71

71
Chapter 71

Scarlet Wolff 

My heart wrenched painfully as memories of yesterday replayed in my head, but I held my head up high. 
It was meant to be like that, anyway.

My phone screen lit up with a text, and I went to pick it up. A smile spread across my lips when I saw the text from Derek.

‘I found one on lease. It's beautiful’

“That's so fast.” I muttered after reading the text and the address attached to it.
I had reached out to him early this morning to help me find an available apartment for lease. It'll still take a couple of months before my parents will be back, and staying back here was the last thing I'd allow myself to do.

‘Thank you. Let's talk about it over lunch later’.
I sent him a text and just as I was about to toss my phone away, it started to ring. I thought it was Derek at first, until I checked and saw that it was Alexa.

“Hey, baby girl.” Her cheerful voice sounded through the phone as soon as I answered the call.

“Hey, baby.” I slumped on the bed, rubbing my temple.

“Guess what, sweetie.” She squealed, and I rolled my eyes.

“What's up? It's too early for this.” I chuckled.

“Don't be a killjoy. Anyway, I'm going on a date with my boyfriend!” She was almost screaming, and my eyebrows squinted confusingly. 

“Boyfriend? You didn't tell me you got a boyfriend. Or did you unblock—”

“Not him. I'm talking about the one I met at the restaurant. Have you forgotten?” She cut me off.

“Oh… now, I remember. Are you two dating already?” I asked surprisingly.

“No, we are not. But we are going to date soon, so he is going to be my boyfriend.” I could picture her smiling and blushing. That girl.

“Are you serious? But—”

“Don't jinx it, bitch. I'll call you after the date. Bye! I love you.” She said hurriedly and the call ended with a beep.

“That bitch!” I huffed as I tossed my phone away.

The knock on the door drew my attention, and I rolled my eyes knowing that it was Lucien.
As much as I didn't want to see him, I couldn't stop him from coming to my room. Besides, this is his house.

I hesitantly reached for the door and pulled it open. There he was, standing with an apron on his body, and smelling like scrambled eggs, so I assumed that he was just done making breakfast.

“Hey!” He greeted me awkwardly, his eyes barely looking into mine like he would do every other time.

“Good morning.” I greeted him with a smile on my face as if nothing happened.

“Did you sleep well?” He exhaled, his eyes boring into mine this time.

“Yes, I did. What about you?” Deep inside me, I was broken and bleeding, but I tried to compose myself. I wasn't going to be pathetic in front of him. I wasn't going to show him that what he said got to me, as it'll only make me look weak.

“Hmm. I made breakfast. Let's eat together.” He offered.

“Oh, sure. Can I join you shortly, please?” I forced a smile.

“Sure. I…will wait for you.” 

And with that, I walked back inside and closed the door behind me, exhaling deeply as I crashed against the wall. 
Slowly, I lifted my hand to my chest, squeezing my eyes shut as I felt my heart pounding hard against my chest as though it was about to explode.

It was just supposed to be a fling. I wasn't supposed to fall in love with him, but here I was, stuck with a man who didn't even have as little as any softness for me.

“Chin up, Scarlet. You don't want him to see this side of you.” I whispered to myself and put on a bright smile before leaving my room to go meet him.

He had already set the table by the time I got to the dining room.

“You didn't have to do anything by yourself. You could've called me to join you, you know?” I said softly as I pulled out a chair and sat across from him.

“It's fine.” 

“Uhm… I'll serve your food.” He quickly stood up and came to serve my food.

“I toasted some bread. You will love them.” He uttered as he served me two pieces of toasted bread.

“If you are not satisfied with this, I can get you more. I made more than enough.” He added before going back to his seat, and I just nodded with a smile.

I began eating.

It felt like a dagger was pierced into my heart, tearing it into pieces as his words kept replaying in my head.
I clutched my fingers tightly around the fork, fighting back my tears as I kept reminding myself not to cry in front of him.

“Scarlet…” he called my name, and I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath as I held my gaze low.

“Hmm?” I batted my eyelashes, raising my gaze to him while smiling.

“About yesterday… I'm sorry if my words hurt you.” He looked straight into my eyes and apologised.

“I will make it up to you, I promise.” He added, and I scoffed, but silently. 

“Come on, Mr. Lucien. It's nothing. I was just teasing you. I never considered you my man.” My voice barely gave me away, but I managed to control it, my lips curled up in a smirk as I locked eyes with him.

I could swear that I saw his eyes flashed with shock and disappointment.

“Huh?” He raised his eyebrows.

“I never mistook what we had for love, Mr. Lucien. We are just sext buddies.” I shrugged and smiled at him softly.

“If I was your daughter, you wouldn't advise me to date a man twenty years older than me, would you?” I shrugged, and his face dropped sadly.

“Scarlet…” his voice came out in a whisper as he batted his eyelashes. His eyes could never lie. He was shaken by my words, and I would be so damned if I said that I didn't enjoy it.

“I might get a boyfriend soon, and we would have to put a stop to this whole thing we are doing. My father will definitely kill me if he ever finds out that we both had a thing.” I chuckled, trying everything to make it sound natural, and thankfully, it came out perfectly.

I watched as he clenched his jaws tightly, his eyes piercing at me with fury. 

My phone started to ring at that moment, and a smile crept up my face when I saw it was Derek. Just perfect timing!

“Hey, Derek.” My face beamed with smiles as I pressed the phone to my ear, and I could swear that I would've been dead by now if looks could kill. Lucien was glaring hard at me, but trying to mask it with a smile each time our eyes met.

“Hey! Can we meet now? The agent that got the apartment just called to meet me.”

“Like right now?” I furrowed my brows.

“Hmm. Do you need me to come pick you up?”

“No, you don't have to worry. I will come over. See you in a bit.” Once the call ended, I gulped down a glass of water and stood up hurriedly.

“I need to meet with my friend, Mr. Lucien. See you around later.” I said hurriedly, and without waiting for him to say anything, I hurried away…