The Princess & The Pauper

Sacrifices

KARINA’S POV

It was a good call for me to come back and find Isabella and her friend in the hallway. If I didn’t, Gabriel might do something he shouldn’t have to Isabella.

“How is your arm?” I asked as we walked towards the principal office.

“It’s fine. I tried to cover up the bruise with make-up. As long as my parents aren’t involved in my mess, I’m fine with it.” I sighed.

“The principal wants to know the truth about the video. Should I enter the principal office with you?” If I have to be honest, I don’t trust that principal to be alone with Isabella; not after the video went viral. I’m sure that old man saw the video.

“The principal has been acting weird. I don’t think it’s wise of you to be alone with him in a room together.” Isabella abruptly stops.

“What is wrong with that old man? Why would he act weird? Did he saw the video?” I shake my head since I am not sure about it.

“But it’s best to be careful now that it’s too late to stop the video from spreading within the students of Mercywood.” My mother’s idea was to use the video we took at the homeless shelter to cover Isabella’s embarrassing video. I’m sure Isabella was in love with that man.

But still, Isabella’s expression in that video was just a chef’s kiss. What a time to be a man, huh? Is it? I shouldn’t say stuff like this. That man humiliated my love interest. Although Isabella do t know about the crush I have for her, there is no harm in helping her out.

Besides, she is single now.

“Karina, I don’t want to be alone with the principal.” I smiled before placing my hand on her shoulder.

“I know,” I said before accompanying Isabella to the principal office. As we arrived, the principal seemed to be confused to see me with Isabella.

“I never recall calling Miss Delvaux to be here, though. May I help you?” I smiled.

“My friend just had a trauma. I am here as moral support. Miss Knox doesn’t want to be alone after what happened.” The principal seemed disappointed for some reason when I said I’ll be here the Isabella. My guesses were correct all along.

This man is trying to do something to his student.

“I’m sure you know why you’re here, Miss Knox. The video that was recently viral caught a lot of attention from other schools as well. I hate to say this, but after what just happened, we can’t let you lead the cheer team to the championship.” I can see the disappointment in Isabella’s eyes. Isabella scoffed.

“After what I have been doing for the team, you want to revoke our participation in the championship? Isn’t that too cruel, sir?” The principal sighed.

“I’m sorry, Miss Knox. But that’s what the school agreed to do. I acknowledge your hard work for the team, but your reputation is tarnished. We can’t let someone who had their video spread lead the team. It doesn’t do any good for the school’s stature.” Isabella sighed.

“What if I leave the team? Will you still let the team compete? My teammates have been practising like crazy for the past few weeks. I don’t want any of their hard work going through the drain.” The principal thinks for a moment before giving his verdict.

“If you leave the team, I will let your team attend the championship.” No!

“Then I shall leave the team. Please let the team compete.” Wait! No!

“Hold on! What are you’d saying? You’ve been doing your best for the championship! You’re not even at fault here! It was Gabriel who spread the video! If there’s anyone you should punish, it’s Gabriel!” I raised my voice at the principal.

“Miss Delvaux, remember that I am still the principal, and you’re just a student here in my school.” I scoffed.

“Says the man who got excited after watching a video of his students having s*x!” The principal stood up from his seat with anger visible in his expression.

“Even if you’re the daughter of a senator, that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want and expect your mother to cover it up! I’ve been a very patient man, Miss Delvaux. But what you said earlier is too much!” I was about to say something when Isabella pulled me back.

“Please forgive Miss Delvaux, sir. If that is all, please excuse us.” Isabella dragged me out from the principal office before I got to teach that old man a lesson or two.

“You should not have stopped me.” Isabella sighed.

“I know you’re trying to stop me, but you shouldn’t. At least the team could compete. Besides, I don’t mind. I know Lily can do it better than I ever could.” It’s not fair.

“Since you said it that way, I have nothing to say. But are you sure this is what you want?” Isabella shakes her head no.

“No- I think it’s not fair that I have to leave the cheerleading team all by myself. I think Gabriel should leave the football team as well. You mentioned that you have all dirt on him, right? Tell me some of it so I can get him to taste his own medicine.” I laughed.

“There’s a price for anything. What can you give me in exchange for that information?” Isabella sighed.

“I have nothing of that sort. I don’t have any money to give.” I chuckled.

“Not everything is about money. I do receive p*****t in forms of service as well. My grandfather is hosting a reunion party in a few weeks. Come with me as my plus one. That’s the only p*****t I want.” Isabella seems confused.

“That’s it?” I nodded.

“Alright. That’s simple enough.” I smiled.

“You didn’t even ask me where the reunion would be. Are you sure you’re alright with travelling to the other side of the world?” Isabella’s eyes widen.

“The other side of the world? Where exactly are you referring to?” I smiled.

“China.”

***

“Karina, are you busy?” That voice. I should have to ask Harry to drive me today. If Harry were here, I wouldn’t have met my father.

“I’m here to buy ice cream waffle. I didn’t expect to see a useless man instead.” I said while ignoring my father.

“Are you stalking me?” I asked before pulling my arm off when my father tried to touch me.

“Karina, please help your father. I haven’t been eating for a few days now. Aren’t you worried about your father’s health? Even your brother is in the hospital now. Aren’t you going to help us? We’re related by blood.” I sighed when people around us suddenly turned their attention to how mean I was to my father.

“Charles, you bc choose to cheat on my mother to be with my aunt. Now that you have a son with her, aren’t you happy? Oh wait- I know why you’re desperate to come back to my mother. Is it because grandfather doesn’t acknowledge aunt Gina as his firstborn daughter after what you two did to my mother?” And with that, I won this argument easily.

“Here.” I gave him a fifty bill.

“Buy some food for your son. I am still a human being even after what you did to my mother.” I smiled at the shopkeeper and paid her for my ice cream waffle before excusing myself.

“Karina! It’s not enough. Please give me more.” I sighed when I heard his voice yet again.

“What is wrong with you? Aren’t you embarrassed by yourself? Look at you- asking money from a seventeen-year-old as if I am the one supposed to provide for you!” Charles seemed aware of the public eyes on him when I raised my voice.

“Isn’t that too much, Karina? I am still your father! Didn’t your mother taught you how to respect your elderly?” I can’t believe this shameless man.

“You have no right to question my mother’s teaching. You’re not even that great of a father, to begin with. Now, if you can excuse me, I have other things to do than giving my money to you.” I turned my back to him and went straight to my car, where I drove to a nearby park to enjoy my ice cream.

“Mommy look- that girl’s ice cream is melting.” I turned to the child with nonchalant looks as I tried to find a place to sit at the park. I choose the wrong park to go to. Why is everyone bringing their brats to the park today?

“Nothings gonna change my desire to eat this ice cream.” I ate the ice cream in front of the child before his mother dragged him away from me. That’s right! Leave before I show undesirable behaviour a child shouldn’t see.

“What are you doing scaring children away?” I didn’t expect to see Maria here at the park.

“Maria? What are you doing here?” I asked before finishing my ice cream.

“I’m here with Sanchez. His little sister wants to play at the park. At first, I was contemplating whether you’re here, but when I heard what you said to the child, I know it’s you.” I see. Is that how people know it’s me? I thought I was beautiful enough for people to recognise.

“Where is Sanchez?” I asked before Maria showed me where Sanchez and his little sister were.

“They’re playing kite over there. I wanted to rest, so I was looking for a place to sit. Why are you here? I don’t think the only reason you’re here is to eat melting ice cream.” I sighed before telling Maria everything that had happened before I came to the park.

“Wow. So, your father, who leaves your mother, is trying to be part of the family again? Because of money?” I nodded. That’s one way to summarise everything.

“I’m tired of dealing with my father. I don’t know how did my mother ever fall for him. The only good thing that man ever done for me is when he shared his icky sperm and made me inside my mother.” Maria immediately covered my mouth when a group of children walking in front of us.

“What? Sooner or later, they’re going to learn about s*x education.” Maria suddenly apologised to the parents when they glared at us.

“Anyway, I’ve meant to ask, have you ever sleep with your boyfriend? Did you make sure he didn’t take any video?” I was genuinely concerned for Maria’s well being when I asked that.

But it seems Maria is the type to never talk about what’s happening behind closed doors.

“Karina, please stop.” I shrugged my shoulder.

“Is there any place to get water? I’m parched.” Maria nodded before leading me to a booth where they sell drinks.

“Pick some for Sanchez and his little sister. It’s my treat.” While I wait for Maria, I look around the park. As I was enjoying the view, I heard something not far from where we were.

“Hey! That’s mine!” A girl shouted to a group of boys.

“It’s mine now!” The boys pushed the girl down. At first, I ignored the child because I thought her parents would come and save the day, but no one came. That girl seems familiar to me.

“Go back to the ditch and die!” My eyes widened when I heard what the group of boys said.

“HEY!” I shouted over as I walked towards the girl.

“Wow! It’s the lady who came with Bella!” That explains why the child seems familiar. This child was one of the kids who were at the homeless shelter. What is she doing here alone?

“Did you came here without telling the adults?” The girl looks down.

“It’s my birthday, and I want to enjoy it at the park. I work hard for the money, but they took my crepe from me.” I messed up the child’s hair before telling her to follow me to where Maria was.

“Oh no! Did you kidnapped a child?” Maria was surprised when I came back with a child. I explained to her about the girl before paying for drinks.

“Come with me. We shall celebrate your birthday together. What do you think of that?” The child we’re surprised and immediately agree.

“Just a heads up, when a stranger came up to you and offered you anything, please don’t say yes like you did earlier.” The child nodded.

“But I know you. So it’s okay, right?” I smiled at the child.

“Yes. Anyway, what is your name?” I asked.

“Kathy.”

“Nice to meet you, Kathy. My name is Karina.” The child smiled.

“I know. I heard Bella shout for your name when you tell the other children about the importance of choosing the right weapon to use when we’re in an emergency.” Maria gasped beside me.

“Karina!” The child laughed.

“That’s exactly what Bella said!”