Ethan's car came to a halt in front of an exquisite-looking restaurant, and they both got out of the car. He chose this place on purpose because he wanted to impress Scarlett. Besides, he didn't think a lady of her class would settle for anything less. They made their way into the restaurant and were led to their table, which Ethan had already paid for before their arrival.
As soon as they settled down, a waiter came to take their orders, and Ethan asked Scarlett to go first. Instead of the expensive meals, Ethan had thought she would go for, Scarlett ended up ordering a simple brunch meal and some orange juice.
This came as a shock to Ethan because he had prepped himself heavily for this date. He came out with a lot of cash and even a stocked credit card, all just to impress her. He thought that, being a heiress, she would only go for the most expensive food. Scarlett proved him wrong, and he marveled at this.
Soon, they were done with their food and started heading out when Scarlett saw a waitress yelling at a kid by the parking lot. She stood there watching them, and Ethan wondered why she was so invested.
“Scarlett, let's go.” He called out to her.
“Just a sec.” She answered and made her way over to the waitress and the little girl.
“I've told you many times that I don't want to see you here! Get out of here, you poor rat!” The waitress screamed at the little girl, who was already crying.
“Hey! How dare you talk to a child like that? Why would you say such mean things to her?” Scarlett fumed, glaring at the waitress.
“She's always here, begging. If I don't get rid of her, my boss will fire me.” The waitress admitted.
“Just leave, now,” Scarlett ordered, and the waitress scurried off. Ethan had caught up with Scarlett and then stood there, watching her squat in front of the tattered-looking girl.
“Hey,” Scarlett called softly, touching the girl's hair without minding that she was dirty. The little girl, who was around six years old, sniffed, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Don't cry, please; that big meanie won't bother you anymore.” She caressed the girl's hair, her voice as tender as a fresh silk blanket. The girl eventually stopped crying and wiped her tears.
“Why are you out here begging? Where are your parents? Or don't you have parents?” Scarlett questioned, looking at her lovely.
“My mommy is sick, and I need money to take her to the hospital.” She replied smartly. Scarlett felt bad; the little girl sounded so intelligent, but unfortunately, she was out there begging when her friends were in school.
“Where's your mommy? Take me to her.” Scarlett demanded.
“Will you help my mommy?”
“Of course I will. Now take me there.”
The little girl took Scarlett's hand and started leading her away from the restaurant and towards an alley. Ethan followed them just to ensure Scarlett's safety and to see what was going to happen next. It was as if he was watching a movie.
They went deeper into the alley, and that was when Scarlett saw a pregnant woman lying helplessly on a mat. There were a few dirty clothes and food packaging littered everywhere. Scarlett couldn't believe that the pregnant woman and her daughter were homeless.
“Oh my gosh, ma'am, are you okay?” She questioned, going to help the woman sit up.
“Help... help me.” The woman managed to speak; she was breathless and weak.
“It's okay.” Scarlett quickly pulled out her phone and dialed the number of her family's personal doctor, Dr. Maxwell Caldwell.
“Dr Caldwell? Hello?”
“Hi Scarlett, how are you?” The husky voice of the man came.
“That's not important at the moment. Are you busy? Can you send an ambulance? Someone is in urgent need of medical attention, a pregnant woman.” Scarlett rushed her words; there was no time to lose.
“Right away, we're on our way.” Dr. Caldwell answered and hung up. Scarlett texted him the address and then turned to the little girl. She was looking so pale and tired that it was obvious that she hadn't had anything to eat in a long time.
“Ethan?” She called, and Ethan stared at her.
“Can you go and get them some food? Thank you.” She said that and turned back to the woman.
Ethan was shocked; he definitely didn't expect any of this. Nonetheless, he went to get the food, and by the time he got back, the ambulance had arrived, and he joined them along with the little girl, leaving for the hospital.
Scarlett went to join the doctor in his own car, and they followed behind the ambulance.
“Thanks for coming so quickly; I really appreciate it,” Scarlett said.
“You don't have to thank me, my lady; it's my duty to answer when you call.” He replied. Dr. Caldwell had a lot of respect for Scarlett's father, and now he gives the same amount of respect to Scarlett.
They soon got to the hospital, and Ethan waited outside with Scarlett and the little girl while waiting for any news from the doctors and nurses. The little girl was given some food, and she ate it like a hungry lion.
Dr. Caldwell soon came out and demanded to speak with Scarlett. Ethan volunteered to come along, and they all entered the office.
“So, is she okay?” Scarlett asked.
“Luckily, you met her on time, so we were able to save her and the baby.” Dr. Caldwell replied.
“That's right, is she in labor?” She questioned, her eyes widening.
“No, not at all. The baby is around seven months old. She is just really sick. You don't have to worry; I will prescribe medications for her.” Dr. Caldwell assured them, and they thanked him before going back to the lobby to stay with the little girl.
Scarlett patted the girl's head and then took out her phone to call someone else. It was Harper, her caretaker.
“Hello Harper?”
“Yes ma'am.”
“I want you to come down to the general hospital. I need you to pick up a pregnant mother and her daughter and take them back to the foundation. Get some new clothes for both of them on your way here.” Scarlett ordered. “The girl is around six.”
“I'm on my way, ma'am,” Harper answered.
Harper was the caretaker of Scarlett's foundation, ‘Scarlett's Haven Foundation.’ It was a foundation founded by her father in her name a long time ago. It accommodates, helps, and feeds women and children who are less privileged.
While they were waiting for Harper to arrive, Scarlett turned to Ethan and sighed deeply.
“I'm really sorry that I ruined our date.” She apologized.
“What? No, it's fine. It's for a good cause, and I am glad about that.” He answered, watching the girl eat the jelly beans he got for her earlier.
“That reminds me, you were wasted last night; how did you get home?” He asked, curious.
“I had to find my way; how would you have noticed when you were having fun with your girlfriend all night?” Scarlett snapped, rolling her eyes.
“Wait, what? Girlfriend? Who's that?” He asked, looking genuinely confused.
Before Scarlett got the opportunity to answer him, Harper entered the lobby and walked up to them, carrying a few bags. She bowed in front of Scarlett before turning to greet Ethan.
Scarlett took the little girl's hand, and they all went into the ward where the woman was still sleeping. She was fine but needed some rest. The little girl sat beside her mother and continued to eat her jelly beans.
“As soon as she is discharged, take them to the foundation and take good care of them. I'll still check in from time to time to know how they're faring.” Scarlett instructed; she commanded a lot of authority, which Ethan was amazed at.
“Yes ma'am.” Harper bowed again. Scarlett said goodbye to the little girl before taking Ethan's hand and leading the way out of the hospital.
They took an Uber, which dropped them off at the restaurant where Ethan had left his car. He volunteered to take her back home, and they got into the car and drove off.
“So who did you say was my girlfriend again?” Ethan asked as they were driving back to school.
“Mabel, year two, business management,” Scarlett replied with a straight face.
“What? She's not my girlfriend. We just had a one-night stand, and since then, she has let the whole school believe that we're dating.” Ethan scoffed; the thought of it was sickening to him.
“Why didn't you stop her if it irritates you so much?” Scarlett wondered.
“I just want to let her enjoy the fame for a while,” he smirked.
“And you said I'm the arrogant one.” Scarlett chuckled.
They both burst out laughing, and Ethan gently took Scarlett's hand in his palm.