HER RECKONING

CHAPTER 4

Trunks watched Angelique disappear between the shelves, then felt his phone buzz in his pocket.

Alejandro: Where are you, bro? Meet us at the shooting range.

Trunks: I’m quite busy right now.

Alejandro: Oh, please. You always say no. Come this time.

Trunks: Okay.

He sighed, slipped his phone away, and left the library.

¤¤¤

“Hey, Trunks! You finally came,” Ryan called when he arrived at the shooting range.

“I’m not really into guns,” Trunks said, adjusting his glasses.

“But you’re a rich man,” Alejandro replied, aiming downrange. “You need to know how to defend yourself.”

He fired. The bullet struck near the center, the sharp crack echoing through the room. Trunks flinched.

“Wow! That was great, bro!” Ryan laughed.

Alejandro smirked, then offered Trunks a cigarette. “Want one?”

“You know I don’t smoke,” Trunks said softly.

Alejandro sighed in mock annoyance and handed him a gun instead. “At least try this. Here—let me show you.”

He guided Trunks’s hands, helping him aim. “Once you’ve calculated your angle, shoot.”

Trunks hesitated, then pulled the trigger.

The shot went wide, the sound making him jump back. Alejandro and Ryan burst into laughter. Just then, Suhee appeared, her eyes narrowing. “Can I know what’s so funny?” The two boys instantly fell silent.

“You’re just a bunch of idiots,” Cornelia muttered beside her.

Suhee took the gun from Trunks’s trembling hands, adjusted her stance, and fired five precise shots—each one hitting dead center. She turned toward the boys, calm but menacing.

“Next time,” she said coolly, “I might change my target.” Alejandro and Ryan stiffened, eyes wide. Suhee turned back to Trunks.

“Are you okay?” He nodded.

“Don’t worry,” she said with a faint smile, brushing her fingers against his. “As long as you’re with me, I’ll be the one pulling the trigger.” Trunks smiled back and held her hand.

“Are we going? I have a more entertaining activity for us,” she added, her tone softening.

Ryan leaned toward Alejandro and whispered, “Sometimes she’s scary.”

“I promise you,” Alejandro murmured, “she is.”

“Shall we?” Cornelia asked, raising a brow. They nodded and followed her out.

While they followed Suhee and Cornelia, Alejandro noticed that Trunks seemed lost in thought. Exchanging a look with Ryan, he nudged him before they both drifted closer.

“Hey, bro, you seem off. What’s the matter?” Ryan asked.

“I… met a girl today,” Trunks admitted shyly. Both Ryan and Alejandro immediately perked up, their curiosity ignited.

“Oh really?” Alejandro grinned. “How was she?”

“Did you talk to her?” Ryan added eagerly.

“What’s her class?” Alejandro asked, smirking. Trunks adjusted his glasses, his cheeks turning faintly pink.

“We’re in the same course,” he said softly. “We met earlier this morning — she helped me when I fell. Later, we ran into each other again at the library and she kind of… kissed me.”

Alejandro and Ryan’s eyes widened. Ryan nearly shouted, but Alejandro quickly placed a hand on his shoulder to keep him quiet before Suhee turned around.

“She kissed you?” Ryan whispered loudly, barely containing himself. “Is she beautiful?”

“Yes… I think so,” Trunks said, recalling the moment. “Blonde hair, green fox-like eyes, medium height, long legs… yes, she is.”

“Is she your type?” Ryan teased.

“I… I don’t know,” Trunks murmured.

Alejandro crossed his arms. “Sounds like a pick-me girl. You know the type — the ones who throw themselves at rich guys. Probably interested in your money.”

“I know,” Trunks said with a faint, self-conscious smile. “I’m not really any girl’s type. I doubt anyone could be genuinely interested in me.”

“She’s A-Class, though,” Ryan said thoughtfully. “Maybe her interest is genuine.”

Alejandro shrugged. “Being A-Class doesn’t mean anything. Trunks is top of the S-Class. He’s the best match for any alliance.”

“You’re not wrong,” Ryan replied, then grinned. “But if she’s that beautiful and rich, what do you have to lose? Just go for it. It’s a privilege for a rich man to have a beautiful woman by his side — especially when he’s not … attractive.”

“And what about Suhee?” Alejandro asked

Trunks smiled faintly. “She’ll be happy for me. She’s my best friend, after all.”

Ryan laughed. “It’s about time you started dating. Maybe even stop being a virgin.”

Trunks rolled his eyes. “It’s too early for that. I’ll think about it.”

“Guys!” Cornelia called out from ahead. “What’s taking you so long? Keep up!”

“We’re coming!” Ryan shouted back, and the three of them quickened their pace.

They soon arrived at the arcade — a sprawling, neon-lit space filled with laughter, flashing lights, and electronic music. Trunks’s eyes brightened immediately; Suhee smiled, knowing this was his element.

“It’s been ages since we came to the arcade together,” she said, her voice light with nostalgia.

“Ugh, the arcade?” Cornelia groaned.

“Oh, please, Cornelia,” Suhee said,

Rolling her eyes, Cornelia replied “We’ve spent this whole year doing boring things — hunting, polo, hiking… God, I hate hunting. It ruins my manicure. I thought we were going for something really fun. Shopping, or maybe a yacht ride.”

Suhee sighed dramatically. “Next time, we’re doing something you like.”

“Where are the boys?” Cornelia asked, scanning the crowd.

They spotted Alejandro and Ryan laughing near the basketball machine, while Trunks was completely absorbed in a racing game. The girls exchanged amused smiles and went to join them.

“Hey, Suhee! Want to play against me?” Trunks asked.

“Sure!” she said, her eyes lighting up.

They played together, teasing and cheering each other on, then took a few goofy photos in the photo booth. By the time Alejandro and Ryan joined them for one last game, laughter had replaced tension.

As the evening began to wind down, Alejandro lingered behind for a moment, glancing at Suhee. When the others turned toward the exit, he stepped closer, lowering his voice.

“Su,” he began, “can we talk… in private?”

“Uhm… what is it?” Suhee asked, turning to Alejandro with mild concern.

“It’s about Trunks,” he began carefully. “The new girl who joined your class — she’s been hitting on him. Apparently, she kissed him in the library.”

Suhee froze. “What? How do you know that?”

“He told me on the way to the arcade,” Alejandro replied.

Her heart skipped. “And… what did he do? How did he react?” she asked, her voice tightening.

Alejandro hesitated. “It seemed like he enjoyed it. Honestly… it looks like he’s interested in her.”

The words struck Suhee like a bullet to the chest. Her knees weakened, and she swayed. Alejandro instinctively caught her before she could fall.

“Hey, are you alright?” he asked, steadying her.

“I… I don’t know,” she whispered faintly.

Alejandro sighed, his tone soft but firm. “Suhee, maybe it’s time to stop chasing him and move on. You’ve loved him for sixteen years — out of the eighteen you’ve known him. And in all that time, he’s never seen you as more than a friend. You either take your shot or let go.”

Suhee said nothing. Her eyes were distant, her mind blank. She stood there in silence, staring at nothing until Trunks appeared at the entrance.

“Hey, Suhee,” he said gently. “Want me to give you a ride home?”

She managed a small nod. Alejandro watched as she followed Trunks out of the arcade, a faint frown tugging at his lips.

Outside, Trunks’s driver opened the car door. They rode in silence through the city lights until the car stopped in front of Suhee’s luxury apartment.

“Thank you for the ride,” she said softly, breaking the silence.

“You’re quiet tonight,” Trunks said with a small laugh. “Usually, I’m the quiet one.”

“Is there something I should know?” she asked, her voice careful, almost fragile.

He blinked, confused. “No, I don’t think so.”

“And if there were… you’d tell me, right?” she asked gently.

“Of course,” he said with a reassuring smile. “You’re my best friend.” He reached out and took her hand. Suhee smiled faintly, brushing her fingertips along his cheek.

“I trust you, Juhoonie. Take care of yourself,” she whispered.

“You too, Su,” he replied warmly.

She stepped out, waving lightly before disappearing inside. The moment she entered her apartment, the mask cracked. She threw her handbag onto the floor, flung the pillows off the couch, and smashed a vase against the wall. The sound echoed through the vast living room. Alarmed, the house staff rushed in.
 “Ms. Park, are you alright?” one of them asked.

Suhee didn’t respond. She sat down heavily on the couch, her shoulders trembling as tears streamed down her face.

“Why…” she whispered between sobs.

¤¤¤

Meanwhile, across town, Angelique returned home after dinner with Aaliyah and Catherine.

As she entered the apartment, she froze — Pavitra was sitting on the couch with a familiar face.

“Oh, babe! Let me introduce you,” Pavitra said cheerfully. “This is Angelique, my new flatmate. She transferred yesterday. Angelique, this is my boyfriend, Ryan.”

Ryan stood up, flashing that same faint, knowing smile “So you’re the new student in Business Level 200?” he asked.

“Angelique Rochefort,” she said smoothly, extending her hand.

Ryan shook it, his grip steady but assessing.

“Pavitra, you didn’t tell me your boyfriend was on the Diamond Board.” Angelique said with a sly smile.

“Oh well,” Pavitra replied with a laugh, “I didn’t think it was necessary information.”

“I hope the two of you will get along,” she added sweetly.

“Very well,” Ryan said, still holding Angelique’s gaze. “Maybe too well.”

Angelique chuckled. “Well then, lovebirds, I’ll give you some privacy.”

She winked playfully, disappeared into her room, and closed the door behind her.

Inside, her demeanor changed entirely. She walked straight to her dressing, opened the mirrored door to reveal a hidden vision board — a board covered in photographs of Trunks, all connected by red threads.

She stared at them in silence for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, with a sneer, she muttered, “Ugh. I had to kiss you…” She wiped her lips in disgust. “I hate you. I hate you so much.” She grabbed a red marker and drew a large, harsh X over Trunks’s face in one of the photos.

Her other phone buzzed. She answered immediately.

“How did it go?” a voice on the other end asked.

“As planned,” she said coldly.

“Good. Keep it up,” the voice replied before hanging up.

Angelique’s lips curled into a faint smile as she stared once more at the board.

“Game on,” she whispered. “Patience is the quality of every soul seeking revenge. This is just the beginning of your downfall.” She said fixing the picture.