Kisses Dipped in Lies

chapter 7

✰

[𝑫𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂'𝒔 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏]

The door to Lovella's bedroom opened and Kimmy entered with two others, Martis and Flora, both part of Lovella's management team.

"I knew she was still asleep" Flora said, going straight to turn on all the lights, brightening up the room.

"You didn't tell her about today at all?" Martis asked Kimmy. He was holding a pad in his hand, his eyes fixed on it even while speaking.

"She shunned me" Kimmy whispered.

"I heard that" Lovella muttered, and all three of them looked at her.

She pulled down her sleep mask and frowned.

"What are you three doing in my room this early?" Lovella asked.

"Love, you have a very long day today. You already had your full week break. Today is Monday" Flora said.

"Can't even rest in peace without anyone complaining?" Lovella rolled her eyes, pulled the mask back down, and ignored them.

Flora looked at Martis, and he started reading from his pad.

"It's exactly 6:30 right now and you need to get to the gym. Hair maintenance and treatment by 7:00am, 8:00am for breakfast. You have a commercial shoot for a TV ad by 11am, a photo shoot with VELORIA by 1pm, we can get lunch after that. You have a meeting with RÊVE' DIOR by 3pm..."

"What? Meeting with them?" Lovella cut in.

"Contract negotiation" Kimmy said.

"I don't really like that brand. Why should I join a perfume brand?" Lovella muttered.

"They are willing to pay as much as we want though" Martis said.

"I see" Lovella muttered.

"So when do I get to rest after all these?" she asked.

"Probably...11pm..."

"What?" Lovella shoved off her mask and sat up.

"You were invited to a dinner party" Flora said.

"What dinner party?" Lovella raised her brows.

"Mr and Mrs Douglas are celebrating their anniversary and they invited lots of celebrities and elites, which means you are definitely going to be among. But you can cancel that if you want..."

"No" Lovella cut in.

Thinking about it, Mr Douglas is a businessman, also a billionaire. So definitely he might be able to succeed in inviting Roderick tonight. It was okay to try.

"What time is it?" she asked.

"8pm" Kimmy replied.

"Fair enough" she smirked.

"Now shall we start the day fully?" Martis asked.

"My gym wear" she stood up.

Kimmy immediately ran to the closet.

"Any messages or calls?" Lovella asked as Flora started helping her with her outfit.

"Yeah...from Miss Summer" Kimmy replied.

"What did she say?" Lovella asked.

"Don't call me for like five days or I will kill you through my phone" Kimmy read out.

Lovella took the phone from her and replied.

Lovella: You need to get laid, you're s*x starved.

Summer: I don't like Spanish men.

Lovella: You mean you have to travel out of this country to f**k?

Summer: I will tell you when I'm going.

Lovella: What are you doing today?

Summer: Taking a break from killing people.

Lovella: How about you use the word characters? Anyone might get the wrong idea.

Summer: So are you saying my characters aren't humans? I won't take that from you.

Lovella: Me or your male leads?

Summer: Who are you?

Lovella's eyes widened.

Summer: In fact, let's stop talking. f**k you.

Lovella: f**k your future husband.

She scoffed and threw her phone to Kimmy, who managed to catch it.

She grabbed her bottle and walked out of the room.

They followed her.

✿

[𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑯𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚]

A grey colored car drove into the school at full speed, loud as hell, tearing through the school highway, and all heads turned to stare.

Golden Hills is a school for elites and the rich, but even among the rich, there are levels.

The car that just passed had a name boldly displayed in front of it, obviously customized.

Bella.

Give me some Bella Basil please!!

She's that girl, believe that or kill yourself.

Bella came to a stop and stepped down from the car with full aura. The breeze felt like a paid actor at that moment, blowing through her red hair.

• Just kill me

• She's so hot

• I understand the hype but her attitude stinks

• I love stinky attitudes, f**k off

Just as Bella picked up her bag and closed the door, another car sped toward the same spot, almost hitting her.

It happened fast as the door opened and a girl stepped out.

• Now you're talking!!

• The queen is here, f**k Bella

• Bella who?!!

Bella glared as Pinky removed her sunglasses and blew kisses to the students taking her pictures.

Bella and Pinky are the craziest rivals in school. They are both extremely popular and also sworn enemies.

No fight recorded. They just don't like each other.

Well, two queens can't run one school.

Bella is considered the richest because of her parents' status, but Pinky owns a whole boutique in her name, one of the biggest in the city.

Mostly for youngies and baddies. Everyone in Golden Hills literally shops there, except Bella and her friends.

"I thought you wouldn't move out of my way. I would have given you a beautiful tattoo on your legs" Pinky said with a smirk.

"How about you try it and see!" Bella shouted.

"f**k, I hate it when you raise your voice. Noisy b***h" Pinky said calmly, smiling at her before walking away, her long hair almost slapping Bella in the face.

Bella clenched her fists.

"You're so dead. I will kill you. Soon enough" she muttered and walked away.

The chaos and drama had already settled when Lionel drove into the school. Even without doing anything dramatic, he was already hearing screams from the girls before he even opened his car door.

Lionel sighed, already frustrated.

He turned off the car, put on his headphones, carried his bag, and got down.

• Oh my gosh!!!

• Lionel!!!!!!

• Who else noticed that he gets hotter every semester??

• You mean every day?

• I love you!

• I want to kiss him so badly.

Lionel didn't raise his head. He adjusted his face cap so low he could barely see where he was going, but at least he escaped quickly.

As soon as he entered the hall, all eyes fell on him again.

Lionel walked to the back and sat down quietly. He didn't even have friends, even though it was obvious the guys in his department wanted to talk to him. They just couldn't. He barely speaks or smiles, so how do they even approach him?

His phone buzzed and he checked it. A slow smile appeared when he saw Roderick's reply.

Roderick: Hey little Lion.

Lionel: You're coming to the dinner tonight right?

Roderick: I'm still thinking about it. I've got something else to go to.

Lionel: Please come over. I miss you so much.

Roderick: Fine. I will be there. See you and leave.

Lionel: A little bit good to hear.

* Someone pinch me and tell me I'm not seeing him smiling

* He's smiling, you're right

* That's new

Lionel raised his head and the students talking immediately looked away.

He sighed and dropped his phone.

The professor walked in right on time and everyone settled down.

✰

[12𝑷𝒎, 𝑨 𝑪𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝑩𝒂𝒓]

Summer stepped out of her car, closing the door behind her, and walked straight into the bar. She headed directly to the island—no plans to linger and drink. There were far too many things on her agenda today.

It was finally her rest day, and she was determined to tick off the list she had been compiling since finishing the book she just completed.

"Hello, ma..." The waiter’s words froze mid-air when he saw her. His eyes widened instantly.

"Oh my gawd!" The waitress beside him screamed, shoving the guy aside and stepping directly in front of Summer.

Summer arched a brow.

"I'm a fan! A big fan! I’ve read all your books—everything! I love them so much. I’m even reading one here. I can’t wait for the next one. You’re amazing, I want to be like you, you’re so pretty too, oh mine…" She rattled everything off in one breath.

Summer managed a smile.

"Mocha," she said.

"Oh…" The waitress muttered, biting her lip.

"Your coffee will be ready in a minute," the waiter added.

"Cool." Summer nodded.

"Your… autograph, please!" The waitress squealed before she could even turn around.

Summer nodded and pulled out a book, opening the first page. One of her books.

"What’s your name?" she asked.

"Linda," she smiled.

Summer signed the page, drawing a heart around her name.

"Thank you so much! Your coffee’s on me," Linda insisted.

"What? No—"

"I insist. Your books saved me," Linda pouted.

"You’re exaggerating," Summer chuckled dryly, taking a seat.

"Whoa, Linda… you’re so crazy. She’s uncomfortable…"

"No, she’s not. She’s not the talky-talky type," Linda said, grinning.

"I guess you’ve read everything about her?"

"What do you expect?" Linda chuckled and kissed the autograph she had just received.

"Crazy."

Meanwhile, Summer barely had a moment before another presence made itself known. Someone slid into the seat opposite her.

She frowned, looking up to see Ramir.

"Hello," he smiled.

Summer rolled her eyes and moved to another table.

Ramir followed.

Summer sighed and ignored him.

"I’m Ramir," he said, sitting down.

"Wow, I guess you have a problem with reactions and expressions," Summer said dryly.

"No, I just have a problem with giving up. I go for what I want," he smiled.

"Not funny." Summer frowned.

"That wasn’t a joke. Trust me, Miss Summer," Ramir added, smiling wider.

Summer stared at him blankly.

"It’s my second time seeing you this way, so I won’t miss the opportunity again," he added.

Summer said nothing.

"Here’s your coffee, ma’am," Linda delivered the drink to her table.

Summer took it and stood immediately.

"Turn off," she smirked at Ramir, walking away.

"Woo…whoa…wow," Ramir muttered, surprised.

Linda cleared her throat, and he looked at her.

"My usuals," he said.

Linda bowed and walked away.

Ramir pulled out his phone and texted Roderick.

Ramir: I’ve never been rejected my whole life, and this time it was cruel.

Minutes later, Roderick replied.

Roderick: Give up then.

Ramir: She’s totally my type. I used to love her pretty face and sexy body… now I love her attitude. I’m getting her, believe me.

Roderick: You’re crazy.

Ramir: Learned from you before you decided to get married.

Roderick: Bastard.

Ramir dropped his phone, a smile playing on his lips as he thought about Summer and his next plan… maybe.