When Sandra came down to the dining room for breakfast the next morning, the rest of Mad KingZ were already eating.

Mateo and Jon looked surprised, almost choking on their coffee upon seeing her. TOP, on the other hand, looked seriously at her, seemed to lose his appetite, and left the kitchen with his tea without even making eye contact as they crossed paths in the doorway.

Sandra ignored him and walked to the coffee maker, pouring herself a cup of joe.

"Good morning," Sandra greeted the quiet Jon and Mateo.

"You're back," Jon said, unsure what else to say.

Mateo nudged Jon's shoulder, leaning on the marbled island table and looking at her. "I told you she'd be back," Mateo told Jon. "God couldn't stay away from her for long. Just a lover's quarrel, that's all. I should have bet on how long she'd be gone. Tsk." He laughed at his own joke.

But Jon and Sandra weren't smiling.

In the end, Jon offered her a smile. "Right." He pushed the fresh french toast toward her. "Since you're here, I guess it's safe to say you and Kidrey are okay again?"

Sandra took a piece of the toast Jon offered, nodding. "Yes. Kidrey is still in the shower, though." She paused. "And I'm sorry for last time," she said, referring to the warehouse incident.

Jon nodded and continued eating.

"I'm glad you're back, too. God needs some extra moral support today," Mateo added, finishing his coffee.

Sandra's curiosity was piqued. "Why? What's happening today?"

Mateo filled her in immediately. "Well, today is Madtown U's Foundation Day, and just like last year, the school is holding a charity event led by," he frowned, "God's assholic half-brother, Aaron St. Creed."

Jon sighed at the reminder. "Aaron St. Creed is running for a government position under his and Kidrey's father's political party, so he holds charity events at many schools to brighten his image. Not to mention, Aaron is also an alumnus of this school."

Mateo pursed his lips. "Since we are the leading fraternity, we are obliged to attend the event tonight. Gosh, I don't want to go. Can I call in sick?"

Sandra listened quietly. Based on Mateo and Jon's conversation, it seemed Kidrey didn't have a good relationship with his half-brother.

"I'm sure TOP is anxious, too," Mateo added. "His father, Officer Williams, will be there to guard Aaron's appearances in town. Ugh, why do politicians have to be treated like VIPs all the time?"

Sandra pondered why TOP would be anxious, as well. Was it because of his father? Did he not have a good relationship with his family either? Is it about his true sexuality?

Sandra was sipping her coffee when Kidrey appeared in the kitchen.

Kidrey kissed Sandra on the cheek and made himself a cup of coffee. He nodded to Mateo and Jon, who greeted him back, and then the duo left them alone.

"So, your brother is coming to school today?" Sandra asked. She saw how Kidrey's jaw tensed immediately.

Kidrey scowled at the mention of his brother. "I don't want to see him."

Sandra didn't push the topic further, as it was clear Kidrey didn't want to talk about it.

After finishing breakfast, they headed to school together, holding hands as they walked to the campus.

The public display of being a couple again with Kidrey erased any animosity towards Sandra. She noticed how everyone's treatment to her shifted from hostility a few days ago to niceness now.

Sandra didn't know exactly how to feel about that. But she was right; seeing Kidrey again would stop the bullying she had experienced.

Sandra glanced at Kidrey, who seemed oblivious to the power he held over most of the students at Madtown U.

She held his hand tighter. She would keep him close.

---

At the charity event for Madtown U's Foundation that night, everyone dressed up formally and her co-fraternity members looked good in their black ties especially her dashing boyfriend Kidrey standing beside her. This man is dangerously attractive, taking her breath away as he held her waist, possessively.

She was not the only one affected by his good looks based on the admiring eyes directed at him.

She was also aware of the other person getting attention tonight. She then understood why Mateo and Jon had no good words for Kidrey's half-brother, Aaron.

Aaron St. Creed was standing at the podium, delivering a speech about his contributions to the school and his goodness to many communities.

She has no good impression about the man. He was full of himself.

"...I, Aaron St. Creed, as the eldest son of Lionel St. Creed, the political leader of the New Politics Alliance for The Democratics of this country, vow to continue my good father's legacy in the community and to our country..."

Aaron was still talking, and Sandra was already bored listening. Why did she have to be here again?

"...unlike my half-brother, who only causes trouble in this school, which I apologize for, by the way. I continue to do good in Madtown University by extending our partnership, building a good future for the delightful students by offering more scholarships to stellar individuals who find it hard to get into this prestigious school. I will continue to pay half of the tuition fees of these students under The Creed's Grant..."

Sandra's ears perked up at the grant's name. So, this was the man who paid half of her brother's tuition fees. It was a good cause, but Aaron should not have dissed Kidrey while talking about his philanthropic acts. Aaron just wanted to shame Kidrey, and it was obvious to everyone.

Sandra looked at the quiet Kidrey beside her. He was glaring at his brother. The rest of Mad KingZ were barely listening, too.

"Are you OK?" Sandra asked Kidrey.

Kidrey continued glaring at his brother. "Maybe he wants me to put him back in the hospital with broken bones," he muttered.

Sandra held his hand tightly for comfort. Kidrey relaxed at her touch.

Mateo, who was sitting on her other side, whispered in her ear. "Aaron was the reason Kidrey got into juvenile prison at 14. They got into a fight, and even though Kidrey was younger, he beat Aaron into a pulp and sent him to the hospital for weeks. Aaron has been mad and pissed at him ever since. He takes unnecessary jabs at Kidrey in his speeches every chance he gets. A childish, bitter moron, I must say."

Sandra didn't know exactly how to feel about that. She didn't know it was Kidrey's half-brother who sent him to juvenile prison at such a young age.

It was clear Aaron had a huge ego. His childish comments about Kidrey showed Sandra that Aaron never recovered from the shame of being beaten by Kidrey. There was always a bad story about a bastard son fighting the legitimate son.

Sandra looked next at the man in uniform standing beside Aaron St. Creed. It was Madtown City Chief Police Officer Timothy Williams V, TOP's father. Like his son, Officer Williams looked stiff and intimidating, not even smiling for the cameras during the photo op.

After the speeches and photographs taken by the invited media, which she was sure were arranged by Aaron St. Creed's party for publicity, the socializing to the guests started.

"Kidrey, my half-brother!" Aaron called out loudly, heading in their direction.

Kidrey tensed immediately, seemingly ready to throw punches at Aaron, if not for Jon and Mateo quietly stopping him.

"Still a boy and doing fraternity things, huh?" Aaron asked, feigning interest. He then looked at Sandra. "You brought a woman, too. Nice." He commented maliciously, checking Sandra out. He liked what he's seeing based on the slight widening of his eyes.

Sandra might have dressed modestly tonight in a Rami Brook black maxi dress, but she carried herself too well with years of modeling experience. The long slit in her dress was both pleasing and distracting to look at but she carried it with grace.

But still, Sandra didn't want Aaron's admiration as she scowled at the eldest of the St. Creeds.

"Dar Rose is part of the fraternity. Leave us alone," Kidrey said firmly, fisting his hands in his pockets, glaring at Aaron.

"Wow. So scary." Aaron waved dismissively. "Anyway, Father wants all his children to gather on Lunar New Year..." He paused, looking at Kidrey with malice. "Oh yeah, it's only for the legitimate children. No bastards invited." He laughed loudly.

'Jerk,' Sandra thought, wanting to kick Aaron.

Kidrey stepped forward, glaring at his brother. People around them could feel the tension. Kidrey was not known for his temper.

"I don't think you'll make it to the gathering on time, big brother," Kidrey hissed. "You might still be in the hospital, by then." He pulled his fisted hand from his pocket, ready to punch Aaron, but Officer Williams quickly intervened, stepping in front of Kidrey.

But TOP moved forward, blocking his father's way and meeting him in the eyes.

At that moment, you could hear a pin drop. It was completely silent as people held their breath at the spectacle in front of them.

"Don't embarrass me again, son. Go away," Officer Williams said firmly.

But TOP didn't move.

Sandra decided to intervene. She stepped between the two parties. "I think you should leave now, politician St. Creed. The media are covering this and taking pictures of you right now. It's bad for your image in politics." She glanced at the cameras clicking away.

Aaron tsk-ed and seemed to agree, waving to Officer Williams to leave the youngsters alone. He smirked at Kidrey before turning to leave.

TOP and his father remained in a standoff.

"Fix your act. Stop being a 'girl'," Officer Williams said with a hard expression before following Aaron.

To others, that remark might have meant to stop being weak, but not to Sandra. She knew better. She watched TOP's tough mask fall, revealing a hurt person. TOP was shaken by that encounter with his father.

"Let's go," Jon declared, asking Mateo to help him get Kidrey and TOP to leave peacefully.

Sandra didn't follow them right away. She replayed the commotion in her head.

"Whoa. That was intense," a woman's voice said nearby.

Sandra looked at the woman, who immediately smiled and showed her ID. "Reporter Terry Johnson from Madtown Media TV. I'm covering this 'charity' event. Nice to meet you, Miss Rose." She introduced herself, shaking Sandra's hand without waiting for an offer.

Terry Johnson looked her up and down, seemingly studying her. "It would be nice to cover you in our next local issue or the Madtown City news as the only female member of the infamous Mad KingZ fraternity. What do you think?"

Sandra was quick to respond. "No. Thank you."

Terry Johnson nodded, seemingly expecting this rejection. She handed Sandra her calling card instead. "If you change your mind, call me. We can even exchange insider scoops." She winked at her before leaving.

Sandra watched the reporter as she went back to work and followed the politician.

Sandra stared at the calling card in her hand. "Reporter from Madtown Media TV, huh?" she murmured as she put the card in her pocket. This might come in handy someday, she thought.

"Dar! Are you coming?" Mateo shouted from not far ahead.

Sandra nodded as she ran towards Mad KingZ.

---

The next Saturday morning, Sandra noticed TOP hadn't come home last night by checking the shoe rack. Only TOP's pair were missing. Intrigued more by the eldest member of the fraternity, she found herself waking up early.

Seeing the chambermaid Miss Kim in the kitchen, Sandra quickly thought of something.

"Miss Kim..." Sandra called out.

"Yes, Miss Rose?" The old lady responded as she continued cleaning while cooking breakfast for everyone.

"I lost the key to my room, so I ended up sleeping in Kidrey's room..." Sandra stated, letting the old woman draw her conclusions.

The old lady looked scandalized, her eyes widening. "My my, Miss Rose. You should not be sleeping in a guy's room without getting married first. Oh my." She seemed increasingly worried.

Sandra smiled at her concern. "Can I borrow the spare key to my room, please?" she asked.

Miss Kim, still lecturing her about preserving her purity before marriage, handed her the ring with a bunch of keys on it. "Just look for your key room number there then leave the rest after." She shook her head. "Kids these days, really," she whispered as she returned to her cooking.

Sandra bowed in thanks as she looked for a key—but not to her room.

She looked for TOP's key.

Her heart pounding, Sandra headed to TOP's room, quickly unlocking and entering quietly.

TOP's room was surprisingly clean and tidy, with a dark atmosphere. Guns n' Roses posters adorned the walls alongside various abstract paintings.

Sandra, trying to calm her racing heart, looked around. She needed to search for something—anything. This was one of the rare chances she had to be inside TOP's room without him there.

She opened drawers, finding notebooks and pens neatly arranged. She closed them again and opened his closet, where dark coats hung neatly.

Sandra looked around again. If someone was hiding something, where would they hide it?

She thought of herself. Ted found her brother's diary under her mattress, she remembered.

With widening eyes, Sandra walked towards TOP's bed and searched underneath.

There was a big safety box there, likely intended for his guns. There was another box, too—a green and bright one, contrasting with the dark theme of his room.

Sandra pulled out the green box, her heart pounding hard. She slowly opened it, feeling like she was opening Pandora's box. Whatever she was about to find, there was no turning back.

Her heart beat so fast she thought she'd have a heart attack.

Inside the box were letters and random pictures. Sandra checked them one by one...discovering something shortly after.

With shaking hands, she picked up a particular photo to confirm that her eyes were not playing tricks on her...

and as if burned, she immediately dropped the photo on the floor.

Her eyes widened, her hands shook, and her heart nearly stopped beating.

It was a picture of TOP and her brother. Kevin was kissing TOP on the cheek.