Lea took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. She raised her chin, her eyes fixed on the exit. She wouldn’t let Katrisha get to her. She wouldn't lose control again.

But as she walked away, a sense of unease gnawed at her. She was tired of being caught in the middle of their game. They were pushing her to her limit.

“Lea, wait!” Kacy’s voice called out from behind.

Lea stopped, a sigh escaping her lips.  Kacy was going to want to know what had happened.

“What? Not now, Kacy,” she said, her voice clipped. She needed a moment to herself, to process the situation.

Lea was still fuming. Katrisha’s stupidity and lack of understanding were infuriating.

“You lost your poise out there,” Kacy said, her eyes fixed on Lea.

“I know,” Lea said, a wave of self-consciousness washing over her. “And I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a huge news story about me on the bulletin board tomorrow.”

Kacy shook her head, a smile spreading across her face.

“Why are you smiling like an idiot?” Lea asked, her brow furrowed.

“I think you were cool out there. I don’t mind the poise you’ve been preserving in your whole damn life.  I’m liking your badass side, Lea. You are better like this than your usual portrait of kindness.”

Lea was taken aback.

“You’re ridiculous, Kacy,” she said, a surprised laugh escaping her lips.

“It’s better to be called like that than to be a woman without intact brain cells, 'no?”

They locked eyes and then they both burst out laughing.

“Exactly,” Lea said, a new wave of confidence washing over her.

Kacy was right. Sometimes, it was okay to let go of the facade, to show your true colors. It was refreshing and  liberating.

Lea had always been so careful, so calculated, but perhaps it was time to embrace her true self, a self that wasn't afraid to stand up for herself,  to fight back.

She still had a long way to go, but this was a good start.

Their laughter died down as a cough broke the air. Kacy’s lips trembled as she saw who it was.

Lea grimaced, a wave of irritation washing over her. She had been mentally murdering him earlier. It was ironic that he was now standing in front of her, breathing, as if nothing had happened.

“Why are you here?” she asked, her brow furrowed in annoyance.

“Katrisha called me,” Lucian said, his voice nonchalant.

Lea’s forehead creased. Had that woman intended to make an official complaint? Wow, Lea was the villain now, was she?

Pathetic! Lea thought, rolling her eyes.

“Ah. You are worried about your girlfriend, then,” Lea said, her voice dripping with boredom.

She wanted to make it clear that she had no interest in talking to him.

The irritation that was bubbling inside her was too strong to ignore.

But Lucian, as usual, seemed unfazed.  His smirk remained, a permanent fixture on his face. Lea didn’t understand what it was supposed to signify, but she knew she didn't have time for his taunting games.

A violent thought flickered in her mind: wipe that smirk off his face,  make his lips bleed. But then, she shuddered, horrified by the idea. She would never do anything like that.

“Yes, I am,” Lucian said, his eyes locking with hers.

Lea turned away, unable to meet his gaze. She couldn’t believe she was still feeling so affected by him, even after everything that had happened.

Lucian’s gaze held hers, a steady, unwavering intensity that made her heart pound. Lea felt a sudden shortness of breath, a prickling sensation on her skin as if he could see right through her, into her thoughts.

“Okay. We gotta go,” Lea said, pulling Kacy away.

She couldn’t bear to be in his presence any longer.

“Wait,” Lucian said, stepping in front of them, blocking their path.

“What now, Lucian?” Lea asked, her voice laced with impatience.

“Your mother talked to me over the phone,” Lucian said. “She told me that she couldn’t stay at the house till next month.”

“Okay,” Lea replied, her voice flat, trying to mask the sadness that tugged at her heart.

This wasn’t new to her. She was used to being left behind.

“And also, Lea, I’m gonna stay at the mansion,” Lucian said.

A strange mix of emotions surged through Lea. It was foreign to her,  something she couldn’t quite name.

“Yeah, sure,” Lea murmured, pulling Kacy away.

She didn’t care if she was being rude.  She just wanted to get away from him.

Every time she was near him,  something shifted inside her. It was an unsettling feeling, something she couldn’t explain.

“I’m seriously overreacting these past few days,” she thought, trying to rationalize her emotions.

But deep down, she knew that something was changing, something she couldn’t ignore.

Lea yelped as Kacy pinched her waist, a playful but surprisingly strong grip.

“He's so hand's, Lea!” Kacy said, her voice giddy with excitement.

Lea winced, rubbing the area where Kacy had pinched her. Her friend was brutal, sometimes.

“I know that my cousin is hand-” Lea started, but Kacy cut her off.

“Is he the man Katrisha was talking about?” Kacy asked, her eyes widening in shock.

“Yes. He is Katrisha’s boyfriend and he’s my cousin, Kacy. That's why I don't know the reason why she's targeting me." Lea explained.

“And who wouldn't be jealous of that kind of face like yours?” Kacy said, pointing at Lea’s face.

Lea frowned.

“What’s wrong with my face?” she asked, her brow furrowed.

“Hey! I don't know what to do with you! With that look, you can bring men to their knees without exerting an effort!” Kacy said, her eyes wide with admiration.

Lea couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “I don’t get you,” she said, her voice laced with confusion.

“You smart person, you can't get what I said!” Kacy exclaimed, her hands waving in the air, as if trying to explain something that was beyond words.

“What are you talking about?” Lea asked, her curiosity piqued.

“You know, that hot guy is Katrisha's boyfriend.” Kacy said, her eyes sparkling.

“Stop dreaming about him, Kacy.  You’re making me puke,” Lea said, trying to suppress a smile.

Kacy rolled her eyes playfully. “But Katrisha didn’t know that you and that hot man were cousins! Hence, she concluded that your cousin might have cheated on her and be with you instead!”

“I clearly get it, but what’s the point?  She can just ask me! Not the kind of ways she did earlier. It’s cheap.”

“You are right though. Anyways, let’s go outside, Lea! I’m already hungry.”

“Whatever. I didn’t tell you to walk out with me,” Lea said, a chuckle escaping her lips.

“How can I miss the situation? You’re beautiful and cool out there, you know!” Kacy said, her voice filled with admiration.

“Whatever you say, Kacy,” Lea said,  shaking her head.