Scarlett's Sin

Wrong place?

It felt like his gaze, whoever he was, burned straight through my skin.

It was stupid. I knew that.

Hell, I was still in the car, tucked behind large glass. He probably couldn’t see me and I couldn’t really see him either, I told myself. But just as I blinked, he was gone.

"Strange," I thought as I got out of the truck, refocusing my attention on the house, the mansion.

The front door suddenly opened and a butler, dressed in a neatly pressed uniform, stepped out, moving towards my truck. Not wanting to be caught gawking, I hurriedly put out my cigarette, reshouldered my tiny, spiky strap bag and stepped out.

"Miss Scarlett, welcome. We have been expecting you. I'm Grimsby," he announced. "And this is Steve." He turned slightly and gestured towards the man behind him; who gave a respectful nod.

I shifted my gaze back to Grimsby to find him staring uncomfortably at my clothes. I wasn't surprised. I'd gotten so used to it. People tended to take one look at my purple and black streaked hair and multiple nose piercings for them to judge me. I had on a white crop top, black shorts with a fishnet underneath, favorite badass pair of black leather boots lined with little silver chains and a black leather jacket. This was my signature style and I wore them because I felt comfortable in them.

"Is there a problem?" I asked, meeting his stare.

He flushed, looking away quickly. "Of- of course not," he stammered. "We will take your bags in, if that is okay with you."

"Sure. I'll just pop open the truck."

Once it was open, they began taking out my bags. I grabbed my guitar case and joined them as we made our way towards the front door.

The inside of the house was just as magnificent as the outside. Awards, paintings and pictures of what must have been important people lined up the walls to the left.

"Miss Scarlett, this way please." Grimsby called out from the vast living room area, where he stood with my aunt, Erin. Without realizing it, I had stopped at the entryway to take it all in.

Erin's blonde hair was piled up into a tight bun and she was dressed in a stylish, white pantsuit and red bottom heels. She hadn't aged one bit since the last time I had seen her.

"Scarlett!" She exclaimed in a high-pitched voice. She almost seemed genuinely happy to see me but on a closer look, I could clearly see the resentful and malicious glint in her eyes as she observed me.

"Hi, Aunt," I mumbled.

"I've been expecting you," she said as she slowly made her way over. "I hope you had a good trip. I would have given you a hug but I don't want to get my dress all rumpled, you know. Have a press conference to attend with Thane. We have to officially announce our engagement." She giggled. "I'm going to be the wife of the soon-to-be head of state." She waved her hand, showcasing a huge, glittering diamond ring.

Knowing her, it had to have cost a fortune.

"Isn't it lovely?" She rambled on.

I was used to this charade. The Ross's liked to be in charge, to be heard and to be given the center stage; which was a better word for worship.

"Oh yes, it certainly is, Aunt," I dutifully replied. "If your engagement ring can be this- humongous, i wonder how your wedding ring will be."

The smile slipped off her face as she stared at me, unsure if I had complimented or insulted her before laughing unconvincingly and glancing over at Grimsby, who shifted uncomfortably. "She has always been the funny one, this Scarlett," she said disdainfully.

Her phone pinged, diverting her attention for a moment. She turned, snapping her finger at someone who I hadn't noticed standing in the corner. "Get my bag, Emily. You are not paid to stand around moping," she barked.

Poor Emily sprang into action, nearly tripping over herself as she snatched the bag off the table and scrambled after Erin, who was slowly making her way towards the front door. She stopped in front of Grimsby, who stood by the door, a neutral expression on his face. "Grimsby, see to it that she settles in without a fuss. Also, tell the driver to get the car ready." She snapped her red manicured claws at him.

He nodded curtly and hurried to do her bidding. She watched him go until he disappeared around the corner then turned, taking a few menacing steps towards me, all acts of politeness gone. "I'm going to be straight with you, Scarlett. I worked so f*****g hard to be where I am today. I am the fiancee to the soon-to-be head of state." Her eyes gleamed cruelly. "I won't have you ruining my plans. One wrong move and being homeless will be the least of your problems. Do I make myself clear?"

Her pretty face was contorted into something ugly.

I felt my anger rising but over the years, I had learned to keep a firm grip on my emotions. Did she seriously think she was doing me a favor by not kicking me out? I scoffed inwardly. It would be a blessing. However, I needed to bide my time until I could make a move.

Keeping my expression bored, I replied, "Noted, Erin."

She flushed instantly, eyes flashing with anger. "You will not address me as such, do you hear me? To you I'm-"

Grimsby strode in at that moment. He either didn't sense the tension or did and decided to ignore it. I glanced back at my aunt. She had assumed her usual, pleasant expression but something lay underneath I couldn't put my fingers on as she stared at Grimsby.

Then it clicked.

They were trying so hard not to be obvious but I could tell that there was something going on between them. I could only imagine the scandal and headline this would create if word got out: "Fiancee to the Head of State Caught Having an Affair with a Butler."

However until the cards came crumbling, it wasn't my business.

"Your car is ready. Will that be all?" He said in a slightly haughty voice as he stared her down.

She flushed and muttered, "Yes. That should be all for now, Grim."

His eyebrow quirked in surprise but she quickly corrected herself. "Uh- Grimsby. Show Scarlett to her room."

I shook my head, trying not to laugh as I followed Grimsby upstairs. This was going to be very interesting.

Grimsby stopped at a door almost at the end of the hallway and waved me in. It was like I had walked into a kid's nursery. "What the hell?" I whispered in horror.

Everything was pink, frilly, girly; definitely not my kind of stuff.

"Whose room was this?" I inquired.

"Ms. Alina's room. She wanted more space so she was moved to the room down the hall."

"Mr.- uh- " I said, trying to remember the name of Erin's fiance.

"Mr. Thane," he supplied.

"Yeah. Does he have a child?" I asked, fishing.

"Yes, he does," he replied. "Two children."

I wasn't exactly surprised. It clearly had been the room of a toddler. I hadn't seen a picture of this Mr Thane but at that moment I was somewhat curious. Was he those fathers with

"Grimsby?" I said as he turned to leave.

"Yes?"

"Just call me Scar."

"What?" He asked, puzzled.

"I'd prefer being called Scar, not Miss Scarlett," I said and with that began rolling my bag towards the closet, effectively dismissing him.

I had just dropped the bag in the very spacious closet when my phone pinged. It was a message from Uncle Brad.

A yawn forced its way through as I flung myself on the bed, fully clothed and opened the message.

'Shortcake, are you there yet? I miss you already.'

I sighed as I typed, 'I miss you too, Brad'

We had gotten so comfortable together that he didn't bat an eyelid when I called him by his name.

'I know,'' he replied.

It was going to be hard not getting to see him, Mrs. Pat and some of my friends, Clover most especially.

I yawned again as I waited for his message as he began typing once more but the stress from the journey finally hit me.

The last thing I remembered was the sound of my phone beeping before I drifted off to sleep.