LEO'S POV 

He looked at Bella arguing all morning with Benson. This was the first time a woman was standing up to Benson. 

He had known Benson all his life and instead of a woman arguing with him, she would usually be drooling on the floor when he passed. 

This  was a first, and something inside him felt excited. 

"What's wrong with you?" Benson smacked Leo on the  head as they headed out of the scene they had caused not long ago. 

"What ? You're crazy, why would you be arguing with a woman?" Leo barked angrily. 

"What ?! Don't tell me you're siding with that psycho bro she deliberately hit me to get my attention" Benson yapped 

"Did you notice she's  a new student and not everyone knows who the fuck you are?"

 Leo was getting upset. He was already used to Benson's proud nature, but right now he was getting to him, and he didn't know why.

"There's no girl in this country that doesn't know who Benson Vale is and I am going to prove that to you" he smirked 

"You don't have to prove anything you know" Leo put his hands on his temples feeling frustrated. 

Benson woke up the next morning feeling more excited than ever, he was never excited going to school in his five years of studying. 

"Maybe it's the basketball game" he tried to justify the way he felt but something deep inside of him knew that wasn't the truth, he had been playing basketball all his life and yes he loved the sport but it was something normal to him he had never felt this excited to leave the house this early. 

"Maybe it's because you want to see her again?" Something inside of him tugged him again 

He hissed harshly and scoffed "see that psycho again gross, the only reason I want to see her is to really prove to Leo that every lady in this country knows me" he spat out in denial. 

"Mom, I'm settling in really well. I like this place so much" Bella screamed into the phone, disturbing her two roommates Allison and Charlotte. 

"Hey, can you keep it down" Charlotte hissed with annoyance 

"Cut her some slack girl," the newbie is just feeling super excited and telling her mother" Allison rubbed her eyes as she slowly came down from her bunk and headed to the table in her corner to get a bottle of water. 

"I'm so sorry if I was disturbed you.... Uhm mom I would call you back later". For the first time ever, Bella felt intimidated. She had never felt that way ever. 

"Whatever" Charlotte turned her back on them and drifted back to sleep 

"That's how she is. Ignore her, Bella, so today is first day uhm what club are you joining let me guess cheerleading" 

Allison who seemed like the talkative and easy going kind screamed making sure to annoy charlotte the more 

They were both in the same level with Bella but they arrived a term ago so they understood how the school system worked.

"Basketball" Bella spoke softly as her eyes never left Allison's really pretty figure, very curvy and her long curly dark hair stood out for her. 

"Basketball really?" Allison was shocked 

"Yeah it's kind of my specialty" Bella explained and Allison grinned at her. 

Few hours later 

Bella ran out of the room holding a basketball duffel bag she consistently kept looking at her watch her heart beating fast as she kept running 

She was LATE! Not just late for anything but late for her first basketball training it was specifically announced to them in the virtual call that they cannot be late for practice not for any reason 

"What am I going to do?" she muttered worriedly under her breath as she kept running, her heart racing alongside and within the blink of an eye -boom !

She collided with someone and they both fell flat on the ground, this time Bella was on top of the mysterious guy,  his hands wrapped around her waist she recognized them quickly-  the way they made her feel the shiver it sent down her spine she slowly opened her eyes. 

"You !!!!" They both screamed 

"I can't believe you're stalking me" she rolled her eyes in anger 

"Stalking you?, girl you're the clumsy one here" Benson screamed his eyes engraved with rage 

"Huuuu you calling me clumsy who do you think you are?" Bella threw at him 

Benson stood up, dusted himself, turned around and looked at her with a grin so loud  everyone could notice, he knew once he called his name Bella would go on her knees begging she won't believe he was actually ....

"Benson Vale" he smiled

"The Benson Vale" his proud nature overtook him 

"Really ???" Bella's eyes widened out her eyes fixed on him Benson felt so good with the reaction 

He knew she'd not resist no girl would 

"Is that the name of a dog?" Bella broke 

"What ??" Benson cracked "you're not serious are you? You don't know me Benson Vale" 

"I still don't get, is there an award for knowing you ? Do you feed me?" Bella snapped picked up her bag and walked away 

Benson stared, for the first time in his life somebody actually doesn't know him he felt insulted pushed, broken, scattered he watched his pride which was his most treasured asset drift away just like that because of this woman he was broken 

"I need to know who the fuck is this woman" he muttered under his breath she was going to pay for breaking him he stared into thin air and then slowly walked away. 

Basketball court 

Bella ran like wild fire on the court, she knew her onions well dressed in that red jersey and her hair packed into a ponytail Benson couldn't get his eyes off her he just kept looking at how fast and good she was. 

"Hey, Benson?" Angella called as she walked into the court dressed in her usual pink cheerleader uniform she walked in alongside her minions -people she called friends Vanessa and Elena 

"Benson?" She called again as she dashed her teeth in anger  she has been calling out Benson for the past 30 seconds now but he seemed to have divided his attention she followed the trail of his eyes and it landed on the new girl 

"So it's because of her?" She called out hurt and this time Benson turned back to look at her 

"What are you talking about?" He denied it, he stared at her with so much hatred for some reason Benson hated the obsession Angella had on him. 

For the other girls yes  it was normal to him he was tall handsome and for some reasons irresistible  they majorly just want to get into his bed more like a one night stand thingy. 

But for Angella it was more he could sense  it in her presence, she was up to something extremely dangerous.

"I've been trying to call you since morning, and you're here. It's  not even your turn to play. You're supposed to be in maths class?" Angella growled angrily.

"Sorry, am I missing something? Since when did you become my mom?" 

Angella turned around looking at her friends who were standing behind her. She glared hard at them. They understood what she meant and shifted away immediately. 

"Why are you doing this?" Angella asked. 

"You used to like me, Benson. We grew up together." Her voice sank 

"You need to leave now!" Benson was getting impatient 

"Fine! if I can't have you, Benson Vale, no one will!" She screamed and walked away throwing her hair in his face. 

Benson rolled his eyes and turned back to watch Bella play. 

"You were good there." Benson let down his pride looking straight into Bella's eyes as she picked up a bottle of water trying to quench her thirst. 

"Let me guess - you're here to mock me again. Well listen to me Vale."  I am good and I know it so don't you ever think you can....." 

"Jeez, catch a breath I was just complimenting you" Benson burst into laughter looking at how awkward, confused and serious Bella's face looked all at the same time. 

"Well, you could  have started with that." Bella rolled her eyes 

"May I know your name?" He chuckled looking at her 

Something about her made him want to know more 

"I don't tell strangers my name" she hardened picked up her bag and was about to leave 

"Bella?" Benson called out as his eyes caught a hold of her ID card lingering out of the little opening from her bag 

"Ho...how did you -" 

"Your bag" he smiled feeling fulfilled 

"Well go to hell" Bella cursed 

"Why don't I bring hell to you miss Bella" 

"Are you flirting with me?" Bella's face turned sour. She hates when men do that, it literally disgusts her. 

"Whatever you call it miss" he grinned 

"Gross" she screamed into his face and walked away. 

It was late in the evening everywhere calm and relaxing Bella had spent the evening going through so many books at the library, reading was a hobby she couldn't do away with and when she found that library few days after she had landed in the new environment she didn't want to leave there, it was more like a safe space for her. 

She had just finished reading an amazing book fantasizing it in her head and was already heading back to her room when someone stuck out their leg and she trembled and fell 

"What?" She screamed standing up and trying to hold onto her kneecap that was already bleeding. She looked up only to see three faces all glaring at her with mean eyes. 

"Excuse me, can't you apologize?" She cursed under her breath

"Do you know who you're talking to?" Vanessa broke the silence between the three musketeers 

"That's none of my business. You're going to have to apologize  for this." Bella screamed 

"Hmm" Angella scoffed as she threw her hair to the back the perfume coming off her suffocating everyone who has a nose 

"I am the queen bee of this school. You have no right to speak to me in any manner, now listen to me Bella or whatever you call yourself this is just a clear warning to stay away from Benson or I am going to destroy you" she screamed 

Bella laughed as she looked at the young lady who was standing in front of her dressed like she's from wealth. She bashed her teeth in anger. 

"I don't give a fuck about who you are, listen to me miss Queen bee the next time you'd try this I promise I would make sure I tear you apart" 

"What ? Are you talking to me?" Angella raised her hands and threw a dirty slap on her face, and Bella on her own didn't hesitate and slapped her back. Angella held her cheek and gave Bella a  long stare of disbelief and shock. 

No one had ever had the right to stand up to her Angella came from wealth. Her parents were everything. She was one of those spoiled kids who was given everything on a platter of gold and right now she wasn't going to let Bella destroy everything she had spent years trying to build including Benson. 

Bella stared hard at her and her eyes caught sight of some crowd that had gathered. Their little banter had caused a huge scene, everyone recording the whole scenario. Yes, she was going to make the highlight of the week. 

She walked away without hesitation she hated being the center of attention 

"Wait, did she just...." Angella scoffed not wanting to believe what just happened she glared at her friend and then back at the crowd she walked away fuming with anger.

BACK AT  BELLA'S DORM 

"I can't believe Bella slapped Angella in her first week of school" Allison screamed 

"I thought she was a weakling but girl anybody that stands up to that witch is my friend" Charlotte added 

"Guys it's no big deal she kind of annoyed me I didn't have a choice" Bella said softly 

"It's no big deal ? You slapped Angella Browns do you know who the fuck Angella Browns is she's a big deal"  Charlotte screamed 

"You have to be careful, Bella. She's  not going to let this slide she's come after you but then again it suits her at least someone stood up to her she's always thinking every girl is interested in her Prince Charming Benson" 

They all laughed. 

Angella walked out of the shower dressed in a neatly arranged robe she sat by the dressing table her hair tied in ponytail Maryann her housekeeper stood by the side holding a glass of juice for her as Angella stared hard in the mirror 

"What's the headline saying?" She snapped at the huge man dressed in black who had just walked into the room, his hands crossed in front of him. He smelled strongly of  alcohol.

"It's crazy ma'am" the man stammered 

"Are you crazy Drake? When I ask you a question I need an answer immediately" Angella screamed as she turned around collected the juice from Maryann 

"Everyone is screaming on the kind of courage Bella had slapping you" 

"Hmm ... Bella that's her name" she scoffed 

"Find out everything you can about that girl. I am going to teach her a lesson she'd never forget, find out everything about who her father  is and where they stay. She'll regret messing with Angella Browns." 

Angella screamed and smashed the glass of juice on her dressing table.

VALE MANSION 

Benson adjusted his watch, he was fed up and exhausted from his parents' constant pressure to get married.

"Mom, can you and dad just let me breathe?"  he sighed irritably.

"Enough of your stupidity, Benson. You're no longer a child, you've got a whole company to run, now listen to me, son. You have just one week!" 

"And then what?" Benson cut his father short. 

"Just one week to bring home a girlfriend someone you call a wife and if you don't Benson Vale I will give everything to your brother and you do not want to be a disgrace to me" his fathers voice was strict

Benson watched  as the old man disappeared from his sight up the stairs into his room with his mother accompanying him, he shook  his head violently, his eyes pacing around the living room.

"Sir the car is ready" he heard the loud voice of his driver 

He stared at him with anger and walked out without saying a word. 

"What do you have for me?" Angella's voice echoed across the room as she stared out the window holding a glass of red wine Drake stood behind her holding a file in his hands. 

"According to the records, ma'am,Bella Harper, 21 years old comes from California, her father died when she was little. She has just her mom and her younger sister and from what we were able to source she is extremely close to her sister. Her younger sister is the reason she gained the scholarship to study here."

"Oh she's a scholar student?" Angella asked super excited 

"Yes ma'am" Drake's voice was shaking with fear, he knew what she was capable of.

"So she's poor, good I love this" Angella smirked wickedly 

"Track her phone and call records I have a job for you Drake, we are going to inflict pain on everyone she loves, just a little warning so she learns not to mess with Angella" 

She sounded ruthless as she turned around grabbed the file from Drake glanced through it the heading "BELLA HARPER" 

NYC GIRLS HOSTEL 

"Mom you know I can't travel back to California school is in season" Bella pouted back for her mom through the phone 

"Bella there's no way am leaving you to survive in that school without these croaker fish, they are your favorite and I just had them dried" Mrs Harper argued back 

"Mom you know what, give the fish to Emily she should come to my school with the fish an opportunity to get to see my school" Bella excitedly made the offer.

"Bella, listen Emily is still young, I can't let her travel alone?" 

"Mom she's 19 she should bring the fish ok"

"Yes mom am not a child anymore I can take the fish to her it's just a one day and few hours journey" Emily supported 

"Fine as early as tomorrow Emily will be on her way" her mom finally agreed. 

Bella giggled, the joy of having her sister come over to see her school the same school she helped her secure a fully funded scholarship filled her heart with joy. 

She couldn't wait for Emily to arrive. 

It was morning Benson had grabbed his car keys and fled the house without telling anyone he had a task to bring back a wife in one week and it was driving him mad. 

"So what are you going to do?" Leo asked him over the phone 

"I don't know if I have a solution. I won't be calling Leo, honestly I don't know why he's on my neck. How does anyone expect me to find a wife in freaking one week!" 

Benson sounded pissed, he glared at his time he was late for his meeting he cursed himself. 

"Benson calm down let's think of something" 

"Think of something huuu? Bro am late for my meeting talk to you later" 

"Ok wait! What about Angella?" Leo brought it up Benson exploded 

"Angella? Are you serious man? I swear to God I'd rather pick a mad lady than pick Angella" his voice screamed seriously no atom of joke in it was how much he hated her  Leo thought. 

Without hesitation Benson turned off his phone, he tired stabilizing his breathing, this was the first time he was having a meeting with the executives board  in his fathers company he was nervous but at the same time prepared. 

NYC SCHOOL 

Bella picked up her phone. The joy in her heart knew no bounds. She looked up at the evening sky. It was getting dark but still very bright. At least the light from the school made it possible.

 She was just leaving the library when her sister called her to tell her she had just arrived at New York and would see her in her school in few minutes 

Bella raced up to the flower shop to get some flowers and chocolate, her sister's favorite. She ran down the bus park as fast as she could. It's been weeks since she last saw anyone from her family and seeing Emily now would bring peace and warmth from home. 

Her eyes kept looking straight towards the bus park waiting for the bus to land looking at her worst watch it was already 7:45pm 

"Sir your mother said you should buy her some local prawns if you're coming home" Benson's Personal Assistant reminded him 

Benson looked at him, sighed and told the driver to move towards the bus park. There was a local market around the area. 

Inside the Black SUV with tinted glasses Benson caught sight of super excited Bella as she stood holding a bouquet of flowers and a pack of chocolate. 

He smiled to himself she looked so happy and from what he could see she was expecting someone 

"Sir I got the prawns" his PA disrupted his thinking as he got back into the car but Benson was so focused on what he was looking at 

"Can we go now sir" he asked again 

"Shut the fuck up!" Benson screamed at him 

Few minutes later Benson watched as a  big bus highlighted and stopped in front of the bus park 

Passengers rushed out of the bus- signs of excitement, tiredness and hunger filled the air. It was a long journey, some rushing towards their loved ones, others snatching their bags and darting away. 

Bella's heart jumped with joy when she spotted her sister Emily. She jumped forward and spinned with joy, Emily was looking much bigger than the last time she saw her. 

With joy in her heart and a huge smile on her face she threw her hands apart anticipating a hug 

Emily tumbled off the bus sighting her sister, the hunger and tiredness on her face disappeared as they were overshadowed by joy, laughter and happiness, But in the blink of an eye, a shadow in black slipped through the crowd - A burning liquid was hurled towards Emily's face, hot boiling Acid.

"AHARRRRRHHHHH!!!" A piercing scream  echoed  through the stunned crowd as Bella's face wore her worst nightmare.