Instinctively, Scarlett stepped back, getting rid of the idea of going to meet Adrian. This new lady of his seemed to cling onto him quite tightly, and led him away to meet with a bunch of other people.
Scarlett couldn't help but fume as she watched them, feeling the blood pumping through her veins. She tried to ignore them and make business connections like she had originally planned, but her eyes kept darting towards their direction.
The girl Adrian was with was effortlessly beautiful and Scarlett couldn't deny that. She was petite but possessed charming curves which were even more accentuated by the dress she was putting on. Her hair was long, reaching to her waist and she flung it about at every given opportunity.
Scarlett couldn't take her eyes off them, especially because Adrian seemed happy with the girl. She hated to admit to herself that she was jealous.
“Why would I be jealous? He's a liar and I want nothing to do with him.” She scoffed, mumbling to herself.
“Miss Davenport, it's such an honor to finally meet you.” A bald headed stout man approached her, his stomach almost protruding through his suit. He looked and smelled rich. Scarlett went on to talk to him, and discovered that he owned a chain of hotel businesses, making him a possible client for their company.
She was talking to the bald man but would occasionally look over at Adrian and the girl. They were still clinging to each other, the girl never putting her hand down. It looked like she wanted to swallow him.
“Why is she acting like she'll die without him?” She mumbled and the man she was talking to stared at her in confusion.
“Did you say something?”
“What? No, I.. I was just thinking about something.” She answered, still staring at Adrian.
Just then, the girl made a move Scarlett did not like, she started to touch Adrian's chest in the most sensual way possible, occasionally caressing his cheek. Scarlett was unable to hold it together anymore, so she excused herself and walked up to the supposed couple.
“Hi, Adrian.”
Her voice disrupted them as they both turned to stare at her.
Adrian's jaw dropped instantly, his eyes carrying a burden that had been there for the past three years. He was shocked and mesmerized at the same time, unable to quench his ravaging feelings.
It had been three long years since he saw her, three terrible, agonizing years. He never got over her, and he still hadn't. She was his world, the hope of seeing her again soon was the only thing that kept him going.
And now, he couldn't believe that she was standing right in front of him, her beauty being so unreal that he even doubted her presence.
His confusion and shock soon turned into joy as a wide smile appeared on his face. His first instinct was to hug her, but he refrained from it since he didn't want to cause a scene.
“Scarlett, it's really you!” He exclaimed, fighting the urge to touch her and carry her and twirl her around.
“Yes, you must have thought I'd never come back.” She glared at the lady with him, making her feel a bit uncomfortable. For some reason, she was upset that Adrian had moved on. Why should he when she hadn't? Three years and she was still unable to date any other guy but he was already hooking up with other women!
“To be fair, I never thought I'd see you again because you asked me never to show my face to you again.” He let out a sigh.
“Do you know her?” The lady questioned, throwing threatening glares at Scarlett who was totally unfazed.
“Yes, she's a.. good friend.” Adrian replied and Scarlett almost gasped.
“You're really going to introduce me as just a good friend? Is that really who I am now?” She shook her head, leaving Adrian confused.
“Is it because of her?” She bit her lip and let out a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
Adrian felt a grin tugging at the side of his lips. Scarlett was jealous that he was with another lady, this made him feel so warm inside.
“Um.. Marise, can you please excuse us for a few minutes?” Adrian requested and Marise walked away, hatefully looking at Scarlett.
“So, who is Marise?” Scarlett asked in a mocking tone and Adrian couldn't help but chuckle.
“Are you jealous?” He raised his brow but she looked away immediately, her cheeks heating up in embarrassment.
“Why would I be jealous?” She snapped.
“I just want to know who she is.”
“Why do you want to know? I don't owe you that explanation. Don't you remember? There's nothing between us and there never will be.” Adrian decided to be stern on purpose.
“Huh?” She asked, her eyes almost tearing up. She hated hearing those words, especially from him.
“You heard me, there's nothing between us so what I choose to do with my life or who I choose to date is none of your concern. Do have a lovely evening Scarlett.” He walked out immediately, going to join Marise where she was standing and together, they entered the next room.
Scarlett winced, forcing her tears back. She didn't want to ruin her make-up and dress that evening.
As she watched Adrian walk away with that girl, she felt bitterness surging through her veins. That should have been her.
She hated to admit it but she had to tell herself the truth— she missed him, crazily and was still missing him.
After the event, Scarlett got home only to be informed by her mother that Richard was planning to hand everything over to Jacob on Monday which was barely a week away. This got her flustered and she decided to seek a solution.
Before anything, she wanted to know if Gwen really had anything to do with her father before his death. The only other person who has worked with her father was Maxwell but he was in jail. The following morning, she got ready and left to see him in jail.
Scarlett was sitting in the waiting room when Maxwell was bundled in by an officer. He broke down as soon as he saw Scarlett, his eyes filled with nothing but regret.
“I'm sorry Scarlett, please forgive me for everything I put you through. I feel ashamed to even stand before you right now.” He started. Scarlett was a bit skeptical about his change of heart but decided to listen to him anyway.
“I allowed my thirst for power overwhelm me, to the point where I betrayed by good friend, your late father. I feel ashamed, and I hope he forgives me wherever he is.” He sniffed but Scarlett urged him to take a seat.
“It's okay uncle Maxwell, it's good that you've realized your mistake.” Her tone was not trusting.
“But my father is the reason why I have come here today, I need some answers.”
“What is it? I'm willing to help.” He answered almost immediately.
“Who is Gwen? And what is her relationship with my late father?” She asked and Maxwell stared shockingly at her. He wondered where she heard that from.
“Gwen? Is there a problem?”
“She showed up at my house with some guy who she claimed to be my father's son. So I want to know if she actually had anything to do with my father because I know how close you and I my father were.” Scarlett kept a straight face, hiding the pain inside her.
“Well, I will not lie to you. Your late father and Gwen had a brief intimate relationship. They were lovers and when I found out, I was quite shocked. Gwen worked as a secretary in the company and rumors had it that she was the one who seduced your father.” He paused, observing the shock on Scarlett's face.
“Something happened between them, a misunderstanding. Up until now, I don't know what caused that misunderstanding but it led to the end of their relationship and ultimately in Gwen leaving the company.”
Scarlett bit her lip, tears forming in her eyes but she refused to let it fall. That means, Jacob might actually be her father's son.
“This can't be possible.” She sighed loudly and got to her feet. She had to find a way out of this.
“I will be leaving now, thanks for your time.” She turned around and left in a hurry, meeting her driver outside who took her back home.
On getting home, she quietly made her way inside and met Richard and Gwen on the couch in the living room, sitting uncomfortably close to each other. They were giggling and having inaudible conversations which made her blood boil.
“Something fishy is going on here.” She thought to herself and went upstairs, ignoring them.
She still had her doubts about Jacob and decided to do the needful to find out the truth once and for all. She didn't have any time left, she had to find out the truth before Monday.
“Hello doctor.” She spoke into the phone.
“Miss Davenport, good morning.” The hoarse voice from the other end answered.
“Will it be possible for you to carry out an emergency DNA test? I need the results before Monday.” She said.
“DNA?” The doctor was confused. “Of course I can, but I'll be needing the samples today to get started.”
“I'll get you the samples this evening.”