It's Victoria

CHAPTER 2

"Victoria, I think you should see this." said a random girl who approached me as she hesitantly handed me a set of photos.

I took the phone and looked at the photos.

My hands were trembling as I looked at the images. I felt my eyes widening as she processed the misleading scenes before me. No... this can't be real. "Where did you get these?"

"I'm sorry, Victoria. I-I found these circulating on social media, and I-I thought you deserved to know." She said with an apologetic face and tone of voice. How could this happen?

My heart races with a mix of disbelief and betrayal as I struggled to comprehend the distorted narrative created by the leaked photos. How could this happen? How could a simple conversation be twisted into something so... damaging? This could affect everything, including my family.

The weight of the misunderstanding settles heavily on my shoulders, the shadows of deception casting a dark cloud over my head.

I handed her back the phone before she hurriedly left, leaving my legs trembling in fear, fear of my family's confrontation.

I immediately looked at the social media, but everything was too late, there were tons of articles written...

'24-year-old Cylex Nicolov from The Royals, was rumored dating the 19-year-old Victoria Valencia from Diamonds Fire'

'Cylex Nicolov and Victoria Valencia, dating?'

As the reality of the situation sinks in, my emotions spiral into a whirlwind of confusion and hurt, the foundation of trust shattered by the cruel hand of misunderstanding. Why does everyone misunderstand everything?

Minutes later, Uno arrived holding a paper bag filled with food and drinks. But I wasn't hungry anymore. I lost my appetite because of those photos.

"Are you good?" He asked while placing the bag on the table. It seems that he doesn't know the rumors yet.

I couldn't move a single bone, I couldn't even talk. I sat in silence, eyes fixed on the misleading photos of me and Cylex plastered across social media. Uno approached me to eat, but my face stays motionless and lost in a whirlwind of emotions.

"Do you still want to eat ice cream?" He tried to smile in front of me, but the tension was heavy... and awkward. I guess he still doesn't know the news yet.

My phone rang and started buzzing with notifications and tags. My brother called me on the phone.

"I'm going to take you to the Villa. Wait for me." and then he hung up. It's Venorem, talking from the other side of the phone. I then started to put my things in the bag without talking or making a sound.

"Are you leaving? Hey" Uno tried to stand up with me and passed me the untouched food, but I was too bothered to care about eating anymore. I left Uno dumbfounded, but I'm pretty sure he had knew everything but refused to tell me.

I spotted my brother at the gate and got to me before anything happened. He held my wrist gently and started walking to the car, bustling with students. The school courtyard was a buzz of whispers and sidelong glances as we walked in the center of the sea of students.

The courtyard falls silent, all eyes on me as the rumors swirl around me like a suffocating fog.

"There she was, that girl was flirting with Cylex for money."

"Isn't she contented with what she has? She's already rich"

"Guys, have you seen the photos?"

"Hey shh"

I entered the car, and sat beside Venorem, who still couldn't believe what happened. I sat there with my eyes on the floor, refusing to look at him. He started driving slowly to the villa, the car filled with silence.

"It's fine" he said, eyes on the car with an emotionless tone, assuring me. I sat in the midst of the storm of rumors and gossip all around the city, and even the country.

"No it's not" My voice cracked and was trembling in fear, fear of the consequences ahead of me.

"Will you care to explain why you are both talking in the first place?" His sincerity made me feel safe and secure. He looked at me for a second and got his eyes back to the road.

"He approached me. I was about to leave but... but he introduced himself. I-I didn't know that would be a big deal. We were just talking and that's all." I explained." And I didn't notice someone was taking those photos."

"I trust you." I heard him sigh.

Am I a huge problem for the family? Everything happened because I was careless and inconsiderate and did not think in advance.

"Dad's going to k*ll me, Ven" I couldn't help but tear up a bit. It was getting hard and difficult for me to understand the situation.

"He wont"

"Well, what if he will?" I let out a big sigh as I was wiping my tears.

"Listen", I heard him sigh and looked at me for a moment, still driving. "No one can hurt you while Saxon and I are here, okay?" He said gently. Making me feel a bit lighter.

I nodded in response.

The villa was not that far, and not that close to school, so after a few minutes of silence in the car, we arrived. The style of THE VALENCIAS villa was a class and was designed by the highest paid architect and engineer in the world, Gabriella Valencia, and Gabriel Valencia. Yes, they are both siblings.

The Valencias Villa is a sprawling estate surrounded by lush garden and gardenour with black and gold accents. Comparing 21 distinct houses, each with its unique charm and allure, anchored by the central mansion.

It has been years since I lived here, separate from my parents' house. Each 9 houses are built just for the 9 grand childs of Mercedez Valencia. And I am one of them.

As we entered the great gate of the estate, we were welcomed by the splash of the V fountain, a vision of sophistication and grace.

Everything was great. Except for the current situation.

**********

It was already dark outside, but the lights of the villa lingered in my eyes. From here, at the terrace, the villa unfolds like a painting, a masterpiece of brilliance, ambiance and natural beauty.

The sprawling estate with its 21 houses and central mansion is a sanctuary of luxury.

I stood on my terrace, leaning my elbows in front of the hurdles to support my weight.

But the weight of uncertainty came to my mind again. What do I do now? How did it come to this?

As the weight of my problems presses me down, I can't help but let out a big sigh. It was already 6pm, and I still hadn't eaten throughout the day. I wasn't hungry, just being too sensitive, and I was still in my pj's.

I heard my phone ring from inside the room. I quickly got there and answered the call.

"7pm. For the family dinner. The whole family is going to be there. Be attentive." And he hung up. It was dad, and judging from the tone of his voice, he was mad.

The whole family is going to be there. What face am I going to show them?