Caught Red-Handed

 

SCARLETT

“Hey, Collins, what are you doing here?”

The sound of my father’s voice was like a thunderclap in the quiet room, shaking me to my core. My heart stopped for a second before hammering furiously in my chest. I pressed my back harder against the wall, hoping I could somehow melt into it and disappear.

Zayden, standing a few feet from me, looked equally shaken. His face paled as he turned toward the door, forcing a tight smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“I just came by because I heard you were here, so I wanted to see you about something,” Zayden said casually, though his voice had a slight tremble.

“Oh, really?” My dad’s voice was calm, too calm, and that scared me more than if he had been yelling.

I bit my lip, my breath shallow as I stood frozen behind the wall. If my dad found me here, everything would be over. He would explode, and Zayden would be in serious trouble.

My father had always been overprotective—okay, maybe that was an understatement. He had a history of losing it whenever he caught me with any guy. I still remembered the time he almost shot a boy who dared to ask me out. Another time, he caught me kissing someone, and he nearly ran the poor guy over with his truck.

And now? This wasn’t just any guy. This was Zayden—his best friend.

I held my breath as I peeked around the corner. My dad was standing with his arms crossed, staring Zayden down like he was trying to read his mind. Zayden, to his credit, looked calm on the outside, but I knew him well enough to see the tension in his jaw and the way his hands fidgeted at his sides.

“I’ll catch up with you later, man,” Zayden said suddenly, walking toward the door.

For a terrifying moment, I thought my dad might stop him, but he just nodded and stepped aside. Zayden walked out without looking back, and I released a shaky breath, my knees feeling like they might give out.

When I was sure they were both gone, I grabbed my phone from the bed and rushed out of the room. My heart was still racing as I hurried down the hallway, trying to process what had just happened.

“Scarlett, what the heck just happened?” I muttered to myself, my mind spinning.

I had just narrowly avoided disaster. Thank God my dad hadn’t found me in that room. If he had… I didn’t even want to think about it.

As soon as I was outside, I pulled out my phone and called Jessica, my best friend.

“Hey, Jess, you won’t believe what just happened,” I whispered, glancing around to make sure no one could hear me.

“What? Did you actually do it?” she asked, her voice filled with excitement.

I hesitated, my cheeks burning. “Yeah. I did it. With him.”

Jessica gasped so loudly I had to hold the phone away from my ear. “ With who?” Jessica's voice rang.

“With Zayden.” I whispered my hands ribbing the bedsheet and anything I could see.

“iOh my God!  Really! Are you serious? You actually slept with Zayden?”

“Yes!” I said, a mix of excitement and panic in my voice. “And now I think my dad might have figured it out. He almost caught us this morning!”

“No way,” Jessica breathed. “What happened?”

I quickly explained everything—the fight, the night at the club, waking up next to Zayden, and my dad showing up right as we were trying to sneak out.

“This is insane,” Jessica said when I finished. “I can’t believe you finally did it. You’ve been obsessed with Zayden for years.”

“I know,” I said, my heart still racing. “But now I don’t know what to do. What if my dad finds out?”

“Just act normal,” Jessica said. “He doesn’t know anything, right?”

“I don’t think so,” I said, though I wasn’t entirely sure.

“Tell us more about it. “ Clara’s voice came out of nowhere.

“Alright, let me meet you guys at Sanka restaurant.” I said grinning from ear to ear as I dropped down my phone and was dressed up quickly.

As I left the hotel I couldn't stop thinking of the way he felt towards me. The way he fucked me. He was the best. I knew he was. And now ftee that sex I think I've fallen deeply in love with him. I'm missing him already. What do I do to make him mine?

I was still thinking I felt a hand grab my arm. Before I could react, two men in black suits appeared out of nowhere and dragged me toward a car parked at the curb.

“Who the heck are you guys! Who sent you!” I yelled but they were strong.

 “Hey! Let me go!” I shouted, struggling against their grip.

They didn’t say a word as they shoved me into the backseat and slammed the door.

My heart was pounding in terror as the car sped off, taking me straight home.

When we arrived, the men pulled me out of the car and escorted me into the house. My dad was waiting for me in the living room, his face dark with anger.

“Sit,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

I sat down, my hands trembling in my lap. Zayden was there too, standing near the window with his arms crossed. He wouldn’t meet my eyes.

My dad paced back and forth in front of me, his jaw clenched. Finally, he stopped and turned to me, holding up his phone.

“Care to explain this?” he asked, showing me a picture on the screen.

My blood ran cold.

It was a photo of me and Zayden at the club last night. We were standing close, too close, and it was obvious from the way we were looking at each other that something had happened between us.

My heart started racing again as I realized the truth.

Someone had seen us.

And now my dad knew everything.