The DVD stopped and Scarlett looked around trying to regain her composure. Maggie wiped her eyes.
“Can we keep that? Just so we can see her?”
“Yeah you can that would be no problem.”
“I want to thank you for helping us through this.”
Scarlett said trying to stop the tears.
“It's my job. We will be contacting you shortly with the details and the transfers.”
“Ok thank you.”
They walked out the office and Scarlett looked at Devon who was hugging Angel.
“She always knows what we need to hear doesn’t she?”
Devon hugged her.
“Always.”
As they walked to the elevator, Maggie wiped her tears away and the elevator doors opened. Jay and Chris smiled as they came face to face with Scarlett, Angel Maggie, and Devon.
“Hey guys how are you.”
Jay hugged Scarlett as they entered the elevator.
“How are you holding up?”
“I'm ok. Still a little sad but ok.”
Jay smiled. “Are we still on for dinner tonight?”
“Yeah if you can bare being around me.”
“I think I can manage.”
“Chris how is everything at Water’s Empire?”
“Well Christian’s new assistant is nothing like you. She misspells things and is so lazy. She won’t even bring me files.”
“I miss it if you can believe it.”
“Well it misses you. Christian does too.”
As the doors opened, Christian stood there with Amber. She pulled him closer but he pulled away as he saw Scarlett.
“Scarlett how are you?”
Amber smirked. “You should’ve listened.”
Scarlett stared at Christian then walked off the elevator. Amber tried to hold him back but he went after her as everyone else stood back.
“Scarlett wait.”
He caught up to her.
“Scarlett it’s not what you think.”
“I don't really care.”
“Scarlett.”
“I don't! I was just up here taking care of some business.”
He moved closer to her. “I miss seeing you here I miss being around you.”
“Yeah well I am sure Amber is taking good care of you.”
“Amber and I are not together.”
“Tell that to the article in last week’s paper.”
“That was a cheap photo opt by her and Mom. I don’t want her.”
“Well you don't want me I got to go.” She said continuing to walk away.
Christian followed her. “Please talk to me.”
“NO.”
“Scarlett will you stop being so damn stubborn and just listen to me for a minute.”
“Christian will you stop being so damn annoying and leave me alone.”
“Scarlett I love you please listen to me.”
Scarlett looked at him tears brimming her eyes.
“I did listen to you. I loved you and I let me guard down I trusted you and look what happened.”
She walked away to the car noticing somehow, the kids beat her to it. Chris gave a sigh of frustration as Scarlett beeped the car and everyone got in.
“Scarlett you know he isn’t dating her.”
“It doesn’t really matter now does it?”
“I guess not. Did you get the flowers we sent?”
“Yeah I got the flowers and I also got the gifts and cards from your brother. He seems to be doing really well for himself.”
“Yeah I guess so. Can’t you come back?”
“I've thought about it. But I don’t know if I can work with him anymore.”
“Then work for me.”
“I don’t know about that either…now that I have the money I think I am going to go back to school.”
Jay smiled. “You're going to finish your degree?”
“Yes I am. But, I think I am going to change my major.”
“That is great. I am so proud of you…I know your mom is too.”
“Thanks…well we have to get going.”
Chris patted Devon on the back. “Devon am I still picking you up for practice tonight?”
“Yeah if you don’t mind, with Scarlett dropping the girls off at their friends and then hanging with Jay I don’t think I’d have a ride.”
“I don’t mind at all.”
“You girls are coming to the picnic right?”
“Yes mom said she was going to pick us up for it tomorrow.”
“Great.”
“Speaking of that I want to thank you for allowing Fran to come with the girls.”
“It's not a problem.”
“So I will see you at 6 Scar?”
“Yes ma’am.”
***
Scarlett drank her auntie Annie’s lemonade as Jayla talked about her students. They grabbed a bench at sat down. Scarlett smiled.
“People sure do love the mall don’t they?”
“Hey everyone loves to shop. I know I do. I have to pick a new bathing suit.”
“You know I need one too.”
“You know I owe you.”
“Owe me what?”
“Keeping me and Chris together.”
“I didn't do anything.”
“You did. I was really mad and ready to leave and you yelled at us both.”
“I wasn’t in a good place.”
“Yeah well you saved us.”
“Excuse me?”
Scarlett looked up and saw a tall man smiling down at her. She knew she knew him but she couldn’t place him.”
“Hi can I help you?”
“Your name is Scarlett right?”
“Yes it is.”
“I’m Romeo. We met at the ball I'm a friend of Christian’s.”
“Oh yeah I'm sorry I didn’t recognize you.”
“It's ok. Christian told me about your mom. I'm sorry.”
“It's ok. We are doing better.”
“That’s good. So I was wondering if you wanted to go to the movies with me sometime.”
“Romeo you are very attractive and all but I am kind of in a relationship.”
“Oh I'm sorry I didn’t know.”
“It's ok. It’s a new relationship but I don’t want to lead you on.”
“It's ok. Christian is a very lucky guy.”
“What makes you think Christian and I are together?”
“I saw the way you guys looked at each other. He is really lucky.”
“Thank you.”
“Bye.”
Romeo walked away. Jay smiled at her.
“You have a boyfriend huh.”
“No I just said it to make him leave.”
“You still love him don’t you?”
Scarlett looked at Jay. “I can’t help it…it’s not something I could just turn off.”
“So go tell him.”
“Jay I can’t. I am so angry.”
“It wasn’t his fault. He knew your dad was the cause of your pain. He really did think your brother was concerned.”
“That’s not why I am angry we talked through that the day before the funeral.”
“Then what?”
“I told Christian everything but the most important thing. I wanted to I did but I couldn’t.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I left something out from everyone but Shane. Not even Devon or Maggie knows this.”
“What is it?”
“Jay I was forced to marry Danger. And while I was stuck with him I fell in love with him.”
“What?”
“When I found out I was pregnant and I told my mom she went nuts and kicked my dad out. Derek willingly left with him. We thought everything was over. But
Darrel my loser father told Danger I was pregnant. Danger stalked me for a couple of weeks. In reality, I shouldn’t have talked to him. But Val convinced me I should. After that, he followed me around. I wanted to tell my
mom that he was stalking me but she was working so hard. She wanted me to forget and as long as he wasn’t putting his hands on me, I was fine.
But then things changed. One day when I was about four months pregnant, I was walking home from school and they ambushed me. They kidnapped me and took me to a wedding Chapel somewhere I don’t know. I was 17 and had my father’s permission. But I wouldn’t agree to marry him. So they drugged me up and when I awoke I was married.”
“Scarlett…oh my.”
Ten years and some odd months earlier.
Genie smiled as Scarlett stepped out of her car.
“Scarlett don’t forget you have a doctor’s appointment after school.”
“I will be outside waiting for you mom.”
“You know everything is going to be ok right?”
Scarlett looked at her. “Mom I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t scared.”
“We’ll just keep looking at the positive. You don't have a disease and the baby is growing healthy.”
“You really think I can do this mom?”
Genie reached her hand out and Scarlett took it.
“Yes I do. I am raising a strong and beautiful woman. I am so proud of you.”
“Thanks momma. So I will see you right after school. Love ya.”
Scarlett grabbed her bag and walked out the door. As she walked to school, someone tapped her on her shoulder. She looked over and screamed as Val reached out to hug her. Scarlett couldn’t get over how she looked. Val wore a pair of faded blue jeans and a white shirt that was three sizes too small for her.
“Val!!! How are you? I heard your parents made you leave.”
“They did but Pj came and got me.”
“Val please tell me that you aren’t still messing with him.”
“We are in love. Well look at you looking all beautiful.”
She looked Scarlett up and down and smiled at the black skirt jumper she wore with a white top.
“I'm nowhere near beautiful but I'm ok.”
“I don't think Danger would agree.”
“I don't really care what he thinks.”
“Danger loves you.”
“He doesn’t love me.”
“He does. He misses you. He wants to see you.”
“I don't want to see him.”
“Please he just wants to know you’re ok.”
“Well you see me so you can tell him how I am.”
“This man your mom has you believing he is isn’t him and you know it. After everything you guys have been through can’t you just see him?”
Scarlett looked at her friend then her watch. She sighed. “I can spare five minutes where is he?”
“In that car over there.”
Scarlett looked at the 1972 grey Monte Carlo sitting in a parking spot across the street. Danger stepped out the car as Scarlett walked over to him. She couldn’t deny that a part of her was still attracted to him. He wore a white tee and a pair of black jeans. His hair tapered around his head and he had a goatee. She took a breath as she walked closer to him.
“Scarlett thanks for coming over here.”
“Val said you wanted to talk to me.”
“I wanted to see how you were doing.”
“I'm ok.”
“So is it true?”
“Is what true?”
“Well I heard a rumor that you were pregnant.”
Scarlett shifted. “You should know not to listen to rumors.”
“So you’re not?”
“I should be getting back before the bell rings.”
“Please just tell me the truth. Are you pregnant?”
“Yes I am.”
“And I'm the father?”
“Well let's see I have only ever been with you so I would say yeah.”
“Scarlett why didn't you tell me?”
Scarlett looked at him and notice the compassion in his eyes.
“Well I have to get to school.”
“Can't you stay and talk to me for a little while like the old times.”
“James I would love to but I have to get to class. Then I have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.”
“Scarlett I really think we need to talk about this.”
“There is nothing to talk about. I shouldn’t have even come over here.”
“Scarlett we need to talk about this.”
Scarlett turned to walk away but Danger grabbed her arm.
“Scarlett.”
“James I have a restraining order against you and I don't want to get you in trouble so we shouldn’t even be talking. Leave me alone ok I don't want to hurt you by turning you in.”
She pulled away and walked down the street to school. After school as she waited for her mom, she noticed Danger’s car parked across the street. When her mother arrived, she decided as long as he kept his distance everything was fine so she kept it to herself. This went on for a few weeks. She finally decided that she would tell her mom what had been going on. Tell her that Danger had been following her. As she was on her way home, Pj came out of nowhere.
“Hey Scarlett how are you?”
“Pj?”
“Yeah.”
“I'm ok.”
Scarlett walked pass him but he grabbed her arm.
“Danger has been worried about you.”
“Well you can tell him I'm fine. But he knows that because he has been following me.”
“You told him to keep his distance and he has.”
“And I appreciate it. Pj I got to go.”
She walked away but he pulled her back to him and started to drag her.
“Pj let me go.”
He carried her to a car and she screamed as loud as she could but Pj covered her mouth as Danger and Darrel shoved her into the car. She looked up and saw Pj hop into the driver’s side and began to drive. Scarlett squirmed and struggled.
“Let me go. What are you doing?”
“This is just a sedative it won’t harm you or the baby.”
Danger pulled out a needle and stuck it into Scarlett’s arm. She began to feel drowsy and began to see things in blocks. One minute they were in the car the next they were standing somewhere. When she finally awoke, Danger was staring down at her with a glass of water. She sat up and grabbed her head. As she fumbled around the room, she didn't recognize a thing. She looked around and felt herself began to panic. The room was kind of big with burgundy wallpaper. There was a tan loveseat and a desk. She was lying on the queen bed with the burgundy flowered bedspread. She looked at the flat screen TV on the wall. There was a bathroom and a mini fridge. Scarlett noticed the phone was pulled out the jack. Danger shoved the glass into her face.
“You need to drink something.”
“Where am I? What did you do?” He handed her the cup.
“Drink up.”
“No thank you.”
“Take it.
She looked at him as she took it.
“Drink it. It's water.”
She took a sip and he smiled.
“See I told you. I wouldn’t poison my wife.”
She choked on the water and looked at him. “You’re what now?”
He held up a piece of paper.
“By the power vested in me granted by the state of Las Vegas we are man and wife.”
“But how? When? I’m just 17.”
“Your dad gave you permission. He was so proud to give his little girl away.”
“No.”
She stood up off the bed and felt dizzy.
“You might want to take it easy right now. You have been out of it for almost two days. We haven’t even had our honeymoon yet.” He leaned in to her but she pushed him away weakly.
“NO!”
“What’s wrong? Are you hungry? What am I saying you must be starving?”
Scarlett moved from the bed falling to her knees. She crawled to the corner and sat balled up. Danger sat next to her.
“So what do you want?”
She look
ed away from him. He grabbed for her hand and she pulled away. He touched her stomach.
“Look I know you’re not happy right now but you have to eat. If not for you then for the baby.”
Scarlett looked at him with tears in her eyes.
“I want to go home.”
“Scarlett you are home. So what will it be? I know you’re allergic to seafood so how about a chicken salad or fruit?”
Scarlett looked down to her stomach and had to admit she was hungry.
“Can I get a steak?”
“Steak?”
“Medium well, with a baked potatoes and sour cream ooooh and cheese. And A1 sauce and ketchup. Oh and can I get a cherry Pepsi too?”
“Wow ok how about I go order that for you now. But until they get here I have a fruit salad.” He got up and placed the order then grabbed the fruit salad out of the fridge.
“Come sit on the bed with me.”
Scarlett stayed on the floor. He shook his head.
“I won’t bite.”
Scarlett exhaled and stood up wobbly. She walked over to the bed and sat on it. Danger pulled her back to the headboard and opened the fruit salad. He placed a fork in it and pulled out a strawberry. He gave it to her and she ate it. As she savored the taste, she realized how hungry she really was. She grabbed the fruit salad from him and began to eat. Danger stroked her head as someone knocked on the door.
“Let me get that then it's you and me.”
Danger opened it and Derek walked in.
“D we got a problem.”
“What kind of problem?”
“Pj and Val do not understand that this is a nice hotel not the ghetto.”
“I'm on it. Bea I got to go handle this but I will be back.”
He walked out the room and Scarlett put the salad on the table and went to find the phone. She looked around and couldn’t find it all she found was the jack. He must have moved it. She kicked the door and screamed. As she sat back on the bed, Danger walked into the room.
“Has your food arrived?”
Scarlett shook her head no and stared away from him. He sat back down next to her.
“Are you ok?”
Scarlett shrugged. Danger grabbed her face in his hands.
“You’re not going to talk to me? Baby come on you can’t be this mad at me. This is our wedding night.”
She stared at him and then looked away. “I want to go home.”
“This is our home now. At least until we find a house.”
A Passion Rekindled Page 25
