She woke and rolled out of her comforting bed to the sound of her alarm clock going off. Standing and turning the thing off she surveyed her apartment; not that there was any need but she did and sighed, carrying herself to the small bathroom where she prepared for the day.
Catching her appearance in the mirror showed her tired eyes and overall unenthusiastic look. "C'mon Scarlett.." The girl mumbled to herself as she splashed her face with cool water "Wake up." She sighed.
After her daily routine of showering, dressing in casual clothes and leaving her long brown hair to hang freely she grabbed some toast on the way out of the door and cruised through the poor excuse of the apartment floor towards the elevator like always.
Her old town, however, flooded her mind today. It was on the rare occasion that this happened but she didn't attempt in fighting off the several thoughts as she long ago learnt that it was impossible.
She thought about her old store though, back when she had gotten her first job with Grace in Strata and then the following day she had become lucky enough to be offered her own store from Dominic with Renee as her assistant.
Life was easy then, her apartment actually homey and money was comfortable. She remembered her old friends, all the customers that she'd sometimes see in her new boutique and people like Libby and Godfrey who she hadn't heard from. She remembered Dominic and his shy demeanour, everyone hinting that he had developed feelings for her and she was about to complain as feelings for him where there too yet none of this could last.
She painfully recollected the last day there. She'd just won the international contest and everyone was beyond happy despite most of them knowing her having to move away due to wanting to go back to university. Anyway, she was remembering her last conversation. Dominic congratulating her before offering to walk her home however before she could answer he seemed to decide against it, telling her that he was busy and that he'd have Grace take her home and she commented on how red he was which confused her but it still brought a smile to her face.
It'd been about a year and a half now and she'd barely seen any of them in so long. Sure she'd get the occasional visit from Grace and she'd speak briefly with her but the both of them were so busy now it just seemed impossible for them to actually talk together. It in fact felt like that life was no more than a dream to her, everyone seemingly strangers.
Yet she was torn from her thoughts, the elevator reaching the ground floor. Stepping out she smiled at the delivery boy she sometimes talked to as he was her age. "Good morning Brad." She waved making him look up.
Brad seemed to blush at her smile but returned it and waved back "Good morning to you too miss." He replied politely, his smile stuck on his face as he watched her leave out the front.
It was in the cold season of winter and she pulled her leather jacket around her in attempt to keep in the warm while icy wind blew passed her but fortunately for her the decrepit apartment block wasn't too far from her clothing store.
Walking quickly soon brought her to the shop front and she stepped inside, grateful for the sudden burst of warmth even though it made her hands feel slightly numb from the sudden climate change.
She had noticed by the cash register was Michaela and her assistant, Harvey. Michaela sometimes dropped by in the mornings to check on her as she thought Scarlett often worked herself too hard and it was no surprise when Michaela greeted her with a hug.
"Good morning sweetheart." She began in a friendly tone; letting her go once the hug had lasted a few seconds for her to reply with a lazy smile.
"Good morning to you too, Michaela." She nodded, leaning against the counter where the cash register sat.
"I'm afraid I can't stay for long dear, so this is no more than a check-up but I wanted to make sure you were okay lately. I mean you must be working a lot, rushing out of work the moment you can to get to your university lectures and such." She had sighed after she had said it, worried for her friend.
Scarlett nodded slowly in agreement, there was no use lying to her as she always found out the truth somehow. In fact Michaela even knew about her living situation.
She started off living in the town with an acceptable apartment, well decorated with nice furniture yet University fees were ever rising and the cost of living was high, especially for a young adult like herself so when she had to downgrade to where she was now; which was defiantly a huge demotion, she felt somewhat shameful and didn't allow people to visit her or even know where she lived in fear of judgement or the ever dreaded pity they might feel for her.
Michaela found out however and did her best to comfort her and she did, for a while. Now their friendship consisted of Michaela looking out for Scarlett, being her comfort and despite Scarlett despising the feeling of almost being looked after by a woman not too much older than herself she couldn't despise Michaela and why she did it so she accepted it.
"I'm okay… Just," She searched for a good word, something she could say that'd put Michaela at ease in how she was doing. There had to be a negative being she expected it but Scarlett knew to choose one that could be easily solved or at least thought to be easily solved so finally she settled on saying "Just tired."
Michaela nodded in understanding "Well don't push yourself too hard okay? Perhaps I'll drop by your place later and we'll relax together." She smiled before looking down at the watch on her wrist "But I should get going now." She shook her head and left a friendly kiss upon Scarlett's cheek, almost reluctant to leave before doing so.
Scarlett then turned to her assistant as he'd been silent for them to talk. She offered a friendly smile which she'd hoped would also be reassuring in case he worried at all over what she and Michaela spoke of.
"Good morning Harvey." She spoke softly, in a worn out yet kind way and he returned her smile.
"Good morning to you too, Scarlett. Looking forward to finishing the day of work?" He chuckled, easily lightening the mood for her and she allowed herself to giggle with him as she nodded.
"That I am, so let's get started mm?" She smiled warmly at him and soon the work day was coming to an end as quickly as it had started.
Scarlett had her bag of necessary class books thrown over her shoulder, the messenger bag hanging by her hip as she clutched the strap, heading towards the door. She'd noticed that around the middle of the day it had started raining and it had gotten heavier towards the end of her work day which led to her not to step out into it.
As she passed by Harvey she had smiled and thanked him for finishing the day up like usual then leaving out into the door and into the cold rush of rain so she could leave for her university quickly.
The lecture had passed relatively quickly too as her professor seemed rushed and ushered the class out early. Being she studied psychology she wondered if by his rigid body actions she could figure out a clue as to why he was acting like that but unfortunately nothing came to mind and she was more than happy to leave anyways.
It was still rather late out, despite class ending early and the rain hadn't let up in the slightest yet the only thing on her mind was a long awaited warm and comforting shower so she began her route home.
While she was walking she found herself getting pushed by another woman. She hadn't had enough time to catch a glimpse of her as she'd been forced off balance and the uneven sidewalk wasn't helping. She felt herself falling forward, her knee scraping the floor as her heavy bag of books fell upon her back, forcing her down more into a puddle.
Groaning, she'd pushed herself up, in search of a bench being she was sure she'd ripped her jeans. Once she found one she took a seat next to an older man that she didn't pay much mind to and checked her jeans. Like she'd thought, one leg was ripped at the knee, her actual knee underneath it scraped and bleeding while the other was scuffed, just like the front of her already worn converses.
"Ugh.. Fuck me." She whispered under her breath, the annoyance getting to her but to her surprise the older man had heard and piped up at this. "Now, that isn't very formal language.." He trailed off as he seemed to think for a moment "..Scarlett?" He asked questionably making her look up.
She looked up too, shocked he knew her name until she caught sight of his face. Godfrey sat beside her and suddenly the cool air hitting her exposed and scraped knee was forgotten.
The smile that found her face was big and genuine, and even if he didn't return her feelings she felt so glad to see someone like him again; someone from the old town and someone she shared history with.
He mirrored her excited grin and extended his hand "Oh darling, it had been too long." He laughed in his comforting way as she took his hand to shake or so he thought.
Instead though, she pulled him closer to her so she could wrap her arms around her to hug him tightly and after his shock quickly subsided he returned her hug gratefully.
"It has, it really has." Scarlett sighed in such relief before pulling away from him slowly to catch his gaze. "So, why're you here?" She asked, hoping she'd be a reason.
"Aha, well you see Master Dominic sent me out here in search for Renee. He was worried as she'd been gone for a while but in fact she not long ago passed you, or should I say pushed passed you in order to get to a store with a sale sign up." He smiled rolling his eyes but blinked as Scarlett's smile dropped slowly.
"You know.." The tone of her voice was worn again, tired and laced with sadness "I've missed you something awful. All of you." She sighed and Godfrey offered her a reassuring, warm smile.
"I have too dear and so have the others. Master Dominic does miss dropping by your boutique as do I and dear Libby." He nodded, taking her hand to rub it comfortingly "I also now know that Renee is safe A quick phone call to Master Dominic and then I can spend some time to talk to you."
She nodded slowly, feeling happier again "Oh great, I can take you to my apartment and we can-" She cut herself off, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks. Take Godfrey to her ramshackle apartment? He was so often in a mansion so it'd probably be so much more of a shock and the embarrassment she'd feel would be unreal however Godfrey now snapped her out of her thoughts.
"That'd be a wonderful idea pet. Perhaps we could have a warm drink too; after all it isn't the nicest weather out." He chuckled, already standing with the phone pressed to his ear so he could call Dominic.
Scarlett stood too, clenching her fists from a sudden rush of anxiety. She really wished she hadn't mentioned her home but as of now it was too late and began leading him there.
The closer she got, the harder she clenched her fists. Godfrey had not long ago gotten off the phone but he was talking again, talking about things she couldn't concentrate on and it made her feel bad but as they got to the outside of the apartment block her stomach turned and her legs felt alien.
She wished so badly she could take him somewhere else, show him somewhere that looked like she was living comfortably but her stiff legs led him right to the door and up to outside her door.
Once the both of them were inside Scarlett immediately began making herself comfortable, for her own sake, taking off her now uncomfortable jacket and kicking off her shoes as she walked to the kitchen to begin the drinks.
Godfrey had taken off his wet jacket too, placing it on a radiator before sitting on her worn couch while he waited and luckily it wasn't long before she joined him, handing him tea.
He sipped at it and smiled, sensing her slight pride as she'd remembered how he had it but he decided to break the growing awkward silence. "So, this is a nice place you have here dear." He gave a weak chuckle but Scarlett shook her head at it.
"No need to lie to me Godfrey, I know this place is a dump." She sighed, feeling shameful.
"Then why ever do you live here dear?" He asked, frowning and taking her hand like before, to comfort her as she was obvious in displaying the way she felt.
"Money is scarce after University, running the shop and general living." She admitted as Godfrey nodded in understanding.
They both knew that most people went through a stage like this in their life time but he didn't want that for her. He wanted so much more.
"I could lend you some easily or perhaps if I spoke to Master Dominic-" He'd started talking but she had cut him off, face flushed.
"No! No, no I'm sorry but please don't. I don't want you wasting your money on me and I'm begging you not to mention this to Dominic, please." She sighed, sounding stressed and Godfrey acknowledged this.
"It wouldn't be a waste but okay dear, now come here and relax." He rested his arm along the back of the couch so she could nod and pull her legs up onto the couch, snuggling up against him.
While Godfrey was an actual grandfather to Libby he often viewed Scarlett as his granddaughter too, they certainly had a close enough relationship to see each other as family.
After he'd finished his tea he sighed and looked at the time. "I suppose it'd be time I soon left you dear." He sighed as Scarlett nodded slowly and stood, straightening her shirt.
"Yeah, I need to shower too, get ready for bed as well as tomorrow." She smiled weakly in attempt to lighten the mood as goodbyes weren't exactly her favourite thing, especially after she left Godfrey and the others and hadn't had a proper conversation with anyone of them up until that day.
Godfrey nodded and the two hugged, Godfrey kissing her cheek "Stay well my dear, until we meet again." He chuckled softly as they pulled apart.
She just smiled her nodded, her throat beginning to feel dry as she held back her sorrow and once he began leaving for the door she left for the shower.
The sound of the door closing didn't happen for a short while after but she'd assumed he was taking the time to place his coat back on and after she felt at ease she stepped into the shower.
At the moment the warm water hit her body she allowed herself to relax, the water almost caressing her tense muscles and allowing her to slip into a state of ecstasy. Her eyes were closed as she slowly massaged her scalp while washing, shoulders dropped in a loose way. These were truly one of the best parts of most days.
After a while she had to step out of course and as she stepped into her bedroom, towel wrapped around her chest and falling to her knees, she noticed that everything seemed cleaner. Her bed was made and fresh, warm looking pyjamas were laid out.
She couldn't help but smile. This is why the door hadn't shut for so long, Godfrey had gone to the trouble to do this and as she came closer to her pyjamas to change she found a small note with his number, telling her he was only ever a phone call away.
She stood outside now, on the balcony of her floor with a warm mug in hand, both of hers wrapped around it for its heat. She often did this, stood outside late at night to just peacefully look at the starry sigh while listening to the world that had long ago fallen asleep. She thought easier, felt better and just overall enjoyed the beauty of the night.
Currently her mind was filled with her past life, like it was in the morning but she was thinking so much more in depth of everything and while it made her unhappy it almost gave her comfort.
Her mind had just reached Dominic and she sighed quietly, whispering his name to the night sky "Dominic.." She closed her eyes, wanting to talk to him again. Part of her wished that he knew of her being there, that on a night like this he'd visit her and just walk out behind her, place a hand on her shoulder and tell her everything would be okay but like always she was alone out there and soon she walked back inside to sleep and get the next day over with.
A/N: Damn, this seems like a long first chapter… Or page or whatever but I couldn't help myself u I had so much to write and I just did but I hope any of you readers enjoy this and yeah… Thanks for reading ^_^