Born to be Bad

Adele "Look at that nerd." "What a loser." "How'd she even get here?" "She doesn't deserve to be here." I rolled my eyes as I walked down the halls and heard those words as they not so subtly tried to stage a whisper. Losers. If only they knew how I was basically richer than all of them combined. I sighed and entered the library. My only sanctuary. I was about to sit down and open a good book when my phone vibrated. It was my mom. Meet me at home after school. -Mom I bit my lip and locked my phone. I guess she wants me to attend another boring meeting. Letting out another sigh, I went back to my book but before I could read another page, the bell rang. Well, there goes my reading time. ~ o ~ "You wanted to talk to me about something?" I said and sat down across my mother, who was behind her desk. "Yes, Adele. Well, as you have already guessed this is about the business." She started. I nodded. "Okay. What about the business?" I asked. "Before I tell you, I just want you to know that I don't mean to make you upset and that I'm doing this for the betterment of our family's future." She continued. I shot her a confused look. "I didn't tell you before but just recently, I formed a partnership with another company. I made an alliance with this company and by doing that we made a deal. To make both our companies bigger and to expand... I promised them a hand in marriage... Your hand in marriage." She finished, hesitantly. I froze. And when I thought that was the end of it she said, "The company I decided to... partner up with is Allister Corporation. You'll be engaged to their youngest son, Roy Allister." I continued to stare at her, unable to move, her words barely processing in my head. When I heard the name of the boy I'm getting engaged to, I snapped out of my trance and gave her a cold stare. "How is this for the betterment of our family's future? I mean, I get that it's good for business but for our family?" I started. "Adele-" "Mom, you do realize what you are asking from me, right? You're asking me to put my entire future on hold for this damn company and-" "Ethan is the heir to the Diaz Mining Industries, you are the heir to Malcolm Enterprises. The business is your future, Adele. I don't-" "No, it's not! It's yours, not mine. It's Ethan's, not mine! Why do you need me to marry someone when you have Ethan?! He's going to run your business, he's the rightful heir. Why do you still need me?" I exploded. Ethan was my big brother and he was more than willing to take over both the family business. "Like I said, Adele. To strengthen and expand our business. We need these extra stocks and they have exactly what we need." She answered calmly. I let out an exasperated sigh and fell back against my chair, my glare still intact. "I don't know what you're so upset about, Adele. Roy is a fine young man. He's one of the best bachelors in the city, if not the whole country even." My mom chastised. "Well, if you're so impressed by him, why don't you marry him, Mom." I said, my sarcasm game is strong. "Also the fact that I don't want to get married. Mom, I'm barely eighteen!" My mom sighs, as if disappointed. Pfft. She's disappointed? I'm betrothed to someone I barely know! To Roy Allister nonetheless, the so-called "Prince of New York City". Well, you can keep your monarchs or whatever you people call them. I want no part of it. "Please, honey. Do this for me. I wouldn't be doing this if there was any other way but there isn't. Please." She said in that tone of voice that can immediately make you feel guilty without even doing anything wrong. I took a deep breath and let it out. "I'll see you at home." I answered, softly and walked to the door, only to have it open before I could even touch the handle. Standing in front of me was a man with graying hair but from what I can see, he still had a few brown strands to mark its original color. He gave me a smile when he saw me. "You must be Adele." He said, his tone was warm and gentle but you could still hear the authority in it as he spoke. I don't know why I did it but what I said next almost made my mother disown me. "No, actually. I'm Mrs. Diaz's secretary and-" "Adele!" My mother appeared beside me, giving me a look of pure disapproval. Instead of taking offense, the man in a gray suit merely smiled at me in amusement. My mom turned to the man. "My apologies. My daughter can be quite... extreme." My mom said, apologetically. I gave her a sour look. "Adele, this is Edmund Allister, CEO of Allister Corporations." My mother introduced me. So this man was going to be my future father in law. I mentally cringed. "It's nice to finally meet you, Adele. I've heard so much about you." He said, shaking my hand firmly. I bit back a sarcastic reply, merely giving him a small smile. "Right, well," He stepped back and revealed his son, a boy with black hair and blue eyes, a known bachelor all over the country. "This is my son, Roy." Dale High Academy's prince, in the flesh, Roy Allister. ~ * ~ I avoided Roy's gaze the entire time our parents arranged and discussed business deals. Everything that came out of their lips went inside the other ear and out the next. It didn't make sense. I was still mad about this whole thing. "Well, everything seems to be in order." Roy's father, Edmund, said holding out his hand for my mother to shake. "It was a pleasure doing business with you, Mina." He answered, with another firm handshake that must've hurt my mother's hand. But then again, she was used to it. "Same to you, Edmund." My mother said, formally. Then both parents turned to their children, in this case, me and Roy. "We'll leave the both of you to get acquainted." My mother said after a moment of merely an awkward stare down between parent and child. With that being said, the both of them left, continuing their conversation about shared stocks and whatever business people talk about. I'm just glad they aren't talking about wedding plans. That would be horrifying. I sighed and stood up. Roy stood up after me. I looked at him, he was already looking at me. "What?" I didn't intend to snap but I couldn't help it. I was annoyed, pissed and felt like being a brat. But, like his father, instead of taking offense, he merely smiled at me and offered me a hand to shake. "Hi, I'm Roy Allister and you are?" He said, politely. We've been in the same class since we were in kindergarten, I couldn't help but think. But, then again, I have been staying lowkey. Still, I ignored the sting in my chest at the fact that he didn't remember me and didn't accept his outstretched hand. And, like I said, I didn't mean to be a b***h but I made the circumstances as an excuse for my terrible behavior. "Not interested." was my bitchy and mean reply before leaving him standing there with his hand held out. When I left the room, I immediately felt guilty. But I shook away the guilt and left for home. ~ o ~ "But, come on, Ben. An arranged marriage?" I complained to my butler, practically my only friend, aside from my maid, Alberta. Both were forced to work for me and my family. Sad, I know. "Yes, Miss Adele. But did you really have to be so harsh on the poor boy? I mean, he is basically in the same situation as you are." My british butler reasoned with me and I couldn't help but want to kick myself for being such a witch to Roy. "You're right, Ben. I'll apologize to him the next time I see him in school." I answered with a determined look. Ben smiled. "You go do that, Miss Adele." He said encouragingly. I slept that night wondering how the hell I was going to apologize to that perfect black haired boy. The next day, I walked down the halls with a mission. It was a week after I snapped at Roy and a week after I found out about the deal and right now I was more determined to apologize to Roy than to worry about the agreement. I decided to not ponder on the agreement too much. It'll only give me a headache. So, as I walked down the halls with a mission of finding Roy, what met me when I rounded the corner was, however, not Roy but Roy's fan club. The very same girls who called me a nerd and basically who hated my very presence. I looked around and found that they were right beside Roy's locker. Great. Deciding on just ignoring them and continuing on my merry way in search for Roy, I was about to walk away when, of course, they just had to spot me. "Hey, nerd. Where do you think you're going?" Melanie, I think her name was, sneered at me. "Um, I was just looking for Roy. Do you know where I can find him?" I asked, politely. "Why? What do you want with him? If you really think you can steal him away from us, well think again bitch." Melanie said. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. "I... wasn't even thinking about that. I just wanted to talk to him." I said, trying to hide my laughter. "You think this is funny?!" One of Melanie's "friends" snapped in a very high pitched voice. "No, of course not." I shook my head solemnly but they caught the sarcastic edge to it. Their eyes narrowed. "Listen, nerd. Do even know who you're f*****g talking to? You have no right to talk to us like that. You're nothing in this school but a measly outcast and a nerd. You don't belong here." Melanie sneered. Oh, if only you knew. "Yeah, w***e. Listen to Melissa." One of her goons snapped. And all this time I thought her name was Melanie. She looked like a Melanie. "Look, I don't want trouble, girls. I just really want to talk to Roy. Something happened and-" "What makes you think Roy wants to talk to you? For all you know, whatever you did already made him hate you. Face it, loser. You're a nobody." Melissa snapped. What she said made me freeze. What if Roy does hate me for it? I didn't exactly mean what I said, I was only angry but not at him. Ugh, why am I even letting these wannabes get into my head. They're being so annoying! As if sensing my doubts, Melissa stepped closer. "Leave him alone, loser. He doesn't need you or want you. So, back off and stay away from him. He's mine." She whispered in fake remorse before walking away. I was left standing there, feeling stupid and ashamed. She was right. Even if this deal was supposed to bring us together so on the day of the wedding, we'd be that typical happy couple, I can't help but feel like we shouldn't be seen in public. Together, anywhere except in the office with our parents. I was about to turn away to the cafeteria, or in Dale Academy standards, our dining hall, when I heard someone call out my name. "Adele?" It was Roy. Ugh. Where was he five minutes ago?! I kept walking, pretending not to hear him. "Wait, Adele!" I heard his footsteps follow me until I felt a hand on my shoulder, making me turn swiftly around. "What, Roy?!" I spat. He looked surprised before a flash of hurt covered his features. I decided to ignore that. "I just decided that since-" "We're engaged, should we start hanging out with each other?" I cut him off. I scoffed. "Forget it, dude. Don't you get it? I don't want to be seen in public with you. So, why don't you just leave me alone!" I yelled before yanking my arm off from his grip and stomping away, ignoring the hurt expression on his face. Some apology that was. ~ * ~ Roy I walked to our table, feeling confused and hurt. What did I ever do to her? I never did anything but try to be nice to her. I sat down and sighed. One of my closest friends, Andrew Chase, looked at me. "Hey, man. What's wrong?" He asked. I don't want to be seen in public with you. So, why don't you just leave me alone! I sighed and shook my head. "It's nothing. Don't worry about me." I answered. Still looking unconvinced but knowing when I needed some space (which is now), Andrew turned to another friend of ours, Blake Cooper and continued talking to him. Why does she hate me so much? ~ o ~ I plopped down on the couch with a heavy sigh and ran my hand through my face. I seriously can't figure that girl out. Why does she hate me so much? Am I really that bad? Am I not good enough for her? I mean, it's not my fault our parents decided to arrange a marriage for us. Heck, even I was surprised. But I'd never hold that against her. So, why was she holding it against me? With another sigh, I grabbed the remote and was about to turn on the TV when my father's assistant, Carol Jones, entered the living room. "You look like you've had a rough day." She observed. That's Carol, observant as ever. "What gave it away? Was it the thick poison in the air called failure or are you just a mind reader?" I answered, sarcastically. Carol smirked. "You've been sighing since the moment you arrived and you haven't checked into the office yet." She said. I clenched my jaw. Right. I forgot about work. "I'll, uh... I'll do it later." I said, lying down on the couch. I heard Carol walk up behind the couch. "What's wrong, Roy?" She asked. Carol was like a big sister to me. She may seem like a person who was made of stone when you first meet her but once you get to know her, she is anything but. I pursed my lips. "It's that girl, Carol. I don't get her. She hates me. Every time I make a move to befriend her or even talk to her, she just yells at me and pushes me away. I don't get it." I complained. "You mean, the Diaz girl? The one you're betrothed to?" She asked. I made a sound of approval. She chuckled. "You gotta let her adjust, Roy. Unlike you, she didn't have enough time to prepare herself. Your dad told you as soon as both companies made the deal. Heck, you were there when the deal was made. And that was... a little over a month ago. She was probably just informed right before you and your father went into the meeting." She explained. I look at her in surprise. "She was?" Carol nodded. "I heard your father and Mrs. Diaz talking about it yesterday." So, that's why. ~ * ~ Adele "YOU WHAT?!" My mom bellowed. I sighed. "I was upset. I didn't mean to take it out on him, okay. I swear." I promised. "Jesus, Adele! How could you?! Oh, that poor boy." My mom said, looking genuinely worried. "I'm sorry, mom. I really am." I said, unable to look at her in the eye. There was a sound coming from the door and when I looked up, I saw my dad enter. He was home. I almost broke out into a grin. To be quite honest, I was closer to my dad. My mom was so formal all the time, it was like talking to a librarian. But when I'm with my dad, we can be as goofy as we can be. He gave me and my mom a small smile. "Hey, Mimi." He said. My mom's features softened at the nickname. "Why don't you go to the office and let me take care of this?" He bargained. "But Clark-" "Mina, let me handle this." My dad said in a soft voice but still left no room for arguments. They had a silent stare down before my mother sighed. "Okay, fine." She said. She shot me another look before leaving but not before giving my father a peck on the cheek. When she was gone, my father sat down beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Now, what seems to be the problem?" He asked in a friendly tone. I shrugged. "Oh, you know. Yelled at this person I'm supposedly betrothed to. Told him to leave me alone. You know, the usual." I mumbled. My father looked at me in what could only be a mixture of surprised and impressed. "Oh," he said quietly. "Now I know why your mom is so upset. You were in the wrong." I let out a sigh. "I know." "Question is; why'd you do it?" He asked. I took a deep breath. "I was upset. These girls ganged up on me and I was upset after they left and I kind of... took it out on Roy." I explained. My dad shook his head. "Poor kid." He muttered. I hung my head in shame. Sensing my shame, my dad nudged me. "Listen, I know you don't like being a business plan and I'm sorry your mother got you into this mess but, Adele, it's not the boy's fault. He is in this mess as much as you are. Besides, from what I've heard and read in the papers, he's not a bad kid." He said. I nodded my head. "I know." He gave me a smile. "Now, here's what you're going to do; you are going to go to that boy's house, knock on his door, apologize and try to be friends with him." "But-" "No buts, young lady! It's about time you put yourself out there. Look, Adele, we're not only doing this for the business. We're doing this for you too. You need to socialize more. This attitude of yours, the not having friends, is starting to worry us. So, please, if not for the business, do it for us, your family. Understood?" My dad said. "You're basically just calling me antisocial. That kinda stings." "Understood?" My dad repeated. I looked at him for a long moment before I huffed. "Fine." My dad gave me a big grin. "That's my girl." ~ o ~ I stood outside the big brown oak door and thought about turning away, changing my name and moving to Alaska but then my dad's voice echoed in my head and I immediately thought better of it. I knocked before I could change my mind. The door opened slowly to reveal a woman in a business outfit, her blond hair in a tight bun, her violet glasses perched up on her nose but her green eyes were calculating, as if she was ready to pounce at any given moment. I gulped before speaking. "Um, hi. I'm here to see Roy? My name is Adele. Adele Diaz." I said, nervously. She looked even more scary when she raised an eyebrow at me, as if judging me silently. And here I thought judging people was my job. "Follow me." She said curtly before leaving me to stand by the door. I immediately went after her. She guided me through the long spiral staircase until she finally stopped in front of a blue door on the third floor of the house. She then turned to me and I resisted the urge to jump. "He's right through this door." She said. "Thank you." I said. She nodded, a stiff nod, before turning to walk away. I felt my heart close down around my throat when I turned to the door in front of me. It was simple yet so elegant, kind of like the owner. I cleared my throat before knocking twice. There was silence from the other side of the room before I could hear shuffling. Next thing I know, standing before me was a very shirtless, very dripping Roy Allister. To say we were both surprised would be an understatement.