HIDE AND SEEK

The ballroom was filled with the sweet, heavy scent of wine. Massive crystal chandeliers illuminated the room, which buzzed with the low roar of conversation. CEOs, presidents, and chairmen with powerful names-stood by their tables, wine glasses in hand.

I stood beside the entrance, my pulse fluttering with a nervous energy that was quickly balanced by pure excitement. I walked toward the main stage where my family waited. Rian reached out, helping me up.

THE LOOK IN HIS EYES.

I drank in the satisfaction of watching him. A storm of anger, sorrow, and denial swirled across his face.

I LOVED IT.

I MADE IT.

I had won. He had lost the battle to become the next heir of the Chalin Company-the Chalin Empire.

My grandfather, the current Chairman of Chalin, stood and took the microphone. He announced me as the next heir. The silence of the room was shattered by a sudden, thunderous wave of applause. I was startled for a moment, but my excitement drowned out everything else.

"RUTH."

I turned my head, searching for the source of the voice.

"RUTH!"

There it was again. I scanned the room, but I couldn't find the speaker. It was strange; everyone was still clapping with frozen smiles on their faces. It felt as if no one could hear that voice but me.

"RUTH!"

This time it was a roar. I twisted my head in every direction, the voice filling my skull until I couldn't breathe. I squeezed my eyes shut, and when I opened them, I was back in my classroom.

"Ruth, get up! It's lunchtime," Megan said, nudging my shoulder.

I wiped my face, realizing it had all been a dream.

"How long was I out?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"I don't know, but you were drooling. Guess someone didn't get enough sleep last night," Megan teased.

She slid her hand across my table and leaned over me with a smirk.

"Don't tell me you were up all night studying because of that David guy?"

My face turned pale. I avoided her gaze; it was true, but I wasn't about to admit it.

"No," I scoffed.

"Okay, fine. Let's head to the canteen; I'm starving," Megan snapped playfully.

As we were about to enter the canteen, a guy near the headmistress's office caught my eye. He looked oddly familiar: tall, wearing a formal beige shirt with brown trousers, metal-framed spectacles, and lustrous brown hair.

We entered the canteen, but I couldn't stop thinking about him. He stayed in the back of my mind as we grabbed our food. Megan pulled me toward the table where her boyfriend, Jake, was sitting. We settled down, and I lifted my head.

SHIT!

It was David. He was sitting directly across from me.

"Hi, David," I greeted him, my lips pressed into a thin line.

"Hey, Dave. Didn't you score the highest this semester? You broke Ruth's old record," Luke teased.

I glared at him.

"Well, what can I say? I can't help being smart," David smirked, looking right into my eyes.

"Congratulations on the score. Next time, it won't be the same," I replied, staring into his soul. Does he think he can scare me off with a stare and a cheesy line?

Immediately, the table fell into an awkward silence.

David was a transfer student who had arrived two months ago. Not only was he smart-stealing my top spot-but he was incredibly popular with the girls. I hated how he managed to be both handsome and clever.

Luke tried to break the tension. "Do you guys know that Mrs. Watson won't be teaching our class anymore?"

"Yeah, I heard she handed her resignation to the headmistress," Jake added.

********(This scene ends here)

"Today was exhausting," I said, stretching my arms and neck as we left.

"That chemistry class was way too long," Megan sighed."Especially after lunch. Oh god, the teacher's lecture felt like a lullaby."

"You always sleep in every class, what's new in that?," i teased.

"Well no, i don't, miss full of yourself,"megan snapped.

"I am not full of myself,"i frowned.

"Yes,you are,"she added.

Hopefully, we reached a point,where Megan and i should part ways.if not, she would have stuck to me,like a gum stuck in my hair. Not leaving, until her point is provided.

"Okay, Megan. See you tomorrow, BYE," I waved.

"Bye-bye, Ruby!" she waved back before heading off.

I started my walk home. It was 5:00 PM, and a harsh wind was picking up, swirling dirt and leaves into the air. It nearly blew my skirt up, and my hair was a complete mess. The fresh, earthy smell of rain lingered in the air as black clouds swallowed the sky.

I live in an apartment near the school. There is a dark, abandoned alleyway near a coffee shop that I usually take as a shortcut.

As I walked, I heard footsteps. They weren't mine. Since Megan left, I should have been alone. I stopped near the alley to see if someone was following me.

THEY STOPPED. A hollow feeling opened up in my stomach. I tried to convince myself it was a hallucination and prepared to enter the alley, but the footsteps crept closer. Tension filled the air; my chest felt heavy.

Summoning my courage, I forced myself to look back.

As I turned, a tall figure lunged forward. A hand clamped tightly over my mouth, blocking my air. I was dragged into the shadows of the alley. I couldn't see his face clearly in the dim light. I thrashed, trying to pull his hand away, but I was running out of oxygen. He pinned me against the cold brick wall, leaned over, and whispered into my ear.

"WHY ARE YOU HERE?"

My eyes widened. The voice was familiar, but I was turning pale from the lack of breath.

Biting his hand as hard as I could, I kicked him in the stomach with everything I had. He groaned and fell to the ground, clutching his midsection. Seeing my opening, I bolted. I sprinted toward my apartment without looking back.

I was gasping for air when I reached my door, banging on it vigorously. "ALEX! ALEX!"

My heart felt like it was going to explode. The door swung open.

"Oh, Miss Ruth! Come in. Why are you shivering?" Alex asked, his voice full of concern.

I was a blank slate, my mind racing too fast for words. I slammed the door shut, kicked off my shoes, and collapsed onto the couch, staring blankly at the TV.

Sweat dripped down my forehead. My throat was parched and my palms were sweaty, I gripped the cushions. Alex began wiping my face with a damp cloth while Mary brought me a glass of water. I chugged it down in seconds and held out the glass for more.

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