she devil

Chapter-3

The rest of the day Zoya drowned in graphs, BRD's, SRS's and RTT's. Next Monday, the official start of the academic year, Zoya knows that today, everyone would be waiting for her. This is when she needs to put a united front. She needs to be perfect. No less. She gets ready with precision. Wearing her uniform, putting her emerald brooch, surrounded by diamonds, on the left side of her chest, where the faint scar from the gunshot lies, she moves in front of the mirror. She decided to apply normal makeup and not to overdo it. She applies burgundy wine lipstick and dark smoky eyeshadow. With matching emerald earrings and bracelet, she looks symmetric and simply perfect. And with those beautiful black boots with medium heel are the best match for the uniform. She decides to leave her hair loose. Using the pearl pin to pull the side hair back, she leaves a lock of hair on the other side to the front. Satisfied with her look, she moves to the next item on her agenda. As much as she is a practical person, she became a material person in the past year. After all, making herself look perfect is a must. Though it might sound like a stretch, appearance does matter. It can be used as a shield to guard yourself or as a bait to lure your prey.

After travelling in the new jaguar for about a month now, Zoya's BMW 8 Series flagship sedan is hers to drive. It's a car she picked for herself and had just arrived a week ago. Her old Aston martin v12 was her favorite but it's old and worn out. As she drives out of her garage, waiting for her at the gate were Ayan, Aryan and Veer. She didn't expect Veer to be there. After all, things are pretty awkward between them. But it doesn't matter as long as they support each other.

She drove the car towards them. "you ready?" Ayan asks.

"what do you think?" she says with a neutral face and drives past them. They catch up with her in their own vehicles. Veer got a new Ferrari, it seems. Ayan's still driving the Enfield. But Aryan's car is the exact same version as Zoya's. What the hell? Zoya thought too herself. They used to have same cars in the past. She thought it was a coincident but it's getting creepy now that he has the exact same car as hers, yet again. Was it intentional? She thought.

They all drove together with Zoya in the middle and Aryan in the front. It felt like déjà vu for them. This is how they used to go to the school. To the boys, even though, the incident last year made Zoya much stronger, the fact that they weren't able to protect her then only made them want to protect her more now. It was an unspoken promise between them, to always stand by her side, no matter what. Even if what awaits them is hell fire, they are willing to burn for her. On the other hand, Zoya is unsure about how this could work between them. Within half an hour, they were at the school gate with student's vehicles flooding in from all sides. It was different from Friday, when only few students attended. Besides Zoya came and left early. So, no one knew she was here on Friday.

As soon as they passed the school gate, students started recognizing their vehicles. Within seconds, people started tilting their heads to look into Zoya's car. They were curious about her return. After all, it's been a year. Zoya and the boys drove their vehicles to park in the garage and got out. Without a word of greeting, they walked into the spear building, where seniors' classes are held. Zoya was at the front and center, while the boys walked along her side. All the students made way for them, all of them curious about Zoya's transformation, many of them in awe of her appearance. She can tell with the number of wows and o-ohs that she made quite an impression. As they walked, the corridor started to pile up with students coming from different classes. Soon, the corridor was filled with murmuring and chit-chat and it creating such noise that teachers had to control the crowd. Zoya was reminded just how much teenagers liked to gossip.

The morning classes went by smoothly. Though, too many students tried to ask her questions, she ignored them. They still think she is the same Zoya they used to know. That needs to change and Zoya's waiting for the right time to make the move. The chance for her to make her position clear has come in the lunch break.

As the lunch bell rang students headed towards the canteen. The boys were waiting for Zoya in front of her class. Together, they took off to canteen. As soon as they entered, all eyes were on Zoya. They make their way to the high table. It's only a step higher but it's a perfect spot to overlook the dining hall. As the boys sat down, Zoya leaves to wash her hands.

"Heard you were back." a voice said from behind her as she was washing her hands. Zoya's turns around and spots Tia, one of Siya's friends or more like minions. Zoya didn't react and left the washroom. As she was moving towards the high table, she heard Tia's voice from behind her. "When did you turn so arrogant. Are you back now that you're done mourning you dad?"

Zoya has now turned around and watching Tia making nuisance. Zoya knows why Tia's making a fuss. Siya must've told her how Zoya secretly bought Tia's father's shares and removed him from the board of members. She bought various other board member's shares. It was her intention from the very beginning to eliminated anyone who'd refuse to cooperate with her. Tia's father made it clear he isn't going to be supportive of her. Zoya already had twenty percent of his shares under her name and the remining shares don't hold enough significance for him to be a major shareholder.

Zoya stays calm and Tia misinterprets it as her weakness and continues to run her mouth. "It seems you're trying to take control over the company. But why do you even bother? It's not like doing so will bring your dad back to life. he's already gone." Tia's words are now getting on Zoya's nerves. Oblivious to Zoya's slowly growing anger, Tia pokes Zoya's shoulder with her finger. The boys were about to get up to defend Zoya when she signals them to stay back. Tia continues to poke as she says "No need to make the remaining people's life tough. You didn't even bother to be there at his funeral nor shed a tear. No wonder your mom hates you. Having a daughter like you, I would die too. If I were you-"

"You would've whored your way out of it? No wonder you're unable to walk."

"How dare you-" Tia lifts her right hand as if to slap Zoya. The boy's get anxious but stay put. Tia never gets the chance to slap Zoya as Zoya blocks the attack with her right hand. She forces Tia's hand out of her way and, using the same hand, grabs Tia's hair and pulls her down to her midsection.

As Tia struggles to pull out of Zoya's grip, Zoya walks to the high table with a half-bent Tia in one hand and the other behind her back. Zoya's turns towards the dining hall where the crowd has gathered, murmuring. Among them, stands the princess of phoenix high, Siya Mittal. "In case it's not clear, I am an Akhtar and therefore, the most powerful titan in this school." Her voice silences the room. She stands completely still and unreadable, at the high table exactly like a queen. Everyone's now paying attention to only her. Then looking straight into Siya's eyes, Zoya says "I am the queen of phoenix high. Get used to it or..." she pulls Tia's hair harder, making her cry out in desperation. Everyone in the room gasps and stand back as Zoya pushes Tia down into the crowd.

She addresses Tia and says "You. Tell your father that he's stupid enough to sell his shares for an anonymous buyer at a crucial moment. I wasn't even being discreet." throughout the incident, Zoya remained straight-faced. It was creepy enough that half of the crowd left the dining room and the other half stayed dead silent throughout the lunch break. Siya is nowhere to see. After finishing their lunch with light conversation, Zoya and the boys leave the dining hall together. People made way for them. Mostly out of fear. And maybe a little respect? The rest of the day was uneventful and that's how the first day at school ended. God only knows how the rest of the year's going to be. 

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dear readers,

I have finally successfully published this part on time. congrats to self. I am still waiting for someone to give me any suggestions on comments on my narration. whether it's bad or good, I am still willing to take peoples opinions on my writing skills. so feel free to write in the comment box.

yours,

Janvi Siya

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