"We're here."
Scarlet's eyes fluttered open and she could see her house's familiar apartment complex and the stars that were about to disappear as soon as dawn. She rolled her eyes a little then dug her hands into the part of her clothing where she'd hidden her cash.
Scarlet sighed, handing the driver his fare, she sighed again and yawned, and wondered how many hours of sleep she'd be able to get before 9 am. But the money she got compensated her. Scarlet could make nothing less than five hundred dollars in a night and that was after she'd settled the owner of Arcane. It was worth it to her but when tiredness struck, it hit hard.
She buzzed herself in and just as she was about to step into the complex, someone from behind set their foot to wage the door so that it would not close.
"The fu-" Scarlet was about to say when her gaze landed on the large man that was obstructing her from closing the door. Not waiting to ask what he wanted or who he was, Scarlet stepped away from the door, her mind already figuring out a way to get to the elevator as quickly as possible. This man could be there with others and Scarlet knew that would be a problem for her.
"You can not run forever," the man said through the material that he'd used to cover his mouth, making his speech muffled and leaning toward her a little.
It seemed like he could enter the complex at any point that he chose.
'Where the hell is the Property Manager when you need him?' Scarlet thought.
It was only when he wanted to cause trouble, he'd be everywhere, at least that was what Scarlet thought.
It seemed to Scarlet that the man wasn't there to cause her harm -- he just wanted to threaten and scare her. But this had been going on since a rich man wanted to make her his sex slave. Her refusal brought about threats, forceful dates, and presents that weren't appreciated and often returned.
"Fuck off," Scarlet responded with a sneer on her face. She stepped on the foot that the thug was using to wage the door and with a painful groan, the man retrieved his leg.
It infuriated the rich man that Scarlet never gave in and hadn't given in even until that moment. It was a bruise to his ego but she couldn't care less. Scarlet had thought about going to the police with the issue but she knew that she wouldn't be listened to -- and she knew the exact reason why. It would be a waste of her time and effort, she knew that much. However, she had decided to handle her safety by herself.
Scarlet chuckled slightly as she turned the key, stepping into her apartment. Somehow, she enjoyed the adrenaline that pumped through her system but the downside of it all was that she wasn't going to get any sleep before the set time.
Scarlet's mind drifted to what the waiter said to her as she soaked herself in a bath of salts and body wash. She rolled her eyes wondering why it seemed like she was disturbed or curious, she would say.
Scarlet wasn't interested in men, at least not yet. There were things that she needed to focus on and being involved with men who just want her as a trophy disgusted the hell out of Scarlet. She had goals that she needed to meet -- goals that she'd set years setting up their achievements. No, she couldn't let anyone disturb or distract her until she was done.
* * *
The next morning, Carson couldn't get his mind off the previous night. For the first time in a while, while he thought about the girl in Arcane -- he slept off and it was a deep and dreamless sleep. Carson had been plagued with slight insomnia and nightmares prior but now his lids managed to close.
So, the next morning, as Carson walked into the office with a pleasant look on his face, Lexi greeted him.
"Good morning, sir," Lexi said as she sighted him and hurriedly stood up from her chair to meet up with him.
"Hello, Lexi," came Carson's reply.
Lexi's eyes widened. There was something weird going on. She could tell -- she could sense it.
'Has someone switched the boss for someone else?' Lexi Hunt thought as she quickly gathered herself by closing her agape mouth and swallowing subtly.
"The conference room is ready, I'm sure," Carson said as he took his seat and grabbed the cup of hot, steaming coffee that was already waiting for him on his table.
Lexi nodded and proceeded to talk about other appointments that were scheduled for that day, also bringing papers that required Carson's signature.
"How about the project I told you to oversee?" Carson asked.
"The new house?"
Carson cast her a cold stare -- a stare that would make her think about the stupid question she'd just asked. He hated questions that seemed rhetorical, especially when the subject had been talked about previously.
"Sorry, boss...of course," Lexi quickly said. "It's under my supervision and it's going well. But-" she cut herself off, wondering if she should venture down the path she was about to.
"Yes?" Carson asked. He wasn't one to dismiss people's ideas. He liked to hear what people thought especially Lexi -- Carson also liked to listen to bits of advice from people that have proven themselves to be smart. However, it didn't mean that he'd take it as his mind had an active filter.
"Why build one, sir? Why didn't you just buy like the rest of your properties?" Lexi finally asked. She couldn't even fathom why he was amassing such several properties but who wouldn't with the kind of wealth that he had? She would often ponder and say to herself.
Carson shrugged. He was unpredictable as he seemed interested in what she wanted to say at first, but in the next instant, Carson decided that her question didn't require an answer.
The light of Lexi's phone came on and that caught her attention.
"We should be heading to the conference room now, sir..." Lexi said. "The Tiling Company's owner, his deputy, and his nurse are here."
Carson Garner's brows furrowed and he nodded.