She turned to go and saw Calia at the door.
Calia clapped her hands and walked towards her. Calia exalted an aura of royalty as she took one firm step after another towards Karen.
''What…what are you doing here? Since when have you been there?'' Karen asked as she took a step backward.
''I was thinking. What will I do to make you stop? You are just 18 years yet you are already this vicious? Do your parents know? The kind of monster they are creating by always giving in to you all the time? I guess they must be unaware of how evil their precious daughter have become" Calia said and pointed at Karen's face.
Karen frowned and chuckled. She folded her arms and stood boldly in front of Calia.
''Don't think I will be afraid of you because of your mysterious background. My parents are equally powerful people. Who knows my parents might even be more powerful than your mysterious background''.
''You depend on your parents to be who you are. Without them, you are nothing. Karen, I will make you regret whatever it is that you are planning to do against Ad-Din and Miss Lee''.
''What? You knew about them? I can't believe this. Is so ridiculous. Even you know about them? Did Ad-Din tell you that? If you know about them, then you should know this is wrong. What they are doing is wrong. How can a teacher and a student be in a relationship?"
''That is none of your business. Karen. You will never get to be with Ad-Din in this life. Even without Miss Lee, it will not be you. You and Ad-Din are not fated''. Calia cocked her brows arrogantly at Karen Kash with a half smile.
''Fate? Ah, don't be ridiculous. What do you know about fate? Who told you Ad-Din and I are not fated? Ad-Din was warming up to me before Miss Lee came. She is the third party here. Is because she seduced Ad-Din that is why he is with her now. Who knows what kind of charm that woman used on my Ad-Din. I am going to expose her and her vixen ways.
Ad-Din is just blinded by his emotions. After I expose that woman, he will see then the true colours of that woman and when that happens, I will be the one to be with him''.
''You must have a lot of hate in you towards Miss Lee, Karen? Why? Because she has blocked your chance of being the young madam of the Denarius family? I must say you have quite a big ambition, to use Ad to climb the social ladder but, you shouldn't have such high ambitions, Karen. You're still you and the disappointment might be hard for you to handle".
''I loved Ad-Din first. I fell in love with him and I have been in love with him for three years now. What right does Miss Lee have to take him away from me? You can't stop me from destroying that woman. I hate her so much and I won't stop until she disappears from Ad-Din's sight forever''. Karen said, the anger and hatred seeding deep within her
''In that case, let me also reveal something even more shocking to you. I am Ad-Din's cousin and I support their relationship. Try to stop them if you have the guts and boldness.
I will also make sure you pay a heavy price for it. Your father has been giving my mother a lot of pressure lately. I heard that, he wants to cooperate with 'La Feminine' Jewellery because you love the jewellery from that brand so much? What do you think will happen to that deal once I open my mouth?''
Karen looked at her shocked. She clenched her fist tightly as she asked questionably.
''You…you are really Ad-Din's cousin? The one whose parents are the famous jewellery appraisals? The same girl everyone wants to know about?"
''Yes, and the heir to La Feminine. Karen, we are all about to complete. Let's try and live peacefully till we go away, okay? Don't bite more than you can chew. You can't afford to go against Ad-Din and me''.
Calia looked at her paled face and psst before going away. Karen fell to the ground feeling helpless. She thought she had powerful parents and could mess around but she never knew that the cousin that she had always wanted to find and get closer to because of Ad-Din turned out to be Calia Banks. The girl she hated so much.
Now everything was clear. Calia's unrestrained behaviour. Her parents always telling her to get along well with her. It was all because she really did come from a powerful background.
Karen shook her head but the feeling of losing everything she had worked hard for wasn't something she was used to. She was used to manipulating people. Ordering and commanding people. She was used to having the last word but now she felt like her world, her hopes and dreams were coming to an end and all because of one person; Miss Lee.
Now her hatred for that woman was beyond imagination. She sworn in her heart that no one was going to stop her from destroying that woman. Not even the threats of Calia or the powerful background of Ad-Din.
If she couldn't have something, then no one deserved it. If she couldn't have something. Then, that thing was better off destroyed. If Ad-Din loved Miss Lee that much, then she was going to make sure she feels the pain of losing what was precious to him.
Now that she was faced with so many obstacles, there was only one way out and that was to confront Miss Lee herself. She was going to make that woman back out and disappear. With that thought, Karen stood up and dusted herself. She lifted her chin high proudly and walked away.
...…
Maria was marking some books when her phone buzzed. She looked at it and it was a message from an unknown number.
Maria frowned and opened the message and saw a picture of she and Ad-Din and turned paled.
Maria was flustered by what she saw and turned around making sure that no one else saw the picture. There wasn't anyone in the staff room and she sighed a relief.
Maria took the phone and tried dialling the number but it was not available. Then another message came and she read it 'leave Ad-Din and John Mills High before the whole school sees those pictures. I will give you a week to resign and disappear from here'.
Maria frowned and went outside the staff room and looked around. She didn't find anyone suspicious and went back inside.
.....
Later that day after closing from School, Maria met up with Lexis at their favorite cafe.
Lexis examined the message and picture as Maria sat sipping her coffee silently. Lexis's pregnancy was now almost in the 7th month. It was already out now too.
''Is this person sick or what?': Lexis asked. ''This is blackmail, Portia. It couldn't have been him right? That person?'' Lexis said angrily.
''My father? Marley wouldn't do such a thing, right?. The last time Ad-Din warned him. He had never appeared before me again after I threw him out of the house ". Maria said.
''But, he is the only one who saw you with Ad-Din. Wait. If is not Marley Suwait, then who is so bold enough to threaten you with such a thing?''
''I don't know yet but I am suspecting someone, Lexis. Remember that girl in my school?''
''That fox?'' Lexis asked as she sipped her juice.
''Yes. This afternoon, I saw Ad-Din pulling her away during lunch time. I think she said something inappropriate which made Ad-Din angry:'.
''Could it have something to do with this?'' Lexis asked questionably.
''I don't know yet. I tried calling Ad-Din but his number is not going through. I will ask him when he comes this evening''. Maria tussled her hair tiredly.
"How is it going with your mom? Is she still against the wedding?''
''She said we can have a wedding but we are not allowed to register our marriage? Say, why is my mom being such a stubborn woman? Even Kobby's mother has surrendered to her yet she is still against us. My father said she is just sad that her only child is getting married and going to stay away from her"
'' Your father is right. You know how aunt loves and dotes on you. If you were getting married to a different man, she would have worried the same way but you just had to go and be with the son of her competitor at work. Just be patient with her. Her pride is wounded after all''.
Kobby and I have already found an apartment. We will be moving in as soon as we come back from our honeymoon. What do you want me to get for you in California?''
''Nothing. Just be safe. Take care of yourself and my godchild for me''.
''Is that all? You are no fun''.
''My relationship is about to hit the rocks. Do you think I have the time to ask for gifts and souvenirs?" Maria said and frowned.