HER RECKONING

CHAPTER 11

The weeks that followed were unusually calm. Stanton University was preparing for the upcoming Christmas break, and as always, the end-of-term send-off festival was the talk of the campus. It was called the Christmas Fest. Every student was expected to take part in at least one competition, tournament or performance. It was the liveliest time of the academic year — corridors buzzed with laughter, announcements, and the contagious excitement of a thousand plans.

“What activity are you signing up for?” Catherine asked Aaliyah and Angelique as they sat in the courtyard.

“I’m going for the horse race,” Aaliyah said confidently.

“I’m not sure yet,” Angelique replied. “Maybe swimming. What about you, Cathy?”

“I’ll be performing violin on stage.”

“That’s perfect for you,” Angelique said with a smile.

Meanwhile, in the Diamond Room, the atmosphere was even more electric.

“So, what are you guys doing this year?” Alejandro asked, spinning a pen between his fingers.

“Golf,” Ryan said.

“You did that last year,” Cornelia pointed out.

“I know,” Ryan replied with mock pride. “I wanted to try tennis, but it’s too tiring. I don’t want to sweat. Golf is chill. We’re all redoing something anyway.”

“Not me,” Trunks said simply.

Alejandro raised a brow. “Oh? What are you doing, then?”

“Games.”

Suhee looked up. “You did that last year too.”

“Yes,” Trunks said, smiling faintly. “But this year I’m entering the video game competition. It’s different.”

Ryan chuckled. “At least you’re staying in your natural habitat. What about you, Alejandro?”

“Horse race, of course. I have to defend my title,” he said with a smirk. “And you girls?”

“I’ll do boxing,” Suhee said.

The room fell silent.

“Boxing?” everyone repeated in disbelief.

“Yeah, why not?” Suhee said coolly. “I’ve been practicing. I want to see if I can handle a real match.”

“And risk damaging that pretty face of yours?” Cornelia gasped.

Suhee shrugged. “That face hasn’t gotten me a boyfriend anyway.”

Cornelia pouted. “But… I wanted us to do something together this time. Like we did in high school.”

Suhee narrowed her eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of pageants again.”

“Oh no,” Cornelia said quickly. “I was thinking we could perform on stage. There’ll be a student concert during the festival. We could offer a show.”

“Perform?” Ryan asked, amused. “Suhee can sing?”

“Sing, rap, and dance,” Cornelia said proudly.

Ryan blinked. “Is there anything you can’t do?”

“Suhee can do everything,” Trunks said quietly, with a faint smile.

Cornelia clapped her hands together. “I wanted us to perform Perfect Night.”

“By Le Sserafim?” Trunks asked.

“Yes!” Cornelia said.

“So… K-pop idol Suhee’s back?” Trunks teased, eyes bright.

“Hey! I haven’t said yes yet,” Suhee protested.

“Oh, please, Suhee,” Cornelia begged.

Suhee sighed. “But there are only two of us. We’d need at least five people.”

“You and I will sing,” Cornelia said eagerly. “We can audition three other girls as backup singers and dancers.”

“Fine,” Suhee relented, smiling slightly. “I’ll drop boxing and join you — but only because I love that song. On one condition.”

“Anything!” Cornelia said instantly.

“We’ll perform two songs,” Suhee said. “That one… and another I’ll whisper to you later. It’ll be our grand finale.”

Cornelia squealed. “Yes! I can’t wait!”

Alejandro grinned. “I’m looking forward to that.”

“Same here,” Ryan added.

“Me too,” Trunks said warmly. “Go get them, girls.”

“Let’s start preparing then,” Cornelia said eagerly. “We need to call for auditions, pick the décor, the dresses—everything!”

The boys got up from their seats.

“We’ll leave you girls to it,” Ryan said as he, Alejandro, and Trunks exited the room.

Cornelia turned to Suhee the moment the door closed. “So? What’s the other song you mentioned?”

Suhee smiled faintly. “Ash by Ateez.”

Cornelia’s eyes lit up. “Yes! I love that one—it’s trending right now. Honestly, I thought you’d pick a Stray Kids song.”

Suhee chuckled softly. “I’m a Stay, that’s true. But I’m an Atiny too. And that song… it’s for Trunks.” Her tone softened. “The lyrics describe exactly how I feel, think—and what I’m trying to accept. It’s my way of turning the page, of letting go of everything I once felt for him, and finally facing reality. I’m just… a friend.”

Cornelia tilted her head. “You’re always too emotional when it comes to him. Are you sure you’re really turning that page?”

“Yeah,” Suhee said quietly. “It’ll take time, but I’ll get there.” She took a deep breath. “Call that scholarship girl who usually helps us with logistics. She can spread the word about auditions.”

Later that evening, Ryan sat in a dim corner of a dark abandoned room on campus, a cigarette glowing between his fingers. Angelique arrived moments later, her heels clicking sharply against the stone path.

“Hail, the queen of Stanton,” Ryan greeted, smirking.

Angelique lit her own cigarette, inhaled deeply, and exhaled a slow, deliberate plume of smoke before sitting across from him.

“What took you so long?” he asked lazily.

“I was registering for the Christmas Fest activities,” she replied.

“Oh? What did you pick?”

“That’s none of your business,” she said coolly. “Did you bring what I asked for?”

Ryan slid a thick envelope across the table. “All the dirt you need.”

Angelique opened it, her brow arching as she scanned the contents. “Wow. You didn’t hold back. I thought you’d come up with some petty little scandal to embarrass them.”

Ryan smirked. “You misunderstand me. I know your goal isn’t humiliation—it’s destruction. Mine too. Small scandals make noise but change nothing. What we have here…” He tapped the envelope. “If Trunks believes Suhee betrayed him, he’ll reclaim his Gem immediately. That’s what we both want.”

Angelique smiled faintly. “I’ll use it carefully—and at the right moment.”

Ryan leaned back, eyes half-closed.

“You never told me, though. Why do you hate Suhee so much?” Angelique asked

“I don’t hate her,” Ryan said. “I’m just jealous. She’s always acting like some righteous savior—meddling in things that don’t concern her, talking like she’s the heroine of this place. I’m sick of her superiority. And besides…” he shrugged, “this school is boring. I like a little drama.”

Angelique chuckled. “So you’re admitting it—you’re the villain.”

“Maybe. Maybe not” he said, smiling wickedly. “But you’re worse.”

“Touché.” She replied.

Angelique slipped the papers into her bag and stood to leave. Outside the garden, she found Trunks waiting for her, looking both anxious and excited.

“Babe! What are you doing here?” she asked, surprised.

“I wanted to see you,” Trunks said, his eyes gleaming. “I have a surprise.”

“A surprise?” she repeated, her lips curling into a smile. “I want to see it!”

“Close your eyes,” he said gently, covering them with his hands.

He led her a short distance down the path. Around them, students began whispering as a massive truck parked in front of the campus square. The driver stepped out, unstrapped the cargo, and revealed a brand-new red Rolls-Royce Droptail, wrapped inside a giant transparent gift case.

Trunks removed his hands from her eyes.

The crowd gasped.

Angelique froze, breath catching. Then, with a delighted scream, she ran to the car and threw her arms around Trunks, showering him with kisses.

Around them, students whispered in awe.

“That girl just hit the jackpot,” one said.

“People used to ignore Trunks because he was awkward,” another murmured. “Turns out he’s the ultimate green flag.”

“He’s not a green flag—he’s the whole green forest,” someone added.

Angelique took Trunks’s hand and pulled him toward the car. “Come on—be my passenger princess,” she teased.

They drove off through the gates, while far behind them, Suhee stood watching silently from the balcony.

Inside the car, the sun was setting, casting an amber glow over the city.

“Do you like it?” Trunks asked softly.

“I love it,” Angelique said. “But next time, take me along—I’d rather choose it myself.”

“Of course. We’ll do whatever you want.” He said casually.

“Did you finally choose your festival activity?” he asked.

“Yes—swimming.” She replied

“I’ll be there to support you,” he said warmly.

“Thank you, baby.” She smiled. “And I’m guessing you’re going for the video-game competition?”

He nodded. “Exactly.”

She leaned on the steering wheel, eyes glinting. “Where are we going now?”

“Somewhere we can watch the sunset,” she replied.

Trunks looked at her, the fading light softening his face. He reached out and took her hand gently. His smile was so sincere, so pure, that for the first time in a long while, Angelique felt something she couldn’t quite define—something dangerously close to guilt.

She blushed, looked away, and whispered, “Don’t smile at me like that.”

But he only smiled more.