---

The king entered the Academy of Supernaturals. His majestic robe swept across the floor as he walked alone. Harriette opened the door and bowed deeply.

With a smile, he stepped inside. She waved her hands, forming a circle, and a shimmering portal appeared. Harriette glanced at the king, and together, they passed through.

Inside the academy, young men and women, barely older than teenagers, were immersed in training. Some displayed powers of transformation, others could teleport, and a few exhibited rare, extraordinary abilities.

Suddenly, a wolverine dashed toward the king, roaring fiercely before shifting into a chicken, then a cow. The king chuckled, turning to Harriette. "Impressive... they're training hard."

The two continued their tour of the Academy of Supernaturals, finally arriving at Georgia's Garden.

"Harriette," the king said softly, "I want you to have this."

He handed her a golden whistle. It gleamed brightly, catching the sunlight like a diamond.

"What... what is this?"

"This whistle is the only way to reach the princess once the spell is broken." Harriette stared at it, her eyes wide. "I want you to keep it safe," he added.

Harriette nodded, gripping the whistle tightly.

Ximena entered Rex’s office. Caroline was lounging in the boss's chair, while Rex sat in the guest seat.

“So, what have I missed?” Ximena asked casually.

Caroline shot her a sharp glare before addressing Rex. "The insights were bad, but they’re improving slowly. Unfortunately, many companies have dropped you as their brand ambassador."

Ximena pressed her lips together and nodded, sinking into a chair. She crossed her legs and unwrapped a candy.

"You’re not to post anything without my approval," Caroline continued. "No public appearances together, no dates, no kisses, no hand holding. Keep it low key for now."

Ximena nodded repeatedly. "Fine, tell me what to do with this ‘relationship’. Should we just let it die?"

Caroline shrugged and leaned closer to Rex, who had been quiet the entire time. She bent low, exposing her cleavage. I never understood why she wore such revealing clothes to the office.

“Get the chains…” she whispered, her voice teasing as she jiggled in her dress. “If you want to enjoy your cake, keep the dog away.”

Ximena’s eyes narrowed. She stood up abruptly. “Might as well grab a pole while you’re at it. That dress barely covers you.” Without another word, she stormed out.

Rex looked at the door, his thoughts unreadable.

"You can't be seen with her, not now. Think it through," Caroline said as Rex reached for the door. She smiled, satisfied.


Valerie sat in front of her mirror, dabbing makeup on her face. Ximena entered the room, her eyes red from crying. She slumped onto the bed.

Valerie joined her, sitting close. "ONWM?" Ximena muttered. "People… they always…”

Valerie sighed, her mind racing. “I’m sorry about everything."

“Do you know," Ximena whispered, "since I met Rex, we haven’t even... been to bed? Yet he’s with her."

Valerie exhaled slowly. Some secrets are like ticking time bombs.

“I feel like his past is haunting us,” Ximena continued, her voice cracking. “It’s killing me.”

Valerie took her hands gently. "It’ll be fine, I promise. Keep your head up. Yours is better than most."

“Which is why I’m holding on to our engagement, keeping it golden," Ximena said, her eyes wide with determination.

Valerie chuckled. "Look who’s giving advice now! Can you even handle all that cuteness?" Crazy images flashed through Valerie's mind, and she hugged Ximena tightly.

"That’s why I’m cheering you on, sweetheart," Ximena replied with a small smile.

---

"That lady has got to be kidding me..."

"Who?"

"The SMM, of course! I swear, she is into Rex, and he is just playing along like he is shy."

"Xie, every problem has a solution." Ximena glanced at her phone before standing. "I have got to go. Event planner duties call." She smiled at Valerie.

Valerie turned back to the mirror, but her phone buzzed again. She picked it up, scanning the images and videos that appeared. Her eyes narrowed in disgust. Without thinking, she grabbed her keys and headed for Zaire's place, her hands trembling as her heels clicked against the floor. The soft hum of the car engine only added to the tension rising in her chest.

Rex scrolled aimlessly through his phone until a private message popped up. Images and videos flooded the screen. Her compass pointed toward his straw; her balloons, his chocolate. The sound of his breath quickened, sharp inhales filling the quiet room.

His chest tightened, each breath coming out in ragged gasps. His hand slammed onto the table with a loud thud. "Who got this footage?!" he growled. A new message flashed: "MEET ME AT DARLING'S TONIGHT." The click of the message notification echoed in the room.

Sweat drenched his palms as the ticking clock on the wall seemed to slow down, each second dragging by. He entered the bar, hearing the low murmur of conversations and the clinking of glasses. Spotting his reflection in the door, he straightened his tux. The rustling of his jacket was the only sound as he walked inside. Theo appeared beside him, his shoes tapping lightly against the floor.

"You don’t have to be so tense, kid..." Theo whispered. "My music has always been the simplest tune." The quiet sound of Theo’s breathless chuckle grated on Rex’s nerves.

Rex pressed his lips together.

"Get to it, Theodore McDonald," Rex muttered, fists clenched. Theo smirked, the sound of his soft footsteps circling Rex like a predator. Their faces were mere inches apart, both standing still, the only sound between them the faint hum of the bar around them.

"I have always dreamed of her milk-white skin, those hot balloons..." Theo sneered.

Rex’s jaw clenched, his teeth grinding audibly, anger flushing his face.

"Rex, you and I both know you don’t have the guts to take her. You can’t climb her mountains or dive into her river. So back off, or the world will see you for who you really are." Theo’s voice dripped with menace, every word landing like a strike.

Rex’s heart pounded loudly in his chest, but his face remained unreadable. "Blackmail is just a chain, Theo. It never makes things better." His voice was as steady as the soft tapping of Theo’s foot on the floor.

Theo chuckled again, a sound as sharp as glass breaking. "You’re pretending to be strong when you’re nothing but weak."

Rex scoffed, his voice cutting through the tension. "I don’t need to prove myself to someone beneath me. You’re trying to pull me down because you’re stuck there yourself."

Theo’s smirk faltered. The silence between them felt heavy.

Rex took a step closer, his voice low and dangerous. "You betrayed Valerie. Took advantage of her, and that is the real story here."

Theo’s eyes darkened, but Rex didn’t back down. "That footage might matter more to you than anyone else. Because the man in that video? He has done better than the coward standing in front of me." His words were like a punch, the silence that followed loud in its weight.

Rex turned and walked away, the sound of his shoes echoing against the walls. Behind him, Theo’s fists slammed into the wall with a dull thud, followed by another.

Meanwhile, Valerie sat in Rex’s room, waiting. She could hear the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. The sound of the door opening startled her, and Rex rushed in, the soft clink of a cup in his hand.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly, his voice gentle as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I came as soon as I got your voicemail." Tears brimmed in her eyes, the soft sound of her sniffles breaking the silence. She handed him her phone, the screen glowing dimly in the dark room.

Rex’s grip tightened. "This... this is bad." His voice was low and filled with concern. He pulled her closer, planting a soft kiss on her forehead. "Hey, Val. This does not mean anything. Do not let it get to you."

He held her as she cried, the faint rustling of the sheets as he wiped her tears gently with his thumb. He shifted on the bed, but when he reached out for her, the soft patter of water in the distance caught his attention. Opening the bathroom door, he saw her in the tub, bubbles floating around her. The water splashed softly as she turned, her body moving with the ripples.

He smiled, stepping closer, the soft slosh of the water around his feet. "Why don’t I show you why I missed my flight? And you can tell me what you were doing with Rexford Williams while I was gone." She chuckled, splashing water at him with a playful flick.

"You already showed me why you missed your flight."

"I told you. I haven’t shown you yet." He smiled, and the door clicked softly shut behind them.


---

"Caroline!" Rex’s voice echoed through the room, breaking the stillness.

"Yes, dear?" Caroline dropped her bag with a soft thud and stood in front of him.

"Since you came into my life, I am grateful for your help, but you keep overstepping your boundaries. I am confused by your actions."

Caroline smiled sweetly. "That is because you haven’t learned the difference between sugar and honey. Let go of your sugar filled past and embrace the honey."

"You deleted all my social media accounts, millions of followers, and now you preach about honey?"

"You don’t need admirers. You just need me."

"That is insane!"

"Shh..." Caroline placed a finger to her lips, the soft sound of her whisper filling the space. "A quick moment won’t hurt, right?"

"Just like last time?" he growled, his voice filled with frustration.

"Yes, baby. Don’t worry. I sent your secretary away. No interruptions, unless someone is addicted to honey." Her heels hit the floor with a soft clatter, and her clothes followed with a whisper. Her hair was tied up as she walked toward him, but his jaw tightened, the tension thick in the air.

"I am having issues with the WiFi here, babe." The door creaked open, and Ximena stepped out of the restroom. The sudden boom of the door filled the room, breaking the fragile silence.

© Chidimma Mirabel Ugwuozo