Chapter-3 (The First Encounter)

Scarlett Miller 

I closed my eyes promptly as I read my offer letter. It was a feeling of utter profound, and disbelief. 

Maybe now and then, I need something 'unbelievable' to happen to help me to stand more erect towards my goal.

"It seems like a living nightmare, of all the industries mentioned; I am being assigned under 'Anderson Hotel Industry.' 

I know this is not any coincidence, it can never be." 

I thought while moving towards Carlos who was equally shocked.

"Dad talked about Winslet's many times and Daniel too but being assigned under them was never expected." She spoke shockingly.

The next second I handed her my offer letter. 

"Scarlett, you under Anderson's and me under Winslet's. Who will handle Daniel now?" She asked.

Before I would have made any guess,  there he was standing, listening to all the worst that had happened just a few minutes back.

The next moment, we were surrounded by silence. It's rightly said, 'Silence makes real conversations between friends.' 

"I don't know where to go. I don't know what comes now." I finally spoke.

"Don't worry," Daniel said. "We'll figure something out." 

I managed to smile at him. To be honest, I liked that word 'we' a reminder for me that I have people to call mine.

"Oh, Thank you! Thank you," Carlos chirped, surprising both of us by bouncing across the cafeteria, clasping him tight for a quick hug. 

"I haven't forgiven you yet." She spoke moving towards our table. I moved my head in equal disbelief as Daniel was moving. 

He moved towards the table, placed some files and a small bag on the table, and then sat, straddling the bench. 

Patting the spot next to him, he grinned. I dropped my bag and as I swung my legs to sit. 

"I have ordered three juices." Carlos smiled.

A man fully dressed up in formals came and greeted Daniel. In reluctance, I proceeded. But he stopped me.

"Mam." I moved my head in his direction in disbelief. 

"Me?" I questioned to which he nodded. 

"Scarlett William Anderson?" He asked while handing me over a white envelope.

I flinched at the mention of Anderson. I don't know why his face seems so familiar to me. I ignored that thought immediately.

"Miller. It's Scarlett Miller." I started but Daniel stopped me. 

I glared at him, but he didn't let me speak. 

"What's in it, Mr. Hales?" He asked that man who was still staring at me. 

Hales, I heard that before. But Where? I again turned my eyes towards the man. 

"Mr. Anderson has sent me." He said while bowing his face down. 

After stressing over my jukebox of memories, I remembered a blurred image of him & Mr. Anderson together. 

Yikes! He is Mr. Anderson's manager. I had seen him before. How could I forget about him? 

I shrugged my thoughts away.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"Mam, all the interns assigned under AHI must have to present tomorrow at the event." He finished. 

"What event?" I frowned.

"Haven't you heard about Anderson's being collaborating with Winslet Industries?" He spoke in a shocking tone. 

"Oh! Yes. One of the biggest collaborations of this year so far. I desperately wanted to attend that party." Carlos said.

I glared at her.

"No! There aren't any clauses to attend events. It's purely a professional internship." I tried to hand him the envelope back.

"I'm afraid you will like the aftereffects of your decision." He replied in a warning tone.

"Are you trying to scare me? If then…." Before I completed Daniel took the envelope back, "She will be there. Thanks, Mr. Hales." 

"I hope you have received your invitation, Mr. Carter," He asked Daniel to which he nodded.

"I'm not going there," I told them my decision.

"Don't behave like a mad person. This internship is important, moreover, you have to learn to differentiate between professional and personal life." He said in a single breath.

"I will deal with this myself. I don't need anyone." I murmured. Rage took over my senses, the best I think at the moment was to leave this place. 

"Not even us," Carlos said in a baby tone. 

I was about to turn away. With that, I turned towards Daniel.

His eyes seemed suddenly to be like molten lava, and as destructive. 

"If ever you will try to walk away from us, to break the bond & friendship that hold us together. Then there will be no going back Scarlett." His words were as dangerous and as real as our existence.

"I am sorry." I tried to cool the atmosphere.

"We know how your father is, we can't risk your internship Sky. It's important for now." He exclaimed.

"Yes! Even we will be there. Don't know about him but I am not going to leave you alone." Carlos smiled.

I know they will never leave me alone, unlike my family. Maybe Daniel is sounding a little harsh now, but he seems more tense and worried than me.

With that, we sat back, "Dani why did you ditch me?" Carlos whined again.

"When did I?" He asked. 

"Stupid, I was waiting for you at the airport for more than an hour." She said, turning her face up to me. 

He was about to say when she continued it stupid and childish, and utterly ridiculous for you if you still make excuses instead of an apology. 

"I'm sorry." He spoke in defeat. 

"Only if you give us more time than your girlfriend." She smirked. 

I laughed, "I am with her in this. " 

Before he could have said something, his cell phone rang. He saw the caller ID and got stiff. I noticed an immediate change in his expression. A worrisome to calm to a little grin. 

He lifted both his eyebrows. "That almost sounds like a challenge." He finished off his juice and stood, "But considering that I know how you two are. I'll decline. Now if you don't mind, I am going to spend more time with my girlfriend." 

"Jeez. Who calls his work girlfriend. You need help man!" Carlos exclaimed. 

"Seconds ago, you did." He yelled and vanished. 

Next-Day at Anderson Hotel Industry

I hate being here but later I realized what I can't do while being away, maybe being here let that happen. 

But before I could reach Mr. Anderson, I saw a man fully dressed up in a formal suit, his hair perfectly gelled up and his eyes blue or green; I don't know. 

I was intrigued by the slightest grin upon his face. 

When my eyes met his gaze as we were standing there staring at each other, time stopped.  

I was wondering how they had been to me as the command to obey, the inviolable and beautiful commandment. 

I started feeling intimating, and started seeing everywhere but at him. But there was something very familiar in his appearance. I was confused, then I glanced at him once again. 

That suit, the one he was wearing.  Oh, freak! It was the same one that mom had designed which means he is one of the Winslet's. 

Unconsciously I started moving in his direction.

"Aren't you blessed with eyes? If not, get them checked." The same man blurted out leaving me all baffled.

I stopped to revert but decided to make my move towards Mr. Anderson first and will deal with him later. I shrugged his words and apologized silently.

Eric Winslet

Finally, the most awaited day has arrived. I was all the way busy yesterday. 

Nobody ever had the thought about this collaboration more than a dream it has become a need now.

After checking all the things myself, I informed dad about it and made a move towards the venue. 

After reaching there, I asked Mr. Anderson's P.A. about his whereabouts and moved towards his cabin as she informed me ignoring all the drooling eyes over there.

Just a few seconds later, a girl ran into me, standing there drowned in her thoughts. 

Her hazel brown orbs were busy staring at me. Her black dress revealing all her curves perfectly, her curls, and that red lipstick were complimenting her very well; but that was not enough to make Eric James Winslet drool anyone.

 I grinned while entering the cabin giving some important files to Mr. William Anderson.

Scarlett Miller

Fortunately, the door was open. Two intimating figures were talking, keeping their back towards the entrance.

I tried to minimize the gap and hear about what they were talking about. I was shocked, that's the understatement. 

I was numbed, I didn't know what to do? An idea knocked me down, I immediately opened the recorder of my cell phone. 

I smiled at the little victory, and information I received. 

Before I made a move out from that place. My cell phone started ringing, inviting the whole attention of the gentlemen standing there. 

Unconsciously my legs took the fastest pace. They moved to catch me but before that, I snatched the file from the same stranger and ran towards the conference room where the media houses were eagerly waiting for the announcement. 

I was not surprised by what my father can do. Can't say this for everyone. 

Let me entertain the Media in my style, I smirked.

Eric James Winslet

"She is Scarlett, Scarlett William Anderson; my only daughter. Eric, she hates me even though I deserve that but for now, I must tell you she can do anything to destroy us. Stop her." Mr. Anderson yelled.

I didn't have anything to do with their matter but she was hell-bent to ruin me and that stupid girl had taken away the file too.

"Where is she?" I asked Athen, my assistant.

"Towards the conference room." He hastily replied.

"What the fuck you were doing here? Stop her. Goddammit." I yelled. 

We ran towards the conference room.

"Eric, we can't afford to lose this. Winslet Industries' future is dependent on this." He reminded me again.

"I won't let anything happen to it," I whispered. 

I can't let that happen.

I saw that girl facing the media, I was afraid. I was scared to lose. 

Next, I didn't know whether it was right or wrong but it was the only 'right' I knew at that moment.  

She was about to say when I tapped her shoulder, she turned back. 

Before she could make any move, my arms were around her; sure and hard. She felt the rush of helplessness and her face was drowned to nothingness. 

She was about to blurt out when I bent back my head across her arm and kissed her, softly at first and then with the swift gradation of intensity that made her cling to me as the only thing in this dizzy swaying world.

That's it, I knew I had made a brilliant move. I parted myself from her, took away the file and her phone while the media was busy capturing our pictures.

Then I immediately bent towards her and whisper" you were giving them the NEWS and I have given them the HEADLINES. See the POWER of Eric James Winslet, darling!" I moved back seeing her all shocked.

"Winslet Industries and Anderson Hotel Industry have sealed the deal to collaborate in the business of nightlife," I announced while giving her the best smirk I can while eyeing her.

To be continued.....

So, how do you like to describe the bond of Scarlett, Daniel, and Carlos?

It was the first meeting of Eric & Scarlett. What more has been stored for them? 

How was the chapter?

With love

Purva Narang

(Your Writer)

                    Till the next time

                    **************