“I found a match for you!” Lily shrieked, running to Scarlett and shoving her phone in her face. Scarlett was a bit startled by this but went ahead to check the phone. She was confused when she saw a photo of a man, all his interests written down beside his photo like a profile.
“What is this? Who is he?” Scarlett questioned.
“Can't you see? You both are a match, your interests and hobbies are the same and it doesn't hurt that he's a sweet piece of candy.” Lily winked, a naughty grin playing across her face.
“Are you being serious right now Lily? I'm sick of you trying to hook me up with all these men from dating sites.” Scarlett argued, flipping through the pages of the magazine in her hands.
“Come on Scarlett, just meet up with him. If you don't like him, then that's fine.”
“I will not.”
“Yes Lily, leave her alone. Besides, online dating is so overrated.” Nelly chuckled, entering the room with three glasses of juice which she expertly balanced on her hand. She handed Scarlett and Lily theirs before sitting down to sip hers.
The three of them were in the penthouse, three days after Scarlett's return. Her two friends had decided to keep her company while she nursed her broken heart.
“Are you encouraging her to continue wallowing in self-pity?” Lily shot a glare at Nelly who shook her head.
“Not at all. In fact, I have arranged a blind date for her!” Nelly announced and Scarlett almost choked on her juice, her eyes widening as she stared at the girls in shock.
“What!?” She asked.
“Yes,” Nelly nodded. “He’s elegant and quite good-looking too. The thing is, he's looking for a girlfriend and I thought of you immediately. We used to go to school together.”
“No way! Scarlett will not be going on a stupid blind date with one of your snorty classmates! She will meet up with Mr handsome here.” Lily showed Nelly her phone but Nelly scoffed loudly.
“You prefer that she meets up with a stranger than someone I already know and trust? What if he's a serial killer? Sorry, but your plan sucks.” Nelly clapped back and Lily fumed.
“Your plan is terrible!”
“No.. yours is!”
“Enough!” Scarlett fired, having had enough of their back and forth. She glared at both of them, wondering why they were suddenly acting like toddlers and thinking that they could decide what she would do with her life.
“I have had enough of both of you. Why isn't anyone considering my feelings?” She asked, glancing at each of them. They lowered their heads, feeling bad.
“What about what I want? Has anyone ever considered that?” She sighed and crawled out of bed. “I don't want us to have this conversation anymore. I am done with men, done!”
“But Scarlett, Adrian is just your first love, how can you decide never to love again? How can you give up so easily?” Lily questioned, sincerely worried about her best friend.
“I don't know Lily, but at the moment, I want nothing to do with men. Maybe someday in the future, when I get over this betrayal, I may give love a chance again. But I doubt that will ever happen.” She walked out of the room without sparing them another look and both girls dropped their glasses, wearing sad looks on their faces.
Scarlett decided to stay in the guest room for a while, aiming at getting some peace, away from her two crazy friends. She knew that they were just trying to cheer her up but she needed them to understand that wants to heal at her own pace.
She opened her magazine to read again when a call came into her phone. It was her uncle and she quickly answered the call.
“Scarlett.”
“Good evening Uncle Rich.”
“How are you?”
Scarlett sighed at the question. She wasn't fine at all, but she didn't have any choice but to admit that she was fine.
“I'm fine, uncle. Is there a reason you called?”
“Yes, it's about your decision to take over the company. Are you still willing?”
“Well.. no, at least not yet. I made that demand on impulse and I shouldn't have bothered you. I will not take over the company until I graduate.” Scarlett explained, rubbing her forehead tiredly.
“Alright then, I just wanted to confirm. I will talk to you later.” He hung up immediately and she dropped the phone, so many thoughts crossing her mind at once.
She had been putting off her education for a while now, she wasn't giving her all. But now, she was going to focus on it, she was going to do everything possible to make sure that she graduated with the best result. At the same time, she was going to carry on her father's legacy, taking the company to greater heights.
With that, she continued to read her magazine, her mind set on achieving and becoming only the best version of herself.
THREE YEARS LATER….
“Congratulations!!”
“Congratulations!”
The loud cheer of students filled the air as they dwelled in the excitement of finally graduating from college. Champagne bottles popped loudly, heavy fizzes burst into the air and loud shouts filled everyone's ears once again.
The music became louder as the now convocated students pranced around happily. It was the night of their graduation, and a party was thrown for that cause, as it would be the last time most of them would see each other.
“This is the best day of my life.” Nelly let out a heavy sigh, gulping down the shot of brandy in her hand. Scarlett giggled.
“Of course it is, you hate school.”
“I'm not even going to deny it.” Nelly rolled her eyes and they laughed.
“Does that mean you're not going to go for a master's degree?” Kevin showed up, standing behind the two girls. They turned to him and smiled.
“Maybe in the next ten years.” Nelly shrugged.
“Oh please, Nelly.” Scarlett chuckled.
Just then, Ethan entered their midst and grabbed Scarlett's hand. She quickly flung his hand away, startled by his touch and Kevin made a move to hit him but Scarlett held him back.
“I just want to talk buddy.” Ethan scoffed loudly.
“Shut the fuck up you..”
“It's fine Kevin,” Scarlett cut him off. “I'll take care of this.” She followed Ethan to a quiet corner on his demand, deciding to listen to what he had to say.
“I don't have all day Ethan, don't keep me waiting.” She said to him after he was quiet for a few seconds.
“Scarlett, you know I haven't stopped loving you, not for one day. But you've kept such a distance from me and I can't take it anymore. Just give me a chance and I'll prove how much I love you.” He explained and she couldn't help but laugh, leaving him confused.
“I see you're still trying to get in my pants. It's been three years Ethan, is the bet still not over?” She asked sarcastically and he frowned.
“I'm being serious Scarlett, please don't joke about it.”
“Joke? So I can't make a joke with you but you're allowed to toy with the heart of every female you come across? Do you think I don't know how many girls you've fucked and dumped in the last three years? Do you think I'm unaware of the fact that you have a slut waiting for you right now?” The more she spoke, the angrier she became.
“But..”
“If you make the mistake of speaking to me again, I'll have your dick chopped off.” She swayed her hips away, going back to join Nelly and Kevin. She found them talking and laughing, Nelly acting shy.
She smiled, deciding not to disturb them, it was obvious that they were getting along really well. She went to the bar instead, deciding to get a few drinks for herself.
Later that night, after the party, Scarlett dropped Nelly off and went back to her penthouse where her mother was still up, watching TV and waiting for her.
Vivian had come there for the convocation and planned to leave the following day.
“Welcome dear, how was the party?” She asked.
“Good.” Scarlett took a seat.
“Mom, I will be going back home with you tomorrow, I think it's time for me to assume my position as the chairman.”
“I'm happy you want to take up your responsibilities.”
Vivian agreed and they soon retired to bed.
The next morning, they packed up and started their journey back home. Scarlett was sure that she was going to do great as the chairman, but she had jitters, it wasn't easy to be a leader. She had informed her uncle about this change beforehand so Richard was expecting her.
Soon, they got to the mansion and Scarlett was warmly welcomed and congratulated by the staff. They were informed that Richard was inside with some guests so they went in to meet them.
“Hi, Richard.” Vivian greeted, staring at the strange woman and young boy who were comfortably sitting on the couch.
“Hi, uncle.” Scarlett was equally surprised.
“Who are they?” She asked.
“This is Gwen,” Richard started, a grin playing across his face. “And this is her son, Jacob.”
“Jacob here is the real heir to the Davenport wealth.”