Chapter 48 *
Scarlett's POV
My phone wouldn't stop ringing.
I cracked one eye open. Sunlight was streaming through the curtains. Way too bright.
What time is it?
I grabbed my phone off the nightstand. Squinted at the screen.
11:03 AM.
The phone rang again. I answered. My voice came out rough. "Hello?"
"Scarlett? It's Mike. From The Brew Station."
I sat up. Rubbed my face. "Hey Mike. What's up?"
"I got your resignation email last night." He paused. "Are you sure about this? You're one of our best baristas."
My mind flashed back to yesterday. Grandfather Wolfe. The Rolls-Royce. Handing out hundred dollar bills to everyone.
Yeah, I can't go back there. Too embarrassing.
"I'm sure. Sorry for the short notice."
"No, I get it. After... everything that happened yesterday." He cleared his throat. "Actually, that's why I'm calling. There's a woman here asking for you."
I froze. "What?"
"She says she's your mother. Viviana Romano?"
My stomach dropped.
What does she want?
"She left a message," Mike continued. "Asked me to tell you she wants to meet. This afternoon at two. The Colony Club."
I said nothing. My mind was racing.
"She also said something about returning a gold coin?"
The three gold coins. The ones I gave her at Zelda's party.
"Did she say anything else?"
"Just that it's important. She'll be waiting for you."
I let out a long breath. "Okay. Thanks for letting me know."
"No problem. And Scarlett? Good luck with everything."
"Thanks, Mike."
I hung up. Stared at my phone.
My phone buzzed. A text message.
Damon: Axel took a personal day. No one made lunch. Bring something to the office.
I blinked at the screen.
Is he serious?
I typed back: ?
Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then appeared again.
Damon: What am I to you?
Oh.
OH.
He's doing the husband thing. Asserting his rights.
I remembered last night. The kiss. The conversation this morning. "This is a real marriage."
Are all men like this? Do they all get controlling when it comes to their wives?
I typed back: Fine. What do you want to eat?
Damon: Whatever you make. I'm not picky.
Liar. You literally made me pick out all the vegetables last time.
But I didn't say that. Just sent back a thumbs up emoji.
I checked the time again. 11:15 AM.
If I need to be at Damon's office by noon and at the Colony Club by two, I need to move fast.
I threw off the covers. Headed for the shower.
By 11:50, I was in the Wolfe mansion kitchen. Moving fast.
The family chef looked confused when I walked in.
"Mrs. Wolfe? Do you need something?"
"Just making lunch for my husband. Don't mind me."
I pulled out containers. Started assembling a meal from the leftovers in the fridge.
Grilled chicken. Rice. Roasted vegetables. Fresh fruit.
I packed everything into an insulated lunch bag. Grabbed bottled water. Added some of those expensive crackers Arthur always kept stocked.
Done.
I glanced at the clock. 12:05 PM.
I grabbed my purse. My phone. The lunch bag.
Arthur appeared in the hallway as I was heading out.
"Mrs. Wolfe? Do you need a driver?"
"Yes. Wolfe Corporation headquarters. Fast."
"Right away."
The Wolfe Corporation building was massive. All glass and steel. Reaching up into the sky.
I walked through the revolving doors. The lobby was enormous. The receptionist looked up when I approached. She was young. "Good afternoon. How can I help you?"
"I'm here to see Damon Wolfe. I have lunch."
Her eyes widened slightly. Then she smiled. "Of course. Mr. Wolfe's assistant informed us you'd be coming. Please take the executive elevator."
She gestured toward a private elevator bank. Separate from the regular ones.
Security waved me through without checking my bag.
They were expecting me.
I stepped into the elevator. The doors were brass. The walls were dark wood. Even the elevator was expensive.
I pressed the button for the top floor. The penthouse level.
The doors started closing.
"Hold that!"
A hand shot through. The doors bounced back open.
A man stepped in. Slicked-back hair. Too much gel. Spray tan that made his skin look orange.
His eyes were bloodshot. Dark circles underneath.
Chronic sleep deprivation. Probably from partying and excessive alcohol.
He looked me up and down. Slowly. His mouth curved into a smile.
"Well hello there. Haven't seen you around before."
I recognized him immediately.
Rocco Wolfe. Damon's cousin. The one who got a flower pot dropped on his head at the estate.
I said nothing. Just shifted my lunch bag to my other hand.
The elevator doors closed. Started moving up.
Rocco moved closer. Leaned against the wall next to me.
His cologne was overwhelming.
"New hire?" he asked. His voice was lazy. Flirtatious. "Which department?"
"I'm not interested in chatting."
"Come on, don't be like that." He shifted even closer. His arm stretched above my head. Trapping me against the wall. "I'm just being friendly."
"Back up."
"Why? We're just talking." His smile widened. "How about dinner tonight? I know a great place. Very exclusive."
"I don't go out with strangers."
"We don't have to be strangers." He reached toward my hair.
I ducked. Stepped sideways. Put more distance between us.
"Back off, or I'm calling security."
His expression darkened. "Security? Sweetheart, this whole building belongs to my family. Wolfe Corporation? That's MY last name."
He straightened up. Puffed out his chest.
"If you want to keep your job here, you'd better learn to be... friendlier."
I widened my eyes. Put on my best shocked expression.
"Oh my God. Are you Damon Wolfe?"
Rocco's face went through several emotions. Surprise. Embarrassment. Then he forced a smirk.
"What do you think?"
Using someone else's name and power to harass women. Pathetic.
The elevator dinged. Top floor.
The doors opened.
I walked out fast. Rocco followed.
"Hey, wait up. I can put in a good word for you. Get you promoted."
I ignored him. Kept walking.
The hallway was quieter up here. I found the corner office. The nameplate on the door read: DAMON WOLFE - CEO
I stopped. Turned to face Rocco.
He was still following me. Still talking.
I pointed at the door. Smiled sweetly.
"After you, Mr. Wolfe."
Rocco's eyes landed on the nameplate. His face went pale.
Then red.
He opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
I knocked on the door.
"Lunch delivery for Mr. Wolfe."
"Come in." Damon's voice came from inside. Authoritative.
I looked at Rocco. Kept smiling.
"I'm sure Mr. Wolfe would love to hear about how you've been representing the family name."