Chapter 41

**SCARLET**
I knocked on Katherine’s door twice, but there was no answer.
“Katherine, open up.”
Still no answer. I tried moving the doorknob, but it’s locked.
“Is she inside?” I asked Nate. “She’s probably sleeping.”
“She didn’t tell me she was going to leave the apartment. Do you have your key?”
“Oh, of course.” Hurriedly, I unlocked the door using my duplicate key. I pushed the door open, but the lights were off, and she wasn’t inside.
“She’s not here.” I turned on the lights and went to my bedroom.
“I’ll call her,” Nate said. I nodded. He remained standing in the living room. I needed to get a few clothes and sleepwear. I was running out of clothes. I needed my laptop and other books as well. I opened the wardrobe to pick some.
“Did she answer yet?” I asked Nate. I don’t want to talk to him, but I don’t have a choice.
“She’s not picking up,” Nate said. He was now standing at my door, his hand in his pocket.
I threw the clothes over onto my bed. “Did you tell her what happened?”
He shook his head. “How am I supposed to tell her your stepbrother just smacked my face? She’ll worry.”
I shook my head and heaved a sigh. I turned and grabbed a luggage bag to begin putting my things inside.
Nate stepped inside my room and sat on the edge of the bed. “You’re staying with your family this week?” he asked as he watched me put the clothes in the bag.
“My mother came. I’m staying with her at Luke’s place for a short time.”
“You’re playing a dangerous game with your stepbrother.”
I stopped. “Thank you for the concern, Nate. I appreciate it every time. But this time, it’s different. It’s just hard to explain.”
Nate stood up, snatching my wrist to stop me. “I can’t let you step on fire again.”
“I’m not going to step on fire. I know what I’m doing now, Nate, and don’t answer my mother’s call again.”
“Okay. What else?”
“I need to go, and can you carry this for me?”
He raised his head. His expression was still dejected. “Of course.”
When we left my apartment, I booked an Uber. It was already late, and I didn’t want Nate to come to Luke’s apartment again. I didn’t want Luke to see Nate after what happened the other day.
But before the Uber came, a black Jaguar stopped in front of me.

***

I couldn’t understand why Luke had to come here to fetch me. Fortunately, he ignored Nate. He changed in a short matter of time, and I liked these changes. I just couldn’t help but think negatively. If I end up too consumed by him, it would be difficult to be apart from him.
Thomas was at home when we arrived, and they were in the living room watching some late-night show. I greeted him with a peck on the cheek. I kissed Mom on her forehead.
“Good evening, Scarlet,” my stepfather greeted back, but the usual sweet tone wasn’t present in his voice.
“Have you both eaten yet?” Mom asked.
“Yeah, on our way here,” Luke answered.
“Lucas, can I talk to you?” Thomas said, but still not looking.
“Of course. What is this about?”
“About the Japanese clients, can we talk about it alone?”
Luke frowned. “At this hour?”
“Yes. Follow me to my office.” Thomas stood and walked first.
“You mean my office,” he mumbled but didn’t let his father hear. “I’ll help you unpack later,” he whispered.
I nodded. I wonder what happened. I sat next to Mom.
“Go ahead, Luke. Your dad must be having a problem,” Mom initiated.
Lucas didn’t respond. I could see the disappointment in his eyes, but he eventually went upstairs and followed after Thomas.
“Do you know what’s going on?” I asked Mom.
“Nah. I don’t interfere too much with Thomas’ work. I just know that he was bothered by something.”
I shrugged. “Sounds like Thomas.” I picked potato chips from the table.
“I see you’re getting along well with Lucas. I haven’t seen him like that before in front of his relatives.”
“Seen him like how?
“I notice how he looks at you, Scarlet, and I know the meaning of it,” she winked at me, “and as a woman, you do know what I’m talking about.”
Oh my God. Did she notice? Did she know what was going on with Luke and me? No, no. I knew my mother. If she knew what was happening, this wouldn’t be her reaction. She’ll faint. She’ll get mad at me. She’ll tell Thomas.
Oh no. She told Thomas, and that’s why Thomas asked for Luke in private.
My heartbeat quickened, but I still decided to play dumb. “W-what do you mean?”
“Luke cares for you, Scarlet. Thomas thinks his son is very distant. Luke is a good song, but he doubts him. But with you, he doesn’t seem cold and distant. I think it’s a very good sign.”
I sighed. I really thought she found out. I noticed Luke has changed too. But it was harsh to doubt him as a good person. Not by his own father.
“How could Thomas doubt him? Luke might be cold, but it’s just a mask. He is soft inside. You just have to look at him that way.”
“Do you think I didn’t see that? I’ve known Luke for a few years now, and I could say the same. Funny that we even know him better than his father.” She clicked her tongue.
If my mother knew he was that kind of man, why did she marry him? Well, Luke could say the same about his father. He warned me about Thomas. It just didn’t look that way when they were in front of us.
I waited an hour in Luke’s room, but he didn’t come. What’s taking them so long? There were a lot of things on my mind right now.
Luke respected his father. I could see it every day. He didn’t have to work for his father’s company because he had his own, but he still obeyed him. Luke had no voice in front of his father. His opinion doesn’t matter. He loves my mother because she understands him.