SCARLETI didn’t notice I fell asleep on Luke’s bed. I just felt the bed move and his presence next to me. He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me against him.“You look sexy in these clothes.” He whispered in my ear, which made me shiver. I wore a blue silk nightie I had taken from the apartment earlier.“Luke…” I whispered. “What time is it?”“It’s past one.”“And you just came back? What happened?” I tried to turn around to see him, but he did not let me.“Stay like this,” he said. His arm tightened around my waist. But I wanted to see his face. I lazily opened my eyes. I jumped out of bed to turn on the lights.“Oh my God!” I gasped for air as I came back to the bed. Luke’s lip was bleeding, and his cheeks were purplish red. His left eye was swollen. I crawled back to bed immediately.“What happened to you?” He looked badly hurt. “Did Thomas hurt you?”He smirked. He just looked at me with the same affection. “This is nothing.”“It’s not! How could he hurt you?” I caught m

SCARLETLuke wasn’t on his side of the bed when I woke up. I checked the desk clock and found that it was only six-fifty. I stepped out of bed and then went straight to the bathroom.After a cold shower, I couldn’t stop thinking about my dream. Luke was with me, Mom and Thomas, and they knew about our relationship. We’re all happy. In reality, I knew that it would be impossible.When I came downstairs, Mom was already preparing breakfast. Thomas was in the living room, reading a newspaper. I couldn’t even look at him. He knew about my past, and I wasn’t expecting him to treat me the same.I greeted Mom first. She was settling the food on the tables, then Luke’s face appeared as he closed the fridge. His wounds weren’t swollen anymore as it was last night.“Darling, sit there,” Mom instructed. “It’s good to fill up your stomach before school.”I sat in the middle part, and Luke sat across from me. He put a plate in front of me and the other utensils.“Did you sleep well?”“Yes.”“Darli

SCARLETThe four of us sat across from each other awkwardly. Nate narrowed his eyes at me, and Katherine’s eyes were staring intently at the emotionless man next to me. Luke’s arms folded over his chest. It was such a bad idea to ask him to stay with us. And what’s more surprising, he agreed.“I asked him to stay here.” I cleared my throat. “He’ll sleep on the couch.”When I shifted my head to his side, Luke looked at me. “I’d rather sleep with you.”Nate scowled.“Luke.” I shook my head.“What? You said they know about us,” he stated.“No problem here, Mister,” Katherine assured me with a grin. “You can stay here anyway or anywhere you want.”I could see now that Luke had an effect like this on women, and Katherine wasn’t an exception. It’s a sure thing.“Don’t you think letting a man sleep in the house with two girls is inappropriate?” Nate commented. I knew he would not approve.“You are a man too!” Katherine pressed. “Alright, I’ll decide. Since I share this room with Scar and you

LUKE I remained seated on the couch and watched them come out of the door until Stacy came into my office in a wheelchair. “Your assistant isn’t very polite in treating a guest.” A smirk played on her lip. “She didn’t ask me if I wanted coffee. You know how I love coffee.” She was still the same woman a few years ago. Despite her situation, she always seemed arrogant. “It’s because I told her you are not a guest, Stacy. What do you want?” “You don’t want to see me, so I came all the way here despite my situation just to see you.” “Don’t be so proud. I didn’t want to see you.” She chuckled. “You wouldn’t be able to resist after I say this to you. Whether you like it or not.” “Just tell me what you want, and don’t come here again. I don’t want the people to see you in this building.” “Then, do you prefer your daughter?” “Stop fucking with me, Stacy. You know you can’t bring her here.” “I know, but I brought Bella with me. She’s waiting for you in the car with her nanny.” She di

SCARLETIt’d been a week since Mom and Thomas returned to Manhattan, and it’d been eight days since I last saw Luke. Every day, my stomach felt tight, and my chest felt heavy. I tested myself; how long could I endure, and to what extent could I hold back?The food didn’t taste right. My classes felt like a burden. I couldn’t sleep well for the past few days. In the last two days, I checked my phone to see if I had a message, hoping to hurt myself more if I saw his name. But I realized that it hurt even more when I found nothing.I was sleepless. I had no appetite, and I felt that I had lost weight. I already lost it. Still, I was so proud of myself. I didn’t beg for him, make a scene, or stalk him, not like I did before.My ninth day made no difference. Same routine. I was getting up in the morning bored, going to school only to gawk, and going to the cafeteria only to stare at the food. It’s the same pasta I loved, but it’s just food in red for me. Nothing more. Not even appetizing.