My Aunt, Valerie

The Ugly Truth

VALERIE’S POV

Am I doing the right thing? Raven will kill me if she knows I’m at Gloria and Lawrence’s old school. It’s not like I want to be here, but I am curious how students and teachers treated my niece and nephew.

What made Lawrence hate going to school? And I’m genuinely curious about how students have treated Gloria before. Are they being bullied? If so, those who touch the kids shall pay for the consequences.

“You must be Lady Valerie Forest. I am the person who accepted your call earlier. Please follow me to the principal office.” I nodded as I followed the teacher to the administration office. As we walked through the hall of fame, I noticed several pictures of Gloria on the school wall.

“This is Gloria, am I right?” The teacher nodded.

“It’s a pity that Gloria had to transfer to another school, but when we teachers know that she was accepted to the academy, we’re proud of her achievement. That girl deserved the world.” Hmm- at least the teachers seem genuine.

“I heard from my niece that the students don’t think the same way.” The teachers seemed surprised when I mentioned the students.

“We teachers tried our best to fix her relationship with her classmate and the other students, but it doesn’t do anything. Gloria told us that she is fine being alone, but we know it doesn’t. I wish I could do more than whatever did for her.” This woman is a good teacher.

“Anyway, the principal is with a student right now. Please wait here.” I nodded and took a seat. As I waited for the principal, I decided to read the books on the shelf.

“Please hold on! Mrs. Zora! Your son is with the principal right now. Please wait here- Mrs. Zora!” I watched how chaotic it became when this woman arrived at the principal office.

Who does she think she is? Where are her manners? The teacher clearly said that her son was with the principal. If a mother like her ignored the rules, I wonder what kind of person her son is.

“I’m sorry for this, Lady Forest.” I waved my hands off since it was not her fault. The teacher tried her best, but that woman ignored her words.

“Why is that woman barging in like that? What a rude woman.” The teachers stopped me from saying it out loud.

“I’m sorry, but you shouldn’t say that bout her. She is the wife of the current mayor. Nothing good ever happened to those who offended Mrs. Zora.” Oh- no wonder her name seems familiar. So that is the infamous wife of mayor Zora?

If I’m not mistaken, Raven did mention that the Zora family seems to live like a king without any proper documentation about their wealth. Many politicians have been talking about Mayor Zora and how he is likely to take advantage of people’s misfortune.

In other words, mayor Zora's office is surrounded by corruption.

“Have a nice day, Lady Zora.” I watched as the woman walked out of the principal office with her son. It seems the woman remembered me from our last meeting. But I can’t say the same about her son.

“What are you looking at, b***h?!” Mrs. Zora sighed before slapping her son’s face in front of everyone.

“You’re going to ruin your father’s reputation! How many times do I have to tell you to keep out of trouble?!” Mrs. Zora apologized to me. At least this woman knows how to show her respect. If only she could do the same to others, that would be great.

“You need to teach your child to be polite to his elder. You know that children are the exact copy of their parents. Of this is how your child acts; I don’t even want to know just what kind of people you and your husband are.” Mrs. Zora didn’t dare to say anything other than grab her son’s wrist.

“Well- what are you waiting for?” Mrs. Zora excused herself while dragging her son out of the administration office.

“Is it alright for you to say that, Mrs. Forest?” I nodded before walking towards the principal.

“My name is Valerie Forest. I wish to see the principal. I did try to make an appointment earlier, and the teacher who accepted my call said that I can come and see you today.” The principal nodded before letting me inside his office.

“Do forgive me about what happened earlier. Mayor Zora’s child has been giving us a lot of trouble. His behavior is something I haven’t seen before. It’s no wonder that no school and even the academy were willing to take him in. I made a mistake.” Mayor must have threatened this man.

“Some people tend to use their influence without thinking of the consequences. Normally those who flaunt their power have a little bit of luck gaining a desirable title. Don’t be afraid, sir. Even the mayor has someone he needs to obey.” The principal smiled as he listened to my words.

“Is there a reason for the lady to be here? Is there something wrong with the paperwork? I can fix it immediately.” I shake my head no.

“I am here to know if my niece and nephew were bullied when they were still a student of your school. There’s no need to hide anything from me. I want to make sure what happened here. That is all.” The principal seems surprised.

“Gloria Serrano was not involved in any physical violence from the students. But it does affect her mind since she has to listen to such mean words by the students. Every time the teachers tried to uphold justice, it just got worse. For Lawrence Serrano, he was involved in a more serious case in which he once had to be admitted into the hospital for his injury. His late parents’ tried to file a police report, but as you know, the police disregarded their report and acted as nothing had happened.” I see. Something did happen to Lawrence, after all.

“Is it possible for you to give me the name of the students that were involved?” The principal shook his head no.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t expose confidential information to others. I’m sorry.” Well, it’s what I had expected.

“Lawrence was such a wise kid. He has a talent for art. It will go to waste if he refuses to go to school. Perhaps the lady could help him. Maybe he will change his mind with a new living environment.” The principal smiled.

“I will do that.” Now that I know something happened at school, it’s time for me to visit the police station. I’m sure my brother-in-law and sister did give them a list of names.

Maybe I should call a friend who works at the station for help. That man did owe me a favor.

***

“Where were you? Do you know what time it is?” I sighed the moment I stepped inside my room. Raven is standing in front of the mirror while putting on some night cream on her face.

“I went to the children's old school and then to the police station.” I placed my things on the table before sitting on a bench while taking off my watch.

“You went to their old school? Why?” I shrugged my shoulder.

“I was just curious about what happened to the kids. It turns out both Gloria and Lawrence had a tough time before.” I sighed before handing my watch to Raven.

“Why did you go to the station?” Raven asked while putting my watch on the dressing table.

“Because Horace and Cleo tried to file a report after Lawrence got injured by someone while he was at school. But the police didn’t care and brushed them off because they thought it was just kids playing around. That’s why I made a phone call to Brian.” Raven raised an eyebrow.

“Brian? What did he say?”

“Brian said he’s going to talk to the officer who was on duty the day my sister filed for the report. He will find out why the officer didn’t take the case.” Raven hummed.

“Do you want me to make the bathwater for you?” I shook my head no before taking off my clothes and placing them in the laundry basket.

“Damn, dear. Did you work out?” Work out? I’ve been so busy with my project that I even care about my health.

“Not really. Why? Do you want to join me in the bathroom?” I winked before walking towards the bathroom. As I was putting some scent into the tub, I heard the bathroom door open.

“You’re going to join me?” I asked without looking back.

“What happened?” Raven suddenly asked.

“There is a huge bruise on your back. What happened when you were out with Brian today?” Bruise? Wait- there’s a bruise on my back?!

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” I was about to enter the tub when Raven grabbed my hand and turned me around.

“Valerie, tell me what happened.” It seems I can’t let this matter go.

“I was waiting for Brian at the waiting area when a fight suddenly broke, and I was on the way. I am not hurt. Don’t worry, alright.” I patted my wife’s cheek before kissing her on the lips.

“Who was fighting?” I shrugged.

“Two guys were yelling at each other, and from what I heard, one of the guys accidentally hit the other guy’s car, and from that, it led to something else. It doesn’t hurt at all, though. Now, may I?” I was referring to my bath.

“Alright. I hope you’re not lying to me, dear.” I watched as Raven walked out of the bathroom before looking at myself through the mirror.

My wife will soon find out that I was lying to her. I bet right now she is on the phone with Brian. But it wasn’t my fault- that woman was annoying, and she asked for it. I didn’t know that woman would use a weapon to hit me. Luckily Brian was there and arrested the woman immediately.

Anyway, I hope Brian managed to find the information I needed. The kid who hurt Lawrence needs to pay for what he did. It doesn’t make sense to me why Cleo didn’t ask for my help. That woman should have called me!

I closed my eyes as I soaked my body in the tub. It’s been a while since I left the comfort of my home and drove around the city. But at least I get to know more about the kids. But of course, this old body of mine doesn’t like that I’m using too much energy today.

I think I’m going to suffer tomorrow morning. Before I decided to sleep in the tub, I got off and dried myself using the towel before walking out of the bathroom.

“Raven?” Where is she? Is she on the balcony?

“You’re drinking?” Raven hummed. I went to the closet and wore night attire before joining my wife on the balcony.

“Gloria made friends with Emma Bradley. I thought you would like to know that.” Emma Bradley? From Bradley Winery?

“The Bradley family is not a bad choice to make friends with, though.” Raven nodded

“Gloria was so excited and started to tell me what happened at school today. That girl didn’t expect everyone was willing to introduce themselves to her. That child- why do I feel that she seems too traumatized but what happened at her old school? What exactly happened to her?” I began to tell Raven what the teacher and principal told me.

Raven suddenly slammed her glass on the railing when she heard what had happened to Lawrence.

“Those bastards!” I placed a hand on my wife’s shoulder.

“Calm yourself.” Raven sighed.

“Why didn’t Cleo say anything to us?“ I shrugged. Cleo must have her reason.

“Anyway, we should go back in. I’m tired, and I want to sleep in your arms.” I took my wife’s hand and pulled her inside the bedroom.

“I called Brian earlier. That woman who hit you will pay for what he did. Also, how dare you lie to me.” I was right all along.

This woman- nothing can’t get past her. Nothing!