LOVE IN PARIS: Married To My Brother-in-law

Yvette had just gotten home to get ready for work when her phone rang, the familiar name and contact of Leila flashing on the screen .

She answered it with a smile, expecting the usual quick rundown of the day's schedule.

"Hey" . Leila's voice came through as she answered the phone. Her tone was unusually tense and filled with a sense of urgency. "I won't be able to make it to the set today, something popped up in Yara's school and I have to go over".

"What happened?. Is everything okay?". Yvette asked worriedly.

"She was bullied". Leila replied, her frustration seeping through her words.

"Go fo what you need to do. Don't worry about me, I'll manager everything on set, family comes first". Yvette replied.

With a sigh of relief, Leila thanked her and hurried off, her mind completely focused on her younger sister, Yara.

Yara's a meek and gentle girl, actually she had been like that since they've lost their parents in a car accident.

That unfortunate day, she was in the car with them as Leila was at home while they went for a party. On their way back, the car crashed and only Yara survived. Since then she's been traumatized and has withdrawn to herself, only speaking when asked or necessary.

But these past few days, she could tell something was wrong in her school as Yara had become unusually quiet, more than her usual self and few minutes ago she had received a call from the school about a bullying incident.

Leila made her way to the administration office as soon as she arrived at the school, her heart racing with protective anger.

When she entered the office, the scene was quiet tense.

Yara sat in a chair opposite the school administrator with her shoulders slumped and eyes downcast, she shrinked on her seat and her fist were clenched on her laps her uniform was slightly wrinkled unlike the way she left the house in the morning and a visible bruise that had been tended to on her knees beneath her uniform.

Leila's eyes tightened at the scene. Across Yara were four girls, all donning the same immaculate uniform. Their smug expression made it clear they felt invisible.

By their looks alone she could tell they were from wealthy families, untouchable in the school's heirachy. Their composed and indifferent expression made it clear they were the type to walk away unscathed in situations like this , but today she was determined to give them a taste of their medicine.

The administrator glanced up as she entered with a neutral expression. "Welcome Miss Thompson. I've already discussed this issue with the students and phoned their parents however they haven't showed up yet".

"Yara however hasn't spoken up much about the incident, I've looked into the issue and it appears Yara here had some sort of altercation with these girls but no one has confirmed anything yet. Without a clear statement and testimony, we can't take disciplinary actions". The administrator concluded.

Leila glanced at her sister, urging her to speak but Yara's gaze was firmly pressed to the floor and Leila could see her trembling slightly and also notice the fears in her eyes.

She could feel the tension radiating from her sister, her unspoken pleas for the whole ordeal to be over.

Leila could tell she was clearly afraid of retaliation, fear if being their target once again. However when she saw her sister mouthing the word please with her eyes brimming with unshed tears, she felt her resolve to discipline the girls broke. She was helpless against her sister's pleas but she had to at least respect her feelings.

The administrator oblivious to the tension added. "If there's nothing further, we'll consider closing the case as we cannot take disciplinary actions without testimonies".

"Thank you then ". Leila replied curtly, before turning to her sister. "Yara, let's go".

The sisters left the office, walking in silence through the school's courtyard and toward the garage.

As they neared the car, Leila turned to face her sister.

"Yara why didn't you say anything?. You need to speak up when something like this happens, they've gone too far".

Leila squeezed her sister's palms gently. "You're the only one I have in this world, if anything happens to you, what am I supposed to do?. I know you're afraid but you can't just let them walk over you like this. If they don't get their deserved punishment, do you think they'll realize their actions. They'll only pick on you more since they know you won't speak up."

Yara's lip's quivered and she finally opened up. "They bullied me because I refused to suck up to them. It's just small attacks before but today they pushed me down the stairs and no one dared to help because they were afraid of getting implicated as those girls are from wealthy families so naturally everyone's afraid of them".

Leila's blood boiled as she listened, imagining the scenes in her mind. Her meek sister alone, scared and hurt by those spoiled brats with no one to defend her.

"They pushed you down the stairs". She repeated, fury rising in her chest. "Yara, I won't let this slide, I'm going to . . ."

"Sister, please don't". Yara interrupted in a croaked and small voice, holding her hand tightly to stop her from moving further. "They'll make it worse and I don't want trouble but I promise henceforth, I will always stand up for myself".

"Fine, I won't do anything. But if this happens again, you need to stand up for yourself as promised, okay?". Leila hesitated before calming down.

"Pinky promise?". Yara said and the sisters intertwined their fingers to seal the promise.

They had barely gotten to the car when the group of four girls sauntered out of the school door.

They spotted the sisters and their laughters immediately filled the airs.

"Look, it's the little pauper and her sister". One of them sneered.

"How's your fall Yara?. Hope you liked it ?."

"Like elder sister, like younger sister indeed. I thought she'll be a nice looking lady after hearing she's a manager but look at her. An insufferable fattie, even my grandma doesn't looks like this shit".

"Hey fatties".

"What did you just say?". Leila who anger had just simmered felt her blood boiling upon hearing the girl's words. She snapped angrily, taking a step towards them.

One of the girls laughed mockingly. "Oh, big sister's gonna defend poor little Yara? Please, like you can do anything.

Before Leila could retort or get any closer, she felt her foot slip on the gravel beneath her. She stumbled, her hands flailing and her waist ramming into the car's window, but before she could even hit the ground, a firm hand caught her arm, steadying her.

Startled, she looked up to see the man who had helped her. He was donning a biege hoodie and black pants with face cap that covered his whole face except lips.

He stood tall and composed, with a serious expression as he helped her regain her balance.

"You alright?" He asked, his voice calm but authoritative.

Leila nodded, though her waist was terribly aching and her knees had grazed the side of the car, leaving her with a fresh bruise. The man noticed it too, his brow furrowing.

He turned toward the girls, his gaze cold and sharp. "I suggest you apologize to her immediately."

The girls exchanged uneasy glances, but the arrogance still lingered in their eyes. One of them, clearly emboldened by the others, spat, "And who are you to tell us what to do?"

" I've seen enough of your nonsense. You think you're above the rules because of your parents? Think again."

He pulled out his phone, tapping the screen swiftly. "I'll be reporting this to the school board. Let's see how untouchable you truly are then."

The girls paled, the realization of potential consequences dawning on them. Without another word, they turned and hurried away, not before apologizing and asking for forgiveness.

Leila stared at the man in surprise, gratitude washing over her. "Thank you, Mister ".

He smiled gently. "No need. I just can't stand bullies, especially ones who think they're above the rules."

He then turned to Yara, his expression softening. "You okay, kid?"

Yara nodded, her voice a bit steadier now. "Yes, thank you Sir."

"Come on". He said, guiding them to his car parked nearby.

"Let's get those knees checked out. My sister and I were headed to the hospital from here anyway. You can come with us." He added, gesturing at the young lady standing by the car in her school uniform, quietly watching the scene.

Leila hesitated briefly, but seeing the genuine concern in his eyes, she nodded. They all got into his car, his younger sister giving Yara a warm smile as she climbed in beside her.