Chapter Six

Scarlett's POV

I groan softly, turning in bed as streaks of gold tease my sleep ridden eyes, sneaking in through the blinds.

I sit up slowly, staring at the neon green digits on my alarm clock which told me if I didn't get up now, I'd end up being late.

Hopping out of bed, I ran my fingers through my tangled hair, stifling a yawn as I headed to the bathroom.

I really was going to be working with my childhood crush.

Against all better judgement, I let the butterflies in my stomach fester, let the crimson creep up my cheeks.

Ares. My brother's best friend. My brother's best friend who was…engaged.

Like water dousing a fire, platinum blonde locs flashed through my mind, her high pitched voice mocking me in my own mind, icy blue eyes staring at me menacingly. 

I shook my head, splashing my face with water as I rinsed my mouth, hurriedly getting into the tub.

I stood at my closet, furrowing my brows as I struggled on deciding on an outfit to wear.

Shooting a glance at my alarm clock, seven fifteen stared back at me. 

A relieved sigh left my lips as I pulled out white palazzo pants, pairing them with a  navy blue off shoulder sleeveless top.

The edges of my lips curled up slightly as I admired myself in the bathroom mirror, setting myself down at my vanity to style my hair.

I let the hair fall to my side, thinking back to dinner two nights ago.

“Bianca,” my mind said mockingly. 

I gripped a scrunchy, groaning as my hair refused to pass through.

I sighed, throwing it across the room as I resignedly picked up my flat iron.

I placed a white headband on my head, smiling as I realised I didn't hate the look.

I grabbed my purse, hurriedly applying a layer of gloss as I glanced in the mirror one more time, running a hand through my pencil straight brown hair. 

Slipping on a pair of black stilettos, I nodded firmly. 

This would have to do.

“I'm here!” I shouted, making my way into the kitchen as I hurriedly shoved a banana and some dry cereal into my mouth.

Spencer poked his head round the corner, brown hair disheveled as he held a piece of toast in one hand,  trying to knot his tie with the other.

“Need some help?” I asked, chuckling as he nodded sheepishly, crumbs of bread falling from his lips.

“Y'know for a multimillionaire, I genuinely have no idea what you'd do without me.”

“Oh, shut up,” he gulped, stuffing the last piece of toast in his mouth as he arched his brows at me.

“You look…wow. Are you going for an internship or a business meeting?” he chuckled, trailing off as he adjusted his tousled brown hair.

“Now, the CEO of Hawkthorne can't be surprised that  I want to look my absolute best,” I teased, chugging down some chilled greek yogurt. 

“For the internship of course,” I continued.

“And for Ares,” a tiny voice chided.

“I mean, it's not everyday I bag an internship at one of the biggest companies in the country,” I finished, reaching up and tussling his hair. 

“Scar!” he whined, putting me in a headlock as he tossed my headband to the side.

“Okay, it's not funny anymore, let's get going,” I huffed, running my fingers through my hair as he grabbed his keys on the centre table.

Thankfully, we rode in silence, the noise in my head keeping me company enough. 

I felt my stomach twist in knots, remembering last night and how we had almost…

I ran my fingers through my hair, the scene from last night replaying in my head.

“Hello! Earth to Scarlett,” Spencer said, waving his perfectly manicured fingers in front of my face.

I shook my head, chuckling, “Kinda zoned out there for a minute, didn't I?” I fiddled with my seatbelt, hoping he wouldn't pry further. 

I felt his gaze on the side of my head, his green eyes deep in thought as he sighed, finally letting it go. 

Thank goodness.

“Anyway,” he continued, the gentle hum of the A.C punctuating his statement.

“I was talking about how you'd be seeing a lot more of Ares, seeing as he's your new boss and will be bringing you home after work,” I sat up, snapping my neck in his direction.

“What?” I asked, my voice going up an octave as he took his eyes off the road for a minute.

“Is there a problem? I thought you guys were cool…” he trailed off, rounding a corner.

“No, no. We are…it's just…”

“Just…?” he asked, slowing the car down. 

Just that we have to physically restrain ourselves from kissing every time we get within arm's length of each other. 

“Just…nothing, thanks Spence,” I sighed slowly, taking in our surroundings for the first time since the car ride started.

“Woah,” I muttered, craning my neck out the window as I took in the menacingly tall building ahead.

Lush greenery lined both sides of the road, stone structures decorating the path.

The car slowed to a stop, my brother turning to me with the biggest most shit eating grin on his face ever.

“We're here.”

I swallowed thickly, my heels clicking against asphalt as we headed towards the entrance.

Steven flashed a smile at the doorman, the glass doors sliding open as my mouth fell open in awe.

The lobby was huge, soothing jazz crooning out of speakers as Steven led us over to who I guessed was the receptionist. 

“Mr Blackwood is in a meeting right now, but I'll let him know you're here,” she said, tapping her keyboard deftly.

“That won't be an issue Patricia,” Steven drawled, the receptionist looking up and offering him a small smile.

“Busy morning?” 

“You have no idea,” she replied, signalling one of the security guards over. 

“Escort them to Mr Blackwood’s office, please–

“That won't be necessary, I was just leaving anyway,” Spencer said, grinning at me.

I gulped, offering him a weak nod as I followed the guard, the pristine steel doors of the elevator blinding me.

I shifted on my heels, craning my neck as I glanced around the lobby, a subtle ding bringing me out of my reverie as I stepped forward, strong arms wrapping around me as I staggered back.

“Watch where you're going,” the familiar voice growled, blue eyes swirling with emotions as he withdrew his hands, moving around me.

Oh brother.