Chapter 7 Mr. Ross Most high school kids weren't this obsessed with gossip. But Drea City Everbright High wasn't their typical school. Half the students were trust-fund brats, the other half brainy kids from nowhere, clawing their way up. The elite families' drama felt close enough to taste, so of course, everyone was nosy. Names like Raymond, Madeline, and Eden? Those were straight-up legends from ten years back, still sparking whispers. Tweet! The head instructor's whistle sliced through the chatter. "Phones away, you slackers! Back to training!" Everyone groaned-"Why's break so freaking short?"-but the dread of another two-mile run shut them up. They scrambled to line up, gossip forgotten for now. Training dragged until noon. No military chants yet, so the coach made them yell a few lame slogans before letting them hit the cafeteria. After wolfing down lunch and sneaking a quick nap, the forum was on fire with Eden talk. During the afternoon break, fewer people bugged her for her number, but sneaky side-eyes kept coming. Julie, scrolling the forum, caught the buzz. Most posts still hyped her as the Wright family's favorite, which calmed the knot in her gut. Still, Eden had barely shown up at school and was already causing a scene. The Morris family had major pull, plus the Murphy family in their corner. Sienna, after getting owned by Eden, wasn't about to let it go. She'd probably plot some petty revenge, and Eden? She'd be toast trying to handle it solo. Eden was bold-maybe too bold-stirring up trouble with Raymond's crew on day one. Julie smirked, relaxing a bit. 'Eden is about to crash hard, and Raymond would ditch her faster than a bad Tinder date.' ***** Sure enough, Sienna wasn't over her public humiliation. Once Physical Conditioning Week wrapped, she rounded up a crew of tough guys to ambush Eden outside the locker room. Big mistake. Eden had places to be. The second training ended, she'd changed in a flash and bounced. Sienna stood by the locker room, steaming. At first, Nina tried to chill her out. "Relax, Sienna. She'll come out any minute." "Ugh, this girl's such a pain," Nina griped. "Taking forever to change, wasting our time!" But as the locker room cleared out, Nina's confidence fizzled. Rumor was Eden had been the first on the field that morning. 'Did she already split?' she wondered. When the place was nearly empty, Sienna lost it. "Eden! You think you can punk me like that?!" Nina kept quiet, thinking, 'She didn't even know you were waiting to jump her.' But no way was she saying that out loud. Sienna would lose it even more. Instead, Nina turned on the charm. "Sienna, chill! She's not just here for one day. Tomorrow, next day-bring more guys, corner her, maybe film it and throw it on the forum. Let's see her act all high and mighty then!" It took some smooth talking, but Sienna finally simmered down, her eyes narrowing to slits. "Fine. But she's not getting away with this." ***** Meanwhile, Eden was halfway across Drea City at a ritzy nightclub in the suburbs called Baylight. The place was straight-up gorgeous, famous for its killer views. Tucked away from the city's glare, its rooftop lounges let one kick back with a drink under a sky full of stars, a small lake sparkling nearby. It pulled in everyone from upper-crust types to straight-up ballers. Eden wasn't there for the vibes, though. She had one mission: take someone out. She'd spent years away, living by one rule: if it pissed her off, she dealt with it. That made her some enemies, and a few had landed in Theonia. J.E. Shadow's intel crew was on point. In just three days, they'd pinned down her target's haunts and habits. Baylight Club was his spot-a swanky club with VIP rooms, a dance floor, and bleachers for mingling. Hands in her pockets, Eden fingered the handle of her hidden knife, sticking to the cameras' blind spots. She paused outside a VIP room and hit the buzzer. "Who's there?" a drunk voice slurred. "I said no more drinks!" The door swung open, and a guy reeking of whiskey stumbled out, cheeks flushed. He looked up-and froze, staring into Eden's cold, familiar eyes. Panic hit him like a truck. No time to wonder why Eden, the badass supposedly tearing through Susmon Region, was back in Theonia and standing right there. His body moved before his brain caught up. He slammed the door and sprinted for the floor-to-ceiling window. Adrenaline pumping, he crashed through the glass and dropped. Smash! He landed hard in a wobbly boat on the lake below, pain shooting through his leg. No time to think. Knowing Eden's speed, he staggered up, ready to bolt-only to turn and see her right there, grinning like a demon. A glint of steel flashed. Shnk! He grabbed his throat, blood gushing, and crumpled.He'd underestimated her. Fatal error. Eden stared down at the body-a scumbag who'd trafficked organs for years. No need to check his pulse; he was long gone. With a quick kick, she sent him splashing into the lake. She turned to leave but stopped dead. 'A faint breath from the boat?' Her grip tightened on the bloody knife, ready to go again. Right then, the club's security rolled up, flashlights blazing from the VIP room above. Eden ducked into the boat's cabin, locking eyes with a dude whose calm, deep gaze didn't flinch. "What're you two doing down there?" a guard yelled, his flashlight blinding. Eden flashed a cheeky grin, eyes all innocent, but her knife pressed hard against the guy's back. "None of your biz, pal." The guard blinked, backing off a bit. "Sorry, miss. A guest vanished upstairs, and that window's toast. You see anything?" "Nope," Eden said, cool as a cucumber. The guard looked at the guy. "What about you, Mr. Ross?" 'Mr. Ross?' Eden froze, her mind racing. 'Wait, this guy I'm holding is that Mr. Ross?' Didn't matter right now. Her knife dug deeper, a clear vibe: Say one wrong word, and you're donezo. Whoever this "Mr. Ross" was, one slip, and she'd make sure he didn't see sunrise. Title: A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way Author: CrushReels Genre: Romance, Modern Status: ongoing In "A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way" by CrushReels, Felix Lloyd finds himself in a predicament as he seeks to pacify his family's marriage expectations by renting a girlfriend for the holiday season. However, a serendipitous airport mishap leads Kendal Scott, the wrong woman, into his life. As Felix and Kendal navigate this unexpected twist of fate, the novel delves into themes of familial pressure, mistaken identities, and the complexities of modern relationships. CrushReels intricately weaves together elements of romance and contemporary dilemmas to create a compelling narrative that resonates with readers seeking a blend of heartwarming moments and unforeseen connections. What sets "A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way" apart is its ability to balance light-hearted humor with poignant insights into the intricacies of human emotions. With its engaging storyline and relatable characters, this ongoing romance promises a captivating read for fans of modern love stories. Experience the unfolding tale of Felix and Kendal at CrushReels and immerse yourself in a world where love finds its way through unexpected avenues. Read online at CrushReels today to discover the enchanting journey awaiting within these digital pages.