The bell rang three times. A number that the students of Xavier High School are very fond of. The number three for the bell instantly drove away their fatigue from hours of learning. Of course, it was the bell that signaled dismissal time.
Within seconds of the bell ringing, the hallway was packed with students. Most of the teachers who teach in the last hour choose to stay in the classroom until some of their students have left the classroom. Because Xavier High School has a large quota of students, the hallway feels crowded every time the bell rings.
The footsteps stopped as soon as they reached the outermost part of the school. The pupils of the eyes that had only displayed the image of books now changed to display the image of the street. The strategic location of their school made the streets never deserted.
Chennie looked at Callista who was now staring straight ahead. "Why did you two skip class? What did you do during the day?"
Callista and Aric, who felt summoned, then looked at the source of the voice. Aric was still with his flat face, while Callista was with her signature grin. It was unexpected that they would skip class for a whole day, well except for the hour before the first break.
It happened because of Callista's sudden desire. It started with Callista who liked ice cream or cake that melted in her mouth until she accidentally muttered it, as soon as Aric heard it he immediately invited Callista to go out looking for the food she wanted to eat.
At first, Callista refused, but due to Aric's coercion and confidence that she would not get punished for it, Callista finally complied with Aric's proposal. Sure enough, Aric easily gave a bribe and also showed his family surname to the security guard so that he was allowed to leave with Aric's car as his vehicle. Power indeed allows us to do anything.
"Hoho, curious? Tell me or not?" Callista teased while pretending to be thinking.
Chennie turned to look at Aric. How could that man monopolize Callista's time? Even though he hadn't been with Callista since she became a new student. The annoying man with a flat face had stolen the start.
Chennie crossed her arms in front of her chest. "You're playing favorites, Illis. Even though I'm also your best friend."
Callista chuckled softly, she leaned her head to the side until it touched Chennie's head.
"Don't sulk, Chennie. You're all my best friends." Callista straightened her stance which had almost staggered to the side.
"Aric and I just had a sweet treat, that's all, Chennie."
Rheana, who had been listening, rolled her eyes in disgust.
"If it was just a sweet tasting, it wouldn't have taken that long. Illis, be honest with us."
Still, with the same smile, Callista opened her lips to answer Rheana's words. However, the tiny lips closed again when she saw a familiar car not far from her.
"Why did the car sent by that psychopath come so fast?" Callista's mind was immediately made anxious.
She hurriedly put on the hood of the gray hoodie she was wearing. At the same time, her eyes accidentally stared at a taxi with the same license plate listed on her cellphone.
"Ah, it turns out that the taxi I ordered has arrived. I'll go home first, then. See you guys!" Callista waved her hand briefly and then immediately focused on walking.
Granted, she had hidden her face, but not much, and only a finger count of students with physical disabilities like hers made her appearance stand out a little. She couldn't afford to get caught.
Callista closed the door with a slight jerk, she accidentally closed it hard due to panic. The two psychopathic bodyguards got out of the car and were about to cross the street. She had to get away quickly!
Callista had her body slumped down with her face completely covered by the hoodie.
"Go sir!" she ordered the taxi driver.
"Yes, miss."
The taxi Callista was in slowly walked away from the Xavier High School area. Rheana and the others who had been looking at the taxi were confused. Confused because Callista's behavior suddenly became strange.
"What exactly are you going through, Illis?" thought Aric with eyes that did not move even a little from the taxi Callista was in.
"I'm going home first," Aric excused himself. It was his and Brian's habit to take their friends to the gate, after which the two of them would return to the parking lot not far from the school gate.
"Those two look weird," Rheana thought with a furrowed brow.
***
The long, lustrous eyelashes shone in the sunlight. She blinked slowly with her focus directed outward. She had been staring out of the car window to calm the tension that came over her.
This was the first time she had planned something impromptu like this. But the pent-up plan came back when she was with Aric earlier. The warm togetherness and the advice and suggestions given by Aric made her feel that he also deserved to be happy. And this was the only way to get out of the psychopath's trap, namely running away.
"Stop here, sir."
Callista got out of the taxi and immediately gave the driver three bills without asking for a return. She stopped the taxi on a street not far from her mansion. She didn't want to take any chances. The driver might report her to the psychopath for being paid. No one knew how far the psychopath's power reached.
Callista paused on the side of the road. Her right hand reached into her skirt pocket to retrieve an object. Her delicate fingers danced beautifully on the screen of her cell phone. After doing that very important thing, Callista stepped back on her feet.
Her steps came to a halt. Her right hand painstakingly pushed against the towering gate. The security guard who was always at the mansion was surprised to find his employer pushing the gate, even though his employer usually used a car.
"Miss, let me do it," said the security guard as he ran a little. His tone of voice was a little high because they were quite far away.
Callista, who felt called upon, turned her head. She smiled warmly as the security guard respectfully opened the gate for her.
There was a look of awkwardness and confusion on his face. However, Callista, who was reluctant to explain, then chose to continue her steps.
A maid who passed by from the maid's cottage to the mansion was also surprised to see her employer walking alone to the main door without using a car. They hurriedly ran over and opened the twin doors for Callista.
As soon as the twin doors opened, the maids who had been passing by immediately stopped their activities to bow in respect. There was a look of surprise on the maids' faces, but a second later they immediately changed their facial expressions.
Someone she knew very well walked half-run over to Callista. Before Aunt Neki could open her mouth to ask a question, Callista immediately rushed ahead of her.
"Auntie, please prepare my suitcase. Fill the suitcase with the spare clothes in the closet, oh yes please put some ointment and bandages too. I'll be leaving for London tonight," Callista explained as she continued on her way. Aunt Neki who saw this immediately followed Callista.