Writer's P.O.V (A week later)

They had travelled back home through Victoria Airlines today. They all loved the tropical island so much that they didn't want to leave but they had to. Lisa and Justin had just about four days before The Empire would resume.

On the plane, Lisa sat beside her mom and they were both reading paperback novels. On the other half of the plane, Justin and Bob were watching a movie on the screen attached to the back of the chairs in front of them.

Neither Justin nor Lisa wanted to sit next to each other and luckily for them, their tickets were not consecutive. Besides, Justin and Lisa sitting next to Bob and Mirabel respectively even made the trip more fun.

**********

Anastasia's P.O.V

I was helping Mom and some of the maids prepare dinner when I heard my phone ring. I had to leave it cos my hands were already smeared and I wasn't ready to wash it just yet.

When we were done eating dinner, I retired to my room to finally settle down to my phone and see who had texted earlier.

It was Lisa.

She had texted me to let me know that herself and her family had just arrived home from Sia... something Justin had done a long time ago. Sometimes I felt like our friendship was actually straining. We hardly texted each other and whenever we did, we'd just greet each other and that'll be the end of the conversation. I was surprised she was texting me because she hardly did since she had gotten to Sia. Maybe the connection was bad for her phone there, I thought looking for a reason for that. Or maybe her phone also went on a vacation. We can never know. I thought and smiled.

She had once told me that she couldn't chat much because she was busy so I often wondered how Justin found his way around that or were they in different universes. Honestly, she had changed a lot. But I can't blame it on her—it's probably puberty.

Anyway, I replied her and immediately, she asked how Jason was doing.

I was pretty surprised that she replied that fast. I thought she was going to reply in a year's time or something.

'He's good,' I texted back.

We greeted each other before she began recounting some of her memorable experiences to me. She told me about the places she visited such as the museums, zoos, cinemas, beaches, amusement parks and so on. Judging by the content, I could say they really enjoyed themselves.

I acknowledge that Sia is a very lovely place and I had always wished to go there so for the mere fact that Lisa went there and was actually telling me all about it, I felt like I was there too.

We had chatted for more than an hour when I began to feel sleepy.

I was so tired; however, I didn't want to just end the conversation like that. So I thought to ask about my boyfriend who lives in the same house as her. That was definitely going to keep me awake.

'So, how's Justin?'

'He was actually feeling pretty unhappy because we're going to be resuming in a few days' she texted back and kept typing.

'Luckily for him, I was able to put him in the mood' immediately I got that text, all the sleep in my eyes vanished. Her words struck me really hard. What the hell did she mean by she was able to put him in the mood? I hoped deep inside that she didn't mean what I was thinking.

I typed really fast now, 'What do you mean?'

'Shit' 'I'm so sorry' she apologized and deleted the former message; the one where she was talking about putting him in the mood. She was behaving so suspicious. What the heck is going on?

'I'm sorry, you weren't supposed to see that' she added and that triggered my curiosity even more.

'Wait... what's going on??' 'What do you mean by I wasn't supposed to see that?' 'Is there anything you're hiding from me?' My heart was literally racing.

'Of course not. It was just a mistake. I'm really sorry.' She apologized again. Why in the world was she apologizing? Can she get to the freaking point already?

'Wdym??'

'It's nothing. We just played MK 11. That's all.' She explained. To be honest, that explanation would only be satisfactory for a total dumbass. There was something more to her statement... something she didn't want me to know.

'Lisa?' 'I know when you're lying. Tell me what happened.' I appealed.

'I thought you already know' Know what? Can she stop beating around the bush already? I was getting really pissed off.

'That???' I texted and for more than a minute, I lay, waiting for her reply.

'Justin and I kissed.' Immediately I saw her text, a wave of shock hit me. I was so stunned, all I could do was drop my phone on the bed and stare into it, observing each of the four words. My mouth was still open cos of the extreme surprise.

'Tell me you're joking' I typed with my hands convulsing

'I'm not going to lie to you. Hasn't he told you already?'

I didn't reply.

'He told you, right?' She asked again. Damn, her questions were so provoking.

I was entirely engulfed by anger but I managed to still type 'Yes, I'm aware.' Even clicking the 'Send' button was difficult for me.

I cupped my agape mouth as a tear drop rolled down my face. It was almost unbelievable but I should've expected it. He's a guy after all.

'Ok' 'But still, sorry for the disturbance' she added, provoking me more.

'It's no problem, bae' that was the greatest lie I could tell. I could literally feel my heart squeeze saying that.

'I think I should be going to bed now' 'It's already 1 and tomorrow's gonna be a big day' I excused. 'Bye!' I texted switched off the phone and sent it flying across the room. I was exasperated as fuck!

Then, I buried my head in my pillow and drenched it with my tears. They just wouldn't stop flowing.

Justin is such a bitch! I said in my head. How could he do this to me? And with my best friend??? It really wasn't fair.

And then he lied to her that he told meanwhile, he never mentioned a word about it to me. Anyway, I had only confirmed that he had told me cos I really wanted the conversation to end right away. It was just unbearable.

The worst part is that Lisa is supposed to be my best friend. But she's just turned out to be a barricade between my boyfriend and me. What truly did she want from me?

I honestly felt like dying. Maybe the ground could just swallow me up or something cos I was so fucking exhausted—Firstly, my dad had killed Justin's parents and then deceived me into also causing his death.

As if that wasn't devastating enough, now, the same Justin is cheating on me with his cousin who is also my supposed best friend. Hell, my life sucks. I wish he had just died at Sanchez hotel when Alex tried to kill him. Why didn't he just die?

There were already so many secrets he was keeping from me and now this? Daddy was right... I was a fool to have believed that Justin truly loved me. Now the picture was crystal clear—I was only a tool which he was using to get revenge on dad who's clearly guilty but that doesn't give him the right to toy with my emotions.

Little wonder he has an actual girlfriend. I was just a plaything. Then I realized: Justin and Lisa may not even be cousins. It could all be part of their impeccable plan to annihilate dad and I. Hell; he was really a boss at playing these sorts of games.

If he actually loved me, he would have at least told me about him and Lisa... he'd have told me about the feud between both our fathers... he'd have told me about his superpowers. But no, I had to find them out from other people cos he never gave two fucks about me.

I cried so hard, I got a migraine.

I swallowed a pain-reliever and lay on my bed. And soon, I drifted to sleep.

**********

Lisa's P.O.V

I smirked while staring at my phone's screen. It worked! Even though she'd affirmed that he had told her, she still felt uncomfortable.

It was so bad; she even shied away from the conversation. LMAO!

Justin wanted to play games with me. I'm so glad two can play at that game. Now, a devastated Anastasia would have no other option but to break up with him and then, he'll be all mine. It was so nice being the dominant one in such a battle.

Anyway, it's time for the next line of action to come into play.