❣️LOVE IN THE ELITES’ WORLD❣️
🌏🌏Her new world 🌎 🌏
📖📖CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 1️⃣8️⃣
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❣️❣️The battle line…❣️❣️
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Story by: SUC WRITES
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Paulina and Sophia were fast asleep late in the morning, they spent all night chattering away so they slept late but a hard knock on the door jabbed them off from bed.
Sophia wobbled her feet to go open the door wondering why her parents were knocking so early which was unlike them. They normally leave her to come out whenever she wants. She let out a sigh, hoping it’s not to please Paulina again.
She opened the door to see her mother.
“Is Lina still asleep?” Her mother asked.
“Mummy, what?” Sophia grumbled.
“Chairman Stanford is in the living room.” Her mother whispered, and Sophia’s eyes widened in shock.
*
Paulina slept so well all night, she haven’t slept that soundly at her supposed father’s house, but going to the living room to see her father made her realize that his house seems to be actually were she belonged now.
“Good morning, sir.” She and Sophia greeted when they got to the living room,, and chairman Stanford embraced her immediately, surprising everyone.
“Paulina, I’m glad you are fine.” He muttered, patting her back gently.
They disengaged later, and they all sat down.
“I’m very thankful to you, Mr., and Mrs…”. Chairman Stanford said.
“Wilson.” The couples chorused.
“Mr., and Mrs. Wilson.” Mrs. Wilson added, and Mr. Wilson gave the chairman his card.
“Oh… thank you so much for accommodating, Paulina. It really means a lot to me.” Chairman Stanford said.
“Don’t mention it at all, Mr. Chairman.” The couples chorused, and both laughed.
“Lina here… and my daughter are close friends, they are like siblings, sisters to be precise. She is also like a daughter to us, so this is her house. She is welcome here at any time, right honey ?@ Mrs. Wilson said, and her husband nodded along.
“Of course, she is always welcomed here.” Mr. Wilson added.
“I sincerely appreciate. I wish there could be a way to express my gratitude.” Chairman Stanford said.
“Of course, there is always a way.” The couples chorused, and laughed again.
“Mention it, and it’s done.” Chairman Stanford said.
“There..-“. They both said, and looked at themselves.
“There is no need for that, sir. As we said earlier, Lina is like a daughter to us… but since you insist..-“ Mr. Wilson was saying, and his wife cut in.
“…-Mr. Chairman, we’re not asking for too much. If you could just put in a word for us to have access to the coming parents- students dinner. That’s all.” She said, and her husband looked at her.
“What dinner is that?” Her husband grumbled.
“The grande dinner that holds in holland high every year. I heard the president is one of the honorable guests attending this year.”
“Oh, oh, you don’t mean it.”
“What do you even know?” She teased.
“But why request to attend that?” He asked
“You know nothing.” She blurted, and the chairman cleared his throat to get their attention.
“Mr. Chairman!” They both chorused, and bowed while the kids let her a sigh. Sophia chuckled and winked at her mother who winked back.
“The dinner is only accessible for parents in holland high school.” Chairman Stanford said.
“Yes, we know.” They both chorused.
“Actually… our daughter is also a student at the school, but she is in the regular class… and only parents with children in the supreme class are invited. But if you could use your influence to put in some words for us, let my husband and I be an exemption. We promise to behave!” She said, and clapped her hand’s together feigning a pleading look.
“Is that what you want?” Chairman Stanford asked, and her eyes brightened.
“Yes!” She said.
“No!” Her husband shouted, and they all looked at him.
“Sweetheart, what are you saying? That’s what we want.” She said, pitching him discreetly.
He adjusted away from her side a little and composed himself.
“Mr. Chairman, if you could make our shopping mall one of your suppliers district…” He said, and paused. “I would forever be grateful to you!” He shouted, and startling them.
“Yes, sir. We’d appreciate that as well.” His wife added laughing sarcastically.
“I really appreciate your hospitality, so that won’t be a problem.” Chairman Stanford said.
“Thanks a log, sir.” The couples chorused.
“Don’t mention. We’ll be on our way now.” Chairman Stanford said, and stood up.
“Yes, Mr. Chairman. But I’d appreciate if you could give us your business card, you already have mine, but we might just…”. Mr. Willson shuddered.
“Yes, I should.” Chairman Stanford said, and gave him his card. “Just give me a call, so I can fix an appointment for us to discuss better.”
“Oh, of course, sir. I would do that immediately.” Mr. Wilson said.
“Mr. Chairman, I hope you didn’t forget our first request?” Mrs. Wilson said.
“What first request?” Mr. Wilson blurted, eyeing her.
“I’ll see to that as well, I’ll contact chairman Russ.” Chairman Stanford said.
“Oh, you will contact the school chairman? Thank you so much sir.” Mrs. Wilson shouted, and the couples bowed.
Chairman Stanford left later with Paulina after thanking the couples again.
The family giggled after they left, and Mr. Wilson started kissing chairman Stanford’s card.
“This is the key to our never ending success.” Mr. Wilson muttered in gratitude.
“We should frame the business card, and hang it up. Who could believe a day like this will come when we will receive a direct business card from the chairman of First Group, not to talk of having his audience.” Mrs. Wilson said.
“Mummy, hanging that means sharing the contact.” Sophia said.
“Oh, yeah, you are right. Sweetheart, we should keep this safe.” Mrs. Wilson said.
“What’s that your request for? A dinner party?” Mr. Wilson said.
“What are you saying? Attending that dinner is a pure connection. It’s a free pass to a gathering of conglomerates.” She said, and Mr. Wilson eyes widened in realization.
“Yes, you are right.” He shouted.
“Daddy, you don’t have to shout.” Sophia whined.
“Let him shout. This is the reason we sent you to holland high, our sacrifice yield after all.” Mrs. Wilson said, and breathe out in relief.
“Sophie, continue to be good to Lina, ok?” Mr. Wilson said.
“Yes, daddy. She is my best friend.”
“That’s good.” Mr. Wilson muttered.
“I need to book an appointment with a famous designer before the dinner. How does LY sounds?” Mrs. Wilson asked.
“Cool!” Sophia muttered, an winked. “Mummy, I’ll also get to attend, right?”
“Of course. It’s a parent-students dinner.” Her mother said, and they both giggled.
“Must you design your outfit from LY? You tried it last time but failed to book an appointment.” Mr. Wilson said.
“That’s why I would do it earlier now till I get the appointment. She is the designer that designs chairman Russ’s wife outfit during the unveiling of their new company in Los Angeles last year.” Mrs. Wilson said.
“How did you know? We aren’t even there.” Mr. Wisdom said, in bewilderment.
“You don’t even know anything.” Mother and daughter giggled, and laughed.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He grumbled.
“You know nothing, daddy.” Sophia teased, and her mother giggled.
**
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The ride to the Stanford’s mansion was in silence, the chairman felt too embarrassed to talk to her after his c0wardice act the other day. Thankfully, he asked his secretary to tail her after she left that way he was able to easily know where she was.
*
CHAIRMAN STANFORD’S MANSION ^**
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They went to the living room, and Paulina stood next to her father ready to get an earful from Ms. Grace.
Chairman Stanford showed her the message on Ms. Grace’s phone. In the message, an anonymous person threatened to post an article with her picture, a picture of when the thug held her hand in that rural area. The picture was properly edited that it looks like she was smiling. He threaten her to pay a certain amount, otherwise they will expose her identity as the adopted daughter of the Stanford’s family who is leading a carefree life.
“This isn’t true.” Paulina muttered, in tears. She already knew that it was plotted by Ava, but she doubted if they will believe her.
“Who cares about the truth? The election is behind the corners, and you are trying to ruin my reputation.” Ms. Grace shouted, and slapped her.
“Grace, that’s enough. I thought we discussed this last night, let’s hear Paulina out at least.” Chairman Stanford said.
“What does she has for say? Either it’s true or not, it won’t change anything.” Ms. Grace lashed.
“Even if you believe me or not, things like this will keep on happening.” Paulina shouted, and they both looked at her – that was the first time she will ever be that bold. She was also awed by her sudden confidence, but she realized that it either she speak up now or allow them trample over her because no one will speak up for her.
“What did you say? Did you just lashed at me?” Ms. Grace muttered in disbelief.
“It’s all Ava’s doing, even if I want to live quietly, she is always looking for a way to get rid of me. Either you believe me or not, she locked me up in a strange room weeks ago, and set me up in that trap as well. It’s all her doings, your daughter is the one who wants to ruin your election.” With that she ran to her room.
“That little…”. Ms. Grace grumbled within clenched teeth’s staring at her retreating back.
*
Paulina went to her room and broke down in tears. With everything that happened today, she realized that she would continue to have a difficult life if she doesn’t start speaking up for herself, because obviously her so-called father is scared of his wife.
She sobbed on her pillow missing her mother, and also wondering how her mother got involved with such people. She was in another world in her thoughts when she heard a knock on the door.
She muttered a response and composed herself thinking it was the maid, but she was surprised when her father walked in – that was his first time in her room.
“Paulina, can you explain what you meant by everything was Ava’s doing?” He asked, and she glared at him.
“What will telling you change?” She lashed, and his eyes widened in shock.
“Paulina…”
“The few weeks I spent here made me realize that you have no say, you can’t even fight for me when your wife was trampling all over me. Why do I’ve to live like this at my supposed father’s house?”
“Paulina…”
“I don’t care about whatever history you had with my mother, but now I could see clearly. You c0wardly abandoned my mum to suffer, and you brought me here so your wife could control me. I hate you, I don’t want to have a father like you. I never wish to have a father like you. I want to leave this house.” She cried, and wrapped herself on her bed.
Chairman Stanford stood there unable to utter a word, no matter how harsh her words might sound, they were all true. He abandoned Charlotte to be with Grace, and he still failed to protect his daughter from Grace. He left the room later without uttering a word, and Paulina cried herself to sleep. She needed someone to vent on, and her so-called father was the fit person, yet, he didn’t try to deny any of it, neither did he tried to comfort her.
*
Chairman Stanford and Ms. Grace didn’t summon Paulina for discuss anything again till the weekend fly by. Paulina didn’t leave her room either, she always instruct the maids to bring her food to her room because she wasn’t ready to face any of them – a father who can’t stand up for her, her stepmother who is more concerned about her political career, and her half-sister who is determined to get rid of her, regardless the consequences.
**
HOLLAND HIGH SCHOOL ^^^
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Paulina emerged the hallway heading to the elevator and the few students she passed by pointed fingers at her mumbling words to themselves. She didn’t pay attention to them until she saw some pictures on the floor. She picked one of it, and was startled to see the same picture her stepmother showed her. She instantly understood what all the stares were about, and she started picking up the pictures until she got to the elevator entrance, and saw a big poster on the wall with the picture boldly displayed and many hates comments.
She let out a sigh and wanted to rip it off, but then she was surrounded by many students.
👤”You piece of trash, leave out school.”
👤”She is a cheap sIut”
👤”She is a wh0re.”
The students shouted, throwing things at her and she tried to dodge it all until they stopped.
S he looked up later, and saw Ava and her friends standing in front of her.
“Shame on you, Lina. A cheap sIut like you can never be rebranded. You still retuned back to where you belonged.” Lia mocked.
“Your cover has been blown, Lina. I couldn’t believe I almost became friends with the likes of you.” Alicia blurted.
“Why? Must you take it this far?” Paulina managed to say, she was already torn to the core and felt so helpless.
“I want you gone, Lina. I’m going to dig out all your dirty acts fill you are gone completely. Out of this school, out of my house, and completely out of my sight!” Ava blurted.
👤”What? She lives at Ava’s house?”
👤”What a shameless peasant.”
👤 “She is such a parasite.”
👤”She is leaching off the Stanford’s.”
The students mumbled, and Paulina looked around hoping someone will stand up for her, but there was no one. Everyone around was throwing shades, and glaring at her.
She closed her eyes as tears streamed down her face. She was tired of everything, and she just wished to disappear as Ava wanted. The students continue to insult her, and started throwing things at her and she closed her eyes to take it all, until they stopped, and everywhere became awkwardly silent.
“How dare you all do this to her?” She heard a familiar voice shouted, and she opened her eyes to see the MASS. “Lina, are you ok?” Michael asked worriedly, and embraced her.
Everyone around gasped, and she was equally surprised until she remembered their agreement, and she immediately made up her mind to take advantage of their agreement as much as she could – she have Michael, and no one can dare step on her if she was by his side – not any students in school, neither students in the supreme class, and not even Ava and her friends.
He released from the embrace later, and tuned to everyone angrily.
“I told you all that she is special to me, I warned you all against bullying her, so how dare you…”. He shouted, starling everyone, including his friends.
“What do you know about her to tag her as someone special do you? Look at this, are you aware that she missed her flight to hang out with her fellow loser?” Ava blurted, and threw the pictures at him while everyone gasped.
“This? Is this all you got?” He mocked.
“Mike, that girl is a piece of trash, why are you defending her?” Lia shouted.
“Because I was with her that day.” He said, and everyone started mumbling words. “We missed the flight because we were together. If you don’t believe me, you can confirm anyhow you can. Lina and I missed the fight, because we were together that day.” He said, and everyone gasped, including his friends.
“Ava, you still have to explain how you got these pictures and how your mother almost got blackmailed by it. I was lured out to town by Alicia, and almost got attacked by some thugs, but thankfully I was able to escape. You will have to explain how you got those pictures, and the story you attached to it because Mike and I were together after the incident, we both missed our flight because we were together. If this is your way to get rid of me, then you still have a long way to go because I’m going nowhere, and mind you, if you keep this on, I would careless about the contract I signed, neither your mother election. You know what I meant by that, remember – I’ve got nothing to lose.” Paulina blurted, to everyone surprise.
“How dare you…”. Ava shuddered.
“Let’s go, Mikey.” Paulina said, grabbing Micheal’s hand, and everyone gasped, including his friends.
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TO BE CONTINUED…
