Chapter 3: Welcome Back to Hell, Scarlett (2)

"So where are we going?" Scarlett asked him as soon as they walked to the main road. 

Romero watched as the breeze gently caressed her beautiful face, 'my femme fatale' he thought to himself. "You mean where are YOU going." He corrected her.

"Uhh… I thought this was a test? Now that I have gotten the package, we should get going, right?" Scarlett asked with uncertainty. 

"Did you think your father would make your welcome test so easy? I was never sent here by your father, I was just curious about our little Scarlett." He responded. Lovato didn't even know that he was here even before she arrived.

"So you cleared away the traps my father set then? Thanks I guess." She muttered.

Romero looked at her in surprise, "What a smart girl you have become!!" He patted her head gently.

"Woman!" She gritted her teeth 

"Ugh?!"  

"I'm a woman, not a girl or the scaredy Scarlett you knew before." She corrected him in annoyance.

Romero chuckled at her fiery response. He had no idea Scarlett was now a force to be reckoned with since she probably lived a princess life in Europe but seeing her in action made him realize just how stubborn she truly was. "My apologies, Woman. I stand corrected," he said with a slight bow.

"So, where are we going now that you've cleared away the traps?" Scarlett asked, still feeling a bit uneasy about their current situation.

"On another note, I thought we could take a little detour, get to know each other better," Romero suggested with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Scarlett raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "What kind of detour?"

"You'll see," Romero said cryptically before taking her hand and leading her down a side street.

As they walked, Scarlett couldn't help but feel a tingle of excitement mixed with fear in the pit of her stomach. She had always been taught to be cautious in unfamiliar surroundings, but something about Romero made her want to throw caution to the wind and see where this would lead them both.

All of a sudden he stopped walking and Scarlett almost bumped into his sturdy back. "Watch it, will you?!" She whined.

"Shoot, how late am I?" he said in frustration as he checked his phone.

"Going somewhere?" She questioned.

"Sadly yes, Señorita. See you at the mansion and be safe!" He left these words as he jumped over a roof and disappeared into the day.

Scarlet watched his leaving figure as she continued processing all that has happened since she arrived in New York city. Whatever reservations Scarlett had about inheriting her father's criminal legacy quickly vanished as if the storm had erased them from the book of memory. Because that's what it was- a storm. She had no idea what would become of her from this moment onwards, but she had no desire to know. The thoughts that she'd have to give up everything she had, the choice to go back never existed. She was Ruiz's heiress and she was determined to uphold her father's legacy… But it wasn't for her father, it was for her mother. She had heard tales of her bravery and fierceness while building their crime family. She couldn't disappoint her mother, could she?

*********

"Welcome home, young miss." The old butler greeted Scarlett as she stepped down from the car. She was finally back at the Ruiz's mansion that was hidden away from the urban activities of New York and yet still actively involved.

"Thank you grandpa Butler." Scarlett nodded as she signaled for the servants to move her luggages. "How have you been all these years?"

The old butler, whose name was Richard, gave her a small smile. "Keeping busy as usual, Miss Scarlett. Your father's operations have been running smoothly in your absence."

Scarlett nodded, deep in thought. She knew it wouldn't be long before she would be fully immersed in her father's business dealings, but for now, she needed some time to settle in and gather her thoughts.

"Is everything ready for tonight's meeting?" she asked Butler Richard.

"Yes, Miss. Your father's associates are already waiting in the conference room," he replied with a bow. "But the Lord is yet to arrive and he wants you to get acquainted with his subordinates in his absence." 

Scarlett took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. It was time to embrace her new role and show these men that she was just as capable as her father had been.

As she entered the conference room, Scarlett saw the faces of some of her father's most trusted allies. She nodded to each of them formally before taking a seat at the head of the table.

"Gentlemen," she began, "I am Scarlett Ruiz, heiress to the Ruiz family legacy. My mother may have passed, but her legacy lives on through me. I am here to assure you that the Ruiz family business will continue to thrive under my leadership."

Some of the men nodded in agreement, but Scarlett could sense their hesitation. She knew they were wary of a young woman taking over such an important role. But Scarlett was determined to prove them wrong.

"I understand that some of you may have doubts about my ability to lead, but I assure you that I am more than capable of handling this responsibility," she continued.

The men looked at each other nervously before one of them spoke up.

"Miss Ruiz, with all due respect, you are young and inexperienced in these matters. How can we trust that you will be able to maintain the same level of success as your father?"

Scarlett met the man's gaze, unfazed by his challenge. "I may be young, but I have been trained by the best. My father has entrusted me with his legacy and to also uphold his business dealings. I know that there may be doubts about whether or not I am capable of taking on this responsibility, but I assure you that I am willing to do whatever it takes to prove myself."

One of the men scoffed and leaned back in his seat. "You may have the Ruiz name, but that doesn't automatically make you a capable leader. We will need to see some results before we can fully trust you."

Scarlett felt a flash of anger at his words, but she kept her composure. "I understand your concerns, and I am fully aware of what it takes to lead this organization. Rest assured, I will not let you down."

As the meeting went on, Scarlett found herself getting more and more comfortable in her new role. She was surprised at how natural it felt to be in charge and to make important decisions for the business.

Once the meeting was over, Scarlett dismissed the others and retreated to her father's study.

Closing the door behind her, she let out a deep breath and slumped into the plush leather chair behind the desk, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. She couldn't afford to let anyone see her weakness, not now that she was in charge.

Just as she was about to pour herself a drink, the door creaked open and a man entered slowly, his form looming over hers like an eclipse.

Scarlett froze. She recognized him instantly - The Lord's most trusted hitman, Romero Alvarez. They had been in an altercation some hours ago. She watched as his eyes bore down on her, dark and intense.

"I'm sorry," he said curtly. "I didn't mean to startle you. I just wanted to inquire about tonight's meeting in more detail." He added, speaking more formally than their first meeting.

Scarlett straightened up and met his gaze confidently. "What do you want to know?"

Romerol leaned forward, his sandalwood scent mingling with the musky aroma of the room. "Your father was well-respected in our circle. But you are untested. Do you truly believe you have what it takes to lead this organization?" He asked seriously hoping to knock in her some sense before it was too late.

Scarlett did not flinch under his scrutiny. "I may be young, but I have been introduced to this business for a while now. I have surface knowledge of the ins and outs of the business, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to prove myself."

Romero's lips twisted into a smirk. "Is that so? You seem very sure of yourself for someone who has never had to get their hands dirty."

Scarlett's jaw clenched at his insinuation. "I may not have experienced everything my father has, but I am not afraid to make difficult decisions when necessary."

Romero took a step closer, his eyes glinting in the low light of the room. "Perhaps you just need a little...guidance?"

Scarlett stood her ground, her voice unwavering. "I don't need anyone's guidance. I am fully capable of leading this organization on my own."

Romero chuckled in amusement, his gaze never leaving Scarlett's. "Is that so? You do realize that running an organization like this requires more than just making difficult decisions. It requires finesse, ruthlessness, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to get what you want."

Scarlett didn't back down. Instead, she met Romero's gaze head-on. "I know exactly what it takes. I've prepared for it my entire life."

Romero took another step closer until they were almost touching. "You may have prepared, but have you ever actually done it yourself?"

Scarlett raised her chin defiantly. "I may be young, but I'm not inexperienced. I learned some stuff while I was in Europe."

Without warning, Romero's hand shot out and grabbed hold of Scarlett's right hand, pulling her towards him until their lips were almost touching. Scarlett struggled against him, but he held her firmly in place.

"Then I'd like to see you try Scarlett, prove to me that you aren't just a beauty with no action in such a high position… or else," He held her chin tightly. "You'd better return to Europe where you came from. Your father doesn't need another family member to worry about."

Scarlett's eyes blazed with fury, but she refused to give in to Romero's taunting. What was wrong with him? One minute he was flirting with her, and another he became an annoying person. She pushed him away and adjusted her coat, an icy calmness settling over her. 

"I accept your challenge," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "I will prove to you that I am more than just a pretty face."

Romero raised an eyebrow, surprise flickering across his features.

"Very well," he said. "You have a week to show me what you're made of. Fail to impress me and you're out."

Scarlett nodded curtly and turned on her heel, striding out of the room with purpose.

"I hope you enjoy this hell of ours Scarlett…. Cause your world is about to be flipped upside down!" He raised his voice behind her as her figure vanished into the darkness of the night. "Welcome back to hell once again." He whispered into the air.