Chapter 148 Turning Around, I Am Behind You
After work, Scarlett went straight back to Lakeside Garden. When Rhea saw her come home alone, she looked behind her and asked.
"Where's Yara?"
Scarlett stood in the entryway changing her shoes. "She won't be home for a couple of days. She went to stay with Hayden."
Rhea nodded, then remembering Hayden's sudden fever last night, asked, "Hayden's okay now, right?"
"His fever's gone. We'll see how the next few days go. If he doesn't get a fever again, then he should be fine." Scarlett slipped on her slippers and walked in, instructing.
"Rhea, if Yara calls you, don't tell her I'm home. Tell her I'm on a business trip."
Rhea was stunned for a few seconds, then caught on. She guessed that Hayden wanted to get Scarlett to come stay there, but with Scarlett's personality, she definitely wouldn't want to stay at the Ambrose house. Rhea nodded.
"Okay, got it."
Scarlett took her bag and headed to her room. Before leaving, she thoughtfully said, "Rhea, since the kid won't be here a couple of days, if you have any personal matters to take care of, go ahead."
Rhea hadn't been back to see her son in a while. "Alright, then I'll go visit my son these next couple of days."
Back in her room, Scarlett collapsed on the bed, staring at the ceiling with unfocused eyes. She couldn't stop Cody's words from popping into her head.
Although she'd never had any intention of continuing things with Ambrose, being so bluntly kicked out by Cody still made her feel really uncomfortable.
She had to remember this lesson. No matter how much Ambrose pestered her in the future, she had to stand her ground and not give him even the slightest chance to get close.
Just as she was lost in thought, her phone rang. She got up, went to her bag hanging by the door, and pulled out her phone. She didn't recognize the number on the screen, but answered anyway.
"Who is it?"
"Mommy, when are you coming back?" Yara's clear voice came through. Scarlett immediately perked up.
"Yara, Mommy forgot to tell you, I'm on a business trip for a few days. These next few days, you stay at Hayden's house, and when I get back, I'll come pick you up."
"You're on a business trip? Why are you on another business trip?" Yara's tone was full of displeasure.
Yara used to sound like this when Scarlett went on business trips before too.
"I'll be back really soon. When I come back, I'll bring you a present. Be good at Hayden's house, okay!" Her tone was light and cheerful.
"Okay, I'll be good!" Yara was reasonable - knowing she was on a business trip, she didn't cry or make a fuss.
"Give the phone to Hayden, I want to tell him something." After Scarlett spoke, she heard Yara say.
"Hayden, my mommy wants to talk to you."
A moment later, she heard Hayden's voice in her ear, "Scarlett."
"Hayden, how have you been feeling today?" Scarlett asked him warmly.
"No fever." His voice sounded a bit muffled.
"Then I'm relieved. Tonight, I can't come over to your place. I'm on a business trip. You and Yara be good at home, okay."
Silence. A minute later, Hayden asked, "You're really on a business trip?"
"Of course. If you don't believe me, ask your dad. I work at his company now." Scarlett walked to the window, reached out to push it open, and looked at the sunset scenery.
He paused before asking, "When are you coming back?"
"Not sure yet. If things go smoothly, three or four days. If not, five or six days."
Hayden didn't make a fuss either. After a few more words, they ended the call.
Scarlett breathed a sigh of relief. She'd finally sent Hayden back. Hopefully, Octavia could keep Hayden happy over these five or six days, and then he wouldn't pester her anymore.
Suddenly thinking about the future, about how Hayden would have nothing to do with her anymore, she felt something indescribable.
During the time they'd lived together, he'd touched her heart many times. She'd come to see him as her own son. Now that they were suddenly separating, her heart felt empty, and it hurt.
Sure enough, spending time together creates feelings, and when it's time to part, there's bound to be sadness. What was the point?
With only Scarlett and Rhea in the house, it seemed very quiet. Not used to the space, and to keep herself from feeling sad here, she left the house to take a walk after dinner.
She walked out of Lakeside Garden, strolling along the main road. At night, the lights everywhere were as bright as daylight.
"Scarlett."
A voice stopped Scarlett in her tracks. She turned around and saw Finnian, her eyes lighting up. "Finnian."
"What are you doing here?"
"I was driving by, saw you, so I stopped the car and came over to say hi." Finnian explained, his gaze sweeping around.
Her eyes followed where his finger was pointing, and she saw a car parked by the roadside.
"You're taking a walk?" Finnian asked.
She withdrew her gaze and nodded. Finnian then said.
"Then let's walk together. I have something I want to talk to you about."
Scarlett smiled in agreement. "Sure!"
So the two of them walked along the road. There weren't many people out at night. They walked to a small park area where there were many street vendors - not just food and drinks, but also lots of little trinkets.
"Finnian, have you had dinner?" She suddenly asked.
Finnian glanced at her but didn't respond. But from his expression, Scarlett guessed he hadn't eaten. So she looked around and pointed to a night market food stall not far away.
"See if there's anything you want to eat there. Buy something to tide you over."
The two walked to the stall and bought a few hot dogs. Scarlett wanted to find a place to sit down, but Finnian suggested eating while walking.
"We used to do this all the time in college."
Mentioning their college days, Scarlett smiled. "Yeah, we were so happy back then."
Finnian smiled. "I really want to go back to school and eat cafeteria food again."
Scarlett held her hot dog. "If we get a chance in the future, let's go together."
"Okay, let's find a time to go relive our college days together."
The two held their food, walking and eating. Scarlett didn't really want to eat, but Finnian said she should try it, and she couldn't refuse, so she ate too.
"Finnian, you said you wanted to talk to me about something. What is it?" Scarlett remembered what he'd said earlier.
"It's like this - a friend of mine is having a gallery opening tomorrow. He gave me a few tickets, and I wanted to ask if you're free. If you are, come support him."
Hearing it was an art exhibition, Scarlett got interested. She hadn't been to one in a long time, and tomorrow Yara wouldn't be around, so she had plenty of time.
"I don't have anything going on tomorrow, Saturday. Which artist is your friend?"
"Kenna."
Scarlett's steps halted, and she asked in shock, "Kenna?"
Finnian nodded. Scarlett smiled with delight. "I really love her paintings. Is she actually your friend? What a surprise."
"I'll introduce you tomorrow."
Scarlett was happy thinking about seeing Kenna's paintings tomorrow. Just then, Ambrose's call came through. She pulled her phone from her pocket, hesitated for a moment, but still answered.
"Turn around. I'm behind you."