables at the dinner table when he didn't want to eat them.
He loved his long brunette hair, which he treated better than most people treat their pets. His eyes, a stormy blend of grey and blue, reflect the legacy of a family that rules politics.
He comes from the prestigious Wolfsgang family, renowned for its political legacy and influential role in shaping national policies. The Wolfsgangs are the hidden power behind the throne, and nothing in the political landscape moves without their approval.
Donovan Magnum is on our final list. Standing tall with a muscular build that speaks of rigorous training, his piercing dark grey eyes exude secrets and determination. Donovan's dark hair was short and meticulously styled. He had a single ear pierced, adorned with a sparkling diamond stud that caught the light with every movement.
The name Magnum is a brand, known for its pioneering advancements in aerospace technology, advanced weaponry production, and global military trade. Their company, 'TechRebel Innovation' is a cutting-edge innovation and international influence, making them a dominant force in the defence and technology sectors.
The Magnums are not just leaders but trailblazers in their field, continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible in aerospace and military technology.
These three young men, each hailing from an influential family, had come to Italy to complete their secondary education at the prestigious Elite School.
From the SUV emerged an elderly person in a hurry with documents, leading the three bikers to the dean's office. Behind them, a pair of guards trailed closely. They looked stern and alert.
Each step they took was steady as if they had meticulously planned every movement. It was clear that these individuals were not just ordinary students.