Seducing The Heir

Vivian ran and panted across the large campus of University X, holding a large, hot box of pizza in her hand. The old tennis shoes on her feet were fortunately sturdy, so she ran so fast.

"Sorry," Vivian asked a random student, breathing heavily. "Do you know where the economics department is located?"

"Over there." The skinny male student pointed to the North - where she had just passed by. "Corridor of row A."

"Thank." She nodded to the other person and quickly walked towards area A.

It was Thursday afternoon, and a group of students from the economics club called the Domino's Pizza store - where she was working - to place an order. She was chosen to deliver the goods. Within half an hour, she ran through busy, traffic-filled streets. She finally arrived but got lost on campus.

"It's strange, I've run back and forth to this place five times but still can't see it. Probably because I wasn't paying attention." She muttered as she rushed up the two stairs before reaching the arched doors. She felt tired and almost exhausted.

In front of her were winding gray hallways that smelled of dust and human footsteps. Looking around, she slowly walked down the hallway and stopped to look at the students with club invitations, activities, and announcements. The flyers come in different vibrant colors. Vivian curiously passed by and then stopped in front of the classrooms down the hall, peeking through the windows to see if they were finished.

"It's only four o'clock, they're still learning." She spoke to herself before hearing a voice from behind.

"Over here." A girl waved at Vivian.

Rushing over, Vivian asked. "The Economic Club orders pizza, right?"

"Yes, we've been waiting for you all this time."

"Sorry." Vivian laughed. "I'm lost. It's fifty dollars total."

After receiving the money, Vivian walked out of area A, exhausted from running.

"Maybe I should exercise more." She said sarcastically to herself.

Suddenly, a male student bumped into her as he went down the stairs. "Hey." She yelled at the other guy, who was holding the phone to his ear, listening attentively to the person on the other end of the line as if he was no longer aware of his surroundings. "Are your eyes under your butt?" She mumbled and walked towards the stone benches not far away.

Sitting down on one of the stone benches, she pulled out her phone and texted Amity, the long-haired girl who lived in the room across from hers. When Vivian arrives at this poor apartment complex, she runs into Amity, who also moves in on the same day. As the only two girls on the twelfth floor, they bonded very closely, sometimes even sharing late-night meals.

Amity is currently a second-year student studying business management at X University on a scholarship, hoping to get into one of the very few large companies. She dreams of one day winning the jackpot, which in this case means a man of high status. Vivian thought this was very funny, it sounded like she was filming a love movie, Amity even announced for fun that she would become the main character in the film.

A second later, Amity replied that class had just ended and would come out to meet her immediately. Putting down her cell phone, Vivian looked up at the sky and deeply breathed. A few minutes later, she watched all the students go out to the yard, everyone rushing and hurrying as if they were taking advantage of every moment.

After getting married, her brother told her to go back to school or pursue her passion. He expected her to return to school after earning her GED through a short course because she missed half of high school, but she chose to go to work over all else.

In this world, she learned, that education is nothing if money is everything. She wants money. She wants to shop without looking at prices and shop until she gets bored. She wants to buy jewelry, and designer clothes and live like a classy woman. She wants to become rich because being rich means she can live comfortably. However, it is impossible to achieve those things without money.

Right now, she is still living but struggling. Although the apartment rent is not much, countless things need to be paid. Water bills, electricity bills, daily living expenses... every time she thinks about it, she sighs in frustration.

"Vivian!" She turned around, seeing her familiar friend waving with her hair flowing over her shoulder as she ran over. "I didn't know you were coming. You should have told me sooner."

Vivian stood up. "I'm here making a delivery so I came by to visit you."

Smiling brightly, her friend nodded, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Uhm. I just received my allowance from my parents this morning. Let's go have lunch together. I'll pay."

~~~~~

Rushing out into the street, Jaime Miro urgently spoke into the phone. "How's Dad, Mom? What happened?" Opening the back door of the taxi, Jaime sat in, urged the driver to drive quickly, and continued talking to the woman on the other end of the line. "Has the doctor come yet?"

"I called, the maid is waiting at the door to pick up the doctor. Where are you?" His mother's soothing voice came through the phone, calm and soft as she always spoke.

"I'm on my way home."

The woman reminded. "You shouldn't do that, stay in class. Your father will be distraught if your friend misses class."

"I'm going home soon," Jaime said then instructed the driver. "Turn right then left at the next red light."

"Jaime." His mother called.

"I'm hanging up now." He said, turning off his phone and looking out the window, his eyes scanning the buildings, and the cars.

Within minutes, they were on a quiet private neighborhood street with high brick walls bordering both sides of the street. Paying the driver, he opened the gate, rushed up the steps to the black steel door, and rushed through the beautiful lawn planted with marigolds and poppies alive with spring bunnies and summer.

Finally reaching the two-story modern house, he pulled open the door. While he was taking off his shoes, he heard soft footsteps, and a few seconds later, his four-year-old nephew ran into his arms.

"Hey, boy." Jaime bent down to hug Juke.

"Uncle, what are you doing at home?" The boy questioned as Jaime carried him to the living room. "I'm going to visit my grandfather."

"Uh." He patted Juke's head and put him down. "Let's go play."

After watching Juke run away, he started walking towards the bedroom of his father, the elderly man lying in bed with a dripping water bottle pinned to his arm. His heart became weak after a stroke.

The doctor said his father would pass away at any moment because his illness was severe. Over the past few weeks, the family lawyer has come to finalize Mr. Miro.

Jaime knew the company would belong to him as well as assets worth millions. His duty now as head of the family is to take care of his nephew and stepmother. Jaime doesn't think he's mentally prepared to take on the responsibility. Honestly, it was a burden for him.

Pushing open the door, Jaime entered and saw the old doctor beside his father. His stepmother, Mrs. Maggie, sitting in a chair, her face full of fatigue and worry. She was the first to notice him, immediately getting up.

Twelve years before he was eleven years old, his father remarried, and Mrs. Maggie became his stepmother. It was an awkward start but the woman was kind and very patient with him. Over time, Jaime gives in to her sincerity and starts calling her mom.

Up until now, she had been nice to him, but that sad look in her eyes always made him wonder about her previous life, which he knew absolutely nothing about.

She has a short stature, gradually becoming pale and fragile over the years. After a period of depression, the woman's cheekbones were now more defined than ever, her hair was excessively gray compared to his aunt of the same age.

"Are you here already?" She asked softly, walking towards him.

Nodding, he put down his backpack and asked. "How are my father, and mother?"

"A few minutes ago, your father had a stroke, but everything was fine and was discovered in time. You should go back to school." The woman said.

"It's okay. I'll stay here for a while and come back later." He said and looked at his father one more time before grabbing his backpack and walking out of the room.

~~~~~

Vivian was so hungry, she devoured her cheese sandwich while licking the melted cheese off her fingers. Today she is hungrier than ever and will eat until her stomach is full.

"Eat slowly," Amity said from the other seat. "There's still plenty of food, don't be in a hurry. I'm the one paying for this meal today, so you can eat comfortably."

Vivian smiled happily, and stuffed potato chips into her mouth before taking a sip of cola. "How was class?"

"Boring." She said pouting. "Hey, when are you going to leave that place? You come in early and come home late but you haven't gotten a raise. It's been over a year."

"I do not know," Vivian said. "Until I find a better job."

"If I find a job after graduation, would you like to work with me? I can introduce you." Amity suggested.

"If that works," Vivian said.

Amity propped her chin. "I need to 'upgrade' my living status. It would be lonely if I moved out and left you alone."

"I wouldn't mind living there."

"I know you're strong." Amity began after a moment of contemplation. "Are you still waiting for your mother?"

Suddenly looking up, Vivian dropped the burger and wiped her fingers on the napkin beside her. "What are you talking about? Which mother? I'm my biological mother, I'm my younger brother's mother. I don't have a mother but myself."

"Okay, I'm sorry to bring this up," Amity said. "Don't think about this anymore. Tonight, the economics club is holding an event. Do you want to come along?"

"What event?" Vivian asked.

"I don't know, it's a charity fundraiser but there will be music. Take a break and go. You've worked very hard, so, relax." Amity was excitedly persuaded.

"At night? Don't you guys sleep?" Vivian frowned.

Amity shrugged. "College students don't have a bedtime. It's decided."

~~~~~

At seven o'clock that evening, the large lawn across the university was quickly filled with a wild crowd. The music boomed, and all the students danced together and immersed themselves in the music. The vibrant, thumping melodies made Vivian's ears feel punctured, and to her dismay, there were no refreshments for sale.

Pushing through the thick crowd, Vivian and Amity found an open spot on the sidewalk, where they sat on the grass away from the noise, but still in clear view of the stage.

"Is this a fundraising event? How boring." Vivian commented under her breath.

"What?" Amity narrowed her eyes. Then she shook her head. "I didn't hear what you said."

Vivian screamed because it was so loud. "I said this event is boring."

"Huh?" A voice shouted in response, the two girls looked around before a tall young man came forward with wide eyes. "So what do you think we should do to make it less boring?"

Vivian looked at him embarrassedly, she was shocked that someone heard her. Then, she said, rolling her eyes. "I didn't mean to say that."

He laughed. "I know. Are you a student at this school? I've never met you before."

Vivian shook her head. The young man smiled at them once more before returning to his group of friends. Vivian was confused, approached her beautiful friend, and said. "I think we should go."

"I think so, too." Amity agreed, they stood up together and walked towards the road ahead. She rubbed her belly. "I feel hungry."

"Me too," Vivian said, the two girls laughed together before heading back to the apartment complex to go to a nearby restaurant.

After ordering food and sitting down at a table by the wall, Vivian began to eat appetizingly. The place was quiet and there was no tasteless noise outside but it only lasted until the door opened again, and she heard a male voice.

"We should eat something." That person said. "I'm very hungry, I have to study for tomorrow's exam."

Looking in the direction of the noise, Vivian spotted a group of young men, her eyes widened when she saw the guy who had previously talked to her in their group. Quickly turning around, she leaned to the side.

Noticing that her friend's behavior seemed somewhat strange, Amity asked. "What's up?"

She shook her head. Then Vivian looked up, seeing Amity's eyes widen. "Oh my God..."

"What?" Vivian asked curiously.

"That person..." Amity sighed.

Vivian turned around again and saw the guys from University X sitting down at a table far away from them in the middle of the room. Her eyes glanced over each of them, confused as to what was going on.

"What's the matter, Amity?" Vivian asked Amity.

"It's Jaime," Amity whispered to her. "He's studying business management in my class."

"Oh?"

"His father owns a very large company, he is the only son. All the students whether male or female always try to please him so that they can be hired to work in the company. Everyone says his father is dying, but he hasn't said anything about it yet." Amity continued. "Someone even said that since he is the only son, it is very likely that he will inherit the company along with the multi-million dollar fortune his father made when he was young. "

Vivian raised her eyebrows and turned her head to look behind her. Then she turned back to Amity, asking. "Which of them is he?"

Amity lifted her finger and pointed. "The guy in the green shirt. He's sitting with his back to you."

Turning around again, Vivian squinted her eyes at her muscular back and light brown hair.

"Who's that?" Jaime felt someone looking at him so he turned around. He saw a girl quickly turn away from him. He frowned and said to his close friend Clinton. "There's some girl."

"I think she's looking at me." His friend smiled shyly, resting his chin on his hand. "She kept looking over here."

Jaime laughed. "What do you think? Why don't you go talk to her? You said she participated in the economics club's charity fundraising event, right?"

"Should I?" Clinton raised her eyebrows then put her fork down. "I bet you I can get her phone number along with her name and address."

"I'll give you fifty dollars if she lets you take her home," Jaime said.

"Ok. Don't forget what you said," Clinton announced then pushed her chair back and stood up.

~~~~~

"I think... you've been caught," Amity whispered. Vivian felt her eyebrows twitch, glancing back, she saw the tall guy - who had talked to her earlier - walking up to their table.

Suddenly turning back to Amity, Vivian panicked. "What should I do?"

"I don't know, but I need to go back to study. Goodbye." Amity shot Vivian a smile and hurriedly rose from her seat after nodding to Clinton and disappearing out the door.

Vivian should leave too. Deciding to leave the unfinished food behind, Vivian turned to grab her bag and prepared to stand up, but the tall man was already standing in front of her. She looked up. Giving an awkward smile, Vivian embarrassedly forced her to greet him. "Uhm... hi."

"It looks like your friend just left." He says. "Can I sit here?"

No, she said quietly but eventually nodded and watched him take Amity's seat. Vivian felt her face heat up a bit. To hide her embarrassment, Vivian took her soda, brought the straw to her mouth, and looked around wearily. Suddenly all the noise around her came to life and she became more tense as well.

"We met a few minutes ago, do you remember?" He asks. "My name is Clinton. What about you?"

Vivian felt her inner self shrink. She's not ready to talk to a guy right now. She replied softly. "Vivian."

Clinton smiled softly in response. "Hi, Vivian."

She nodded slowly.

"Vivian." He said then chuckled. "Your name sounds great. Are you a student at X university?"

"Uhm... I... no."

"Oh. Are you attending the charity fundraising event? I saw you were at the event just now." He reminded.

Vivian shook her head. "I... I was just with a friend."

"So that's it. If you're not a student at X university, then... which school do you go to?"

He's prying into her personal life. The same recurring questions she had received for most of her life. For example, what school do you go to? Who are your parents?

Why should she be embarrassed? There's nothing to be ashamed of. She has done more than her share of living responsibly, growing up and raising her younger brother to be a good person. Even though she was only twenty-three years old, she felt like she was old before her time. Compared to him, she could be his mother.

Shaking off her embarrassment, she spoke frankly to him. "I went to work. I didn't go to school."

"You went to work?" He repeated in surprise. "Can I ask where you work?"

Deciding that there was no harm in sharing the information, she replied. "Domino Pizza Store."

"A pizza place. I know that place." He said, nodding.

Vivian looked back at him. "It's late, I have to go." Standing up, she added. "Nice to meet you, uhm... Clinton."

Jumping up from her seat as fast as a bullet, she surprised him, he said hastily. "How about you give me your phone number? I want to know that you got home safely."

Seriously, does he think she's stupid? Give your phone number to a stranger you just met a few minutes ago. Vivian wanted to mock him but she forced herself to calm down, instead, she smiled innocently.

"Sorry, but I don't use the phone," Vivian said.

He couldn't hide the disappointment and surprise in his voice. "So, let me take you home, okay? It's already dark anyway, it's not safe for a girl to go out alone at night."

It was only eight o'clock, he was already too worried. Vivian thought to herself, she looked at him with empty eyes. She was startled when he told his friend. "Jaime, are you finished eating? I'll go first."

Attention attracted, Vivian quickly turned around and saw the guy wearing the green shirt that Amity had pointed out earlier turning his head towards them. First, she took a breath. Second, she stares. Next, she was immersed in the handsome guy, feeling a light shine above her head.

"I'll go with you two, I'm bored anyway, I don't want to go home yet," Jaime said then paid for the drinks and food before standing up. Vivian looked from the side and saw that he was a head taller than her.

"Vivian?" Clinton called, she turned around and saw he had pushed open the door and gone out.

Great, she said to herself, they'll take her home. She doesn't know how lucky she is tonight to have two handsome guys take her home. Clinton was exaggerating, but if she didn't agree, wouldn't it be a waste of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? And Vivian never wastes an opportunity.

Stepping outside, she and the two guys walked down the street, under bright lights. It was hardly dark, the light was still imprinted on the sky. Vivian walked beside Clinton, discovering that her head only reached his shoulder. Jaime walked silently beside his friend on the other side much to her disappointment.

In her head, Amity's voice rang out.

"He is the only son, he will most likely inherit the company along with the millions of dollars in assets his father has earned."

Inherited millions of dollars and a big company.

That doesn't sound bad at all. Something flashed in Vivian's mind, and she suddenly found it very appealing: money and Jaime were a source of money she could spend endlessly.

From the corner of her eye, she glanced at Jaime once more before snapping awake as Clinton waved his hand in front of her eyes. He was such a troublemaker, she thought, for interrupting her train of thought.

Pretending to smile, she asked. "What's going on?"

"You said you work at Domino Pizza?" He asks.