Chapter 4Out of Here With My Empty Suitcase

Gabriella's POV

The villa was in utter chaos the day before the start of the semester. There were three huge bags spread out in the living room.

Mom was holding a long roll of paper, checking the items on the list with Scarlett's items in the bags.

"Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, vitamins…" she mumbled. "Oh, that's right. We haven't packed Scarlett's skincare products yet."

"Don't forget the desk lamp, Mom," Scarlett said, pointing at the coffee table as she sat on the couch and ate cherries.

"Definitely can't forget that," Mom said. "Jasper specifically bought it for you. I'll put it on top of everything else."

Dad came out from the study, holding a stack of bills. "Put this in one of the inner compartments. Can't have Scarlett worrying about money when she's in university."

I padded out of the kitchen while carrying a trash bag.

Mom called out to me when I walked past the living room. She didn't even bother lifting her head when she barked out her orders.

"Gabriella, buy two boxes of Band-Aids. Scarlett's shoes might scrape her ankles since they're so new. Also, take the clothes that Scarlett was wearing yesterday to the dry cleaners."

I halted my footsteps. The trash bag that I was holding drooped slightly.

"I'm not free," I said.

Mom stopped checking the items on the list for a few seconds. "What did you say?" she snapped, whipping her head up.

I stared into her eyes and said, "I haven't packed my things yet."

Christopher scoffed. "What do you even have to pack? A few tattered clothes? You can just stuff them into your bag and be done with it. Besides, Julliena University is so close to home. You can just come home and grab whatever you left behind."

I ignored him and made my way toward the front door, changing out of my indoor slippers. Coincidentally, I bumped into Jasper, who was holding several different-sized bags, just as I pushed the door open.

Jasper was holding two card-holders. One of them was pink and bedazzled while the other one was just plain and black.

"Where are you going, Gabby?" he asked, blocking my way.

"Throwing the trash out," I answered.

Jasper offered the black card-holder to me and said, "This is for you. Scarlett likes the pink one, so I'm going to give that to her. I'll drive the two of you to Julliena University tomorrow for your registration. You don't have that many bags with you, so you should help Scarlett with her pink one."

I looked at the black card-holder.

The look in Jasper's eyes when he offered it to me had been identical to how he looked when he bought the desk lamp. He was so certain that I would accept the card-holder—so sure that I would fall at his feet in gratitude for his kindness.

However, things were different this time.

"No need. You can go by yourselves."

I went around him and dumped the trash bag into the trash can outside the villa. I then turned around and headed back inside.

…

The next morning, I woke up when the sky was still dark.

I grabbed my luggage and quietly pushed the villa's front door open.

The living room was silent. Jasper and the others had stayed up all night throwing a celebratory party for Scarlett, so they were still sound asleep.

The morning breeze in autumn felt cool against my skin.

My luggage rolled along unsteadily as I dragged it behind me on the deserted sidewalk.

…

I arrived at the airport at 7:00 am. I got my boarding pass and sat in the waiting area.

My phone began vibrating nonstop.

It was time for Julliena University's new students to register.

Mom sent a barrage of voice messages into the family group chat.

"Where the hell are you, Gabriella Lowine? I told you to help Scarlett with her luggage. You just had to leave by yourself first. Come to the university's south gate right now!"

Christopher sent a picture of Scarlett holding up a peace sign in front of Julliena University's main gates.

"Some people just love being jealous."

A few seconds later, I received a private message from Jasper.

"Stop causing a fuss, Gabby. Which dormitory are you staying in? Scarlett has already set up her bed. Come over and help her hang the bed drapes. I'll treat you and your family to Panean cuisine tonight. Treat it as my compensation to you, okay?"

An announcement echoed through the airport speakers.

"Attention passengers who are traveling to Bellion. You may begin boarding your flight now…"

I looked at Jasper's message for a brief moment before I tapped his profile picture. I tapped the button in the top right and blocked him. I then returned to the main page and blocked the rest of the Lowines.

I rose to my feet, grabbed my worn-out luggage, and headed toward the boarding gates.

A plane burst through the clouds beyond the window, soaring toward the vast sky.