Lucas watched Scarlet with a keen eye as they walked into the resort. She had made quick friends with Elizabeth and he was pleased. Scarlet had always been great at making friends. It was a trait he had always envied because it revealed quite often that the only reason people had allowed him into their company was because of his father’s money. She had been a gem in his life. He shook his head to banish the thoughts of the past; it would do him no good to settle there. If he wanted to win her over and get control of her company, he would have to win her over once again and show her that he was a changed man. He was no longer the little boy that had lost his way.

“We should go get settled in your room,” Angela said tugging at his hand

He lowered his head to whisper something in her ear but when he looked up, he noticed Scarlet looking up at him with a curious expression. He righted himself and decided it would be best to deal with Angela where she wasn’t watching.

“Yeah, we need to talk.” He said

He waited until all his guests received their keys before accepting his. His room was the on the top floor and so he approached the elevator that would take him directly there. He noticed Scarlet walking towards the same elevator and realized she must have also gotten a room on the top floor because of his last minute booking.

She stepped into the elevator and Angela clung to him more closely.

“I loved the party you threw the other night,” Angela said flashing her usual fake smile.

As she stood next to Scarlet he suddenly had no idea why he had even fallen for a woman like Angela. She was beautiful that was sure, but she was as interesting as a stack of plain flour.

“Thank you,” Scarlet said without turning to look at them.

“So how do you know Lucas?” she asked

They were both silent and he held his breath wondering if she would reveal their history. He was hoping she would keep it to herself for the sake of sparing him the workplace gossip.

“We were childhood friends.” She replied with a slight smile,

At least he knew she didn’t completely hate him if she was able to smile. If he thought about their childhood, he would smile too.

“Oh wow, I’ve never met any of his childhood friends.” Angela said looking at him suspiciously, “he’s very private with his past.”

Once again he held his breath hoping she wouldn’t expose him.

“He didn’t have many friends.” She replied jokingly, “that must be it.”

Lucas smiled at the thought. She was right, he hadn’t had many friends and she had been a best friend to him ever since he was old enough to know himself. She had been his very best friend.

“You two lost touch,” Angela asked prolonging the uncomfortable conversation. He looked up at the floor numbers and plead with them to increase faster as they made their way to the top.

“You could say that.” Scarlet replied, “we, lost touch.”

She said the last part as if it was something that finally made sense.

“Well it’s great that you guys can catch up again,” Angela said, “maybe you guys can pick up where you left off.”

She let out a light laugh that sounded like the Scarlet he knew. She looked over at Angela with a mischievous smile and then her eyes rose to meet his. There was something indistinguishable in them and he wished he knew how to read her.

“We should pick up where we left off.” She said forcefully

Before he could say anything else, the elevator bell rung, and the doors opened. She didn’t wait for them to step out but made her way out of the elevator and walked away leaving him to stare after her. There was something strange about the way she had looked at him and even stranger was the way she had proposed they catch up where they had left off. He knew she didn’t mean it, but he wondered why she would say it.

“She’s interesting.” Angela said, “never told me you guys dated.”

He didn’t reply, instead, he turned and made his way to his room. He knew Angela would follow and so he didn’t check to see if she would be behind him.

When they got to his room, he closed the door behind them. She walked across the room putting her bags down and making light comments about the décor. He didn’t know exactly how he would do this, but he knew it had to be done. Seeing Scarlet had shown him just how meaningless his relationship with Angela was.

“Angela, we need to talk.” He said, “we both know this relationship has run its course.”

He looked over at her and the usual smile she offered him was suddenly replaced with a scowl.

“Are you kidding me?” she asked, “what’s gotten into you?”

“What do you mean?” he asked

“You’ve been acting so different since you saw that woman at the party.” she said, “what’s the deal with you two?”

“There’s nothing between us.” He replied, “I’ve been wanting to have this conversation for weeks. You should go.”

“I knew this would be a waste of time.” She seethed, “you’re no different from your father.”

The words bit into him and felt like poison burning his blood. He was nothing like his father and he knew she only said that to irritate him. Lucky for her, it had worked.

“I can schedule a flight off the island.” He said, “but you won’t be remaining here for the weekend.”

“Keep it.” She replied, “I know my way out.”

She marched towards the door but then turned to look at him.

“You will always, never be man enough.” She said, “I think Scarlet feels the same too.”

He was so shocked at her words that he stood there for a moment wondering where they had come from. It was the cruelty beneath them that surprised him, but then again, he couldn’t blame her. He was her cash cow and he had just sent her away. It was always like this with women like Angela who only wanted him because of his money. He had yet to meet a woman who wasn’t like that. The thought struck him like a dash of cold water; he had met a woman like that, and then he had lost her. Lucas walked over to the balcony and looked out at the water. There was something so peaceful in their depths, yet he knew they held wonders. It reminded him of Scarlet; she was the one that got away.