Masquerades

Chapter 07

It’s her turn to look intently at the guy. He is the first one to speculate that she may be the real Calista Song. It’s funny actually, if you think of it, why has no one ever assumed this? Who successfully convinced the public that she was dead, even though her body was never found?

Now’s the time to make use of her acting skills, though.

She scoffed in disbelief, “will you ask that to every Calista Song you meet? Won’t it be… weird and offensive?”

The guy frowned, “offensive?”

“Yeah, because you’re comparing me to someone who’s already dead? Just because of my name? That’s what the whole school is doing, too… and it’s so petty, really. That Arcane Wong is so damn childish, as well.”

She expected Maddox would instantly burst into fits of anger to defend his ‘master,’ but surprisingly, his reaction was the complete opposite. He burst into fits of laughter while shaking his head in disbelief.

“This is the first time I heard someone describe Arc that way,” he smilingly said before taking one of the front row seats. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell him and throw you under the bus.”

“Won’t you join them in… torturing me until I leave the school?”

He shrugged, “I don’t usually participate in that type of activities.”

“You don’t like it? The bullying, I mean.”

“I don’t like noise, and William causes too much noise whenever he does that.”

She absentmindedly smirked. Noise, of course, why would he care about others? He looks exactly the type who doesn’t concern himself of anyone, and that makes him worse than her and his peers. At least she worries about those kids, but this guy? You would never catch him sympathizing with anyone.

“Right,” she simply replied before standing up. She was on her way out when his voice sounded again.

“The storage room on the rooftop is the best hiding place. You just have to find a way to unlock it.”

His words made her stop on her tracks and look back, “huh?”

Maddox smirked, turning his once kind-looking face into a taunting one. “You should check it out.”

Cali didn’t know what compelled her to actually do what he said, but she just found herself trudging up the main building’s fire exit and out the rooftop. Now that Maddox mentioned it, she realized that indeed, no one has ever paid attention to the said storage room. She tried twisting the knob of the steel door, but it won’t budge as expected.

After a few more attempts, she decided to give up for now and just come back tomorrow with tools. Maybe she could also watch those tutorials online on how to unlock a door with paper clips and hairpins.

*

She was able to get out of the school unscathed when the security guards switched shifts. She patiently waited for it, and the moment the clock struck 3PM, the current guard would leave for fifteen minutes to call for the other one.

With only her phone and wallet, she successfully ran away from her personal hell hole. She’d just retrieve her bag tomorrow, surely her classmates would keep it safe for her. She reached her apartment in no time and plopped down her bed as exhaustion finally consumed her entire being.

“Should we start checking out schools? You should at least experience going to normal high schools before college,” her mom said from the passenger’s seat.

This made her look up from her phone as she removed one of the airpods from her ear. Normal school? This is the first time they mentioned it. To be honest, she’s not sure if it’s for her.

“Did grandma agree?” Her grandmother still has the last say when it comes to her, and she’s pretty sure she would reject the idea.

“Don’t worry, I can talk to her about it,” it was her dad this time. She glanced at the rearview mirror and caught his eyes through it. “How about Beijing Xian? I heard that’s where Arcane goes.”

She instantly heard her mother clap of excitement, “oh yes! Won’t it be wonderful if you two attend the same school? What do you think, Cali?”

Ugh… that Arcane again. Her mother never missed the chance of mentioning the boy whenever they’re together. He never met him – or maybe she did but she was just too young to remember – but her mom is pretty adamant on her matchmaking.

Wait… is this also the reason why they’re suddenly talking about sending her to a normal school?

“I’ve been homeschooled all my life, I don’t think it’s a good idea,” she worriedly said. It was true though, the years of homeschooling naturally made her into an introvert. Though she’s not completely socially inept, but she’s certain she would still feel a bit uneasy the moment she is faced with unfamiliar people and environment.

“How about when you’re in college? Your dad and I are worried that it might be harder for you to adjust. You should at least experience it now in a much smaller place, so you’ll know what to do when you’re already in university.”

Of course, her mother got a point. But unlike in university where everyone is mature and minds their own business, high school is a whole ‘nother world. If what she read on books and watched on movies are real, then that place would be full of drama – and that’s something she’s not ready for.

“I don’t know…” She’s already feeling uneasy by just imagining herself in a high school campus, what more if she’s already there? Yikes.

“Just consider it for now, Cali. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, you want more friends, right?” She could almost hear the smile on his dad’s voice.

She wanted more friends when she was around eight years old, yes, but she has already outgrown that phase of course! She’s fifteen now and prefers being alone with her books.

“Besides, you and Arcane should start getting closer now so by the time you both are eighteen—“

“Mom… please,” she groaned which earned chuckles from her parents.

“I’m sure you two will be the best of friends, darling.”

She woke up from her long nap with a frown marring her face. Of all the time she could have dream of that, why now? Best of friends, yeah right. Are you seeing what he’s doing to me, mom? Do you still want us to get to know each other? No thanks.

Only when she sat up from her bed, did she notice her phone vibrating on the bedside table. She already knew who it was, because she’s actually waiting for that particular call all day.

“Callum-gege*,” she greeted after accepting the call.

“Cali, is everything okay?”

The worry in his tone automatically put a smile on her face. “Of course,” she lied.

“Did someone get suspicious about your identity again?”

“No, not anymore. You’ve already prevented that from happening.”

“Okay, good,” her cousin sighed in relief. “How’s school? Is everyone treating you well?”

She winced, but kept her tone casual. “Yeah, same old… but there’s something I want to ask.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“It’s the company’s anniversary gala this weekend, right? And you’re going to attend for the first time?”

“Yup, I need to reveal myself to the public before your eighteenth birthday. You never took interest in it, what changed?”

“There’s something I want the PR team to release the same day. Can they also make an announcement that I’m still alive?”

There was a momentary silence on the other line which made her a bit nervous. Callum needs to agree to this for her plans to be successful. “Okay, we’ll do that.”

She let out the breath she didn’t know she was keeping. “Thank you, gege.”

“With this, I assume you also have your own plans. I don’t want to get in your way because I trust you and your judgment, Calista. Just make sure you’re always safe and unharmed.”

“Don’t worry, I always prioritize my safety as promised.”

They exchanged a few more words before her cousin ended the call due to a dinner appointment. Gone was the foul mood she had when she woke earlier, she laid down her bed again with a satisfied smile on her face this time.

The first step on her plans had now been completed. She just have to continue showing Arcane Wong that he, never in a million years, will be able to make her crumble down his feet then everything’s gonna go according to plan.

And maybe, she could do some saving as well, while keeping her cool.

*

(Gege is a Chinese honorific used for older brothers or males, in general.)