TYLERA text from some hacker had me following Amira and Lena down the hall into one of the rooms. I knew something was weird about that photographer. This text just proved it. They spent some time inside before leaving, the door was slightly ajar. Sloppy. Either they were careless, or they didn’t think anyone would question them being here.I stepped inside, eyes scanning the monitors that displayed the cameras covering the event. Nothing immediately stood out–until I saw a folder labeled Emilia.My stomach clenched as I reached for it. Flipping it open, I expected to see outtakes from the shoot. Instead, I found something worse—secrets. Photos that had nothing to do with modeling and everything to do with blackmail.The first image stopped me cold. Francesca, wrapped around an infamous therapist to the elites. His name alone was scandalous, tied to more than a few high-profile breakdowns. And beneath the photos, a mention of a video. My pulse hammered.Before I could flip through th
MILAEverything started out great. Until it wasn’t. It all happened so fast. First, the speech. I stepped onto the stage, ignoring the confident look on Arianna’s face. “This collection isn’t just about fashion," I announced. "It’s about the celebration of freedom. The freedom to take up space, to embrace every curve, every edge, every part of yourself without apology. For too long, we’ve been told to hide–to shrink, to fit into boxes that were never meant for us. But not anymore.”I gestured toward the models as they stepped forward, their confidence radiating with every stride. "Summer is about feeling light, unburdened, alive. Not weighed down by expectations or secrets we’ve been too afraid to let go of. This collection is about owning your truth–wearing it boldly, beautifully, without fear."Second, the show. The crowd erupted in applause as the models strutted forward, showcasing designs tailored to flatter and empower. Camila queued up the video of men and women wearing my cl
GABEThe control room was of course locked. I had tried warning the others that Arianna and my mother were up to no good. I just wished I’d figured out what they were planning before it was too late. The moment Brian failed to hack the system and shut everything down, I didn’t hesitate. I ran straight here.With a swift, brutal kick, the door burst open.The room was empty.Whoever had played that video had already fled.Grinding my teeth, I rushed to the controls, shutting down the feed as fast as I could. Every screen. Every angle. But it was too late. The screams from the other room were evident. The damage was done. Fuck!“Alpha Gabe?”Camila ran into the room just as I wiped the last screen. My jaw was tight, my hands clenched around the console.“Is that all of them?” she asked.I did one final sweep before giving her a sharp nod.“Why didn’t you warn us earlier?” The anger rolling off her was palpable, and I didn’t blame her.“I knew something was going to happen–I just didn’t
MILAMy hand was still pressed to Gabe’s chest. The fireworks still crackled overhead, but Gabe’s steady grip on my arms anchored me, his voice a distant hum cutting through the overwhelming noise.“You’re okay,” he murmured. “Focus on me.”I forced myself to nod, clinging to his presence. I hated this–feeling weak, feeling vulnerable–but the night had unraveled far beyond what I had prepared for. Francesca was probably dead. Amber was definitely dead. And Arianna…My gaze snapped to where I had seen Arianna last.“She’s gone,” Gabe said, following my gaze.Of course, she was. Just like with Randall, she always knew when to slip away before the damage fully settled. My stomach turned at everything that had happened. The system breach. Emily’s and Arianna’s coordinated attack leading to two deaths. What else could’ve gone wrong?Then I remembered what Amber said. They threatened my father if Gabe…I pushed off Gabe’s support, standing even as my knees wobbled. “I need to go. You can’t
LAURAI pressed my back against the cold stone wall of the packhouse, clutching the hacking device in my hand like it was the holy grail.Fuck. Why is this so scary?I took a moment to calm myself.No turning back, Laurie. You can do this.I wasn’t just a hacker. No, I was a field agent. A spy. A legend in the making. And… caught if I don’t stop talking to myself and get a move on. Just think like Mila.Crouching low, I scurried toward the back door, the one I personally disabled the security cameras for. Did it count as cheating if I was the one who helped Gabe set up most of these security measures in the first place? No. Absolutely not. It was called working smarter, not harder.I carefully turned the knob and slipped inside, holding my breath as I closed the door behind me. Step one: complete.Step two: don’t get caught.I tiptoed down the dimly lit hallway, dodging the occasional patrol or house worker. The packhouse wasn’t exactly Fort Knox, but Emily was paranoid enough to make
MILA Sophomore Year“Hi! I’m Mila Davis. I am a strong, beautiful, black girl and I don't need…” I looked down at the text message from my friend, Gabe, who hasn’t been to school all week. Affirmation for the day he texted. I cleared my throat and looked back into the mirror. “...and I don’t need validation from anyone but myself.”Don’t get me wrong. I think I was pretty cute. Frizzy afro that I have given up on taming, pleasantly plump cheeks that grandies loved to pinched and small freckles that I think added a little flair to my face. Framing my face were thick, rounded glasses that magnified my light brown eyes, and honestly made me look smart. Who didn’t want to look smart? I took pride in dark brown skin, not a single blemish in sight. Well aside from the vitiligo in certain spots, but those spots were in places that only my beloved would be able to see. Still, despite societal stereotypes, I was determined to be seen. Just maybe after I graduate highschool.I took a deep brea
MILA“Hi, I’m Mila Davis. Welcome to Grand Mountain High.” I turned to my classmate, Jenna. “How was that? Too preppy?”“Does it matter?” Jenna sighed heavily at my concern. “No one cares about high school. They’re all the same and everyone is just trying to survive long enough to graduate.”I brushed it off, knowing the importance of a first impression. I continued to fix my unruly curly afro in the mirror, frowning when the hair tie popped out of my hand. I walked to retrieve it from the floor.“I know Jenna, but I’m part of the student council, and things like this matter when you need references for college. Besides, if I do this, it could get me closer to getting the Aliz Women in Arts Scholarship. They only give it to one student a year, and it's going to be mine before I graduate.”“Slow down, Mila,” Jenna urged. “You’re a sophomore. College is so far away and besides I think everyone should take the first year off to decide if they really need unnecessary debt.”“I can’t afford
MILAAfter showing the Mora girls to their lockers we ran into Gabe, who had a bouquet of flowers in his hands. His gaze met mine, a smile illuminating his face until he noticed the company I was with. Amber greeted him first, her playful banter revealing a history between them.“Grubbs, it’s been a while,” Amber smiled, pinching his cheeks. “Did you gain more weight since this summer?” “Stop,” Gabe said, obviously irritated, “and that’s not my name.”“How can I not call you that with those chipmunk cheeks like these?” Amber joked.I cringed at that word, chipmunk. I hated it but despite her teasing, I couldn’t help but find Gabe endearing. His rich, brown skin and his rosy cheeks and dimples exude a boyish charm. His eyes, a captivating blend of light brown hues, held a kindness that belied his own struggles. His curly hair, a wild mass framing his face, added to his allure. I thought it was always cute the way he constantly had to move his hair out of the way. He might not fit the
LAURAI pressed my back against the cold stone wall of the packhouse, clutching the hacking device in my hand like it was the holy grail.Fuck. Why is this so scary?I took a moment to calm myself.No turning back, Laurie. You can do this.I wasn’t just a hacker. No, I was a field agent. A spy. A legend in the making. And… caught if I don’t stop talking to myself and get a move on. Just think like Mila.Crouching low, I scurried toward the back door, the one I personally disabled the security cameras for. Did it count as cheating if I was the one who helped Gabe set up most of these security measures in the first place? No. Absolutely not. It was called working smarter, not harder.I carefully turned the knob and slipped inside, holding my breath as I closed the door behind me. Step one: complete.Step two: don’t get caught.I tiptoed down the dimly lit hallway, dodging the occasional patrol or house worker. The packhouse wasn’t exactly Fort Knox, but Emily was paranoid enough to make
MILAMy hand was still pressed to Gabe’s chest. The fireworks still crackled overhead, but Gabe’s steady grip on my arms anchored me, his voice a distant hum cutting through the overwhelming noise.“You’re okay,” he murmured. “Focus on me.”I forced myself to nod, clinging to his presence. I hated this–feeling weak, feeling vulnerable–but the night had unraveled far beyond what I had prepared for. Francesca was probably dead. Amber was definitely dead. And Arianna…My gaze snapped to where I had seen Arianna last.“She’s gone,” Gabe said, following my gaze.Of course, she was. Just like with Randall, she always knew when to slip away before the damage fully settled. My stomach turned at everything that had happened. The system breach. Emily’s and Arianna’s coordinated attack leading to two deaths. What else could’ve gone wrong?Then I remembered what Amber said. They threatened my father if Gabe…I pushed off Gabe’s support, standing even as my knees wobbled. “I need to go. You can’t
GABEThe control room was of course locked. I had tried warning the others that Arianna and my mother were up to no good. I just wished I’d figured out what they were planning before it was too late. The moment Brian failed to hack the system and shut everything down, I didn’t hesitate. I ran straight here.With a swift, brutal kick, the door burst open.The room was empty.Whoever had played that video had already fled.Grinding my teeth, I rushed to the controls, shutting down the feed as fast as I could. Every screen. Every angle. But it was too late. The screams from the other room were evident. The damage was done. Fuck!“Alpha Gabe?”Camila ran into the room just as I wiped the last screen. My jaw was tight, my hands clenched around the console.“Is that all of them?” she asked.I did one final sweep before giving her a sharp nod.“Why didn’t you warn us earlier?” The anger rolling off her was palpable, and I didn’t blame her.“I knew something was going to happen–I just didn’t
MILAEverything started out great. Until it wasn’t. It all happened so fast. First, the speech. I stepped onto the stage, ignoring the confident look on Arianna’s face. “This collection isn’t just about fashion," I announced. "It’s about the celebration of freedom. The freedom to take up space, to embrace every curve, every edge, every part of yourself without apology. For too long, we’ve been told to hide–to shrink, to fit into boxes that were never meant for us. But not anymore.”I gestured toward the models as they stepped forward, their confidence radiating with every stride. "Summer is about feeling light, unburdened, alive. Not weighed down by expectations or secrets we’ve been too afraid to let go of. This collection is about owning your truth–wearing it boldly, beautifully, without fear."Second, the show. The crowd erupted in applause as the models strutted forward, showcasing designs tailored to flatter and empower. Camila queued up the video of men and women wearing my cl
TYLERA text from some hacker had me following Amira and Lena down the hall into one of the rooms. I knew something was weird about that photographer. This text just proved it. They spent some time inside before leaving, the door was slightly ajar. Sloppy. Either they were careless, or they didn’t think anyone would question them being here.I stepped inside, eyes scanning the monitors that displayed the cameras covering the event. Nothing immediately stood out–until I saw a folder labeled Emilia.My stomach clenched as I reached for it. Flipping it open, I expected to see outtakes from the shoot. Instead, I found something worse—secrets. Photos that had nothing to do with modeling and everything to do with blackmail.The first image stopped me cold. Francesca, wrapped around an infamous therapist to the elites. His name alone was scandalous, tied to more than a few high-profile breakdowns. And beneath the photos, a mention of a video. My pulse hammered.Before I could flip through th
MILAFinally something else I could focus on besides the files we found in Alpha Gregory’s office. I didn’t have a beach to work with for this event, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t create one. Every inch of this event had been designed to perfection, down to the placement of the lighting and the subtle gold detailing on the tables, and the diamonds on display. I’d walked through this space too many times to count, checking for any weak points Arianna could exploit. Then, to be extra cautious, I made sure not to invite her.Of course, Camila had questioned that decision. “Maybe you should invite her,” she had suggested with a knowing smirk. “Better to have your enemies where you can see them.”She was right. Because as much as I tried to enjoy tonight, something felt off. No amount of polite praise from the guests or the slight smile on Mister Deveaux’s face could shake the unease prickling at the back of my neck.“Lovely event.”The voice was smooth, deliberate. I turned, already bra
MILAI walked up the steps to the orphanage, the scent of fresh paint and sawdust clinging in the air. Despite the faint ache simmering in my chest I allowed myself to feel satisfied at how the improvements were coming along. New windows, the creaking porch reinforced, and the overgrown lawn trimmed down to something almost respectable. The fact that Jenna was dedicated to turning this back into the orphanage it once was was admirable. Also, the only reason I was funding it. Nanna Gertie would’ve wanted this, and she deserved this and more after everything she has done for me. The front door creaked open, and there he was.Alex.He froze the moment he saw me, his body tensing like I’d slapped him. His shirt was damp with sweat, his hair a disheveled mess like he’d been working non-stop. For a long second, neither of us moved. The air between us felt thick enough to choke on. So I did what I did best–ignored it.I walked right past him without so much as a glance.“We have nothing to
GABEIt didn’t take long to access the hidden chamber. Alpha Gregory’s ring fit seamlessly into a panel behind a bookcase, triggering a quiet mechanical shift. The entire shelf groaned before sliding aside, revealing a narrow passageway leading to a secret room.“Cliché,” I muttered.Mila moved like a shadow, her slim frame clad entirely in black. I couldn’t help but watch her–so focused, so damn cute in her element..“Someone’s been watching way too many spy movies,” I smirked.“What? I like wearing black,” she said, her tone defensive but playful.“You know you don’t have to dress up to sneak around, right?” I said, eyeing her massive afro that completely betrayed any attempt at subtlety.She rolled her eyes. “Habit I guess. Besides, I still don’t want your wife to know I’m here.”Wife. That word was a sharp reminder that Arianna still hasn't signed the divorce papers. Rumors were already circulating, thanks to a well-placed article online, but she was holding on–for what, I wasn’t
TYLERI didn't bother knocking as Mila’s door slammed opened, hitting the wall with a loud thud, but I didn’t care. Not after what I’d heard from Camila about the party. Not after almost a week of silence from Mila. I needed to see her.She looked up from the tablet in her hand, her soft music playing in the background. And just like that, the breath in my lungs stilled. She sat curled up on the couch, her bare legs tucked beneath her, a loose blouse slipping off one shoulder, exposing smooth, brown skin. Her afro pulled into a high bun, a few unruly strands escaping to frame her face. Even in the dim glow of the lamp, I could see exhaustion in her eyes—deep brown, flecked with hints of amber, like a sunset right before night took over. She was beautiful. “Tyler, what are you–woah!”Before she could finish, I was across the room in a flash, closing the distance between us and pulling her into my arms. The tablet nearly slipped from her hand as I held her tighter than I should’ve, bu