THE MAYOR'S WICKED DAUGHTER

In the province of San Isidro Surigao.. Rain poured for three days now. So the muddy road is almost empty of people and vehicles, except for farmers with livestock in the fields. The old street lights flicker weakly against the storm. There are even frequent blackouts, fortunately there is still electricity, for now. This place is far from the charming city of Surigao. Life in the province has become slower, and quieter. But in the middle of the rain, there is a young girl standing... she is Sandy Montenegro, a 17 year old young student. Her white polo uniform was stained with dirt and blood. A bruise darkened the corner of her lip while her knuckles trembled slightly from another fight. Three boys groaned painfully on the wet ground behind her. "Crazy b***h!!" one of them muttered. Sandy slowly wiped the blood from her mouth using the back of her hand. Her dark eyes remained cold. At first glance, they were decent students at a well-known high school in the area, but now their faces have ended up in the mud. "Try touching my people again, and next time, you won’t wake up in the mud." she said harshly. The boys immediately fell silent. And the thunder roared across the sky. Sandy picked up her red-frog bag from the pavement and walked away as if nothing had happened. No fear, and no guilt. It was just the silence followed her. Young people around San Isidro feared her. To them, Sandy Montenegro was a violent delinquent girl. Always absent. Always fighting other young teen age. And always causing trouble. Reason that some teachers gave up on her years ago. Neighbors whispered about her whenever she passed. Even the old women at the market shook their heads in disappointment. "Such a waste of a pretty face." "No manners at all." "She’s exactly like a criminal." Sandy heard all of it. But she never cared. Because none of them knew the truth. The moment she entered an old convenience store, the cold expression on her face disappeared. Several computer screens lit up the dark room. The maps. Numbers. Encrypted messages. A young man wearing glasses immediately stood up from his chair. "Boss, the shipment already arrived in the city," he reported. Another girl bubbled a chewing gum and leaned on the wall behind them. "The East Side group is asking for your decision too." Sandy threw her red-frog bag onto the sofa. "Handle it tomorrow," she answered calmly. The room instantly quieted. And everyone inside looked at her with respect. No one dared to question her. Because outside of school, outside the province, Sandy ruled one of the most feared underground groups in GEMPS ART GROUP. The group is a shadow Viper. A secret organization built from abandoned teenagers, hackers, street fighters, and to some students that is still loyal to her. Nobody knew their leader was a provincial girl constantly mocked by society. Sandy sat down in front of the computer. Her fingers moved quickly across the keyboard. Within seconds, security systems opened. Files appeared. Business records. Political accounts, and private investigations. The young man beside her watched in disbelief despite seeing her skills many times already. "Seriously... You could literally work for the government." he asked and confused. Sandy smirked slightly. "The government is more corrupt than us." Before anyone could answer, her phone suddenly rang. Sandy glanced at the screen. Unknown Number. "What?" She answered coldly. A familiar deep voice echoed from the other side. "You’ve become ruder over the years." Sandy froze. Her expression darkened instantly after hearing that voice. Mayor Alejandro Montenegro. Her father. The man who abandoned her. "Why are you calling me?" she asked. There was a short silence. "Pack your things.... You’re returning to Surigao tomorrow." the mayor said firmly. Sandy laughed bitterly. "After years of ignoring me huh?" "This isn’t a request." "Then I decline." Sandy responded. "You are still a Montenegro. And you will obey me whether you like it or not." the mayor answered coldly. Sandy’s grip tightened around her phone. The old anger inside her chest slowly returned. The pain... disappointment, and hatred. All of it buried for years. "You only remembered I’m your daughter because you need something," she said quietly. The mayor did not deny it. "You will continue your studies in the city... And from now on, you will stay with your family." he continued. Family huh? That word sounded disgusting. "I don’t have a family," Sandy whispered. But the call suddenly ended. Sandy stared silently at the dark screen. Nobody inside the room dared to speak. They had never seen her this angry before. Finally, the girl chewing gum carefully asked, "Boss… are you really going back?" Sandy slowly stood up. Her eyes turned emotionless once more. "Looks like the mayor finally remembered his unwanted daughter exists." Sandy returned in the old house made of stone. Her Aunt and grandmother were living years in here peacefully. This was the house she live for eight years, after she abandoned by her owned parents. "It's already two years that I receive a letter from your mother. She asked me to bring you in the city to continue your study there. It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I wanted them to know that you're big enough to decide... we love you so much Sandy!" Her Aunt Isabelle reveals the truth. " I understand Aunti..." Sandy said softly. But the worst part was when her grandmother entered the living room holding a necklace with a pendant made from a real bullet. “Ma… what is that?!” Isabelle reacted. “I have already prayed a thousand times and offered a chicken sacrifice for this necklace,” her grandmother said. "Ma.. we are already in this new generation!" Isabelle tried to stop her mom. But the old lady didn't listen to her. “You will always wear this... so it can protect you from danger, from evil people who use witchcraft, and from bad luck in your everyday life. This is the only thing I can pass on to you, my beloved grandchild.” “Will this also keep me away from ugly people?” Sandy asked seriously. Then the three of them suddenly laughed. The next morning, the Montenegro Mansion welcomed her with silence. Huge gates opened before a long black car. Luxurious fountains sparkled beneath the sunlight. Servants lined up near the entrance while nervous whispers spread among them. "That’s Miss Sandy?" "The real daughter?" "She looks so simple.. but dangerous…" That's because, Sandy stepped out of the car wearing black jeans, boots, and a leather jacket over her uniform. She looked nothing like the elegant daughters of wealthy families. Her sharp eyes scanned the mansion without emotion. With that the same walls, the same cold atmosphere. Nothing changed.