Page 21 of Bittersweet Legacy

“Ah, well you see –”Leave, just leave. I willed to Caleb

Mr Fredburg stopped me with a hand gesture. “Could you please leave us, Mr Astor?”

Caleb glared at the teacher, I was sure he was not used to getting dismissed and this made me like this teacher even more.

He threw me a warning glance and left the room. As soon as he left, I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

“Is everything alright, Ms Forbes?” He asked.

I nodded, “Yes, of course,”What could I even answer to that?It’s not like a teacher could do anything against an Astor. I shook my head. “So, anyway I am doing Independent Studies.”

He leaned back in his chair. “I’m surprised you chose this option.”

I shrugged. “I was lucky to be accepted here.” I repeated my much-rehearsed speech. “My father only applied a week before the start of the year.”

Mr Fredburg laughed. “You’re not lucky, Ms Forbes, your family owns this school. If you wanted an option they would give it to you, no matter how full the class is.”

I shrugged quite uncomfortably at the thought of what my name could get me. I‘d always been against double standards and privilege, and now I was part of it all. “I’m fine with that. Anyway, I'm thinking about doing a Sociology paper and I’m planning to go back in time and was wondering if you could assist me with the historical part.”

“Certainly,” he nodded. “May I ask you the subject of your essay?”

“The Patricians.”

He arched his eyebrows. “Bold choice.” His words radiated approval. “I will be more than happy to help you.”

My smile widened and turned genuine. “Thank you.” I quickly reached the exit but my steps faltered when I saw Caleb leaning against the wall across the room, arms crossed on his chest, legs crossed at his ankle, his dark glare directed straight at me.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He asked as I stood a few steps away from him.

“Meeting Taylor for lunch.” I replied, starting to walk away.

He made a beeline and stood in front of me. “Whatever your plans are, they’re not going to work,” he called from close behind me. “I can see right through you, Esmeralda Forbes,” he added with as much venom as he could muster. “You will not fool me.”

I wanted to ask him what hurt him so badly that he became who he was but in the end it didn’t really matter. He, and the likes of him, had no place in my life.

“And what are you seeing, Caleb Astor? What is my evil master plan?” I crossed my arms across my chest challengingly.

He cocked his head to the side, his eyes narrowing at the resistance in my voice. “You need to learn your place, Esmeralda, I will discuss this with your brother.”

I sighed. “You should do what you feel is right.” No matter what, he would never let me win and I couldn't care less.

“Be careful what you wish for, Esmeralda Forbes! You’re trying to entice me but once you’ll get my full attention, I'm not sure you’ll know how to deal with it.”

I rolled my eyes, but I wasn't sure I liked the feeling of giddiness settling deep inside at the idea of having his undivided attention. I turned around before he had a chance to see that on my face. “See you later.”

Chapter 6

Taylor had not been wrong in her assessment, things didn’t get better but at least they hadn’t gotten worse.

In the two weeks following my start at Brentwood Academy, things settled – Of course my brother still reluctantly took me to school and made a fuss every time Tay couldn’t drive me back. Of course, I was always being glowered at by the Kings of Brentwood and their groupies included – Well, Tay and I called them the Glee Team and it suddenly rendered them much less threatening and highlighted just how stupid they truly were. They had tried to get me going but since I dismissed all of their jabs, and attempts at humiliation, they eased off.

The only positive point in all of this was the classes, they were insightful and challenging and it was amazing for me to experience this level of teaching outside of the public-school environment I was so used to.

And just like every morning since I moved here, I was sat at a table filled with so much food it was obscene, across from a brother who enjoyed playing with his phone to remind me I didn’t have one and who now excelled at pretending I didn’t exist.

Our father stepped in, dressed in his usual crisp three-piece suit but his presence was an uncommon occurrence, he was rarely here, and poor Sophia was so faded into the background that I could barely see her either.

I’d been so hell-bent on hating them both, William Forbes and his pretty trophy wife, but whilst I had no problem disliking him after everything he was putting me through, I couldn’t dislike her – if anything I felt sorry for her.

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