The Dark Inheritance

Chapter 14

Serah rushed through her bath, and ended up tying her wet hair in a bun. Thankfully, Cara's clothes fit her and her vision was back to normal. The only issue was her reddened eyes but it didn't appear too strange. By the time she arrived at her workplace, she was over thirty minutes late. She had an apology on the tip of her tongue, but when she entered the library, the manager wasn't there. The only other personnel was her co-worker Heather, a part-time clerk like her who was also of the same age. Heather was one of the most gorgeous girls Serah had seen so far. It wasn't just about her striking facial features or her silky waist-length jet black hair. She had a charm about her which stunned even Serah the first time they met, especially her eyes, which were the most striking hazel color.

"Sorry I'm late." Serah said on an exhale when she neared their work desk.

The girl's lips lifted into a smile but the expression froze on her face as soon as she took in Serah's appearance.

"What happened to your eyes?"

"Just a little accident." Serah shrugged.

"Are you sure you're okay? I can tell the manager you're not feeling well…"

"I'm fine. It's not as bad as it looks." Serah smiled.

"If you say so…" Heather relented. Her eyes then glinted in interest. "So? How was your first day at Redlands High?" She said the name in her usual venerating way.

Heather has always fawned over the school. Coming from a middle-class family, she didn't have the luxury to be accepted there. But she told Serah it had always been her dream to someday become a student of Redlands High.

"Not bad. I met some nice people there." Serah said, smiling as she thought of Angie and Lisa. "But most of the students are a bit snobbish and didn't take kindly to a commoner like me suddenly attending the school."

Heather pursed her lips. "As expected." She perused Serah's face yet again. "Does your red eyes have something to do with the students' reaction?" Her eyes were compassionate.

"No." Serah scoffed. "I'm not the least bit bothered about their attitude." She motioned towards her eyes. "This was just because of my own carelessness."

After that, Heather raved Serah with endless questions about her first day at school. She answered the girl in as much detail as possible, leaving out the details of how she drew the attention of the most popular students there as well as stirred trouble with them. Heather also seemed to know about the Valentine brothers and was very particular about her questions on the two guys… especially Gareth. As a result of their long chat, they were late in completing their tasks.

Heather assured her that she could handle the incoming customers on her own and asked Serah to take care of placing books back on their shelves.

She was absently going about her task, trying but failing to keep her thoughts from straying to Asher when she heard something which made her tense up.

"Gareth?" Heather exclaimed, her voice unlike anything Serah had ever heard. "You finally came! It's been such a long time."

"Yeah." The guy replied in the same gentle tone Serah remembered. "I was a bit busy lately and couldn't find the time."

"I see." Heather replied. "Have you been able to free yourself? Will you be able to drop by more often from now on?"

Serah peeked at them from behind a bookshelf, finding Heather staring up at Gareth with doe eyes. She now understood why her co-worker was so curious about Gareth. From the smitten expression on Heather's face, there was no doubt that she had a major crush on the guy.

"No, I'm still as busy." Gareth gruffly admitted. "I sneaked away today."

"Why?" Heather immediately asked. "If you don't mind me asking, that is."

"It's fine." Gareth laughed. "I just encountered someone who made me realize I should think of myself more."

Serah smiled softly as she watched the two conversing. She hoped things would turn out well for them both. It wouldn't be easy given the differences in their social status, but there was no denying they formed a nice pair.

Heather tilted her head curiously. "That person must be quite special for him to have such a strong effect on you." She commented.

Gareth stared off into space, his expression almost fond. "Special… indeed." He mumbled. "Well then. I'll come back to you later." He said before Heather could voice out anything else.

When he headed towards the bookshelves, Serah immediately retreated into the shadows. She'd already decided it wasn't a good idea to get involved with the guy again. Not just because it would anger Natalia or because of Asher's warning. She had this inner instinct telling her to stay away from him.

The task didn't prove easy since Gareth moved over to the bookshelf which was right opposite the one she was using to hide. She managed to sneak away, getting as far from him as possible. But then she heard his steps approaching the exact place she had retreated to. Choosing the only escape route, she moved over to the last range of bookshelves in the far corner of the library.