"Mum! I'm going already," Delilah muttered, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"But won’t you at least eat something?" her mum, JoJo, called from the kitchen.
"Just leave her," her younger brother chimed in with a smirk. "She doesn’t need food to survive, you know."
"Are you not supposed to focus on your studies instead of judging me?" Delilah shot back.
"Well, I’m coming to your graduation. Tell your classmates to get ready to see the most handsome guy in Washington."
"You’re so full of yourself," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Whatever," Wailey replied with a smug grin.
"I'm off!" Delilah waved at her little brother and stepped out of the house.
She had already ordered an Uber to take her to the salon where her friend was waiting. They had planned to get glammed up together before their graduation.
As she stepped outside, the car was already parked at the curb, waiting for her.
"Are you Miss Mheng?" the driver asked.
Delilah gave him a polite smile. He was an older man, and she didn’t want to snap at him even though he was asking the obvious. She had sent both her picture and address to the company earlier.
"Yes, sir," she said and got into the back seat.
"MM Salon, please," she added.
"Got it. Would you like some music?" he asked kindly.
"No, I’m fine," she muttered, resting her head against the seat.
Today marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life. Graduation was more than a ceremony—it was the day she vowed to take responsibility, to provide for her mum and little brother, and to make sure her family never had to struggle again.
JoJo had been a single mother ever since Delilah was three years old. Their father had run away while JoJo was still pregnant with Wailey. But instead of telling the kids the truth, JoJo had always said their father was dead.
"We’re here," the driver announced.
"Oh! "Okay," Delilah replied, jolting from her thoughts.
She stepped out of the car and stared up at the salon in front of her.
"Let’s get this done," she whispered to herself.
Just then, a voice called out, "Oh! You’re here!"
"Oh! You're here!" Romina grinned as she spotted Delilah walking into the salon.
"Yeah, clearly," Delilah replied sarcastically, tossing her bag onto a nearby chair.
"Let’s get ready for tonight’s party!!" Romina squealed with excitement.
"You're as stupid as ever," a girl sitting beside Romina sneered.
"Lilah..." Romina said, using Delilah’s nickname.
Delilah blinked dramatically and looked around.
"Did someone say something? 'Cause all I heard was a dog bark. Madam, do you own a dog in this place?"
The salon owner blinked in surprise, then quickly caught on.
"That’s right. I only heard a dog bark."
The girl glaring at them was none other than Sharry Phully—their long-time rival with a toxic attitude and a mouth that never rested.
Truth was, Sharry had seen Romina enter the salon earlier and instantly guessed Delilah wouldn’t be far behind. That’s when she acted—bribing the makeup artist with a fat stack of cash and an even bigger threat. Her plan? To ruin Delilah’s face before the graduation party even started.
Delilah and Romina had been best friends since kindergarten—ride or die. Same schools, same classes, same savage vibes. If they planned to make your day hell, just know it was already over for you. Their friendship was solid and their clap backs? Lethal.
"Tsk. "Birds of the same feather," Sharry scoffed, crossing her arms.
Delilah turned to her with a mocking smile.
"Aww... is someone angry?"
"You wish, i***t. "Why would I be mad at someone as worthless as you?" Sharry snapped.
Delilah gasped dramatically.
"Romina, did I even say anyone’s name? Then how did someone named Sharry Phully know I was talking about her? Unless the dog’s finally learning to talk."
Romina laughed under her breath. "Even her name sounds like Fool-y."
"Let’s just ignore her," Delilah said, brushing it off. "Come on babe, let’s get your fking makeup done already!"**
Sharry gave a sly smirk from her seat. Everything was going just as planned.
"Please, have a seat," the makeup artist said, her voice a little too calm.
"Sure," Delilah replied, not sensing anything was off.
Just as the artist was about to apply the foundation, a second worker came running across the room, eyes wide.
"Don’t use that!" she screamed, snatching the bottle from the artist and pouring a bit on the table.
The liquid started smoking on contact.
Gasps echoed across the salon.
"WHAT?! Were you seriously about to use that on me?!" Delilah shouted, jumping back.
If not for that worker’s quick thinking, her face could’ve been destroyed. She stood there, frozen in disbelief.
"Why would you go this far, Sharry?!" Romina exploded, pointing at her.
Sharry didn’t even flinch. "So what? I hate her guts. I wish she’d just drop dead."
Romina spun to the makeup artist, furious.
"And YOU?! You were gonna burn her face off?! I’m calling the police. Are you even human?!"
Tears welled up in the artist’s eyes.
"She threatened me! Said if I didn't , she'd have have the owner sack me"
The salon owner stepped forward, voice sharp.
"You expect me to let you keep working here after this?! You were about to m**m someone!"
"Please... this is my only source of income..." the artist sobbed.
Delilah stood motionless, completely speechless. Her heart thudded against her ribs.
"So just because you screw around with powerful men, you think you can hurt people and get away with it?!" Romina snapped at Sharry.
"I don’t talk to trash like you," Sharry hissed and stood up.
But she didn’t even get a full step away.
Delilah lunged forward, grabbed a fistful of Sharry’s hair, and slammed her to the ground.
"b***h!" she growled.
Delilah pounced. She wasn’t just mad—she was furious. And when you piss off a top-ranked Taekwondo white badge like her? You’re toast.
"i***t. Stupid motherfucker!"** she yelled, each word landing with a blow.
She didn’t stop. Not until Sharry was too dazed to even blink. She had awakened the wrong beast, and now she had to live with the consequences.