6. Dishonesty

"Hi," Scarlet said, fidgeting nervously as she stood in front of my table. I was sitting at a round wooden table under a big maple tree, munching on my vegetable sandwich.

"Hey,” I said softly. I didn't want to show any reaction to her presence so I kept my face blank.

“Can I sit here?” she asked gingerly. I nodded my head before returning to my sandwich. She sat down on the bench opposite mine. 

“How are you?”

“Had seen better days,” I said nonchalantly and she nodded her head, guilty-looking. 

“Are you still mad at me?” she asked softly and I sighed heavily.

“Not mad Scar, just disappointed” I clicked my tongue and leaned forward “Do you think I’ll do that to you. That I’ll cheat on you and that too with him?”

She shook her head “I know you won’t. I don’t know what happened to me that day. Maybe it was the alcohol” she exhaled deeply “I know that’s not a good reason but I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have doubted you in the first place, sober or not. I’m truly sorry” She took my hands in hers and clutched it tightly.

“Scar-.”

“P-Please don’t avoid me. I can’t lose you” she cut in, her eyes watering up.

“I don’t want to lose you either” I gave her a weak smile. “But give me some time. I'm just... I'm not able to forget what happened” she nodded in understanding.

“I broke up with Andrew,” she said after a few moments. “I-I caught him cheating with another girl. He is not good for me Karrie and I realized that too late,” she said. I squeezed her hand, not knowing what to tell. I’m glad that she realized and broke up with him. 

"I should have listened to you. You tried to warn me several times” she said shaking her head.

“It’s okay. Everyone makes mistakes” she smiled sadly. 

“I promise I’ll make it up to you”

“I’ll be looking forward to that,” I said. Deep in my heart, I knew I forgave Scarlet. It was my decision to leave the apartment that night and not hers. She fell for the wrong person and Andrew was brainwashing her, making her see bad things than good. Some deserve a second chance and she is one.

“Where are you staying now?” she asked. I told her how I met Grecia that night and how she offered me to stay at her house

“You know you can always come back to my place” she guiltily said.

“Maybe later. As I said I still need some time and besides Grecia enjoys my company too since she was lonely before. She doesn't want me to leave and it seems like she wants to teach her son a lesson.” I said and I can tell she was confused. 

“That son happens to be the same one who got me fired and he doesn’t want me to stay in his house,” I said and her eyes widened.

“Oh, shit,” she said. 

“Yeah” I rubbed my temples. I tried several times to convince Grecia I can move out as I was able to arrange a shared apartment. But she wouldn’t allow me, no matter what. Suddenly her face lit up, her eyes widening.

“You know…” she started and I nodded my head encouraging her to go on, curious to know what is in her mind.

“I don’t know whether I have the right to say considering our relationship right now and I still need to make it up to you and-”

“Scarlet” I intervened “Come to the point”

“Now might be the best opportunity to take revenge on him, you know…” she shrugged her shoulders “…for getting you fired”

“But how?”

“Like putting a glitter bomb in his room or stealing something important to him. But you have to be spontaneous and discreet so that he won’t suspect you”

I rolled my eyes “He’ll find out. That mansion is surrounded by surveillance camera everywhere”

“Mansion, camera? With whom are you exactly living with?” Scarlet asked astounded.

“Um…Grecia Watson?” her eyes widened like saucers.

“And her son’s name is...” 

“Logan Watson,” I said hesitantly as her reaction is kind of scaring me. 

“Oh, Karrie…” Scarlet stated, “You have no idea with whom you’re staying with, do you?”

“What is it?”

“Watson family is one of the wealthiest families in New York and how the hell can you call that hottest bachelor a jerk?”

My rest of the evening was spent on the computer, searching the entire google, trying to get more information about the Watson family. But unfortunately, there wasn't much information about them. It's the same what Scarlet told, but a little exaggerated. 

"There isn't anything much about them here," I said loudly, annoyed and frustrated for not getting any information. There was only a brief description of Logan.

'Owner of a powerful company, man of his words, devilishly handsome, most eligible bachelor, 23-year-old young entrepreneur'

These were some of the words that described him on different websites. There was also a lot of pictures of him. I've to admit. This man is a Greek god excluding his annoyingly egotistic character.

"Do you mind if I come in?" I snapped my head back to see Grecia standing against the threshold, holding a tray of food. I'm currently sitting in a crossed- leg position, facing the wall behind the bed, giving the perfect view of what I'm doing in my laptop from behind. It seems like I forgot to close the bedroom door in the haste of searching for information. I prayed to all Gods hoping Grecia didn't see anything. It will just lead to embarrassment.

"Oh, h-hello Grecia. Sure, come in." I replied. Grecia smiles at me as she makes her way to the sofa by the window after handing me over the tray of food. 

“Thank you,” I said and quickly minimized the tab before turning around to face her.

“I didn’t see you for dinner. So just wanted to check up on you”

"Oh sorry, I was just searching about something and forgot about dinner" 

"I see you were searching about us," she smirked. I laughed nervously, not knowing what to say.

“We make sure details about our family are minimal in social media. But you can ask me anything, I’ll answer if I can”

I wanted to ask a lot of questions but it seems like my mind stopped working and came up with something stupid.

“Has Logan always been like this?”

"Like what?"

"Rough..... and Demanding....?" She lets out a small chuckle before continuing.

"At first he seems like the most horrid person to be around, but after you get to know him, he isn't too bad” she smiled. “I have been asked whether his heart is made of steel or something. Some call him fearless while others call him a man without the heart. I guess that's something a mother never wants to hear about her son. But others don't know what he went through as a child. He has been living a challenging life, and on top of that, he has a lot of responsibilities as well as enemies. That is why he has a tough demeanor and plays hard to get along. Don't let that scare you though. He just finds it hard to control his temper around others." She said.

"Oh" was my only answer. What the hell am I supposed to answer? That everyone is right? That this man is heartless and an asshole?

“You said he has a lot of enemies” she nodded her head as a reply “-but I don’t see any bodyguards with him nor you.”

Grecia chuckled “Logan thinks he can protect himself,” she said rolling her eyes “and for me, I don't like to have two or three bulky boys following me everywhere I go so I had warned him not to do so. But my dear son always likes to go against my words. So he appointed some secret guards to follow me around. Poor boy, he thinks I don’t know that” she chuckled but her expression grew grim after that.

 "I know he is just looking after me but I think by now people know not to mess with Watson family anymore,” she said, frowning. I wanted to ask her what she meant by anymore but I guess fate had other plans.

"Enough about us. Now tell me more about yourself "she said. My breath started quickening.

"I have never heard you talk about your parents. Are they still back in Worchester?” Grecia asked. I swallowed the lump that lodged in my throat, blinking rapidly as I counted to ten. Grecia acknowledged my deflating shoulders, studying me from behind her eyelashes.

"Sweety, are you alright?" She asked as she stood up from the sofa and sat beside me. She wrapped an arm around my shoulder, squeezing me lightly.

Okay, let's do this!

"I'm s-sorry I didn't tell you this earlier. My parents...... They aren't with me anymore." Her brows bunched up together in confusion and I exhaled slowly.

"They died a few months back." I hiccup but blink back the tears that were threatening to spill over.

"Oh my god....I'm so sorry" she covers her mouth with her hands and I gave her a weak smile as I trudge on through those painful memories.

"How did that happen?"

"Car accident" I lied easily. It's always easy to lie than telling the truth. Truth leads to sympathy and fear. I don't want that coming from anyone. And I'm not planning to tell anyone the truth anytime sooner. It's better that way. I don't want to bring others into my problem. Especially a great person like Grecia. 

"They were the best parents a child could get. They were my best friends. With them, my life was colorful and I never felt sad or lonely even though I was an only child. They taught me the meaning of love, relationship, and patience. You know everything I do, it will be a mess at last. They made me laugh whenever I felt depressed. But now, they left me to be alone. Since the day they were gone, I feel incomplete..... I-I miss them terribly” I covered my face with my hands as tears rolled down my cheeks. I hate this! I hate being vulnerable. 

"Shh.....It's okay. You don't have to say anymore" she said hugging me so tightly that it feels like I am going to explode. But maybe that's what I needed. A hug so tight that puts all my broken pieces back together.

"I am so sorry Karolia" Grecia whispers into my ear and she just holds me there, letting me cry onto her shoulders as she strokes my hair. I feel guilty for not telling the truth to her even though she's the one who sheltered me. And now she is the one who is consoling me too. But I can't tell her. I can't tell anyone.

"Mom" Logan's voice echoed in the silent room, making us pull away. I quickly wiped my tears so that he doesn't notice that I was crying.

"Can I talk to you?" Logan said eyeing me with curiosity.

"Yes, of course. Wait for me outside, Logan." He nodded but his face showed uncertainty before he left the room.

Grecia gave me a sad smile caressing my tear-streaked cheeks and asked me to eat the dinner before leaving the room.

********

(Next morning)

Logan's POV:

"Morning mom," I say as I grab a glass out from the cupboard and fill it with water.

"Morning," she says as she pulls some of the homemade sweets out of the fridge and places it on the countertop. As she got busy pouring coffee in her mug, I discreetly tried to grab a sweet. But before I could lay a finger on it, she slapped my hand away.

“What was that for?" I frowned, rubbing my hand. Damn! It hurts.

"This is not for you," she said.

"As if you are young enough to eat all these sweets by yourself" I replied teasingly with a smirk.

"Remember it's not just you and me in this house right now," she said with her brows raised. Then I remembered mom consoling that girl yesterday. I know I shouldn't ask as I'm the kind of person who gives value to people's privacy, but my curiosity got the best out of me.

"By the way mom, what was with you both yesterday?" I asked trying my best to put an innocent look on my face.

"Look who's bothered" she smirked making me roll my eyes.

"I'm not bothered mom, just asking" I shrugged though I was curious to know.

"Listen, Logan, I guess you both didn't have a good start, but she is not a person for you to pick up a fight with. She has been through a lot and now she is in a crucial stage of her life. Her past was pathetic and she is broken. She needs to move on and for that she needs help. I'm not insisting you to make her happy, but at least try not to make her sad. That's the least you can do." she said patting my shoulder.

"By the way mom, what was her name?"

"You seriously have to get your head examined my son. She's been staying with us for a week now and you still don't know her name." mom said, shaking her head.

"C'mon, you know I never listen to your conversations" I teased her. Her reply was smacking my head.

"Karolia”

-----

I trudged inside the house, throwing my keys in the bowl exhausted after today’s work. The air was filled with the subtle smell of spices that instinctively steered me to the kitchen.

“Mom?” I called out loudly, my voice echoing through the silent hallway. Faint music entered my ears as soon as I entered the kitchen. Karolia was swaying lightly to the music, her face focused on the lasagna as she sprinkled some oregano. 

“Where is mom?” I asked. She jumped lightly at my voice, looking up at me,

“Oh you scared me,” she said breathily, her hand on her chest. “W-What did you ask?”

“Where is mom and what are you doing in the kitchen?” I asked, crossing my arms. 

“Grecia isn’t home, so I thought I would make the dinner,” she said. I nodded my head and turned around to leave the kitchen.

“Logan” Karolia called out softly and I turned to face her again. She tucks her loose strand of hair behind her ear. I could tell she was nervous from her stiff shoulders. 

“I’m sorry,” she said, looking up at me under her eyelashes. I raised my eyebrows, not exactly getting her point. “You know, for your loss in your company because of me and also for dumping pasta on your head…” she cringed at the memory “…even though you kinda deserved it” she mumbled softly but I was able to catch up on her words. 

“Apology accepted, but I’m not sorry for getting you fired,” I said and I could tell she was stunned from her face. “You embarrassed and humiliated me in front of my business advisors and I won't tolerate that”

“You are a jerk,” she said in disbelief. I took a threatening step forward.

“Watch your words,” I said dangerously.

“Or what, you’re going to throw me out of the house again?” she asked, jutting out her chin in stubbornness.

“I might,” I said walking up to her slowly. Even though her eyes displayed slight fear, she stood on her ground with determination as I neared her. 

“Then you might have to explain to Grecia,” she said. I grabbed her arm and pulled her closer. She gasped softly.

“Are you threatening me?” I asked, my veins boiling in anger. “Remember your place, sweetheart” I whispered on her ears.

“You are just a homeless girl whom my mother felt sympathy. I could destroy you and your family” I threatened her. She struggled to get free from my hold, but I tightened my grip on her making her hiss in pain.

“Let go of me” she cried out softly. I pulled her little more closer, forcing her to look in my eyes. Her eyes watered up and soon a tear rolled down from her eyes. Something inside me snapped and I let her go almost immediately. She staggered back, cradling her arm. I walked away, not able to watch her cry.

I can’t stand when girls cry and now I’m the reason she is crying. I went too far this time, but I was consumed in anger. No one has ever disrespected me and those who did haven’t seen daylights for years. But the fact that I couldn’t do anything to her angered me. There is something about her that hinders me from ruining her and I know for a fact that it’s not because of her relation with mom.

Then what is it?