Chapter 27

Scarlet's eyes fell back to Zachary, watching him as his eyes never left the stage. "You're one to talk. Aren't you her boyfriend?"

Chad chuckled, a tint of something in it but it was gone as fast as it came. His playful tone left, replaced with a serious one, "You should give up. You can’t win this fight."

Scarlet still continued to watch Zachary as the man watched Kathryn on the stage. Of course. Of course, it was impossible not to see what those eyes meant. Just Zachary glaring at her and telling her not to touch him, out of panic and anger after knowing Kathryn's situation, that alone made everything clear to Scarlet.

It was as if Scarlet didn't exist at all when they had returned. Kathryn Taylor herself was the one to personally see her and thank her for the boat, but there were no words from Zachary at all. She had expected to at least hear some words, some explanation from Zachary, but he was too occupied with having Kathryn get into her room and rest. Even other people couldn’t get close to them after getting checked by the medical team, especially with Zachary shooting murderous glares at anyone who would try to ask Kathryn dozens of questions. The way Zachary took care of Kathryn, and the way Kathryn did the same to Zachary had already revealed too much on what they had.

"I didn't come here to get this mini heartbreak," Chad said all of a sudden, catching Scarlet's attention once more.

Slightly offended by how Chad just had uttered the words that were in her mind all day, Scarlet looked away from the scene yet again, giving a sarcastic smile to Chad. "It was just a crush."

Chad, smiling more to himself with a voice tinting a bit of concern, said, "You'll get over him soon."

Scarlet, eyes glistening, replied, "I know," that she had hoped as she glanced down.

Not long after, the song ended as another student went up the stage to share his talent. David was smiling as he approached Kathryn at their table.

"That's wonderful, Kath," David said as he patted Kathryn's back.

Kathryn smiled, "You should sing too, David. Didn't you say you used to be in the choir back in high school?"

David blushed, hitting Kathryn playfully as he shook his head, "That's a long time ago, silly."

Both laughed and soon found themselves engaged in a deep conversation about different matters. Both were too consumed by their topic about their favorite series that they didn't notice Zachary coming and taking a seat next to Kathryn. He just sat there though, silent as he played on his phone.

"Next, let's call on our special guest who became one of the students for a week and even with the troubles you kids gave, she still helped us with all her best," the crowd groaned at that, seemingly offended and disappointed by Headmaster Leo's disloyalty. "Scarlet, dear, please come to the stage."

Kathryn and David turned their heads to the stage, looked at each other, then glanced over Zachary whom they were surprised to see sitting next close to Kathryn.

"Zack," Kathryn called the silent man.

"Hmm?" Zachary responded, not looking up as he continued playing on his phone. 

Kathryn sighed, hand reaching Zachary's thigh. The action successfully caught Zachary's attention as he looked up, looking at Kathryn, "What is it?"

Kathryn gestured to him to look at the stage. Zachary raised his eyebrow but decided to follow anyway, head turning to the stage.

"I'm not good at singing," Scarlet started, voice a bit nervous. "I'm not good at dancing either. I'm the type of person who always tries to see where she can belong. Unfortunately, I still can't find the group where I should be." Her eyes were filled with emotions as she spoke, as if recalling all the times she tried to fit in with the pressure of her parents' dictatorship on her left shoulder then her own interests on the right. "But for one week, everyone treated me as if I'm one of you…especially the ballet team. Thank you, girls…and everyone, for making me feel that I truly belong." That I'm something.

Everyone was quiet as they just listened to the small pretty girl who was about to cry in front. "I won't be able to meet you all if not for my ex-future husband," Scarlet gave a teasing smile at Zachary who just silently stared at her. "So, thanks to you too, Zachary." She grinned at Zachary, though everyone seemed to have sensed the pain behind her smile.

Kathryn watched Zachary whose eyes were on Scarlet. She couldn't help but smile, feeling mixed emotions for the two people. Above everything, Kathryn was glad Scarlet came. In a way, she had learned things she would've not if not for Scarlet’s presence. Additionally, Scarlet played a big part in rescuing both her and Zachary. For this fact, Kathryn was grateful to Scarlet. 

Everyone gave her a round of applause as she bowed her head and got off the stage. Kathryn couldn't help but watch her walk back to her table, and her eyes widened as she realized Scarlet didn't go straight back to the table but outside the hall. She had her head down, hair covering her face. Kathryn instantly got up, about to follow after Scarlet when a hand stopped her from doing so.

"I'll do it," Zachary was staring at the fleeing girl, eyes not hinting any humor.

"Zack…"

Zachary turned to Kathryn and gave her a soft smile before finally walking out, following after Scarlet.

Scarlet couldn't take it. Zachary had his eyes on someone else. She had to accept that fact and not listen to her stubborn heart. But she couldn't help but put some sincerity in her words when she had thanked Zachary on the stage. It might have come out as a joke, but she wasn't feeling it as one.

It wasn't a crush. There was no way it was a crush if she was hurting this much. But how cruel. Just when she had finally started loving someone, that someone turned to be the person she couldn't have and never will.

"Scarlet."

Her eyes widened at the voice. She quickly wiped the tears away from her face, pulling herself together as she turned and smiled at Zachary. "I'm such a crybaby, crying for silly things like that. I will miss the people from your university for sure." She faked another laugh.

Zachary stared at her, not saying a word.

"What? You think I'm crying because you ignored me? Geez, Zachary," she let out a shaky laugh, "Well, you still owe me for that boat, you know. Don't forget that."

"Thank you." Zachary finally spoke, making Scarlet's heart stop. It was obvious Zachary wasn't the most comfortable in saying such things, but he was trying.

When Scarlet didn't answer, Zachary continued. "And I'm sorry. For treating you like that when you first came here." He wasn't the type to say thank you or sorry to a person, but she had helped him rescue Kathryn. And that alone made Zachary have the feeling of certain respect towards her. 

"That time…" Zachary tried to recall what happened the day Scarlet came, feeling a pang of pain inside upon remembering the hurtful words of Kathryn. "I thought I lost her for good."

Scarlet didn't speak, just listened to Zachary's story. Maybe she needed this or maybe not because she already knew too much, and it was slowly breaking her in a way she hadn't felt before.

"…But I was wrong," Zachary continued, his face serious as he pointed at his chest. "She's still here. She has been and always will." Then, slowly, Zachary's face softened, as if trying to picture the image of the person who had pulled him out of loneliness, the person who showered him the love he never received from anyone else, not even from his family. The person who gave him the definition of happiness itself. Unconsciously, Zachary smiled and whispered, "She's the best thing I've ever had."

And that would never change, would it? Even if new people come into your life, she will still remain as your "best".

"It's that girl, Kathryn Taylor, isn't it?" Scarlet's voice almost sounded like a whisper as her lips forced to move and make a sound.

Zachary gave out a small nod, voice low but full of sincerity and affection, "Yes." She's my everything.

For a minute there, Scarlet didn't know which was more heartbreaking. Her, listening to the person she loved speak about his love who wasn't Scarlet, or her, nodding, admitting to herself how Zachary and Kathryn awfully looked good together.

Just like that, Scarlet finally understood and accepted she didn't really have to fight for the position because Zachary, from the very start, already had his queen and only needed one as he had proven to show and declare.