Exotic getaways to far-flung destinations?
Fashionable attire from renowned designer brands?
Sleek and luxurious sports cars?
Why were these individuals so unbelievably wealthy? Fifteen-year-old Cleo Montenegro anxiously ran his hands through his black hair as he reluctantly listened to the conversations among the students seated around him before class commenced.
"I accidentally dropped my Prada bag, so I impulsively flew to Paris last weekend to acquire their latest design. I gave my old, soiled one to the maid," a girl sitting behind him boasted to her friends, proudly showcasing her new bag.
Cleo couldn't help but delve into his thoughts, contemplating the source of their immense wealth. The extravagant vacations, the high-end fashion, and the flashy sports cars seemed like an unattainable realm to him. He pondered the paths they had taken and the opportunities that had propelled them to accumulate such fortunes at such a young age.
As the conversations continued, Cleo's emotions swirled with a mix of envy and determination. He yearned to break free from the limitations of his circumstances and forge a future where he could experience the world, don designer clothing, and revel in the luxuries of life. The discussions around him acted as a catalyst, fueling his ambition to strive for success and redefine his own narrative.
It had only been four weeks since Cleo started attending the exclusive private International School Manila (ISM) but he felt as if these four weeks were more like four long decades of pain. But every day he would remind himself he was only there to take advantage of the highest education that was offered to him. He stayed to himself and only conversed with students on school matters when he had to. He was not there to mingle with the teens of high society to become something he wasn't: a wealthy spoiled brat.
If it weren't for the school's uniform dress code, anyone could easily pinpoint him as the only poor person in the student body. At International School Manila (ISM) 99.9 of the students had parents who were part of the top tier of the Philippines's wealthiest. Only the offspring of the cream of the crop in the entire country were capable of getting into this school. In Cleo's case, he was a rarity among them all.
His family consisted of his father and two younger twin sisters who all worked to help pay off the tuition at International School Manila (ISM). Even though Cleo's exceptional grades from Junior High enabled him to get a scholarship to pay for most of the fees at International School Manila (ISM), there was still a hefty amount of fees that had to come out of his family's pockets. Cleo could remember it clearly in his head the day he received his acceptance letter:
'Oh, Cleo! You have a letter from the International School Manila (ISM)! OH, and it's a thick one!' Cleo's father David tumbled into Cleo's room carrying an envelope that was indeed thick. His act of tumbling knocked over a lamp stand in the process.
Although he was trying to hide his excitement, Cleo knocked his father upside the head to break his lamp and grabbed the envelope from his hands. David rubbed his head ruefully as his son ripped open the envelope to reveal its contents inside. A quick scan of the letter revealed that he was accepted into International School Manila (ISM).
'I'm so proud of you my son!' David yelled out in glee with tears in his eyes. 'The first Montenegro to make it into International School Manila (ISM)! This is a remarkable feat! Yumi! Yuna! Your brother's been accepted to International School!'
Cleo's little sisters appeared quickly in his room to congratulate their brother. Big Brother this is wonderful! My friends will be so awed when I tell them you've been accepted!' Sweet Yumi said happily with her hands clasped together.
'Way to go, Brother!' Yuna gave her brother a high five. 'Hanging out with the rich kids!'
'Yes, yes! I'm going to tell my co-workers right now that my son is going to International School!' David exclaimed and almost bounced out of the room.
'Wait, Dad.' Cleo said to stop him from calling his co-workers. He handed David another piece of paper from the packet. As his father read the listing of tuition fees they would have to cover, Cleo announced that he wasn't going to accept. 'It's a ridiculous amount of money that you can't afford, Dad. I was hoping that the scholarship would cover everything they wanted for more money. There's no way I can attend this school.'
In under a second David had tears in his eyes as he looked at his son. 'No! You can't be unselfish! You must go, son! I can't let you pass up this chance! I will work extra shifts to afford this. Don't worry we'll make ends meet.'
'But I can't let you do that. You still have to provide for Yumi and Yuna-'
'We'll help pay for your tuition, Big Brother.' Yumi said and patted her brother's shoulder for reassurance.
'Yeah, we'll find a job and work every day after school. You'll be fine.' Yuna smiled at Cleo and gave him a thumbs up.
Cleo stood there shocked but shook his head. He felt worse than ever that even his little sisters would sacrifice their free time just to help him pay for school. 'No, no! There's no way I'm jeopardizing your time after school just so I can go to International School... OW!' In one swift motion, David smacked his son on the head.
'I will not let you decline that offer from International School. We all want to help you succeed so just let us.' He gave Cleo a pat on the head which triggered Cleo to glare at him. 'You're going to International School and that's that. No more on this matter.'
Cleo sighed as he recalled it from his memory. I only have to put up with it for four more years and then I'll leave and be able to repay my debt to my family.
The door to the classroom opened and his first-period teacher entered. Glad that the students finally ended their chatter, Cleo proceeded to open his books and do the only thing he enjoyed doing at this school. Learning.
"Now to find the answer just take the derivative of the denominator and then take the limit of the answer as it goes to infinity. After that, you'll be able to see clearly what direction the line in the graph heads towards. Then-"
The teacher was interrupted when a student ran down the hallway outside the classroom yelling out continuously, "IT'S A RED NOTICE! ZACKY VERMILLION HAS RECEIVED A RED NOTICE! ATTENTION, A RED NOTICE!"
There were quick whispers around the classroom before all the students ignored the teacher's lecture and bolted out of the classroom in a stampede. Shockingly the teacher couldn't help himself and followed the students out also.
After the dust cleared, Cleo was the only one left in the classroom. He was the only one who wanted to figure out the math problem but to his dismay, there was no teacher present to teach it to him. He grumbled and threw his pencil down in annoyance. "Not again."
Cleo had only seen part of these "red notice" incidents once during his first week of school. He left in disgust when he witnessed a moment of it and he didn't want to witness it again. He buried his head in his schoolwork and waited until the entire ruckus died down. He knew it would take quite a while.
Zacky Vermillion stood in front of his locker, mouth open agape in utter fright. Hanging like his own death sentence, an ominous sheet of red paper hung inside his locker. On it in simple black bold capital letters read 'B4'. He wanted to run but he could already hear the yelling behind him of the snitch who always was informed first of red notices. Running now would mean earlier capture by the student body.
Zacky's throat quickly dried out when he heard it. The footsteps of his inevitable fate approached him and he wanted to scream out but was paralyzed with fear. He was pushed and prodded by students he didn't know and even students he thought were his friends. They yelled at him and cruelly threw eggs at him until he was covered from head to toe in sticky egg yolk.
Then he felt hands push him toward the large cafeteria where he fell upon the floor. Zacky managed to cover himself from more egg attacks until it stopped students from yelling at him and calling him names he didn't even know existed in the Philippines language.
After a few minutes, the shouting died down to a whisper from one student to the next. Zacky knew better than anyone that his torture wasn't over. He closed his eyes, afraid to look. He heard them strolling in at a casual pace. The closer they got the more his breathing quickened. He heard them stop right in front of him and shut his eyes tighter, ready for the hit.
But it didn't come. Not at that moment anyway.
"Open your eyes." Zacky slowly opened his eyes and looked up at the female speaker. "Hi, remember me? You bumped into me when I was walking down the hallway. Remember?" She smiled sweetly at him, a true façade from her true personality.
Azumi Grace Wanton, the formidable leader of B4, also known as the Black Phantom Four, commanded respect and fear in equal measure. B4 was an elite group that dealt with matters of utmost importance, where life and death hung in the balance. With their parents' unwavering financial support, they held unparalleled control over the International School, transforming it into their own empire.
Unlike the other students, B4 was exempt from the school's standard uniform, opting instead for the most exquisite and expensive clothing. Their attire was a symbol of their status and power, setting them apart from everyone else. The mere sight of them sent a clear message to all who crossed their path - B4 was not to be underestimated.
The reputation of B4 echoed throughout the school, instilling both awe and caution in their peers. They were known as the force to be reckoned with, their influence extending far beyond the confines of the International School. Their presence alone was a reminder of their dominance and authority.
Azumi Grace Wanton's leadership of B4 was a testament to her exceptional skills and unwavering determination. Under her guidance, B4 stood as the epitome of power, wealth, and control. The International School was their kingdom, and they held the keys to its gates.
Azumi Grace Wanton's position as the leader of B4 was not the only thing that set her apart. She also held the title of the wealthiest person in the entire school, solidifying her status among the elite. As an heir to the Wanton International Trading Corporation, her family's vast wealth placed them among the most affluent families not just in the Philippines, but in the entire world. The Wanton name carried immense prestige and influence.
Despite her petite form and seemingly sweet demeanor, Azumi's true nature contradicted any preconceived notions. She was known as the toughest girl in school, a reputation she had earned through countless encounters and past red notices. Behind her gentle facade lay a fierce determination and unwavering strength that commanded respect from all who crossed her path.
Azumi's wealth, combined with her leadership of B4, made her an unstoppable force within the International School. Her ability to navigate both the social and academic spheres with ease was a testament to her exceptional skills and unwavering drive. She was not just a leader; she was a symbol of power, influence, and resilience.
Zacky nodded at her question. "Yes... I-I'm sorry."
"Good." She said to Zacky and looked him straight in the eyes. "But next time leave your eyes open. I can't beat up someone who's coward enough to close their eyes." And with one swift motion, she kicked him straight in the stomach causing the crowd to cheer in unison.
Zacky doubled over in pain. That shit hurt especially since she was wearing pointed-toe heels. She was about to turn him over with her foot to repeat the action but was stopped when a hand was placed upon her shoulder.
"Don't bother dirtying your shoes, Azumi." The male who stopped her said. "I'll kick the shit out of him first then make him lick the yolk off your and my shoes.
Calex Lacsamana played a crucial role as Azumi's trusted right-hand man, despite not possessing the same level of wealth as her. Although specific details about Calex and his family are not readily available, it is clear that he had access to significant funds and was entrusted with making influential financial decisions that had a profound impact on the Philippine economy.
Their friendship, which had blossomed since childhood, formed the foundation of their relationship. Calex's loyalty to Azumi knew no bounds, as he stood by her side through thick and thin. However, his feelings for her extended beyond mere friendship. He harbored deep and unrequited romantic intentions towards Azumi, yearning for a connection that went beyond their platonic bond. Unfortunately, Azumi saw Calex primarily as a beloved brother figure, valuing their enduring friendship above any romantic entanglements.
It took Calex considerable time to come to terms with the reality that his romantic feelings for Azumi would never be reciprocated. Eventually, he found the strength to accept this fact and acknowledged the immeasurable value of their friendship. Despite his unfulfilled desires, their bond remained unbreakable.
Calex aimed and delivered a hard kick to Zacky's shins. Zacky yelled out in pain only to be silenced by more cheers from the crowd.
"Calex, don't stain your shoes too much. I hear egg yolk can leave leather very worn." Another female voice aside from Azumi was heard.
Ashley Smith couldn't help but wince as she witnessed her friend delivering another forceful kick to Zacky. Among the members of B4, Ashley was known as the embodiment of kindness and compassion. Many were initially perplexed by her presence in the group, given her gentle nature. However, her long-standing friendship with Azumi, which had developed since their childhood, explained her integral role in B4.
Ashley and Azumi had been inseparable friends for years, their families sharing numerous outings together. In fact, Ashley held the esteemed title of being Azumi's best friend. Despite Ashley's genuine efforts to influence Azumi and steer her away from her mean-spirited tendencies towards others, her attempts always seemed to fall short. Azumi's demeanor remained unchanged, leaving Ashley feeling somewhat disheartened.
While Ashley's family boasted close ties to the royal family of the Philippines, their wealth primarily stemmed from privately owned technological research companies. This background in technology and innovation added a unique dimension to Ashley's presence within B4.
Despite her stark contrast to the group's tough reputation, Ashley's inclusion brought a much-needed balance of compassion and empathy. Her family's wealth and prestigious connections, combined with her own kind-heartedness, made her an invaluable member of the group.
Ashley winced once again when Calex grabbed Zacky by the collar and punched the side of his face.
"Pfft, he's doing it all wrong." Ashley turned to look down at the person beside her who said this.
Lucas Mondragon, the youngest member of B4 and the International School's youngest student, possessed a wealth that stemmed from his family's underground Gangster syndicate. This background made him the most formidable and dangerous individual to cross paths with. Despite his youthful and seemingly innocent appearance, Lucas's outward facade belied the depth of his knowledge and capabilities, far surpassing those of an average 13-year-old. His admission to the International School was not solely based on his family's wealth but also on his exceptional intelligence, making him a standout among his peers.
Lucas's unique qualities and remarkable intellect immediately piqued Azumi's interest upon their first meeting, leading to his swift inclusion in the group. His presence added an element of intrigue and unpredictability to B4, making him an invaluable asset. While his family's underground connections may have instilled fear in others, it was Lucas's sharp mind and exceptional abilities that truly set him apart.
As the youngest member of B4, Lucas brought a fresh perspective and a unique skill set to the group. His inclusion based on merit rather than solely on wealth exemplified the group's commitment to excellence and their ability to recognize talent beyond financial status. With his youthful yet razor-sharp intellect, Lucas proved to be an indispensable asset to B4, significantly contributing to their overall strength and effectiveness.
After an excruciatingly long 7 minutes, Azumi stopped Calex's harassment of Zacky. Zacky lay on the ground with multiple bruises on his face and a few broken bones that would take months to heal.
"Alright, we're done here. You can all go back to whatever the hell you were doing," Azumi's voice reverberated through the crowd as she motioned for them to disperse. Once the area cleared, she knelt down beside Zacky, who miraculously remained conscious despite the beating he had endured. With a hint of concern beneath her composed exterior, Azumi addressed him, hoping that he had learned his lesson. "I hope this experience has taught you something. It would be a shame to see you hurt again," she said, her smile taking on a slightly softer tone. Rising to her feet, Azumi prepared to leave, followed closely by the rest of B4.