"Are you coming or what?" Betty's head snapped to the source of voice as she nodded her head instinctively.
Ronan guided her inside their grandmother's company, not missing the look of wonder on Betty's face.
"You look surprised."
"Anyone would be surprised if they found out their family owns a huge company like this."
Ronan tapped the button for the elevator and both of them waited in silence.
Betty had a lot of questions but she didn't think Ronan was the best guy to ask about those.
Finally the elevator doors opened and a few men came out, nodding their heads towards Ronan. He did the same before entering.
"They don't know who you are." Ronan started when the doors closed. It was only the two of them inside.
"And it will stay that way for sometime -"
"Why?" Betty asked impulsively.
"I don't know. It was Alicia's idea, you can ask her once we get back home."
When they finally arrived at the floor where Ronan's office was, they noticed two men standing in another room, opposite Ronan's, arguing and pointing fingers at each other.
Ronan sighed in annoyance and beckoned the guards with his hands.
Betty, on the other hand, froze. She hated being in the presence of people who were fighting each other. Especially in the presence of men. It gave her flashbacks that she desperately tried to forget.
She glanced down at her shoes, trying to control her breath and closing her eyes for only a second, hoping her companion wouldn't notice as he was busy talking to the guards.
But he did. Ronan frowned as he caught the sight of Betty looking down, her eyes tightly shut.
"This way." He spoke hesitantly, not understanding what was wrong.
Betty's head snapped to him as she nodded quickly and started following him while the guards separated the two men.
_____________
After an exhausted day of following Ronan around and doing everything he asked, Betty wanted nothing more than to just lie on her bed and watch a movie.
She hadn't decided what movie yet but she would find something, if not, then she'd just rewatch one of her favorites.
But she hadn't even stepped into the house when her grandmother grabbed her hand, making her follow as she walked to one of the guards outside and told him to prepare her car.
"What's going on?" Betty asked, one wishful part of her hoped that maybe Alicia realized she had made a mistake and she would let her go.
"We're going shopping, dear." Her stomach dropped at Alicia's response. What did she expect?
"Here he is. Xavier is my favorite driver." She waved as Xavier got out of the car, opening the door for Betty and Alicia.
"Thank you."
"Thanks, Xavier."
Betty and Alicia replied as both of them got comfortable, buckling their seat belts and looking out of the window.
"Xavier, this is my granddaughter, Elizabeth. She's new, how about you introduce yourself." Alicia spoke after a while, not comfortable with silence in a small space.
"Oh, hi. My name's Xavier, I'm Mrs. Stone's personal driver and I also drive the whole family if they need me so that also includes you now, ma'am."
Betty felt uneasy as the boy who didn't seem much older than her called her ma'am.
"Thank you, Xavier." Alicia smiled warmly at the boy before turning to face her granddaughter. "How was work today? Did Ronan behave?"
Betty only nodded her head.
"Tomorrow, you'll come with me." Alicia stated. It wasn't a question so Betty didn't feel the need to say anything else.
____________
Alicia was dejected at the sight of her granddaughter. She hasn't spoken a word ever since they got out of the car. She picked some clothes and necessary items.
Alicia wanted to initiate a conversation between them but she also didn't want to make her uncomfortable so she decided to wait for a while. She'd give her some time to settle down.
"Dinner will be ready in an hour." She called out as Betty headed towards her room upstairs.
She sighed in defeat. "What's wrong? Your favorite grandchild doesn't want to talk?" Ronan stepped beside her, giving her a mocking smile.
"Wipe that smile off your face before I do it for you." The moment these words left her mouth, she knew she had made a mistake but it was too late now.
Ronan froze for a moment not believing his ears before turning a little to face his grandmother.
"Ronan, that's not what I meant.."
Her expression and voice were clouded with regret but Ronan didn't stay to listen to her excuses.
"Ronan!" She called out as her other grandchild also walked away without a word.
"I'm a terrible person."
"No, you're not, Grandma." Kai wrapped his arms around Alicia's shoulders giving her a kiss on the cheek. "You're my favorite person in this family."
Alicia smiled, caressing his face. "Thank you, Kai."
"Are you taking Betty to work tomorrow?"
"Why are you asking?" Alicia replied hesitantly, she didn't want another person to dislike the girl simply because of her mother.
"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to hang out with her but of course work is more important, our company comes first." These were the words Alicia always spoke to her children. The company came first because without money they would be miserable and she didn't want that life for her children. But maybe there were more important things than money.
"You can take her." Alicia agreed, making Kai's eyes widen. "Seriously?"
"Yes. The company can wait one more day. Make sure she has fun."
Kai nodded his head, excitement written on his face. Alicia also felt a spark of hope. Maybe after hanging out with her half brother, Betty would change her mind and be more cooperative with them.
Only if she knew what a huge mistake she was making.
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