Chapter 1 - Scarlett Ford

A FEW MONTHS EARLIER:

SCARLETT:

I calmly inhale, taking in the plush furnishings and the soothing scent of lavender as I step into the lobby of the luxurious spa with my best friends, Lexi and Olivia. A group of beautiful women wearing elegant spa uniforms with champagne flutes in their hands welcome us.

“We’re delighted to have you here,” the lady says with a smile before asking for our names and reservation details. I step forward and hand over the details, feeling a flutter of excitement in my stomach.

I’ve been looking forward to this with my best friends for weeks; we’ve all been. After all, we only come here once a year, and it’s not like we can afford to come on our own. All of us have been so busy with exams that we haven’t had time to get together and catch up.

While the ladies verify our information, we chat excitedly about the treatments I have chosen before we are led to the private room. We try something new every time.

The spa date is courtesy of Mrs. Colette Sterling, my mom’s boss. It’s my 19th birthday, and she always does something special for me on my birthday. The day always begins with a spa day, then a birthday party, and finally a weekend getaway.

Last year, we went to the Maldives, and I took my friends with me that time too; I take them everywhere if I can, and it’s always different destinations every time. Mrs. Sterling went with us; she always does, and my mother was invited along, but she made up an excuse and politely declined.

No matter how much I begged her to come with us, she wouldn’t change her mind and for the life of me, I didn’t understand. I would never turn away an all-expenses-paid trip to go lie in the sun by the beach the whole day, especially working as hard as she does.

It was also my first grown-up vacation as I was turning eighteen. We even went clubbing, which is something I couldn’t do before. I don’t think Mrs. Sterling is taking us anywhere this year, though, because normally I would know already. I know money is not an issue, so she must be busy or something.

As we settle into our plush chairs and sip on our champagne, the spa attendant informs us about a new treatment that is included in our package, and we exchange glances, intrigued by the idea of the Diamond Glow Facial. We have no idea what it is, and Lexi asks, which the lady explains. After we agree to try it, she leaves the room so we can prepare for our treatment.

“Oh, this place is nice, you guys,” Olivia gushes over our surroundings, beaming in excitement, and she’s right. There’s always some feature added or something new every time we come. “You have to be the luckiest girl I know. My mother must come work for the Sterlings,” she adds, causing Lexi and me to chuckle. She is right.

My mother and I moved into the Sterling household when I was four years old after she secured a job as the house manager. The drivers and everyone else could live where they wanted, but everyone who worked inside the house stayed on the premises. Mrs. Sterling wanted it that way. So, my mother and I lived in the servants’ quarters, which we shared with other staff.

But when it was time for me to start school, the Sterlings took me in. They gave me a room inside and put me in the same school their child went to. They paid for all my expenses as if I were their child, and nothing has changed. I’m in my second year of university now and they continue to make sure I have everything I need. Mom always says she doesn’t know how she could ever thank them for all they’ve done and continue to do for us, and I feel the same.

*

*

Soft music fills the room as the masseuses return. They begin our treatments, and I feel myself slipping into a state of complete relaxation as the massage therapist works my muscles. But then my phone that I forgot to turn off rings, and the masseuse hands it over to me, and I thank her.

I like to leave my phone off when I’m here and just fully commit to the moment. A smile stretches across my face, seeing who it is; however, it doesn’t last long the moment I read the text. Something came up and he won’t be able to fly down this weekend. I sigh disappointedly, causing Olivia to lift her head and ask me what is wrong. “Reed is not coming,” I mutter, casting the phone aside, suddenly uninterested in the massage.

Reed Sterling is Mr. and Mrs. Sterling’s son. Being the only child, we did everything together, from going to school to playing sports. He is two years older than me, and I always teamed up with him in activities. He and I became inseparable, and I was so devastated when he had to go finish his studies overseas that I almost failed that term.

I missed him so much that my mother noticed and worried that I was sick, even though we spent hours on the phone every day talking about everything and anything. Reed was only supposed to come home during the summer holidays, but when I told him how miserable I was without him, he promised he would come home at least once a month, and for the past two years, he has done so, except this month, it seems.

He was my only friend, as I didn’t know Lexi and Olivia then. I only became friends with them after he left, but even though we instantly hit it off, they couldn’t fill the void he left.

We still talk on the phone for hours until we can barely keep our eyes open every night, and they think I’m in love with him, but that’s not true. I don’t see him that way. He’s never missed my birthday, and I’m heartbroken; his return was the other thing I was looking forward to, and he knows it, too. That’s why he doesn’t even have the guts to call me. This day is ruined.

I lay my head down and try to push the sad thoughts away even though I know I’m already going to fail and just then, Lexi gets up and heads out of the room, saying she has to use the ladies. Olivia tells me she’s sorry Reed’s not coming, and I mumble a reply, reaching for the flute again and gulping the contents down. It’s my birthday; I have to try harder than this. I owe it to my friends.

***

HOURS LATER:

A knock on my bedroom door snaps my head towards it, and I’m greeted by my mother’s warm smile. Her eyes light up as she takes in the sight of me in my new dress and I can’t help but feel a surge of pride. From the spa, Colette took us shopping for outfits for tonight and I ended up with a stunning silver bodycon dress and matching blue heels. The party theme is silver, so the dress fits perfectly.

Lexi and Ollie also bought themselves silver dresses, along with all the other things we all bought. I thank my mom, and she let me know everyone is waiting for me to start the party. I ask if everyone includes my friends, and she assures me they’ve arrived. However, a frown creases her forehead, causing mine to do the same, wondering why her gaze suddenly turned scrutinizing. I don’t wonder for long, though, as she speaks before I can ask her what is wrong.

“What’s wrong, honey? Is it Reed?” She asks, cupping my cheek, I nod, unable to even deny it, and she hugs me, offering reassurance that he would have come if he could. I tell her I called him, but he didn’t pick up and Mom repeats that she’s sorry and assures me he’ll make it up to me.

I know he will, but I’m still sad. I've tried to get over the fact that he isn't coming but I just can't. As we separate from the embrace, I assure my mother that I will be out presently. However, she only takes one step before turning around and calling my name. I hum in response, and her next words catch me off guard.

“Scarlett, are you in love with Reed?” My eyes widen, shocked, before I shake my head, explaining that I love him as a friend and don’t see him that way. She knows me. Surely, she would know if I were in love. I add that and she nods, raising her hands in surrender, sensing my frustration. “Okay. See you in front,” she says with a smile before leaving.

I take a deep breath, taken aback by my reaction to her question. Yes, I wasn’t expecting that from her, but my reaction was unwarranted. Plus, frustration shouldn’t be my emotion right now; gratitude should, and so I push everything to the back of my mind. After one last glance in the mirror, I head out of the room.

I can hear the ballroom buzzing with lively chatter as I make my way down the staircase, catching snippets of conversations and laughter, and as soon as I step inside, the room erupts into cheers.

“Happy birthday, Scarlett!” A big grin stretches across my face as I take in the collective greeting, coming to a halt. Ollie and Lexi, standing in the front row, radiate dazzling energy, also in their new outfits and it is at this moment that I finally let it sink in that it’s my birthday and that it’s a happy day.

As the cheers fade, the familiar melody of “Happy Birthday” rises, and the entire room joins in, their voices blending in a harmonious chorus. I stand in the center, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of affection surrounding me and tears pool in my eyes, a familiar response to the swell of gratitude that washes over me.

The singing reaches its peak, and the room bursts into applause while I continue to stand there, feeling like the luckiest person in the world. Mom catches my eye, mouthing “I love you” as she holds Colette’s arm, and I respond with a grateful nod.

I’m gently led towards a beautifully decorated table—the centerpiece a magnificent birthday cake, adorned with silver frosting and all other mouth-watering decorations. It’s a work of art as usual, and the room quiets as I approach the table—the singing replaced by eager smiles and expectant gazes.

I take a deep breath, making a silent wish before blowing out the candles and applause erupts once more. I turn to hug my mother and then Colette, but just as I lean in, a movement by the entrance catches the corner of my eye. I look up and my eyes widen while my heart skips a beat at the sight of the person who almost made me lock myself in my bedroom on my birthday. A scream tears through my throat over the now-playing music as our eyes meet and without a second thought, I bolt towards him.

“You’re here!” I exclaim, throwing myself into his embrace while he holds a gift bag and a beautiful bouquet. He chuckles, returning the hug, and whispers, “Happy birthday.” We linger in the embrace, everyone's voices fading into the background, and when I finally pull back, he presents me with the flowers and the gift bag, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Thank you,” I express gratitude, genuinely touched, but playfully hit his arm and ask why he said he wasn’t coming. He grins, teasingly admitting that he wanted to surprise me this time, adding that my parties always lacked the dramatic element his unexpected arrival now provides.

We share a laugh before embracing again, and together we proceed into the room. As we enter, his mother walks up to him with a smile on her face, and they share a hug. Meanwhile, I hug my mother, the surprise and joy of the moment lingering in the air, and I ask her if she knew he was coming, seeing how she doesn’t look surprised.

Her smile broadens, and she says he asked them not to say anything. Just then, Colette stops next to us, and I turn to her and hug her, too, expressing my gratitude for everything. She tells me I’m welcome, her eyes reflecting the joy of making this day special for me.

We all head toward the beautifully adorned table where the feast awaits and laughter and conversation fill the air as we take our seats while I reach for my best friend’s hand, both of us exchanging smiles. We sit next to each other, and the feast begins, the room alive with the clinking of glasses and the sounds of shared delight while delicious aromas waft from the plates. I steal glances at my best friend, still unable to believe he’s here.