Taming the Devil's Heiress

5 - A Family Dinner

"Why are you here?" I asked grimly.

I went out of Moore Holdings' building and the first thing I saw was my brother's flashy McLaren spider parked in front. Dmitri is leaning into it. His tie is already loose and a few buttons of his dress shirt are undone, subtly showing his gym sculpted chest. His hair was slightly disheveled. It looks like he had a rough day at work.

He didn't seem to hear me though. His eyes were fixed on something. I turned to see what it was. No. It's not what. It's who. One of my eyebrows raised when I saw who he was looking at.

An angelic-looking woman who looked a few years younger than me was standing right in front of the building's entrance. She is quite stunning despite her simple outfit. She's just wearing a pair of fitted jeans and a loose shirt. Her cross-body bag is undeniably branded though.

Her glowing skin was almost luminous looking. She looked so delicate. The complete opposite of how fierce I look. We would be like an angel and a devil in tandem when put together. The devil, of course, would be me. Duh.

I was about to look away when I suddenly saw Sebastian. He had already removed his coat, which was now draped on his left shoulder. His well-toned body became more emphasized now that he was just wearing his fitted dress shirt. He's so different from how he used to be. Seb, my friend, and Sebastian now seem to be two different people in my eyes.

The woman's face lit up when she saw him. So she was waiting for him. Who is she? He doesn't have a sister. I am sure of that.

"Sebby!" she squealed gleefully before running unto him. She jumped and wrapped her legs around his waist.

One of my eyebrows skyrocketed when I saw how "Sebby" laughed after catching her. Sebby? Like eew!

What is he? A four-year-old child?!

He held her waist to support her weight. Tss. PDA much?

I rolled my eyes before looking away. Just to see my brother glaring at the pair.

"Hey!" I finally got his attention before he could kill them with just his intense stares.

"Is there any problem?" I asked before glancing back to where he was looking earlier. The woman is already back on her feet but Sebastian's hand is now behind her elbow, leading her to his car.

I rolled my eyes once again. Can't that woman walk on her own? There is no way she would trip while wearing sneakers! I was wearing a four-inch stiletto but he didn't even bother to touch me earlier when we went to the restaurant!

But why the hell am I comparing? That girl could be his girlfriend and I am just...

"Nothing." I heard my brother's cold voice. I glared at him. He is right though, I'm nothing to him. Why do I sound bitter? And how the hell did Dmitri know what I was thinking?!

"Oh!" I gasped. I almost forgot that I was talking to him. I asked him a question that he answered.

"Let's go then." I snapped to cover up my embarrassment even though I was the only one who knew about it. I rounded to the other side of his car to hop into the shotgun seat.

It took a few more seconds before Dmitri finally sat beside me.

"Why were you looking at that girl? Do you know her?" I asked. "The man is Sebastian Moore," I informed him, in case he didn't know. He knew Sebastian as my friend before. I'm sure, like me, he still thinks of him as that fat boy who used to follow me anywhere I went.

"Of course, I know him." he looked at me while starting the car. "We saw each other at several conferences not too long ago," he casually answered while maneuvering his car.

My jaw dropped at his answer. They've been seeing each other?! So, I was the only one who wasn't aware of his "amazing transformation"?

"Why? Don't tell me you didn't recognize him the first time?" he glanced at me.

"Tss." I rolled my eyes. I really hate how he can seem to know what's in my mind.

"Why do I have a feeling that something embarrassing has happened?" he taunted.

"It's none of your business, brother." I snorted. "Anyway, why did you pick me up?" I asked to change the damned topic. And I was also wondering about it before I saw that girl and Sebastian.

"Your driver is with Mom right now," he answered.

"So? I could've gone home myself." I snorted.

He just looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes. Can't they trust me just a little?

"Dad also called me to tell me that we would have a family dinner outside. Do you want to go home and change first?" he asked.

"Of course, Dimi. Look at me. I looked so stressed because of that man!" I complained.

"Really? I thought it would be the other way around," he lightly chuckled.

I wanted to smack him on the head. I want the original Dmitri back! I swear, his personality changes three hundred sixty degrees whenever it's just the two of us. Sometimes I even tease him that he has a split personality disorder. He's always stoic like a thick stick is shoved up his ass! But when we're together, he's more relaxed and his "fun" personality comes out. Which I find annoying...

He loves to tease me to death. Gahd.

"And why would he be stressed about me? He should even feel honored to be graced by my presence!" I argued.

"Sure, Eli," he laughed. Tss. I just rolled my eyes at him again, which made him laugh even harder. I didn't talk to him until we got home.

"Please don't take too long," he yelled behind me when I ran up the stairs.

I went straight to the tub to ease my sore muscles. I'm so not used to sitting all day. My lower back is already killing me. Ugh. Perhaps I should start hitting the gym.

After my long, leisurely bath, I took the time to choose my outfit. In the end, I put on a classic little black dress with thin straps. I pulled my hair into a messy bun, leaving some loose strands around my ear and at the back of my nape. Then a black choker to complete my look. I was about to put on my make-up when I heard loud knocks on my door.

"Eli! What the hell is taking you so long?!" I heard my brother's impatient voice.

"Go away! I'm almost done!" I shouted before looking back at the mirror. I rolled my eyes when he didn't stop his incessant knocks! Stupid little brother! I just shoved my make-up kit in my bag before going out of my bedroom.

"That's it?" he commented after looking at me from head to toe.

"What?!" I snapped.

"That's what you came up with after two hours?!" he asked incredulously.

"Ha-ha! So funny!" I heard him chuckle. "I wasn't even done, thanks to you! Why are you even in a hurry?" I asked.

"The Moores will be joining us," he answered while we were walking down the stairs.

My eyebrows raised. Will they be joining us? It's probably just the older Moore, since Sebastian is occupied with something else. Not that I care though.

I fixed my make-up while we were in the car. But it was a little bit hard to do, so I just swiped some smudge-proof red lipstick to cover up my naturally pinkish lips.

We stopped in front of our biggest hotel here in New York City. Dmitri led me to one of the private rooms. My parents were already there, as well as Uncle Charles.

"Good evening." Dmitri greeted him.

"Hi Uncle." I smiled at him. I knew it. Sebastian would be too busy to attend this dinner.

"Eli, how do you find our company so far?" he smiled. I took a seat before answering him.

"It's nice except for your-" before I could finish what I was saying, the door opened, revealing Sebastian, who looked fresh out of the shower.

"Good evening, sorry I'm late," he said apologetically. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at him.

"It's okay Seb. We know you're busy," my father said. Really? Aren't they all busy here? Dmitri is the busiest since he handles most of our companies now that Dad is already planning to retire. If there was anyone here who wasn't busy, it would be...

Well, that would be me... Even my mom is busy with her chain of coffee shops...

What I'm saying is, that it wasn't an excuse for coming late. But whatever.

"What were you saying, Eli?" Uncle Charles asked. I thought he had already forgotten.

"Uhm, everything's fine Uncle. Don't worry about me." I forced a smile on my lips.

Sebastian took the only available seat, which was in front of mine. I couldn't help but look up at him. My gaze landed on a reddish spot on the side of his neck. I leaned back in my seat while looking at it.

What is it? A hickey?

Our eyes met for a second before he avoided my gaze. His hand landed on his collar and fixed it in a poor attempt to cover up the proof of what he had been busying himself with before coming here. I looked at my phone to check the time.

It was almost eight in the evening. We left their building at around five o'clock. Hmm. Don't tell me he's a wham-bam kind of guy?

"We already ordered but if you want anything else, I could call the waiter." Mom said. "Eli?" she turned to look at me.

"I'm fine Mom." I shrugged. I'm not even hungry.

The dinner went smoothly. They are mostly talking about business. I tried not to butt in. I wouldn't want their attention on me. Surely they will just talk about my "misbehaviors". So no thanks. I'll just quietly enjoy my chocolate truffles.

"Thanks for the nice dinner. I will make sure that Seb will take care of your only daughter." Uncle Charles told Dad. I wanted to roll my eyes but I tried not to. After some more pleasantries, Uncle Charles left but Sebastian was left behind.

What is he still doing here? Ain't someone waiting for him?

I stood up from my seat and saw how his eyes scanned me from head to toe. I smirked when he looked up at my face again.

What? Don't tell me he's not satisfied with his angel?

I c****d my head to the side, then gave him my best seductive smile. He scowled at me before looking away.

He said goodbye to my parents. Then he talked to my brother about something that I couldn't hear before he walked out of the room. He didn't even glance at me before going out!

"Eli, go with Mom and Dad. I'm going out with my friends tonight." Dmitri told me.

"What? You're leaving me with them?" I snapped.

"Is there any problem with that?" Dad glared at me.

"I don't want to be your third wheel." As much as I love my parents' relationship, I don't like seeing them being so sweet towards each other. I don't know, but it feels like something that I shouldn't even see.

"Don't be so dramatic, Eli." Mom intervened. "The ride home will only take a few minutes."

"Can't I go with you?" I hooked my arm with my brother's while giving him the puppy eye. "Please? Promise I'm going to behave."

"No," he scoffed. "I'm not going to be your babysitter."

"What? Dad! I want to go with Dimi!" I whined.

"You're still grounded. Let's go," he answered apathetically.

Seriously?

"Fine." I harshly breathed before going out of the private room. We waited outside the building for our cars but my eyebrows were raised when a familiar car stopped in front of us. Its windows rolled down and revealed Sebastian, who was sitting behind the steering wheel. He nodded to my parents before giving a sign to my brother. He's ignoring me on purpose, isn't he?

But wait. Are they going out together?!

Damn. I want to go too. I smirked when an idea struck me.

"What are you thinking?" Dmitri asked. I didn't even notice that he was looking at me.

"Nothing." I batted my eyelashes at him.

You don't want me to come, huh? Let's wait and see then...