Taming the Devil's Heiress

1 - Out of Control

“Elinor Settara!” my mother’s piercing voice woke me up from my deep slumber.

But wait… Did she just call me by my name?

"Elinor! Get up!" she screamed once again.

Uh-oh. This is bad. She never calls me that. She has called me honey ever since I was young. Her calling my full name only means that I am in deep trouble.

“What is the meaning of this?!” she yelled.

I sat on my bed and looked at her dumbfoundedly. I was still dazed with sleep and having a hard time understanding what was happening. She looks fuming mad. What did I do this time?

“Mom, can’t it wait? I’m still sleepy…” I mumbled, but she just glared at me even more. I can imagine smoke coming out of her nostrils with the way she is heaving deep breaths, probably to calm herself down.

“You are all over the news again!” she screamed as she threw the almost crumpled newspaper in front of me.

I picked it up and saw a picture of me, making out with some random guy on the dance floor. I squinted my eyes to get a better look at the man in the picture. He had his back facing the camera so it's hard to tell. Who is he? Damn.

Is this Vaugh? Did this happen last night? Was I too drunk to even remember? Ugh.

“Mom… that’s not me,” I tried to deny it, which only made her more furious than she already was.

“Not you?! Do you think I won’t be able to recognize my own daughter?!” she yelled. I winced, hoping that she wouldn’t get my father’s attention with all her yelling.

He loves me and spoils me rotten, but this picture will surely make him lose it. For him, I am still his baby girl even when I am already twenty-four years old! I can’t even have a boyfriend because he is scaring away all of my suitors!

“Mom, it’s not my fault that paparazzi always have their eyes on me.” I rolled my eyes. It’s true though. They are always everywhere I go. I can’t even have my f*****g privacy! I’m not a celebrity and yet they are pestering my life!

“Because you are always giving them what they want!” she snapped frustratedly. Her beautiful face got contorted with stress.

“Why? Is it wrong that I wanted to enjoy my life?” I asked.

“Oh god! Can you hear yourself? Is that the only thing important to you? Enjoying your life?!” she snapped.

“You don’t even think about the consequences of your actions! Don’t you think that this will affect your father’s image? The company? Our family?!” she ranted.

“Image? Is that all you ever think about? How about me? Have you thought about me?” I hissed back, but immediately regretted it when I saw pain cross her face.

Don’t get me wrong. I love her. But she could easily get on my nerves sometimes! No, oftentimes!

“Mom…” I called when she turned to the door. But before I could make a move, she was already gone. I sighed, deciding not to follow her. I must let her cool off for a bit. Instead, I turned to the newspaper in my hand.

Alistair’s Heiress High and Out of Control! I read the article’s headline. Goodness. Can’t they be tackier than this? And what is it? High? What high? High on drugs?! Gosh! These writers are delusional! I was drunk, I must admit, but I wasn’t high!

I swear to God, I never used drugs! Jeez!

I crumpled the newspaper before tossing it on the floor. I grabbed my phone to check the time. It’s already one in the afternoon. So that’s why Dad isn’t around.

That doesn’t mean that I won’t hear it from him though. Mom will surely tell him. But it doesn’t matter. Dad loves me so much. I can easily pacify his anger.

I dived dofrom wn the bed and tried to sleep again. It was almost five in the morning when I came home earlier. But I just kept tossing and turning on my king-sized bed. I can’t go back to sleep anymore.

Ugh! I groaned as I got up from bed, giving onrom catching more sleep. I went inside my en suite bathroom and submerged myself in a milk bath. I closed my eyes and leaned my head on the edge of the tub. I stayed there for a while until the water turned cool.

I wrapped myself in a fluffy robe before going out. I almost jumped when I saw Dmitri, my younger brother, standing at the foot of my bed. His eyes are on the screen of his phone.

“Hey… Why are you here?” I asked. He gave me a bored look.

“Don’t tell me you came to nag me as well.” I taunted him but he just sighed audibly.

“I won’t waste my breath.” He snapped. He is four years younger than me but he acts like he is ten years older. Well, I can’t blame him though. I’m quite spoiled and bratty. And a bit immature. Okay, I admit that I am really immature, which is the complete opposite of him.

But he still doesn’t have the right to tell me off.

“Just don’t go out with that guy again.” He said after staring at me for a while.

“Who? I’m not going out with anyone.” I told him.

He shot the crumpled newspaper with a cold glare. Oh! That…

“Don’t worry. I don’t even know him. Do you?” I asked nonchalantly. I mean, I really can't tell who he is.

“What?! Then why the hell are you making out with him?!” he growled like an Alpha of some sort. Jeez. He got our Dad's short temper. There's no doubt about that.

“Oh please, Dmitri… Save those lectures for Dad.” I rolled my eyes at him.

My whole family treats me like I am a six-year-old child and ly pisses me off most of the time. I can’t even go out with my friends without my driver and bodyguards around.

“Yeah, right.” He sounded annoyed. “Actually, I'm here to tell you that he wants you in his office now.” He stated before going out of my room. Tss.

I went to my walk-in closet. I’m sure that Dad will scold me now. He wouldn’t call me into his office if he wouldn’t. I quickly got dressed, then went straight to his office. I’m a bit nervous but I know that I can make him calm down easily, unlike my mom.

“Hi, Dad!! How’s your day?” I asked him sweetly, but he just glared at me in return. I smiled at him cheekily but his reaction didn’t even change.

It made me wince. Okay. I don't think he will let me off the hook that easily.

I sat in front of his desk.

“Dad…” I started but he cut me off immediately by handing me some papers.

“What’s this?” I confusedly asked. Then I noticed that it was my card’s statement of account. I bit my lip when I saw the amount indicated there.

There are seven digits. My card is limitless, but I think Dad has his own limit.

“Care to explain that?” he asked coldly.

“I don’t know Dad. Sorry, I guess I lost track of my spending.” I told him even thoughly know why my credit skyrocketed like that. I bought a luxury yacht using my card last month.

“You lost track?” the crease on his forehead deepened. “How about this?” he waved the newspaper that had been lying on his desk in front of me.

“Dad, that’s not true. I wasn’t high!” I sounded defensive but I didn’t care. He’s usually lenient with me, but I don’t think it’s the same case now. He grimly looked at me.

“I haven't even tried party drugs! You can even do a drug test on me if you want,” I reasoned.

I admit that I will be offended if ly did that, but if it's the only way to prove my innocence, I will do it.

“You weren’t high? Then why the hell are you acting like this?!” he snapped. "Don't think I already forgot what happened last month!"

I winced. He looked furious and I'd never seen him like that. Especially not towards me. But who would forget about last month?

I was out partying with my friends when police suddenly busted into the scene. They confiscated several illegal drugs from the venue, then took us into custody. My parents had to practically bail me out of jail!

I was so embarrassed after my face again landed on the front page of tabloids and society web pages. That f**k'ing mugshot looked horrible!

“You’re not a teenager anymore, Eli! You’re twenty-five for f**k’s sake!” he yelled.

“Sorry, Dad. It won’t happen again.” I said in a low voice. I was thinking that he would be more lenient if I showed remorse.

“How long have you been saying that, huh?!” he scoffed.

I don’t know. Maybe since I can remember? It always works on him though. But I wouldn’t tell him that, of course.

"I was even younger than you when I started handling the company. And yet here you are, wasting money like we have a bottomless pit of it!"

Don't we? I wanted to ask but I didn't want to push him to his limits. He's already raging as it is. I don't have to provoke him more. But he's a f*****g billionaire, for goodness sake! The amount of the yacht won't cause a dent in his wealth!

"I think it's high time for you to take on your responsibilities," he coldly stated.

"But Dad!" I whined, but he immediately cut me off.

"No Eli. I have already talked to my friend. His son will take you under his wing for the meantime," he snapped.

"What?!" I exclaimed. Just what does he mean by that? "What friend? I can work in our company!" I almost shouted, but he only glared at me.

"And then what? Waste your time in the office and let your brother do all the work?" he growled.

I bit my lower lip. He got me there. But he and Dmitri can very much handle everything. Why do I need to work? We have more than enough money to spend this whole life on. I might as well give the job to someone who really needs it.

"But Dad..."

"My decision is final. You will work under Moore Holdings," he stated while looking straight into my eyes.

Moore Holdings? Don't tell me I have to work with...

"I suppose you remember Sebastian." his voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I smirked. Of course. How can I forget that loser?

"You will start tomorrow. No parties tonight. You're grounded."

"What?! Dad, I'm twenty-five! Not fourteen!" I reminded him again for the hundredth time!

"Then act like it!" he lashed out, which almost made me jump out of my seat. I can't believe he's shouting at me now.

"Go to your room!" he yelled before pinching the bridge of his nose.

My chest heaved up and down in anger. I walked out and slammed the door behind me. I found myself inside Dmitri's bedroom.

"You won't believe this!" I wailed as soon as I saw him.

"It's for the best, Eli," he said in a low voice.

"What? Don't tell me you're into this too?!" I yelled. He's always had my back and I had never thought that a time would come when he would betray me.

"I'm sorry, but I guess we spoiled you too much. You're already ruining yourself." he sighed defeatedly.

"Ruining myself? Or are you just scared of our family's image? Do you think that I am dragging our family's name in the dirt?!" I snapped.

"Eli, calm down. I'm not your enemy. We're doing this for you." he sighed heavily. As if this conversation alone is exhausting him.

"Then why do I have to work for another company? And worse, of all people, you really chose that Sebastian!" I growled.

"Why? What's wrong with him? He's your friend, right?" he asked.

"No, he's not!"

"Eli, come on. It won't be permanent. For now, this is the only way to pacify Mom and Dad. You already went too far," he looked at me apologetically.

"Fine!" I went out of his room the same way I walked out of my father's office. I am furious but I have no one else to turn to. My mom will surely take their side.

I wish my grandparents were still here. Unfortunately, they both passed away a few years ago. I hastily threw my pillows across the room. I can't believe that they're actually doing this to me! I feel like they are all ganging up on me! Argh!

And of all people, it has to be that annoying prick!

A blurry image of Sebastian Moore popped into my mind. I smirked evilly. If they think he can tame me down, then they clearly thought wrong!

I will raise hell before that happens! I will make sure that Sebastian will regret that he ever let me into his life again!