Scarlet's life had been hell. The only parent she had known was her mother -- it was her mother that had trained her even through high school -- was there for her every step of the way. Scarlet would often remember how late her mother would come back from work just to keep food on the table for the both of them. She didn't let the gas, lights or water get turned off as she always paid their bills on time. Scarlet noticed all these things and was thankful that she had the kind of mother that she did, not minding that she had never met her father once in her life. At a time, Scarlet's mother began working three jobs and the third job that she'd taken was the one that had caused her demise. Scarlet's mother had come to work as a cleaner in Jean Garry's company. It wasn't such a giant then as it had become now.
She sighed when she saw Jean Garry's gate. 'Finally,' she thought. They had arrived at his house and Scarlet couldn't be more grateful that her shift was over for the day.
"Can't you stay for the night?"
It was as if someone had used their fingernails to scratch a chalkboard -- as if someone had poured gravel into her ears. 'This question again,' Scarlet thought in utter disgust and annoyance. Not knowing what to respond to him, Scarlet remained silent as she continued to stare out of the car's window.
"Did you hear what I asked, Scarlet?" Jean asked again, his voice as hoarse as it could possibly be.
'The fool,' Scarlet thought before she turned around with a plastic smile that hurt her cheeks.
"Sorry, sir, " she said. "What did you say? My mind was-"
"I've told you to call me Jean, Scarlet, " he said. "We have been together for what…almost four years now…" he finished with something that looked like a smile on his face.
Scarlet had to stifle the urge to smack him hard across the face. It was upsetting enough to be around him, but unbearable for her to listen to him talk all the shit he liked to talk.
"Sir would still suffice…" she replied then quickly added, "are you ready to come down from the car now?"
Jean Garry stared at her with a little hurt in his eyes. Her rejection stung and it angered him even in his sickened state. He bit down on the inside of his mouth as youthful urges surged through him. It was like a case of the spirit being willing but the body, weak -- Jean Garry could do nothing about the feelings that he was feeling and before he knew what was happening, everything died down again. However, he found his nights full of longing for Scarlet.
Scarlet wheeled him into his home and the night nurse that was to take over from Scarlet was already in the house, waiting.
"You're welcome," she said with a smile on her face as she walked to the back of Jean's chair, nodding to Scarlet. "I will take it from here," she said.
'Gladly,' Scarlet thought. As she was about to walk to the wash basin that was along the entrance of the house, she felt someone hold unto her.
'Lord, no!' she thought while she squeezed her eyes shut. Scarlet pursed her lips as she willed herself to turn around to face Jean.
"Are you sure?"
"Sure about what?" she asked, her face contorted in irritation. This time, she could not even hide it one bit. She had stayed too long with the man and if she didn't get out of there at that time, she would blow her cover.
It was as if Jean had noticed how her face got because he let go of her hand immediately. "See you tomorrow, then, " he said, wondering when he must have offended her or what was disturbing her mind.
'If only she'd talk about it,' Jean thought as he watched her leave the house and the door close behind her.
Once Scarlet was out of the house and the compound altogether, she breathed a breath of relief. She looked back at the house and wondered if it was time to speed things up. She wondered how much longer she could deal with Jean Garry and his advances. However, Scarlet knew how suspicious that would look and could cause problems for her aftermath. She wasn't only looking to get her revenge but she planned to remain a free woman afterward.
Scarlet flagged down the taxi she'd ordered online while she glanced at her watch. She had some hours to herself, to go home, freshen up and perhaps grab an hour of shuteye.
"To this address?" the driver asked pointing at the map on his phone.
"Yes, please," Scarlet said as she rested her back against the chair.
It wasn't long after that, that she heard her phone beep. Scarlet picked up the phone from her lap and unlocked it.
The message read; 'I'm unto you, Nurse Scarlet. You do not know what you are getting yourself into.' And it was from a number she didn't save on her phone.
Scarlet quickly copied the number and opened another app that was used to search for the names of registered numbers. She did that and the person's name that came up made her roll her eyes so hard.
It was Andrew, Jean Garry's deputy.
That was something that she wasn't going to allow to disturb or intimidate her. The man had ulterior motives as well and Scarlet knew that he felt the same way about her. But she couldn't care any less about what Andrew thought.
"Here would be fine," Scarlet said to the driver, not allowing him to pull over in her apartment complex's car park. It was time to start looking over her shoulder but that was no problem for Scarlet as she was ready for any obstacle in the course that she'd taken.