Claiming The Heiress

Bitches Know Better

Katerina

Well, can’t blame a girl for trying. I went there in that unexpectedly large and modern dining room and tried for one last time to be friendly. It all came to bite me in the a*ss. And that’s what I get for pretending to be nice.

No, I tell myself as I wander out of the house to the shadow behind it, no, I am to blame for even assuming I could reason with someone who could not be reasoned with. When I woke up today, somewhat refreshed thanks to the solid ten-hour sleep and the fresh air in the house, I thought it could be a good idea to try and fix things. If I am to stay here for an entire year or whatever, at least I need to be friendly with the people around. Too bad they don’t want friendly. So, war it is. I can be petulant like a child if that’s what he assumes anyway, right?

Taking in another deep breath, I close my eyes, forcing myself to calm down, to not let the rage consume me, because I will not the person who lets people like Alejandro Montener control their emotions. I am getting what I want and that’s what matters.

When I look around again, the air feels a bit hotter, a bit denser than just a moment ago. Tropical heat and all that I guess. It’s nice though - the bright sun, the flower scent lingering around, the birds chirping high in the trees. The worn-down, marble tiles beneath my feet are already getting heated up and if it wasn’t for the soft breeze, I’d be covered in sweat at this point even as I stay under the shadows thrown by the house. Another thing I need to get used to, but I am nothing short of adjustable. I had years to toughen myself up, so I know how to deal with the likes of him. I can handle me a dangerous man as the song goes.

“Hola, señorita,” someone behind me says and I startle, not expecting there to be other people around this early in the morning. Then I remember I am in what appears to be the country side and this is a functional ranch after all, so of course there’d be people around seven thirty in the morning. It’s the same at my grandmother’s village - everyone’s up and about come sun-rise and the world seems potent with life and cheer, not like in the big cities where everything is such a great hustle sometimes.

I turn to greet Juan, the guy from yesterday who, alongside that girl who doesn’t speak English, Dolores, was the only person who acted somewhat decent when me and Eva arrived. I give him a large friendly smile that matches his own and it’s like his entire face lights up at that.

With that saddle in his hands he walks toward me, nodding. “Did you get your rest, miss?”

“Yeah, it was more than needed…” my voice trails off toward that insufferable man who is still inside the house, acting like he’s the boss.

Juan studies me for a moment and it’s now I notice his eyes are a pale amber, kind and soft, wise eyes that are so different than those liquid heat eyes of Alejandro Montener.

“Did he do something again?” Juan finally asks, huffing in frustration, a shadow creeping on his face. Then in Spanish he murmurs something about how his boss never learns and doesn’t have a decent bone in his body, and honestly I can’t agree more. “Just don’t mind him, he’s… difficult, but he means… well…”

It’s kind of fun, like really fun, watching the poor man struggling to find something, at least one damn thing, decent about his boss.

“Don’t worry about me,” I tell Juan with a shake of my head. “We’ll see how it all turns out at the end, but honestly… I do need to find my way around here and since your boss-friend is not up for the task, would you do me the favour?”

Juan startles at that. For a moment he just stares at me, eyes going dark with confusion.

“That if is you don’t have anything urgent to do today,” I clarify when I see his hesitation. “I don’t want you to get in trouble or something.”

He blinks at me, then shakes his head, a large grin suddenly blossoming on his face and damn him, but that man is a charmer and he definitely knows it.

“Oh, I love trouble,” he says, his grin growing devilish and becoming a perfect match to the fire in his eyes. “Just let me get this saddle back at the stables and I will meet you at the back of the house.”

I go get changed into something more comfortable, like some linen trousers and sneakers, and of course my favourite flower crop top that I’ve worn to oblivion for such a long time. My hair put up in a high ponytail, I grab my crossbody purse and head out.

Thank god that evil looking woman Maria is nowhere around. As I take a mental note that I need to find a way to put her in place while everyone else is around and do it so without letting them know I understand the language, the door to Eva’s room slightly cracks open and a cranky Eva, her auburn hair in a complete mess, peaks through the crack.

“Where are you going?” She asks with a rough tone, heavy with sleep.

“Just for a walk, to get to know the place, see how far I can get on foot.”

Eva lifts a brow in question. “Alone?”

“Of course not, Juan will take me.”

“That’s the cute gay guy from yesterday, right?”

“Yeah, the same one.”

“Okay, have fun, babe. But share location with me.”

I roll my eyes at her. “Okay, mom. I am taking my special key-chain with me as well, so don’t worry.”

A small smile lands on Eva’s lips now and she nods approvingly. “That’s my girl. Go have fun.”

I head toward the back of the house where Juan is supposed to wait for me and it takes him less than five minutes show up. The heat has grown in portions, but it’s still bearable and with the shadows around I think I can tolerate it, plus my light clothes are a step in the right direction.

“So, how much time do you have?” Juan asks, checking the old-fashioned watch on his watch, which I can’t help but notice is cracked at some place.

“I have until one p.m.,” I reply lightly as we head toward the large wooden gazebo at the end of the lawn, the one near the small group of white magnolia trees. Damn it, but this place is the closest thing I have ever imagined that heaven could be. If it wasn’t so poisoned with everything that’s wrong in my world, it’d be perfect.

“Okay, then I will show you the waterfalls and the east borders of the estate, so that you get some idea how vast this land is. Plus, the waterfalls are perfect this time of the year, you’ll love them.”

As we head north on the large tiled path, an idea comes to my mind. Today is the last day that we have to sign and accept the conditions of Pedro’s will, if not, everything goes to the state or whatever. If I am late for the meeting with the lawyers today, who knows if they’d be willing to wait for me, or agree to come back later. And that guy needs to be taught a little lesson about how greedy boys might not get anything if they get too greedy. I am so riled up without even realising it that I don’t even care I may be risking my own future in the process. He thinks I will be just some mindless wallflower waiting for the big strong man to take care of my inheritance? Well, I fully indent on showing him exactly what that means and why it could be this dangerous.

“You know what? I could be a bit late, it’s not like anyone would notice if I am not on time for my very important meeting, right?”

Juan startles at that and stops to stare at me. I hold his gaze for a moment and after a second it hits him what I mean, his devilish grin from earlier coming even wider and more devilish than before.

“Right,” he replies with a knowing nod. “And I definitely think you should take a proper look at your own lands, no matter how long it takes. Damn it, señorita, you are a feisty one…”

“Oh, you don’t know even the half of it…” And with that, I lean into his stretched arm, and we head to explore my estate, or as much of it as I can see walking on foot.