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"God… to think I looked up to these people, admired them for their supposed integrity and the legal means they used to climb to the top. At least, that's what I thought. But who could have known they were this corrupt?"
"You know that saying, 'Not all that glitters is gold,'" another voice chimed in, sharp and bitter, breaking the heavy silence.
THAT. IS. IT. Kayla's chest tightened with anger, her jaw clenched as her sharp gaze zeroed in on her so-called friends. They lounged on velvet couches draped in their designer dresses, sipping champagne and giggling like they hadn't just witnessed her world shatter. Amy, standing stiff beside her, mirrored Kayla's glare, her arms folded tightly across her chest.
Kayla's heels clicked against the marble floor as she stormed toward them, every step echoing her fury.
"Oh baby, I guess there's no more yacht parties now," Aaron said with a sly grin, his arms wrapping around her in a loose hug. His cologne—rich and woodsy—filled her nostrils, but it did little to calm her simmering anger. Kayla froze momentarily under his touch, her lips curling slightly as if she might smile. But her eyes… her eyes were stone-cold, devoid of any warmth.
For a moment, she wondered if he ever truly loved her or if she was just another accessory—a shiny ornament on his arm.
"Umm, Kayla… we'll just take our leave now," Ellen stammered, clutching her clutch bag tighter as if it might shield her from Kayla's piercing stare. One by one, her so-called friends followed Ellen's lead, their heels clicking against the floor as they shuffled away, avoiding Kayla's burning stare.
Cowards.
As the last of them disappeared into the crowd, Kayla let out a long, shaky breath. The grand double doors loomed in front of her, tall and cold. She pushed them open with trembling hands, her voice slicing through the fading chatter of lingering guests.
"Everyone, please… leave. Drop the wine glasses in your hands. The party is over."
Her voice, though polite, carried an edge sharp enough to silence the room. Slowly, guests began to trickle out, muttering under their breaths, their glances heavy with disdain.
"Thank you for coming."
"Yeah, sure."
"Bye!"
But beneath their casual words were sharp whispers: "Corruption runs in their blood." "Greedy politicians and their spoiled kids."
" Such a Disgrace to the society"
Kayla's hands clenched at her sides. What corruption? What society? These people, these leeches, Kayla thought bitterly. These people thrived on hypocrisy—they took money from the same politicians they called corrupt, only to turn their backs and bad-mouth them, those people were the ones exploiting every loophole, begging favors, now her parents have met their down fall they are now bad mouthing them, Society would always remain a breeding ground for hypocrisy
"Bye, babe," Aaron said smoothly, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek.
Her head snapped up. Where is he going?
"Sorry, babe. It's urgent," he added with a charming smile before disappearing into the crowd.
And just like that, Kayla was alone in a room that still reeked of perfume, sweat, and shattered illusions. She sighed—once, twice—before shutting the grand doors behind her with a resounding thud.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Her parents wouldn't be home until the next trial. And Kaiden Scott… he was the only name echoing in her mind now. She had to stay strong. For them. For herself.
She stepped into the elevator, its cold mirrored walls reflecting her pale face, wide aqua eyes filled with unshed tears. When the doors opened to her suite, she kicked off her heels, letting them clatter against the marble floor. Her dress pooled around her feet as she stepped into the bathroom. The icy water from the showerhead poured over her bare shoulders, washing away the grime of the evening but doing little for the ache in her chest.
Her mind raced with thoughts she couldn't silence—accusations, whispered insults, Aaron's sly grin.
When she stepped out, steam curling around her like a phantom, she sat at her vanity mirror. Her long, silky, ginger-red hair cascaded over her shoulders as she blow-dried it. Each strand shimmered under the warm light, framing her delicate face and striking aqua-blue eyes.
"Well, Mister Jamal… it's just me and you now," she murmured.
At her feet, the ginger-furred cat looked up at her with bright eyes, letting out a soft meow. His fur was the same shade as her hair—a reason her parents had bought him shortly after she was born. A matching dog had also been part of the deal, though he had been missing for weeks now.
Jamal, however, stayed—always.
"Good nighty," she whispered, clutching the cat close to her chest.
Hot tears pricked the corners of her eyes. The weight of everything she had been holding back finally cracked the dam, and for a brief moment, she let herself break.
But life doesn't pause for grief. And Kayla knew… darker days loomed on the horizon. But wasn't there always light after darkness? Wasn't that the saying?
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The Next Morning
Morning light spilled into the room, golden and intrusive. Kayla blinked awake, her phone clutched loosely in her hand. Her eyes fluttered to the screen. 11:30 AM.
"What? How did I sleep so late?" she mumbled, shooting out of bed and stumbling into the bathroom.
The day moved in a blur. A black towel, the scent of soap and mint, and then… red. A red gown that hugged her pear-shaped figure and brought out her plump red lips. Her makeup-free face, fresh and youthful, needed no enhancement.
"Bye, Jamal," she said softly to the ginger cat, who stretched lazily on his plush bed, entirely uninterested in her departure.
With her car keys clutched in one hand, Kayla descended the elevator and stepped into her sleek black car. The Kornels Mansion loomed behind her as she sped down the polished streets of Diamond Mine Estate.
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Case Closed Law Firm
"What do you mean they froze my bank account?!" Kayla's voice cracked slightly as she slammed her hands on the polished desk.
"I'm sorry, Miss Kornels," Mr. Rogers said calmly, leaning back in his leather chair. "But the law is clear. Your accounts are under investigation. There's nothing I can do."
"But… that's my parents' hard-earned money! They didn't steal anything!"
"I understand your frustration, Miss Kornels. But my hands are tied."
"So… no shopping? No access to anything? Mr. Rogers, please, isn't there something—anything—you can do?"
Mr. Rogers sighed, rubbing his temples.
"You'll have to become independent now, Kayla. I can lend you a little, but it won't be enough."
"Is there… is there any way I can see my parents?"
"Yes. I can take you to the station. You can see them… briefly."
Kayla's heart leaped, her aqua eyes glistening with hope.
"Really? Right now?"
"Yes. Come with me."
And as Kayla followed Mr. Rogers out of the office, the world outside felt sharper, colder… and yet, somewhere deep inside, a spark of determination flickered to life.
She would face whatever lay ahead. For her parents. For herself.
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