“I’m really sorry, I’ll get a rag to clean your shoes,” she offered as she tried to hurriedly get a wet rag. “What is going on here?” Cassidy’s voice rang out across the room. As soon as the man began to explain, Scarlett's heart sank. Would she be getting fired? “Not again,” she lamented, the thought tightening her chest. Forcing a calm demeanor, Scarlett returned to the man and handed him the rag. “Clean it,” Cassidy ordered, her voice cold as ice. Scarlett’s gaze flicked to Ursula, but she looked away. “Don’t make me repeat myself!” She threatened, and Scarlett scurried to wipe the coffee off his shoes. “I’m sorry for her unforgivable behavior. Please have the muffins on the house,” Cassidy offered them with a warm smile, but they declined and left. Feeling exasperated, she glared at Scarlett with a look of disdain. “If I lose another customer because of you, get ready to be fired!” she spat and walked away. As Scarlett was cleaning up the mess she made, she realize
A few minutes later she came back with a bunch of stuff: a cold compress, bottled water, and analgesics. When Scarlett initially found out about Ethan’s sickle cell, she did research on how to care for him, and right now seemed like the perfect time to put that knowledge to use. She kept the items on the table and moved toward him with concern etched on her face. “Ethan, I’m back with your medication and some cold compresses for your fever,” she spoke softly. Ethan’s eyes flickered open again, surprised to still see her. He had thought Scarlett left when he asked her to. “What are you doing here again?” he croaked, his voice cracking under the weight of his agony. “Just…go, I’m fine.” “No, you’re not, and I'm not going anywhere,” she replied calmly, her eyes locked onto Ethan’s, filled with compassion and concern. “I won’t leave you like this, Ethan. I’ll always be right here by your side.” Ethan's pain-filled gaze met hers, and for a moment they just stared at each other.
Ethan’s POV “Zzzzmmmm” My phone rang out as I paced around in circles waiting for Luna to pick up, which she finally did. “Hey, Luna, wanna get married?” I asked, my voice urgent. “What?!” “I’m sending you an address; meet me there in an hour; we’re getting married today.” I hung up the call and strode downstairs. “Where to, sir?” Rufus, my driver asked. “Take me to Manhattan’s marriage bureau.” I said, reclining back in the chair, as I recalled the conversation I had earlier with my parents. —————— “We have picked a good candidate for you to get married to,” Father declared as he sat close to Mom. “What! I told you I would when I'm ready. Why the rush again?!” I spat, irritated. “Ethan, we love you, and you know that, but not at the detriment of your future,” Mom said, looking at me with pity laced in her eyes. “This is grandfather’s doing, isn't it?” I didn't even wait for their reply and stormed out of the house, seething as I called Luna. —————— A fe
Scarlett's POVFlashbackSeptember 07, 2021 "Trust me when I say this club is legit—good music, vibes—it has it all. You wouldn't be thinking about anything else, especially not Oliver the moment you step into it," Vera said. “I’m so glad you’re back in town, Vera.” She had been out of town for business and I’m glad she’s back now. We stepped into the club, and bright lights spun around, giving it a playful glow to the dancing crowd. Laughter and music filled the air; let's not forget the smell of cigarettes, sweat, and alcohol too. As the night took on a carefree atmosphere. I found myself swaying to the beat, as the effects of a few drinks began to kick in and take hold of my mind and body. This made me even forget that I had just gone through a breakup. In the midst of my celebration, my eyes landed on a handsome stranger across the room. Our eyes locked. “That guy is totally checking you out!!!” Vera yelled over. “I think it’s time to have fun.” I walked over to
Ethan’s POV I walked into my hotel building and headed for my suite. My best friend Oliver, who was sipping on a drink at the minibar, laughed when he saw me. “You called that witch to get married out of the blue, what the fuck man!” “That old geezer gave me no choice, Oliver. I figured if I married Luna first, my marriage to anyone else would be void since bigamy is illegal in New York. But grandfather was literally waiting at the bureau before I got there, like he knew my plans.” And Oliver burst out laughing again. “I’m sorry, Ethan; you know what he’s capable of, and you wouldn’t blame him; you’re quite popular with the reporters. They even recently said you’re gay. Marrying Luna after your parents arranged someone else for you would have given them more things to gossip about if they found out.” “Hmpf,” I scoffed. “Like I give a fuck. Well, now I just have to make that bride back out like the rest.” “Relax, man, you just got your grandfather’s approval on Project Brazi
Scarlett’s POV It had barely been two weeks since the arranged marriage with Ethan, and when he told me the other day that marriage was going to be hell for me, he wasn’t joking. Every day since the wedding has been from one hooker to the other, he doesn’t even respect the fact that he doesn’t stay alone anymore. He brings these girls home and doesn’t even try to be quiet; they would be so loud to the extent that I could hear everything that goes on in his room. The thought alone has me feeling nauseous. I found myself sitting in the confines of our dimly lit living room once again, another night to feel disrespected by my dear husband, Mr Ethan. I waited for him because I just wouldn’t be able to sleep if I didn’t know if he was home or not. It’s not love; that’s just how I am, and I’ll do it for literally anyone. As Ethan stumbled through the doorway, his eyes unfocused. In his arms, yet another woman clung to him, their laughter mingling with the present anger in my heart. Hi
Scarlett’s POV With my heart pounding, I dashed out into the hallway and saw Ethan trembling on the floor; his eyes had rolled backward. I heard the front door slam shut as the blonde girl he’d brought home was nowhere to be found; she had fled the scene already. I leaned beside Ethan, feeling a wave of fury and concern sweep over me. "Ethan, what's happening to you?" I asked calmly, trying not to panic so I wouldn't scare him. He couldn't respond as he was still trembling, and by this time, frothing from the mouth. I knew this wasn’t child's play, so I quickly dialed 911. “911 here, what's your emergency, please?” a male dispatcher's calm voice answered. “Oh God…. Something terrible is happening to my husband! Please save him.” I panicked, choking on my words. “Ma’am, I need to help you, but to do that, you must be calm and speak clearly, okay? What is happening to your husband?” “My husband is frothing and trembling, his eyes are rolled backward; please help.” I begged wh
Scarlet’s POV I slowly regained consciousness, protecting my eyes from the light. Immediately after I opened them, my head started spinning, and I felt nauseous. What happened?“Doctor, she's awake!” I hear Vera’s voice. “Scarr, are you alright? Do you need anything?” She kept asking me tons of questions that I didn’t even have time to answer. She looked so worried and scared that I couldn’t help but let out a little laugh because that was so unlike Vera. My throat was a little too dry, my laughter soon turned into uncontrollable coughs, and Vera rushed to get me a cup of water. A doctor walked in with Mr Donovan trailing behind her, he looked so relieved. How long was I even out for?“How are you feeling now, Mrs Donovan?” she said, coming closer to me, trying to examine my head, and holding my eyes open, one after the other. “I’m fine, what happened?” I asked, sitting up. I felt okay; to be honest, it didn’t even hurt anywhere, and I wasn't feeling sick either.“You passed ou