Chapter 2

Scarlett's POV

Flashback

September 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 him, feeling an inflow of warmth come over me, both from the alcohol in my system and from the handsome stranger who was already staring at me. As I approached him, he faced me, his gentle blue eyes dazzling with a shared sense of mischief.

"Care to dance?" he asked playfully as if he was also drunk too.

I giggled, feeling a rush of boldness from the alcohol. "I would love to."

As we moved together on the dance floor, our bodies swayed with the beat.

“You have such funny dance moves,” we both laughed.

“Is that your way of flattering?” I laughed barely understanding what I was saying.

With each spin, my consciousness melted away, and we found ourselves lost in a carefree embrace.

“We’re so wasted!!” I yelled over the music.

“That isn’t so bad now, is it?” We laughed, and I couldn’t help but notice his strong facial features; he looked so good.

He leaned in closer, his warm breath caressing my ear. "You have the most beautiful smile," he whispered, sending shivers down my spine as his murmurs tantalized my senses.

“And you have a way with words," I responded.

"Would you like to take this upstairs?" I smiled as he whispered seductively in my ear.

"Upstairs?" I ask, and he nods. Despite being skeptical, I gave in to the heedless abandon of the moment, my drunken self was just too carried away to say no.

We started to make out immediately we got into one of the rooms, and he lifted me off the ground so swiftly.

"I want you so bad right now," he whispers with his lips still on mine, and I suck in a sharp breath as he starts to undress me. I don't know if this has anything to do with the alcohol, but this felt good. He starts sucking on my neck, making me let out a soft moan. I could feel the smile he had on his face.

"I love that," he whispers against my neck.

The rest of the evening was a blur to me. I had an excruciating headache, waking up the following day. I turned to the stranger's side, he was fast asleep. I quickly got dressed and left quietly.

“Seems like you had a great night,” I jumped at the sound of Vera’s voice

“You scared me,” I said with my hand on my chest, emphasizing the scare and she let out a laugh.

“So where were you last night? I looked everywhere for you,” she said, giving me a look that says ‘I know what you did last night.’

“Get off my case Vera,” I said, struggling to take off my shoes. My head was still killing me.

“Do we have any painkillers left? My head is literally banging so bad,” I said

“If you swear to tell me everything, I'll get you the pills and make you some jasmine tea.” I just nodded my head, trying not to drag this any further.

PRESENT DAY

APRIL 2024

“Mom, do I really have to do this? What about Sapphire? can’t she be the one getting married?” I asked Mom, as I followed her into the kitchen.

“Sapphire? Really now, Scarlett, when was the last time you saw or talked to Sapphire?” she asked me, but no response came to mind.

“That’s what I thought,” and she walked out of the kitchen again, with me trailing behind her like a tail.

“But you’re making me get married to a man I know nothing of, what if he abuses me, or even worse, what if he’s a murderer?” I tried to make my point.

“Life isn’t like the dumb books you read and write, you’ll marry Ethan Donovan,” she responded dismissively.

“I will not, why is this even so important to the both of you? What if I get killed in that marriage? what would happen!” I yelled at her.

“You would not talk to me without manners, young lady, do you even know why this is so important to us? We are bankrupt, we are losing everything we own.”

That isn’t possible, Dad never mentioned anything like that, it has to be a lie.

“No, you’re lying”

“So it’s either you put a stop to your childish act and do as we say or you watch our family lose everything we own and even the respect we have in society and watch your father and I disown you just like we did to your sister because if all of this happens, it’ll be your fault.” She sounded so angry.

“You disowned Sapphire?” My voice quivered. I had no idea, she had simply just stopped visiting home for the holidays and stopped communicating with everyone.

“Scarlett, at this point you have the freedom to decide what you want, but know this, if you let our family's name get tarnished, just be sure you’ll regret it.”

“Do you prefer your societal status to the happiness of your children?” I knew the answer.

“Yes, I do”

“You’re a terrible mother.” I picked up my things and angrily stormed out of the house.