Lady and the bastard (4)

Scarlet did not turn around to see the loud guest and used the distraction to drink the last tea in her cup.

Ian on the other hand was disturbed by the arrival of a troubling young woman. "We are closed," he announced, ignoring Scarlet's reaction as he had welcomed her in. Scarlet and Monica were not the same.

Ian's words did not stop Monica from entering as she was curious about the woman sitting at the table.

"I came for a quick visit. I won't disturb your meeting with your guest," Monica said, fixing her gaze on the woman.

"It is time I take my leave," Scarlet said, putting the empty cup down. Noisy women were a bother these days. "What is the cost?"

"It was on the house. A treat to get you back here,' Ian replied. He was confident that Scarlet would end back here. 

Monica stopped at an arm's length from Scarlet's seat, surprised by the tea served and then troubled by Scarlet. Why would Ian have this woman present given the current state of her life? Was he finished with laying low in town?

Scarlet considered it to be a waste of a treat since she wasn't coming back. Still, she thanked him and stood up to be on her way. 

Monica watched as Scarlet stood and Ian would not take his eyes off her. He even joined in escorting Scarlet out. She knew Ian wasn't one to pay attention to gossip, but he must have seen the front of the papers this morning. 

Though a good businesswoman, Scarlet's life brought nothing but trouble. Ian shouldn't be interested in her.

Monica looked away from the sight of Ian walking Scarlet out and approached the table with the tea. "Who made this?" She asked Owen who still stood behind the bar. When Owen pointed to the door for Ian as the answer, Monica's anger increased. 

Monica placed her bag on the table and began to pour herself tea, using the very cup Scarlet drank from. She never had the pleasure of drinking tea made by Ian, but Scarlet was granted that pleasure. How long did they know each other?

While Monica drank away all of the tea, Ian walked with Scarlet until they reached the door. 

"When you start to miss my tea, come any time and I will make it for you," said Ian.

Scarlet stopped, slowly turning around to face him. "There is something that you want from me. A man like you doesn't spare time making tea for nothing."

"Oh? You know me well already?" Ian mockingly questioned, leaning against the doorframe. "Dinner would have been better for us to become well acquainted."

"I've had experience with being treated well only for something to be expected in return. What is planned never works out so I hope you do not get your hopes up. I have a business to tend to so goodbye," said Scarlet.

Once again, Ian knew it wasn't goodbye. She finished the tea during Monica's disturbance and he noted the little twinkle in her eyes as she drank it. He would have never expected a woman like Scarlet to enjoy tea this much. 

"Would you like the rest of the tea in the pot? It will only be thrown away. You can keep the pot with you," he offered.

Ian turned to look inside at the table with the pot only to be angered by the sight of Monica drinking the tea. 

Luckily, Scarlet had not accepted the offer and got into her carriage to leave.

Ian closed the front doors and locked them so he wouldn't have anyone else barging in. 

"What the fuck are you doing?" Ian questioned, his tone mixed with anger and annoyance. "That wasn't for you and I said that we are closed."

"Why were you making tea for that woman? Do you know who she is? All the drama that surrounds her these days. Her husband is leaving her and the woman he has moved on with is now pregnant. Pleading with her to sign the divorce-"

"I don't care for her life story," Ian interjected. The fine details were not important. He was simply interested in Scarlet. 

Monica placed her hands on her hips. She hated it when he was too laid back. "You don't want your parents to know that you are back in town. Having her around will only bring you attention you do not need. Don't meet with her again."

Ian took the cup not meant for Monica from her hands. He didn't know what gave her the right to think she could tell him what he could do. Should Scarlet walk back into his business, he would treat her to tea again. 

"Do you hear me? I saw the way you stared at her. Why would you want to be involved with a divorced woman-"

"Your jealousy is showing and it is not a good look," Ian said, leaving Monica's side to return to his study. "Escort her out."

"This is no way to treat a friend, especially when my father sent me here to see if you were doing well. How is it that you not only serve tea, but you are entertaining that woman? All your advances will be for nought as that woman is said to be cold-hearted and doesn't know how to treat a man," Monica said as she followed Ian. 

Ian stopped walking before could pass the bar. He was not in the mood to have Monica following him to his private room. "All you speak of are rumours. You know nothing about her and if you are so confident that my efforts to court her would end with nothing, you can sit back and wait. Return to your father and do not annoy me."

"Owen," Monica whined, turning to him as a last resort. "Please talk some sense into him. My friend working in printing papers said this will only get worse for that woman."

"What do you mean?" Ian asked.

Monica folded her arms, annoyed Ian only wanted to speak as it concerned Scarlet. She wanted to keep quiet but she had to tell him so he knew why he had to stay away. "It is an opportunity to speak of the Collins family for the first time in years, so everything about her is being dug up. Gossip coming from all around the town. Some are true, some false. Who cares as long as there is gossip?"

"Don't get involved with that woman,' said Monica.

Ian wasn't persuaded to stay away from Scarlet. With the town out to ruin her, he was more interested in her. 

As someone greatly affected by gossip in the past when he was only a child and was placed as the villain, he was not a sheep to follow what was said in papers. Monica should have thought of his past story before asking him to stay away from Scarlet because of rumours.

Owen shook his head, thinking Monica was wasting her breath as Ian would just do whatever he wanted. 

"Don't make me embarrass you by throwing you out the front doors. Leave walking out to save face," Ian replied, continuing to make his way to his private room. 

If not for Monica's father who had been kind over the years, he would have long tossed her out. Her feelings were nothing but a nuisance. She was the one whose efforts were all for nothing. 

"Scarlet Collins," Ian said, enjoying the way her name left his lips. 

If not for tea, a diamond ball would bring her back to him.