Chapter 5: A costly mistake

Claudia's POV

“Miss Claudia, we do. Alpha Richard had some set up in each point of our school last weekend.”

There are cameras inside this school and no one told me about it?

I gritted my teeth angrily as fear slowly gripped my heart. If news gets out in the school that I framed Alicia for theft, my image and popularity, which I've tried so hard to maintain, will go down the drain immediately.

Those who hated my guts won't sit back and watch this golden ticket slip off their fingers.

They will wait, listen, drag, and tarnish my reputation. Wasn't this the opportunity they have all been waiting for?

I can imagine the headlines when that day comes: “The Arrogant Queen Bee of Our Prestigious High School Has Reached The End Of Her Reign!”

Ugh! I can't let that happen!

“Oh, my goodness, did you hear that?” One of the students' whispers sounded in my ears.

I clenched my hands tightly, as my eyes glared at the bitch that caused all this.

“It looks like Alexander is right. Take a look at Claudia's face, haha. Girl looks like she has just seen a ghost, haha!” They whispered among themselves and pointed fingers at me.

“I-i don't know what you're talking about, Alexander.”I forced a smile on my face and stared at Alicia. “How will I know if this isn't just one of your pranks, again? You must be doing this to get away from the fact that you sto-”

“We can check the CCTV cameras and stop the drama.” Alexander's low voice sounded in my ears, and I found myself having a hard time thinking.

He should be supporting me, not that bitch!

I'm your girlfriend for fuck sake!

“Y-yes, we should. I will inform the head security about this,” The Principal, Mrs. Smith, answered. She excused herself and went outside to make a call.

Silence restored to the room after she left. The three of us stood facing each other. Alexander had a tired expression on his face, and Alicia had that ‘let’s deal with this already’ look.

I clenched my hands tightly and winched when I felt a sharp pain in one of my fingers. A warm sensation spread in my palm, and I raised my hand to see that I had accidentally broken one of my acrylic nails.

It must have been from the tension or the adrenaline because…I didn't feel any pain.

“Alexander -"I opened my mouth to speak, but stopped midway when I saw him lean toward Alicia's ear.

A sly smile played on his lips as he spoke inaudibly. I looked away from his mouth, only to be stunned by the sight of Alicia’s flushed face.”

He stopped talking. Satisfied, he smiled and returned to his previous position. Then he raised his hand and glanced at his watch.

What is wrong with these two?

“Ahem,” Mrs. Smith said as she opened the door and walked into the room. I slowly shook my head, trying to clear the confusion. I must be imagining things.

The students in the room fixed their attention on Mrs Smith as they waited for her reply.

“The head of security has already received my report and is working on it. He said the results will be out in 30 minutes. Please, you three can stay back and…” She clapped her hands and faced the rest in the room. “You are all dismissed for today.”

“Ow, Men! I already cancelled my karaoke hangout with my friends because of this news. Tsk, I can't believe they're letting us go!”

“Ei, it looks like we won't get the answer as to who did it anymore,’’

They dragged their feet out of the class, leaving disappointment behind. I lowered my head down and bit my lips hard until I tasted blood.

In 30 minutes, my life is going to change, and I’ll be no different from an outcast.”

I should have been careful when I wanted to set her up!

You're so fucking stupid Claudia!

How can you make such a big mistake?

“I'm sorry, Alicia, for the accusations. I should have confirmed things first before taking action,’’ Mrs Smith walked up to her. “I'm truly sorry.”

Alicia's expression stiffened. She took a step back and smiled softly, “You were only doing what's best for the school, ma'am. Please do not apologise like this… what will the students think if they see you doing this?”

“Ah, yes.” Mrs Smith laughed awkwardly. She raised her hand and rubbed the back of her neck.

I stared at the duo and suddenly had the urge to kill!

Mrs. Smith was on my side before!

“Ah, you're all here, that's very good.” A tall man with a weird mustache walked inside the room with a smile on his face. He had this handsome feature that would make a woman's feet go jelly.

He stood tall and mighty, but when his lips opened to speak, all you could listen to was the sexiness in his voice.

“Noah,” Mrs. Smith walked past Alicia to the man. “How was the search? Were you able to retrieve the video?”

Noah's eyes dimmed slightly, and a soft smile stretched on his lips, and it came out beautifully, “I'm sorry, Mrs Smith…’’ He started, then stared at us. “The camera in this classroom was never activated on the 2nd day. It looks like one of the cleaners on duty had accidentally tampered with the wires.”

“What?” Alicia's expression changed drastically, and my heart skipped in excitement.

Yesssssss haha!

Yes!

Yes!

“Are you saying it didn't record anything at all?” Mrs. Smith asked, her tone sounded a little forced.

“I'm very sure.” The man said, his voice firm. “Since I've relayed the news to you… I'll excuse myself now.”

He smiled one last time and left the room.

The door softly locked behind him, and the deep thuds of his footsteps sounded in the quiet room.

Mrs Smith stood in front of the door for a while before she said, “It looks like this situation will be handled with care. Please invite your parents when you get to your individual homes. There will be a meeting…” She added, then left.

I let out a deep breath that I didn't know I was holding.

Alexander and Alicia stared at each other, but they didn't say a single word.

Alexander nodded at her and left the room.

En?

What was that?

Alicia picked up her bag and then left too.

“Bitch,” I cursed under my breath and took a seat on an empty chair.

I was about to place the heirloom on the table when the door banged open and a scream tore through the air.

“Oh, yess baby! I told you it was going to end this way! There's no fucking way she won't comply with our demands, haha!” One of my minions screamed as they walked in.

“Stop being cocky, you moron. You were only lucky this time,” The other scoffed.

“LoL, don't give me that face. You look like a monkey's butthole.” The first girl laughed out loud.

“Who are you calling a money's butthole?!”

“Give me our deal's $100, and I will tell you who it is!”

“You guys… can you keep your voice down?” I groaned, tried from their banters. They should settle their deal or whatever elsewhere.

“Girl, why are you down?” Celine asked, she took out a cigarette and picked a chair in front of me.

“Do you have a spare?”

“Yup!”

She took out another and gave it to me. I placed it on my lips and groaned again.

“Are you worried about the CCTV camera?” She leaned forward, and I looked up in surprise.

How did she know about it?

“Looks like I hit the nail.” She leaned back and laughed loudly.” Is that what's eating your mind? Girl, you don't have to worry about it. I was the one who deleted the videos,”