Chapter 19: THREATENED

SCARLETT'S POV

"What made you say that?" I didn't mean to-"

"Move aside, Sienna." I interrupted her, not wanting to listen to any excuses she might have. My voice came out sharper than I meant it to, but honestly, I didn't mind.

Sienna blinked, her mouth opening a bit as if she had just been caught off guard. She bounced back fast, her expression becoming more serious. "Alright, Scarlett. Do it your way," she said sharply, moving aside with a cold look that only made my irritation grow.

I rushed past her, my heart racing with frustration and bitterness. Who does she think she is, anyway? This morning, I saw her feeding Alex breakfast, and her fingers seemed to linger a bit too long as she passed him his fork. Her eyes had that familiar look, the kind I'd noticed on her face before-the one that seemed to scream, I'm the one he'll pick, not you.

Two-faced. She really shouldn't be lecturing me about getting close to Alex, especially when she can't seem to control her own hands. Once I closed my bedroom door, I leaned back against it, fists clenched, trying to calm the wild beating of my heart. Just relax, Scarlett, I reminded myself, shutting my eyes and inhaling deeply and slowly. My morning was already a mess, and I realized that if I didn't find a way to calm down, it would stick with me all day long.

It took me a few minutes, but I finally got my breathing back to normal. I took a shower, thinking the hot water might help wash away my irritation, but thoughts of Sienna and Alex just kept swirling in my mind. I just wanted to let them go, to really not care anymore. It wasn't as simple as that. I didn't regret standing up to her, but now a slight feeling of guilt was eating away at me, like I had crossed some unseen boundary. I might have been a bit too tough…

Once I was dressed and ready for work, I realized that staying home with all this tension would only make things harder. I really needed some space-somewhere away from Sienna's smug looks and the whirlwind of my own thoughts. Spending a day at the office will be a nice change of pace.

I leaned down and gave my mom a quick kiss on the cheek before saying a hasty goodbye. She glanced up, taken aback. "Are you really heading out this early, Scarlett?"

"Yeah, I've got a lot on my plate," I said, trying to smile. "Catch you later, alright?"

She nodded, but her eyes stayed on me, filled with worry. I could tell she felt that something was wrong, but I just wasn't ready to discuss it, not at this moment.

While I was heading to my car, I suddenly heard someone calling out to me. "Hey there, sleepyhead!" My brother Ryan was walking over with a big grin on his face. "You don't have to drive. Alex is going to the same place. Feel free to hop in and ride with him."

I stood still, my fingers just grazing my car keys. I swallowed hard and glanced back at Alex, who was standing there with that same calm, unreadable smile on his face. What about the person behind him? Sienna was looking at me, her expression unreadable. A shiver ran down my spine. I really didn't want to be stuck in the car with Alex at this moment-not with Sienna's gaze on us, not with that uncomfortable vibe still hanging around from breakfast.

"Oh, it's fine, Ryan," I said, trying to come up with a reason. "I really don't want to be a bother-"

"Let's go, Scarlett." Ryan interrupted me, a bigger grin spreading across his face. "You both are going to office, after all. Stop being stubborn."

I looked over at Alex, who lifted an eyebrow, his smile growing just a bit as if challenging me to say more. My heart raced in my chest. I really wanted to say no-so badly-but I just couldn't come up with a solid reason. All I wanted was to avoid causing a scene with Sienna around, so with a heavy sigh, I managed a tight smile and said, "Alright, fine."

As soon as I slid into the passenger seat, I could feel the tension in the car. I focused intently on the scenery outside, resolute in my decision not to let Alex see just how flustered I felt. His presence was hard to miss, carrying a quiet intensity that drew you in. Why does he always have to poke fun at me like this?

After a few moments of quiet, I caught the sound of him exhaling softly, which made me look over, even though I tried not to. He was gazing at me, a playful spark in his eyes as he leaned in a bit closer, his face just inches away from mine. His warm breath gently touched my cheek, and I could feel my heart race a little faster.

"I think," he said softly, a playful glint in his eye, "I'll finally get the breakfast I've been craving… at the office."

My cheeks felt hot, his words hitting me like a shockwave. What is he up to? I turned to look at him, doing my best to seem unfazed, but being so close to his face made it really hard. He was looking right into my eyes, his gaze unwavering and full of intensity, with his lips almost brushing against mine.

"W… What are you talking? I stumbled over my words, my voice letting me down. What is it about him that makes me feel this way?

He smiled wider, the corner of his mouth lifting in that annoyingly self-assured manner.

"Oh, really, Scarlett. Come on, you know exactly what I mean." He tilted his head, his eyes flickering down to my lips for just a moment before locking back onto my gaze. "It looks like you're almost blushing."

My cheeks felt like they were on fire, and I hurriedly turned my gaze, my fingers clutching the edge of my seat. How does he always manage to get under my skin so easily? I really disliked how exposed I felt around him, like every thought and emotion was laid bare for him to see.

"You're so ridiculous," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "You keep doing this-always trying to… get some kind of reaction from me."

His laugh was gentle, yet it sent a chill down my spine. "Maybe it's because you make it so easy, Scarlett," he said, a playful smile in his voice. "Or perhaps… I really enjoy seeing you like this."

My heart started to race, but I made myself look him in the eye, pushing aside the effect his words had on me. I kept reminding myself not to let him win, but it was tough when he looked at me with that glimmer in his eyes, as if he knew just how much he was getting to me.

"Maybe you should consider picking up a new hobby," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady even though I didn't feel that way inside. "This is becoming a bit stale. And what you did at breakfast, you really made me angry."

He leaned back a bit, still smiling, but there was a glimmer of something more in his eyes-something different?

"Oh, I wanted that, which is why I did," he said softly, his voice filled with a sincerity that caught me off guard.

My defenses started to crumble, his words lingering in the space between us. Was he for real? Was this really just another game?

The car fell silent once more, but this time it felt different-charged, electric. I squirmed in my seat, my mind racing with thoughts. What are you doing to me, Alex? Why can't I understand you?