Chapter 12

**SCARLET**

This wasn’t a vacation. It was a week of torture. It had only been three freaking days, and I’d gone crazy.
Just like yesterday, I didn’t do anything at all. I had no energy to go out. Mom and Thomas didn’t seem to care that I was in the room all day, and it was already afternoon! To entertain myself, I checked my inbox to see if there were any new messages, but Jax seemed busy. There were only three people in the world I could talk to, my roommate Katherine, her boyfriend Nate, and Jax. But they would be busy with their own lives.
Jax would be having a meeting today, and I hadn’t heard his voice lately. Katherine had gone home with Nate, so they were surely busy.
Almost after dinner, I found Mom and Thomas in the living room, watching some TV.
“Hi. Can we talk?”
“Darling, of course.” Thomas tensed up. He picked up the remote control and shut the TV off.
I sat on the seat across from them. “First, I want to apologize for being rude yesterday.”
“It’s okay, sweetheart. We understand that it’s probably too early to discuss this,” Mom said softly.
“Your mother asked me to take it slow, but you’ve been away from us for six years. I think it’s the right time.”
“I know. I just think I don’t deserve it.”
“You deserve it,” Thomas assured me and smiled. “I want you to feel that you are a part of this family.”
Was I? But why did I feel like I was always alone? “I don’t want it if it was coming from Luke. He didn’t work hard for it just to give it to me. I am someone who’s like a stranger to him,” I said frankly.
“You don’t have to worry about Luke. It has already been transferred under your name. He just needs your signature.”
“Is there anything we can do, so I won’t have to accept this?”
“That’s all you have to do. Accept it. Don’t worry. Not everything came from Luke.” He grinned sweetly and then kissed Mom on the cheek.
“You’ll find out everything when you meet Luke’s lawyer,” Mom informed. “And she’s coming for dinner.”
“What? I’m not properly dressed for this.”
“It’s just Rebecca,” Thomas said. “She’s our company lawyer. And you already look lovely.”
“Everything is happening so fast. I just came here the other day and—”
“Why don’t we talk about school instead? Aren’t you graduating this year?” he asked, probably just to start another conversation. I had a feeling it was to make my senses calm, but it wasn’t working.
“I’m always busy with my thesis,” I answered anyway. “I’m in the middle of finishing the program I’m developing with my team. But I’m getting help, so don’t worry.”
“Are you happy with this type of career? Your mother told me you have a knack for painting.”
I chuckled. “Yes, but this path grew on me. Just like art, I love creating something new from scratch. I’m going to be building a new world through technology. But it doesn’t mean I don’t want to pursue art at all. Maybe someday.”
Thomas’s eyes seemed dazzled with admiration. He nodded in approval. “I’ll support you in everything you do, Scar. Me and your Mom.”
I grinned, as it was one of the sweetest things I’d ever heard from someone who wasn’t my own blood. He was more of a father to me than my actual father. “Of course, you will. You guys are great.”
And when I thought I finally had the moment with them, Cely abruptly cut in and whispered something that made Thomas nod.
“It’s time for you to meet our lawyer.”
A tall woman with long, straight blonde hair, curvy and sexy as hell with the face of a Barbie doll, entered the living room. Surprisingly, she looked too young to be a lawyer. How she walked was pure elegance, and those words weren’t enough to describe such a goddess.
“Hi!” she greeted cheerfully with her soft, soothing voice. Both Thomas and Mom immediately sprang up at her presence like she was the most important person in the room, and she kissed their cheeks. “Mr. and Mrs. Alejandro, I’m so delighted to see you again. Happy belated Birthday, by the way. I couldn’t attend the party since I was out of town. But these are for you.” She lifted a silver paper bag with big ribbons and gave it to Mom.
“Oh, this is lovely. Thank you, Rebecca.” She hugged her again. “Oh, I heard you’ve already had dinner, but we prepared dessert. Come and join us.”
She shrugged and then smiled. “Sure! I’d love to.”
Another second later, Luke appeared behind her, and instantly his hand landed on Rebecca’s back. He was still taller than her by a few inches, but she almost matched him. My heart began pounding fast with mixed emotions.
“Good evening,” Luke greeted and kissed Mom’s cheek.
“Darling. I’m asking Rebecca to join us for dessert. But oh, Rebecca, I would like you to meet my daughter. Scarlet, this is Rebecca, the lawyer who’s going to handle your transfer papers,” Mom introduced, but I couldn’t move a muscle. So, she really was the lawyer they were talking about.
“Hello, Scarlet. I heard a lot about you. I hope we can get along.” She smiled politely, and we shook hands.
“Hi. It’s a pleasure to meet you, too,” I responded simply.
“Well, why don’t we continue this discussion in the dining room?” Thomas joined in. “After you, Rebecca.”
“Sure, Mr. Alejandro.” Before she released my hand, she left a soft and gentle squeeze. I hated to admit it, but I could tell that she was a lovely person, too.
I responded with a smile. Thomas and Mom lead her first to the dining area. I stood still as I watched the three of them laugh together at something I couldn’t hear anymore. I even saw Mom tucking a few hair strands behind her ears as she did when I said something funny.
“Not coming?”
I jumped in surprise when I heard Luke’s pure male voice behind me. I rolled my eyes.
“What now?”
He raised an eyebrow. “What’s with your reaction?” He clicked his tongue twice, then shook his head. “Nice shorts, by the way.” He winked at me and walked away, leaving me open-mouthed.
I looked at myself and suddenly became self-conscious. I instantly regretted that I did not wear anything better. But what hit me and got my cheeks burning in embarrassment was when I realized I had worn my shorts inside out.