Chapter 63

**SCARLET**
It was three days before the Harvard Commencement Day; Mom surprised me with her early arrival. She was even more excited than I was. She wanted to help me choose my graduation dress and volunteered to do my hair and makeup. Thomas didn’t come with Mom. He said he was busy, but he promised to attend my graduation.
Thomas had changed ever since the day he found out about my secret. The same day I learned that he was hurting his son physically. He wasn’t the same man who called me just to check if I was alright or needed something. Nothing.
Mom called Luke over the phone, and she asked him if he was coming to my graduation. He agreed, of course, but he was still in London, probably devouring someone else’s pussy.
A few days ago, I found photos of him with a mysterious blonde on the internet. They were attending a corporate gala, and he was unlikely to be found on the news with a woman. I stopped talking to him after that day.
I didn’t want to Google him because of my stalking tendencies, but I missed him so much that I wanted to see his face.
But look at what I found out? He was cheating on me. He was a lying bastard who had a fucking rule that did not apply to him.
Mom and I went to the shopping mall earlier that day. She took me to a boutique to shop for dresses and shoes. She greeted the tall woman politely.
“Gretchen, my dear!”
“Mrs. Alejandro, it’s good to see you!” Gretchen reached out to Mom and hugged her tight. The woman dwarfed my mom with her six-inch high heels. She almost looked like a supermodel.
“It’s good to see you too.” Mom grinned. How did she even know this woman?
“We need help in picking a dress for my daughter. Ah, this is Scarlet, the one I talked to you about.”
“Is that her? Wow, she’s beautiful! Hello, Scarlet. I’m Gretchen.” Gretchen reached out her hand to me. I shook her hand immediately.
“She looks like me, of course.” Mom bragged.
I chuckled. “I’m Scarlet. Nice to meet you.”
“Gretchen is the owner of this boutique.”
Ah. I see. I nodded, then I smiled.
“You don’t need to say that to her. Turn around, Scarlet,” she directed.
I turned around, and Gretchen checked me out. “Your size is probably small. Come with me. I have new designs here.” She smiled.
I followed Gretchen to the new design collection displayed in the center of her boutique. “I think this will be the perfect color for you.” Gretchen showed a lacy peach-colored dress with a combination of woven fabrics. It looked so neat, and I loved the design. It was a body-hugging halter dress. Simple yet elegant.
“This is beautiful,” I murmured. I touched the fabric, and it felt amazing. “May I try this on?” I asked her.
“Sure, you can. I’ll show you the fitting room. “Gretchen handed me the grace clinging to a hanger. I followed her behind while showing me the fitting room.
Gretchen opened the door. “Here.”
“Thank you.” I went inside.
I took off my clothes, then I heard Mom’s footsteps outside the fitting room.
“Gene, you didn’t remember my request,” Gretchen said as if she was pleading.
“Oh, I am sorry. I don’t have a chance to tell Luke. He’s in London, but he comes back in three days.”
I frowned. They were talking about Luke. Did Gretchen know him? I slipped the dress on.
“One date. Just one date with him, please? Gene? Can you do that for me?” Hell no. I won’t let that happen.
Mom sighed. “I can ask Luke, but I am really sorry, Gretchen. I think he already has a girlfriend.”
What the hell?
“Oh my!” She blurted out. “That can’t happen. I think he’s my soulmate! Who’s the lucky girl?”
Mom chuckled. “He’s seeing someone. I don’t know who she is for now, but Luke is very secretive.”
Yeah, right, he is. That lying bastard.
“Ugh, I was too late.” She groaned sadly.
“I am so sorry, my dear.”
I gritted my teeth in anger. What the hell did I just hear? I came out of the fitting room and showed them the dress.
“Wow! That looks so good on you!” Gretchen’s eyes grew wide. “You are so beautiful.”
“Can we buy this dress now, Mom? I’m starving.” I told her, a bit annoyed.
I want to go now.
“Why? Aren’t you going to try another?” Mom asked, surprised.
“No. This is fine.” I came back into the fitting room and hurriedly removed the dress. I put on my jeans and my shirt again.
“Is she okay?” I heard Gretchen whisper.
“She’s like that when she’s hungry,” Mom whispered back.
Oh, right, I am. I was so pissed right now. I felt like I wanted to smack someone’s face.
I came out of the fitting room and handed the dress to Mom.
“Can I excuse myself for a minute?”
“Sure, honey. What is it?” Mom asked.
“I’m going to the restroom. I’ll meet you outside.” I came out of the boutique.
I went to the shopping mall’s restroom and got inside a cubicle. I scanned my phone with my shaking fingers.
I went to my inbox and then opened Luke’s unread messages. He called and texted me for the past five days, but I ignored him. My heart was aching, and I cried so much every day.
I opened one of the messages.
Talk to me. I don’t like this silence. Is this about the news? I’ll explain it to you. Just answer my call.
I opened another. I wiped my tears.
Please, Scarlet. Talk to me.
I’m sorry.
I miss you. I promise I’ll come to your graduation.
If this is about the news, you don’t have to worry about that. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.
I miss you so much.
Please don’t be like this, my love.
I wanted to see you, but what I am doing here is too important. It’ll all be over soon. Just trust me.
Trust your ass. I typed a message.
Stop texting me, Luke. I don’t understand your blonde fetish. Am I not enough that you have to lie to me just to be with one of your whores? Should I dye my hair blonde? Get tanned? What else do you want? Why don’t you just tell me the truth? I hit send.
My heart was racing a mile. I regretted sending the message immediately. I sounded like a jealous wife. I inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. A reply came right away.
No. I love your hair and your skin. I love everything about you. And if you are going to ask me if I ever lied to you, my answer is still the same. I never lied to you, Scarlet.
I sobbed silently. I composed a message again. Are you with her?
Yes. He replied.
Damn you, Luke. I wiped my tears away.
She’s just a business partner.
I remembered his pictures on the internet. The woman clung to his arm while Luke’s hand was wrapped around her waist. The woman was trying to cover her face from the camera.
When I got back, I found Mom waiting for me in front of the shop. She was trying to look for me all over the place.
I ran towards her. “Mom!”
“You, child!” she called out. “Where have you been?”
“I’m sorry. I went to the restroom.” I panted. “My stomach hurts.” I lied. My heart hurts.
“Are you alright? Scarlet, did you cry?” she stared at my face. She noticed. My eyes were probably red. I should stop crying already.
“No! Yes. My stomach really hurts. Maybe I’m starving,” I looked away. I didn’t want her to see my eyes like this.
She sighed. “Why didn’t you say so? I know a good restaurant to eat at.”
I nodded. “I’ll hold this.” I took the shopping bags from her.
It had been a while since we ate together. I admit that I missed the old days with Mom. We used to go shopping together and eat lunch at fast-food restaurants. Even if it was just her and me, we were happy. It’s not that I wasn’t happy about her life now. Thomas had given her everything. He had given her a home.
When I came back from the counter, holding a tray of our food, Mom was talking on the phone. I put the plate on the table while listening to the conversation. She mentioned my name and told the line that she was with me.
“He wants to speak with you.” Mom said.
He? I frowned. “Who?” I sat on the chair across from her.
“Your brother. It’s Lucas.”
My heart sank. Yes, he really was my brother. Damn it.
“Luke?” I frowned. Why did he want this time? I secretly groaned.
“He was asking about your graduation.”
I smirked with sarcasm. “Is he even coming?” I shook my head in disbelief. He was obviously busy with his blonde companion.
“Scarlet! Don’t be like that. Of course, he will come. Here, he’s on the line.” I took her phone.
“What?” I snapped.
“You turned off your phone. I can’t call your number,” he hissed tightly.
“What do you want?” I asked, trying to control my voice.
He breathed softly. “Don’t be like this. You ignored me for five days. I just wanted to hear your voice.”
I looked at Mom. She was watching me. “Can you just tell me what you want?”
“You know what I want.” He said tightly. “Stop being so stubborn and talk to me.”
“I am talking to you, Luke.”
“I’m coming to your graduation. I have something to tell you. The reason why I’m in London.”
Oh, I know the next thing you’re going to say. It’s about how you cheated on me with a blonde Barbie doll.
I cut the line and gave the phone back to Mom.
“What did he say?” she asked.
“That he’s coming to my graduation.”
“If he’s coming, then why are you upset?” Mom ate a piece of her French fries.
I stared at my plate. The hamburger looked so tasty, but I suddenly lost my appetite.
I sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Mom?” I looked up at her.
“Yes, dear?”
“Mom, I’m thinking of leaving after graduation.” There, I finally said it. Even if my heart was about to jump out of my chest in nervousness.
“What? Leave where?” she asked, confused.
My eyes had failed me again. I felt tears run down my cheeks. “I’m so sorry.”
“Oh, honey. What do you mean? Explain to me very clearly.”
“I received a job offer from a company in Scotland.”
She frowned. “Scotland? Did you apply? I thought you were going to work at your stepfather’s company?”
“Yes, I applied, and Thomas’ offer was for an internship only, Mom. This is employment. It’s a great opportunity for an IT graduate like me. Besides, Katherine will be with me. It’s her uncle’s company. Please, Mom? I want the job.”
“Honey, you’ve been far away for a long time, and I always want you to come home. To live with us as a whole family with Luke and Thomas. You don’t know how much I miss you every single day. But of course, if you really want to do this, I will always support you—”
“Wait!” I interrupted. “Are you allowing me?”
“Of course, my dear.” She brushed her fingers on my cheek. “I should support you in your career growth. Even if I miss you so much, you have your own life.”
“Oh my God!” I covered my mouth in surprise, “Really?”
“Really.” She smiled warmly.
“God, thank you so much, Mom!” I pulled her in a tight hug. “I was so scared that you would not let me.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
I pulled back. “Because Thomas won’t approve.”
“I’ll talk to him. Don’t worry about him.”
I smiled. “Thank you so much, but please don’t tell everyone yet.”
“Why not?
“I just don’t know what to say to Thomas. I’ll try to tell him myself when he comes here.”
“No matter what, I’m sure he’ll support you too.”
I giggled. “If you have my back, he will.”