Their Temptation

Don't blame me for losing control

“s**t! Not today!”

With full determination of not getting late for the first day, Camila hurriedly climbed the stairs. Eager to make it on time, she dashed towards the college entrance hall. But just as she pushed open the entrance door, a bucket of dirty water splashed over her.

"What the hell?" she cursed, trying to brush off the muck and hurriedly stepping away. But in her haste, her feet lost their grip on the wet floor.

With a sickening thud, her butt hit the ground hard. Pain radiated through her, intensifying with each passing moment. As she lay there, damp and sore, the promising first day of college seemed to slip further away. She wondered about what could be worse than suddenly someone stood before her, giving an open challenge to her thoughts.

"Hello there! Had a great shower?” questioned Leah, passing the bucket to her nearby follower, Lily. “I arranged this special shower to wipe the stain off you so that your classmates can have a good environment."

Holding the identity of campus' most beautiful cheerleader, Leah carried herself with an air of superiority. Not only this, but also, her closeness with the country’s top influential business Adam’s Cooperation’s Heirs fueled her confidence and aura of supremacy.

Her sharp wit and pathetic bully, what she liked to call "little jokes," was supposed to be forgiven by everyone. If anyone tried to speak for themselves or dared to offend her, they were to meet with a dreadful fate.

Camila was one of those poor souls. However, in her case, there was more to it. She did not just have to take all of Leah's jokes, but also worked to please her as she was one of the people who John wanted her to get along well with. So, she was forced to kneel on the ground until she passed her order to stand.

As Leah was taking the lead of the bully, suddenly the atmosphere shifted cold with the entrance of familiar figures. The figures who made Camila’s heartbeat go wild, as facing them that moment was the last thing she wanted.

Gulping hard in fear, she watched four tall, sculpted, and masculine figures walking towards them. The four Adam’s heirs radiated a magnetic energy, and carried an aura of authority that commanded attention.

Their piercing gazes held a centuries-old wisdom, a testament to the fact that there was no chance for any company to stand tall in their presence. They were and will always be the country's top business.

Asher, the eldest, exuded an aura of arrogance and possessiveness. His sharp gaze held a silent challenge, a clear indication that crossing him was not advisable. Blair, the second oldest, possessed an unsettling mix of charm and violent tendencies. His smile could captivate just as easily as it could send shivers down one's spine.

Then came the third, Felix, who presented a stark contrast with his gentle appearance. He carried an air of calmness and serenity, and also had a history with Camila as her first love. They shared an amazing bond until a cruel misunderstanding shattered their world. Felix was misled into thinking Camila was a prostitute to her father’s friend and this misconception turned their love into a nightmare.

Lastly, there was Roy, the youngest of the quadruplets, who was a notorious playboy whose charming exterior concealed the cruelty beneath. He had taken the lead in tormenting Camila throughout their high school years.

Seizing the opportunity of their presence, Leah, with a sly smile on her lips, taunted Felix, "You guys are finally here. See, Felix, I arranged this wonderful shower for her on behalf of you. Do you like it?”

Felix's eyes flared with anger, and his glare indicated a silent warning to her. Sensing the tension, Roy swiftly intervened as he didn’t want his sweetheart, Leah, to suffer at the hands of his brother.

Kicking Camila aside, he yelled, “Get out of the way.”

Fighting back her tears, Camila crawled aside, and knelt, lowering her head. As Felix strode past her, a tension hung in the air. He paused momentarily, his gaze fixed elsewhere, and uttered words that cut deeper than any blade.

"Let me make this very clear. I don't want to see you in class where I am."

Her attempts to speak were swiftly silenced as he coldly added further, "I am not here to share a class with a prostitute. If I see you, then don't blame me for losing control and getting you killed."

???

Staring at her reflection, Camila watched her tears running down her eyelids. The weight of their false judgement pressed heavily upon her. If only she could reveal the truth, shatter the misconceptions they held about her. But the fear of her father's wrath, and the threat of getting herself killed, held her voice captive.

That moment she couldn’t help recalling the pistol that she placed back in its place that morning. Her mind, fed up from all those bullying, couldn't help imagining shooting her father and her bullies as well.

However, it came to an end when she thought about Felix. There was no chance for her to harm him as he was her first love. Even though he treated her badly, there was a certain corner in her heart where love for him was hidden.

With trembling hands, she washed away the dirt etched in her skin, each drop mingling with her tears. Midst to the act, the sound of approaching footsteps jolted her, and she sought refuge in a nearby stall.

"You shouldn't have pulled those little jokes, Leah. You've really made Felix angry," said Lily, approaching the sink.

Leah slammed her purse on the counter as she muttered in disappointment, "Oh, come on, don't even start. It is the beginning of college after a long vacation, and we need to make a start with fun. You cannot blame me for that.”

Scrunching her face, Jasmine, her other follower, replied, “Ha! Fun! That nearly cost your life from him.”

Snickering, Lily added, “Yeah, he was ready to forget that Leah is a campus goddess.”

“Leah, I really wish your beauty charm could lure Felix,” quipped Jasmine.

Offended by her own followers, Leah rumbled, “Just shut up, okay! I have no interest in him as I already got my Prince charming! My Roy!”

With lipstick in her hand, Jasmine watched her reflection as she asked, “You sure he is going to be with you forever? What if one day he finds out–”

“You needn’t have to worry about that.” She applied her lipstick before adding, “We did, and he didn’t even notice.”

“You what?” both exclaimed in unison.

Leaning her butt against the counter, and folding her arms, she replied, “I said he didn’t find out about me being non-virgin.”

‘Ha! Impossible!’ Listening to their conversation, Camila couldn’t help snickering. ‘Is she even being real? Does she really think she can escape from Roy, the s*x master?’

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted when, suddenly, the door was slammed wide open. Chills ran down her spine and her throat went dry as she watched Leah and her followers glaring at her.

“Um! I–” Running out of words, she gulped hard.

“Get her!” Leah ordered, before making her way out.

Grabbing her by her arms, Lily and Jasmine dragged her out of the washroom. They followed Leah to the backyard of the building and threw her near the old fountain.

Pressing her hands against the edge of the fountain, Camila struggled to get up. “I… I am sorry. I really didn’t hear anything you–”

Not listening to her, Leah grabbed her hair and pressed her in the dirty water. Frantic, she tried to break free, but Leah didn’t spare her a chance.

Only when she was close to losing her breath was she let out. Her lungs gasped for air and her breath heaved. However, she wasn’t able to take a breath of relief as she was plunged back into the water.

“You knew you shouldn’t be doing that. Yet, you did it,” said Leah, gritting her teeth. “Now pay for your deeds.”

Once she was out of water, she begged, “I didn’t do that on purpose. Believe me. I—”

Without hearing her out, Leah again plunged her back into the water. Seeing her fearful appearance, even Lily and Jasmine took a step back.

Camila had hope that she would let her out once again, but this time she didn’t do that. Getting out of breath, she was close to losing consciousness when suddenly someone reached out to shove Leah away from her.

“Stay away from her!” came a sharp warning soon after.