LOVE IN DISGUISE

Zayn's awake?

"I told you I'd take care of everything," he said, his voice low and husky. "I'm here to help, Maddie."

.....

NEXT DAY AT 🦋🦋

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚　˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

REED'S MANSION

7:00am

"Good morning, Dad," Cameroon greeted, walking past his father, who nodded curtly in return.

"Uhmm, Cam!" his dad called out, and Cameroon stopped in his tracks, turning to face his father, who was already dressed in a crisp grey suit.

"Ava will be coming here for lunch, so I trust you'll treat her well," his dad said, his tone firm but laced with a hint of warning.

Cameroon sighed inwardly, frustration simmering just below the surface. Why did his dad keep forcing him to get along with Ava? He didn't get it.

"Okay..." he muttered, already turning to leave, but his dad's voice stopped him.

"One more thing, Cam," his dad said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't need any problems. You and Ava need to get along, no troubles, no drama. Remember, this is a business contract, not a playground."

Cameroon felt a surge of anger at his dad's words. Did he think him incapable of handling himself? But he bit back his retort, knowing better than to argue with his dad when he was in this mood.

"Got it," Cameroon said curtly, turning to leave, but not before catching the hint of disappointment in his dad's eyes.

And just when he left, Damric came down wanting to follow him.. but Mr Reed stopped him.

“Damric.. you won't be going to school today. We have somewhere important to go”

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JEFF'S MANSION

"Honey, Avery just called while you were having a shower," Mrs. Jeff said, patting Cecelia's hair as she dried off. "She said she wants you to pick her up at her house."

Cecelia smiled, grabbing her bag. "Okay, Mom. I'll get her."

As they drove, Cecelia spotted Avery standing outside her house, fiddling with her phone. But instead of telling the driver to pull over like she always did, Cecelia turned her face away, pretending she didn't see Avery.

"Hey, isn't that Avery?" the driver asked, nodding towards the girl.

Cecelia shrugged, feeling nonchalance. "Oh, I don't know."

Meanwhile, Avery's eyes narrowed as she watched the car drive past her. She quickly grabbed her phone and dialed Cecelia's number.

"Hey, where are you?" Avery asked, trying to keep her tone light.

"I'm on my way," Cecelia replied, her voice distant.

Avery frowned. "You just passed my house. What's going on, Cece?"

There was a pause before Cecelia responded, "I'll see you at school, Ave."

Avery's eyes flashed with annoyance. What was Cecelia's problem now?

.・゜゜・*＊✿❀　❀✿＊*.・゜゜・

CLIFFORD HIGH

As the students of Clifford High milled about, the sound of Jasmine's car pulling up caught everyone's attention. The crowd parted, eyes fixed on the sleek vehicle.

"She looks pretty today," someone whispered, taking in Jasmine's stylish outfit: a white blouse, a plaid skirt, and sleek, high-heeled boots. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back, and her makeup was flawless.

But despite her polished appearance, Jasmine's mood was off. Her smile seemed forced, and her eyes lacked their usual sparkle.

She didn't know how she was going to face Micheal..

Inside the classroom, tensions ran high. Cecelia and Avery sat on opposite sides of the room, their usual friendship strained. Michael, sat opposite jasmine, his eyes fixed on the teacher.

Austin and Maddie were noticeably absent, and Cameroon's gaze drifted blankly around the room, his mind preoccupied.

As the lesson drew to a close, Cameroon approached Jasmine, his phone at the ready. "Have you seen Maddie?" he typed, showing her the screen.

Jasmine scoffed, her expression dismissive. "Last time I checked, I and Maddie aren't friends... so why are you asking me such a silly question?"

Cameroon's eyes narrowed, his fingers flying across the screen. "I'm just asking, please..." he typed, but Jasmine merely rolled her eyes and turned back to her work.

Just then, a voice cut through the silence. "I'm talking to you!" someone said, and Jasmine turned to face Cameroon, her eyes flashing.

"You... you," she stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

The room fell silent, all eyes on Cameroon. "He talks," someone whispered, and a snicker spread through the room.

👤” Was it him?“

👤” OMG, he talks”

👤” Why did he hid his identity”

👤” His voice is killing... So cute”

Cameroon's gaze swept the room, his eyes blazing. "Yh... I can talk. Are y'all satisfied?" he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

The room erupted into a chorus of whispers and gasps.

"Please, does anyone know where Maddie is?"

A hushed whisper spread through the room. "Heard she was with Austin last night."

Cameroon's eyes widened, his face pale. Jasmine's smile was like a knife to his heart as she showed him a photo on her phone: Maddie sleeping on Austin's chest, while Austin grinned. He wasn't wearing any shirt.

Cameroon's eyes felt like they were burning, his mind reeling.

How could he have forgotten he left her at the hospital..

“Damn!“ he cursed staring at the photo.Something had happened... but he just didn't want to believe it.

.・゜゜・*＊✿❀　❀✿＊*.・゜゜・

BENISON CARE CENTER

“Arhh” Maddie yawned loudly stretching her hands.

The golden light of the sun shun below her as her gaze swept around.

Her mom was still laying motionless as usual... And Amanda...

Amanda wasn't there.

Maddie panicked trying to recall where she went.

She immediately stood up.. but someone held her back.. and she turned to see Austin laying still with a smile on his face. But something caught her attention.

He wasn't wearing any shirt... Her eyes quickly averted from his body to the floor.

“Austin.. I thought you left” she muttered and Austin grinned.

“I couldn't just leave you here”

“Oh about your sis... She insisted we needed private time together and went out to get uhh.. dumplings” He added and Maddie sigh in relief.

She immediately withdrew her wrist from his grasp and sat opposite him.

“Thanks... But you need to go... “

Austin frowned at her words but composed his self.

“It's my choice Maddie... And I choose to stay with you... Untill your mom is okay”

Maddie felt her heart warming at his words... She knew he liked her.. but didn't know he liked her enough to stay with her.

“What about school....?“ She shuttered glancing at him.

“School? School isn't important than you're”

“Maddie I'm ready to skip School for your sake” he added and Maddie smiled. Just then Amanda walked in with a flask...

“Hope I'm not interrupting” she asked and Maddie glared at her while Austin grinned awkwardly.

BACK IN CLIFFORD HIGH ✨✨

“Can you just tell me why you're ignoring me?“ Avery asked walking after Cecelia who was also walking faster.

“Hey... I'm taking to you” Avery yelled gripping Cecelia's wrist.

“You want to know what's wrong with me!?“ Cecelia yelled in return and Avery sniffed trying to hold back her tears. This was the first time Cecelia shouted at her.

“I'm sick and tired of your games.. ok!“ She added. At this point there were already lot's of crowded students.

“What.. a..re you talking about..t?“

“You killed someone!!! Avery you f*****g murdered someone!!!“ Cecelia shouted and everyone gasp including Avery.

Just then Cameroon walked in... Sensing the commotions... He quickly ignored them... Hurrying out of the school.

He couldn't wait to see Maddie.

“You... You.. heard.. me?“ Avery shuttered.. her eyes bloodshot and Cecelia sneered..but she was also afraid.

Afraid of loosing Avery

“Yes.. I did”

“Well, I didn't, I didn't murder anyone.. and you don't even know what really happened” Avery said and walked away.

“You aren't even a true Friend“ She added and Cecelia felt tears pricked out the corner of her eyes.

She just didn't believe she had tote their friendship apart.

Meanwhile as Avery walked away.. she felt her heart pounding in her chest.

She felt like she was loosing someone.

✨ REED'S PRIVATE HOSPITAL ✨

The hospital corridors bustled with activity as nurses and doctors hurried to attend to their patients. The sound of beeping machines and muted conversations filled the air.

Suddenly, a nurse stopped in front of a door, her eyes scanning the nameplate. "Zayn Reed," she whispered, before pushing the door open and entering the ward.

The room was dimly lit, the only sound the soft beeping of the machines surrounding Zayn's bed. The nurse approached the bed, her eyes fixed on Zayn's motionless form.

But then, something miraculous happened. Zayn's eyes flickered open, her gaze unfocused. Her fingers twitched slightly, as if trying to grasp something.

The nurse's eyes widened in shock. "She's awake!" she screamed, her voice growing louder "Zayn Reed is awake!"

The hospital erupted into chaos as doctors and nurses rushed to Zayn's side. The nurse quickly grabbed the intercom, calling for the doctors to assemble in Zayn's ward.

As the medical team descended upon the room, Zayn's gaze slowly focused. She looked around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. Her eyes locked onto the nurse, who was smiling tearfully.

"Welcome back, Zayn," the nurse whispered, her voice trembling. "You've been asleep for a long time."

Zayn's gaze drifted away, her eyes scanning the room. She tried to speak, but her voice was barely a whisper.

The nurse leaned in, her ear inches from Zayn's lips. "Don't try to talk, Zayn. Just rest. We'll take care of everything."

“Reach out to Mr Reed and tell him... Zayn is awake!“ One of the doctors ordered and a nurse immediately ran out of the ward to do as he ordered.

.・゜゜・*＊✿❀　❀✿＊*.・゜゜・

BENISON CARE CENTER

“So tell me more about your childhood” Maddie said smiling brightly and Austin chuckled.

“Well, I.. I onced stick a matchet in my nose.. and blew it with a lighter”

“What?“ Maddie laughed holding her tummy and Amanda smiled gazing at them.

“You were a dummy!“

“What about you?“ Damric asked nodding his head towards Maddie.

“Uhmmm I... I... I've never done anything funny” Maddie replied and Cameroon smiled and with that everyone remained silent.

“So who was your first crush?“ Amanda interrupted the silence and both Maddie and Austin stared at her as if asking”who?“.

“Well, I'm talking to you Austin” Amanda muttered with a shy expression and Austin's gaze went to Maddie.

“Well.... I've always had a crush from grade nine...“ he muttered and Maddie stared at him in disbelief.

“She's sure beautiful”

“Yh. She's beautiful” Austin replied gazing at her. If only she knew she was the one.

Just then the door banged open revealing Cameroon's angry face.

“Whoa! Look who's here” Austin said a hint of mockery in his voice but Cameroon ignored him his eye looking at Maddie.

“Cameroon... What are you... doing here?“ Maddie muttered and Cameroon scoffed angrily.

“My presence isn't needed.. I guess”

“Wow, he speaks too” Austin chuckled glaring at Cameroon and Cameroon ignored him again.. bringing out his phone.

“Maddie can you explain this?“ Cameroon asked showing Maddie a picture from his phone and Maddie gasp looking at Austin for answers.

“Well, that's none of your business!“ She yelled angrily at Cameroon and Austin smiled. He was loving it.

“Wow, that's new.. Maddie so you literally pretended not to be interested in guys whereas you slept with him!“ Cameroon screamed and just then Maddie raised her hands slapping him across his cheeks.

She gasp staring at her palms.. this was the second time she slapped him.

“Don't you dare! You can't just control my life” she shouted angrily and just when Cameroon was about to say something... His phone rang.

He looked at his screen.. it was his dad calling. Cameroon sighed deeply before answering it.

“Hello dad... I get it.. I'll be with Ava in a while” he mumbled calmly and Maddie stared at him unbelievable. She couldn't believe he was still going back to Ava.. and still yet he choose to wazlt in and harass her.

Cameroon then took one last glance at Maddie before stepping out of the hospital ward.

“Don't worry he's not worth your time” Austin mumbled hugging her shoulders. Maddie nodded her eyes fixed on Cameroon's retreating back.

She didn't know why she felt like she had lost him... But she felt a strange feeling inside her.

She felt her heart tearing apart.

“Dad..!“ He called when he heard no response from his dad.

“Son!!! Get down here. Take the next flight to Japan. Your brother and I are already here... Your sister.. my daughter. Zayn is awake!“

“What.. Zayn... She awake!“ Cameroon mumbled in disbelief.