Chapter 42: Betrayal

~Tricia/Isla

I wakes up suddenly with sunlight on my face, and I squinted to protect my eyes from the bright sun.

"Good morning, sunshine." I was greeted by Mom. She's still standing on the window sill, clutching the hem of the curtain. I glance at my side clock and see that it's only 8:30 a. m., despite the fact that my class begins at eleven a. m.

And, yes, we are now on good terms.

"It's too early, Mom." I groaned and drew my blanket over my head. I noticed that I was now dressed in my pajamas.

Wait a minute, I don't remember changing my clothes. The last thing I remember is Seth carrying me while I was sleeping.

DID HE CHANGE MY CLOTHES? I jerk up again as I notice mom standing at the end of my bed, her arms crossed below her chest.

"Did Seth change my clothes?" I asked in horror, and she chuckled as she sat down next to my bed.

"No, silly, I changed your clothes even though he slept here last night."

WHAT? Mom burst out laughing when she saw my reaction.

"Just kidding, he went home after taking care of you." Taking care of me? Mom took my injured hand in her hands and looked at me solemnly.

Uh oh. Now I understand what she meant by "taking care," as my hand is now wrapped in new bandages. Seth's handkerchief from the day before had disappeared.

"What happened to this?" She asked grimly.

"Hit from the wall?" I answered not surely. She just frowned and stood up, not believing an ounce to it.

I remember everything that happened yesterday and last night. Leaving aside the fact that Luzy is still alive, I remember how much that bastard resembles my father, and I'm just wondering if he is.

"Did Dad have a brother, Mom?" She tensed up a little before looking down at me.

"Why did you ask?" The way she looks at me nervously and bites her lower lip tells me she's hiding something from me.

"Nothing. Just wondering." I shrug but look at her with skepticism. She sighed and smiled down at me, but it didn't reach her eyes the way it usually does.

"You better get ready, Seth will be here any minute now." She said softly leaning down and kissing me on the cheek, before walking out of my room.

Aren't they sick and tired of keeping secrets? Didn't they realize it would only exacerbate the situation? I want to tell her that but decided not to. There's something she's keeping from me, but I'm sure she'll tell me soon. I just hope it isn't too late when that time arrives.

I sigh, sending all my thoughts to the back of my mind, and get up, went to the shower, and go through all of my morning rituals.

I was about to change into my usual outfit, but I decided against it. Instead, I wore tight ripped jeans and a plain white sleeveless top that showed off my bare shoulders, which I paired with killer red heels that were seven inches tall.

I use silicone cosmetics to cover up my tattoo and light make-up, and of course, I wear my contacts and a wig that looks natural on me.

I can't let anyone see me as Violet the Assassin because I'm still on the FBI's most wanted list. One more thing, my hand isn't too sore, I don’t know what did Seth put in it but I won’t complain.

Instead of my Jan sports backpack, I used my Louis Vuitton handy bag this time.

I inspect myself in the mirror, no mask, no knee sacks, no long sleeves, no below-the-knee skirt, and no pumps.

It's pointless to use Luzy's identity any longer, just as it's pointless to be Tricia. Except for those who don't know my entire life, such as Jaffy and Miette. They can still call me Tricia, but I'm going to tell them my real name is Isla sooner rather than later.

I'm going to let Isla shine this time because I'm sick of being hidden and tired of pretending to be someone else. I thought of Win-win’s situation. I will tell him that I am not Luzy, and maybe now is the time to tell him that I am Isla and that Luzy is still alive but in a difficult situation. I'm confident he'll understand what I'm saying.

Despite Seth's warning, I had decided that fiancée or not, nothing was going to stop me.

The Isla I'm looking at is the same Isla I knew ten years ago, the beautiful Isla. I may have sounded like a conceited bitch, but I'm just telling the truth. I look at my watch and see that it is now 10:28 a. m. before hearing a knock on my door. I check myself in the mirror again, satisfied with my looks, before opening the door and seeing Seth standing in front of me.

"That's unusual." He uttered brushing his gaze from my head to toe, he had once seen me like this when we were having dinner, so I know he wouldn't be surprised how I looked, but me being like this going to school is certainly an unusual thing.

"Done checking me out?" I teased. He cleared his throat before returning his gaze to mine.

"Yeah, now let's go downstairs cry baby." My mood quickly dampened by what he said. The reason why I was crying last night came rushing back. He must have seen it in my face and was about to retract what he said, but I force a smile, pushing down the tears that are still threatening to fall. I'm not going to waste my time putting on make-up only to have my tears ruin it.

"Hey, I'm not a cry baby!" I retorted by slapping him on the back. He looked at me with pride, his eyes congratulating me on my small victory of controlling my emotions.

"Oh, yes of course you're not." He remarked sarcastically.

"Well, you did cry your eyes out last night." He added carefully not to press any further while dragging me down stairs. Even so, a sharp pang shoots across my chest as I remember Luzy.

Seth wraps her arms around my shoulders and flicks me on the forehead, bringing me back to reality.

"It's okay babe I understand." I instantly shrug his arm's off and playfully slap him on his face.

"Don't call me babe or I'll call you babe..." I threatened.

"Or else what?" He challenged me.

"I'm going to cut your precious thing off." I said before ushering to the dining area leaving him behind.

I noticed Mom and Aunt Nelia preparing our breakfast. Isn't she supposed to be working? Nah, she's the boss so she owned her schedule.

"Hey, sweetie, breakfast is ready — OH MY GOODNESS!" I rolled my eyes as she squealed when she saw me.

"Anything wrong mom?" I asked taking my seat.

"No, no, no. It's ... PERFECT!" She was beaming from ear to ear.

We went straight to Hill University after finishing our meals. As soon as we arrive at the Education Department, all eyes are on me. I notice that everyone we pass has only opened their mouth.

"Who is she?"

Ignoring them all we headed straight to our room and their reactions were the same as the others. I saw Jaffy and Miette immediately stand up, while Axhton and Raynel in the backseat looked at me as if they couldn't believe it. But I'm sure they recognize me because of Violet's resemblance.

"Hey Seth I know you're handsome and hot, but you can't just yet exchange our friend for that goddess-like face!" Jaffy blurted out furiously.

"Yeah! Even if Tricia looks like that, you shouldn't treat her like a piece of meat just because you've found a beautiful woman." Miette retorted. I bit my lower lip, trying not to laugh as I watched their epic expressions. I'm proud of them for defending me even if they were against Seth.

I noticed Axhton and Raynel approaching us and whispered something to Seth, who nodded. What is that?

"Whoa, Tricia. I didn't ..." Axhton grinned as he examined me from head to toe.

"WILLSMITH/TRICIA?" They all exclaimed in unison. Well, except for me, Seth, Axhton, and Raynel, as soon as they heard my name.

They’re about to ask again but our professor suddenly came in for this subject and that happens to be Win-win. He looked down first to his class record before calling us one by one.

"Where is Willsmith?" My classmates' eyes are on me as he scans the room, so I raise my hand and say present. He was taken aback at first, but he quickly smiled.

§

Miette and Jaffy dragged me to the cafeteria right after class.

"Girl, do you know how long we've been itching to take off your mask?" Jaffy squeals with delight.

"Also, you'll be able to join us in the cafeteria during every break time now." Miette blabbered and told me to sit in their usual spot. They also unshackled me from they’re clam tight grip. They also said that since this is my first time eating with them, I should make the most of it.

While we are eating, I saw Win-win coming over us.

"Hey, L-Patty. Can I speak with you?" He asked almost immediately, almost calling me Luzy. I ask Jaffy and Meitte for their approval, and they both nod. I trailed after Win-win, letting him lead the way.

"Come back quickly, okay?" Jaffy yelled from behind. I nodded and turned to face them.

Looks like now's the time to tell him the truth. While I was practicing to my inner self on how to begin what I was about to say. I shivered as coldness struck my body. I take a look around, noticing that we have entered deep in the dark forest.

"What are we doing here, Win-win?" I wondered aloud, suspiciously, and we were trailing a different path from where Seth and I first met.

"We're just going to talk for a little bit." He said, but I am starting to get doubtful.

"But why here?" When I asked again, he came to a complete stop and faced me.

"To be honest, I had something to tell you, but what do you want to talk about first?" I asked quickly, wanting to get out of here as soon as possible.

He sighed and looked at me squarely in the eyes. He moved in closer, his hand caressing the thin layer of silicone I used to cover up my tattoo.

“Win-”

"I know what your secret is." He preceded me just as I was about to tell him everything. His face was twisted into an evil grin. My brow furrows, what secret does he have—

"…Isla" He added.

I was taken aback by what he had called me. How does he know? I take a step back, but his arm grips my back tightly. His aura had changed. He’s not the same friend I used to know back then. It’s as if he’s a completely different person.

I tried to grab his hand to twist it but in one swift motion, I saw him pulled out a syringe containing a white substance inside. Before I could make a move, he grabbed my neck and injected it into me.

Fuck! How does he manage to move so quickly?

The world around me begins to spin, and my vision blurs, the only word that came out of my mouth.

"W-why?" Before I was instantly engulfed in darkness. One thing I feel about is betrayal. He betrayed me, the one person in whom I had begun to place my trust had betrayed the shit out of me.