Chapter Twenty Two - He Cares

Now smile.

That's better. Looking at my exhausted reflection in the mirror, I tried to pull myself together.

We had landed back in New York last evening and I was way too tired to go back to college already. I'd probably take a day off if I hadn't missed so many classes.

I carried my backpack out of my room lazily and went downstairs, hoping to not run into Alec.

I had been avoiding him ever since his usually weird behaviour at the ferris wheel, and wondered if he even realized it. I think not.

Sighing, I climbed down the stairs and while crossing the hall, I saw Alec at the dining table out of my peripheral vision. Without turning to him, I headed straight for the elevators.

"Good morning, Scarlet," A chirpy voice called from the kitchen.

Martha stepped out and placed a plate full of pancakes on the table.

"Good morning, Martha," I smiled at her, trying my best to not look at him, who seemed to be sitting right infront of me.

"I've made pancakes. Come on," She motioned for me to join Alec at the table while nearing the elevators to probably leave.

"Thanks but I'm not hungry. I'll just be leaving," I spoke, feeling Alec's eyes on me.

"Are you okay, Scarlet? You look a little pale," She said.

"Yeah I'm okay. It's probably the jet lag-" Before I could complete, she had her palm pressed against my forehead.

"You have a bit of a temperature. I think you should stay home today," She muttered and disappeared into the elevators while I stood there for a moment, debating if I should drag myself to college or slip back into my bed.

The latter sounded so good but I decided to leave anyway, I needed to get back to my classes.

My hand lifted up to press the call button again when a hand wrapped around my wrist, causing me to turn around.

"You do have a slight temperature," Alec muttered while touching my forehead.

I shifted back but he kept his grip on my hand firm.

"I-uh I should leave," I muttered, trying to get my hand free but it was to no avail, atleast his grip wasn't hurting me like before.

"Leave?" He frowned.

"Yeah. I've been missing college for almost two weeks now."

"So another day won't matter," He said.

I shook my head. "I'm going."

His lips lifted up into a scowl. "Why? Something important you wanna take care of?" He spoke through gritted teeth and I wondered what he meant.

"Yeah....education," I blurted out which earned me an eye twitch from him and a tug on my arm as he started dragging me to the dining table.

"I'm not hungry, Alec," I spoke dryly.

"Have your breakfast and I might consider letting you go," He spoke, making me sit down and placing pancakes on my plate.

Since when did he start taking care of my meals?

"But I'm not hung-"

"Eat," He used his authoritative tone, leaving no room for arguments.

Sulking, I started eating the pancakes and I was almost done when he placed the glass of juice infront of me. I frowned up at him and he motioned for me to drink it.

Lifting the glass to my lips, I emptied it in a go, all the while feeling his eyes on me.

"I'm leaving," I almost got up but he placed his hand on my shoulder and pushed me back on the chair.

"No. You're not," He stated.

I raised a brow at him. "I wasn't asking you."

Once again, his lips pressed into a thin line and he crossed his arms over his chest. I gave him a challenging smirk. "I am going no matter what."

He rolled his eyes. "Okay but I'm dropping you in my car."

I raised a brow. "Why?"

"Because you know you are stupid when it comes to absolutely anything. You shouldn't be going to college but you are too stubborn to listen to me. The last thing I want is you fainting at the campus or worse, while driving and me getting a call to come and pick you up."

I blinked at him.

Why was he doing this?

It's not like I was that sick, not like I mattered to him anyway.

What was he trying to show? Was he putting up another act?

Probably showing me that he cares so I would start expecting more, only to be pushed away again? Hell, no.

I cleared my throat. "No thanks. I'll be fine."

He frowned and opened his mouth to say something but I quickly got up and sprinted towards the elevators, calling them before he could stop me again.

I was glad when the doors opened and I finally slipped in, waiting for the doors to shut close but frowned when they opened again.

Alec stood there, holding the button.

"I think you left your phone," He spoke nonchalantly while typing something on his.

I checked my pocket. "Nope. I have it."

He nodded and let the doors close but I almost shouted at him when the doors opened again.

"You left your bag," He stated.

"No. I. Didn't," I spoke through gritted teeth while lifting the strap of my backpack on my shoulder to show him.

He nodded. "Okay."

What is wrong with him?

The elevators closed and I finally sighed in relief when the doors were shut but to my surprise and annoyance, they opened a third time.

Alec stepped in beside me and the elevators finally shut close.

"Now what?" I snapped.

He turned to me with an annoyed look. "I think you don't recall that I go to work."

I looked away in embarrassment. Right.

The world doesn't revolve around you, Scar.

The doors opened and I walked up to my car, my jaw instantly dropping at the flat tyre.

"Oh come on," I groaned.

Turning around, I found Alec looking at the tyre and then at me.

"Sad," He shook his head. "Do you want a lift?"

I bit my lip in thought and then shook my head.

"I'll take a cab," I started walking but he stepped infront of me with a frown.

"I can drop you off to college."

"My college is not on your way. You'll have to go in the opposite-"

"So what?"

"Don't you have your meetings and stuff to get there on time?"

"It doesn't matter."

Really? So do I matter?

I think not.

"No, Alec. I'll be fine," I stated firmly and side stepped him but his hand grabbed my wrist, bringing me back infront of him.

My palms went up to his chest and I lifted my face to find his piercing blue eyes boring into mine.

"Why don't you wanna go with me?" His brows furrowed into a deep scowl.

I opened my mouth to speak but ran out of words, finally shrugging at him.

He took in a sharp breath, his eyes scrutinizing my face closely.

"Have you been avoiding me?"

My eyes grew wide for a second. He isn't really a dummy.

"Umm no."

His eyes narrowed for a moment and I was pulled closer to his torso, taking a deep breath in his mesmerizing scent, my heart beating rapidly with him judging every emotion that flashed across my face.

I pressed my lips into a thin line and faced him squarely, trying my best to hide the slight blush forming on my cheeks, not like I could succeed at it.

"Scarlet," He spoke my name in his usual intimidating tone.

"Yeah?"

"I'm giving you a choice," He muttered. "Either let me drop you or go back to the apartment."

There comes the manipulative jerk again.

A frown took over my lips but I knew better than to argue more, so I nodded and looked away from him, my jaw clenching because of giving up.

"What?" He asked.

I snapped out of his grip and faced him when I had taken a few steps back.

"Please drop me to my college, Mr. Sinclair," I spoke in a mocking tone.

His eye twitched at my response as he opened his mouth to speak but I quickly turned around and walked over to the row of fancy cars.

He didn't say anything and a matte black Aston Martin standing right infront of me, beeped.

Taking in a deep breath, I got into the passenger seat and waited for him to get in, a grim frown plastered on his face the entire time as he watched me.

Great! He is the one mad at me.

"Scarlet," He started once he had taken his seat.

"Please, Alec. I don't wanna talk about anything. Just drive."

He raised a brow at me and I let out a breath but held it when he hauled up from his seat and bent over in my direction.

His hand went up to my neck, causing my eyes to grow wide. Was he going to choke me?

He grabbed the seatbelt strap and buckled it.

I released a breath when he settled back in his seat, his frown remaining intact.

"I was telling you to wear your seatbelt," He snapped.

"Yeah. You know I'm going to need it so bad," I muttered under my breath but he seemed to have heard it as he raised a brow.

"Excuse me?"

"What?"

"You said something."

"I say a lot of things," I shrugged and looked ahead, glad when he finally tore his gaze from me and started driving.

As expected, the car reached the speed limit the moment we were out of the parking lot, I resisted the urge to stretch my hands out and place them on the dashboard to save my life, not like it was going to help a lot.

How come he never gets a ticket?

I hope a cop pulls him over.

He took a sharp turn and I shut my eyes, a squeak escaping from my lips.

To my surprise, the car seemed to be slowing down and I peeked through one of my eyes, the speedometer needle falling down. Whew.

I leaned back in my seat and let out a breath, my head suddenly spinning and heat rushing to my cheeks. Maybe I should have skipped college today.

I hugged my backpack close to my chest, suddenly feeling a little cold as my eyelids became heavy.

"Oh my God," I muttered under my breath and lifted my hands to clamp over my mouth.

"What's the matter?" Alec asked from beside me and I opened my eyes.

"Pull over."

He stopped the car and I quickly hopped out, sprinting towards the pavement.

I knew I was about to gag but I took a few steps, taking in deep breaths, trying to calm myself and rubbing my arms for warmth.

"Are you okay?" Alec stepped up beside me and I nodded.

"You look pale, Scarlet-"

"And whose fault is that?" I snapped at him while taking out a water bottle from my backpack and drinking from it in large gulps.

"Excuse me?" He raised a brow.

"I told you I wasn't hungry."

He sighed. "Fine. It was my fault but now you're going back to the apartment."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "I don't think so."

"Don't test me, Scarlet. I've had enough of your drama since morning. Get in the car so I can drive you back."

"No," I spoke firmly.

He took in a sharp breath. "Why are you being so stubborn?"

"You can't have everything your way, now can you, Mr. Sinclair?"

He narrowed his eyes for a moment. "What's up with that addressing?"

"Isn't that your name? Or something you'd like people to call you? People who you manipulate?" I gave him a sarcastic smile and without waiting for a reply, turned to the car.

"Now, if you are dropping me to my college, I'll get into your car or else, feel free to take a u-turn and I'll take a cab."

"Get in," He snapped, while walking over to his side.

Without wasting any time, I got into the passenger seat and looked ahead. He started driving and there was silence between us, though I did notice his fingers clutching the steering wheel tightly. He's angry as usual.

After a few minutes, he stopped the car infront of my campus and I quickly gathered my stuff.

"Call me whenever you're done with your classes," He spoke shortly in a firm tone.

I turned to him. "You'll be coming to pick me up?"

"How else were you planning to go back?"

"I don't know. Maybe get a lift from someone," I shrugged.

He raised a brow at me. "Who?"

"I don't know. Any friend."

His lips pulled up into a frown. "You will call me."

"Is that an order?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

"No. It's not."

I nodded at him and got out of the car, shutting the door after me and walking towards the building without saying goodbye. It wasn't needed, right?

Suddenly remembering my etiquettes, I turned around expecting him gone but to my surprise, he was still there, watching me.

He blinked like he had snapped out of something.

"Thank you," I mouthed at him, since he probably couldn't hear me through the closed windows.

The frown from his face vanished and I couldn't exactly tell what he was thinking by that blank look of his.

Giving me a slight nod, he looked ahead and drove away.

Releasing a breath, I turned around and hurried towards my class. Lily was not attending college today because of her date with Mark and I couldn't be more thankful for her absence.

Okay, I know she is my best friend but the last thing I wanted was her forcing my honeymoon details out of me on a day when my head was ready to burst any moment.

I mean why would she even want to know that? Wouldn't it be kinda weird to dictate all those things that happened there?

I made up my mind that I wasn't telling her anything about it, besides pasting the 'My honeymoon was lit' line on her.

That would work, right?

My first class was boring and I was glad to have slept some of my jet lag off in that.

As I was rounding a corner, I almost bumped into someone. My eyes grew wide when I saw who it was. He saw me and started walking away.

"Ben," I called after him and he stopped.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

He turned to me with a frown. "Why, Mrs. Sinclair? What can I help you with?"

I licked my lips before speaking. "I'm really sorry-"

"Save it," He snapped and turned around again but I side stepped him and blocked his path.

"I know what I said over the phone earlier was really mean but can you blame me? You were calling me a gold digger, Ben."

He rolled his eyes. "You seemed like one to me."

I sighed. "I know my marriage came out as a surprise but I just want you to know that I never did anything wrong, okay?"

"You cheated on me, Scarlet," His eyes blazed in fury.

I frowned at him. "No, Ben. I wasn't involved with Alec like that while I was with you."

"How come you got engaged to him a week after you broke up with me?"

"I'd known him for months but we were just friends while I was with you. Then things started changing and I realized that I feel something different for him. I broke up with you because it wouldn't be fair to you. Don't you understand this?"

How I made that story up again, I have no idea.

He sighed and seemed to be thinking about it.

"Fine. But I just want you to stay away from me. I need time, Scar."

I nodded. "I just wanted to make sure you don't have any hard feelings for me."

He seemed to be thinking again and finally shook his head. "You're right. I couldn't force you to be with me. You did the right thing by breaking up. Atleast I'm glad you didn't cheat on me. It's fine but....just don't try to talk to me. I'll come around eventually."

I gave him a weak smile and he walked past me.

Letting out a breath, I started towards my next class.

The day went really boring and I would be lying if I said I didn't miss Lily.

Now finally, at 6 p.m., I was sitting in a cafe near the campus, sipping on a strong coffee, hoping to get rid of this headache.

I decided to send Alec a text.

I'm done with my classes. Are you free to come and pick me up?

I placed my phone down and waited for his reply, meanwhile ordering a muffin for myself.

My phone buzzed. It was Alec's reply.

I'll be there in 20 minutes.

I sent him the name and address of the cafe I was in and started eating my muffin.

For the next twenty minutes, I played some games on my phone.

A sudden commotion from the counter caught everyone's attention. The man behind the counter had his hands held up in the air and I wondered what was going on.

My eyes grew wide when I finally saw a man holding up a gun at him. His face was completely hidden by the mask.

The place erupted into screams as everyone got up and started running towards the exit but he fired a shot at the ceiling, causing everyone to freeze in their spots.

"I'll shoot anyone who moves," His deep chilly voice reverberated around the cafe.

"Quick. Hand me all the cash," He shouted at the cashier, shoving all the dollar bills in his backpack.

I slowly reached for my phone across the table.

The screen lit up, and I punched in 911.

His head snapped around and I froze. He was looking in my direction and my heart started beating rapidly when he walked up to me, holding the gun.

Sweat beads trickled down my forehead and a scream left my mouth when he fired a shot.

My eyes were wide in shock as I looked down at my phone, the screen broken from the shot, and then down at my body, checking if he had hit me.

"It could've been you," His murderous gaze sent shivers down my spine and he quickly ran back to the counter, shoving the rest of the money in his bag and running towards the exit.

A police siren filled the air, stopping him mid track and he shut the cafe door loudly, hastily pointing the gun at all possible directions in the room, looking for a way to escape.

I could see the cops outside the cafe glass windows, surrounding the area. My heart started pounding rapidly as my eyes fell on the people around me, who seemed just as scared as me.

A woman's scream from the corner of the room jolted me in my spot. He had her back pinned to his chest, his arm around her neck and his gun pointed to her head.

"Move," He shoved her over to the main door, flashing the view to the cops.

He started taking careful steps towards the back exit of the cafe. The woman seemed to be panicking as she screamed for help, trying to kick him.

"I'll shoot you," He screamed in her ear and she started crying louder, her face turning red.

A loud gunshot filled the air.

Tears cascaded down my face as I watched the body fall to the ground.

The woman quickly went back to her family, crying as she hugged them.

The man had been shot in the shoulder.

Cops quickly filled the place and surrounded the person, removing his mask.

He didn't seem anything more than 17.

I didn't know what happened next but the next thing I knew was being taken outside by a paramedic who constantly kept asking if I was okay but I couldn't answer him.

Once outside, I took a shaky breath in the fresh air and tears pooled in my eyes once more.

"Miss? Do you need medical attention?" He quickly took me towards the various ambulances in sight.

I shook my head. "I'm okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm fine," I spoke and he handed me my belongings, along with my broken phone.

I looked back at the cafe, a shiver running down my spine at the amount of scared people standing around it with their families.

A familiar figure in the crowd caught my attention who seemed to be looking around for someone desperately.

His eyes locked with mine, an instant relief seeping through my veins when he quickly closed the distance between us and pulled me in his arms.

My heartbeat pulsated as I breathed in his soothing scent, feeling safe all of a sudden.

He let out a breath of relief as he buried his nose in my hair, running his hands across my back.

Shutting my eyes, I locked my arms around him, realizing that if the guy had shot me instead of my phone, I'd never be able to see Alec again.

"Are you okay, Scarlet?" He asked once he had pulled away.

I gave him a weak nod.

His hands lifted up to my face and he brushed a strand of my hair away.

"Say something. Talk to me," His concerned voice rang in my ears, forming a lump in my throat, as his hands gently caressed my face.

I sniffled and nodded again. "I'm okay."

He nodded and started pulling me towards a bench. I sat down and fished my water bottle out of my backpack but it was empty.

"I'll get you water," He spoke and almost got up but his phone rang. He fished it out of his pocket.

"Talk to him. He's worried about you," He handed me the phone and I saw the contact. Mr. Price. It was my dad.

"You told him?" I muttered.

"It's on the news, Scarlet. You can be seen through the glass window."

I nodded as he got up and went in some direction while I answered the phone.

"Did you find her, Alec? Me and Jimmy are just about to leave. Please tell me she's oka-"

"Dad," I cut him off.

There was a pause.

"Scarlet? Oh My God. Is that you?"

"Yes, dad. It's me."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah."

"I'll be there in no time. Just wait for me, okay?"

"Dad, I'm fine. Trust me. You don't have to."

He took in a deep breath. "Are you really okay?"

"Yes, dad."

"Have you been crying?"

"Not really. Just a little shook. But I promise I'm okay."

"Sure?"

"Yeah."

"Give me the phone, dad," I heard Jimmy in the background and then I heard some shuffling.

"Scarlet? Are you okay?"

"Yes, Jimmy. I'm okay."

"Are you sure? The bad man didn't hurt you, right?"

"No. He didn't."

"Then why do you sound so low?"

"Because I'm tired."

"Oh okay. Do you want me to come over?"

A small smile formed on my lips. "I'll be fine, James. Don't you have school tomorrow?"

"I don't care about school. I care about you."

"Well thank you, Jimmy. I'll be alright."

"I'll tell Alec to take care of you."

"Don't worry. I'll tell him that."

"Okay. Take care. Goodbye, Scar. Love you."

"Goodbye, Jimmy. Love you too and say Love you to dad."

"I will."

He said and I hung up, taking in a deep breath.

Alec came back with the water bottle and handed it to me.

"Why is your phone switched off?" He asked as he sat down beside me.

A shiver ran down my spine as I recalled it. Alec must have seen it on my face.

"What happened?" He asked.

I took the phone and handed it to him while drinking water.

His eyes grew big for a second as his gaze fell on me.

"Scarlet, do you need a doctor?" He asked worriedly.

"No. I'm fine," I muttered.

"How did this happen?"

"I was trying to call the emergency number."

He frowned at me. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

I looked down at the ground.

"Are you crazy? What if he shot you instead of the phone? Or wait--did he mean to shoot you and accidently hit the phone?"

I shook my head. "He meant to shoot the phone."

He scowled at me and shouted. "Why do you always have to be so fucking stupid?"

I flinched at his tone and only realized that I had been crying when a tear fell on my lap.

He sighed beside me and took the water bottle from my hands.

"Stop crying," I could feel his eyes on me and I wiped my tears, looking at him.

"I just wanna go home."

His expression suddenly fell and I couldn't understand what was wrong about what I said.

He looked away and nodded. "Okay.....I'll drive you there."

Drive me there?

Was he not coming back?

Then I realized what he understood when I said home. He probably thought I meant to dad's.

"Our home," I spoke before I could process.

He turned in my direction with a baffled and conflicted look, almost like I said something that was alien to him but he nodded anyway and got up.

His car was parked across the road and he opened the passenger door for me. I slipped in, muttering a thanks and he started driving.

I leaned back in my seat, realizing just how much my head was throbbing. The car ride was comfortable and I was glad he wasn't driving like a maniac.

I must have fallen asleep because the next time I opened my eyes, he was parking the car. I unbuckled my seatbelt and stepped out, calling the elevators.

We silently went up and I sighed in relief once we were inside the apartment.

Alec headed straight for his room without a word to me. Shaking my head in despair, I went to my own room, took a shower, got into my comfortable pajamas and slipped into the bed.

The exhaustion made me sleepy soon and I was almost asleep when the door to my room slowly creaked open.

Alec stepped inside.

I didn't have the energy to turn the lights on and ask him what the matter was.

He shut the door after him and I watched through half open eyes as he walked across the room.

The mattress behind me sunk in as an arm wrapped around my waist and pulled my back into a rock hard chest.

My heart started beating rapidly as heat rushed to my cheeks, a small smile forming on my lips.

I breathed in his intoxicated scent and shut my eyes.

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