Chapter 2 Two

SCARLET

A few weeks ago...

I was always lonely. I've never been happy. How about you? Are you lonely? By the way, what happened with your date? – Ericka

No. I'm not. Forget about my date because she's a fucking liar and the only thing I hate the most was fucking liars – Jax

Maybe because you need to understand that perhaps they have reasons... - Ericka

He did not respond after I sent him those last words. Jax clearly said he wasn't into crybabies and he had no remorse over the things he does and I believed him. He fucked different woman every week-like an endless loop.

I lied to Jax about a lot of things, but I couldn't seem to let him go. He was fun to talk to. The late-night phone calls were getting hot, and he knew exactly what I needed. He knew exactly how to make me too damned wet. The sound of his voice was too delicious enough. I imagined Jax as a very, very attractive man. How much more if I see him?

It was months ago since I joined the social media app. Mom came by to my dorm and borrowed my computer. She logged in her email, which I accidentally opened later. What got me for not logging out yet was the first subject on her email. It was an interesting title in all capital letters.

ANONYMOUS CHAT EXCLUSIVE FOR HARVARD PROFESSIONALS

Since my Mom was an alumnus of Harvard, she received a link straight to ProExpress Chat. I never intended to use it, but I know it would help me in the future. I only planned to use it to speak with the IT graduates for educational purposes. I was a bit guilty of using Mom's link and created an anonymous account.

I lay on the soft foam of my bed, then grabbed my phone from the bedside table and signed in to the app. I composed a message to Jax.

Subject: Two weeks busy

You've been busy. I've been thinking. How do you do it? I mean, how do you date the woman? Do you still dine at a restaurant before you go to the hotel? Do you pay for everything?

Ericka

I bit my lip and tried to think what if he was going to respond. My notification popped up. I bit my lip. Damn it, Jax. You're only interested in this kind of messages.

Subject: Re: Two weeks busy

I told you, I don't date. Yes, I pay for everything. Do you want me to book a few reservations?

Jax

Subject: Re: Re: Two weeks busy

What happened to just one?

Ericka

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Two weeks busy

If it was you, I could make an exception.

Jax

I laughed. Damn, I was crazy. I read his message many times, but I couldn't seem to get over what he said. Really? Was he going to make an exception? For me? I was still thinking of what to reply, but his name appeared on my phone screen. I answered the call right away.

"Jax, " I breathed.

"What took you so long?" he asked, his voice irritated, "I don't mind flying to Cambridge right now if you just tell me where you live."

"I asked you because I was curious." I bit my lip. "What do you look like?"

"If you want to know what I look like, then let me see you."

I gasped, my mouth getting dry. "Seriously, Jax."

"I look like a man who wants to fuck you. How about you? What do you look like?"

PRESENT...

"Yes, Mom. I'm already packing." I put my phone on loudspeaker so I could pack my things properly. She's been calling me endless since last night, reassuring if I was going to come home for the weekends.

After Mom remarried, I never saw my stepfather or his son again. I flew to Cambridge straight to study, and they never once visited me. To be honest, I didn't have expectations. Thomas was always busy with work, but he was kind to me, but for his son Luke-I was invisible.

"I'm just so excited to see you, honey. It's okay if it's not on my birthday and I understand that you are busy, but please just let Thomas's driver pick you up at the airport next week, " she said, her voice high pitched as usual.

"No, Mom, but thank you. You know me, I don't want to be treated like a princess with a bodyguard." I stood and walked in front of the mirror. I let down my wavy dark brown hair and stared at my reflection then finished my makeup with a swipe of the lip gloss and popped my mouth. I didn't want to tell Mom I was flying to New York tonight. Though she knew I was going to come home, she had no idea that I was going to arrive early for her forty-eighth birthday. It was Thomas's idea.

"I just want to give the best for my only baby, " she said.

"I'm not your only one. I have a stepbrother, remember?"

"You're still my only one. Lucas was never home, but he promised to attend the party tonight. Oh, by the way, honey, Luke is in Cambridge. He arrived there a few days ago and didn't Thomas tell you?"

"Luke's here? No, Thomas didn't tell me, " I murmured.

"Why don't you ask Luke to meet? You two haven't seen each other for a long time, " she suggested, and I shivered oddly as if someone poured cold water over my head.

For the record, the wedding day was the first and last time I saw him.

I noticed this about me every time Mom was talking about Luke. Of course, I couldn't tell her that I had a big crush on Luke, and I was always curious to know him. I secretly stalked him on Google. I looked for social media accounts he might have, but there was nothing. I only found articles about him and the company. I tried and searched if he was dating, but there weren't pictures of him with a woman.

I bit my lip hard as I remembered his face at the wedding. Luke was an epitome of male beauty-an utter perfection. Every time Mom talked about him, every hormone in me was rising.

So, I don't think meeting him was a good idea. "We're not close." Mom heaved a sigh. "Would you believe me if he said the same when I ask him to meet you?"

I rolled my eyes. Of course, he wasn't interested in meeting his one and only stepsister. "I'm not surprised."

"Oh, well... That's Luke. You'll get to know him when you come home. I really miss you, honey."

Damn, I was strangely excited. Butterflies filled my tummy.

"I miss you too, Mom." So much. Then, we hang up. I slid my phone in my pocket and then grabbed my luggage.

Goodbye, my room.