Chapter 8

PIERRE POV

The day was rather much lazier than I had expected. It was only after 12, already nearing lunchtime, but we were still milling around getting accustomed to the campus and everything. No classes were held since it was all about orientation and signing up for additional classes... All that turmoil. And I should rather say, Rhodez Empire Academy was a literal heaven on earth. 

I may have thought I have seen its opulence previously when I came here with mom, even on the internet, but I truly didn’t see a thing. Absolutely, nobody prepared me for the thing I found here. All that I saw that another day was just a drop of water in a cast ocean. It didn’t even begin to compare to everything that was here.

First and foremost, the ordonnance itself spoke volumes and the way everything was just in its place had to be the highlight of it all. I was in pure awe. And I did hope that all the hands that worked on this, had the reimbursement they deserved, for they went all out and beyond. 

The playgrounds were all located right where they overlook the sea that stretched from right beneath the ground and went on and on to the Atlantic. I swear even air was even fresher to breathe on this side. And I was so relaxed that I was slowly starting to warm up to the place. 

This was hands down, banging.

A few minutes after going around with Elijah, we met yet another guy who introduced himself as Henry. A very tall and lean guy who turned out to be Elijah’s neighbor and has been going to Rhodez Empire since he was in diapers. The dude knew all there was to know about Rhodez Empire Academy and honestly, having him around was rather fun and pretty much useful because he turned to serve as the guide. They do say the more the merrier. He and Elijah seemed to be having a lot in common and they were both so easy-going that I found myself relaxing around them. I had not expected to meet such a cool flock as soon as I arrived but then here we were...

After hours of roaming around, Henry took us to the common cafeteria to get our lunch fix. Like the rest of the buildings around here, it was just as smashing. It looked nothing the common cafeteria. But since it was a 'common' one, shouldering almost the entire Rhodez Empire Academy, it was the size of a giant ass hall, or even a football pitch and a half. The interior was the one from out of this world, with blue and grey hues matching the color code of the school. The sides of it were clamped tall, blue velvet booths that made it look like a fancy club. There was one booth in particular that seemed to stand out. It was on the raised deck just beside the buffet area, and was rather too calling to be ordinary. From then on, it was filled with normal dining chairs and tables. But, they weren't so normal after all.

Since it was lunchtime, there was a little bit buzz and a great white noise as we all stood in line to the buffet, although it wasn't bad at all. Or I should say, excitement was clouding my better judgment. Don't judge me. Nothing has really gone South since the morning, soooo...

We had only just settled with our food on our trays when a loud uproar started from outside the café. And by the uproar, I mean complete chaos. From the window, we saw people running towards something, screaming. Their screams weren't frightened, just crazy and pretty loud. Elijah and I stared at Henry questionably, and I could have sworn I saw fear and intrigue both flashing across his face.

“We gotta get out of here.” He claimed already tearing out of his seat and taking his paraphernalia. Elijah and I exchanged a glance before looking back at him. Around us, people started erupting out of their chairs and running to the exit.

“What? What’s happening?” I asked, bewildered by such a reaction to whatever was happening on the outside.

“It’s the Z4.” And that’s when I heard the loud screams of ‘Z4’ being chanted in the air. 

“What the hell is the Z4?” It was Elijah who asked, completely unnerved, and his reaction matching the one on my face. Henry quickly jumped to cover Elijah’s mouth, then stared around us to see whether there was someone who had heard him, and by then, I knew that whatever that Z4 was, nothing good was ever going to come out of it.

“Don’t let anyone hear you saying anything bad about the Z4.” He whisper-yelled into Elijah’s face. In return, Elijah gave him a small nod,

“Come on. We have to leave before they get in here.” The urgency in his voice was the one that rocked the boat and had the two of us on our feet. Hurriedly, we took our stuff and headed to the door. But oh… How late we were.

“Oh Fuck.” Henry cursed before pulling the two of us to the side, and just then, the throng that was congested at the door parted as if there was some sort of energy pulling them apart. The deafening cheers didn’t stop or even quell. Instead, they grew wilder than before. Henry made sure to stuff us to the innermost corner as more and more people began piling in and squashing us in like we were some pile of dirt being pushed out of the blocked pipe.

“What the hell is happening?” It was my turn to ask, shocked as more and more people continued pushing back to us, to a point where there was literally human flesh all over my space. It was so uncomfortable and gorged that my mind seemed to be trapped in a loop or something. I couldn't even think straight. It was as if some renowned celebrity was going to step in, and security was taking care of the buzzing, crazy fans. Before anyone could answer my question, four people stepped into the enclosure of the cafeteria.

My eyes snapped wider than I have ever known when I spotted, none other than…

“That’s the Z4,” Henry whispered to Elijah and me. But my mind was so fixated on Poseidon and assumingly his squad that just entered the cafeteria looking like they were some gods on earth. The aura exuded by them was rather dominating I should say, but I was so befuddled as to why he was carrying himself like that. 

The man that slept across my room at home was nothing like this one here. Around him were three other… guys. I couldn’t call them boys. They were way too bigger to be boys.

“The first one is Poseidon Dario Rhodez. This whole school belongs to his family.” Elijah continued in his explanation, and well, that part I know of. 

“His dad is the founder of Green Tech Co, Walmart Inc. You name them. If you have used energy or anything such as food and bottled water today, just know it is related to him. He is also the football captain and the school’s star. In terms of the academy, nobody matches him.” I know that as well, the trophies packed at home said it all.

“What about the other three?” I intoned, trying to fight the strain in my voice.

“The one in the leather jacket is Sebastian Lopez. His grandfather is the founder of Cadilac Motor Co. He is the heir. Has a thing for bikes, hence the  dress code.” Wow.

“The one with the white hair is Romeo Rodriguez. You know Versace?”

“Yes?”

“it's all him. They call him Versace Baby, or Versace Prince. He is the fashionista.” Well? Heck. This was beginning to feel more intolerable.

“And the other one?”

“Elon Hernandez. His family owns the world’s 5-star hotels. Including the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.” 

“So let me get this straight… Z4, is like a big gang made of 4 richest kids in this whole school?” Elijah asked, amusement and excitement flashing on his face. For a second, I was taken aback because there was no way this was exciting. It wasn't even on the threshold of excitement. 

“That sums it up, yes.” Henry nodded while he stole glances around us just to make sure that none heard what he had said. Again.

“And how do you know all of them again?” I asked facing him,

“Because if you want to survive in Rhodez Empire Academy, then you have to know all there is about the Z4.” Well, fuck. This was not what I was expecting.

Even more befuddled, I turned back to the men of the century and stared at them. My heart clenched painfully when I saw a girl with very long pale legs and painfully red nails hanging on Poseidon’s arm. But what killed me the most was when he pulled her in for a sloppy kiss before smiling down at her.

“And that is?” I inquired in a hushed voice,

“The bitch of the year. Luna. She is Poseidon’s girlfriend of 4 years.” 

Great. Just fuckin’ great.