While Leonel was scratching his head, Sky returned to his group of friends, and his once dark face was replaced by a smiling innocent-looking guy.
“What are you doing talking to that part-timer boy?” his friend asked.
“Leonel?”
“Yeah. We saw him once working at a convenience store near here,” another butt in.
“He doesn’t belong in our circle. See how no one approaches him?”
“Better distance yourself from that guy. If this keeps up, he’d easily be the bully target in our school.”
Sky hid his evil grin behind an awkward smile. “You guys are too harsh. I just wanted to know him since he’s our classmate. And he looks sad sitting alone in there.”
“You’re too nice, Sky.”
“Yeah,” chimed in another girl in their group. “Reminds me of how you felt pity for that girl, Isolde, and even got together with her because you couldn’t say no?”
Sky scratched his head and only smiled. “It’s just . . . I don’t know how to say no to her without hurting her feelings. She’s a nice girl to be with.”
“Except that she’s manlier than you.”
Everyone laughed and Sky pretended to laugh with his friends. But inside, he was cursing in his head. His nice guy attitude sometimes labelled him as feminine. But the truth couldn’t be more opposite.
That wasn’t what happened but no one needed to know the truth. Sky thought. The important was to maintain his good-guy image and get along with everyone.
Isolde was only a stepping stone to catapult his name on everyone’s lips. Though the girl was a loner, she was popular because of her last name. And to make his name resounded throughout the campus, being handsome, cute, sweet, and nice was not enough. He needed a big thigh to wrap his arms. And Isolde came at the right time. A tomboyish girl with a brave front but turned flustered in front of a cute boy with a sweet smile.
Getting close to her was effortless. Being with her was a challenge. But he persevered with his goal. And once he achieved it, he left her.
Throughout their relationship, Sky got to admit that he felt something towards Isolde because, despite her flaws, she was genuinely nice and had her own charms. He only left her because being tied with a girl would lessen her popularity and that, he felt threatened with her innate manliness.
That was why when Sky accidentally saw Leonel and Isolde together when he was looking down the glass window. He couldn’t help but approach the guy, for he felt a tinge of jealousy.
Sky looked over at Leonel from the corner of his eyes and silently sneered. Leonel’s head was slumped on his chair again, with a saliva dripping from the side of his lips. He was asleep again, from the looks of it.
That kind of unremarkable man was nothing less than a random character on their campus.
He was no threat.
—-
And on the same night, the Gambino Family were having their rare dinner over a round table. This meeting was, of course, to discuss business, their guild, and the rightful leader of the guild in COVENANT.
“Uncle Augustus,” Xian, Isolde’s cousin, stood at the table with a proud chest and enlarged nostrils. “I think that it’s made apparent by the information displayed on the board that my ATP is the highest amongst my cousins. And that meant, according to the agreement, the leader of Gambino Guild is me.”
“I object,” Lee-Rin, another cousin of Isolde, shouted, and she stood from her seat, stabbing her finger at Xian. “You cheater! Everyone knew that you use your millions to get that ATP!”
Xian smirked and shrugged. “I used every available resource I have. If you were smart, you should have done the same. It’s not against the rules, am I right?”
Some elders side with Xian, saying that he only used his brains and he worked smart. But some were against with what he did because the leader should portray a courageous disposition to lead the guild. He must use his own strength to reach his position to command respect and awe.
While the two sides were arguing, Isolde, as usual, was munching her food with a downcast face. She didn’t want to be a part of the quarrel, and she was glad that she spent the whole night dying in the game and decreasing her ATP, just to ensure she wouldn’t be picked as the leader.
Being the leader of their guild meant prison. She wouldn’t be able to roam freely in Arcadia because of her responsibilities. She hated the responsibility.
At the side, Augustus looked at his daughter’s downcast face. She must really be disappointed that she didn’t become the leader of the guild. And her ATP wasn’t even far off from Xian. He thought and lamented.
Augustus took a large breath. Though it pained him, there was nothing he could do since Xian didn’t violate any rules. And as the current leader of their family, he must set an example.
Augustus knew his daughter to be independent and wanted to be strong on her own. It must be why she didn’t use the money he gave her to her advantage.
Little did Augustus know, Isolde lent that money to Leonel, and she didn’t want to do anything with the guild. She would help, yes, but it didn’t mean that she would give all her time to the guild.
Augustus then whispered at Axel, Isolde’s older brother. “Your sister is so sad. Be sure to buy that large macadamia ice cream to cheer her up.”
Axel nudged his glasses on the bridge of his nose. “Don’t worry father. Though Isolde lost, he made new friends in the game.”
Augustus was intrigued. “Oh? Who? What are their names? Which family? Did you already acquire their information?”
While everyone were debating, the father and son were busy at inspecting Ren and Leonel’s information.
“Both . . . guys . . .” Augustus muttered in a daze. He didn’t know what to feel about the situation.
“What should we do?”
Augustus coughed between his fist before he gave a concerning, lazy grin. “Ah well . . . there’s no reason not to be civilized. Not all are handled by guns and knives. They are Isolde’s friends. Invite them to come over so we can say our thanks in person.”
The corner of Axel’s eyeglasses glint. “As you wish.”
Eventually, Xian became the leader of the Gambino Guild. He won fair and square, and Isolde released the breath she held.
Finally, it’s over!
She was finally free!
After the meeting with the guild, the youngsters went out of the room while the elders talked about business in the real world.
Isolde and her cousins went to the wide veranda while congratulating Xian. Meanwhile, Lee-Rin harrumphed and pouted before she flipped her hair and left.
“Congratulations on being the leader.” Isolde was happier that the responsibility was off her shoulders than Xian getting the position. To be honest, it could be anyone, just not her.
Xian removed his eyes from his cousins and they squinted upwards at Isolde. He finally beat the main branch and got hold of one of the most important positions in the family. There was no way he would let it go.
“Thank you, Isolde. I hope you will still help in the guild even after you LOST to me,” Xian said, emphasizing the lost part.
And like usual, Isolde’s invincible wall of ‘don’t give a fuck’ attitude repelled Xian’s taunt.
She beamed and gave a thumbs up. “Sure. No problem. I’m always happy to help.”
As Isolde said those words, she seemed to be going farther and farther away, like she couldn’t wait to return to her room and play.
“Good night. See you all in the game.” She winked and waved her hand before she bolted away.
She then disappeared from everyone’s sight while her cousins watched her go with gaping mouths.
And as usual, Xian felt embarrassed and frustrated that he couldn’t get Isolde to lose her cool. It even appeared like she was happy for some reason, making him felt like a fool.
What an infuriating girl. Xian muttered to himself.