Scarlet

Scarlet

I broke out in a cold sweat, finding refuge in the bolster beside me. Fortunately, it was a dream. I had been having this dream about Hansen for months on end. Even no matter how much time had passed, the mere thought brought shivers down my spine.

His handsome face played terrifyingly in my mind. No, no, I whispered. I hope he will never appear in my life ever again.

I shuddered as the painful memories replayed in my mind. Reaching for a tissue from the box near my bed, I dried my eyes from the tears running down my cheeks. Even if it was just one encounter that was harrowing enough to change me overnight, it still hurt to remember.

I am now nineteen and a college student at Barays College. When I was fifteen, my parents divorced and sent me to a boarding school. There I met Maya, the only person I could call family. When she met with a demise two years later, I met with the people she involved herself with - her gang. 

To find out more about her death, I voluntarily joined the gang. This led to me skipping school and playing truant for a while, until one night, they had a task for me. They would lure a handsome man from a rival gang. They said this man was the leader of a rival gang, which I confirmed from the tattoos on his body. Why they wanted me to be bait, I do not know, especially when there are prettier, more capable girls in the gang.

But after the encounter with Hansen, I found myself transformed. I no longer cared about my principles and lived a life as wildly as I could. I engaged with dangerous company, stole and robbed others. In the end, the police arrested the other girls and sent to a reformatory. 

While I survived and escaped, I continued with my life. I missed Maya, whom I never discovered was behind her death. I clubbed and partied whenever I had the chance, living life the way I never expected to.

Yet, I still am fragile whenever I think of my ordeal that night. I was shaking so badly that I woke the man sleeping at my bedside. 

With a yawn, the man stirred. He had brown hair and the sexiest eyes I had ever seen. He was my latest conquest: the prize I had brought back from the party the other night. I still didn’t know his name. 

“Nightmare?” he asked in a concerned voice. That put me in awe. He had such a charming voice! 

I nodded weakly. He held me for a few minutes, allowing me to take in his warmth. His eyes shone with kindness and care. Unfortunately for him, I was not one to care about his feelings. Once a one-night-stand, always a one-night-stand.

“It’s all over now, Scarlet. Don’t worry. I am here with you.”

“You know my name?” I rub my eyes and glance at him, confused.

“You told me last night at the party.”

Ah, my bad. Did I tell him my name without getting his name in return? What a poor deal!

Anyway, he wouldn’t be the first or the last to be in my bed, I remind myself.

“I don’t remember that. Or your name,” I said straightforwardly, adjusting my hair. 

“I’m Sin.”

“Okay, Sin. Is it time for you to leave?” I tousled my hair arrogantly. “What are you planning to achieve by getting a free lunch at my place?”

He had to be at least 22; I deduced in my mind. A man of such an age should have graduated and make a living, not lounging around in women’s places after having sex with them.

“Didn’t you enjoy it last night?” Sin laughed. I was immune to such questions since they made me sleep with many of the youths of the rival gang. I was used to the female members touching me or asking me questions about my sexual life.

“That doesn’t give you a reason to hang out like it’s your home, Sin!” I shouted at the top of my lungs. “You are just a man I brought back home for a one-night-stand, and I no longer have use for you!”

“Ah, aren’t you feisty?” He pinched me on my cheeks before I can say a further word. His arms wind around me like a snake. I feel hot as my body longs for some satisfaction. This was a man who showers attention on me and treats me like a gem. Even I can’t believe it. What does he even see in me?

“Leave now!” I yell, slamming my hands as hard as I can on the bedside table. The visitor had overstayed his welcome.

“Okay, okay, I’ll leave now, but remember that I will be back to claim my prize. One day, you will fall for me,” he announced confidently. And before I could stop him, he laid his lips on mine and gave me the most passionate kiss I had ever experienced. 

All the men who I had slept with had never been gentle with me like how he was. He stroked my skin with such tenderness that I felt so different. My whole body was aching and craving, opening up to his torment. Then one thing leads to another, and the unexpected occurs. Laying me down gently, he gave me what I wanted.

Our bodies moved together, dancing under the sheets. I heard myself moan uncontrollably as if he had put some spell on me. He pleasured me so well that I found I lost all control of myself. It was heavenly! How could I have not remembered doing the deed last night? 

Just as I was indulging in the pleasure he brought me, he halted. “I’ll be leaving now since that is what you asked of me.”

Argh, this wild fox knew how to play his cards!  

“Wait.” I placed my hands on his arms. “Don’t stop, please. You can stay for the weekend. I’ll break my rules for you this once. But just this one time!”

He smiled wickedly. “You said it, Scarlet.”

“Fine, fine. Just don’t stop, okay?”

He chuckled. “I will do as you command, Queen Scarlet.”

…………………………………………………………….

It was hours later when I woke up from my afternoon nap. 

A fragrance was spreading into my room, dazing me. I reserved Saturday afternoon for my lazy time, and I would lie in bed all afternoon paying no heed to the world around me. But where was the source of this fragrance? It was making me hungry.

Before I napped, my weekend assignment occupied me, which was a complete struggle. Thinking about college and my studies tired me out, I had to refresh myself through a power nap. I envied Melina and all the others who clubbed very hard, yet won straight As in college. In the end, I hadn’t completed it before I fell asleep. 

I rubbed my stomach and got up from the bed. The fox was nowhere to be seen, causing me to wonder if he had really left. But out of the blue, a man in an apron appeared out of nowhere, greeting me with a pleasant smile on his face.

“Scarlet, lunch is served.” I recognised the familiar voice of the man, looking up at him to recognise Sin. He had tucked his soft hair under a beanie, making him appear trendy as he smiled at me. 

He was shirtless under the apron, a fact that captivated me. I loved his toned body and how tan he was. Being absorbed in his flawless figure made me think about the encounter earlier and reminded me of how I was eager to experience it again.

“Scarlet?”

“Oh.” I snapped out of my trance and diverted my attention to the dishes on the table. They appeared to be Asian dishes, stir-fried vegetables with onion and some lean meat, fried rice with egg and soup. How did he whip up a storm in such little time? I pondered in awe.

All my life, nobody had ever cooked for me like this. I wiped away my emotional tears, recalling how I was The Girl Who Would Never Fall in Love. Be strong, Scarlet, you’re not made for love or cuddly things. Yet, why was I feeling so touched when he cooked for me?

“Sit down and eat.” he pulled me towards a chair, helping me into it. I curiously stared at him. Since he was living under my roof and cooking with the groceries I had purchased with my college allowance, it made sense that I should eat what he cooked. After all, I deserved it!

I took a bite of the food he had cooked, devouring it slowly in my mouth. How could a man cook so well? Before I knew it, I had already finished a bowl of rice with his savoury cooking. 

“If you like it, Scarlet, I’ll cook for you every day,” he promised, but I was at a loss for words.

“Whatever,” I mumbled, as I tried to focus my mind. His brown hair, striking eyes and amazing workout build were distracting. Hey, why did he have to be so attractive? Even the charm of his voice was enough to give me butterflies in my stomach. 

Just what was going wrong with me? In just a day of having this intruder in my life, he had touched me with his words and his cooking. But soon, he was due to leave in a few days. I just hoped that he would eventually disappear from my life and grant me peace of mind.

But was that what I really wanted?

Still, I was The Girl Who Would Never Fall in Love, and I would strive to remember that!