Scarlett hung up as soon as Adrian said those words. She couldn't bear to listen to any more of it. She was in shock for a few seconds, she was unable to accept the fact that Adrian would never be hers. Things were moving fine a couple of weeks ago, but now it's all upside down and it left her shattered.
She did nothing but blame her mother for what was happening. But at the same time, she wondered if Adrian couldn't tell that her mother was simply a whore. Why would he agree to spend the rest of his life with an old woman who goes about sleeping with young men? It didn't make any sense to her. Could there perhaps be a hidden reason why Adrian is interested in her mother?
The hurt she was feeling made her think of several different possibilities. Her resentment towards her mother seemed to suddenly intensify and she thought of nothing more but to take everything away from her mother. She needed to do something that would not only distract her from her pain but also hurt her mother's feelings.
Quickly, she picked up her phone and called her uncle. Luckily, Richard had been waiting for her call so he answered on the first ring.
“Oh, my goodness Scarlett! Are you planning to give me a heart attack!?” He sounded relieved to hear her voice.
“What happened? Why did you leave like that from the meeting? Is there a problem? Your mother has been worried sick about you!”
“Uncle, forget about all that. I want to meet with you tomorrow morning.” She demanded.
“Is everything okay?”
“Uncle, all is well. I just need to speak to you. I'll send you the address tonight.” She hung up and let out a long sigh. Richard was the only person who made her feel at ease and who she trusted after her father. Talking to him would not only make her feel better but pave the way for what she had in mind.
The next morning, Scarlett got dressed quickly and drove to the brunch restaurant where she had told her uncle to meet her. They arrived there in their cars at the same time and walked into the restaurant together.
They both ordered coffee and as they sipped from their mugs, Richard asked Scarlett what the problem was.
“Why did you want to speak to me so urgently?” He inquired.
“Uncle..” she sighed, looking outside through the glass windows. She seemed distant and hurt, her eyes were weary and had bags under them. She did not get a wink of sleep last night and had forgotten to apply any make-up to mask her pain.
“I wanted to talk to you about taking over the company as the CEO.” She finally blurted out what she had in mind and Richard's eyes widened. That wasn't what he was expecting at all. Scarlett, on the other hand, had thought this through and it was what she wanted.
“What brought this up? Does it have anything to do with why you ran out of the meeting yesterday?” Richard questioned, trying to decipher the reason behind his niece's new declaration.
“Forget about yesterday Uncle Richard. I just want to let you know what my intentions are. I want to take my rightful position.” She replied sharply.
“But Scarlett, this position is yours and it's not going anywhere. You're the heir to the Davenport dynasty and no one is planning to take that away from you. So why the rush? You need to calm down and get used to everything first, you don't know all the ropes.” Richard lectured but Scarlett wasn't in the mood for any of that as she was badly hurting.
She furrowed her eyebrows, still fixing her gaze on the window, staring at passersby. She took a sip out of her coffee again and let out a low grunt.
“Uncle Richard, you said it yourself that I am the heir. And my father stated clearly that I could take over the company once I was eighteen years old. I'll be nineteen soon, and I am ready to assume my duties as the CEO.” She told him, taking a short glance at him before stirring her coffee.
“But Scarlett…”
“No buts. I have made up my mind and that's the way it's going to be. And I want it as soon as possible.” She was trying her best not to sound mean to her uncle but her current mood was affecting her tone as well.
“It's fine Scarlett. If that is what you want, then I will make sure arrangements will begin for your inauguration as the CEO.”
Scarlett smiled, but it was a short smile as it vanished as quickly as it appeared. She nodded her head and gulped her coffee.
“That will be all.”
On Monday morning, Scarlett was preparing for school when her mother's call came into her phone. Unwilling to answer, she ignored it and continued to get ready but she kept calling. She finally decided to answer it and hear what she had to say.
“What?” She answered rudely, placing the phone on her ear.
“Scarlett, what made you think that you're grown enough to take over the company? Who put that idea into your head?” Vivian snapped, her voice laced with anger and suspense.
“I see Uncle Richard told you already. Make sure you comply with him in the plans to make me the CEO.” Scarlett replied, keeping her tone flat.
“What? Do you even know what you're saying? You want me to step down?”
“You were supposed to step down sooner or later anyway, it might as well be the former.” She responded sharply.
“Scarlett, you are not ready.” Vivian maintained.
“The company is mine! I will do what I want and what I have decided and no one is going to talk me out of it!” Scarlett unintentionally yelled into the phone and ended the call abruptly. She left the penthouse, got into her car, and drove to school.
She walked into her first class and met Nelly by the window, waving at her. She sighed and went to join her, taking her seat.
“What's the matter, Scarlett? You look terrible. What happened during the weekend?” A concerned Nelly asked, staring at Scarlet's heavy eyes.
“I'm fine.. just that my mom is getting engaged.” She casually said.
“Engaged? Is that not something to be happy about? Why are you so moody then?” Nelly persisted, placing her hand on Scarlett's shoulder softly.
“You can tell me.”
Scarlett wished she could tell her, but Nelly would never understand.
“It's nothing, just work stress. I was just going to invite you for my mother's engagement.”
“Can I come too?” Ethan suddenly showed up, startling both girls.
“Please let me come!” He pleaded.
“Whatever Ethan, I don't care what you do,” Scarlett replied with an eye roll, irritated by the mere sight of him.
Their professor entered the class and everyone went back to their seats, the whole place becoming silent as the lecture began.
After the lecture, students started to leave one by one but Nelly remained with Scarlett and decided to ask her a question.
“You know, Ethan seems to be interested in you. When are you two going to start dating?”
Scarlett was pained by that question, her forehead immediately folded and her eyes narrowed. She turned to look at Nelly with a cold glare. Talking about Ethan was the last thing she needed with everything she was going through.
“What exactly is it with you and this stupid question!?” Scarlett yelled, shocking Nelly who moved back in fear.
“Why are you so obsessed with Ethan and me and if we're dating!? I'm sick of it, Nelly! I honestly am!”
With tears threatening to fall from her eyes due to the embarrassment, Nelly got to her feet and hastily made her way out of the lecture hall.
“No… I'm sorry. Nelly!” Scarlett called out, instantly regretting what she had just said. She went after her but Nelly had already gotten away. She sighed in disappointment and went back into the hall to get her things and leave.
~~~~
Richard puffed out smoke from his mouth as he dropped the cigar stick into the ashtray in front of him. He was on his bed, with nothing but a towel around his waist and his phone in his hand.
He placed the phone on his ear and let out a grunt as the move he had made caused him slight pain in his shoulder joint.
“Hello, Richard.” The very subtle voice from the other end echoed.
“It's almost time,” Richard said.