chapter 6: A Father's Shadow
1445 Words
The celebration at the Valencia Estate continued long into the night.
The beautiful garden remained brightly lit as laughter, music, and cheerful conversations echoed through the estate.
Guests admired the magnificent decorations while waiters moved gracefully between tables, serving desserts and refreshing drinks.
Selena still held her golden trophy tightly in her arms.
Every now and then, she would look down at it and smile all over again.
It still didn't feel real.
She had actually won.
She had represented Oceana Elite High School...
And she had brought the championship home.
"Congratulations again, Selena!"
"You truly deserved it."
One after another, guests congratulated her before preparing to leave.
"Thank you."
She bowed politely each time, never allowing her excitement to overshadow her manners.
Soon...
Victoria walked over carrying a small gift box.
"You looked amazing today."
Selena smiled brightly.
"Thank you."
Victoria hugged her tightly.
"I've never been prouder of you."
Selena hugged her back.
"Thanks for believing in me."
"I always will."
Victoria grinned.
"Don't forget..."
"You're buying me lunch tomorrow."
Selena blinked.
"What does that have to do with me winning?"
"It has everything to do with you winning."
"It's called a celebration meal."
Selena laughed helplessly.
"Fine."
"I'll buy you lunch."
Victoria raised both hands in victory.
"I knew you'd agree."
The two girls laughed before Victoria climbed into her family's waiting car.
She rolled down the window.
"See you tomorrow, Champion!"
Selena waved enthusiastically.
"See you!"
The car slowly drove away.
A few moments later...
Elena approached.
Unlike Victoria, she simply smiled.
"You did well."
Selena smiled warmly.
"Thank you."
Elena gently nudged her shoulder.
"But don't let today's victory make you lazy."
Selena laughed.
"I won't."
Elena raised an eyebrow.
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
"I'll work even harder."
Elena nodded in satisfaction.
"That's the Selena I know."
Before leaving, she gave Selena a quick hug.
"I'm proud of you."
"Thanks."
She climbed into her father's car and waved through the window.
"See you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow."
The car disappeared through the estate gates.
Soon afterward...
Stella quietly walked over.
She had remained relatively silent throughout the celebration, as usual.
Her gentle smile never left her face.
"I'm happy for you."
Selena stepped forward and hugged her.
"Thank you."
"You deserved this."
"I couldn't have practiced so well without your help."
Stella smiled softly.
"You worked hard."
"I only listened."
Selena laughed.
"You listened to my speech at least twenty times."
"It was worth it."
The two girls smiled at each other.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow."
Just then...
A familiar voice interrupted them.
"So..."
"The Crybaby Princess is still carrying that trophy around."
Selena didn't even need to turn around.
She already knew who it was.
Steven Carter.
She slowly faced him.
As always...
His hands rested casually inside his pockets.
That teasing smile remained on his face.
"What do you want now?"
Steven looked at the trophy.
"I came to make sure it hasn't gotten too heavy."
Selena hugged it protectively.
"It isn't."
"But your jealousy probably is."
Steven chuckled.
"My jealousy?"
"You wish."
"I know."
Steven shook his head.
"You really become more arrogant every time you win something."
Selena proudly lifted her chin.
"That's because I earned it."
Steven smiled.
"For once..."
"I'll admit you did."
Selena blinked in surprise.
"...Really?"
Steven quickly looked away.
"Don't misunderstand."
"It won't happen again."
"There you are."
"I knew you couldn't stay nice for more than five seconds."
Steven laughed.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Don't be late."
"I won't."
He waved lazily before walking toward the black sedan waiting nearby.
Standing beside the car was his father.
Mr. Carter Anderson.
Mr. Valencia's closest friend.
He smiled warmly at Selena.
"Congratulations, Selena."
"You made all of us proud."
Selena smiled politely.
"Thank you, Uncle Anderson."
He nodded before getting into the car with Steven.
Within moments...
Their vehicle disappeared through the estate gates.
Gradually...
The once lively celebration came to an end.
Workers quietly began cleaning the garden.
The music stopped.
The laughter faded.
The magnificent Valencia Estate slowly returned to its usual peaceful atmosphere.
Selena happily ran into the mansion while hugging her trophy.
Mrs. Valencia watched her disappear upstairs before laughing softly.
"Our little princess is still such a child."
Mr. Valencia smiled lovingly.
"And she'll always be our little princess."
Mrs. Valencia rested her head against his shoulder.
"I hope she never loses that smile."
Mr. Valencia looked upstairs.
"So do I."
...
Meanwhile...
Far away from the warmth and laughter of the Valencia Estate...
A black luxury sedan slowly came to a stop before an enormous mansion hidden behind tall iron gates.
The headlights switched off.
The gates slowly opened.
The vehicle drove into the silent compound.
Everything around the mansion felt strangely cold.
Unlike the lively Valencia Estate...
No laughter echoed through the halls.
No cheerful conversations could be heard.
Only silence.
The rear door opened.
A teenage girl quietly stepped out.
She carried a folder against her chest.
Without saying a word...
She walked into the mansion.
The servants immediately bowed.
"Welcome home, Young Miss."
She simply nodded.
Her footsteps echoed softly across the marble floor.
She climbed the grand staircase before stopping in front of a large wooden door.
She hesitated for a second.
Then...
Knock.
Knock.
A cold voice came from inside.
"Come in."
She slowly opened the door.
The study was dimly lit.
Expensive bookshelves covered every wall.
Behind a large mahogany desk sat a middle-aged man reading through several business reports.
Without lifting his eyes...
He spoke.
"You're late."
"There was a celebration."
"I know."
Only then did he close the file before him.
His sharp gaze settled on the girl.
"So..."
"What happened tonight?"
She stood respectfully with both hands clasped together.
"Selena Valencia won the Inter-School Public Speaking Championship."
"I attended the celebration afterward."
"Their classmates were invited."
"Chairman Valencia also announced Selena's coming-of-age celebration."
"It will be held next week after her examinations."
The room became silent.
The man slowly leaned back in his chair.
"So..."
"You couldn't even win."
The girl's head lowered.
"...No."
A cold scoff escaped his lips.
"Pathetic."
The single word pierced through the silent room.
She remained standing quietly.
Too afraid to defend herself.
After several moments...
He spoke again.
"Do you know why Selena Valencia is always ahead of you?"
She didn't answer.
He continued.
"Because you're weak."
"You spend every waking hour studying..."
"And yet..."
"You still lost."
"You embarrassed me."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"I'm sorry, Father."
His eyes grew colder.
"'Sorry' doesn't win trophies."
"'Sorry' doesn't make people remember your name."
He slowly stood up.
Every step toward her echoed through the silent study.
"When people mention you..."
"What do they say?"
"They compare you to Selena."
"'Selena is prettier.'"
"'Selena is more talented.'"
"'Selena is more confident.'"
He slammed one hand against the desk.
"And today..."
"She proved them right again."
The girl bit her lower lip.
Her eyes became slightly red.
But she refused to cry.
"I don't want excuses."
"I want results."
"Do you understand?"
"...Yes."
He narrowed his eyes.
"I didn't hear you."
She straightened immediately.
"Yes, Father."
He walked toward the large window overlooking the city lights.
His expression darkened.
"The Valencia family..."
"They have everything."
"Wealth."
"Power."
"Respect."
"And a daughter the entire country admires."
His hands slowly clenched behind his back.
"They've enjoyed that happiness for far too long."
Silence.
Then...
He slowly turned around.
"Stay close to Selena."
"Earn her complete trust."
"I want to know everything."
"Every meeting."
"Every conversation."
"Every weakness."
The girl hesitated.
Only for a moment.
"...Understood."
His sharp eyes narrowed.
"What was that hesitation?"
She immediately shook her head.
"Nothing."
"I understand."
"Good."
"You've disappointed me enough already."
"I won't disappoint you again."
"You'd better not."
He returned to his chair.
"You may leave."
She quietly turned toward the door.
Her hand rested on the doorknob.
Just before opening it...
His voice stopped her once more.
"One more thing."
She froze.
"At Selena Valencia's coming-of-age celebration..."
"I expect you to be there."
"...Yes, Father."
"And remember..."
He paused.
His cold smile slowly returned.
"You're not attending as my daughter."
"You're attending as..."
"Selena Valencia's best friend."
The girl's fingers tightened around the doorknob.
For a brief moment...
Pain flashed across her eyes.
Then she lowered her head.
"...I understand."
Without another word...
She quietly walked out of the study.
The heavy wooden door slowly closed behind her.
Click.
Silence returned.
The man walked back toward the window overlooking the glittering city.
His cold smile widened.
"The Valencia family..."
"Enjoy your happiness while it lasts."
"Because very soon..."
"I'll make sure there's nothing left to smile about."
- Writer
