It was late when Godfrey arrived back to the mansion. He hadn't much to worry about; he doubted that Dominic would mind as he was probably cooped up in his office like always to work and he'd already reassured him that Renee was safe so he had no reason to come out and speak with him about it.

The young man often worked himself too hard, so Godfrey thought and he was happy to see him as he wandered to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Dominic was sitting in the chair, reading a book when Godfrey passed and smiled until he caught the smell of a faint fragrance trailing behind his loyal butler. At first he would have written it off as being Renee's but it was definitely not hers being she was in love with a strong perfume and wore it almost every day while the scent he smelt was softer, sweeter. Granted he could only get so much from it as it was faint but it was certainly not hers.

Eunice. He questioned himself over it perhaps being his overly almost clingy maid but no, it didn't smell like something she'd wear either as her perfume was always worn too much for it to be faint or sweet which only made her, in Renee's words, 'reek of desperation'.

He found himself standing and following Godfrey into the kitchen. Perhaps Godfrey had a lady friend which made sense to him as he did appear happier than usual as he passed making Dominic want to know about her. He and Godfrey were close so he was sure if he was seeing someone then he would let Dominic know.

Only when he was leaning against the counter that Godfrey prepared food on did he relax and smile. "You've been gone a while Godfrey." He stated, watching him as Godfrey nodded slowly.

"That I suppose I have, Master Dominic." He nodded in agreement, looking up at Dominic for a short moment "That wouldn't be a problem would it?" He asked to which Dominic shook his head.

"No, no of course not I just wondered where you were is all." He smiled at him once again as Godfrey nodded and went back to chopping his vegetables.

"Well..?" he pushed, now desperately curious as Godfrey shrugged in reply, not looking up at him again.

"Nowhere special." He mumbled in a monotone voice. It wasn't that he actually believed seeing Scarlett wasn't special but rather that if he told him he worried of Dominic asking questions, questions with answers that Scarlett didn't want Dominic knowing, as she so clearly pointed out.

Dominic's smile dropped and he slouched with disappointment. "Surely it had to be somewhere at least remotely worth mentioning if you've caught a woman's perfume on you." He whined, almost childlike in the way he wasn't getting information.

Godfrey looked up at this, catching Dominic's stare. He'd triggered something and Dominic knew this. "You were with a woman right?" The smile found his features again, wider this time and Godfrey let out a sigh.

"That I was." He shook his head slowly as Dominic chuckled to himself. He was telling himself that he knew it in his head as he straightened up.

"That's great, what's she like, may I ask?" He smiled, watching the butler finish chopping, scooping the vegetables into a pot over the stove.

"She isn't worth speaking of Master Dominic, no more than an old friend." He'd started out explaining in that monotone voice again yet he couldn't help but get warmer, more genuine and even smile at how he reached that she was an old friend.

Dominic, like before slouched slightly "Can I at least learn her name? And at that I promise to stop bothering you with the matter." He nodded and Godfrey looked over to him.

He chewed his lip gently yet to Dominic it'd be hidden by his moustache. Surely if he was true to his word then it wouldn't matter if he at least knew he was with her but then again he also knew how many more questions it'd leave Dominic with.

"Scarlett." He finally mumbled, watching Dominic blink in shock.

He cleared his throat, fixing his posture and then his blazer "Could… Could you repeat that please?" He almost seemed hesitant in asking.

"I was with Scarlett today. We'd hugged and that was probably where I caught the scent of her perfume." He explained.

Dominic looked down at his shoes that he absentmindedly stroked the floor with. He wasn't sure how to feel about what he'd just learnt as for so long he just blocked her out of his mind completely, not wanting to think about her but now she was all he could think about.

By the time dinner was ready he just sat there, staring down at the food he played with. There was nothing wrong with it of course, he just couldn't focus enough to eat it, or even feel hungry.

Godfrey watched him from across the table, watching his facial expressions yet Dominic looked emotionless. This was quite on the contrary however, as it was really because he felt far too much emotion to express.

He couldn't tell if he felt regret for never trying to see her or anger at himself for allowing himself to get so consumed by the thought of her. Then part of him was jealous, envious of Godfrey getting to see her and not him but another part of him was angry yet saddened by her never trying to contact them, him.

Involuntarily he found himself standing, pushing the untouched plate of food away. "I'm sorry, I'm… I'm not hungry." He sighed before leaving up the stairs and into his room.

He changed quickly, only needing to pull jogging bottoms on and burrowed into the comfort of his king sized bed. While more comforted the thoughts hadn't stopped. They were sadder now, his repressed feelings of missing her taking over.

While lying in bed and waiting for sleep to rescue him from his thoughts he couldn't help but think how it'd be so much more comforting with her in his arms and-

He stopped himself, sitting up abruptly. He was desperate to stop and wished someone like Grace or Renee were there for him, hell at this point he wouldn't mind Eunice being there and poorly flirting with him as she pretended to drop something just so she could bend down to pick it up. He never paid any mind to her but right now any female that would help him forget about her even for a moment was welcomed.

When he awoke the next day he groaned softly, holding his head. Dominic still felt plagued by the thoughts of Scarlett but attempted to ignore them as he moved the hand up into his soft brown hair to move some out of his face while he turned to lie on his side.

He gasped quietly, asking himself what he did last night while drunk with emotion as Eunice lay there. He peeled back the covers and breathed a sigh of relief. Both of them were still clothed as they should be, Dominic in his jogging bottoms and Eunice in her maid uniform.

Looking around for a moment he noticed she'd brought him breakfast in bed, the tray lying on one of his bedside cabinets yet he was still asleep so she invited herself in with him.

Dominic shivered inwardly, sometimes she downright scared him but too tired to argue he stood slowly, retrieving some clothes for the day and changing in his en-suite bathroom before walking downstairs.

He found Godfrey in the living room and offered him a smile but then he noticed Renee there too.

She jumped up at the sight of Dominic and grabbed his arm, wrapping her arms around his one. "Dominic, good morning did you sleep well?" She smiled.

Dominic sighed but offered a tired smile "Yes, I did. Thank you Renee, now is there something I can help you with this morning?" he asked as she laughed, poking his side.

"Actually, I'm helping you this morning. Have you forgotten already? Don't you remember you have that party coming up and today was the day you wanted me to take you shopping so we could both get suitable dress wear?" She smiled enthusiastically, squeezing his arm gently and he nodded.

"Oh yes… Right. I suppose we should get going then." He nodded slowly as Godfrey stood.

"Please, allow me to accompany you both." He smiled and Dominic winked at him, thanking him for saving him from what Renee believed to be a possible date.

"I know the perfect place!" Renee had exclaimed happily as they arrived in the next town "Trust me; they have some of the best things." She told them as she got out, leading Dominic and Godfrey quickly.

Upon arriving to the boutique Renee and Dominic stepped in casually while Godfrey took note of the name. He was sure he'd heard it somewhere before.

Inside Renee seemed to be looking at everything and anything while helping Dominic too before whining, seemingly crying for help. She'd attracted the attention of an employee with this and they had walked over.

"Hello Ma'am, may I be of help to you today?" He asked, watching her lower some of the clothes she held.

"Why yes please," She examined his name tag "Harvey. I was wondering if I could speak with your manager as I need recommendations, sizes and a whole bunch of stuff." She nodded as he thought for a moment.

This morning his manager had come in looking particularly stressed out and he wondered if her speaking with customers would be a good idea. He was pretty sure she'd made her point clear by looking herself in her office just in the back but he chewed his lip.

"Well I believe she is rather busy right now, but I can ask for you I suppose." He explained and turned to go do that.

Godfrey watched him, sitting on a chair near the changing rooms. He knew why he remembered this place now as Scarlett had called him early that morning to speak with him. It was brief as she was on her way here to work despite her sounding rather upset.

As Harvey knocked on her door he heard the soft call of her telling him it was open so he allowed himself to step in.

He frowned at the sight of her desk, books sprawled everywhere, some being university text books and others ones to do with work. Tissues were around her, crumpled and he had hoped it was from her catching a cold after being out in the rain yesterday and hopefully not from any tears. Then his eyes rested on her, in the middle of it all. She had a large book open in front of her but she was slumped over onto it, her arms crossed slightly, enough for her head to rest on them while she sighed.

"What do you need Harvey?" She asked quietly, not moving from her position and he frowned again before regaining what he believed to be professionalism.

"Some customers outside would like to speak with you." He nodded "A young woman requires your assistance."

She groaned softly and sat up, turning in her chair slowly to face him "Well could you please tell them that I'm sorry but I'm rather busy right now."

Harvey took a moment to examine her face and expression. Tired, with a lack of compassion at that moment making it clear she just really wanted to have little to no contact and he was already pushing her.

He nodded "I'll go and let them know." He sighed, taking a breath before shuffling out again.

He managed a small smile from the weak scent of her perfume and approached the now impatient looking Renee. "I'm afraid she is currently busy right now but I assure you I'm free and happy to help."

She just tutted and rolled her eyes "typical. Well," She held a rather skimpy looking dress up to him "Can you see if they have this in my size please?" to which he nodded and wandered off to do so.

Dominic wasn't paying much attention to her now as all she did was complain over how the manager was being unprofessional but instead his eyes fell upon Godfrey who had stood and stalked over to the office door.

He continued to watch him slowly knock as the door appeared to be locked now but it slowly opened. Unfortunately for Dominic, his tall butler blocked the view making him unable to see whoever opened the door but whoever it was pulled Godfrey in quite quickly and at that moment he knew.

Godfrey chuckled, the young girl's strength surprising him. Her arms were still tightly wrapped around him, her face buried into his chest while he just gently rested a hand on her shoulder and another on her head so he could stroke her hair.

"My dear… Whatever is wrong?" He asked quietly as she sighed, looking up at him.

"Way too much to even begin to explain here." She pouted and he nodded in understanding, just holding her close.

"Ah well, it'll all be okay. I'm sure." He reassured her, almost forgetting that Dominic and Renee would probably notice his absence soon.

Dominic did, for a while now and huffed. He wasn't sure if it was jealously that carried him to do so but he wanted to see her and he wasn't going to sit idly by and let Godfrey do all the talking so he told Renee he was going to speak with the manager, file her several complaints but when he got to the door he got hesitant. It'd been so long and if he thought right then she was just behind this door.

He swallowed his anxiety and was just about to knock when Godfrey opened the door. Once again his tall figure hid the girl behind him and he ushered Dominic to move back slightly so he could step out and swiftly close the door behind him.

This just hid Scarlett from him again and Godfrey smiled, already easily guessing his lie "Don't worry of the complaint you were about to file as I've taken care of that for you and Renee."

Dominic sifted his weight from left to right as if weighing up his considered options and replies but settled on a sigh and a simple 'thank you' before returning to Renee who held the same skimpy dress but in her size.

She seemed rather happy and he offered her a smile "It looks great." He told her and she nodded in agreement.

"Doesn't it? I'm sure it'd turn heads at your cocktail party." She giggled before asking Harvey to hold up a classy suit "And this is yours, it'll suit you perfectly I'm sure. But could you be a dear and pay for these while I browse this cute little boutique more?" she asked with a flutter of her eyelashes.

Dominic did so but just because he didn't mind leaving her to do her own thing. She did exactly that for a while too and the boutique had gotten busier with time. Neither Dominic nor Godfrey paid much mind to anyone, not even Renee until a similar perfume caught both of their interests.

With the crowding they both saw no more than her brown hair trailing behind her as she rushed out and down the sidewalk to get to her university but this made Dominic stand.

"Godfrey I believe I've spotted an old business partner outside that I need to speak with. Please, do take Renee home if I'm not back soon." He told him before rushing out. What he said wasn't a technically a lie as she was an old business partner. The only difference in fact was that he wanted to talk to her but he just felt he needed to so he didn't feel guilty leaving Godfrey and Renee with such petty information.

Several hours passed and he still hadn't found the university. Even if he did by now it wouldn't matter as her classes must've ended and night had already began to fall. Godfrey had even called him to let him know that he was taking Renee home ages ago.

He sighed; about to give up when by pure luck he caught sight of her, just across the street from him.

He stopped, admiring her. It'd been what felt like forever but she was still as beautiful as he remembered her even with the sad look she wore. She was walking slowly and towards her home while taking in the quiet night around her for comfort and stress relief after the hard day, not even noticing the man she once knew she close to her.

Not paying attention, she found herself bumping into someone. "Oh, I'm so sorry." She muttered with embarrassment and sadness.

"No problem Scarlett." The young boy smiled and as she looked up she realised it was only Brad who politely tipped his hat at her.

She managed a weak smile, recalling how she had passed his van not too far back. "You're out late aren't you? Shouldn't you be in bed by now mister?" She teased playfully.

He chuckled "I could ask you the same question young lady." He teased back, both of them unaware of Dominic's watchful eye.

Dominic was shifting his weight again, watching the two. It was obvious the young man was into her and Dominic could tell this through his body actions and he couldn't help feel bitter towards him despite being sure he lost any of those types of feelings for Scarlett long ago.

In fact he convinced himself that the jealously from purely from him wanting to talk to her that badly and being a man who tended to miss out on things due to leaving things unsaid he found himself chewing his lip nervously on whether or not he should call out to her.

Finally he reminded himself on how he only found her that night by getting lucky and began crossing the street as he shouted out a nervous yet firm.

"Scarlett?!" He acted surprised "It's been forever!"