CHAPTER THREE
Losing someone you love is never easy but losing yourself is worse (Unknown)
Dusk had masked the sky as the sun disappeared, shying away from the moons and the stars, its rays causing the day sky to turn into darkness, unlocking her door, Scarlette sighed deeply, the day had been amazing yet gruelling, setting her books on the bookshelf on the right side of her door, she made her way to the kitchen, last night's dishes still present in the sink, her marble countertops still miraculously clean, walking over and grabbing a cup, she poured herself a cup of water, drinking it rather hurriedly, she hadn't realised as to how thirsty she was.
Trudging around her apartment, Scarlette's thoughts were consumed by Eros, wondering if she'd ever get to bump into him again, never had she felt this kind of way towards any man, or any person for that matter, she couldn't deny the magnetic pull between them, or how easy it was for her to openly talk about things not even a shrink could get her to open up too, snapping out her thoughts, her stomach growled violently.
Too exhausting to cook, she decided on getting takeout, she craved some lasagne and was just too lazy to put the time and effort to cook it herself, after ordering she made her way into the lounge and switched on the television, flicking through the channels, unable to find something remotely entertaining to watch, until she found some random series based on crime, she'd always been fascinated by it, she didn't have an idea as to why she wouldn't be since her whole life she never had closure about her parents, leaving the television to play in the background, she walked over to the kitchen and decided to clean up since she hadn't done it last night.
After twenty minutes, Scarlette's doorbell rang, grabbing some change she kept on the bookshelf that she always kept for herself, she made her way to the door, upon opening it, she was surprised to see Nathaniel holding her takeaway in his hands, a sly grin plastered on his face, "did someone order a delicious cheese topped lasagne?", Scarlette smiled and opened the door wider so he could enter, "Don't tell me you chased my delivery guy", she sniggered, Nathaniel merely raised his eyebrows in humour before he shrugged his shoulders to annoy her, "actually don't even answer that, I'm afraid he may have been scarred and honestly when you get arrested I will squeal to the cops like a pig about it, best I be in the dark or my friend, you'll be in jail because I couldn't keep a secret", she let out, grabbing two plates and two forks from the kitchen, "then I'll leave out the part where he didn't just run but fled right down the street, looks like you won't be getting him to deliver to your apartment anymore, sorry not sorry", she knew that Nathaniel would be famished as well and knowing him as well as she did, knew he would starve himself to death since he was a terrible cook.
"As much as I love you being here Nathaniel, what are you doing here?", Scarlette asked as she began plating some of the lasagne on his plate, handing him a fork, "I wanted some time for us to catch up, since arriving here, we haven't really talked or spent time together, like dude, food and boy talks, how can we not do that?", Nathaniel all but dramatically sighed out. "Yeah you're right", Scarlette added putting a fork full of pasta in her mouth, satisfied by its taste, she let out a moan of approval, damn she thought, just what she needed.
Nathaniel's smug look at her had her annoyed, even though he knew that lasagne was always what she craved, "So, this friend of yours, is it a he or a she?", Scarlette choked out a cough with the food still in her mouth, taking big gulps of water to wash it down, "I – what, I mean who?", she knew who Nathaniel was talking about, she just felt weird telling him this, even though they were closer than two slices of bread in a buttered sandwich, "you know, the mystery friend you were late for this morning", Nathaniel pressed on.
He wanted to know who this person was that finally got his best friend to act somewhat of her old self again, more open and riskier than he'd like to believe, despite Scarlette's tardy behaviour, she also had more confidence in her demeanour since these past five years, she did tell him about the embarrassing moment she thought a guy had followed her and confronted him, and that she hoped she'd see him again, maybe apologise for her rude approach towards him, "fine, I'll tell you, it's that guy, remember I told you once before I wanted to meet him- again, that guy I embarrassed myself infront of five years ago?, Nathaniel knew she'd talk eventually, she could never keep a secret to save her life, she always felt like a liar when she did and knew it would weigh heavily on her shoulders if she didn't talk.
He nodded again in reply so she continued, "yeah I met him again at the bakery whilst getting my breakfast, and well he joined me and we just lost track of time, just talking I guess", Scarlette explained, Nathaniel gushed as he looked at her, "isn't this weird that you meet the guy five years later in a completely different state? - its destiny I tell you", he pointed out, Scarlette wasn't one to believe in destiny and fate, but she did believe everything happened for a reason, luck and coincidences, that teaches life lessons along the way, be it virtuous or ruthless ones.
"You know how I feel about all that destiny stuff don't you?", she drawled out, her face contorted into a little smile that held apprehension within it, she began to think of Eros and sudden regret of not passing contact information gnawed at the pit of her stomach, how could she have been so stupid to share everything else about herself besides that!
"I do but some things are just to right for it not to be?", she let his words sink in, placing her fork down on her now empty plate, leaning back against the couch headrest, Nathaniel followed suite copying the action.
"I honestly don't know if I'll see him again Nate", she deeply sighed, "why would you assume that Scar?", he pondered, "because all we really exchanged were our names and had some small talk about our lives", she muttered, Nathaniel looked at her dumbfounded, wondering how the hell had they spent so many hours talking, without exchanging even digits of their phone numbers to each other.
"You will meet him again, you shall see", Nathaniel vaguely responded, yet Scarlette could only wonder if there was any truth to his words, "you sure are optimistic", she pointed out as her mouth began curving into a smile. "thanks Nathaniel for being here as always, you're honestly the best of best friends any girl could ask for", Scarlette enveloped Nathaniel into a hug in appreciation towards how deeply she could count on him when she needed someone the most and he had proved that countless off times, especially since she left home, "oh I know I'm awesome Scar".
The doorbell rang, breaking the hug, Scarlette looked towards Nathaniel in confusion, both wondering who could be ringing her doorbell at eight pm, Nathaniel stopped Scarlette as she got up to open the door, she sat back down and Nathaniel made his way to the door, opening it, confusion etched his forehead and he gaped infront of him, "Can I help you mate?", Nathaniel enquired before extending his hand for a handshake, which the stranger accepted.
"Is this the residence of Scarlette Moon?", the stranger enquired with a smile, Scarlette having heard her name made her way towards the door with caution, she was always afraid of the night, despite living alone yet it did bring her some comfort, she didn't understand why her heart raced as she made her way to stand behind Nathaniel, using him as a shield, peering over Nathaniel's shoulders she could only gape as she stared at the figure infront of the now open door. "You", she gasped.
"Me", he confirmed scratching the back of his neck.