Lovers or Rivals

The battle lines were drawn.

Erin stared up at her enemy with unwavering brown eyes. Sure, her lip trembled a little, but she hid it well. She wouldn’t cry. Even if he did it, she wouldn’t cry.

But would he? Would he really do it?

Her heart arrested with fear in her chest, Erin watched the boy smirk as his hand wrapped firmly around the head of her treasured woollen doll.

He wouldn’t dare.

That evil glint flickered in his eyes and before Erin could say a thing, he jerked his arm back, ripping off the head of her doll and with no remorse, tossing it across the vast backyard.

Erin was frozen in place, her eyes wide in disbelief.

“Told you I’d do it,” he told her, his mouth curved in that smirk that she despised so much. He scoffed. “What? You gonna cry?”

Erin looked at him, her lip openly trembling now.

“That…” she started. “…was a Christmas present from my mom!” With tearing eyes and an angry scream, she threw herself at him, beating him with all the strength her nine year old fists could muster.

They fell to the ground, tussling upon the green grass of the luxurious estate.

“Get away from me!” the boy snapped, disgusted to have the bratty little girl touch his expensive clothes.

Erin dug her fingers into his thick blonde hair, gripping and tugging as hard as she could until he screamed at the top of his lungs.

“Help!” screamed the boy, but very soon he could no longer form words because Erin’s sharp little teeth had sunk into his cheek and he could do nothing but scream.

“Erin! Braden! What in the world?!”

Strong hands tugged them away from each other and the two children stood, glaring at one another and breathless from their fight.

“He started it!!” screamed Erin, unable to stop the tears from flowing now.

Her mother released their arms and crossed her own as she looked down at her daughter.

“Erin! What did I say—”

“He really started it, mommy!” she cried, embarrassed of her tears but unable to stop crying. Braden really was such a horrible boy. If she’d known that she had to live with him, Erin would have run away to the ocean to live on the beach. “He b-broke my dolly! And it was my Christmas present!”

“You bit me!” Braden retorted, glaring at Erin.

“Both of you stop it,” said Erin’s mother. “Braden, I’ll keep Erin out of your way, so please, you may return to your lessons.”

Erin looked up at her mother in disbelief. “Mom! I told you he started it!”

“Just shut up!” Braden told her, holding his throbbing cheek.

“What’s going on here?”

Erin watched her mom turn around, startled by the voice of her boss.

Walking towards them was Julius Stone, Chairman of Stone Inc. and the owner of the grand estate upon which they stood. A man with millions in his pocket and even more in his bank. His white hair looked bright in the sunlight, the suit he wore from one of the most elite clothing brands. To Erin, he seemed to own the whole world.

And he just happened to be Braden’s grandfather.

“Oh! Good day, Sir!” said Erin’s mother hurriedly. “I wasn’t aware that you’d be home so early.”

“Grandpa!” Braden screamed, his voice pitiful as he ran to his grandfather’s side. He immediately pointed an accusing finger at Erin. “The maid’s daughter bit me! Look!”

Erin’s mother gasped, clutching the front of her uniform. Shaking her head, she raised her hands in a plea. “It was only a mistake, Sir! I promise it will not happen again! Erin…” Reaching back, she tugged Erin forward. “Say sorry to Braden. Go on!”