The Secret of Us

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

PEARL

"Pearl!" a voice yelled in my ears as soon as I stepped out of the professor's office, startling me.

I turned to see Nadine leaning on the wall waiting for me. I knew she had been calling me earlier, but I had no idea she followed me and even decided to wait for me.

When did we suddenly get close?

"You didn't tell me you were coming back to school," she started as her lips formed a pout.

I forced a small smile.

"Yeah," I replied, walking away from her, but she followed suit.

"Are you okay now?" she continued. I didn't miss the pitiful look she gave me, and that made my stomach turn. While others always flashed me that judgmental look, she always made it seem like I was broken or something.

Nadine and I were never close. Even though we were cousins who practically attended the same school right from birth, she had been closer to Jake. And with everything that happened, I wasn't sure if I could still trust her.

I glanced at her. "I'm fine, Nadine. Thanks for your concern."

"I was scared you would take the rest of the semester off. Rumors were spreading about you being in the mental institution."

I stopped, whipping my head towards her.

"Mental institution?"

She bobbed her head. This was the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. What the hell!

"Where did you hear that from?"

"Vera."

My fingers tightened. It was the height of all their rumors. Even after I took two weeks off school after their humiliation at the mixer and the rumors that started flying around the next morning, looks like being away didn't stop them from saying more horrible things.

Yeah, I had been down mentally and disconnected from the whole world, but Dad's anger and most especially his words, 'I didn't raise you to be some little slut crying over a boy,' had given me the motivation to step up and raise my shoulders high.

"You would know if I was in the mental institution. Your mom would have definitely mentioned it to you. Vera is just saying rubbish," I told her.

She gave a tight-lipped smile. Nadine never really knew how to be kind without sounding like she pitied you. Or maybe she did, maybe pity was the point.

I was closer to my aunt. She was just like the mother I never had. That was probably one of the reasons Nadine didn't really like me. Feels like I was taking away her mother's love or something.

"Right. She's still trying to ruin your image even after everything she did," she replied, shaking her head. "Anyway, I had no idea you would be joining the program."

"Same here."

I never knew Nadine was interested in fragrance and scents. She was studying fashion design.

"I have the chance to explore, but you don't. You're not planning to work at Nexura, right?"

I lifted my shoulder in a half shrug. The program was mainly for those interested in joining Lucian's company after graduation. It was more like our training and internship. And since my professors recommended me to join the top leading fragrance company in the world, why would I want to go for an upcoming one like my father's?

"Who knows?"

Her eyes widened. "Your father would go crazy. We all know he wants you to take over his company. Why would you go for his rival's or..." She pressed her lips together, her brows wiggling, then she leaned in and whispered, "Are you going to steal formulas or something? Did your father send you?"

My face screwed up. "What are you saying?"

She shrugged. "We know he's fond of doing that, and sending you over would be really beneficial to him," she replied with a faint chuckle, and my face morphed into a frown.

"I only joined because I wanted to," I replied sharply.

She smiled. "Right."

I eyed her. Even though she was telling the truth, hearing it still annoys me.

"Are you moving to my place today? Mom says you were considering it. You can't possibly stay in the same room with that betrayer, right?" she asked, referring to Vera.

"I'm not leaving the hostel for her."

I left the school, which was my mistake, but I wasn't going to allow them to trample on me anymore. I didn't care if Vera would invite Jake over and talk to him on the phone all night. It doesn't matter to me anymore.

"Are you sure you can handle it? Coming over to my place would be fun," she continued, nudging my elbow.

"Thanks for the offer, but I'll stay in the dormitory. I have a class to attend," I replied, and without waiting for her response, I hurried off.

The classroom came into view a few minutes later. The one I had dreaded ever since the rumors started spreading. The same one I had passed out in.

The lecture was starting in another ten minutes, and going to class by that time wouldn't be a bad choice, but I had to show everyone I was no longer the nerdy and low-confident Pearl.

All eyes fell on me as I walked into the classroom, my heels clicking on the marble floor. I surveyed the room and flipped my hair when my eyes landed on Vera. She was sitting right beside Jake, and when our eyes met, she wrapped her arms around his hand.

Like I give a flying f**k.

The silence was immediately replaced with murmurs. I needed no one to tell me they were definitely talking about me. I was going to become the topic of discussion again, and this time, I wanted it.

Which was why I decided to take my seat just beside Vera. Sitting beside Vera was not to prove a point—okay, maybe to prove a point—but mostly because I was done letting them decide how I moved in this school. They humiliated me once. I wouldn't let them do it again.

They should be the ones avoiding me, not me, but they've never been shameless though.

"Hi," I greeted with a wide smile as I waved at her.

Her arms slipped from Jake's hand as she turned to me with wide eyes. Her mouth fell open like someone who was getting choked by a ghost.

"Welcome back to school. Looks like you listened to my advice. The dress looks great on you," Jake replied shamelessly, smiling like we were still best friends or lovers.

I flashed him a plastic smile. "I'm not in this dress because of your stupid advice. You literally don't know the meaning of advice. You should ask your girlfriend," I replied sharply.

His jaw clenched as the color drained out of his face.

The guts of him to think I had changed my fashion sense because of his horrible words, which he was trying to see as advice.

"Oh, how did you know we got together?" Vera asked, finally recovering from her shock.

I shot her a look.

"I've always known you were particularly interested in me. You want everything I have, but thankfully you could only get my vomit."

Vera's brows crashed together so hard that I wondered if it didn't give her a headache. Her nostrils flared as she took a sharp breath, barely holding back the fury building inside her.

They got together while I was away. They had mentioned it on the class group chat, with everyone trying to act like they weren't in support and were sorry for me.

It came as a rude shock at first. Even though Vera and I were academic rivals, we were still roommates, and maybe I considered her a friend, but she never did.

"What..." Jake started, but I raised my palm as my phone vibrated in my bag.

As I pulled out my phone, Vera dragged Jake away from the table, and I smirked.

The smirk was soon replaced by a frown when my father's name appeared on the screen.

'Dinner tomorrow. Private lounge. Investor's expecting us. Wear the dress I got you yesterday.'

I stared at his message. Not a question. Never a question. My father only spoke in command.

A shiver of unease gripped me.

I should have known he had an ulterior motive when he took me shopping yesterday. He never really cared.

And once again, I was going to pay the price.