Secret Affection

🥺Secret Affection🥺

Chapter 1

"Jade,wakeup!You're going to be late for school"Her aunt's voice pierced through the sleepy haze,accompanied by the harsh rustling of her curtains being yanked opened.

She groggily opened her eyes to find her aunt Rachel,standing over her.

Aunt Rachel,"do I really have to go to school today?"She whined,burrowing under her blankets.

Her aunt chuckled and shook her head."You're not a morning person,I get it.But you can't stay in bed all day.You'll miss your favorite chemistry teacher!"

She reluctantly threw off the covers and sat up rubbing her eyes.What time is it?

Almost 8:30AM,You need to get moving,kiddo.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed,Her aunt handed her a cup of steaming hot coffee."Thanks,Aunt Rachel",She said,taking a sip.

She stood up and began to get ready for school,a family question crept into her mind.Aunt Rachel,can I ask you something?

Sure thing,Jade.What's up?

She hesitated,"It's just...I was wondering about my parents again."

Her aunt's expression changed,"Jade,we've talked about this.Your parents are....gone.They can't be here for you,okay?"

Why did her aunt always evade her questions about her parents?

What was she hiding from her?

Nevertheless,She got up from the bed,had her bath and left for school.

°°°Oxford College 9AM°°°

Different cars of different sizes could be seen,driving into the prestigious building of Oxford College,It was the most influential school on the whole of England.

Only the rich has the privilege to send their kids to Oxford college.

Looking for spoilt brat,Bullies,Fashion Freaks,You will find them there.

Hardin pulled into the school parking lot in his sleek,black Aston Martin,the engine purring smoothly.The car was a gift from his dad,he has several cars,and does not wear the same cloth everyday,a symbol of his wealth and status.

He stepped out of the car,His eyes scanned the parking lot,He smirked.

•OMG it's Hardin,He's so hot.

•I know right,I've heard he's got a reputation for being a bad boy.

Tessa,the self proclaimed,School queen,stood out among them,he long blonde hair and perfect smile gleaming in the fluorescent lighting.

Tessa,Angelina,and Tori were known for their cliquey behavior and mean girl antics,often bullying those they deemed beneath them.

Tessa flaunted her beauty,as she gazed at Hardin,walked with Tessa and her friends.

He noticed Jade watching across the hallway,her eyes narrowed,He smirked.

"Hey Jade,He called out,Looking a bit...lost,aren't you?Maybe you need a map yo find your way back to reality?"He said.

Jade snapped angrily,Hardin i've had enough of your.....

But before she could finish,the bell rang,signally the end of the hallway conversation,He grinned.

Until next time,Jade,He said,winking at her,When I'll no doubt have to rescue you from your clumsiness.

Tessa approached Jade,a sly smile spreading across her face."Look who we have here",She sneered.

Jade scoffed and turned to walk away,but Tori grabbed her arm,holding her in place."When we're talking,don't even dare snub us,Tori yelled",Tessa whispered."Don't even dare."

Tessa's hand flushed out,slapping Jade's eyes widened,her cheek burning from the impact.She held her face,her eyes welling up with tears,but she couldn't speak.For some reason,she was frozen with fear,unable to retaliate or defend herself.

They walked away,Tears streamed down her eyes.

The students taunt grew louder as she made her way towards the locker.

"She's so disgusting", A girl brewled.

"She stinks", Another added and immediately a set of hands pulled her hair and dragged her to the latrine, Her heart raced with fear, knowing the exact fate that was about to befall her.

Her head was shoved into the closet accompanied with a powerful kick and she fell to the floor in pain. Their laughter and jeers echoed, a bittersweet symphony of mockery. Her head hung low in shame, unable to look up, Her heart rippled with unshed tears and She couldn't stop the waterworks from rolling down her cheeks.

Why was fate cruel to her?

🥺Secret Affection🥺

Chapter 2

°°°°°°°°

Tears streamed down Jade's face as she gathered her belongings and fled the school.The humiliation and pain were too much to bear.She couldn't stay in a place where she was belittled and abused.

"Why can't I just die?"She whispered to herself.

How am I supposed to survive each day?

With each step,Jade felt her world crumbing around her.The weight of her struggles seemed too much to handle.

°°°°°°Jade Mansion.

Her eyes snapped opened,"tears dropped,I Jade vow to never again be disrespected.If anyone tries to mess with me,they won't like the way I treat them,the battle line is drawn",She whispered.

She wiped her tears,Let me start fresh,She started shaving her eyelashes into a perfect arcs,styling her hair into a shunning look,and pampering her nails with a meticulous manicure and pedicure.

Finally,she slipped into her joggers,ready to take on with a newfound sense of confidence.

She walked out of her room,her maid greeted her with a warm smile.She headed to her aunt's room.

She hugged her aunt tightly,grinning from ear to ear.

"You've changed,my dear",she said.You're looking more like my baby princess everyday.

She chuckled,"Aunt i'm sorry.I know I neglected my appearance and didn't listen to your advice.I thought no one cared."

Princess,Let me get you some beautiful dresses,I want to see you rock them.

She smiled,"Thank you aunt,I'm late for school."

°°°°Oxford College°°°

"Tori,Tessa,and Angelina approached Jade",they smirked.

"I guess you changed your looks,trying to impress who?" Tessa sneered

She laughed,"Trying to impress your dogs,of course."

"Help me with that,I'd rather die than impress you or your minions or should I say lap dogs" Jade replied.

"Now,if you don't mind excuse me I have better things to do",Jade said.

Tessa pushed Jade back,when we are talking don't ignore us...Are you mad,low life.

"If you dare touch me with those filthy hands I promise i'll make it hard for you in this college",Jade hissed.

"You called me low life",She laughed,I will feed your entire generation.

Don't cross me,Tessa,warn your dogs,Jade spat,shoving them away.

Jade walked away,Hardin approached her,

Hardin smirked,"he leaned in his chest almost touching Jade,their faces so close almost breathing the same air,you know Jade you are not as boring as I thought."

Jade raised an eyebrow,"what do you want Hardin?"

He grinned and walked away,leaving Jade to wonder what he was plotting next.

At the extreme of the class is Beck is tall and lean,with messy brown hair and piercing blue eyes.He has a strong Jawline and a small scar above his left eyebrow from a childhood accident,Becky is a quiet and introspective person who keeps to himself most times.

Beck stood by his locker,He and Hardin had a long history of clashed.He approached Jade who seemed lost in her own thoughts.

Hey Jade,ignore him,he's jealous of your brains and beauty.

Jade smirked,"Beauty...Not like you noticed me all this while in school",Anyways,Thank you.

Beck nodded and walked away.

cafeteria***

Beck stormed into the cafeteria,his gaze fixed on Hardin,"You think you're so clever,don't you,Hardin? Stay away from her,Stop getting on her nerves."

Hardin smiled,"since when did you care,the last time I checked,she always gets bullied in school and you don't care."

Beck face reddened,"Whatever,Just stay away from her,You're always doing this,Hardin.You think you're above everyone else,just because of your family's wealth and status."

Hardin scoffed,"You're so predictable,Beck.Always playing the hero,No one likes a goody goody like you."

Beck glared at Hardin,"Leave her alone,Hardin.She's not your play thing."

"Whatever,Your stay is over,f**k off,"He replied.

°°°°°°°

Jade snapped angrily,"What are you doing,Becky?I can fight my own battles,I don't need you to save me or whatever you're trying to do."

I'm just trying to help,Jade.You don't have to deal with Hardin or Tessa's crap alone.

Jade smiled,"For real...I have been in this college for over a year,facing everything alone....without any help from anyone in this school,everyone saw me as a prey,please that's exactly what i'm doing,and by constantly intervening,you're making me look weak again,....I don't want to be that kind of a girl again."

That's not what I meant,Jade,I just wanted to support you.He replied.

Jade's eyes narrowed,"Support me?or seek attention for yourself?Because it feels like the latter.You're always trying to play the hero,Beck,I don't need a hero,I can handle my own life."

The words stung,Beck's expression changed,"Fine,Jade ,Have it your own way."

I appreciate that,Beck.

She scoffed and walked away.

Xoxo💜

Secret Affection

{From Foes To Forever}

Chapter 3

°°°°°°°°°

I don't know who's giving Jade the nerve to talk back to you,Tessa,Tori said.Don't let her get under your skin.we need to put her in her place.

Tessa nodded,"I'll take care of it.'

Before Tessa could respond,Angelina replied,Do we need to,thought?I mean,Is it really worth our time?

Tessa's expression darkened,she yelled,"Shut up,Angelina!You're not helping!"

°°°°°°°°

Josephine eyes narrowed,"Beck,what's going on with you?Ever since that argument with Jade,you've been acting weird."

Beck shrugged,avoiding eye contact."I'm fine,Josephine.Just stressed out with school stuff."

Josephine smiled,"School stuff? Or Jade stuff?Be honest,Beck,Are you into her or something."

Beck face flushed,he hesitated before speaking,"Maybe,I don't know,Josephine,she's so....different.I feel like I can relate to her in some way."

Josephine expression softened,"Beck,you can't save everyone.Especially not someone like Jade,who seems determined to push everyone away."

Beck signed,"I know josephine.But there's something about her....I can't explain it.I feel bad for ignoring her all this while."

Just be careful,Okay?Don't get too caught up in trying to rescue her.

Beck nodded.

Airport***

Hardin leaned against the airport wall,his eyes fixed on the arrival gate.when Adrian emerged ,luggage in tow,Hardin raised an eyebrow."Look what the wind blew in."

Adrian grinned,dropping his bag."Hey,Hardin!Miss me?"

Hardin shrugged,"feigning indifference.Maybe,if I remembered you were gone."

"You're such a liar!I know you've been counting the days till my return",He replied.

Hardin scoffed,"Whatever,so how was your holiday!Get some p**sy to f**k?"

Not everyone is like you Hardin,always looking for every means to get under their pants.

He smirked,"c'mon Adrian should I have said no when they threw themselves at me."

Maybe,But i heard things were heating up between you and Jade while I was away.

"Jade? Please",He replied.

Adrian raised an eyebrow."Oh come on! You can't fool me Hardin I know you've been trying to get under her skin since day one.Has she finally thawed out for you?"

Hardin smirked,playing it cool."You know me,Adrian,I don't chase anyone.If they can't keep up I don't f**king care."

Adrian laughed,"okay,keep telling yourself that,I know You're hooked on Jade,and you don't even know it yet."

Adrian expression changed,"Drop it,Adrian."

©©©©

Hardin trusted through his front door,He collapsed onto the couch,exhausted and frustration washing over him.

He closed his eyes,then his phone buzzed with an unexpected message from Tessa.His eyes opened to find a string of flirtatious message,he was tired so he ignored.

Tessa message grew more provocative,inviting him to come over and "relax" with her.Hardin stress had reached a boiling point.He couldn't muster the energy to respond,let alone indulge in Tessa's advances.

He signed and turned off his phone,his mind still occupied with Adrian's teasing words.The last thing he needed was Tessa's drama.

©©©©Next day ©©©©

She brushed her hair and applied a light layer of makeup,her aunt watched her with a side eye.

"Jade,you're so beautiful,just like your mother,I'm happy that you've finally let you self out of your shell",she said.

She smiled,"Her aunt rarely spoke about my parents,and whenever she did,it was always in whispers and fragmented sentences."

Thanks,Aunt Rachel,I said,trying to sound casual.But I wish you'd tell me more about them.What were they like?What happened to them?

Her aunt expression changed again",You'd better hurry up,Jade.You don't want to be late for college."

She signed,"Why did her aunt always shut down when she asked about her parents?

what secret was she hiding from her?"

©©©hardin's house ©©©

Hardin stood before his father's desk,his back pack slung over his shoulder.What's up,Dad?

His father's expression changed,"Hardin we need to talk about your future.I've been patient,but it's time to face reality."

You're going to take over the company one day,and I can't have you pursuing some...frivolous degree I'm science when I have a company waiting for you.

Hardin's eyes narrowed,"It is not frivolous Dad,It's my passion."

His father scoffed,"Passion doesn't pay the bills,Hardin.Business administration will give you the skull to rum this company successfully.I'm switching your major,effective immediately."

You can't do that,I won't let you dictate my life.

His father's face reddened."You'll do as I say,Hardin.I'm your father,and I know what's best for you."

The tension escalated until Hardin's fathers hand cracked across his face,he slapped him,leaving a stinging sensation.

You'll obey me,Hardin.No more arguing.

Hardin's eyes widened,"tears streamed down his eyes,and he stormed out."

He reached his car,he noticed a mysterious letter on the windshield.His heart raced as he opened it,revealing a message.

Hardin eyes scanned the parking lot...but there was no one in sight.

Who could be behind this?

What was his father hiding?

Xoxo💜