Chapter 5: The Masks Slips
997 Words
The first few weeks of the school year flew by, marked by a steady rhythm of lessons, assignments, and the occasional group activity.
Zavierra’s presidency was already in full swing. As always, her composed leadership and meticulous planning earned her the respect of her classmates. Weekly officer meetings had become a staple, ensuring everything in their class ran like a well-oiled machine.
At one such meeting, Zavierra, Kael, and the other officers gathered in their usual spot—a quiet corner of the classroom after school. They were helping Arabella, the treasurer, count the money collected from fines and small contributions. It was a routine task, one they had done without issue before. But today, something was off.
“Wait,” Kael said, frowning as he looked at the notebook where Arabella meticulously logged every transaction. “We’re short. By fifty dollars.”
Arabella’s face paled. “What? That’s impossible. I…” She quickly recounted the bills and coins. The shortage was real. “I… I don’t know how this happened,” she stammered, her voice trembling. “I’m so sorry. I must have made a mistake somewhere. I’ll cover it. I’ll pay it back right now.”
Before anyone could respond, she pulled out her wallet and handed over the missing amount. Zavierra, watching silently, felt a flicker of unease. Arabella’s eagerness to repay was almost too quick, too rehearsed. But she said nothing, only offering a curt nod as the meeting continued.
That evening, Zavierra’s curiosity got the better of her. Over dinner, she casually asked her father, “Dad, do you know the Sterlin family? The ones who own that chain of hotels?”
Her father nodded. “Of course. I’ve worked with them before. Good people. Why do you ask?”
“Do they have a daughter?”
He frowned thoughtfully. “No, just sons. Three of them, if I remember correctly. Why?”
Zavierra’s suspicions deepened, but she simply shrugged. “No reason. Just curious.”
The next few days were consumed with preparations for the upcoming Literary Character Contest. It was the highlight of the English Day celebration, and the class was determined to make a strong impression. When it came time to allocate funds for the costume, the students naturally turned to Arabella.
“I already gave the money to Bryce,” she said, referring to the class auditor and her boyfriend.
Bryce, sitting at the back of the room, looked up in surprise. “What? No, you didn’t.”
The class erupted in murmurs. “Don’t lie, Bryce,” one student said. “You probably spent it. Everyone knows you’re always broke.”
Bryce bristled. “I didn’t take it! If anyone’s lying, it’s Arabella.”
“Why would she lie?” another student countered. “She’s rich. She doesn’t need the money.”
Zavierra raised her hand, silencing the growing argument. “Enough. This isn’t the time to argue. We’ll handle this later. Arabella, Bryce, you’ll both attend a meeting after class. If you don’t show up, we’ll have no choice but to assume guilt and proceed with disciplinary action. For now,” she said, reaching into her bag and pulling out some cash, “here’s the money for the costume. It’s my allowance for the week, so I expect to be repaid once we sort this out.”
Her tone left no room for argument. The class fell silent, their earlier tension replaced with admiration for Zavierra’s poise.
After school, the officers convened in the same quiet corner. Arabella and Bryce arrived, both looking defensive. The meeting began with each presenting their side of the story. Arabella showed a text she had sent to Bryce earlier that week: “Meet me at the library. I have something to give you.” She claimed she had handed him the money there. Bryce denied it, insisting all he had received was a kiss.
The tension in the room was palpable as Zavierra revealed her ace. “I checked the CCTV footage from the library.”
Arabella’s eyes widened in alarm.
“The only thing you handed him,” Zavierra continued, her voice cold, “was a make-out session. No money exchanged hands.”
Arabella’s face turned pale. She opened her mouth to protest but faltered. “I’m the only daughter of the Sterlin family—”
Zavierra was tired of her cuckoo like attitude, always repeating that she is the daughter of the Sterlin family, she decided to reveal to everyone that Arabella is not a Sterlin offspring. “Stop lying, Arabella. It’s pathetic.”
Arabella’s eyes widened in shock. “I’m not lying! I’m the only daughter of the Sterlin family. Why would I need the money?”
Zavierra’s voice turned icy. “The Sterlin family has no daughters. Only sons. I confirmed it with my father.”
Arabella’s face flushed, and she stammered, “I… I can explain…”
“Do you want me to call the Sterlin family?” Zavierra pressed, her tone dangerously calm. “Because I can. My father has their number.”
Arabella’s facade crumbled. She confessed to taking the money, begging Zavierra to keep her secret. “I… I just needed it for something personal. I’ll pay it back. Please don’t tell anyone.”
Kael, who had been silently fuming, finally spoke. “You’d better pay up, or everyone will know, and you’ll get sued for more than your poverty-stricken self can handle.”
Arabella nodded frantically, promising to repay every cent. Zavierra dismissed the meeting, but not before warning Arabella one last time.
“This is your only chance. Don’t waste it.”
That night, Aiden lay in bed, replaying the day’s events in his mind. Zavierra’s fierce determination, her unshakable composure, and the way she commanded respect left him in awe. The more he thought about her,
the more his chest tightened.
I have a crush on her, he realized with a pang of longing. And it’s only growing stronger.
- Writer
