Chaptre 5 : part 1 : Scarlett POV ( After Best Auto interview)
The warm scent of soy sauce and freshly steamed dumplings filled the air as Jason and I stepped into the restaurant. The place had a cozy, yet intimate feel-dim lighting, red lanterns hanging from the ceiling, intricate a big golden dragon patterns decorating the walls. Soft traditional Chinese music played in the background, blending perfectly with the low murmur of conversations and the occasional clinking of chopsticks against porcelain bowls.
Jason pulled out my chair like a gentleman before sitting across from me, his blue eyes scanning the menu with curiosity.
- What are you getting, babe you have an idea? he asked, glancing up at me with a smile.
I bit my lip, pretending to study the menu. I already knew what I wanted normally .
- Hmm... maybe Kung Pao Chicken or Peking Duck? I mused. Or oh-Mapo Tofu sounds interesting.
Jason chuckled. His laugh was deep, warm.
- Good choices. But I think I'll go for Sweet and Sour Pork. Or maybe Dim Sum? He tilted his head.
I shook my head.
- Then you have to try it, he grinned. It's the best.
We placed our orders, and as we waited, I took a deep breath, ready to bring up the real reason I had invited him out tonight.
- So... I didn't tell you i had an interview today.
Jason, who had been casually tapping his fingers against his glass, paused.
- Oh yeah? Where? when ?
- This morning Best Auto, I said, watching him carefully.
His fingers stopped moving.
- Best Auto... San Francisco huh ? His voice had changed. More serious now.
You know the address?
I nodded and recited it.
That's when Jason froze. Completely...
- Letty... he started, his tone quieter now. You don't want to work there. It's better if you work in my company instead.that place is not for you ...
I frowned. His company? maybe if i hadn't a revenge plan i would accept this offer but no .
- Why? I asked. Do you know the owner of Best Auto?
Jason sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
- Yeah. I know them. They were my friends... or they used to be long time passed . But they're not good people, Letty. He met my gaze, his expression serious. Trust me. Work with me instead. It's safer.its better for everyone .
My chest tightened. Safer? He knew. Maybe not everything, but he knew they were monsters.
he don't even know that i literally live in the calloway home ...
He will have a heart attack ...
Also he wanted to protect me. I loved that.
Oh, Scarlett... please don't fall for this.
Wake up Girl your plan ...
I forced a reassuring smile.
- Don't worry about me, I said, reaching for his hand. I'm a grown woman. If anything happens, I'll tell you. Okay?
Jason exhaled slowly before nodding.
- I trust you, babe.
Then, he kissed my hand.
My heart skipped a beat.
Babe. I trust you.
Why was he so kind to me? Or had he always been kind, just hanging around the wrong people?
My plan for Jason had been clear: destroy his business career and break his heart.
But with moments like this...
With his smile ...
words ...
How He look at me ...
I didn't know why I was hesitating. He's one of them.
I cleared my throat and spoke again.
- Apparently, their old secretary vanished. Just quit the job, just like that.
Jason scoffed, shaking his head.
- She probably ran away from them.
I took a slow sip of my tea, hiding my smirk behind the cup.
Well, yes. She ran away.
But not from them.
And not even from me.
No worry madeleine is fine .
I just... helped her escape from a toxic situation.
With a little money, of course.
And she accepted.
Surprisingly ... well good for me !
Part 2 : Jason POV :
Today is Letty's first day at Best Auto.
And I hate it.
That's why I insisted on coming with her. If they see me with her, they'll never hurt her. At least, I hope so.
It's been years since I last saw them. Liam. Sharon. Lana.
Years since what happened to that girl...
That poor girl.
She didn't deserve what they did to her. What they did to her father.
I heard from mutual friends that Liam, Sharon, and Lana have changed. That they're normal people now.
But monsters never change.
And maybe I'm one of them too.
Because being weak, being silent while horrible things happen... makes you a monster too.
But I'm not that guy anymore. I've grown up. I'm more responsible, mature, brave.
And today, I'll protect Letty from them.
I park my Ferrari in front of Best Auto.
Funny. Liam's dad was always richer than mine. He had power. A lot of it. But his business started to fall apart, and Liam decided to build his own company from scratch.
He did well for himself. At least he earns money. I even heard he built a house.
Good for him.
I always thought Sharon would leave him once he lost his wealth. But she didn't. Maybe she really loves him.
...Does Letty love me like that?
God, I hope so.
I hope that one day-
- Jason?
Letty's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I glance at her. She's smiling, teasing.
- You're acting like a father dropping his kid off for their first day of school. She laughs. I'm 26, you know.
I smirk, shaking my head.
- I know, babe. I just want to say hi to some old friends, then I'll leave.
She tilts her head, watching me. Something unreadable in her dark eyes.
- Okay. Let's go. It's already 9 AM.
The moment we step inside Best Auto, I feel the shift in the air.
Liam is the first to see me.
His eyes darken.
I haven't spoken to him in years. Never answered his calls. Never replied to his messages. And now, I just walk back into his life like this.
Sharon, on the other hand, reacts differently.
She rushes toward me, wrapping me in a hug. Her perfume is the same. Sickly sweet. Overpowering.
- Jason? Oh god, you're as handsome as ever.
Liam steps forward. Silent. Staring.
Letty stands beside me, watching carefully.
For a second, I wonder if Liam will say something cruel. If he'll remind me of who I used to be.
But instead, his expression softens, and he pulls me into a hug.
It's quick. Tense. But it's there.
We exchange a few words, small talk. Nothing too deep.
Then I tell them, casually, that Letty is my girlfriend.
Liam blinks. Small world, huh? He chuckles, actually congratulating me.
But Sharon...
Sharon doesn't say a word.
She just stares at Letty, her lips slightly parted.
And in her eyes, I can see it.
She doesn't like her.
Sharon POV Part 3 :
Letty's first day at work lets be honnest it was surprisingly smooth. She knows how to do her job, I'll give her that.
But learning that she's our Jason's girlfriend? Now that was a shock.
like How? When? Why ?
Is the world really that small?
Its A coincidence? ...Maybe. But something about it bothers me.
That day, I invited Jason and Letty over for dinner this Saturday, its better in the weekend cause all of us work . ah ! Lana would be there too it will be fun . They all accepted.
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I kept the menu simple. Pasta, salad, soup. Nothing fancy nothing to much. Just a casual night between old high school friends.
I still go out with lana this days but jason oh god maybe its 10 years that i didnt talk to him !
Liam and I were setting the table when the doorbell rang.
I grinned.
- My Lana so Happy that you came missed you .
She smirked.
- Same, bestie!
We hugged before she stepped inside. She hasn't changed from our high school era .
Lana Kensington.
Tall, with wavy, her gorgeous shoulder-length dirty blonde hair. Her piercing Aqua blue eyes held the same fiery energy they always had. Dressed in her signature mix of casual glam, effortless yet expensive-looking. She was a star, and she knew it.
She looked around before turning to me.
- So... Jason finally made his comeback? And with a girlfriend?
I nodded, still amused by the situation.
- Yep. Can you believe it? And guess what? She works at Best Auto.
Lana raised a perfectly sculpted brow.
- Weird. Is that a coincidence?
I didn't answer right away. Because I didn't know.
Instead, I changed the subject.
- What about you, superstar? I smirked. How's the celebrity life treating you?
Lana laughed, flipping her hair dramatically.
- Oh, you know. Bling-bling, VIP events, fancy parties...
We both burst out laughing.
The doorbell rang again.
Jason and Letty had arrived.
Lana greeted them both, but I noticed something... off.
She looked at Letty weirdly. Not in a mean way, just...curious.
Lana doesn't have female friends.
Never did.
Except me...
Of course .
********************************************************************************************
We sat at the table, eating and catching up on life. The mood was light, laughter filling the room.
Then, Letty suddenly asked to go to the bathroom.
I stood up automatically.
- I'll show you the way.
But before I could take a step, she was already walking down the hall like she know the house ! .
Straight to the bathroom directly no mistake .
Without hesitation.
I froze, my stomach twisting.
How did she know where it was?
It was at the very end of the hallway. Not somewhere obvious.
She couldn't have guessed that.
So how she know ?