CHAPTER 4

MIRABEL

"What?" I uttered while staring at Tania.

She lifted her brow at me, asking, " Is there a problem, cupcake? Don't you want to help your friend?"

Her eyes dimming with desperation and evil, leaving my heart pounding with fear.

"Or are you having second thoughts about being on my team?" She questioned, taking her arm off my shoulder.

"No, it's nothing like that. I'm..." I stammered, watching Tania and her friends surround me like they were set for a battle.

This left me vibrating in fear.

"Then it's what? Aren't you going to help her? " Her friends questioned.

"I will," I answered immediately, seeing Tania''s eyes glitter with delight.

"I'm going to help you get Derek. I was just surprised about the offer, that's all," I lied, putting on a fake smile.

Tania and her girls giggled with delight, shaking hands with each other.

I just watched them, being the odd one out, as they jubilated over my decision.

"I knew you would say yes to me. I love Derek so much and I'll make you my P. A if you can make this work fast," She proposed further, patting me on my head.

I noticed her girls staring in shock at her words. She's giving me a position higher than theirs.

"Just don't delay sugar. You have just a week for this. Good luck," Tania said, smirking at me.

Both Tania and her friends left my side, chuckling as they walked away.

I turned around, watching them leave.

Her proposal rang in my head while I made my way out of the school.

"Get Derek to be her boyfriend? I... I can't do that. What have I done? Why did I agree to this?" I panicked, leaving school.

When I got home, I couldn't even eat my meal without thinking about Tania's proposal.

"She wants me to get Derek to be her boyfriend? How do I do that? " I wondered, playing with my meal with the cutlery.

"But this is an opportunity for me to be among Tania's team. If I can get Derek to love her, she'll accept me in her group. It's going to be so cool."

I began imagining myself dressing like Tania and the others with students respecting me.

It's all I've ever wanted.

But if I want to achieve this, I have to get Derek to be her boyfriend.

"And what about me? " I asked, reminding myself of the feelings I've kept in me just for Derek.

"Can I do this? This is someone I love so much, and Tania wants him for herself. Do I really want to do this?"

I was lost in my thoughts that I failed to notice my mother standing close, staring right at me.

"Are you okay? " Mom asked, sitting next to me at the dinning table.

Her voice brought me out of my thoughts, as I planted a fake smile on my face to get her off track.

"Yes, I'm fine Mom, " I answered.

"Are you sure? I hope nothing bad happened at school?"

"No, nothing bad happened," I lied, facing my meal.

She hummed, saying, " Mirabel, if anyone is troubling you at school, just tell me."

"I promise Mom. No one is troubling me at all. I'm fine, " I said, trying to get her to believe me.

But from the look on her face, I could tell she didn't buy my words.

She just smiled at me, facing her meal.

After dinner, I went to my room to rest, taking out my diary to note down my experience today and how Derek saved me from Tania's wrath.

"Now I'm stuck with the proposal made by Tania. What should I do?" I noted down asking myself that question.

My mind went to the night Derek and I made love together. I could feel butterflies dancing in me, before it was replaced with bitterness at Derek's cruel behavior towards me.

With a sad face, I noted down my pains and how I wish to forget that night.

"What's the need of harboring this feeling when the one I love is going to be my stepbrother soon?" I sighed, bowing my head sadly.

"You have no choice, Mirabel. Remember what Derek told you. Accept your new life. Just get Derek and Tania together and become a member of Tania's group," I decided, accepting reality.

.

The weekend finally came. I sat at home in my room, thinking of how to execute my plans. Only for Mom to come knocking at my door, calling out to me.

"Are you ready?" She asked, stepping into my room.

"Ready? For what?" I asked.

"Silly girl. You mean to say you forgot what we discussed yesterday?" She asked, lifting her brow at me with her arms crossed.

I was completely lost, trying to remember what exactly we discussed.

That's when Mom shared with me.

"I'm traveling on a business trip with my boss and coworkers. I told you that you'll be staying with your stepfather and step brother till I'm back."

"What?!" I was stunned to hear this.

Where was I when she was saying all these?

"Get your things ready, fast. You are really something. I was thinking you'd have gotten your bags ready."

Mom left the room, giving me thrity minutes to get myself ready.

I was still in shock, realizing that I'll be spending my time with Derek until Mom returns.

"With Derek? Oh gosh!" I felt my body vibrating.

Listening to my mother's words, I got myself ready to go and stay with my stepfather and Derek.

We got into the car heading for Hallman's mansion.

"Make sure you behave yourself there. I promise to get you something from my trip." She giggled.

I frowned, telling her to stop treating me like a kid.

"I'm a big girl, Mom," I groaned while she laughed.

Mom arrived outside Mr Hallaman's mansion. I was shocked to see the height of the beautiful mansion, gazing like a dullard.

Mom handed me my bag, as we both stepped outside the car.

"This is your stepfather's home. Isn't it lovely?" She asked.

"Yeah." I stared on, until I noticed two bodyguards at the door of the mansion, opening the door.

That's when I spotted Derek stepping out with his father.

It got my heart racing on seeing his handsomeness.