Priana's POV
The next morning, as I got ready, my mind was a chaotic mess. Yesterday's scene kept replaying in my head like a broken record. Anrio's touch, his breath, that kiss... my heart fluttered just thinking about it.
What did that kiss mean? I asked myself. No, Priana. You need to stay away from him. Thinking about this will only lead to trouble.
Lufa was getting ready too. I gave her a small smile and said, "Lufa, let's go to class together."
She remained silent, her eyes avoiding mine.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you talking to me?" I asked, concerned.
"You're the secretary of The Elites now," Lufa whispered. "I can't be seen with you. If I break the rules, there will be consequences."
"Lufa, ignore those rules," I said, stepping closer. "Trust me, I'm going to reveal the dark truth of this school to everyone soon."
She looked at me, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "I believe you. I think you're the only one who can do it. I'm always on your side." With that, she left for class.
When I entered the classroom, the atmosphere shifted instantly. Every head turned. Every eye was on me.
Nerissa stepped up first. "How are you? How's your new life going?"
I looked at her and gave a calm, confident smile. "It's going great."
"She really is brave," Sandra whispered from behind.
Elisa walked toward me, that same mysterious smile on her face. "My eyes never lie," she said, leaning in. "I was right about you, wasn't I?"
"Yes," I replied firmly. "Your eyes certainly don't lie."
I walked past them and took my seat, feeling the weight of their stares, but my mind was already somewhere else.
The teacher was in the middle of a lecture when a shadow darkened the doorway. It was the Principal's personal assistant. He looked straight at me and spoke with a cold, formal tone. "Priana, the Principal wants to see you. Immediately."
"You may go, Priana," the teacher noted, waving me away.
I started to get up, but the assistant added, "Bring your bag with you."
The entire class erupted in hushed whispers. My heart hammered against my ribs as I grabbed my things and walked out. Why the bag? Am I being expelled? Or is it something worse?
I reached the Principal's office, my hands trembling. "Ma'am, may I come in?"
"Enter," her voice boomed from inside.
As I stepped into the room, I froze. Anrio and Warren were already there, lounging in the leather chairs. The moment my eyes met Anrio's, the memory of his lips on mine flashed through my mind like a lightning bolt. I looked away instantly, feeling a rush of heat that I couldn't explain.
"Priana," the Principal began, her expression unreadable. "Starting today, your academic routine has changed. You will no longer attend classes with the general students. As the personal secretary to The Elites, your responsibilities are vast. Therefore, you will study directly from The Elites' private lounge."
I was stunned. "But Ma'am, there's no need for that. I can handle my studies and my job at the same time like everyone else."
"This is not a request, Priana. It's a protocol," she stated firmly. "The Elites operate on a different level, and you must be with them. If you face any academic difficulties, Warren will assist you. You will only join the others during exams."
I had no choice but to submit. I felt Anrio's gaze boring into me—dark, intense, and filled with a strange kind of victory. I quickly excused myself and hurried toward the lounge.
No sooner had I entered the private suite than Anrio and Warren followed me in. The air in the room suddenly felt thick. Anrio tried to step closer, but I immediately pivoted and stood next to Lian, using him as a shield.
Lian leaned down, a playful, devilish smirk on his face. "What's wrong? Still thinking about that first kiss?" he whispered, chuckling.
I shot him a look of pure rage, and he immediately stopped laughing, but the damage was done. My mind was a storm of panic. I was no longer just a student; I was a prisoner in their world.
There was no more running. They had me exactly where they wanted me—twenty-four hours a day.
"I'm going shopping, Priana. You're coming with me," Diego said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I agreed without a second thought. I needed to get out of that suffocating lounge. Outside, a magnificent Bugatti La Voiture Noire was waiting—a car that practically screamed luxury and power.
Diego opened the passenger door for me. As I settled into the leather seat, I couldn't stop admiring the car's sleek design. "You really like cars, don't you?" I asked.
"More than anything," he replied with a small smile.
We pulled up to the city's most elite mall. As we entered, a group of staff members rushed toward us. "Sir, welcome! How can we assist you today?"
Diego gestured toward me. "I'm not alone today. My secretary is here. She'll be the one helping me choose."
The mall was massive, like an endless palace of glass and gold. We headed straight to a high-end watch boutique.
"Pick a watch for me, Priana," Diego commanded softly.
The salesman laid out several pieces. They were stunning, reflecting the dim store lights perfectly. But when I accidentally glanced at the price tags, my heart skipped a beat—and not in a good way. The price of a single watch was enough to buy an entire house back in my world! I felt like the sky was crashing down on me.
"Are you serious? You pick this cheap leather watch over everything else?" Diego asked, a playful smirk on his face.
I looked him in the eye and said softly, "Price tags don't define class, Diego. Those royal watches are expensive, but this one... this one suits your soul. Let me show you." I stepped closer and fastened the watch around his wrist.
Diego stared at it, then at me. "You're right. It feels... better than any diamond. I'll take it." He reached out and ruffled my hair gently. In that moment, the distance between the Elite and the common girl vanished.
After a fancy but bland lunch, I dragged him toward a crowded little ice cream shop. Despite his hesitation about the crowd, he followed me. "Two chocolate cones, please!"
"You like chocolate too?" he asked, surprised.
"I love it!" I held up my hand for a high-five, and he chuckled, meeting my hand with his. As we walked down the street, Diego began to open up. He told me how he missed his parents and how this simple ice cream reminded him of the happy days before power and business took over their lives.
"Thank you, Priana," he whispered. "For making me feel like a kid again."
When we returned to the lounge, laughing and holding hands, the atmosphere turned icy. Anrio and Oscar were staring at us with looks of pure, unadulterated jealousy. I quickly let go of Diego's hand, feeling the sting of their gazes.
"Look what Priana picked for me," Diego said, showing off his watch.
While the others admired it, Anrio snapped. "ENOUGH! Stop this nonsense!" He marched toward me, his presence suffocating. "You think you have great taste, don't you, Priana?"
I didn't blink. I met his burning gaze and replied, "Well, everyone else seems to think so."
"You really do have great taste, don't you, Priana?" Anrio barked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Is that why you've started throwing yourself at rich guys?"
I stared at him, completely stunned. "What do you mean? I don't understand what you're talking about."
"Oh, really? You don't?" He let out a dark, mocking laugh. "Diego is naive, and you're just taking advantage of that, aren't you? You're trying to secure your place in this world by playing with his heart."
"Will you shut up? I am nothing like that!" My voice trembled with rage.
"I know girls like you very well," Anrio countered, stepping closer. "As soon as you see money and power, you lose your mind. You start chasing the scent of gold."
"Anrio, that's enough! What are you saying?" Warren snapped, trying to intervene, but Anrio ignored him.
"Why should I stop? I'm telling the truth. She's trying to play us."
His words pierced through my soul. Tears blurred my vision, but I forced myself to look him in the eye. "I am not like that at all. I might not have the millions that you do, but I come from a good family. My family taught me how to love and value people, not to lust after money."
Unable to hold back the tears any longer, I turned and bolted out of the lounge. I didn't care what they thought anymore; I just had to get away from his poisonous words.