Taming the Devil's Heiress

10 - Cradle Snatcher

"You wouldn't want to mess with Alistair's heiress, would you?" I mocked while looking down at him. He remained looking at me like he couldn't believe what I had just said.

"Listen." I pressed my foot harder on his chest.

"Leave my friend alone. He's my friend, not my pet. Do you understand?" I asked.

The poor guy nodded his head frantically. He quickly stood up when I removed my foot from his chest. I noticed how he still looked pale now. I frowned. Am I that scary, to get this reaction from him?

I looked into his face and realized how familiar he looked. Ohh... Now I remember. I think I'd seen him once or twice with his parents. His father works in a high position in our company. Hmm. Didn't he recognize me sooner?

I can't blame him. I don't usually go to events held by the company. And on the rare occasions that I go, I barely socialize with people. It's understandable how he didn't recognize me as the Alistar's heiress.

I enjoyed his horrified expression for a while. Then I glared at them before walking away. I wanted to check on Seb but he might not want me to see him in such a vulnerable state so I just went to grab some lunch. It was already after our classes when we saw each other again.

"Sett!" He looked excited when he saw me in the parking lot. I was waiting for him.

His eyes lit up behind his thick glasses. He immediately took my bag from my hands.

"Do you want to eat first?" he asked.

I pouted. He really loves food, huh?

"I'm not hungry but... Okay." I shrugged.

He asked his driver to take us to a nearby cafe. I was watching him the whole time. He looked happy. If I didn't see what happened with my own eyes, I would never have thought that he was getting bullied.

"Hi!" a group of girls suddenly sat beside me while I was waiting for Seb who was taking our orders.

"We're from the same class earlier. I'm Nica. You're Elinor, right?" she asked. I just nodded, thinking about where this conversation was going. I don't even know who they were.

"Are you alone?" another one asked. They looked okay so I decided to answer her.

"No, I'm with him." I looked up at Seb. He's now walking toward our table with a tray full of food in his hands.

"Him?!" the girl who introduced herself as Nica looked horrified when she saw Seb. I frowned. What's so shocking about him?

Is he an outcast in school? But... Considering his looks, I already know why. He's fat, but so what? He can buy his own food and doesn't ask them for money, so what's the matter with that?

"Yes, why?" I asked with one of my eyebrows c****d up. "Do you have a problem with him?" I was ready to kick her ass if ever she said something insulting against Seb.

"Ah, haha..." she chuckled nervously. She must have noticed the grim expression on my face. "Of course not. Can we join you?" she asked.

"You're already sitting here." I snorted.

"Okay then, we're gonna go and get some food!" she excitedly said before leaving just as Seb reached us. He looked hesitant.

"What did you order?" I asked.

He adjusted his glasses after putting down the tray. My eyes popped with the amount of food he got. There are two tall glasses of milkshakes, sandwiches, waffles, doughnuts, and different kinds of cakes. I winced while looking at all the sugar in front of me.

Damn. No wonder he grew up that big.

"Do you want something else?" he asked.

"Nope. I'm good!" I grinned.

The girls came back with their frappes. They throw glances at me and Seb from time to time but they will stop every time I throw them a cold look.

From that group of three girls, more students started to befriend me, even though I clearly showed how I disliked being around a lot of people. I became used to it after a while. It had its advantages anyway.

After a few months at school, I already looked like a cult leader with a number of followers. Both girls and guys wanted to be in my circle. Not all of them are sincere, of course, but I didn't bother anymore. Even though I was still a freshman student, I became the queen bee of the school. Because of that, I was able to protect Seb from his bullies. Nobody dared to mess with him anymore.

He remained my closest friend despite the hive that was always surrounding me. I spend most of my time with him. I even dragged him to my jiujutsu classes to somehow help him with self-defense, but he easily gave up. He still goes with me though.

Not to train but to watch me while he eats in a corner. We become tighter as the year passed by. He also became bigger and fluffier.

Until I woke up one day to find that everything had changed...

And until now, I still don't know what happened between us. I didn't know why he suddenly accused me of things that I never knew about. As far as I can remember, I've never been rude to him. He was the only exception to my bitchy attitude. He was the only one, aside from my brother, who was able to worm his hole through that facade.

"Why am I even reminiscing about it?!" I huffed while murdering the poor dumplings on my plate.

After insulting me from head to toe, he just left. He left just like that. Without even explaining anything. For years, we had lost contact. Even if I attend events held by their company, I have not seen him once. Not that I want to see him, duh.

It happened ages ago so I just have to forget about it. Clearly, the man in question already did a long time ago.

I sighed, then set my food aside. I'd already lost my appetite. After cleaning it up, I went back to Sebastian's office.

"Uhm, Miss Alistair, he has a meeting with someone." the secretary told me just when I was about to turn the handle.

One of my eyebrows c****d up.

"Did he say that I can't come in?" I asked coldly.

"N-not really." she scratched her ear. She looked confused. Did she just forget that I also work inside this office?

Ugh. I should really do something to change that.

I knocked twice before opening the door. I went straight to my table without bothering to throw a glance in their direction. I sat and tried to concentrate on work.

"Mr. Moore, you also need to sign these documents." a sultry voice got my attention.

I couldn't help but look up just to see a woman sitting in front of his table. She is leaning way too much, probably trying to give Sebastian a good show of her cleavage. Her skirt is way too short and tight.

Is she a client? Or an employee?

"I need to review these first. Thank you, Ms. Wilson," he stated, but his eyes remained on the documents in his hands.

I rolled my eyes before turning back to the screen of my computer.

"Okay. Just tell me if you have some questions about it." the woman answered seductively, which almost made me gag.

Can't she see that we are in the office? This is certainly not the place to flirt!

Ugh! But what the hell do I care?!

I already have my hands full. I need to finish this next week and I still haven't done anything! Damn it!

I made an email and sent it to different suppliers for the prices of their products. It took a lot of willpower to concentrate despite the noise in the office. I sighed in relief when the woman finally left. Now we can work in peace.

I didn't bother to throw Sebastian a glance throughout the whole afternoon.

"Elinor..." he called when I was about to go out of his office.

"What?" I asked in a cold voice. He stared at my face for a while. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"I'm going to take you home," he said after clearing his throat.

"And why is that?" I scoffed. "I can go home on my own, thank you very much!" I spat, my words dripping with pure sarcasm.

"Your brother asked me to," he explained. I don't know why my heart hurt at that.

"He called earlier. He still had a lot of meetings going on while your Dad had to fly to another state. Your driver is with your Mom." he explained, but I didn't really pay attention.

"I would hate to bother you, Mr. Moore. I know my way home, thanks." I was about to walk away when he suddenly grabbed my arm.

"Stop being so stubborn, Elinor!" he snapped before dragging me to the elevator.

"What the hell?! Let me go!" I screamed when the doors closed.

"I already gave my word to Dmitri," he said in a more controlled voice now. I wanted to stomp my foot in frustration, but I stopped myself.

"If they just gave me back my car, then we wouldn't have this problem!" I spat without looking at him.

"If you just act your age-"

"Shut up!" I quickly cut him off. My chest heaved in anger. Just who does he think he is? He doesn't have the right to meddle with my life. He lost that right a long time ago!

I heard his exasperated breath but I didn't bother to throw him another glance. I just want to go home now! I marched out of the elevator as soon as it opened. Different employees littered the lobby as it was time to go home. My eyebrows skyrocketed when I noticed most of the women's attire.

"I thought you had a certain dress code here?" I asked heatedly. I remembered the woman in his office earlier. Now I'm sure that she's also an employee here.

What the heck?! Their outfits are even lewder than the ones I used to wear. Is this man f*****g kidding me?

Is it my parents' orders?

First, they forced me to work for Moore's company! Then, they took my cards, my phone, and even my car! Now they want to have a say about my outfits as well?!

This is fvcking ridiculous!

I looked back at Sebastian to ask him but I found him frowning while looking at his other female employees.

He took out his phone to call someone. I tried to take that chance to walk away but he just grabbed my arm again.

"Send out a memo to all departments. Starting tomorrow, everyone should strictly follow the company's dress code." he coldly ordered before dropping the call. I looked at him incredulously!

"Happy now?" he asked before dragging me out of the building. He didn't seem to mind, even if his employees were already staring at us.

"Let me go! I can walk on my own!" I hissed.

"Stop arguing Eli, we're almost in the car," he sighed. I looked up and indeed saw an expensive car waiting in front of the building's entrance. His driver was standing beside it.

"Good afternoon," he greeted us as he opened the backseat door.

"Thanks," I muttered, despite my sour mood. I quickly hopped in but frowned when he immediately closed the door, even before Seb could come in. I rolled my eyes.

He should just have told me that his driver would send me home! I shouldn't have wasted my effort arguing with him then!

I closed my eyes and massaged my forehead as I leaned back in my seat. Dealing with him is really exhausting.

I heard the driver's door close but I didn't move.

"Sebby!" a woman's voice made me almost jump up from my seat. I opened my eyes just to be horrified by the scene in front of me!

Instead of the driver, it was Sebastian who was sitting behind the wheel while that girl sat on the shotgun! So I'm their third wheel now?!

Just great! This is exactly what I needed after a long day of work! Please note the sarcasm there!

"Is everything okay?" Sebastian asked while looking at me through the rearview mirror.

I wanted to tell him that I could just go and hail a cab instead, but I didn't want to appear bitter, so I just bit my tongue. I shook my head before looking away.

"Sebby, how can you be so rude! Where are your manners?" the girl's sweet voice filled the car. "Hi! My name's Liza! Are you Elinor?" that's when I realized that she was actually talking to me now?

I looked at her. She's even more beautiful up close.

"Yes." I shortly answered. What am I supposed to say anyway?

"It's nice to finally meet you!" she grinned.

Huh? Does she know me?

"I've heard so much about you from Sebby!" she said. I hated how she looked so nice and kind. It's making it hard for me to stay annoyed with her.

"Really?" I asked when I finally found my tongue. I stole a quick glance at Sebastian, but he was focused on driving.

"Liz, seat properly and put on your seatbelt." he sternly berated her.

"You should have told me that she was coming with us. I should've chosen to sit with her." she pouted, making her look a few years younger than she appeared to be.

How old is she? Don't tell me Sebastian is such a cradle snatcher now?

"I will just drop her off because her brother asked me to," the brute answered coldly.

Huh! My jaw clenched. I suddenly wanted to slam his head on the steering wheel!

"What? Eli..." she turned to me. "I can call you that, right?"

"Hmm, of course." I nodded.

"We are going out to see this new art exhibit. Do you want to go with us?" she asked.

I was taken aback by the sudden invitation. Is she serious?

"Please?" she looked like a child pleading for candy.

I glanced at Sebastian but seeing his grim reaction, suddenly made up my mind.

"Sure!" I tried to sound expectant even though, deep inside, I wanted to grimace at the thought of going to an art exhibit!

But I am willing to endure that boredom just to be a pain in his ass...