Finding Scarlett

Chapter 3

Scarlett's POV

The smell of fresh brewing coffee awakens me from my sleep. Momma always knew coffee did the trick into getting me out of my bed and ready to start the day. Teeth brushed, showered, and a fresh change of clothes, I made my way into the kitchen.

"Good morning darling" my mom says with a smirk on her face.

"Good morning to you as well momma, but may I ask you why your face has a smirk on it so early this morning?" I asked her with a raised eyebrow as I took a sip of coffee from my mug.

She peeks up from her newspaper to meet my gaze and smiles.

"Coffee does the trick every time with you, my dear." She winks at me.

I can't help but smile back at her. Oh how I know I will miss her so much when I find my place where I feel like I belong, but then I remembered I know my mother and she will definitely be visiting as much as possible. We finished up our coffee and cleaned the kitchen as dad was washing my car for me. The time has now come to load my suitcases into my car as I set out on my journey. Before leaving, I hug my mother and father as we say goodbyes, and they wish me safe travels and the best of luck until seeing me next time in the place I choose to settle down in.

Mason's POV

Sitting at the head of the table getting ready for my hotel business meeting, I'm early as usual. I turned my chair and stared out of the windows, looking out into the rainy skies of Seattle. My mind begins to drift into the tragic past of 3 years ago on my 21st birthday. That's the day my entire life was changed. The day this world decided I no longer needed my parents and took them from me, leaving me here to run my father's clubs, hotels, and restaurants. No one usually likes working on their birthday, but these past 2 years I have been grateful for the distractions of running numerous businesses, if only this meeting could hurry and start to pull me out of my mind's misery. Just as I was thinking that, the office doors swung open and the table was now full of my employees. My assistant, Kate, gave me a sympathetic smile as she took her seat. I would have to ask her about that after this meeting was said and done, but for now it was time to get started with today's meeting. The meeting went fairly easily today as everything was running smoothly. Everyone began to grab their belongings and head towards the doors. I called out to Kate before she could manage to slip out of the door.

"Yes Mr. Riggs?'' she asked confusingly.

"Is everything okay? I saw the look you gave me before the meeting had started." I asked her worryingly. Kate was always a cheerful person.

"Yes, I am fine, it is you I am most worried about, knowing today is supposed to be a great day for you if it were in different circumstances with what happened to your parents. I am sorry for bringing that up,

but how are you?'' she asked with a worried face.

"Keeping myself buried in work keeps me very distracted, so please ask me anything else but that question.'' I replied as nicely as possible back to her.

"Of course, Mr. Riggs, I do hope you keep yourself busy today, but also try and have some fun because it is also your birthday." she says, giving me a pat on the shoulder.

"I shall try my best, Kate. Enjoy the rest of your day as well." I said in response as she exited the office.

Yes, Kate was my assistant but we were best friends outside of work before I took over ownership of my father's businesses, when we held business celebrations or gatherings held at all kinds of different places.

With two more business meetings out of the way, the day was drawing to an end. I drove myself back to the hotel to finish the night off at the rooftop bar we had overlooking the Seattle city lights.