“I told you I don't wanna leave the house.” Scarlett whined as she made her way into the gallery with Lily beside her.
“You need some fresh air. You need to be around things that make you happy, and that's art pieces. That's why I brought you here.” Lily answered.
They walked further into the gallery and started to check out some of the exotic pieces. Even though Scarlett didn't want to come out at first, she started to feel peaceful as she admired the pieces.
A visit to the gallery wasn't going to wipe off all the problems she had, but it would lift the burden for a 6 that was enough for her. She was still waiting for the DNA test results. That would be the solution to everything.
“Hi Scarlett.”
A familiar voice called, sending chills down Scarlett's spine. She took a moment before turning, her eyes meeting with the most beautiful pair of gray eyes she had ever seen. A strong scent of coffee and lavender invaded her nostrils, giving her a soothing feeling.
She couldn't help but get weak in the knees, her eyes glued to him to the point that she didn't notice she was drooling. Lily nudged her a little bit, causing her to jerk back to reality.
“Oh.. hi Adrian.” She chuckled nervously, and Adrian couldn't help but smile. He noticed that she was checking him out, and truth be told, so was he.
There was no denying that she was the most beautiful girl in the room, a black jumpsuit stealing the attention of everyone that sets eyes on it. Her red pair of heels and red choice of lipstick made her look even more fiery, giving off the impression of ‘badass.’
“How are you doing?” He asked and then looked at Lily. He remembered the day she threatened to cut his ears off and giggled.
“Hi there, Lily. I hope you're no longer in the business of cutting off body parts.”
Lily couldn't help but get embarrassed, her cheeks turning pink.
“Stop, that was years ago.” She muttered, pushing her hair back.
“What are you doing here?” Scarlett questioned, still finding it difficult to turn away from him.
“This..” Adrian looked around proudly. “This is my gallery, I own this one too.”
“Oh.. that's nice.” She nodded.
“Um.. excuse me, I'll be right back.” Lily trotted off, giving them some time to talk alone.
“So, how have you been these past three years?” Adrian started.
“Oh.. it's been great, you know. I finished college, got my degree, and worked on myself. I feel I have become a better version of myself.” She explained, and he stared intently into her gorgeous eyes.
“Perhaps a lot of things have changed about you, but I can never forget the innocence in your eyes when I look into them. You're still the same Scarlett, my Scarlett.” He mumbled the last part, hoping that she didn't hear it.
Scarlett was unable to control her emotions as her cheeks heated up. She could only smile and try to hide her pink face. That was of no use because Adrian noticed everything.
“W.. what about you? How have you been?” She questioned, trying to shift the attention from herself.
“Pretty good! I found self redemption, and I forgave every wrong doing in my life. I think things have been going well, there's just one thing which has been lacking for a really long time.” He paused to look at her. She seemed excited.
“But that void can never be filled.”
Scarlett was almost moved to tears. She knew exactly what he was talking about. But then again, her mind shifted to the girl she saw him with. Couldn't she take care of him?
“It's fine, I'm sure a solution will come around.” She nodded, and they moved towards some of the art pieces, admiring them.
“You have good taste.” He smiled but noticed the gloom on her face.
“What's the matter?” His eyebrows furrowed.
“Oh nothing.. I'm just trying to think of a way to take care of that prick who thinks he can show up from nowhere and claim what isn't his.” Scarlett snapped, her sadness suddenly becoming replaced with anger.
“Slow down, what are you talking about?”
Scarlett did not mind that Adrian was not dating her anymore. She simply felt safe around him and did not know when she narrated her whole ordeal to him. Adrian was sad that this was happening to her. He couldn't believe how so much had gone wrong.
“I'm sorry you have to go through this Scarlett. But, is there any way I can help? I could lock them up until they provide information about who they really are.” Adrian clenched his fists. The only thing on his mind was to kill whoever it was that was troubling Scarlett.
“No, don't worry. I don't think anything can be done at this point. These people came prepared.” Scarlett replied, and Adrian sighed. He tried to convince her several more times to let him help, but she maintained that she didn't need his help and that everything would be fine.
Soon, Scarlett and Lily left the gallery and went back to the mansion. Lily had to make a quick stop but promised Scarlett that she would be coming to the mansion that evening.
As soon as she entered the living room, she started to hear noises from the kitchen. It sounded like Gwen and her mother, so she rushed over to the kitchen without delay.
“I want to cook, so you'll have to wait until I'm done.” Gwen said, trying to push Vivian out of the way.
“Need I remind you that this is my house? Don't you fucking think that you have a right over anything here!” Vivian clapped back and Scarlett entered just then.
“What's going on here!?” She asked, running to her mother's side.
“Hey girl, take your whore of a mother out of here, I want to make something to eat.” Gwen spat carelessly, causing Scarlett to fume.
“What did you just call my mother?”
“A whore! A dirty whore! That's all she'll ever be. What else can I call a loser woman who couldn't keep her own home.” Gwen continued, causing tears to fall from Vivian's eyes.
“Shut the fuck up! You miserable, old woman. You're nothing but a gold digger and that's all you'll ever be! A cheap slut who threw herself at my father as soon as she got the opportunity.” Scarlett retorted.
“Did you just call me a slut?” Gwen asked.
“You are a slut!” Scarlett yelled back and a resounding slap landed on her left cheek, causing her ears to ring. For a minute, she was unable to regain his stamina.
When she finally did, she walked right back to Gwen and gave her a deafening slap.
“Don't ever raise your hand to me.” She said through gritted teeth and as Gwen was about to speak, Richard entered, looking displeased.
“How dare you lay your hands on her, Scarlett?”
“Uncle, she hit me first, she insulted my mother!”
“She's lying. I did not touch her, please take me away from here.” Gwen played victim, tears running down her cheeks.
“Listen now Scarlett, the more you continue to upset Gwen and her son, the more you decrease your chances of being here.” He told Scarlett who shook her head in shock and fear.
“Are you seriously picking their side?” She asked, her heart wrenching in pain.
“I've told you before Scarlett, it's not about sides, this is about you doing the right thing. If you don't change your ways, then I'm sorry but I can't stop them when they decide to throw you out.” Richard glared at her before turning to console Gwen who was still shedding tears.
“Fuck this!” Scarlett stormed off in anger. She was no longer able to take it.
Moments later, Richard came to her room. She was going through her father's files when Richard entered.
“It's funny how you instantly take the sides of total strangers.” Scarlett scoffed.
“No..”
“Save it, I thought you had my interests at heart, I guess I was wrong.” She sighed and handed him a piece of paper. It was her father's will.
“What is this for?” Richard questioned.
“That is my father's will. It is clearly written that everything he owns is mine. So how can you say that a stranger will lead me?” Scarlett looked really happy, believing that this would be the loophole out of her problems.
“It states that everything your father owns is willed to his only child Scarlett.” Richard looked up from the document.
“Since you are no longer the only child, his son, the rightful heir, will assume that position as CEO, everything is ready, everything.” Richard said, smiling.
Scarlett's face dropped.