━━━━━━━━
I N C I T I N G S E C R E T S
caput ūndecim ❝whats up cupcake❞
━━━━━━━━
"I KNOW THIS is not an ideal situation but we shall make do with this and get on with it," Mr Noble called out, his eyes going back and forth with the clock. Muttering to himself and then looking around at the class, whilst stomping his feet. "We can just get started without them, they will show up soon."
Fifteen minutes into the debate meeting and it still hadn't started. Ileana was becoming impatient. Not only did she not ask for this, but she also dragged her uninterested friend with her and now had to wait for others to arrive. Being on time wasn't hard, if Ileana managed to do it perfectly fine, why couldn't others?
Aurelia was doing her job. Just being there. No one said anything about contributing, she was just there for some moral support. She did not care. Something great would have to walk through those doors to get her head up from the table. Mr Noble wasn't even bothered that she was having a little nap, no one was going to stop Aurelia Dior Kennedy from getting her unnecessary beauty sleep.
Ileana took this opportunity to read her personal statement for the hundredth time. She had memorised the whole thing seventy times ago but still wanted it close to perfection. University was a huge deal in St. Farlingtons, even though it was guaranteed.
"The gents have put forward a topic for the debate competition in a few weeks, for unfortunately ladies, you don't have a choice. But, this is great for teamwork and I think we can take the other institutions and claim the prize." Mr Noble explained as he wrote the dates for the competition on the chalkboard. "The practice runs have been outstanding, and every point made is..."
His voice came to a halt as the door creaked open. The screeching of the hinges was never going to get old, no student was ever going to get used to it. The swift movement of the door caused the dustbin behind the door to fall on the floor.
Mr Noble placed the small piece of chalk down and turned around. "What time do you call this? Captains aren't to arrive late, sit down in this instance."
"I'm trying to get some rest here and all this...." Aurelia called out, lifting her head, "Right, well then."
With her eyes stuck on the lined paper, Ileana looked up at the teacher, "Now, you can introduce yourself to your new team, gents." Ileana steely turned around. "Miss Kennedy and Miss Daher will be joining."
"Amari."
"Oh god, not you again," Ileana mumbled, internally screaming, urging to yell at someone. It was either Lyttleton, Mr Noble or Draven, she was unsure who needed it the most.
The last person Ileana wanted to see was Draven, never mind spending the next hour with him, trying to be a good team. It truly was as if everyone was out to get her. Ileana felt as though the world conspired against her, continually thrusting her into situations she detested. The world was perfectly orchestrating events that seemed designed to torment her, ones that involved a particular person.
Instantaneously, the old man in front of them discreetly cleared his throat, a gentle rasp that punctuated the air and commanded attention. The room hushed and all eyes were directed to Mr Noble. "Take a seat, and I need to discuss a few important things."
Draven and Kyros immediately took their seats in front of the girls. Aurelia couldn't help but nudge a very frustrated Ileana to the elbow. Why, Ileana didn't care. Her mind was too occupied. "Sir, could I go to the bathroom?" Aurelia announced.
"No, you cannot go fix your hair, Miss Kennedy." He shook his head and walked behind his desk. "Don't ask me again."
Aurelia gasped, "Sir, this is unfair. A lady has to use the bathroom, I'm sure Nurse Adesina won't appreciate this. I'm sure you were there at the assembly she delivered last year. It was clearly stated that all girls are allowed to leave the bathroom without question." She proudly smiled finishing her sentence, knowing it was because it was the only gathering she had attended. "Are you stopping me?"
"She has a point," Kyros butted in.
Draven eyes shot at him, "She certainly does." He replied and regretted it after a second.
"In that case, you are excused. Do not be long."
Aurelia swiftly pushed her chair back, the screech of its legs against the floor punctuating her urgency. She rose to her feet, "Back in two," She whispered to her friend and then bolted out of the door. Ileana started praying to god that Aurelia would take even less time, there was no way she would be able to survive this hour.
At that moment Draven swivelled around in his chair, "How does it feel to not be in charge for once? Does it hurt?" The intensity of his stare held a magnetic power, drawing her in and capturing her attention with unwavering focus.
"Not as much as it will hurt when I rip your eyes out," She replied viciously.
Draven laughed in return, "Oh, I see. You want to keep my eyes near your bedside, so you can stare at them like the obsessed person you are. Psychotic, but understandable."
Ileana rolled her eyes before finishing off the neatly draw table in her notebook. She added the headings for the debate, ready to make notes as soon as the discussion began. She had always used her initiative in these situations, being a few steps ahead of the other students. Ileana's writing stood out like a beacon of order and precision. Each page showcased a meticulous arrangement, every line impeccably straight and every word neatly written. The clarity and cleanliness of her work spoke volumes about her commitment to excellence and her unwavering pursuit of perfection. No wonder her classmates sought inspiration from Ileana.
"So, have you seen the weekly catalogue of high-achieving students on the sixth form board?" Dravens' question sparked an interest in Ileana, as she slowed her writing pace. "In the many years of this, you have never been below three, what happened?"
"Dre, leave her alone." Kyros butted in whilst chewing his pencil, "Ileana, don't listen to him. But perhaps you should consider the tuition." Ileana's jaw dropped, she couldn't believe the audacity of the two in front of her. No wonder they were best friends. They shared the same rude attitude.
Draven and Kyros were inseparable, like two sides of the same coin, their laughter echoing through the corridors, drawing the attention and envy of the others around. Their interactions were full of banter, inside jokes, and unspoken language that only they understood. They were the most alike in the group, which made it impossible to be around them at the same time.
"What are you doing here, Miss Carmichael? You are interrupting my class." Mr Noble sternly said as he was getting annoyed that it had been nearly twenty minutes and nothing productive had occurred. It was mostly his fault when he sat in his seat unbothered and almost fell asleep from the minute the girls walked through the door.
Giving Ileana the unappreciated side-eye, Delaney replied, "I was told to replace Gauhur at the debate. But it seems like someone has already taken that away from me, yet again." She emphasized the last couple of words, which everyone was able to connect the dots to.
"Pardon," Ileana turned to the girl, who looked unfazed with her eyes also targeted at Draven, he was enjoying the show. Ileana was more than just enraged, she hadn't taken anyone's place, not now and not ever.
"Hmm...this is odd."
Delaney stood in the middle of the aisle waiting to be given instructions, and preferably a seat. "Well, I was told first specifically by the headmistress."
"And so was I," Ileana charmed in. "This is my spot, Delaney."
"Not if I was told first." She disputed back repeating what she had already said. "Why don't you ever give other people a chance to do things instead of taking all of the opportunities for yourself? How about you stop being so selfish for a change."
Ileana shunned him and scoffed, "How about you start doing better to naturally gain opportunities instead of begging people?" Although Ileana knew her words were a little harsh, it didn't stop her from saying them, nor did she feel remorse in any way.
"Ouch," Draven sneered, his words dripping with derision and a mocking smirk playing on his lips. The bickering stopped as soon as he commented, "I apologize, carry on." He encouraged the argument, finding it all very humorous. For once, it didn't involve him so he had to take in this experience as he usually isn't to see this sort of conflict.
Delaney instinctively took a few steps towards, before pointing her finger, "How about you..."
In a fit of frustration, Mr Noble bellowed with unrestrained force, simultaneously hurling the worn-out dictionary onto the table "Ladies!". As it collided with the surface, a cloud of dust erupted from its ancient pages, swirling in a delicate dance before settling in a powdery haze. The sudden outburst captured everyone's attention, freezing them in their tracks. The students were startled by the unexpected noise.
Ileana was finding it hard to comprehend that her teacher had slammed the thick book so carelessly but was refraining from saying a word. Would it have been in a different setting, Ileana wouldn't have stopped to say what she pleased. However, it was not the right time to do so.
"This is not the maturity I was told about by the headmistress. She has told me you were smart, behaved and well-mannered, but you are behaving like children. Now, I mustn't go report this, or would you like me to do exactly that?" Both Ileana and Delaney shook their heads agreeing that this should not go hay further. "And as for you," He struck his glasses towards Draven, "Do not instigate and make matters worse."
Delaney took it upon herself to sit at the nearest chair, which happened to be right next to Draven. Everyone remained silent whilst, the professor carried, "We have delayed this too long. The debate is very soon and nothing has been decided. I was informed today that the other parties have had some issues, and with a couple of our members leaving, there may be a delay or change of date. This doesn't give us a leeway to sit back and relax."
Aurelia had arrived back at the classroom, throwing daggers at Delaney, whilst doodling cartoons on a random textbook, and the slow-talking carried on for a while. His voice dragged and the classroom was dying—maybe it was the way Mr Noble elongated his words or the fact their ventilation was terrible. The absence of windows or air conditioning created an atmosphere of suffocating stagnation. As the students occupied their desks, their body language spoke volumes. Slumped postures and distant gazes revealed their disinterest. They fanned themselves with tattered notebooks, but it wasn't very helpful.
In this stifling heat, beads of sweat glistened on Mr Nobles' foreheads, and flushed cheeks betrayed the discomfort he endured, "I won't keep you long so you can leave, however, you have a few minutes to talk amongst yourself about your roles and what you need to do to make a convincing argument. You can leave once it's all figured out. Please be civil while I grab my planner from the staffroom next door."
As the old man made his way towards the door, the students remained immersed in their work, their attention steadfastly fixed upon their textbooks and notebooks. Their eyes remained glued to the pages, their pens moving in a rhythmic dance, their concentration unbroken. A serene silence enveloped the classroom as if an unspoken agreement had been reached to maintain an atmosphere of focused diligence.
However, Aurelia slouched in her hair observing her teacher, with her brows furrowed as he finally reached the door and disappeared into the hallway. An impish spark ignited in Aurelia's eyes, as she extended her leg and gently pushed Delaney's chair in front of her. Aurelia's foot made contact with the chair, resulting in a faint thud that resonated through the classroom's tranquillity. The movement, executed with a blend of amusement and anticipation, caused Delaney to momentarily startle. "What are you doing?" A mixture of astonishment raced across Delaney's features as her eyes met Aurelia's wicked grin.
"Aurie," Ileana scolded her friend.
Both Draven and Kyros fleeted their glances at the subtle disruption, a hint of amusement flickered in their eyes, a shared recognition of what had just happened. Draven shook his head at Aurelia's childish behaviour, something he had come to terms with quickly.
"Oh please, don't give me that. What is she doing here? What is this..this...what is that doing here?" she shouted in frustration and hatred. "What do you want next, her bedroom, her parents, her DNA perhaps? You are so..."
Delaney slammed her palm on the desk, "No I do not want any of those things."
"So, you want mine? Yeah, I don't think anyone in my life wants you." Ileana snickered at her best friend's seriousness.
"It's hard to believe anyone wants you, I'm sure your family is there only reason why anyone would associate or settle with you." She insulted, narrowing her feline eyes. The fact that Delaney has immense beauty made Aurelia more annoyed. You couldn't deny how emanated a natural beauty that transcended mere physical features, captivating all with its radiant glow. Her features, delicate and yet imbued with a quiet strength, reflect the harmonious convergence of Delaney's African and Grecian roots. "What's wrong, can't speak now?"
Aurelia's eyes widened in shock as Delaney's words cut through the air, leaving a palpable tension in their wake. The sudden insult, delivered with brazen disregard to others around. Aurelia's features, once illuminated with warmth and trust, transformed into a mask of disbelief. Her brows scrunched, and her mouth slightly agape, as if struggling to comprehend the harshness of Delaney's words.
"You woke up today, decided to wear some cheap mascara, be desperate and also tell me that my family is extremely rich. Well done, honestly great work. You are out here doing God's work." Aurelia mocked her. "Sometimes, I wonder how the fuck you will get far in life. But, I'll make sure to send you my location in the future, so you can follow me too."
Ileana smacked her lips together tightly as the words spat from her best friend's mouth. She was proud.
Aurelia got up, "Now if you don't mind, I'm gonna go call my very rich mother to send more unnecessary shit I don't need, and leave you here to daydream." Ileana laughed, shaking her head and grabbed her belongings. Aurelia turned around after taking a few steps towards the door. "And I suggest you leave your poor personality at your dorm for the charity event."
Delaney was gobsmacked, her eyes widening in utter disbelief, as Aurelia's cutting words hung in the air. Her typically confident demeanour wavered, her voice caught in her throat, unable to form a retort. Her brows furrowed as if she were desperately searching for a response that could match the force of Aurelia's insults. Her mouth opened and closed, the weight of the moment leaving her unable to find the right words to counteract the verbal blow she had received.
"Did you see her face?" Aurelia began laughing wholeheartedly, as she linked arms with Ileana. "She wanted to attack me, I know she did. But the swine is so scared, she'd piss in her pants before she gets ten centimetres near me."
"You are unreal, and I love you for it." Ileana tugged her friend's arm tightly. "Anyways, are you going to ring your mother?"Aurelia nodded, "I do need to. I asked her to send some pieces to wear to the event, and I need to know how they are arriving at The Manor. I'm not sure if she will come, but they are putting a sapphire set on auction for charity."
As an heiress to a prestigious jewellery empire, Aurelia was fortunate to have a personal collection that spanned a lifetime of treasured pieces. Every event she attended became an opportunity to delve into the depths of her jewellery box. She wore her family's legacy with grace and gratitude. This incentive also meant her friends were able to wear the same collections as her.
"We need to call Leyla, where is she?"
Aurelia picked up her phone to message her but halted, "I don't need to message her. We know where she is." Implying that she was only in one place. The art room.
"We can grab her quickly, get something to eat and then we can prep for tomorrow." They both agreed on the plans and left the building.
************
"Mum, we understand. Yes, the suits came but you didn't send the right shoes, so could you please have someone drop off the correct ones? I can send you a picture of what they look like." Zhang explained over the phone.
He had been on the phone with his mother for the past eight minutes, who was informing him of the annual gala held at SFM. His mother wasn't particularly in charge of making sure things were running smoothly, however, her children's behaviour was in her hands. Though they weren't young, reckless and unorganised they could be.
"Yes, Mum. Draven and I will both will be ready at half five. We will be waiting for you in the foyer, you don't need to worry." He reassured his persistent mother. She wasn't concerned about Zhang as she was for Draven, he liked to break the rules just a little and do as he pleases.
"Draven?" Zhang repeated and looked straight up, "Well...I don't know where he could be. I haven't seen him all day, but maybe you should send him a message. I'll remind him to look at his phone, you see, he's so busy."
His palms began to sweat, and he was pacing slowly in the room. Perhaps it was the stuffy atmosphere due to the ventilation, or the fact that he had just lied to mother dearest. Lying to save himself was acceptable for this moment in time.
Zhang cursed in his head, but he just had to lie to her. He had no choice. "Mum, I need to go. I'll talk to you soon...Goodbye. I love you too." He ended the call after bidding farewell and let out a deep sigh.
His eyes shot up, "You owe me. I cannot believe you let me lie to our mother."
Draven shrugged his shoulders, not caring as much as he should have. "It's fine. You trouble your mind too much." He stated before slouching on Zhang's bed, "It is okay for me to sit, right? I don't want an STD?"
"Dre, are you talking straight right now? What is wrong with you? This is not the time to be cracking jokes." Zhang shook his head before putting his phone on charge. "Now, if you don't mind, it would be a great time to tell me why the lie was needed."
He waited for Draven to respond to him, who was sitting comfortably in his world. "Do you know what's happening? Have they told you?"
"Care to elaborate."
"Oh Zhang, do you seriously not know?" Draven exclaimed, more annoyed that he now has to explain. "Dad and the Dahers are going to buy the school on auction. It's a whole thing, they're going to announce it at the gala, in front of everyone who can't do anything about it."
"And?"
Draven furrowed his brows, "What do you mean by that? Zhang, they're destroying the place. Our parents are becoming the villains here!"
It was safe to say, Draven was fuming. He was raged. He would think his brother especially, would sympathise and do something, however he didn't. Zhang's reaction didn't give him the impression that he was surprised by this.
"Dre, our father can't do anything about that. He didn't make the calls, nor did Ileana's dad." Zhang tried to tell him, "I was aware of this two weeks ago, and I didn't tell you for this exact reason. No one is the villain. Yeah, this place is our home, but we shouldn't intervene."
"This is outrageous and you even know it. Why are you so calm about this?" Draven stood up abruptly.
"You better stay out of this." He warned his brother knowing he was about to do something no one wanted.
Draven sniggered, "Yeah whatever you say."
"Dre, don't."
"Don't worry, I won't be doing anything. I really can't with this shit anymore. I'm heading to the pool." He got up and headed for the door. "Later."
Did he just lie again? Maybe, but he just wanted his brother to get off his back. Draven had no intention of going to the swimming pool, it was his day off from that. It was everyone's break from extracurricular activities and Draven was happily going to take the well-deserved day off. Al thought lying wasn't the way to go, it was probably the only way to escape the situation.
When he reached the end of the corridor, Draven saw a group of junior boys standing in a group. They were gathered around reading what looked like a piece of paper from a distance. Draven was confused, this never usually happens. Boys don't come around in huddles to discuss or look at things unless it's education related.
He began walking towards them, slipping his phone into his back pocket. Luckily, it was a group of boys Draven had come across before. Many of the junior students looked up to individuals like Draven. Whilst being the face of The Manor, Draven also mentored many young students with various subjects and supported the junior swim team of the school.
"Hi Dre," Ezekial looked up at him, his eyes lighting up to see Draven. "Are you okay?"
Draven nodded, "What is happening here? I know classes aren't on today, so what's the need for this huddle in the middle of the corridor? Deputy Camden won't be impressed." The boy made a worried look as if he was in trouble. "But you don't need to worry about that, Zeke."
"Why don't we show this to him? Tell him." One of the Year 7 boys nudged Zeke's arm, whispering to him but was loud enough for Draven to hear. He furrowed his brows, putting on an act as if this was clearly what he wanted.
Ezekiel passed the newspaper to Draven, who began scanning it immediately. Swiftly flicking through the pages to find the cover story, words could not describe the bitterness Draven had towards these lies.
Draven Whittemore, the heir to the Whittemore Empire, had been successful in the Qualifying Swimming Competition, but will his slow movements be enough? Accompanied by his reputation, his family name will be deteriorating. Will it be enough to tarnish everything his father Reed worked on?
With his rival, from All Hallows Court, Zacarius Aiken, almost taking him out...Failure does start from somewhere, maybe this is his way of showing everyone he's giving up. Or is it because other matters have piqued his interest? Ambition, determination and motivation are what Draven urges to do, but are lacking a lot. Many people have come to terms that this may be his downfall, his ego will suck the life out of him, turning against him...They say swimming never gives up on you, that it's always there, however, it doesn't seem like Draven Whittemore will stay for long.
Draven stopped immediately, this was absurd he thought in his head. Who on earth would do something so disrespectfully, shaming his hard work and dedication, slandering him like he was a nobody? Comparing him to a mediocre swimmer like Aiken made his blood boil. Draven knew that his training and practice were all-natural, he didn't have to use substances as others did. He spent his whole life trying to be the best, not for people to ridicule him.
"This is just a prank," Draven finally dared to speak, after contemplating what the correct words to use for this situation were.
Zeke nodded, "We agree, we all thought it was some joke."
Draven smiled at them, "Do you mind if I take this?" The boys let him take it. It wasn't as if tons were lying around anyways. The whole Manor would have had their hands on it already.
The Farlingtons Times had been there forever, it was the only consistent thing that didn't become somewhat modern. The gothic formatting on the pale greyish pages with the black and white pictures was perfect for the Manor. It screamed it with bold letters. The English department was quite set on it, and Lyttleton wanted it exactly like herself, ancient.
Draven took a deep breath in, his nostrils slightly flaring when his eyes landed on the small text below the title. Ileana Daher. He let out a light chuckle, shaking his head. He was no longer surprised, this is exactly what he'd expected her to do. Stoop as low as the ground they walk on. He was stunned that she didn't lie more, or the fact she was even allowed to do this.
Without hesitation, Draven grabbed his phone from his back pocket, whilst walking out of The Wards. His fingers tapped hard on the screen and he wasn't watching his surroundings.
D: So fucking childish, you need a hobby besides me.
He sent the message, clearly knowing he would get no reply. Ileana was never going to reply to him. Draven was aware that she'd be busy with the preparations, but that didn't stop him from sending it. Draven wasn't hesitant about it at all. In his eyes, she didn't have the guts to reply. What could she say?
After a couple of minutes, his ringtone sounded off. He accepted the call and lifted his phone to his ear. "Speak."
"What's up cupcake? Who hurt your feelings?" Kyros cooed causing Draven to cringe and also wanting to just slam on the phone on him. Now was not the right time.
"Shut up and tell me what you want?" He spat out in frustration, his brows scrunching up causing the vein in his neck to stand out prominently.
Draven could hear silence for a few seconds, making him even more annoyed that he hasn't gotten a reply from his friend yet. "So...your sister is here?"
"Pardon? What do you mean my sister is here?" Draven stopped walking. He was confused, his sister never announced that she was coming over. It wasn't usual for relatives to visit The Manor, however for the occasion of the charity ball, family was everywhere. But, Draven wasn't aware of this guest. "Are you sure it is my sister?"
"Dre, she's with a baby in a pram and is sitting in the auditorium. And not to mention, we know each other you dumb fucker." Kyros cursed, pausing for a long second, "And now she's giving me the death stare for my foul language."
"Well, don't swear in front of my niece."
Kyros quickly answered, ignoring his words. "Just get here quickly. Where are you? And where's Zhang? For people whose family organised this, you guys aren't very structured. Shouldn't you be hanging the banners or something? Putting the chairs out like I am doing!"
Draven began strolling to his destination which was nowhere near the auditorium. "Just because I should, doesn't mean I will. I'll be there soon. Sing nursery rhymes to the child and give my sister some tea. It'll be fine "
Kyros breathed out loud, mumbling, "When I see you, I swear to God, I will beat the shit out of you."
"I need to go see someone, so please spare me some minutes and stop being so fucking annoying!" Draven clearly stated, before cutting off the call, the last thing he heard was his name from Kyros. He slipped his phone away and headed towards the building.
She had to be here. Ileana had nowhere else to be and if she wasn't here, Draven would be surprised. He also needed her to be here so he wouldn't waste more time trying to find her. He wasn't going to leave her until he said his part. As expected, she didn't reply, so this had to happen.
As he strolled through the school corridors, a wave of bustling activity embraced him. Everywhere he looked, students and staff were fully immersed in the preparations for the charity event. The air crackled with excitement, as conversations filled the spaces, intermingling with laughter and occasional bursts of enthusiasm. The sound of hammers and nails echoed through the halls as student helpers transformed the place into a vibrant and welcoming space.
In classrooms, clubs collaborated in a symphony of activity. The art club passionately painted banners and crafted intricate centrepieces, pouring their hearts onto the canvas, while the music club filled the air with harmonies and melodies that resonated through the hallways.
Draven spotted Ileana immediately. She was in a group of students, they were sorting out posters for the charity ball. He would wait for her, but he didn't have time to act like a gentleman. Ileana looked up, her eyes shocked to see Draven. He didn't care that there were others around, as he marched up to her, and grabbed her arm.
"Draven, what are you doing?" She quickly retaliated, glancing at the newspaper in his hand, as he started to walk holding her arm. "Draven."
"We need to speak." Draven didn't utter another word and nor did she. She knew exactly why he was being like this and didn't have anything to say. Draven took her out of the music room, and into the store cupboard on the left. No one was looking thankfully, neither was the storage room locked.
Draven let go of her as he shut the door behind them. Ileana brought light into the small space, as she pulled the string beside the door. He threw the newspaper at her which she caught, and shook his head. "Slow movements...a failure. What the fuck Amari?"
"And you had to bring me in here to ask me that?" Ileana replied, dismissing the phrases he repeated from the article.
"Are you even listening to yourself? I cannot believe you wrote this and then decided to publish it for everyone to see. My parents will be here and they'll find out about these lies."
"I guess I saved you from picking a topic of discussion for tomorrow morning. You should thank me instead of being so loud and obnoxious." Ileana's lips moved into a thin line and she crossed her arms.
"Do you understand what I had to go through to convince my parents that I need to do this, and now these lies will tarnish that." Draven moved forward, closing the distance. "You really think this is funny, don't you? What was the need?"
Ileana leaned on the stacked chairs behind her, whilst fiddling with a guitar pick she found nearby, speaking in a soft tone. "It's not necessarily a need, it's a want. However, you need to calm down. It's not that serious, Whittemore."
"Unbelievable." He scoffed his disbelief. Before thinking about the best way to put this situation, "Okay. So, let's say I did this. I wrote a great piece about how you are so manipulating and selfish, how you actually are failing and are ready to sabotage everything. Would your double standards come to play, or will you accept that I am only telling the truth?"
"As if you would."
"You are right, I wouldn't. Because I won't stoop as low as you. I won't sacrifice my self-respect for something as useless, and pathetic as you, Amari." The guitar pick slipped from Ileana's delicate fingers, as the words spat out of Draven. She was flabbergasted that he used those words. As much as this was a Draven thing to do, Ileana didn't expect it.
Did he just imply that she had done exactly why he wouldn't do all this? Surely she didn't think it had to come to self-respect and losing dignity. Ileana decided to play it cool. Yes, she was annoyed, she was very bothered. But from her facial expressions, she had cloaked this emotion to use it against him.
Ileana chuckled, drawing her lips in a thin line and taking a step forward. "Whittemore, you want to speak about pathetic. You read the article, got so pissed off that you left your whole day's job to send me a crappy message and then scold me in person, to only get a response close to laughter. I'm no self-proclaimed genius, not right now of course, but the only person worthy of the title 'joke' is you."
Draven had no response, it's not because the words wouldn't come out of his mouth. He purely just did not care.
"I'm not sorry that my article upset you, that was my intention to do so." Ileana confidently admitted, folding her arms. She couldn't help but think how her actions resemble her mothers so much. She would also fold her arms when disagreeing with her husband, or even if she was scolding him about something silly. "And as much as I would love to stand in this closet with you and discuss how I tried to sabotage your career, I have better things to do. Draven, you have better things to do too, instead of being here with me."
Dravens' posture straightened, and he stood as if rooted to the spot, unable to move. His usual confident demeanour was replaced with a sense of vulnerability and surprise that left him momentarily speechless. His lips moved, but no sound came out at first, as if his vocal cords had temporarily failed him. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure, but the words still eluded him.
As Draven's eyes traced every contour of Ileana's face, he observed her, noting the subtle changes that had taken place over the years. It was as if a delicate painter had skillfully brushed gentle strokes of maturity and wisdom across her visage, enhancing the natural beauty that had captivated him since their first encounter.
"No way...You have something better to do. You sure?" He spoke finally, sarcasm lacing his words. "You've taken me by surprise, truly. I never thought you had anything else to do, especially with your mind always occupied by me. Nice to know you have other thoughts."
A trace of annoyance flickered across Ileana's eyes. She let out an exasperated sigh, with Draven standing as a smug grin spread across his face. "Just because I don't feel the need to share them with others, doesn't mean I don't have plenty of things to occupy my mind with, Whittemore. You just focus on what you will do at the charity event today."
"You don't need to worry about where my focus will be," He faked a smile.
Ileana's frustration began to mount. With every passing second gazing at Dravens ethereal grey eyes, she could feel the tension coiling within her, a tight knot of anger and irritation that threatened to burst forth at any moment. But there was nowhere to run, no way to shake off the irritation. Standing in the tiny closet was claustrophobic in itself, and to make matters worse, she found herself sharing this cramped and stifling space with someone she loathed.
"Just out of curiosity, how long did it take for you to write the article?" Draven solicited a response.
After a moment of contemplation, Ileana answered. "Perhaps a few hours, I don't recall."
Draven couldn't help but find her behaviour rather amusing. It wasn't the first time that she had said something foolish or naive, but this time, it was just too much to ignore. The more he thought about it, the harder it was to hold back his laughter. Ileana looked at him quizzically, not quite understanding what was so hilarious, she had barely said anything. She contemplated for a few seconds whether or not she should make another comment, but she didn't want to waste any more time with Draven in this dingy closet.
In an instant, Dravens phone erupted with a sudden, insistent clamour, jolting them both. He quickly took it out of his back pocket and made a little groan when he saw the name. He had completely forgotten that his sister had arrived and was in the company of his idiotic best friend.
"You should answer that."
"Hmm, I should but that depends on whether or not you'll speak. Just don't say a word." Draven voiced, placing his finger on his screen, knowing if he lets go the call will answer. Draven breathed out and placed the phone against his ear. His tone completely changed to a soft and calm, "Yes."
"Draven, where are you?" Kryos burst out. "May I remind you again, you sister and the baby!"
Ileana sniggered and Draven shook his head. "I'm on my way."
The call was silent for a couple of seconds and the next thing Draven saw was another ringtone, he held his phone in front of him realising Kyros began to video call him. Draven life flashed before his eyes and Ileana looked even more troubled.
"Pick up and talk to your sister, she's eating my brains out."
"Whitt..."Ileana whispered before he stopped from completing her sentence.
With an instinctive gesture, Draven's palm closed over her lips, abruptly halting her stream of words. The sudden absence of her voice was overshadowed by the firmness of his grip, as he assertively pushed her against the unyielding surface of the wall. While she stood captive, her eyes wide with surprise, he maintained his composure and seamlessly answered the Facetime call, seemingly unfazed by the intensity of the moment.
Ileana immediately experienced a rush of emotions. Shock and surprise washed over her as the ability to say a word was restrained. Her heart raced with a mix of confusion and frustration as she tried to comprehend what was happening.
Draven finally spoke, "Sister, what is the-"
"Don't sister me. Where are you? It's been precisely..." She burst out before looking down at her wrist, "Twenty-three minutes and you are nowhere in sight. I did not come here to sit around with this child." She motioned to Kyros who frowned at her insults, disregarding the fact her baby was in front of her.
Draven calmly replied, "I'm on my way."
The call went silent as Draven stared at Ileana whilst still covering her mouth. She rolled her eyes at him. "Dre, what are you doing and why is it almost dark in your room in broad daylight? Are you..with someone?"
As Ileana heard the hesitation in Neveah's words, she could help but
"Our parents are coming soon and I don't want to explain why their son is missing. Or worse, doing something filthy." She replied in disgust, moving the phone slightly aware from her face, taking a long pause "Who is it, Draven?"
Draven had a few options. He could lie to his sister, cut the call, divert the question or explain his conflicting situation. Draven wanted to lie, it would be easier but he had done that too much today. He swiftly gleamed at Ileana, who was getting comfortable with her position. She had come to terms that Draven wouldn't remove his hand over her mouth and was also trying to stop herself from impulsively biting his palm or fingers.
"Show me where you are, Dre. I need to know as your big sister and to excuse your absence." Neveah insisted, and Draven knew he had to. He had no choice. His sister wasn't going to settle for less.
With a sense of urgency, Draven pulled Ileana close, drawing her body against his chest whilst still covering her mouth. In a display of quick dexterity, his fingers danced across the screen, effortlessly navigating the digital realm before him. With a practised touch, he speedily switched the camera's focus, ensuring that Ileana remained hidden.
As Ileana felt the person she despised pressed against her, a surge of discomfort coursed through her veins, manifesting as a tingling unease that pricked her skin. The slightest contact, a brush of their body against hers, sent conflicting signals racing through her nerves. The warmth of their embrace, paradoxically suffocating yet unsettlingly alive, seemed to seep into her very being, evoking a discomfort that crawled beneath her skin, leaving her yearning to break free from their undesired closeness. Ileana's muscles involuntarily tensed, a defensive response to the unwanted proximity. Her mind raced, struggling to process the complex mixture of emotions. Anger, resentment, and a deep-seated aversion to their touch.
As the seconds passed, his grip loosened, and he released her mouth from his hand. Their eyes met and Ileana couldn't wait to scream at him once he was done with the call.
"Look, no one is here. I was just trying to find some banners from last year's summer charity event. Neveah, I will be there in a few minutes, now please leave Kyros alone and feed your child instead. And you don't need to worry about Mum and Dad, I'll be there before them. Goodbye." Draven didn't let his sister reply and cut off the call as soon as he finished his sentence.
He closed his eyes, calming himself down and decided to drop a quick message to his friend that he was coming soon and to call Zhang in the meantime. Draven slipped the phone back into his pocket, only releasing that he was still holding Ileana. It was only been he realised as she stepped on his foot with deliberate harsh force, "You fucking–" He winced. "What is wrong with you, Amari?"
"What is wrong with me? She questioned him, "You are seriously asking me that when you just pulled this stunt? I feel filthy right now." Draven's lips curled into a smirk as he listened to her words, finding them strangely entertaining and comical. The amusement danced in his eyes, reflecting a sense of lighthearted mockery that he couldn't quite suppress.
With a deft shift in conversation, he smoothly redirected the topic, effortlessly steering away from the previous dilemma, "What are you wearing tomorrow?"
It was safe to safe, Ileana was a little thrown back at his sentence. She was confused but didn't care, she knew Draven loved sticking his nose where it didn't belong. Ileana was aware of Draven's mischievous antics and knew he would have something up his sleeve. Chaos waiting to be unleashed. "None of your business, Whittemore."
"No, don't take it wrongly. I just want to know so I can avoid you from a distance. I don't need something hideous near me anyways, especially with everyone around. With the reputation I uphold, everyone will attend and it won't look pretty. So, what's the colour?"
"Fuck you," She cursed back at him, stepping in front of him as he blocked the way to the door.
Draven stepped in front of the handle more, so she couldn't reach it. "You can if you want, but I'm training at the moment and..."
"Just shut up and get out of my way. Go to your sister, leave me alone." Ileana shoved his body to the side. As she forcefully pushed him aside, her hand inadvertently made contact with his sculpted, athletic frame, feeling the firmness of his muscles beneath her touch. Dravens body, a testament to his dedication and hard work, carried the marks of countless hours spent honing his physical prowess. It was as if she could sense the determination and discipline that had sculpted his figure, evoking a mixture of admiration. That didn't last long as she looked up to see him smirking cockily.
Draven moved a little out of the way, making her a little better as she was ready to leave the closet. "Amari, wait."
"What?" She spat out aggressively.
Draven looked serious. His features tightened, the lines on his face deepening with a sense of gravity. The mischievous twinkle in his slate-hued eyes vanished, replaced by a piercing gaze that puzzled Ileana and also made her more frustrated. "You're not leaving until you tell me the colour."
It was in that fleeting instant that an overwhelming urge surged within Ileana, compelling her to unleash a torrent of screams upon him.
"You said I need to get to my sister, so the more you delay this, the longer she'll be waiting." Like a pendulum frozen mid-swing, Draven stood in anticipation, waiting for her words to break the silence. In the mist of the charged silence, the tension crackled with its language, and the faint rustling of fabric and the soft sound of their breathing seemed to fill the void left by the absence of spoken words.
"Goodbye Draven," Ileana spoke emphasising that she wasn't going to respond to his ridiculous question. She reached through the gap to the handle, causing Draven to instinctively move. His motive was to get under her skin, and he was not disappointed, so decided to leave it at that.
Draven watched her exit the closet, leaving the door open. Tomorrow at the charity event, Draven had no plans. He had no scheme outlined and was contemplating keeping this year civil. But Ileana, leaving so rudely and ignoring his question made him want to do something. After all, he couldn't let his streak fall. Draven let her have this one, but next, it will never be the case. He had the next eight months to succeed and wasn't going to let her take the win. The fun was just starting.
⤝ AUTHORS NOTE ⤞
Hi, my beautiful people. I finally updating and I'm feeling good because the next few chapters ahhh. The fun is literally just starting and I can't wait. Hopefully, I will update soon. More arguments, more insults and be rivalry between Draven and Ileana. It's going to be like this for a while until there's a huge step in their "relationship".
Thank you so much for reading! I love you all very much.