Lily and Scarlett were sitting in the room, talking about the sudden changes that had occured, especially about Gwen and Jacob when Lily realized how absent minded Scarlett was.
“Scarlett.” She called out but there was no response which pushed her to tap her shoulder. Scarlett flinched and released a long sigh.
“Are you okay? Is it Jacob you're worried about?” Lily questioned, feeling sorry for her friend.
“Unfortunately, that's not the only thing that is wrong in my life.” Scarlett answered, rubbing her tired eyes. Her voice carried some sort of weariness in them that captured Lily's attention.
“What else?”
“It's Adrian, I saw him yesterday night at the event I attended.”
Lily's eyes widened, she had not heard anything about Adrian for the past three years now and it's sounded like a miracle that Scarlett was mentioning him all of a sudden.
“What was he doing there?”
“Have you forgotten?” Scarlett scoffed. “He's a big business mogul, of course he'd attend events like that.”
“So did you talk to him?”
“I tried to, but things didn't quite turn out the way I hoped. Adrian is doing pretty well for himself, I'm happy for him. He looks even better now and his aura is more powerful than I remember. Trust me when I say that I was weak in the knees!” Scarlett explained dreamily, much to Lily's surprise.
Three years ago, Scarlett despised the name, Adrian. She hated to hear anything that had to do with him and would get upset with anyone who mentioned his name. And now? She was talking about him with so much passion in her eyes, Lily was suspicious.
“What's going on Scarlett? What's with the glow in your eyes? Do you still have feelings for him?” She questioned, giving her a suspicious look.
“I don't… I don't even know. But I can admit to the fact that I easily jumped to conclusions three years ago. Maybe I should have given him a chance to explain.”
“Seriously Scarlett? I can't believe that you're the one saying this right now!” Lily exclaimed.
“Adrian's family was obviously wronged by my mother. I mean, he lost his mother because of it, so I think his thirst for revenge is justified.” Scarlett carried on, kicking her legs in the air, lost in her own thoughts.
She couldn't help but recall the countless times that Adrian tried to explain to her that he no longer wanted revenge but only desired to have her. She started to wish that she had given him a chance.
She had no idea whether or not she was having these thoughts because she saw him with another woman, but she tried to convince herself that she wasn't jealous.
“I think he was telling the truth when he said he only wanted me and not revenge. Because if he did want revenge, he would have attacked us by now.”
“Oh wow! You're even making excuses for him?” Lily giggled.
“Well, if you miss him so much, why don't you go ahead and try to get him back? Since you know he's still in the city.”
“I don't think that'll be possible, there's another girl in his life now.” Scarlett sighed sadly.
Lily wanted to speak when they started hearing voices, like two people arguing. This caught their attention and they stood up to find where the noise was coming from.
Vivian was in the living room, sulking and thinking about her fate, when Gwen came in and sat down comfortably, a proud grin on her face. Vivian paid no attention to her, but the pretty woman was determined to make her situation worse.
“You know, you could just pack up your stuff and leave.” Gwen started but Vivian only glanced at her and looked away, feeling her heartbeats getting heavier.
“Besides, everything is happening because of you. If you had just given your husband the attention he deserved, he wouldn't have come to me.”
“Shut up, just shut the fuck up.” Vivian groaned.
“The truth is bitter, I know.” Gwen sighed and looked around the luxurious house. “I can't believe I own all of this now, after long years of waiting.”
“In your dreams woman. This house is and will forever remain mine. You and your son better go back to the ghettos where you belong!” Vivian fired, her eyes red with fury. She had already had enough.
“You own nothing here! I'm the mother to the owner of this empire so that makes me superior to you! I get to say what is done around here!” Gwen answered, rising to her feet instantly. Vivian got up as well.
“I don't even know why I'm stressing myself talking to you.” Vivian scoffed.
“Of course. Run away! Just like you always run from your husband into the arms of other men.” Gwen fired and Vivian stared shockingly at her, a tear threatening to fall from her eyes.
“How dare you think you can speak to my mother like that!?” Scarlett rushed towards them, Lily trotting behind her. She stood in front of Gwen, fuming.
“I'm simply telling her the truth.” Gwen scoffed.
“Well then, let me tell you something true too. You're simply a gold digger who's looking for an opportunity to lift her status but in reality, you can never belong among high status people. You'll always be a greedy pauper, a nobody, a cheap slut who threw herself at my father years ago.” Scarlett's breath became short and quick.
“You..” Gwen tried to speak but Scarlett cut her off.
“Whether you like it or not, you're a disgrace and should be ashamed of yourself. You slept with your boss and returned with a bastard to claim his property!”
“Scarlett!” A harsh voice echoed and they all turned to see Jacob angrily marching towards them.
“Don't fucking open that gutter of a mouth to insult my mother!” He snapped.
“She insulted my mother first, and if you try me too, I'll give you a befitting answer. Bunch of gold diggers!” Scarlett's response was quick.
“You better watch your tongue Scarlett, because if you don't respect yourself, I'll kick you and your mother out of here as soon as I become the CEO.” He smirked and Scarlett almost gasped. She was being threatened with her own position.
“We'll see.” She walked out and her mother followed with Lily afterwards.
As soon as she got to her room, she called her uncle to report what happened to him. Richard did not give the response she was hoping for, which shocked her immensely.
“Uncle, don't tell me you're taking their side!”
“This isn't about taking sides my dear, it's about being partial. Once Jacob assumes the position of the CEO, he has the power to do what he wants, including kicking you out. So if I were you, I'd be nicer to him.” Richard hung up immediately after that and Scarlett gasped in disbelief.
Why was her uncle suddenly acting indifferent towards her and her mother? All of a sudden, he was cold and she did not feel like he was the uncle she's known all her life.
~~~~
Adrian was in his study, going through some unopened files and mails. He hadn't had the time to open them because of how busy he had become. Most of them were forgotten and he thought it was about time he opened them.
He came across an envelope which had the name of a popular laboratory printed on it, even an original seal was on it. He tried to remember why they sent him an envelope but nothing came to mind. The envelope was dated three years ago so he had no idea what it contained.
“Three whole years and I haven't opened it.” He chuckled and removed the seal. He was about to pull out the letter when his doorbell rang. He dropped the envelope on his desk before leaving to answer the door.
“Hi pretty boy.” The gorgeous lady at the door smiled, pulling him into a hug. He smiled as he embraced her.
“Come in, I've been waiting all day for you.” He said and shut the door as soon as she entered.