Masquerades

Chapter 27

“What was that? You don’t usually get that angry,” Shannon asked as they met on the way to their classroom. Her best friend was alone this time, but she didn’t bother to ask.

Cali shrugged and sighed, “I guess my pent-up anger towards that guy just burst. Seriously, it’s too early for me to handle his bullshit.”

Shan laughed, and both of them entered the room, which was already almost full. Snow and Skylar instantly came up to them with giddy expressions. She already has an idea what the two are after.

“So it’s true? The new girl is actually the real one?” Snow asked with her Bambi eyes wide open. She couldn’t help but laugh and shake her head as she took her seat. “It’s already publicized, so I think it’s pretty much confirmed now, right?”

“But what about Arcane?” Skylar interrupted, and she could already feel all their gazes averting towards her at the mention of the guy. She just rolled her eyes and lazily leaned the side of her head onto her palm. “It looks like he still believes that you are the real Calista.”

She sighed once again, “he’s just delusional. I kept telling him that I was not, but he wouldn’t listen. I don’t know what the heck is wrong with that guy.”

“Easy… isn’t it obvious? He likes you! Maybe he’s planning to be engaged with Calista Song again, that’s why,” Shan teasingly said, poking her on the shoulder.

“Hell no… don’t even consider that possibility! That guy’s planning something, I’m sure of it. Or maybe his family is involved too,” she shrugged. “But it’s none of my business because I am not the real Calista Song.” She then smiled and started organizing her books, notepad and pencil case atop her desk.

“Why do I feel like today’s going to be an eventful day? Something big is about to happen, I can just feel it…” Skylar suddenly mumbled before returning to her own seat.

The girl’s words brought goosebumps all over her arms. She thinks the same as well. There was some kind of energy that wasn’t here the past few days. Something shifted when the news of the supposedly ‘real’ Calista Song surfaced. It doesn’t involve Xian High but the entire city, so maybe, outsiders will get involved in this case too, starting from now.

And she is not sure if that’s something she should be thrilled about or not.

*

She didn’t have to wait long for her speculation to be proven right. During their second period, an announcement suddenly resounded throughout the campus, excusing every teacher for an emergency meeting and telling the students to quietly wait inside their classrooms. Of course, everyone instantly got curious about what was happening.

And only when Ross – one of her classmates who was seated near the windows – pointed out something outside, did their questions finally get answered. Everyone crowded by the windows and watched the scene happening outside.

A line of expensive cars arrived right in front of the main building, earning looks of awe from them – the bystanders. But the amazement was doubled when roughly a dozen bodyguards suddenly stepped out of the cars and surrounded the one in the middle. After a few moments, the VIP finally came out of the said car gracefully and she immediately heard audible gasps around her.

“Am I dreaming? Is that really Alexandra Wong? The Alexandra Wong?! Oh my gosh!” Shannon exclaimed beside her before jumping excitedly like she had just hit the jackpot. Most of her classmates joined her too, and to her surprise, even a number of boys.

Their reactions are to be expected though. Other than being known as the Wong clan’s perfect heiress and Arcane’s older sister, Alexandra Wong or more known as ‘Andra,' she is also a very successful supermodel and fashion icon. She is listed as the third highest-paid model by a prominent Western magazine, and the only Asian on the said list. Andra is already a household name all over China.

Cali was suddenly reminded that the woman had attended their company’s anniversary gala, and Callum’s secretary once mentioned that something happened between Andra and her cousin. She didn’t bother asking for specific details about it, thinking that it was only natural that a Wong and a Song could never be in the same place at the same time. Of course, the two will clash, especially if they’re at an event celebrating her family’s legacy.

But then she also remembered that Callum’s real identity hasn’t been revealed yet, he’s still Pierce Alastair in the minds of the public. Then why would there be a conflict between the two? Her cousin is not that careless to let even the smallest clue of him being the long-lost Song heir, get out and make someone suspicious. Not to mention, it’s a Wong, so he’ll naturally be extra careful.

What really happened that night?

“She’s probably going to meet Calista Song,” Ren appeared beside her, his arms crossed while casually looking outside with his sleepy eyes.

She nodded, “maybe she wants to verify it herself.”

The guy turned to her. “She’s Arcane’s sister. Do you think she won’t be convinced too, just like her brother?”

“She’ll be convinced. There’s too much evidence now. I think she’s the real one.”

“Hmm… that former Song Manor butler is, indeed, quite convincing. He’s a big factor. If the other workers started confirming it too, then no one would have any doubts about it.”

Wait… he’s right! Goodness, why didn’t she ever think of that? Peter already has a big impact on the public. What if the others confirm it too? As far as she remembers, only Peter didn’t agree to keep working in the Manor under Pierce. So the others are still staying at home.

Her cousin must have already spoken to them about the current situation, that’s why no one is arguing about the rumor that is currently spreading. For sure, if one of their maids found out about the impersonator, they’d probably post another article themselves to contradict everything – which would have ruined her plans. The good thing is, Callum has always been good at preventing all the bad scenarios that her spontaneous ideas caused.

Once the visitors disappeared from their sight, everyone returned to their seats and started doing various stuff to pass time. But a few moments later, another announcement resounded from the speakers again and this time, it was Principal Huo’s voice that followed.

“Calista Song from Class 12-B and Class 12-E, please proceed to Hall M immediately. Again, Calista Song from Class 12-B and Class 12-E, please proceed to Hall M right this instant. Thank you.”

All eyes turned towards her direction as the words took their time to register in her mind. Wait… Calista Song from Class 12-B? That’s me… why would they need me in Hall M? Did Andra also request to see the other two Calistas? Oh God, please, no. Why didn’t I do Callum’s suggestion back then?! If only I had changed my name right from the start!

She sighed and stood up, looking at her friends who were gazing back at her with different gazes – sympathy, wonder and confusion. She just shrugged casually to show them that this is no big deal, before leaving. The other fake Calista was already walking a few meters away when she stepped out the hallway, and she just let her be. It’s not like they’re close or something.

When they were nearing Hall M, she noticed that her companion’s pace began slowing down until she was able to catch up to her. The first fake Calista instantly took note of her presence and masked her fear with fake confidence. She almost scoffed but controlled herself, or else there might be an unwanted addition to her long list of enemies again.

“Uhh… should I?” She raised her fist to knock on the door, but it turns out the girl is quite competitive and hurriedly beat her to it. Wow, how mature!

Her companion only had to knock twice before the door was pulled open. Miss Petty then walked in with her confident strut, before she followed suit, internally laughing.

She is already familiar with Hall M, so she didn’t bother looking around the place and just focused on the group of people inside. There are bodyguards in every corner, and in the living room sat Alexandra Wong in between Arcane and Maisie, the rest of the Masquerades seated on the surrounding couches. It didn’t escape her eyes that auburn-haired fake Calista is the only one seated on a stool, right in front of the Wong heiress, as if she’s being interrogated.

Everyone’s eyes averted towards the newly-arrived pair, and Cali could almost feel the devil’s eyes burning through her skull. She ignored the i***t and just observed his sister instead. What could’ve happened to her and Callum?

“Are they the other two?” A smile stretched across the woman’s face as she said those words. If she was a regular person she would have been fooled by it, but she knew it was the type of smile that someone had trained for years to perfect. A flawless celebrity smile used to fake friendliness. She knows because she was trained to have one too.

“Ah yes, Madame,” Principal Huo – who had been standing beside another middle-aged woman who seemed to be Andra’s secretary – readily confirmed. “They are the other Calista Songs.”

She watched as Andra’s eyes inconspicuously checked both of them out from head to toe. She didn’t shy away from her piercing stare and waited silently until she finished. The woman must’ve been surprised by how she acted, because her eyes faltered a bit during her careful scrutiny.

“So who’s the one who was here even before the news about the Song heiress surfaced?”

Cali raised her hand with no hesitation, “that would be me.”

Andra nodded and looked at the other, “so it means you’re the fake one who arrived the morning after the announcement. It’s already proven that you’re not the real one, so why are you still here?” Her words were spoken primly, despite the savageness of their meaning, and Cali couldn’t help but nod her head internally. She’s cool.

She turned to the girl beside her and saw her already trembling – the confidence she exuded earlier completely gone. “I… I’m—“

“Did anyone order you to do this?” Andra didn’t even let the poor girl speak. “Or were you just confident that you could pull off the act? Don’t you ever think it’s stupid? You are trying to fool the heir of one of the most powerful families in Beijing. Don’t you think he is capable of instructing someone to do a background check on you?”

It was like the blood on the girl’s face got completely drained as she turned pale in the blink of an eye. With nothing else to do, she dropped down to her knees with a loud thud and did a full bow, tears already falling from her fearful eyes.

“P-please Young Lady Wong, spare me please! I was just doing what my mother suggested. We were desperate to be noticed by a prestigious family that could help us! Our small business is about to go bankrupt and—“

“I didn’t tell you to explain. I just asked you why you’re still here. How shameless of you.”

“Andra-jie,” Maisie suddenly called out, holding her cousin’s hand. “I think there’s no need to send her away. After we proved that she was fake, she didn’t do anything else and didn’t try insisting anymore. Besides, she is also placed in the lowest class, so there is no way she’ll have the chance to interact with Arcane anymore.”

Andra considered her younger cousin’s words for a few moments before sighing, and eventually nodding. “Fine. If that’s the case, then we can leave her be. Just make sure she won’t be able to come close my brother again. Are we clear, Principal Huo?”

“Y-yes, of course, Madame!”

Arcane scoffed, “as if I’d let that happen.”

Alexandra narrowed her eyes towards her brother, “shut up. You could be ignorant of your surroundings sometimes.” Cali almost laughed, but hurriedly swallowed it down. “What’s your real name?”

The kneeling girl’s head snapped up, “Lucy Huang, Y-Young Lady.”

“Stand up and go, submit your real information to the registrar’s office.”

“Yes, Young Lady Wong!” After repeatedly bowing, Lucy almost ran out of the hall to do what she was told to do.

In no time, the attention was directed at her. “And you?”

“I’m just someone who coincidentally got the same name as the Song heiress. If I knew this would happen, I would’ve told my mom to accompany me in legally changing it,” she laughingly said.

The lady raised her brows, “then why did my brother keep on saying that you might be the real one?”

Cali snickered and glanced at Arcane. The i***t instantly smiled, seeing that she finally gave him a bit of her attention. He’s not in his right mind.

“Well, other than being ignorant, your brother could also be delusional sometimes,” she shrugged.

The hall went silent for a second or two before Andra burst into fits of laughter, followed by the rest of the Masquerades.

“Only you, Calista Song, only you,” Declan said in between laughter. She almost blurted; which one? There’s literally three in here, remember?

“My goodness, this is the first time I heard someone call my brother delusional!”

She tilted her head, “you must’ve spoiled him too much.”

“Hmm…” Andra nodded while reaching for her teacup and taking a sip from it. “We did. That’s why he became this stubborn. So tell me, Ms. Song, do you think Calista here,” she gestured towards the auburn-haired girl across her, “is indeed the real one?”

Cali crossed her arms and caught the eyes of the nervous girl. What’s there to be nervous about? I’m on your side!

“Well, from an outsider’s perspective… she must be the real one.”

Andra smiled, “it seems like we have different opinions, Ms. Song. I actually agree with my brother, I’m still doubtful of her.”

She smiled back, “it’s probably in your blood, then.”

“What do you think we should do about this? Should we still keep her?”

“I suggest you should keep your options open. Maybe another one will appear out of nowhere?”

The woman laughed, “of course, you’re right. We should keep our options open, so it seems my brother will have to keep on being delusional.”

Ah, she got me. Alexandra Wong is a worthy opponent, I see.