The Dark Inheritance

Chapter 7

When she returned to class, Serah was pleasantly surprised to see that a new desk and chair had been arranged for her. Kate and Jessie kept sending her scathing glares but didn't try to bother her again. Serah returned to her original seat and Angie, wanting to sit close to her, convinced the guy who was right behind Serah to swap places with her. In between classes, they also got friendly with the cute but shy redhead sitting in front of them, Lisa Barnes. She also seemed quite clumsy and air-headed but she was a fun company. Lisa informed them that Natalia and her groupies came to look for Serah during the break and when they couldn't find her, they went on a mad search for her throughout the school. Luckily she didn't cross them. She didn't feel like dealing with their sourness yet again for the day. Besides, it still didn't sit well with her that Angie or Lisa be targeted because of her.

When noon came around, several students, including Angie and Lisa were called to the teacher's office to retrieve some materials. Left on her own, Serah decided to walk through the school grounds by herself. Natalia was sure to come seek her out and she didn't want to raise a fuss in the class. Might as well go seek her out and settle their differences elsewhere. But as she wandered through the huge premises, she felt at a loss over where to head.  

"Excuse me!" She called when a student happened by her. However, the girl took one look at her and scrambled away like she saw a ghost.

She got the same reaction from all other students she tried to engage in conversation. At a loss over what to do, she could only walk straight ahead while trying to dredge up the instructions Angie had given her. 

After some time, she emerged in a huge space where several other students were milling about. It was indeed a nice hanging out spot with benches placed among the decorative plants and trees strategically located to provide some shade. As she walked forward, she attracted everyone's attention, their eyes on her remaining hostile. Seriously, this treatment was too much! Simply because she defended Jennifer this morning. She needed to put a stop to it all.

"Has anyone of you seen Natalia?"  She asked them as she kept walking forward.

One of the guys scoffed. "She's actually seeking out her death?"

"You want to beg for Natalia's apology now?" Another girl sneered. "It's too late to regret now."

"You'll soon be crying and running out of this school for good." Came another derisive voice.

"So you won't tell me?" Serah said coldly. "Fine! I'll manage on my own." She turned on her heels, about to head back, but just then another voice rang out from beside her.

"I was wondering just what the new student, who threw Natalia into a hysteric, looked like." Came a booming male voice. 

Serah turned to look at the guy with spiky blonde hair who was steadily approaching her. The other students seemed intimidated by him and readily parted to make way for him. He looked ruggedly handsome with a well-toned body, his piercing grey eyes further adding to his allure. She also noticed several other good-looking guys walking a short distance behind him, all them steadily approaching her.

The spiky-haired dude stopped a short distance from Serah, a smirk on his face as he raked his gaze all over her. "I didn't expect you to be such a stunner." He said, his eyes shining with interest.

The other guys stood right behind him, also giving her a once-over, but remained in the background. It was clear that spiky hair made the rules among them.

"And you are?" Serah asked, eyeing him suspiciously. 

"Owen Valentine." He said, extending his hand. "Nice to meet you, Serah."

She carefully masked her surprise at hearing the name. So this was the famous Owen… another one of the most popular guys here. Given his attitude, he must be the player guy. She stared at his hand in reluctance but then decided it would be rude to not shake it.

"Nice to meet you too." She said with a strained smile, lightly squeezing his hand before pulling back. However, he held on to her hand firmly, refusing to let go. 

She frowned, pulling with more strength. "Can you please let go?" She said in a sharp voice.

He responded by stepping right into her space, lowering his head to hers until their faces were mere inches apart. She tightened her fists to hold back the urge to pull away. At her look of defiance, he merely smirked with satisfaction.

"It's not easy being targeted by everyone in school, is it?" He murmured. "How about I help you out?"

She smiled derisively. "Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass."

As if she hadn't spoken, he went on. "Become my woman and I'll let everyone know that you're off limits. They'll stop bothering you and you'll be treated like a queen."

"I'm grateful you're proposing to help," she said, trying to sound genuine. "but I'll be fine. I'll deal with it by myself."

"Now if you'll excuse me." She stepped back and tried to pry her hand from his, but he still held firm. 

Then, to her outrage, he outright tugged on her arm, causing her body to crash against his. 

"What the-" She exclaimed.

“You’ve got a nice body, Serah.” He commented huskily. 

His head then lowered to her neck and he inhaled deeply, causing goosebumps to break out over her skin. “Such a nice smell.” He groaned. “I bet your blood smells wonderful as well.”

Once she recovered from the initial shock, her outrage rose by landslides. Unable to help it, she vehemently shoved his hand away, the sudden strength which overtook her surprising even her. Owen appeared as shocked as she felt. Then her palm rose as if on its own accord and delivered a stinging slap to his cheek. 

“How dare you!” She hollered.

The astonishment still briefly painted his features, but it was quickly overtaken by raging fury. The other students were gaping at them, appearing dumbfounded. She also realized the severity of what she just did. She just slapped the only heir of one of the families which basically ruled this country. And in front of all these students. If Owen wished it, he could dispose of her in a heartbeat and without any repercussions. Still despite the consequences, she didn’t regret her actions. The guy deserved it with the way he was acting. He was in the wrong here! She returned his scathing glare with her own, preparing to defend herself till the end. Even if the whole school population was against her...