(Spin-off of Imaginary, more so specifically it's second book, Severity)
Cleo Vexer, a problematic teenage girl, is the sensation of your average pessimist and mediocre criminal. Still having to survive the rest of her senior year bitter and lonely...
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I neglected to let everyone's stares intimidate me.
"So Mr. and Mrs. Allway," An artificial smile covered my lips. "I heard that Caslon is expected to take on the bloodline legacy for your family's company."
Mrs. Allway nodded. "Yes, many of the men in the family tree have."
I leaned forward on the table with interest.
"So, no daughter has been able to take on the legacy?" I asked slowly, feeling the tension rise.
"No," Mr. Allway cut in. "It's not how the common company bloodlines work."
I hated his tone, how he talked to me like I was stupid.
I blinked, calmed by my long eyelashes hitting my eyelids. "So, you don't believe a woman is capable of managing a family business?"
"No, no I don't believe a woman should take on the family legacy." Mr. Allway said sternly.
"You're still currently running the business if I'm correct." I continued.
"In which you are." He drawled.
"And in a predicament, do you think you'd be able to run the company for, per say, another four years?"
"I would if I had to." Mr. Allway answered, on the verge of being irritated. "But I don't see why that question is relevant."
"Then I'll explain." I spat back, the grip on my fork tightens. "Don't you think it's wrong to be forever entitled to a family legacy? To force a boy - who is perfectly capable of his own decisions - to pursue a life he doesn't want? Because in my opinion, I think Riley would be a smart girl and one day, an amazing business woman."
I stabbed my fork into my Caesar salad.
I also felt Caslon's foot kick mine under the table. I smile.
"Do you not want to carry on the family legacy, Caslon?" Mrs. Allway asked, innocently furrowing her eyebrows.
I saw Caslon contemplate for a second or two, glancing at his father's glare before seeing mine.
He gulped. "No, I want to."
Liar.
I watch the disappointment in Riley Allway's face as the hope in her heart drops to the floor.
She's the only one who hasn't been acknowledged as the family glanced at each other every time I spoke.
Our eyes meet, I made sure my facial expression told her that I understood her.
I turned my head to the businessman across the table. "You have a very manipulative glare, did you know that Mr. Allway?" I gritted my teeth.
He doesn't answer.
"I think you are being very disrespectful, Cleo." Mrs. Allway spoke up.
"Why?" I snapped. "Because I didn't comply or because I told you something that you didn't want to hear?"
I pushed my hands against the table and stood from my chair.
"Sorry that I'm too disrespectful to last less than twenty minutes in your presence, but it seems that I'm unwanted," I smirked. "I'll be on my way."
Caslon reluctantly stood from his seat beside me.
"I'll drive you home." He grumbled.
I shook my head. "That won't be necessary." I narrowed my eyes at the look Caslon gave me. "I'm a capable woman who knows how to use the New York subway."
I stepped around him and took long strides out of the kitchen.
I heard Riley's voice mutter shyly, "I'm going to walk her to the door."
I heard footsteps rush; my feet came to a halt before pivoting around.
"Was what you said true?" Riley asked. "That I could be a good businesswoman."
"Riley," The first genuine smile of the night crossed my face. "I think you'd be an amazing businesswoman. But in all honesty, you could still live up to a lot more than the business field."
My smile widened at the glimmer of hope returning in her eyes.
"Thank you, no one's ever said that to me before," Riley spoke, her words dancing.
"Don't give your hopes up, Riley. They're not for sale." My smile softened as I stared at her.
I searched through the black hole of my purse to pull out a business card piled at the bottom.
I kneeled down to her height and handed her the card.
"I want you to call me." I looked into her hazel irises. "You have the potential that most people don't. I can feel it."
I stood up and we walked towards the door.
I stepped outside, feeling the cold air cling to my body.
"What makes me so special, Cleo?" Riley asked before closing the door on me.
I turned around, forgetting the goosebumps on my arms as my eyes landed on the sight of her clutching my business card to her chest.
She held it as if she didn't, her world would break.
"You are full of wonders, Riley." I smiled. "You're misunderstood."
