F4

Thyme smiled as he reminisced about how the Gorya family treated him yesterday. They had welcomed him with open arms and made him feel like part of their family. Thyme couldn't help but feel grateful for their kindness and hoped to repay them in some way.

While he was all giddy, it was all ruined when an individual exited from her car. The person who emerged from the car was none other than Juilette. Students surrounded her instantly, trying to take a photo or simply get a glimpse of her.

"Seriously, she's been here for like a week? They aren't tired of seeing her face; I sure am." Thyme thought to himself, feeling a pang of annoyance at the crowd's fascination with Juliette.

He couldn't understand why everyone was so infatuated with her, especially when there were other deserving individuals who deserved recognition and attention. For example....ME! Nevertheless, Thyme tried to push aside his frustration and focus on the warm welcome he had received from the others.

"Wait....." he looked around, realizing that the crowd's attention had shifted from Juliette to him. It seemed that his arrival had sparked curiosity and interest among the people, making him feel, let's just say, jealous.

"Thyme, you just gotta admit. The spotlight isn't on you anymore, dude," M.J. teased, playfully nudging him. Thyme forced a smile while his hands curled into a fist.

"Let's just go," he said. as they both turned around to head to class. M.J. looked back at Juliette and smirked before turning his attention back to Thyme.

In class, the teacher was going on about Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet.

"For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

-Willam Shakespeare.

The teacher said this as he went on about the tragic love story and the themes of fate and destiny. Thyme's mind wandered, his thoughts consumed by the irony of the situation. He couldn't help but wonder if his own love story would end in a similar tragedy.

MJ suddenly spoke up.

"But, sir, I don't believe in never," he said as he leaned back into his chair. His eyes were glued to Juliette as she suddenly turned around to face him. "Isn't love always filled with hope and possibilities?" M.J.'s question hung in the air, causing the rest of the class to pause and consider his perspective. The teacher smiled, acknowledging Mj's insight, and replied, "Indeed, love can defy even the most tragic of circumstances, offering a glimmer of hope in the face of adversity."

"I don't believe in always, because love can be unpredictable and complex," Juliette counted, her voice filled with skepticism.

"Well, opposites attract," M.J. said, leaning forward onto the desk, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Never," she said, raising an eyebrow. Mj chuckled and replied, "Always." He smirked back at Juliette.

"You never know, Juliette. Love has a way of surprising us when we least expect it." He leaned back in his chair, a playful smile on his face.

The class began clapping as Juliette rolled her eyes before facing forward and trying to hide her smile. She quickly regained her composure and shot M.J. a playful glare, determined to prove him wrong about love's unpredictability.

Thyme began to chuckle as he turned towards Mj and said, "Finally, someone bet her at her own game." M.J. laughed and shrugged, saying, "Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see if she can handle a little competition." He watched how Juliette's eyes narrowed playfully at him before she turned around. She crossed her arms, staring at the board. Before she received a text message

Juliette POV

Fashion show tonight at 8 p.m. Fittings at 7; be there by 5 p.m. sharp.

Her manager messaged her.

I'll be there.

Juliette texted back, her fingers swiftly typing out the response. She couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought of strutting down the runway, showcasing the latest designs.

The adrenaline rush from the competition mixed with the anticipation of the fashion show made her heart race with exhilaration.

As she left the class, she saw how Thyme suddenly rushed out, bumping her in the process. Kavin, who was behind her, tried to catch her, but she quickly regained her balance.

Kavin's hand froze in midair before retracting.

"Jerk," she muttered under her breath, shooting a glare at his back. She brushed off her clothes and continued on her way, determined not to let the encounter dampen her excitement for the upcoming fashion show.

Suddenly, she received a notification. Was this Gorya? She wondered as she saw photos of Gorya and some older men.

"Was this a nightclub? Is she... no, she couldn't be right? Was Gorya involved in something illicit?" The photos raised more questions than answers, leaving her feeling uneasy.

Juliette wondered before suddenly running to find Gorya.

"Was it just me? Or did I see her actually run?" Kavin thought to himself, perplexed by Juliette's sudden urgency. He quickly followed her, curious to see what had caught her attention. Following behind was M.J.

As Juliette was running, she saw a whole group of girls and boys surrounding Gorya. They were all snickering amongst themselves. Juliette's heart sank as she realized that Gorya was the center of attention for all the wrong reasons. She could feel her protective instincts kicking in, and without hesitation, she pushed through the crowd to reach her friend.

When she reached the front of the crowd, she looked between Thyme and Gorya.

[Thyme POV]

I stared at Gorya in disbelief. I can't believe she did this to me. Do I mean nothing? He thought as his mind was clouded by multiple remarks from other students.

"STOP!" I yelled as the crowd suddenly went quiet. As I turned my attention back to Goyra.

"What have you done?" I demanded, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. The silence hung heavy in the air as Gorya avoided my gaze, unable to provide an answer.

"I haven't done anything!" Gorya exclaimed, and my voice filled with frustration.

"Then what's all this?" I yelled as I frustratedly pointed towards the many photos of Gorya dressed up like a bunny serving old men.

[He speaks too much, so skip.]

"Is this you in the picture?" I yelled, my voice filled with disbelief and disgust. As I held in my hand a photo of her. Gorya's face turned pale, and he stammered. "It's me," Gorya said as I watched her head hang low.

I suddenly turned towards a chair and threw the photo down in anger. "How could you do this?" I shouted, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and betrayal. Gorya remained silent, unable to meet my gaze.

Suddenly, Juliette came and stood in front of Gorya.

"Just hear her out, Thyme; you have no idea what she's been through," Juliette pleaded, her voice filled with compassion. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before responding.

"Just leave Juliette; take her with you," I said as I pointed towards the door. "I don't want to hear any excuses or explanations. This is unforgivable." Before I walked away, M.J. and Kavin were trailing behind me.

When Juliette and Gorya were out of the crowd, Gorya suddenly turned to Juliette and grabbed her arm, her face filled with desperation. "Please, Juliette, you have to understand," she pleaded. "I never meant for any of this to happen. I need your help."

Juliette looked down at Gorya. This feeling felt weird. Was I...Protective?

Juliette hesitated for a moment, her eyes softening as she realized the depth of Gorya's desperation. She took a deep breath and nodded, her voice gentle yet firm. "Of course, Gorya, I'll help you with anything."

Gorya's shoulders sagged with relief, her grip on Juliette's arms loosening. "Thank you, Juliette," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know what I would do without you." Juliette smiled softly, a sense of determination filling her. "We'll figure this out together," she reassured her.

Gorya gave Juliette a hug before disappearing as Juliette suddenly called a number she had sworn not to use. She looked around before placing the phone against her ear.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

"This is her; I need everything taken care of. Look into a girl named Gorya. Find out who she's connected to, where she went during the nightclub, who was there, and who was behind the photos. I'll pay you heavily. I need everything sorted out within 24 hours, bonus if you do it within 6" Juliette commanded, her voice filled with urgency and authority. The person on the other end of the line responded with a curt acknowledgment before ending the call. Juliette knew that if anyone could help her uncover the truth, it was him.

Just what have I gotten myself into?

She wondered as a wave of uncertainty washed over her. But there was no turning back now; she had to trust in their expertise and hope that they could unravel the web of secrets surrounding Gorya.

[Time skip]

It was 5 p.m., and I arrived for curtain calls and fittings. I was wearing simple sweatpants and a tank top as I entered backstage. Suddenly, the make-up crew surrounded me and began transforming my appearance. The excitement and anticipation in the air were palpable as everyone prepared for the upcoming performance.

I was given a stunning, light baby blue dress that flowed down to my ankles. The fabric felt soft against my skin, and the intricate beadwork sparkled under the stage lights. As I slipped into the dress, I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence and excitement for the role I was about to play. The dress hugged my figure perfectly, accentuating my every movement as I stepped onto the stage.

I twirled around before I noticed that a bouquet was on my dressing table.

"Excuse me, do you know who left this?" I asked the nearby stagehand, pointing towards the bouquet. He shrugged and replied, "I have no idea, but it must be from an admirer. You look absolutely stunning tonight." Curiosity piqued, I examined the bouquet closely, searching for any clue as to who could have left it for me.

"Juliette, you're leading on in 20," called the stage manager, interrupting my investigation. I quickly set the bouquet aside and rushed towards the stage, my heart pounding with excitement and anticipation. As I took my place, I couldn't help but wonder who could have been so thoughtful to leave me such a beautiful surprise.

3rd POV

Paparazzi and magazine reporters were always trying to capture Juliette's every move.

As Juliette walked out on stage, the audience erupted into applause, their excitement palpable. The spotlight illuminated her, casting a radiant glow on her face as she walked down the runway with grace and precision.

Her presence commanded attention, and every eye in the room was fixated on her. She exuded confidence and elegance, effortlessly captivating the audience with each step she took. It was clear that Juliette had become a true icon in the fashion industry, leaving everyone in awe of her talent and beauty.

"Over here, Juliette!" The photographers called out, their cameras flashing as they tried to capture her every move. Juliette turned towards them, flashing a brilliant smile and striking a pose that exuded charisma and charm. It was evident that she had mastered the art of commanding attention both on and off the runway.

When the runway had finished, the fashion designer rushed over to Juliette, showering her with praise and admiration. "You were absolutely stunning out there, Juliette," he exclaimed. "Your presence on the runway is unparalleled. You truly bring my designs to life." Juliette graciously thanked him, humbled by his words, and felt a sense of fulfillment knowing that her hard work and dedication had paid off.

"No, thank you for allowing me to showcase your incredible designs," Juliette replied. "It's an honor to be able to bring them to life and be a part of your vision." The fashion designer smiled warmly at her, appreciating her gratitude and understanding of their collaborative partnership. He knew that Juliette's ability to command attention both on and off the runway was a testament to her talent and professionalism.

She looked at the bouquet before receiving a call. She excused herself before walking away and sitting in front of her mirror.

It was the same person she had called before. She took a breath before answering.

"Tell me, have you found everything? Make sure they dealt with, no bloodshed til I get there" she demanded with authority, her voice laced with determination.

"Yes ma'am, we'll send you the details" she heard the voice on the other end of the line respond. Juliette nodded, satisfied with the response.

Out of POV

Juliette didn't realize the note that had fallen onto the ground

𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩t 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥, 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶?
-?

(A/N: Fyi the dresses above in blue are what you walk in).