Claimed By The Ruthless CEO.

Chapter 7: Dining with the devil.

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” —Marcus Aurelius

EMILY

“You can place the glass of water here.” A stern looking woman said, tapping her fingers gently on the dining. Brown hair, brown eyes with a sophisticated expression on her face, but there was a warm smile on her lips whenever she had a conversation with her daughter, Melissa, the same person that embarrassed me a few hours ago.

After the whole episode with Melissa, the butler showed me around the house and I got to know the whole family— except my husband. It was time for dinner, and I volunteered to serve since I wasn't really doing anything.

As soon as I placed the glass of water on the table, I returned back to the kitchen to get a few glasses of wine. While I cleaned up the glasses, there was a loud bang followed by a curse. My mother in-law, Patricia, just called someone a bastard for skipping his own wedding. I didn't need any soothsayer to tell me my ridiculous husband, Theodore, was back. I inhaled a sharp breath and braced myself for what I was about to see.

As I walked out of the kitchen with a silver tray, It was then I saw one of the most beautiful beings I had ever seen. My hands shook as his eyes locked onto mine, looking eerily calm. His raven dark hair was styled like he should be on the cover or a magazine, and his black orbs—like a dark, endless pit, sucked me in and made me breathless.

His eyes trailed down, sizing me up and I coughed nervously, unsure of what to do next. The tension in the air was palpable, unsaid words in the depth of everyone's hearts. He was still staring at me, Theodore, and his heated gaze made me quite…uncomfortable.

Slowly, I took a few steps forward and placed the silver tray on the dining table, “Sorry I took so long.” my voice came out soft, like the touch of the breeze against one's face, but Melissa's next statement rendered me speechless.

“Don't apologize for your incompetence. Work on it next time.”

She reached for a glass of wine, a haughty smile on her red lips. Due to our episode outside, I could tell she hates me for no good reason. She tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ears and turned to her mother, “Can't they leave already? Theodore is back. I feel suffocated by their presence.”

Patricia's long hands reached for the cutlery on the sides of the plate. Her movements were smooth and elegant, further showing the kind of person she was. She placed a small cut of steak in her mouth and raised her head to stare at Theodore, “You heard her. You've overstayed your welcome. Leave.” her voice was cold, harsh, and for a moment I had to wonder if they really shared the same blood. There was no motherly warmth in her eyes, and the way she looked at Melissa was completely different from the way she stared at him.

While I still battled with my inner thoughts, the next thing I felt was a tight grip on my skinny hands, “I'm only here for her. Don't think you're too important.” his honey-toned voice rang out before dragging outside with his strong, firm hands. Our steps echoed in the hallway and it was quite hard to maintain his pace due to my short legs.

My heart skipped a beat when I suddenly remembered how he skipped his own wedding and humiliated me in the presence of the guests. I struggled to pull my hands from his grasp, but he just wouldn't stop.

We were outside now, a few feets away from the parking lot and that was when I did something unthinkable. I kicked him in the knees and pulled my hands away when he wasn't looking.

An exasperated sigh escaped his lips as he turned to look at me, anger swirling in his perfect eyes, “Look, I don't have time for your useless shenanigans, okay? I was forced into this marriage too, so quit acting like a kid and follow me!”

“Even if you were forced into this marriage, is that enough reason to skip your own wedding?” I yelled back, my voice flat with no emotion. I ran my hands through my hair and chuckled, “Do you know how humiliating it was? Do you know how much pain I felt?!” my voice grew heavy, but his expression didn't change one bit.

“Really?” It was a single sentence, but it sent a wave of shivers down my spine. He took a few steps towards me as his lips stretched into a mischievous smirk, “Do you think i care?”

Frightened, I took a few steps backwards while he moved closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “I guess you've not heard the rumors, perhaps that's why you're so brazen with your words.”

My eyes widened in terror as a lump formed in my throat. Was he threatening me by confirming the rumors about himself ? I shook my head and moved further away from him but I fell backwards when I missed a few steps. I dragged my butt on the pavement, tears gathering in my eyes when he didn't show remorse or pity.

Instead, a wild grin appeared on his lips. Theodore bent down to my level and held my chin in his hands, “That's it. That's what you should feel. Fear.” His voice was like the devil's, frightening and tempting at the same time, “ Know that and know your place.” he finalized before leaving me to myself.

I watched as he walked towards his car and sighed, my heart pounding loudly in my ears. I placed my hands on my chest, trying to stabilize my heartbeat but it just didn't work. Just what have I gotten myself into? Are the rumors really true? Is..is he really that cruel?

A small groan escaped my lips as I pulled myself up. I was torn between going inside the wills household and following the devil himself. Melissa's words rang in my mind and I swallowed hard, realizing i wasn't really welcome here. Now, my only choice was to go with the devil and follow him wherever he takes me.

While I still contemplated my thoughts, his clipped voice pulled me from my reverie. “Aren't you coming?” he was already seated in his car, but his gaze was fixed on something else, something I cared less about.

I raised my gown and walked closer, careful not to trip this time. Upon getting into the car, I slammed the door shut and stared outside the window—my fruitless attempt to calm my raging heart. However, the beautiful trees I saw earlier looked like tall, huge monsters, the hideous creatures described in books. Their long branches looked like rotten fingers, and it made me even more frustrated.

I guess it was all true.

Once you're with the devil, you'll see things differently.