Four

"Here's an individual project for your first assessment test this term. Prepare a presentation about your family. This is not a nursery class so be creative. You've been art students for three years not, represent the idea of what your family is artistically. Then there'll be a live presentation here by third week." Teacher Nam said after her long and breathe taking lecture about the roman art and how it originated. So boring. "You have enough time. There will be no excuse that I will accept. Good day class." She walked out like a programmed semi human robot.

It's barely a week in a new term and she's already giving project. I could not take my eyes off the class President thorought the class. He was way too normal like nothing ever happened. Or maybe he really didn't care. That broke my heart. I felt alone. I made a lame deal with Liam, that wretch. 

"Fairy baby!"His hand was on my head. I cursed beneath my breath. This school, why would so much calamity befall me on a second day. It means it had no good luck. I should have known.

"What you want, Liam?"

"Master, that's what you call me!" He pointed out.

Holy mother of... Master?!

"got it!"I nodded.

"Say it!"He commanded, grabbing a handful of my hair.

"Let go. I hate guys touching my hair."

Surprisingly, he obeyed. "Say it!"

I pursed my lips. "M...master."

"Good." He said." Get my bag and follow me. Let's go make trouble a bit."I hesitated but he yanked me off my seat. 

He really did make trouble. I had the day of my life. I did things I've never been allowed to do. All my life, I've always been locked behind a door. At school, I stayed in class or a library under the watch of Jude's spies. In Mcade high, Jude was only my uncle, no spy. I felt a bit of freedom. Though mentally, I still felt caged. I guess Liam was sent into my life to sort that out. l spent the rest of the day watching him play basketball. Damien was there also -- guys with long legs. He introduced me as his new pet. They all laughed me, said words that didn't make sense while damien avoided eye contacts throughout the match. He must be mad but I couldn't care less. I'm paying for my walking imbalance already. A fight broke out yowards the end of the match. I was marvelled at how the class President single handedly ended it. That was more prove that he was the only fit for that post.

We spent the whole of the prep time outside, even missed the rest of the days lecture. He assured me we wouldn't get caught. I met his girlfriends. He hactwo in Junior High, the sassy one and the cool one. Two girls in the science department and some other in Human Resource department. No one from our class. He proudly analysed their characters and how many times he had changes them. Though, I was dumb the whole time, I was learning fast. He looked like a lost souk among his peers, though huge and more confident. I took time to study him when he was quiet. His short brown hair fell over his forehead, there was a black scar on it. That's explainable cUse he fights a lot but his aura, so dark. I was convinced that behind those dark eyes, he had a dark secret. His mights are all faked, I could see it because I can relate. Though, I hated him for the trouble he's causing for me but a part of me had that "no one really knows our deep secrets" mindset.

I wasn't happy but I had little hope that I would be. I had something seemingly reasonable to do in school now, babysit a bully. It's wottg the while in some way.

"There's a party et kings hall tonight. You should be there."School had closed and I had his cross bag hung around my shoulder. It was light though. It only had a skating shoe he seized from a junior, his filthy black socks, Whot cards and a short steel pipe.

"I can't" I spat.   

A girl, with straight brown hair and a pair of stunning blue eyes nudged him from behind.

"Liam, I bought two tickets. You'll go out with me right?"She smiled.

"Of course."He smiled back. "I have my ticket though. Give that to someone else okay?"

"Fine."She sent me stabbing stares. "Who is she? A new puppet ?"

"A fresh puppet."He sneered.

She left.

"What was that?"

"What?"

"I'm not your puppet. Shit! I've have had enough of you today."I cried.

"Fairy baby, you must be at kings hall tonight. You go wherever I go understood?"

"No." I snorted. "That would be only at school."

"Be there or..."

"I don't go out!"I cried. "My dad won't let me. " I stopped realizing I just said "dad"

"My uncle. I mean."

Then a black SUV drove into the lot.

"You see, his driver is here. I gotta go."I tried to give him his hag but he left it hanging in the air.

"Come on. We have to depart here. Don't be an headache!"

"I'm an headache huh?"He grinned. I hissed.

"Are you quitting now?"

"Take your bag. I'm going home. That's all I'm saying."

He cackled stupidly. I had a feeling that he liked it when I'm frustrated.

"You like making a big deal out of nothing."

"You wouldn't understand. You can't."I bit my lip. That was the truth though. I'm still scared my dad has spies and that driver... I do not trust anyone related to my dad. If he knows I'm moving around with a guy I'll be toast, for real.

"Well, I see you still have a little pride left in you. " he took his bag. "Go on puppet. Don't forget to change that ugly specs okay?"

I had turned away immediately he took his bag and I must have said aloud: "Fuck you!"

*

When I got home, Jude Kam was on the line.

"Baby, how was school today?"

My first impulse was to wlam the receiver against the wall. His voice... reminds me of how much a failure I am.

"Good."

"Do you like the school? I know it's different. You need to stay off public eye for a while. "

"It's okay, Mister Kam."I hissed.

He laughed on the other end. "You sound pissed. " Then his voice turned unexpectedly serious. "Be careful with your movements with low rangers. I warned you, didn't I? Will you ever obey me huh? Paige? It's barely a day in the school and you already have guys all around you. What..."

I was awed. He knows! 

"That Liam boy..."

"Dad!"I shrieked. "Are you not in China?!"

Jude Kam travelled to China for a business conference. He must be a spirit.

I'm not free! Never free!

"I'll be back home tomorrow. I should not have left you on your own."

Worst nightmare!