Chapter 22: Secrets

Chapter 22: Secrets


Bella’s POV

I breathed hard as I entered the classroom.

“Hey El, hi Emris,” I waved as I settled into my seat.

Then I remembered something. “I heard you went to your dad’s company yesterday,” I leaned closer to her, grinning. “Were you forced or something?”

“No, Bella, I wasn’t forced,” she sighed lightly.

“I honestly don’t know which to choose, your old self or this new one,” I said as she glanced at me mysteriously.

“Hello everyone,” Mr. Fayomi, our English teacher, greeted as he entered with a smile.

Then Zane walked in, flashing Elena a wink.

My phone chimed. I gasped—it was Lucien.

For three days now, he hadn’t messaged me since our first conversation at the golf area.

When are you going to say yes to my date? — Lucien

I turned back immediately to see him smirking at me.

I smiled as I texted back:

I am free — Bella

Then he responded almost instantly, as excitement bubbled up in my chest.

Is Friday okay? — Lucien

I tilted my head slightly. Today was Wednesday, and Friday was just two days away.

Yes, Friday is okay — I responded quickly, still smiling as Elena looked at me in a mischievous way, probably wondering what was causing the excitement.



Mr. Fayomi clapped twice, bringing the class to attention.
“Alright class, let’s warm up with something simple,” he said. “Who can give me the central theme of Of Mice and Men?”

I was still lost in the pool of excitement when I saw Elena raise her hand to answer, and I was taken aback.

I scoffed lightly, “You even answer questions now?” I muttered under my breath.

“Yes, Elena?” Mr. Fayomi called.

She spoke calmly, “The central theme is loneliness and the desire for companionship. The characters all struggle with isolation, especially George and Lennie. They dream of having a place where they belong.”

“Very good,” Mr. Fayomi nodded, visibly impressed.



After class, I strolled over to Elena’s seat.

“I’m impressed, Elena,” I said, slamming my hand gently on her desk.

“About what, Bella?” she asked, smiling.

“Nothing,” I replied, too happy to care anyway. “Don’t you have music class?”

“Yes,” she nodded, “I’ve been practicing really hard, you know.”

I rolled my eyes, “Why would you practice hard, El, when you’re already good at it”

We had an upcoming school event, and we were supposed to present in front of the President of America.

She was about to respond when Zane approached, and Elena flashed him a smile.

“There’s a scholarship lady who’s ready to speak, although she’s not Gloria’s friend,” he said.

“Thank you, Zane. Can we do it after my music class?” she asked.

Zane nodded, then leaned down, pulling Elena’s chair closer to him, flashing her a smug smirk.

I rolled my eyes, “Oh please,” I muttered.

“Let’s go out this evening,” he whispered to her.

“Uhm, Zane,” she tried saying, maybe trying to say she wouldn’t be free or something.

“Please,” Zane said, his voice softer now, his eyes locked on hers—the kind of gaze that usually made Elena do whatever he wanted. But this time, it didn’t seem to have much effect on her.

“Okay,” she finally responded, and he placed a quick kiss on her lips.



After my ballroom dance practice, I dialed Elena on my iPhone. She picked up a few seconds later.

“Hey, where you at?”

“Waiting for you at the hall,” she responded.

“Okay, heading there,” I said, hanging up and walking toward the hall.

Then I saw Lucien walking toward me, and I almost lost my footing.

Why was he walking alone? It was unlike him. He always walked with his friends—Adrian and Kade. So what happened today?

“Hi,” I said gently as we got close, not even trusting my voice.

“Where you going?” he asked softly, his deep, husky voice sending shivers through my body.

“Uhmm… going to—” I tried saying, but I was too busy staring at the sharp lines of his jaw and how stupidly perfect he looked.”

A sharp nose, black hair, and those grey eyes…

Then I composed myself quickly.

“El is waiting for me. We need to meet someone.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes,” I replied, nodding.

“Okay, see you tomorrow in school.”

“Wait,” I asked, “why are you not with your friends?”

“Adrian went to see the math teacher along with Kade,” he said, gazing deeply into my eyes. “So I used the opportunity to look around for you.”

Lucien is looking around for me. I thought to myself.

Before I knew it, he leaned forward and kissed my cheek gently.

“See you tomorrow,” he breathed, his warm breath brushing my neck.

I just stood there, lost and unable to move as he walked past with a smirk.



A few minutes later, I walked toward Zane and Elena, still shaking from what had just happened.

“Where’s Emris?” I asked Elena.

“His dad came to pick him up. Seems they’re going for a meeting,” she responded.

“Okay, let’s go,” I said as we headed for one of the empty classes.

Just when I saw her, another wave of anger and frustration rose in my chest. I was only doing this for Elena, and honestly, if not for her, what would I be doing standing with a lowlife?

“Thank you for coming,” Elena said to the girl, smiling.

I scoffed. “Like she had a choice.”

“So please tell me what you know,” Elena asked gently.

The girl cleared her throat and began, while Zane sat on one of the desks a few steps away.

“That day, I went to pick up something at the pool, and… and…” she hesitated.

“And what?!” I barked, already impatient with how slow she was talking, like we had all the time in the world.

“Bella!” Elena called me sharply. I retreated and she smiled kindly at the girl. “Please, continue.”

“I saw Bella standing with Gloria when I went to pick my bag,” she said, almost shaking.

Zane and Elena turned to me with shock on their faces.

“What did you just say?” I asked, as a cold chill ran down my spine.

“Yes, I saw you standing with Gloria, having a heated argument with her before leaving,” she said, with a bit more confidence this time.

“I went there that day, but I didn’t kill her,” I said, as Zane and Elena continued to stare at me in disbelief.

Unable to hold it together, I ran outside, my thoughts spinning.

Yes, I went there—but what I did shouldn’t have made her fall into the pool… or so I thought, as I entered my car and my driver drove off.

What if what I did made her fall?

Why haven’t I thought about this all this while?

All these thoughts kept spinning in my head.

What happened that day was still fresh in my mind. I could still remember it—just two months ago.