The secret in my heart

Chapter #14

"You what?" I ask, in shock.

At that moment, Steven opens up the box and the key is revealed to us, inside. I stare in bewilderment, for a few seconds and remember to take it out. *I don't know what am I supposed to think about, first. Steven's sudden confession or the fact that we finally found the key? As I get it out, I see Steven smiling warmly, at me.

"I suppose, that's it." I say, standing up to get my necklace.

"Try, to see if it works." he murmurs.

I take my necklace and turn the key in its lock. It opens up and inside I see a small note that says: "To my Clara, with love" and on the back of it, the number "4516" is written.

"Steven, look! I suppose, this was written by my grandfather!" I hand him the note.

"Let me see. You're probably right! But what about the code?" he asks.

"I don't know. Let's go and tell the others!" I say, storming out of my room.

-Time skip-

Running down the hallway, I run into Mike and Brianna, so I immediately tell them everything. Then, all the four of us, go to tell Jim. Unfortunately, however, none of us know what this code might mean. After some thought I decide that the only logical solution is to ask Miss Devon, about it. Going back to my room I get my phone and immediately call her.

She picks up the phone and I tell her, about everything that happened a while ago. I ask her about the code and she claims it's the same one my grandfather had used, for all his safes.
This confirms that the note was written by him and that my family really has something to do with the school. *The question is what does this code even mean, has he hidden something in here?* Miss Devon tells me to check the headmistress' safe and to try using that code, in particular. I thank her for all the help and hang up. Afterwards I head towards the office again, but first I tell Steven.

Both of us are now waiting for Mrs. Brown to come out of her office so we can go inside. We are currently hiding behind one of the columns in the hallway, while watching from afar. Suddenly, all the students are heading to their classrooms and hopefully she will come out any minute. While we wait, Steven decides to speak:

"By the way, you never said anything, about my confession-" he looks, towards me.

"There she is, let's go!" I quickly, cut him off and walk away.

The only response I get is him grunting and then he follows me.

Steven and I quietly go inside and close the door behind us. Hoping that no one will hear I start walking towards the safe and decide to try the code. *Now what was it? Maybe "4616" no, not that! Why, didn't I bring the necklace with me?* I was about to try another code, when the door behind me opened wide.

"Is that, what you're searching for?" says Jacob, holding my necklace.

"What are you doing here?" asks Steven, looking confused.

"I would ask you, the same thing." Jacob smirks.

"Give it back, right now!" I yell, going towards him.

"Not so fast! Wait till Mrs. Brown finds out, about this!" he holds it up, high.

"Don't tell her anything, Jacob!" Steven says, grabbing his collar.

"Too late, she already knows!" he responds, with a smug facial expression.

"Both of you, get out! Now!" the headmistress yells, looking at me and Steven.

And before I even try to speak, we were already kicked out of the room.

*What do we do now?*

-Time skip-

Steven and I got sent to the teacher's board to punish us for entering Mrs. Brown's office, without permission and attempted theft. *It is very possible for us to get expelled. Now, what are we left with?* I can barely keep my composure as I sit in one of the chairs in the hall. Steven is sitting, right next to me and looks like he's seriously contemplating. *Is he up to something? Does he have any plan, for action?* I'm so worried, that I can't even think straight. *How am I going to explain all of this to my parents, what about Miss Devon?* While we're waiting for the teachers to come, someone walks into the room and I see, that it's Mike. He sneaks up to us carrying a bunch of papers.

"Good thing, I followed you both!" he says. "Look what I found."

"Mike? What is all of this?" I ask, looking stunned.

"I remembered the code, you told me. It's "4516" in case you've forgotten. When Jacob and Mrs. Brown left after you, I managed to get inside and I got those, out of her safe." he explains, thoroughly.

"So, that's what was inside the safe?" Steven asks.

"That's right, have a look!" Mike says.

Examining the papers one by one, I see a document that catches my eye. I notice my grandfather's signature on it and read that this school was given to him by his great-grandfather. It turns out that the school is owned by my family and Mrs. Brown has hidden these documents in an attempt to forge her own and prove that she is the true heir. Without us being related by blood, she clearly managed to achieve it. The question now is how do I expose her?