Page 75
“Stop it. Both of you. We need to take her to the hospital.” I hear Willow say.
“No.” I do want to go to the hospital. I want to know what the hell is going on.
“Scarlett,” She whispers in my ear, “Did he, did Alan—”
“No. He didn’t.” I answer the question she was trying to ask and I lay my head against the window and cry. “He didn’t get the chance.”
“Shhh.” I’m being pulled into her lap. “You’re okay. Lay down, I’ve got you.”
“Why are you being nice to me?” I croak out.
“Because I think you need someone in your corner right now.” She replies and I’m shocked into silence.
My hair is brushed from my face by a soft hand that caresses my brow. Over and over, telling me it’s going to be alright.
How could this be? How could I not know? Why did he lie? I have nothing but questions and he's not here to give me answers.
I let my mind shut off and welcome the blackness that surrounds me, as I’m comforted in the arms of the enemy. Wouldn’t be the first time.
#####
Teddy, Willow and Piers brought me home, now here we sit, but I don't want any of them here. I just want to be alone. Angry. Ashamed. Confused.
Willow makes tea, and Teddy sits with me on my sofa as Piers paces the room, wearing out my rug.
We sit in awkward silence, until Piers starts questioning me, “Where did you meet this guy?”
“I already told you, at the Anderson event.” I huff out, pulling my throw tighter around me.
“Pretty convenient that he was the one there to rescue you from Anderson? And now you're attacked again and he happens to be there too?” He runs his hands through his hair.
“What exactly is it you’re asking? Or should I say accusing, Piers?”
“Now isn’t the time for your games, Scarlett.” He narrows his eyes at me.
“Get out.” My voice is quiet but full of steel.
“Come on Scarlett? Some guy shows up in your life? Right around the time James falls ill and the merger is hanging over all our heads. You never thought maybe he had ulterior motive?” I don’t appreciate his tone.
“What do you want me to say?” I ask, crushed that he would even think that.
“The bloody for truth for a change!” He roars.
“Piers, come on. Let’s talk about this in the morning.” Willow, hands me a mug of tea and tries to calm him down.
“Are you seeing this guy? Are you intimate with him Scarlett?” It feels like a hot poker was just shoved through my heart.
“What the hell kind of business is that of yours?” I yell.
“Yes, Piers, what business it of yours!” Willow tries to intervene.
“It’s my business if she’s dragging my company into it! If he’s using her to get to get to me, to PAN industries or to get to all of us, it’s my bloody business!”
“So now it’s your company?” Fire fills my veins and I stand and do some pacing of my own, my body aching, but needing to rid myself of this nervous energy.
“Ok, your company Piers. First of all, you bloody idiot, I’ve been nothing but ethical and professional at PAN. Throwing my past up in my face is underhanded and just plain tacky. But for your information, I haven’t been closing deals on my back.”
He stands stock still and Willow sits next to Teddy, with her hands folded in her lap as I unleash.
