Steffy took a deep breath, recalling the fear on the girls' faces. A smirk tugged at her lips as she relished the rush of power that came with defeating those bullies.
"So, this is what it feels like to be feared."
Now she understood why her father prized power above all else. With power, everything the world had to offer was hers for the taking. And yet, as she sat here, anxious to complete her mission, the memory of her conversation with her father that morning resurfaced. Her smirk faded. He'd been hounding her about the situation in Southern Isla, insisting that the sooner she finished the target, the better for everyone in the Brotherhood.
"I need a solid plan," she thought, clicking her tongue. She'd been tailing Lucio Hernandez for days now, but the man was different in front of the students in this school. And there was no denying it—he was a good-looking piece of shit.
"Too bad he's going to die though," she whispered, chuckling.
"Who the hell are you?"
Steffy spun around, her glare sharp and dangerous. She instinctively shifted into a fighting stance, but when her eyes locked with the intruder's, she was struck by the shock that blended with the excitement on his face.
"Oh! You're the new girl. Sorry, Miss Blonde, I was just—"
Steffy's brows furrowed. "What did you call me?"
The guy took a step back. "I—I don't know your name, and your hair's blonde, so... just putting two and two together…"
She stared at him, sizing him up. He was your typical nerd—thick glasses, braces, perfectly tucked-in uniform. He gave her the usual ick. But realizing he was as harmless, she turned to leave.
As she headed toward the door, the guy grabbed her arm. "Wait, Miss Blonde—"
"Get your hands off me," she snapped, recoiling from the contact. "And stop calling me that. The name's Steffy."
"Ah! Now I finally know your name."
Steffy narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean by that?"
"I'm Yolo." Said the guy as he extended his hand.
Steffy rolled her eyes but hesitantly took his hand out of courtesy. She was taught that Alphas should always be polite, even with idiots.
"So," Yolo said, clearing his throat, "you're enjoying the vibe of my secret spot, huh?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, Miss Blonde—I mean, Steffy—this is one of the best hangouts around here. The students used to call it tambayan—that's a Tagalog word for hangout, by the way. The principal warned everyone to stay away, though. As you can see, this is the library's rooftop." Without waiting, Yolo sat on the edge of the building. "Ah, the view is amazing," he said, raising his arms toward the sky. "You can see the whole school from up here."
Steffy rolled her eyes and walked over to him, urging him down so he could level with her. "If this place is off-limits, why are you here?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
Steffy sighed and sat next to him, her feet dangling off the edge. "I like being alone sometimes. This spot was perfect until you showed up and killed the mood."
The school was small compared to the Academy she'd attended last year. The Academy was a place for billionaire kids like her. It taught her all she needed to know about leading a life of wealth—stocks, business ventures, and everything in between. She also trained in combat. All of those was to prepare her for the day she'd inherit her father's businesses and leadership in the Alpha Brotherhood.
"You know, I had a feeling there was something off about you," Yolo said suddenly, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she muttered, masking her concern with her usual tough demeanor. "What do you know about me?"
"I know what you did to Charlotte and her friends," he said.
Steffy's mind flashed to the incident with the girls. She wasted no time. In an instant, she had Yolo pinned to the ground, her fist raised, the other hand gripping his collar.
"Whoa! Miss Blonde, r-relax! I-I meant no harm—"
"Tell me everything you know!" she hissed, still holding him down. "Or I'll throw you off this roof and watch your skinny body splatter on the ground."
"Okay! Okay! Just let me sit up!" he pleaded. "There's no need to kill me! Jeez, what's wrong with you?"
She pulled him up, pushing his chest. "Start talking."
"Fine! Ugh! You're one tough woman," he muttered, brushing the dirt off his uniform. "Gosh, these uniforms are brand new."
Steffy glared. "Will you shut up and talk already? I don't have all day."
"Okay, okay," Yolo sighed. "So, I was cleaning the locker room—"
"What are you, a janitor?" Steffy replied, scoffing in disbelief.
"Well, both," he chuckled. "Anyway, I was cleaning when I heard a commotion. I hid in a corner and saw everything. I saw what you did. Gotta say, you gave those girls a fashion lesson."
"Is that all you know?" she asked, still raising her guard.
"Yeah, that's all of it! Why? Should I know more?" He grinned. "I'm open to learning more."
"Of course not," she scoffed. "Just keep your mouth shut. I don't want to get expelled and break my parents' hearts."
"Don't worry, Miss Blonde. I'm close to the principal since I'm his scholar, but I won't say a word. Besides, I'm a fan," he added, grinning. "Where'd you learn those moves? I wish I could do that to bullies."
"Shut up," Steffy snapped, making Yolo laugh.
"Seriously, that's all I know," he said, hands in his pockets. Steffy sat back down.
"If you keep quiet," she said coldly, "I might reward you."
"Really?" Yolo's eyes lit up. "Just be my friend then."
Steffy was taken aback. The idea of having a friend in this place intrigued her, but her mission didn't allow for attachments.
"That is an exception," she said, lighting a cigarette and drowning the ridiculous offer away.
***
Later that day, she told George about the encounter.
"I met this idiot on the library's rooftop. He said he wants to be my friend."
George chuckled, glancing at her in the rear-view mirror. "Does making friends bother you, Miss?"
"It does," she replied quietly. "The hardest part isn't killing the target. It's actually leaving behind anyone I connect with here. I don't want that. I just want to finish this mission."
George grunted, his way of showing he understood. "Then do what your father said—eliminate the target and be quick about it. The sooner he's dead, the sooner we leave this place."
Steffy turned to the window, watching the trees pass by in silence. George was right. She had to kill Lucio before she formed any ties.
But the boy's face lingered in her thoughts.
"Something about him feels familiar. Like I've seen him before, but I can't place where…"
"Be careful then, Miss," George replied. "He might not be just some random kid. You cannot trust anyone these days… especially with your position."