The Mafia Prince's Little Pet

Chapter 3

EVELYN'S POV

I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened in the cafeteria.

Even after lunch ended and everyone returned to class, the image refused to leave my head.

A table full of boys… Standing up without being told and walking away without complaining, not because a teacher had ordered them.

Because Damien Ashford wanted that table. It's very annoying to even think of. Just because he is a mafia prince doesn't make others look like ants.

I had seen bullies before. Every school had them. They usually barked louder than they bit, surrounding themselves with people who encouraged their bad behavior.

But Damien was different, nobody laughed around him… no one even dared come close to him, nobody challenged him, how is he even comfortable leaving this way ?.

As classes went on for the rest of school hours, I tried focusing on my notes instead of the strange boy who seemed to control the academy without even speaking.

By the time the final bell rang, my brain felt completely exhausted. I stretched my arms before beginning to pack my books.

"Attention, everyone." Our homeroom teacher, Mrs. Grant, clapped her hands.

"I have one last announcement before you leave."

The room became quiet as she finally began to speak.

"As all of you know...The annual Blackridge Prom will take place next Saturday evening."

A wave of excitement filled the classroom.

Girls immediately squealed and several boys groaned dramatically.

Someone behind me whispered, "I'm finally asking Mia tonight."

Another replied to him. "If she says no, just disappear."

Laughter filled the room and Mrs. Grant smiled patiently.

"The Student Council will begin registering volunteers today… and If anyone wishes to help decorate the ballroom, organize performances, photography, hospitality, or security arrangements, your interviews will begin this afternoon."

She pointed toward the hallway. "President Sinclair herself will be supervising."

Immediately, hands shot into the air.

"I'll volunteer!"

"Me too!"

"I want decorations!"

"No, photography!"

I quietly zipped my backpack. Prom wasn't exactly my priority… I'm likely not to attend, but even if I do, I'll not volunteer to answer prom queen as I'll never win.

I had never attended one before, and honestly, I wasn't sure I belonged at events where people spent more money on one dress than my mother earned in weeks.

As students rushed out, my friend from orientation, Claire, grabbed my wrist. "Come with me."

"Where?"

"The interviews."

"I'm not volunteering."

"You don't have a choice."

"I definitely do."

She ignored me completely and dragged me.

Five minutes later… I found myself standing outside the Student Council office.

The hallway was filled with students waiting for their names to be called.

Some rehearsed answers they'll give if they were chosen as prom queen and others fixed their uniforms in the nearby windows.

Inside the office, members of the council moved around carrying stacks of papers and colorful folders in a serious manner.

Everything looked incredibly organized and it's very lovely.

"I swear Isabella never gets tired," one girl whispered beside me.

"She was here before sunrise… I'm straight but I really love her"

"And she'll probably leave after everyone else."

Another sighed dreamily. "She's literally perfect."

Perfect.

Everyone kept using that word. I still wasn't sure anyone could actually be perfect but her case was really one of a kind.

The office door opened. "There you are."

Isabella stepped outside holding a clipboard.

She looked just as composed as she had during orientation.

She greeted almost every student by name… which made me understand I wasn't so special as she knew mine too.

When her eyes landed on me, they brightened.

"Evelyn."

I smiled politely. "Hi."

"I didn't know you were volunteering."

"I'm not."

Claire answered before I could.

"She just doesn't know it yet."

I lightly elbowed Claire and Isabella laughed.

"Well... since you're already here..." She glanced down at her clipboard. "I only need a few minutes."

Before I could object… She led me into one of the smaller meeting rooms.

She gestured toward a chair.n"Please."

I sat down quietly without speaking.

She remained standing for a moment before taking the seat opposite me.

Instead of immediately asking questions, she studied me quietly. "You've settled into Blackridge quite well right."

"I think so."

"No problems?"

I almost mentioned Damien but Instead… "I've survived."

She laughed softly believing it's funny but I knew it's not.

"I'm glad." She added.

She asked a few normal questions first.

How were my classes?, Was I adjusting well?, Did I enjoy the teachers, Did I need help finding study materials?

Then...

She placed her pen down, Her expression changed slightly.

"If..." She paused. "...everyone believed something that wasn't true..."

I blinked.

"...would you still try proving the truth?" She added.

I stared at her because the question caught me completely off guard.

"What?"

She smiled gently. "You heard me."

I couldn't help laughing, It sounded so random but funny too because It wasn't a normal question to ask.

"You mean... like a debate topic?" I finally said.

"Maybe." She said, smiling now.

I smiled. "I guess it depends."

"Depends on what?" She asked looking curious.

"If proving the truth hurts innocent people." I answered knowing my answer was really nice.

She nodded slowly. "And if keeping the lie hurts even more?"

I frowned.

"This is definitely for some debate competition."

She didn't answer immediately. Instead...

She looked out the window toward the academy courtyard and finally, she smiled again.

"I was just curious."

I laughed."Those are strange questions for a prom interview."

"They are."

"So...Did I pass?"

She smiled wider. "You did."

"What exactly did I pass?" I asked curious this time.

She simply stood. "I'll let you know one day."

I shook my head while standing as well.

"You student council people are strange for real."

" Don't over think this love. Just flow with the school okey.” She walked me toward the door.

Just before I left...

She suddenly spoke again.

"Evelyn?"

"Yes?"

"If you ever find yourself caught between doing what's easy...and doing what's right, I hope you'll choose the second one."

I smiled awkwardly feeling strange now. "I'll try."

For a little moment… She looked relieved.

Then someone called her name from outside. "President Sinclair!, We need you!"

"I'm coming."

She flashed me one final smile before hurrying down the hallway.

I watched her disappear among the crowd.

What a strange conversation.

I couldn't stop thinking about it all afternoon.

Even while shelving books during my shift at Mr. Dawson's bookstore, even while walking home.

Even while helping Mom prepare dinner.

I eventually convinced myself I was overthinking.

Rich schools probably acted weird.

After dinner, Mom headed to bed early because she had an early morning shift tomorrow.I wished her goodnight before sitting at my desk with a cup of tea.

My phone vibrated seconds after.

A notification.

New Episode Uploaded

MIDNIGHT VOICE was seen. I stared at the screen because I've heard about this anonymous podcast.

Practically everyone in Ravencrest had.

Nobody knew who created it or who was behind the voice.

No one really knew if the stories were true till investigations goes on and is proven correct.

"Power doesn't disappear."

"It simply changes hands."

A few seconds of silence followed.

Then...

"Tonight's story concerns one of Ravencrest's most respected businessmen."

The episode continued by describing illegal land deals, missing financial records, bribery, and suspicious connections between the businessman and several influential figures connected to Blackridge Academy.

Every accusation was accompanied by dates which made it sound really true.

Documents, witness accounts and evidence.

The host never shouted or sounded emotional.

They simply laid out facts.nOne after another.

By the time the episode ended… My skin was covered in goosebumps because I knew the man.

Whoever Midnight Voice was...

They knew things ordinary people couldn't possibly know.

I removed one earbud only to realize rain had began to fall.

I simply diverted to my assignment researches and when I was finally done.. I joined my mother on the bed.

****

The academy felt different the next morning

Students weren't chatting about homework or school activities… Every conversation centered around one thing.

"Did you hear?"

"They can't find him."

"The businessman from the podcast."

"He disappeared."

"What?"

"My dad said the police searched his house this morning."

"His car was abandoned."

"They're saying nobody has seen him since last night."

"Do you think he ran away?"

"Or..."Someone lowered their voice. "...did someone make him disappear?"

A chill ran through me.I tightened my grip on my books as the whispers spread through every hallway.

What happened to him?.. things were really becoming more scary as each day passes.