Chapter 2 - Memory Lane
***
"Come here, Lettie, my love," he cooed holding the barbed wire in a leather clad hand as I remained frozen.
"You heard what he said - get up." His current muse smirked sadistically, pulling my hair as I lay on the floor, the blood seeping through my clothes. She successfully dragged me to my father who pulled the back of my shirt down, choking me before pressing the wire into my skin as I screamed in agony.
"I'll show you what happens when you get the socials involved in my life, my sweet child," he sneered in my ear.
"Wait, Oliver!" The woman shrieked. I almost sighed in relief thinking she wanted him to spare me. "Tell her to shut her goddamn trap, I don't need more cops tailing my ass, your drug deals are enough to get me fucked."
He smirked, rolling his eyes before he continued to press the wire deep into back as the blood trickled down my spine. I howled in pain before everything went colourless.
***
I screamed as I opened my eyes, my body dripping with sweat. Breathing heavily, I got up to open a window.
I hadn't had a dream like that in months.
I peeled back my sweat drenched pyjamas, examining my God-awful body in the mirror; the fleshy scars of the barbed wire etched just below the back of my neck, the large pink scar at the side of my body and the scar of a blade carved deep into my shoulder. And the worst of them: the dark scar that ran from my hip to just below my breastbone. I closed my eyes trying to snap out of it as I stepped into the shower, attempting to wash away the sins, memories and guilt of my past.
As soon as I'd finished, I quickly changed into a red dress paired with my favourite Louboutin's.
Serving as Jasper's secretary did come with its perks, I thought as I applied some make up, finishing with a dash of red lipstick before tying my hair into a loose bun allowing my bangs to flow freely. I grabbed my handbag and coat and strolled to work.
"Morning, Scarlett," Christine, the company receptionist smiled warmly as I walked past the front desk.
"Morning, Christine. How's our boss feeling today?" I asked, raising a brow.
"On a scale of one to ten, I'd say we're looking at around five to six." She laughed as I joined in. "He seems to be in a good mood. Good luck, anyway!"
"Thanks, Christine," I smiled as I got into the elevator. I opened my office door, placing my bag and coat away before sitting at my desk to make a few phone calls. I quickly arranged for some flowers to be sent to his latest (soon to be ex) girlfriend along with the custom made it's-not-you-it's-me card, just to make them feel that little bit more special before being dumped â Jasper Queen was a total jackass when it came to women.
Too much money and not enough sense, I'd always thought.
"Good morning, Scarlett."
Speak of the devil.
I looked up from my desk as he closed the door behind him. He was wearing black trousers and a crisp white shirt with a grey tie, his dark hair was styled messily to perfection â goddamn, did this man know how to dress to impress.
"Good morning, Mr Queen." I smiled politely. "The flowers you wanted have been sent for Miss Rose."
"Ah, Miss Rose. It's a shame she was nothing like a rose, more like a dandelion or a weed," he muttered as I stifled a laugh. He smirked, folding his arms. "Do I amuse you, Miss Valentina?"
"You really are what one would call the original Casanova, Mr Queen. Poor girl," I said sadly as he laughed.
"Please, Scarlett, the woman had not a clue in hell how to please a man sufficiently."
"Too much information," I said sternly as he grinned.
Oh, boy, I could sense I'd opened up a can of worms.
"If you think that's bad, there was this one girl -"
"Mr Queen! May I take this as an opportunity to remind you that you have a meeting with Mr Haynes?" I interrupted as I put on my glasses.
He looked at me, pausing before clearing his throat.
"Does sex make you uncomfortable, Scarlett?" He asked, almost laughing.
"No. Only your sex does," I muttered.
"Why? Nobody has ever complained before."
"Your meeting with Mr Haynes is scheduled to begin in 3 minutes." I said curtly.
"I can't stand him. God knows what the hell he wants," he muttered angrily.
"Two minutes, Mr Queen," I urged raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, Miss Valentina," he gave me a mock salute and walked out of my office before popping his head in again. "That dress compliments your already delectable backside very well by the way. You should wear it more often."
"Mr Queen!" I yelled, my face growing red as I heard him laughing out the door.
Fifteen minutes later as I finished making a few phone calls there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!"
"Hi, Scarlett," Taylor greeted, a breakfast tray in his hands.
"Morning, Taylor. How can I help you?"
"Look, Scarlett, I would never normally ask, but would you mind -"
"Of course not, Taylor. Judging by the look on your face, I can see Jasper Queen is keeping you guys pretty busy," I smiled, taking the tray from him.
"God, thanks, Scarlett," he sighed, putting his hands in his pocket. "He called me at one in the goddamn morning, would you believe? The man is forking out a shit-ton of money for this party tonight, I don't know how we're going to manage."
"Well, he'd be an idiot to ask anyone else but you, Taylor," I replied, genuinely, attempting to placate him.
"Yeah, because he knows any other chef wouldn't hesitate to poison him," he frowned as I laughed.
Taylor was one of the first people I'd made friends with when I first started working for Jasper, it was a hell of a lot better than having to make small talk with the 'office bimbos' as Taylor referred to them.
"I don't know how you do it Scarlett, Jasper is not the easiest of people to work with. He went through about eight other women before you, all of whom didn't even last him a month before he fired them. You've been working for him for almost a year now - he really does like you!" He countered, raising an eyebrow.
"Well he is my boss and although he does get slightly... impatient at times, he is a very thoughtful man."
"Whatever you say, Scarlett." Taylor smirked before exiting the office.
Shaking my head, I stepped out of my office and into the lift. I slowly opened the door to his office and walked in.
"Good morning." I smiled politely at the handsome man sat there who I assumed was Vincent Haynes. "I'm very sorry about the delay Mr Queen, something needed taking care of downstairs."
I'd noticed the man was not dressed formally in a suit and tie but rather in jeans and T-Shirt.
That was odd. Usually Jasper's clients were always wearing suits with their fancy ties.
"Don't worry about it, Scarlett. Vincent, this is my secretary Scarlett Valentina, Scarlett this is Vincent Haynes." Jasper muttered, rolling his eyes as Vincent turned to face me.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Valentina." He kissed the top of my hand.
"The pleasure is all mine, Mr Haynes. Please, call me Scarlett." I smiled. "Would you like some coffee?"
"No, thank you, Scarlett and please, call me Vincent." He teased, grinning.
I looked over at Jasper, his jaw was tense, his eyes burning through Vincent's soul. I narrowed my eyes at him wondering just what the hell his problem was.
He looked at me and he stiffened.
"You may leave now, Miss Valentina." He spoke through gritted teeth.
"Of course, Mr Queen." I smiled, feeling a little awkward.
"See you later Scarlett, it was nice meeting you." Vincent smiled as I walked out.
"Nice to meet you too, Vincent." I said, aware of Jaspers steely gaze on me.
â â â
An hour later later, as I was finishing my phone call with an investor, my mobile phone rang.
"Catherine," I said shakily.
"Good morning, Scarlett," she greeted. "I have some important things we need to discuss."
"Can we briefly outline them before we meet?"
"Your father has a court hearing in a few months and we may possibly be considering starting a new appeal."
"Scarlett!" Jasper's booming voice sounded as he flung the door open.
"One minute," I mouthed pleadingly. He stood against the door folding his arms and tapping his foot impatiently, glaring at me.
"Scarlett, in less than four months he could be running scot-free if we don't make this appeal."
"What?" I whispered not trusting myself to speak.
"We need to get things moving along, when can we meet?"
"Tomorrow at eight, I will come by your office."
"I don't want you taking up any stress because of this. Remember, you have the best team behind you and we'll get him locked up for good, Scarlett. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodbye, Catherine." I replied miserably momentarily forgetting Jasper was right there. "Sorry, Mr Queen, what did you need?"
"Scarlett, what was that about?" He asked walking towards me but instead there was concern in his eyes rather than anger.
"Nothing, Mr Queen, it's fine."
"Yes, that explains why you're all pale and dazed!" He said sarcastically sliding his arm around my waist and hauling me towards a chair. I couldn't help but notice how perfectly moulded his hand felt around my waist but I immediately brushed away the thought.
"I'm fine, Mr Queen, I just need to get my breath back," I smiled putting my hand in his, his eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he smiled and relaxed squeezing my hand.
Highly unprofessional? Yes, but neither her or I did anything about it as we sat in silence until I stood up.
"I'm sorry about that, was there anything you needed?"
"Scarlett, I won't ask you again, what was that about?"
"It's none of your business Mr Queen, there are some things in my life I wish to keep private!" I snapped angrily.
"Well in that case, don't bring your private life into my office while you're working!" He snapped back, "I don't pay you to chat on the phone all day Scarl-"
"Whoa there! Is everything okay?" Vincent asked walking in. "Scarlett?"
"Everything is perfectly fine Haynes." Jasper said through gritted teeth.
"Doesn't look very fine to me Queen! Scarlett? You okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine, Mr Queen and I just had a slight disagreement."
"You better not have done anything to this young lady Jasper, the entire universe knows of reputation with women." Vincent said warningly at Jasper.
"What are you trying to say Vincent? Because the last woman you bedded was the girlfriend of your own brother so don't talk to me about my reputation with women. I would never lay a hand on Scarlett."
Yeah, because she's ugly, I thought. Ha, wait until you see the scars!
"I'd advise you to keep your fucking mouth shut, asshole," he sneered at Jasper.
"And I'm advising you to fuck off," Jasper replied coolly. "Now."
"Okay, let's just stop there! We have all agreed that everything is perfectly fine, let's just leave it at that shall we, gentlemen?" I intervened before I had to write another police statement and end up in court. Again. They both looked at me as I switched my gaze from Jasper to Vincent.
"Goodbye, Scarlett," Vincent smiled giving me a kiss on my cheek. "Would this be a wrong time to ask for your number?"
"Yes. Yes, it would Vincent." I gave a fake smile as he winked.
"There's always next time." He smirked stopping to give Jasper a long, hard glare before leaving.
"Bastard." I heard Jasper mumble.
"I agree." I also mumbled in agreement thinking he didn't hear.
"You don't like him?" He asked suddenly.
"I don't know him well enough to decide that. But he does seem a little off," I admitted, my eyes not meeting his.
"Look at me, Scarlett." His tone authoritative and dominating. "If he ever shows up again I don't want you alone with him, you're to alert me as soon as possible. He's a scheming son of a bitch and I don't even want you anywhere near him - be it at work or elsewhere - is that clear?"
"Mr Queen I assure you I ca-"
"Scarlett! Do I make myself clear?"
"No, actually, you don't. But let me help you out," I snapped, glaring at him. "I am not your bitch nor do I belong to you. You cannot dictate who I choose to speak to or see in my private life."
"Scarlett-"
"And I'd also appreciate it if you could refrain from using that tone on me. It might work on your dog, but it doesn't work on me."
Grabbing the stack of papers on my desk, I brushed past him and made my way to the photocopying room, still a little out of breath.
Jasper and I had become very much used to each other but every now and then the asshole inside him would try my patience and it pissed me off that he thought I'd keep quiet today.
Sighing, I knew what was next: my twenty-six year old boss transitioning into a five year old in a strop.
Oh, I so couldn't wait for this week to be over.
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