CHAPTER 8

Lucas stared at Scarlett and the kids for a long five minutes, and he could barely have words to describe how peaceful they looked in their sleep.

He had been worried about his kids the whole night. He knew how much they were scared of the thunderstorm, and Daphne could barely keep her eyes open at the first drop of rain.

For the first time since she started work, he was grateful that she was there, and the children felt so at peace with her. He watched them snuggle up to her, and it warmed his heart.

When Scarlett looked up at him, he quickly looked away, but it was already too late to feign anger. She sat up with a start, and it almost made him chuckle. She was so intimidated by him, and he liked it so much. He did not like her one bit and did not want her to feel relaxed around him.

"I thought I said no contact with my kids," he said to her in an upset, but somewhat calm tone.

Maybe if you stayed at home with them last night, they would not have to be curled up in my bed.

Scarlett said those words and rolled her eyes in her mind, and was tempted to say it to his face, but she still valued the financial security that her job offered her.

"I'm so sorry sir," she said instead, her head down, and her voice shaky.

"Get the children dressed for school," he said with a huff before he turned around and left. 

Scarlett slumped back to the bed and was overly grateful that he had not given her any more punishment. It was barely a week into her new job and she was already hanging on a thin thread.

She soon got up and hurriedly prepared the kids for school. Lucas was long gone for work, and she wondered if he ever took a break or had time to sleep.

Daphne had once mentioned that he had been that way since his wife died. He immersed himself in work and let the stress absorb him. He even began to see less of the children. 

One time, Scarlett wanted to pity him, but on the other hand, she remembered how much of cruel a person he was and the horrible things he said to her.

Daphne sat at the kitchen counter with a cup of coffee as she read something on her tablet. She was so engrossed that she had barely heard Scarlett sneak up behind her. She turned around with a start, and they both laughed.

"What are you doing today?" Scarlett asked, pouring herself a cup of coffee and taking a seat beside Daphne.

"I'm just tidying up, you know, making final preparations for my trip the day after tomorrow," Daphne replied, her eyes still fixed on the trip behind her.

Scarlett's heart fell. The thought of Daphne leaving made her want to leave too. She wondered how she would survive the nuisance to her life that was Lucas if Daphne left the house. 

"Oh! I didn't know you were traveling," Scarlett said in a low sad voice, but Daphne heard the distance in her voice already, and turned to her, dropping the cup of coffee she held in her left hand, and placed warm palms on Scarlett's thigh.

"I have to go for my MBA as soon as possible. I have postponed it long enough," she began in a soft voice. It was as though she was seeking a kind of approval from her.

"I know that you and Lucas are not best friends now," she continued. "But I promise you that he just needs time. Soon, everything will fall into place."

"It's just that I am going to miss you so much," Scarlett blurted out. Daphne let out a soft smile and without any more words, she stood up and held Scarlett in a warm embrace.

They chattered for a while, even though Daphne worked most of the time.

"I think we should hang out tomorrow," Daphne suggested. "Just like a farewell dinner before I leave," she added.

"That is a good idea," Scarlett agreed. "But I think your brother may n–"

Can we just leave my brother out of this?" Daphne said, and they both laughed.

Scarlett looked at Daphne. They had just known each other for a very short time, but they had managed to create a kind of blissful bond, that she was sure would transcend into a lifetime friendship.

*******

Daphne borrowed her red short sequin dress on the day they were to have that dinner. The children had gone out with their dad. He usually took Fridays off work to spend quality time with them, and Daphne knew that it was their chance.

But they did not head to a restaurant. They went to a nightclub where Daphne introduced Scarlett to a few of her friends.

Scarlett felt shy when they told her that she was stunning, and she also felt out of place because all of Daphne's friends reeked of affluence. However, she was determined to have a good time. Daphne was a great host too as she never left her side.

Scarlett had been a little shy about joining the others on the dancefloor when the music started.

"Come onnn…" Daphne had urged as her friends took her in. Scarlett watched them from where she sat. They swayed their bodies relentlessly to the rhythm of the music. She had never seen Daphne that way, so it was a bit exciting to watch. She soon finished her first swig of beer, and she felt lightheaded.

In a matter of minutes, she damned the consequences and went to join them on the dancefloor. Sweaty bodies made contact with her and the air reeked of alcohol, but she was too tipsy to care about it. She did not mind.

Daphne giggled as they held hands and danced, rubbish their slim bodies against each other. Strong hands grabbed Scarlett from behind. Fear rose in her eyes as her mind trailed back to the incidents of the night that she was sexually assaulted. She swiftly turned around and freed herself from the grip of the young man that was insistent on just having fun.

She knew she overreacted, but she could not help it. A wave of exhaustion overwhelmed her and she went back to where she previously sat and slumped into the sofa, closed her eyes, and threw her head backward.

Daphne and her friends joined her afterward, and they made a toast to Daphne and wished her well on her journey to her MBA. 

As the cool night air hit their faces outside the club, Daphne moaned in satisfaction, and in a manner of minutes, they were seated in a cab.

Meanwhile, the house was dimly lit when they got in. Lucas had probably lowered the lights. They toppled over the side chair that rested beside the couch, and they giggled, putting their hands over their mouth.

They had barely made it to the stairs before the lights turned bright again. Lucas was there with folded hands in front of his chest as he looked down at them, his green eyes bearing so much disdain.

"Where are you coming from by this time of the night?" He said, anger pulsing through him. 

"The club," Daphne replied, sticking her hand out, as though she was trying to say that he had no right to ask her about it. 

He looked over at Scarlett and scanned her. She twitched uncomfortably under his gaze. Without any more words, he turned around and stomped off. 

They heard his door slam shut before they let out a giggle again. They could barely hold it in.

Her room was the first they got to, and they both slumped on the bed and were soon in a deep sleep. 

                      ***

Scarlett had been counting the days and hours before Daphne would leave. It seemed as though a happy part of her that she had managed to create in the last few days would be gone. She wondered how she would survive with Lucas without Daphne.

The morning finally came, and Scarlett had woken up first and headed to Daphne's room. Daphne was still sleeping like a log, and Scarlett wanted her to stay that way. If she missed her flight, she would spend more time with her.

She hesitantly woke her afterward, and after some minutes, she headed to the kids' room and got them dressed up for the day. 

After breakfast, Daphne's ride appeared in the driveway and they all went outside with her to see her off. Even Lucas had managed to come and bid her goodbye.

"We will miss you, Aunty Daphne," Callan spoke first.

"Awwww," Daphne let out before she gathered them in an embrace.

She gave Scarlett a long hug, and Lucas a warm smile that he surprisingly returned before she headed for her ride.

They watched her drive away and when the car was out of sight, the kids headed back in first.

"I guess it's just me and you now," Lucas said, smiling mischievously before heading into the house. Scarlett feared his words.

Things were about to change for the worse.