Misao Island

The room is covered in black, and the light continues to flicker. I noticed the veins emerging as his hold became more firm. His harsh gaze never strayed from mine.

"What's funny here, Miss Scarlett?" I laughed. "You are aware that with just one phone call to your business, I may withdraw my investment right away."

"You can proceed, Sir Frenchester, but don't claim I didn't warn you." I paused, almost touching his cheeks, and he backed off a little. I laughed once more. His brows furrowed as though he was having trouble believing what he was witnessing.

"What are you doing?"

"You see, Sir Frenchester," I said as I moved forward gently, causing him to take a step back. However, I heard him gasp when his back hit the chilly wall. I whispered in his ears as I leaned closer to his face.

I laughed. "You know very well that pulling out your investment from our company won't dry us."

"But you think it would be a big deal if you couldn't see your sick sister who is missing, Sir Frenchester?" I made contact with a corner of his face. His lips dropped open, and I saw his eyes enlarging.

A few seconds later, I noticed warm water trickling down the ground, and I sensed that he had finally let go of my dress as he lowered his body and knelt on the ground, clutching the hem.

"Tell me, please, and I'll do anything you ask of me."

I exhaled.

I could picture myself acting in this way in the past. If I ever tracked down Lucas, I would ask him to stay with me and not give up, and most importantly, I would swallow my pride and act as though nothing had occurred.

However, I never took those actions.

"Anything?"

***

Japan's Misao Island

9:00 a.m.

It was a few weeks after Frenchester's plea. I raise my glass of champagne to face the figure of a man wearing a navy blue suit. I crossed my legs, smirked, and started to rotate the glass before taking a sip.

Narrowing my eyes, I whisper, "Come here, come here, come here," through the man's back. I grinned as the man narrowed his eyes, and we turned to face each other.

He said something to the individuals gathered around him and forced a dapper smile. However, I recognize that type of smile. I also know what's fake and what's real about him.

He sat next to me and asked, "Are you ready for tomorrow?" He set his champagne on the tiny table and turned to face the view of the water.

Even though a chilly wind was blowing against our figures, he didn't react; instead, he just stared out at the ocean as though he were thinking the most profound thing a man could have at the moment.

I exhaled.

"Exactly what do you mean for tomorrow?" I enquired.

"Scarlett, I'm not playing games with you."

"Oh my goodness, Raven, I'm terrified," I smirked. He sighed, and I heard it. Grasping my hands, he pulled me towards a place where we could only be together.

Then, as I leaned my back against a tree, he cornered both of my heads. I looked him in the eyes while I crossed my hands.

"Listen, this is the time of night when the two are expected to be together." My eyes sprang wide. "Don't ruin the mood because you can; remember the moment when you were left off that night."

His voice grew quieter until it was hardly audible, and it brought back memories of the night everything had fallen apart.

"Don't you dare..."

"I dare you, Scarlett, to break Lucas' heart to pieces like he did that night by making him fall in love with you."

***

"Madam Scarlett, do you like this?" When I heard Anne speak, I turned to face the entrance and noticed the clothes she was holding.

A grin instantly materialized on my lips, along with a crimson dress.

"Yes, Anne, that's the one. Thank you."

She added, "You're always welcome, Madam," as she put the dress on my bed and got ready for the remainder. I saw a transformed woman, a young woman shaped by adversity, and a bruised soul that I could only put together to exact revenge when I looked in the mirror.

Gazing at my hands, I pondered.

What would happen to my life now if I had completed my revenge?

I'm not sure.

I had never been sure that my past and present would coincide in the future. However, there was something that seemed unending—my heart had already moved past the love Lucas and I shared throughout the years he was by my side.

However, I was unable to articulate how I felt when I was with Raven. There was only one woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with based on his sight, his lips, and his acts.

I was never that lady.

Have I turned to becoming a masochist? God, I'm not even interested in knowing.

"Madam Scarlett, please find attached the letter that I received from Sir Raven," said Anne, setting the paper down on my desk.

I sighed and squinted my eyes.

Since I wasn't even returning his calls or texts, Raven must have forced Anne to accept the letter.

I paused and added, "Anne."

She seemed to lift both of her eyebrows as I turned to face her.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"If you see Sophia, pretend that you didn't see Lucas and me when she asked you to."

"Yes, Madam..." Anne bowed and said.

She simply complies with all I ask of her without question, and for that, I'm grateful. She has never asked why and does not need to.

I asked again, "Anne," before she went.

"I want you to take care of yourself tonight; don't go into a lion's den, okay?"

She grinned, and I responded, "Yes, Madam Scarlett."

It would have been a wonderful evening if we had just talked.

But when I read Raven's letter, it was ruined.

I almost tore the paper to the floor, and my hands began to tremble.

My vision started to blur, and my entire body started to quiver. The paper slipped through my fingers and fell through the table before I could even put it there.

The paper fell to the floor silently, but every second that went by, I could see the drum inside my chest.

I was having trouble breathing.

When I got to my balcony, I could see everything that had been placed down and the lights from the campfire. While the ocean continued to pour its gorgeous, calming tone that balanced the heat and chill, the previously white sand became tainted by the scarlet of the fire in the midst.

Before there were as many individuals as I could count, I saw two or three.

They changed into new clothes and began to dance, sing, and consume wine for the evening.

One individual, though, stood out from the others. He was dressed casually, with a white shirt and navy blue trousers, but something about his look suggested that a deity had come to earth to interact with people.

I shook my head and turned to face the stool, which I was clinging to so tightly it felt like I was hanging on for dear life.

I muttered, "Raven, you piece of obliviousness." I took the dress and other preparations after closing my eyes and starting to wipe away the resentment they had caused.

"Okay, fine if that's what you want, but damnit, don't expect me to congratulate them just because their wedding is approaching!" I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from yelling.

It took me less than a minute to get dressed and shut the door, but as soon as I opened it and went outside, I noticed a man I had never expected to see standing in front of my door.

"Lucas?" I inquired.

He glanced in my way, then affixed this nice smile, scratching the back of his neck and staring to the ground.

"I offered to help, but Raven and Sophia stated they wanted to seek for you. Where you were, they have to have been concerned," he remarked.

Not because of Lucas' unexpected entrance or the way he treated me, but rather because I had goosebumps all over.

His voice is the reason behind it.

He would always speak in a soothing tone with an absolute gentleness that I could always tell was there. It sounded like a nostalgic tone.

I would kiss him on the lips thereafter, and we would make love.

I held onto my pouch securely.

I scoffed softly as I considered Raven's schemes. I finally let go of the air as I focused only on the ground.

"Lucas doesn't need to worry; I'm fine." I said, "How about Lady Sophia?"

He laughed and said, "Sophia and Raven had something to talk about, so I left them alone to find you."

I am aware of Raven's plans, but it seemed absurd that the woman, who had no feelings for Raven when they were kids, would now feel compelled to fall in love with him because she was engaged.

I recognized the way she looked at me and Raven after I kissed him.

It's the same stare I experienced five years ago.

I laughed and noticed Lucas's cheeks flushing. "Then, if you're properly assisting a lady, you should have offered your hand," I said.

"In addition, did you discuss the project we would be appearing in with Sophia?" When I inquired, all he did was nod. However, he is not grinning as far as one could see.

".." I never asked questions because I thought doing so would make my plans seem hurried. I had to go cautiously because of this.

I took hold of the arm I was holding and leaned forward to observe his eyes as they abruptly expanded.

I softly murmured, "Lucas," and my image appeared in his eyes. I laughed when I realized that I could hear his heartbeats and had to carefully exact my plans.

First plan: Make him feel confused.

"Would you please come to the Sayato place by yourself with me? I have something we should talk about later."

Then I noticed the pause in his speech.

Before Lucas could say anything, we heard...

"Oh, there you are, Lucas. I have been waiting for you to fetch Lady Scarlett." We heard an angelic voice that we knew very well speak from across the room.

"Sophia?"