Chapter 13

**SCARLET**

I thought we would just have dessert, but it wasn’t the case. They had prepared a full meal course with different dishes that would feed at least ten people. The Barbie doll must be so important that Thomas made a feast.
I quietly listened as they exchanged talk about matters I couldn’t understand. I remained looking at the food on my plate.
I rolled my eyes and then blew out a deep, silent breath. Luke wasn’t talking as usual. Thomas discussed something and followed some legality, but it wasn’t about my transfer papers. I wasn’t naïve enough to not understand what was going on.
Mom was exchanging ideas and suggestions, too, since she was a lawyer herself. I wished I could give my input, but I knew nothing about their topic. I only knew how to create a program—if they asked me about JavaScript or Python, I would be glad to answer them.
I secretly watched Luke sitting in front of me, slicing his steak. He still hadn’t taken a bite. Luke lifted her plate while Miss Universe was conversing with Mom and Thomas. He switched his plate with the already sliced steak for hers.
I held my breath a little. I was quite surprised by his action, or I could say a stab of jealousy struck me. I ground my teeth in annoyance then I looked away immediately.
“Oh, that’s so sweet of you. Thank you, Luke.” Rebecca smiled sweetly at him, touching his wrist. She had long fingers, and her nails were painted bright red.
Thomas smiled approvingly. They must like her so much. Well, who wouldn’t? Miss Universe was sweet and respectful.
Luke smiled back. “Anytime.”
“How about you, sweetheart? Don’t you like your steak?” Mom asked. “Would you like some pasta? We also have seafood prawns. Do you want some? It’s your favorite.”
I smiled a little. “I like steak, thanks.”
Suddenly, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I always put it on silent during meals out of habit; I decided to ignore it.
A couple of moments later, it rang again. I guessed it must be Jax.
I grunted, and finally, I drew out my phone and checked it secretly under the table. It wasn’t Jax but Katherine. She was supposed to be on vacation too, and I’d anticipated she wouldn’t call.
I frowned. I wondered what it was about.
I pressed the end button and decided to send her a message.
Me: I’m with the whole family. What happened? I hit send. I bit my lip. Katherine doesn’t usually call me if it isn’t necessary.
Katherine: Nate and I broke up. What should I do?
What? I caught my breath in surprise. Nate and Kath had always been the definition of a perfect couple. I never once thought they would break up since I always felt they were incredibly compatible.
Me: Why? What happened?
My phone beeped immediately.
Katherine: He proposed to me, and I said NO.
“You what!?” I yelled out loud, momentarily forgetting that I was in front of the family. Four pairs of eyes swung in my direction.
“Scarlet?” Thomas prompted.
“I’m sorry. I just received an important message,” I reasoned.
“Don’t you always turn off your phone?” Mom asked in a whisper.
“I’m sorry, Mom, but I have to reply to this. It’s serious.” I looked at her.
“But it’s family time.”
Family time? If this was family time, why was there a Barbie doll sharing the table with us? She’s not family. I was the family, but I felt invisible, as usual. They’re too focused on her.
I didn’t answer Mom and kept on reading my roommate’s message.
I felt the need to call Nate. Nate and I were close friends, and he used to share everything with me, even if not this time. It was too sudden of him to propose, given that everyone was climbing their way to graduation. Katherine must’ve been surprised, so she said no. I could understand her situation, but it didn’t mean she didn’t love Nate. She wanted to be with him for the rest of their lives.
Me: Do you want me to call Nate? I replied to her message a few minutes later.
I placed my phone beside my plate and began eating quickly so I could call Nate.
My phone beeped again.
Katherine: Nate is in Manhattan right now. He flew there. I wanted to ask you if you could meet up with him. He doesn’t answer my calls. Please, I’m so worried about him.
Me: What’s he going to do here?
Katherine: I don’t know. He didn’t tell me why. He just told me he’s going to go there.
I didn’t answer but decided to finally call her boyfriend. They were both my best friends, and I couldn’t just ignore them.
“Who keeps on texting you?” Mom abruptly questioned, making everyone stop. I didn’t want to be disrespectful, so I didn’t reply to the text.
“I’m so sorry, but I really need to excuse myself. Please, don’t mind me. This is really important.”
“Is that about school?” Thomas asked.
I cleared my throat. “Yes. It’s, um, my classmate. He’s asking me about the thesis.”
I felt Luke’s gaze on me, and I could see him in my periphery, but I avoided his eyes.
“If it’s school, you should take it first,” Miss Universe encouraged, then smiled sweetly. “It’s okay. It happens all the time.”
“Yeah, thanks.” I smiled. Admittedly, I was grateful for her comment, regardless of feeling like an outsider, like I didn’t belong to their little feast. Leaving the table could save me from this awkward situation.
“It’s going to be quick,” I said, but my fingers were already scrolling through my dial logs and called Nate’s number. To my surprise, he answered right away.
“Hello?”
I sprang up from my seat. “Nate! Thank God.” Hastily, I didn’t wait for anyone’s approval and marched out of the dining room.
“Scar? Where are you?” he asked, sounding a bit furious.
“That’s my line. Katherine told me what had happened. What’s going on?”
“What did she tell you?”
“You proposed to her in the middle of finals! What’s gotten into you?”
“Then I guess she didn’t tell you why,” he croaked. “Dad is dying. He only has a month to live. The doctor told us his cancer had spread all over his organs. He wanted me to get married before he…” he sighed. “I don’t know what to do. Katherine was so surprised; she broke up with me.”
I heaved a sigh. “I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. But if that’s the case, what are you doing in Manhattan?”
“Just to clear my mind, then I heard you are here. Can we meet? I need your help to talk to Kath. We need to talk.”
“Good. You’re saving me in the middle of a miserable week.”
“Really?” His tone was surprised. “Then where can I see you?”
“I’m actually at my parents’ house. I’ll text you where to meet me tomorrow, okay? Are you sure you’re alright?”
“I’m fine. You see, Kath and I… I have hopes.”
I smiled. “That’s the Nate I know. She loves you, you know. She was just surprised, but don’t give up on her.”
I heard him chuckle. “That’s what I’m going to do. Thank you, Scar. You’re the best.”
“See you tomorrow then.” We hung up.
Finally! Something to do tomorrow. I would die of boredom in this house if I didn’t do anything.
I composed another message and sent it to Kath. Nate and I are going to meet tomorrow.
I received a message in a second. Who’s Nate?
What? I scowled and reread the message, then checked the sender. It was from Jax.
I typed a message. I’m sorry. It’s supposed to be for my friend.
Friend huh? He replied.
I grinned. Don’t assume. That friend proposed to Katherine.
And he didn’t reply. I copied the message I sent to Jax, then sent it again to Kath. She replied, thanks and said that she owed me one.
I returned to the dining room, and everyone was still gathered but finished. They were now eating the desserts. One plate was already placed in front of my place.
“You’re back. Is everything alright with your friend?” Thomas inquired and ate a spoonful of his tiramisu.
I didn’t want to tell them about Nate and Katherine’s issue, but I might need to inform them I would meet Nate tomorrow.
“Uh, it’s fine. But my classmate needed help with something. I actually wanted to tell you that I’m going out tomorrow. I’m meeting my friend.”
“Tomorrow? In Manhattan?” Mom asked curiously.
“Yes, Nate’s here in New York.”
“Nate? I haven’t heard that name before.” Thomas remarked.
“Is it Nathaniel? The boy you introduced me to during my last visit?” she asked again as she chewed her dessert. “A nice guy, should I say. Who is he visiting here? Is he with Katherine?”
I grinned at her comment. “Nate’s originally from Brooklyn, and Katherine is on vacation with her family.”
“Well, if it’s really important, then you should go see Nate,” Mom agreed, and when it comes to matters like this, she always supports me. She knew my best friends at Harvard and surprisingly liked them.
“Thanks, Mom. I kinda just need to go out as well.”
“If your mom allows you, I will too,” Thomas said, nodding in approval. “It’s time you see the world outside.”
“I would love to see the city.” Abruptly, my phone rang again this time. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
The screen flashed Jax’s name, but I knew I shouldn’t answer it for now. I grunted at myself as I noticed three missed calls. I decided I should probably call him back later.
I lifted my head, and my instinct told me to gaze up in Luke’s direction. I could feel his gaze on me from the moment I sat on the chair. I didn’t know what his problem was, but he was glaring at me.