Alec

Stay strong.

You have to stay strong for Nick.

I kept chanting this when a tap on my shoulder made me jump in my spot.

Running a hand on my cheek, I quickly wiped my tears away and looked up.

"Hey, dad."

He sat down beside me and I looked away for a moment.

"It's okay to cry infront of people, son."

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and just nodded.

"You should be there. They're about to lower the grave," He spoke again.

My chest heaved up as I sucked in a shaky breath. "I can't."

I felt his hand around my shoulder as he pulled me into a hug.

"I'm not going to force you but I think your mom would want you there."

"Would me being there bring her back?" It came out as a whisper.

I finally saw his sorrow come to the surface, which he had been keeping buried to appear strong infront of me and Nick. But it was gone within a moment and he looked ahead at the busy road.

I couldn't help but wonder how nice things would have been if none of this had happened and my parents would just be driving me to school as usual.

"I know you love her, Adam. She loves you too. She still does. How do you think she would feel about you not being there for her burial?"

"Then, she can come back and tell me how mad she is right now."

But she is not coming back.

She never will.

Just the mere thought made me want to shut my eyes so tight and somehow wake up from this nightmare.

"I wish she could," Dad muttered under his breath.

I don't know how long we sat there in silence but dad finally ruffled my hair and got up.

"You know," He started while brushing the dust from his pants. "I had a dog when I was your age. He died and I refused to see him one last time before he was buried. Then, a few days later I went to his tiny grave and all I could think about is how I could give away anything just to see him one last time, even if it meant seeing him dead."

I looked up at him.

"I regretted that I didn't say my goodbye even when I had the choice."

Dad shook his head. "Now I know that you're smarter than me, Adam. Aren't you?"

I took in a shaky breath and blinked back the tears.

"I-I'll be there in a minute," I stuttered.

"Okay," Dad spoke and walked away.

I felt a tap on my shoulder again.

"Just give me a minute, dad."

"I'm not your dad."

It was a very sweet voice of a girl.

I turned around in confusion to find a little girl standing there.

She was wearing a cute little black frock which complimented her brown hair. She couldn't be more than 8 years old.

"Hi. I'm Scarlet," She smiled and sat down beside me.

I blinked in confusion.

What did she want?

She stared at me expectantly through her chocolate brown eyes and I raised a brow.

"What?" I finally asked.

She sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. "I said 'Hi. I'm Scar-"

"I heard you," I sighed and looked away.

"What's your name?"

"Adam."

"Adam, why are you sitting here alone?"

I shrugged.

"I couldn't hear you. Can you repeat that?" She spoke.

I turned to her. "I didn't say anything."

"And isn't that rude? To not answer when someone asks you something?" She lifted her face and held her chin up.

"What do you want?" I asked, annoyed.

"I just wanna talk," There was a glint in her eyes as she spoke.

"Go and talk to someone else."

"Why don't you wanna talk to me? Is it because I'm clingy?"

"Yes."

Her smile dropped. "Oh okay. Fine."

Her lips pulled up into a frown and her bright conduct was gone. All because of me. And I didn't like it one bit.

She made a move to get up and leave and I felt my heart sinking into my chest.

Another person who leaves me.

Please don't leave me alone. I found myself begging for a complete stranger to stay.

Even if it was momentary, she did make me forget about my sorrow.

Also, it's not like she did anything wrong. I shouldn't have been so blunt.

"I'm sorry," I muttered.

And just like that, her smile was back as she settled beside me again.

"I forgive you, Adam."

I nodded and looked away.

"My mom said I should come back in two minutes. I need to go. Are you coming with me?" She asked.

I shook my head.

There was a moment of silence and I thought she was gone but then, I heard her sigh.

"I'm sorry about your mom, Adam."

I bit down on my lip to stop myself from crying infront of her.

"If you choose to come with me, I'll let you hold my hand."

I couldn't help but chuckle through my misery.

She got up and held her hand out for me.

"Come on. I like to befriend brave people."

I must have been lost in my mournful daze when I put my hand in hers and let her guide me to my mother's casket.

I stood at a distance, watching the people I've never seen before, around me. Dad was standing in the opposite corner, holding my five year old brother, Nick in his arms, who seemed to be crying.

I didn't know the reason. Whether it was that he knew mom was gone or he was just annoyed that she hadn't held him in her arms for a long time now.

My gaze moved when the coffin was lifted and I found my limbs frozen as my mother was slowly buried deep into the earth.

She was going.

And I couldn't stop her.

I felt a pair of soft fingers brush against my cheeks.

Scarlet was standing up on her tip toes to brush my tears away.

My lip quivered as I wanted to speak something but she pulled me into a hug. I was too weak to hug her back.

"It's going to be alright," She whispered softly and I rested my head on her shoulder.

"You are a very brave person, Adam," She pulled back and smiled at me.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I nodded.

Mom was gone. If only I knew that fate had more diabolical plans to ruin me.

It broke me. I couldn't stay strong.

I was anything but brave.

*****

I stared at the picture infront of me.

"Today, I give you justice, dad."

"And avenge your death, little brother," I ran my finger across Nick's picture.

Walking up to the mirror, I smiled proudly at myself.

Alec Sinclair.

The douchebag who is about to ruin a man.

And he's going to look damn fine doing that.

Putting on my fancy watch, I styled my hair back and then ran my fingers through them to make them look messy.

Grabbing my blazer, I went downstairs to have my breakfast.

For the first time in so many years, I was finally at ease today. After all the struggle, hustle and restless nights, here I was, ready to deal with the devil.

The same devil who took everything away from me.

Today, I was going to ruin him just like he ruined me 12 years ago.

I have destroyed his company and now, I will take it away from him. I can't wait to see his face when he sells Price Industries to me.

Also, I hope he dies of a heart attack.

Well, if not that, he might as well commit suicide under all that stress.

We'll be even that way.

I sat down at the dining table.

Martha smiled up at me as she got the breakfast ready.

"The usual, Mr. Sinclair?"

"Yes," I started checking for important emails while having my breakfast.

Once I was done, I took the elevators to go to the parking lot and hurried to my black convertible. Jeremy was already waiting for me.

"Good morning, Mr. Sinclair."

"Morning, Jeremy. I'm driving today," He gave me the keys and I quickly drove out of the parking lot.

I was already late for the meeting and thankfully, my skills from illegal car racing days were coming in handy today.

Just as I parked the car in my office building's parking, my phone buzzed.

"Walter? What did you do now?"

"Good morning to you too, asshole."

I chuckled. "I'm late for a meeting. Spill it."

"Meeting? You sound oddly cheerful today. Please tell me it's not the meeting with Price."

Walter knew everything. He has been my only friend since middle school who chose to stick around and not leave me like the rest.

He offered to support me in my tough time and I know that I wouldn't have survived if it weren't for him in helping me get a job at a local diner.

Well, I quit it sometime later and went for illegal racing to earn more cash and save enough for a good college.

Too bad Walter had to move to Barbados for business a few years ago, leaving me alone once again.

"Yes. It is that meeting," While removing my seatbelt, my eyes fell on the car parked beside mine.

A girl was at the driving seat, watching me. There was something so familiar about her. Her brown hair and chocolate brown eyes sent a feeling of warmth down my spine. Where have I seen her?

She must have realized that I was looking at her as she blinked and looked away.

"Hello? You still alive, man?"

"What?"

He sighed into the phone. "Never mind. I'll call you later. Just wanted to let you know that I'm going back to Barbados."

"What? Why? You just came to New York last week."

"You would have known if you were listening, dipshit."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sorry I got a little distracted."

"Whatever, douche. It's not like I don't know you got distracted by a chick. Anyway, good luck with the meeting. Kick some ass. Goodbye," He hung up before I could speak further.

I let out a chuckle and turned to open my door but couldn't. The girl had parked her car right next to mine. I motioned for her to steer it away but she didn't.

Instead, she started arguing about how I stole her parking spot in my own building.

There was something about the way she talked. Her feisty little attitude. All seemed so familiar.

I glared her way as she left her car until it finally dawned on me.

It was her.

Scarlet Price! My childhood friend.

That traitor's daughter.

But how could she be here?

Wait! Why wouldn't she be here? She could have accompanied her father.

Is she now a part of her father's dirty business tricks? For some reason, the thought bothered me.

Was that girl even her?

As I got out of the car and started towards the elevators in a hurry, she let the doors shut in my face.

Damn!

She hasn't grown up at all.

There was no doubt it was her. But I still had to make sure.

I got up to the conference room floor and finally saw him. The man I've been waiting to ruin all my life.

In that exact moment, it took everything within me to not kill him right away.

But then, there's no way I would kill him.

Because he was going to suffer.

Like I did.

I would make sure of that.

And then, I saw the girl standing next to him and the horrified look on her face as her dad introduced us.

A little smirk formed on my lips.

She knows she screwed up and I'll make sure I prove her right.

Throughout the meeting, I couldn't stop thinking about her.

The way she had thrived into such a hot-

Damn.

I wasn't paying much attention to anything John Price was saying. What was the point? I was just going to reject his deal and buy his company.

Instead, I had another plan cooking up in my mind.

A plan that involved my feisty little old friend.

Once the meeting was over, I didn't reject his deal right away like I had planned earlier but I did get the satisfaction of his exhausted and broken self when I said that I would think about it without showing any interest.

After the meeting when everyone had left, I was planning my schedule with my assistant Erica when the door to the conference room opened.

Scarlet.

I was expecting to see her.

Now I had a different plan. I would ask--force her to agree to our marriage and then I would leave her at the altar.

That's it!

That'll serve that asshole John Price just right.

But I didn't really do that, now did I?

*****

I took in a deep breath.

Walter is going to kill me. He was supposed to be my best man.

That's the reason I kept giving myself to drop out of this ceremony.

Wasn't that the plan? To leave her at the altar?

Yes, Alec. Do it. Walk through the crowd. There's no one to stop you.

And don't you dare think about that kiss! That was just to announce the marriage. It didn't mean anything.

Break the Prices. Ruin their already dead reputation. But--

James Price.

That blonde kid with green eyes who looked exactly like Nick. That was the reason why I had suddenly found a soft spot for him the moment I had seen him.

Oh come on! Skip the drama, Alec. You're not doing anything wrong. That family had it coming.

I finally took a step to walk off the altar but was stopped in my tracks when everyone got up from their seats and looked back.

My gaze fell on the aisle.

Scarlet was walking in that beautiful wedding gown in a very slow pace. I was left stupefied when her gaze locked with mine and I resisted the urge to walk further and just take her away with me.

She was so beautiful.

I held my hand out for her as she neared and relished her warm grip. She was nervous.

Well don't be. It's just me, Scarlet. Your friend Adam.

The priest started the ceremony and we spoke our fake vows. Only, they did mean something to me.

I meant everything I said about keeping her safe because that's how I felt about her back in those days. To always be there for her like she was there for me at my mother's funeral.

And now? What the hell was I doing?

Okay! Focus, Alec.

A slight change in the goddamned plan again.

I marry her and then I cause problems in our marriage.

Get to her dad through her.

Would I use her?

Yes! Because my revenge meant a lot more than I felt anything for her.

And now, being the idiot I am, I took her to Barbados for our honeymoon. That's right.

In my defense, if I left her here alone and went for my meetings, she might try to reach out to her family or friends.

My blood boiled at the thought of her going to her ex boyfriend Ben for help.

Why didn't I just punch him that day? Who the fuck did he think he was trying to get so close to her?

Anyway, I did set some ground rules.

I wasn't going to sleep with her no matter what. That would be really low of me since I am just using her for revenge.

But then again, I didn't obey the rules, now did I?

*****

I fucked her twice.

Dammit!

I stared ahead at the beach and the sea and raked my fingers through my hair.

Can I really be blamed? She's such a seductress.

I lost it when she stepped on the beach in that bikini and flirted with that guy when she had just slept with me last night.

First that moron Ben, then that dick Luke and now some random guy on the beach.

Just what exactly does this girl think she's doing?

She had already stirred feelings inside me after promising that she was never going to leave me alone when I got drunk on my dad's death anniversary.

She thinks I didn't hear it. But I did. And it has definitely affected me.

Sighing, I laid down on the chaise longue and looked up at the night sky.

After a few minutes, I shut my eyes but suddenly felt something wrap around me.

I opened my eyes to find Scarlet with just a blanket around her, climbing beside me and pretending to be asleep already.

A smile formed on my lips and I wrapped my arm around her, feeling her soft skin against my fingers.

"Scarlet," I called.

Her breathing evened and I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

I could never hurt her.

I leaned closer and kissed her forehead.

She had started meaning something to me. More than she did twelve years ago.

I would keep her close until I discovered what it was and yet far enough to not hurt her.

But once again, I did hurt her, now didn't I?

*****

I lost her.

She's gone.

Another miserable day without her.

I just lay in my bed after waking up, staring up at the ceiling. She doesn't want me anymore.

What am I without her?

I shouldn't have used her to get to her dad. How could I do that to her?

I love her. And now she doesn't love me anymore.

I had everything when she was with me and now, it just seems empty again.

My phone rang and I picked it up from the night stand, raising a brow at the contact.

John Price?

What the fuck does he want now?

"Yes?" I gritted my teeth.

"Alec," He spoke hesitantly.

I stood quiet, waiting for him to speak.

"I-I don't know what to say honestly. I'm sorry-"

"Cut to the chase."

"Scarlet is miserable."

That caught my attention as I sat up on the bed and frowned. "What's wrong? Is she okay?"

"No. She's missing you."

"Then why didn't you let me see her when I stopped by yesterday?"

"I just....I don't know-"

"I'm coming to your house right now and taking her back with me," I got up from the bed and almost hung up when his voice stopped me.

"No. Wait. She won't see you. That's the point. She's feeling guilty about....what I did. She can't face you yet."

I sighed, rubbing my forehead.

If only I could get to talk to her once, I can make her forget everything. I can make her mine again. I can make her happy.

"All I need is to see her once," I spoke.

"I'm aware of that. So I have something in mind."

"What?"

"I'm throwing this business party tomorrow and I have convinced her to come with me but she doesn't know you'll be there incase you do want-"

"I'll be there."

"Oh okay. That's great."

I hung up and placed the phone down with a smile.

I'll be winning her over again.

And once I have her, I'll never let her go anywhere again.

The next day, I was on my way to the party. John Price was going to sneak me in and take me to a wine cellar, away from the party where I can talk to her.

I tapped my foot impatiently as I waited to reach the venue. Finally, when Jeremy parked the car, I found myself immobile.

I don't remember being this nervous in a long time.

"Mr. Sinclair?"

"Yes, Jeremy?"

"I'll be keeping my fingers crossed," He smiled at me through the rear view mirror.

Now that lightened my mood.

I chuckled. "Thank you, Jeremy."

He nodded and I quickly stepped out of the car and without thinking, decided to go for it.

I took in a deep breath as I waited in the wine cellar.

My nerves ricocheted when the door suddenly opened and she walked in.

It had been so many days since I had seen her. Once again, I was frozen in my spot.

She had knocked my breath out. All I wanted was to hold her in my arms and remind her that she was mine.

That she should never be guilty of facing me no matter what.

I was so mesmerized by her that my feet started moving in her direction involuntarily.

She turned around at the voice and seemed surprised.

This is my chance to convince her to come back home and I'll do it no matter what it takes.

Give me another chance, Scarlet.

I love you.

You got this, Alec.

"Missed me, love?"