Ashes Of The Throne | Part I

Chapter 125 | November 14th | The Headmaster's 23rd Birthday Party

Timeline - November 14th | ( 3 Days Later )

For most of Allegiant, today was just another ordinary autumn day.

But for Eko, it was one of the best days. After all, it was her boyfriend's birthday, and she stood in front of her bedroom mirror, giddy with anticipation. She wore a form-fitting, silver-corseted dress that left little to the imagination. Having spent the past week meticulously planning Matthew's birthday party with their friends, she was all set to celebrate, making the most of his sporadic absences.

The chaos of frequent attacks on Isadora and back-to-back meetings with the headmasters of their respective academies had made November an overwhelming month, stretching them thin. Eko was determined that everyone, especially Matthew, deserved a break from the pandemonium, making it all the more crucial that the party went off without a hitch.

Madison's voice brought Eko back to reality. "You can't seriously be wearing that," she sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. "And here you are telling me he's not paying you to have sex with him. Honestly, you're really selling that argument."

Eko's eyes flashed with anger as she turned to face Madison directly. "Enough, Madison. He's not paying me for sex, and you damn well know it. He's my boyfriend, and you don't get to keep saying things like that just because you're in a disgusting mood!"

Madison rolled her eyes, her expression steeped in condescension. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I hit a nerve? I mean, it's not like it's obvious or anything. His whole fan club knows it too. But hey, if you're comfortable with being his sex little trophy, who am I to judge?"

"What crawled up your ass?" Eko clicked her tongue to the top of her mouth. "Honestly, I thought we agreed to drop the negative attitude. Or did you forget the other morning when you practically begged me not to make you leave? You were all, 'I'll do better, don't make me leave, we're cousins, I love you, I was looking out for you,'... blah, blah, blah. I managed to convince Matthew to let you stay, even though you still haven't apologized." She then raised her chin defiantly, glaring at her cousin through the mirror.

"I said I would not be apologizing to him, even if it's the last thing I do," Madison shot back.

"That's exactly what Matthew said you'd say." Eko's voice was cold as she placed her hands behind her, eyes narrowing as she studied Madison with a calculating gaze. She was determined not to let anything ruin today. "I don't get why you keep acting like he's the worst person in the world."

Turning back to the mirror, Eko snatched her lipstick from the desk, her hand trembling slightly as she shook her head, the frustration burning in her chest. While applying the lipstick with forceful, almost angry strokes, she couldn't hold back her words. "It's his birthday, Madison. For once in your life, can't you just stop with the bullshit? Just for one damn day?"

Madison's eyes narrowed into slits as she settled onto the bed, crossing her arms so tightly it was as if she was physically holding herself back. Her gaze was piercing as she scrutinized the dress Eko wore, dripping with disdain and venom. "Why the hell should I bother celebrating his existence?" Madison spat. "I've tolerated your relationship with him, haven't I? But don't you dare expect me to be happy about it. And don't even think about asking me to celebrate his birth like it was some blessing to this world. Because it wasn't."

Eko rolled her eyes, the movement slow and deliberate, as she turned back toward her vanity. The tension in the room was palpable, each of them digging in their heels in this silent battle. She grabbed her hair extensions, methodically fastening them into her high ponytail. The new length cascaded down to her waist, shimmering in the soft light of her bedroom. She took a deep breath, centering herself, before turning back to Madison.