Chapter 02

NEFERTARY

Maldito Mundo 

—Alright, guys, with no more unexpected surprises, we can proceed with the class… unless there's a third person behind the door —Miss Sarah said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I confess this is the first time someone—well, two people—have left me in shock, in a haze. These two guys, Mathias and Michael, I don't even know how to explain it. Let's just say they confuse me. I've always had the gift of reading people through their expressions, and these two make my brain restart, like it's searching for a glitch in the system. I know what I have to do: 'be very careful with them'. I don't know how they'll change my life from now on.

Putting my thoughts aside, I try to pay attention in class… which feels like doing a 360⁰ turn—I'm right back where I started.

—Serene, those guys look like Hollywood stars—scratch that, like gods —says Lucía in a tone only I can hear.

—So? —is all that came out of my mouth. A stupid "So".

—So? Your hormones didn't even twitch? These are the kind of guys girls dream about—guys who'll fuck us —I can't believe those words actually came out of her mouth.

—Well, I'm not one of those girls, and I have no interest in being another name on their list. Thanks! —I told her, looking her straight in the eyes.

—You're seriously going to die a virgin. —she rolls her eyes. I honestly can't believe how those two managed to stir up all her hormones.

I didn't say anything back and just looked toward the front, where the teacher was going over the topics we'd cover this term in her class.

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Once classes are over for the day, the limousine is already waiting for me. I say goodbye to Lucia and apologize for not being able to have dinner at her mansion tonight. I get in the limo and ask the driver to put on some classical music while we head to the house. The beautiful melody of Beethoven – Für Elise starts playing—one of my favorite classical pieces. My favorite instrument is the piano. Just listening to its melody takes me to another universe.

Before I know it, I'm at the mansion sooner than expected. 'It's incredible how music makes me lose all sense of time.'

—Here comes our perfect girl, our queen, Nefertary Ibagon —says my mother as she walks down the stairs. She's a very beautiful woman: black hair, honey-colored eyes, and let's not even start with her body. I got those genetics from her. She doesn't look forty-four at all—more like thirty-two. A woman with class. That's Mrs. Vanessa Ibagon.

—Aren't you going to greet your mother?

—Of course. Good afternoon, Mother. How was your day?

—Perfect. And yours, dear daughter? —Well, the hypocrite rats made it clear I'm still perfect. Nothing out of the ordinary. 'If I actually said what I'm thinking, I'd already be six feet under.'

—Great. Nothing out of the ordinary. Everything's the same as always —I give her a closed-lip smile.

—Well, I'm very glad to hear that. Remember, tonight at 8:00 p.m. you must be ready for the party.

—I'll be on time, as always. You have nothing to worry about, Mother.

—I hope so, Nefertary, I really do —she dragged out the last two words. —And what piece are you playing for the party? —It was supposed to be a surprise, but as always, she already knows what I'm up to.

—It's a surprise for everyone—no exceptions, Mother —I hurry to say before she can object.

—Fine. I just hope your "surprise" doesn't disappoint me.

—It never has, and this won't be the first time.

—I hope so. —She gave me a kiss on the forehead and headed toward the door, but before opening it, she turned around and said —Remember, Nefertary, hide your flaws, your mistakes. 'Hide the monster, and be the perfect girl.' —And with those words, she walked away.

Heading upstairs, I rush to my room, trying to contain the rage burning inside me. How the hell do I even put up with this shit? How can my own mother want to keep me trapped in that stupid, miserable perfect girl persona?

Once I'm in my room, I finally let out the breath I've been holding.

—I hate them all —I whisper just to myself, staring into the mirror. Fucking migraine had to hit me now. Fucking wretched life I'm stuck with every single day.

MATHIAS

Let's just say today's been… interesting. Skipping the first four classes and showing up after break is pretty much my signature move on the first day of school. That black-haired girl, those grey eyes with a hint of blue… When I walked into the classroom, she was the same girl who defended the nerd. She seems like the perfect girl—but we all know perfection doesn't exist, especially not in the real world.

'She's got all my attention. And she feels familiar.'

—What's going on in that head of yours, Mathias? You're looking way too smiley today —Oh right, I forgot I was in the sitting room of the mansion with my father.

—Nothing interesting, Father.

—You can't fool me. That smile of yours is dangerous. It gives away that you're up to something.

—Oh really? According to you, what am I planning? —My dear father… he knows his only heir far too well.

—When are you going to learn to respect your elders and answer questions when they're asked? —he says, raising his left eyebrow while reading a book.

—Well, you don't have a perfect son, and I don't plan to become one.

—I'm not telling you to be perfect. I just want you to try to be a bit more polite—at least tonight.

—Tonight? —I have absolutely no clue what he's talking about.

—You forgot, didn't you? Of course you did. Talking to you is like talking to the walls in this house —he gets up from the couch and starts walking toward the hallway that leads to his office, but before disappearing, he stops and says —I'll just say this, Mathias: by 7:20 p.m., I want you ready in formal wear —he turns and looks me right in the eye —Don't you dare challenge me. I mean it, Mathias.

And with that, he vanishes into the hallway that leads to his office.

I head to my room. When I get there, I throw myself face down on the bed. Dealing with my father isn't easy. Now I know where I get my no-limits attitude from. That man has zero limits when it comes to punishing me. 'He's been like this ever since what happened… but that doesn't matter now.'

When I bother to check the time, it's exactly 6:00 p.m. Off to a boring-ass business event with my father. I hate these forced "family" nights.

I head to the bathroom for a quick shower and put on a black tux. Once I'm dressed, I head to the living room. I imagine he's already waiting for me. As I come down the stairs, I see his figure sitting there, checking the clock on the side table.

—Four minutes early, huh? —I flash him a crooked smile.

—You only do what benefits you. Let's go, the driver's waiting.

I don't say a word and follow him. Already in the car, I literally have no clue if we're heading to a mansion or whatever. All I know is this shit is going to be boring… unless I find myself a toy for the night.

When we arrive and I step out of the car, I realize it is a mansion. 'Shit.' Before we go in, my father stops me. What now?

—Aren't we going in? —I ask, confused.

—Mathias, no stupid games. No toys.

And with that, we head toward the entrance. This fucking night just got even worse for me.

As we step into the mansion, it's obvious these people are very refined. Great taste. Yeah, I tend to notice that stuff just to keep from dying of boredom at these types of events.

Following my father, we walk over to greet the so-called owners of the mansion.

—Matteo Ludwig, my old friend —says the man who must be our host. He's the same height as my dad—1.90m—same features. You could say they're brothers. Except this guy has greyish-blue eyes—'makes me think of the "perfect girl"'—while my father's are completely blue, just like mine.

—Gregorio Ibagon, it's been too long —they hug like old friends. —This is my son, Mathias.

—Nice to meet you, Mr. Ibagon —I extend my hand.

—The pleasure's mine, Mathias —he extends his hand too, and we shake. Then he continues.

—Well, let me introduce my wife, Vanessa, and my dear daughter, Nefertary.

When I notice the girl—'who, by the way, is wearing a stunning blue dress'—I did not expect it. Seriously. It's the same girl from school. I take back what I said about tonight being shit.

'Nefertary, do you need me to set you free?'