The Princess & The Pauper

True Colours

ISABELLA’S POV

“Are you a good kisser?” What kind of question was that? I’m beginning to regretting greeting this girl the moment I arrived at Maria’s party.

“My boyfriend seems satisfied, so I guess I am.” Karina chuckled.

“Your boyfriend is lucky to have you then.” Karina crossed her legs while taking a few sips of her drink. I hate to admit this, but this girl is too beautiful for her good. Every gesture she made gaining a lot of attention from people around us.

“I don’t understand why everyone acted like an i***t whenever they saw you. You’re not even that hot, to begin with, and why would the guys be staring at you even though they knew you’re gay?” Karina chuckled at my question.

“Because they thought they could change me. I’ve met all kinds of people while I was in Grimcross. That is why I took martial arts.” Huh?

“What do you mean?” Karina smiled.

“Sometimes, men and women tend to force themselves onto someone. It’s easy to prevent that when you know how to protect yourself.” Hmm, I guess so.

“So I suggest that you should learn as well. There’s no harm in getting yourself ready for anything.” Hmmm, maybe. Since I always have the night shift.

“I haven’t seen Maria anywhere.” Karina pointed out.

“I saw her just moments ago with her boyfriend. I’m guessing they’re greeting the guests. It must be nice to have their parents consent before dating each other.” Karina laughed.

“Didn’t you get your family’s consent before dating your boyfriend?” I shake my head no.

“Why didn’t you?” How should I explain my situation?

“Because I know my mother will never allow me to date him?” Karina chuckled.

“If you know that your mother would never allow it, why did you choose him to be your boyfriend?” I forgot the reason myself.

“I don’t know. Maybe because he’s handsome? I don’t know.” Karina laughed at me.

“You seems to be having fun over there.” Karina waved her hand before smiling at Maria.

“Karina! You made it. I’m sorry for not greeting you sooner. My cousins were destroying my mother’s garden back there, and I have to stop him before my mother suffer a heart attack.” Karina smiled at Maria before giving Maria a gift.

“Happy birthday. I don’t know if this gift is adequate, but I hope you like it.” Maria thanked Karina and told her to enjoy the party.

“I’m surprised that you’re here, Isabella. Aren’t you going to be with Gabriel? I saw him talking to Sanchez not long ago.” Huh? When did Gabriel leave the hospital? I thought his injury needed more time to heal.

“I didn’t know that he’s here. Karina, I have to excuse myself. I’ll see you later.” Karina nodded before I excused myself and found Gabriel. Maria said he was with Sanchez, right?

“Hey Sanchez, did you see where Gabriel went to?” Sanchez pointed at the backyard.

“He was hungry, and I told him to go to where the barbecue is.” I smiled and went to the backyard. As I was on my way to see my boyfriend, my eyes landed on a scene I hate to see the most.

Why is Gabriel talking with Marisa in such a friendly manner? And why did Marisa put her hands on my boyfriend’s chest like that?!

“It seems you’ve been fishing again.” I raised an eyebrow as I made myself known to both Gabriel and Marisa.

“This is not what you think it is. I was telling Marisa about-,” I raised my hand to Gabriel before facing Marisa. I know this is not the first time they have met. The students have been gossiping about Gabriel and Marisa meeting in secret for quite some time now. Lily even gave me a picture of them kissing each other! But I was too stupid to realise that I should end my relationship with Gabriel.

What happened moments ago was the final straw.

“I’m tired of this. You can have him.” Gabriel suddenly grabbed my arm and turned me around.

“What are you saying?! No! I love you!” I released my arm from Gabriel’s hold.

“You do? Then why do you keep meeting this girl in secret behind my back?” Gabriel tried to justify himself, but I was tired of hearing his reason. Marisa is not the only girl that he’s been seeing. Why did it take me this long to realise that Gabriel was using me?

Even after his mother continuously talking s**t about me, I still endure them because of this boy. I’m such an i***t.

“I will never allow you to leave me!” Gabriel grabbed my arm once again.

“It hurts! Let me go! Gabriel!” Gabriel pulled my arm as hard as he led me away from the backyard.

“Hey! Let me go! You’re hurting me!” I tried to pull myself back, but Gabriel was too strong for me. I don’t know what happened, but as I saw Gabriel fell face down on the ground, I felt someone’s arms around my shoulder.

“The lady said to let go. Are you deaf?” It’s Karina. How did she get here so fast?

“You b***h! Don’t you know who I am!” Gabriel was surprised to see Karina standing next to me.

“I do. But do you know who I am?” Gabriel kept his gaze down as Karina walked towards him.

“I despise men like you the most—men who think it’s okay for them to treat their party like garbage. You reminded me of my father, who I hate the most in this world. Congratulation- you join the ranks of all the rest.” Karina pushed Gabriel’s head before turning her back to him.

“Should I tell Harry to kick him out together with that tramp?” I chuckled when Karina called Marisa a tramp in front of all the guests. Even Maria was holding her laughter.

“I can’t make that decision. It’s Maria’s party, after all.” Karina turned to Maria.

“You’re going to regret this!” Gabriel said before leaving Maria’s party.

“Should I be scared?” Karina asked while smirking.

***

I didn’t expect anyone to talk about my break-up with Gabriel. The moment I arrived at school this morning, everyone seemed to be staring at me.

“Lily- why is everyone staring at me like they haven’t seen me before?” Lily seems to be worried for no reason.

“Didn’t you look at the school’s website this morning? Your video went viral.” My video?

“What video?” Lily showed me her phone. I was confused at first, but when I saw the video of Gabriel and me together, my heart dropped.

“How- no! This is- how did- why is this video even here?! He said he wouldn’t take any -,” that bastard lied to me! Is this why everyone seems to be wary of me?!

“The video went viral. Students from other schools saw this video and even commented mean things about you. Bella, there’s a huge chance that your family know about this too. The championship is around the corner, and I don’t know if the school would let us compete.” Thus- it’s not fair! Our team has been practising like mad, and I even got us a sponsorship!

Gabriel- how could you do this to me?! I was the victim! You cheated on me!

“Wow! You have some technic. Kudos, Isabella.” It is not the right time to joke around, though. Why is Karina here?

“Are you watching the video of me sucking Gabriel off?” Karina nodded.

“Gabriel took a video of you without your consent. That’s against the law.” Karina suddenly said.

“I had called my lawyer. He will fix this matter by today. Don’t worry too much.” Karina smiled before winking at me. Huh? Wait!

“Wait! What did you say?” Karina sighed.

“My lawyer will help you to deal with this matter. Don’t worry too much.” Karina patted my shoulder before smiling at Lily.

“Why are you doing this? We don’t even know each other that well?” Karina smiled.

“Because I hate to see people suffer because they were falsely accused of something they have no idea about. It happened to my family once, and it almost ruined my mother. I understand how you feel right now. And I know how hard it was to continue living without anyone’s help. So, Isabella, don’t worry. I will help you.” I- I know this girl has other motives she’s trying to hide.

“What’s the price for your help?” I asked. Karina smiled before shrugging her shoulder.

“For now, I am doing what I can as your friend.” I was about to say something when Karina’s phone started to ring. Karina excused herself from receiving the call.

“The video is gone.” Lilly suddenly announce.

“What do you mean?” I asked and looked at her phone together.

“The video disappeared from the school’s website. Even the trend words changed to,” change to what? My eyes widen when a picture of Karina and her mother at the shelter suddenly arises at the most trending topic.

“It changed to Karina and her mother volunteering at the homeless shelter. There’s even a video of you and Karina at the shelter suddenly uploaded to the school website! How did this happen?” That girl- she is frightening!

“Ah- did you like the video I posted on the school website?” Karina smiled as she walked back to us after her call.

“How- how did you do that?” Karina chuckled before showing me the money symbol.

“Money is everything. Besides, I’m the motherfucking princess.” My eyes widened when this girl cursed in front of me.

“Don’t act like a saint. I know you’ve curse before; when you saw my house.” Karina winked before leaving me alone with Lily.

“I don’t know what else to say to you except for this; did something happened when you went to her home?” I shake my head no.

“Nothing happened except for her mother accepted me with open arms and a dating aunt who thinks we’re together. But Karina explained to her mother and aunt that we’re not together.” Lily was about to say something when she suddenly pulled me towards her.

“What do you want?!” Lily suddenly shouted when Gabriel appeared.

“You must be quite happy knowing that our video was taken down. But don’t worry, I have more than that video in my hands. I’m sure you know what kind of things we’ve done, and I have all of it in film.” Gabriel smirked. This bastard! I want to kill him!

“I advise that you’d too harassing my friend and think about yourself. You may not know this, but the person who took the video down was Karina. If that girl can change the trending search engine within minutes, I’m sure Karina can find dirt on you within seconds.” Gabriel scoffed.

“Why didn’t she then? That means she doesn’t know what she’s doing! Don’t think that you have the senator daughter on your side; you’re free to do whatever you want to me! Isabella, you’re mine. Come back to me, and I won’t spread more of your videos to the public. Aren’t you worried that your family know about this?” This bastard is too much!

“That is too much, Gabriel! You should leave before I use my hand to teach you a lesson!” I threatened, which only made Gabriel laughed.

“Did you just tried to threaten me? Oh, darling, I know you too well! You’re fierce, but you don’t have the guts to do anything!”

“Isabella may don’t have the guts to do anything, but I am willing to change your future if you continue to harass my friend.” Gabriel didn’t realise that Karina was standing behind him.

“Isabella, the principal wants to see you. Come with me.” Gabriel was about to reached out to me when Karina slapped his hand away before touching me.

“If you touch my friend, I will not hesitate to make you pay for breaking her heart. Keep a distance from Isabella or else.” Karina’s voice seems different when she utters the last sentences. Gabriel scoffed before leaving us alone.

“Thank you.” Karina smiled.

“Your welcome. Let’s go.” Wait, I thought she was just trying to lead me away from Gabriel. Why is the principal asking for me? Is it because of the video?! Will that old man call my parents?