Masquerades

Chapter 16

She was awakened by her doorbell ringing on Sunday morning. As expected, Miss Xu came to notify her about Xian High’s request for her to come back, with the promise of treating her well. As if that’s what she wanted. Didn’t they read her reason for dropping out? Such lousy administration, should she also work to replace the current Director of the school?

For now, she’s going to forget their shortcomings and decide to come back without giving them much hardship. She told the secretary to confirm her return before midnight – at least, to make them panic a bit.

But that wasn’t the only thing she found out from the woman. Turns out, another thing happened last night and it involves her cousin and Arcane’s sister, Alexandra Wong. The famous model and Beijing’s number one socialite apparently attended the founding anniversary of their company, and made quite a scene at the venue.

Miss Xu’s story was a bit vague, and what happened has been kept from the media so she can’t find any information anywhere. Maybe she’ll just ask Callum, herself.

“Chief Song also said that you should consider going back to the mansion. Now that the news of you being alive has been announced to the public, your safety might be compromised once again. It’s better if you come back home,” the woman said before leaving.

The last time she went home was the day she got discharged. The memories were too much for her to bear, so she was only able to stay at the mansion for one day before Callum bought her the apartment she’s currently living in.

“Chief Song chose this complex for you himself, and it’s relatively safe and secured, but there’s no other place safer for you than at home,” Miss Xu added.

“I will consider it,” she simply replied, giving her a tight-lipped smile.

“If you still insist on staying here, let someone drive you to and from school every day, at least. He will assign a driver for you.”

“Alright, having a driver would be fine.”

*

The next day eventually came, and she was full of nerves – both of excitement and slight anxiety. Yes, she had already laid out her plans and is hell-bent on fulfilling them, but she’s still a human who has her own worries and who is still prone to mistakes. Not to mention, she’s not really used to doing something like taking revenge or being a mastermind of some diabolic plan. Everything she had been through the past few days, she did relying on her pure instincts.

She did her usual morning routine and had a simple ham and cheese sandwich and a glass of milk for breakfast. Dressing up was something she was most excited about. Good thing, Xian High is a private school that doesn’t follow traditional customs when it comes to uniforms. Instead of wearing their formal uniform only on Mondays, the students wear it all throughout the week and would just change whenever they have P.E. classes.

Other than the aforementioned uniform (consisting of a plain white button-up, black-red-and-green checkered ribbon and matching skirt, and a black blazer which is optional now that winter is near), she also added a simple red beret on her head and a butterfly brooch encrusted with rubies and emeralds, attached on the center of her ribbon. Instead of her usual plain school shoes, which she had always worn since the start of this semester, she picked up one of her Prada ankle boots and wore it above her tights.

She went out of the apartment with her LV backpack and saw a Bentley – much smaller than what her cousin uses – already parked in front. The kind-looking, middle-aged driver greeted her and told her to call him Mr. Shen, which she did before stepping inside the vehicle.

The drive was smooth with only mild traffic a few blocks away from Xian. She looked at the other cars in front of them, and was reminded of the time when she could only watch them as she walked with the other less-privileged students. But now, she’s one of those who can flaunt her family’s social status through this.

But she’s only doing this for the Masquerades and those from Class A to see. Once she’s inside that building, she will still act and talk like the usual Calista Song from 12-B. All these are only for appearance-sake and nothing more.

As the car drove past the gate and stopped at the drop-off, right in front of the main building, she unexpectedly saw two figures standing anxiously in the middle – Principal Huo and her class adviser, Mr. Qiu. Calista’s brow raised and waited for her driver. Once the door was finally opened, she watched the pair immediately taking a peek, eventually recognizing her. Their faces brightened up and they wasted no time getting closer to where she was at.

She stepped out of the car, and like a scene in a movie, the surroundings seemed to instantly stop and quiet down. Everyone’s eyes zeroed in on her direction, she could almost feel the gazes burning holes in her.

“Young lady Song! It’s great to see you again. We are very honored—“

“Cut the bullshit,” she interrupted with a sweet smile. “The last time I saw you, you were almost sneering at me, Principal Huo. Let’s not be hypocrites, shall we?” She then glanced at her class adviser and gave him a slightly more genuine smile, at least this one had helped her a few times. “I don’t want to be late, if you two excuse me.”

She bypassed the two and entered the building. She was only able to take a couple of steps inside, when Principal Huo suddenly appeared in front of her again.

“Young lady Song, if you just give me a bit of your time, please?”

“Calista, call me Calista, just like in the past. You don’t even know if I’m really that Calista Song,” she smirked, earning a frown from the old man. Confusion masked the man’s face, satisfying her to no end. He must be hesitating now.

“Still,” he ended up saying, making her shrug. “I would want to offer a spot for you in Section A, where you truly belong.”

Cali crossed her arms and stared at the man for a few seconds, and in no time, she could see how irked he became. “That’s completely unnecessary, I want to stay in my previous class.”

“But Young Lady—“

“Calista,” a familiar voice called out from behind.

She whirled around, expecting to see him standing at least a few feet away, only to find him only two steps away from her. And in no time, she found herself in his arms with his head buried on her shoulder.

“I knew it, you’re alive,” Arcane mumbled, as his hug tightened. "I knew it."