Return (2)

"It's nearing noon and you're just waking up. Why don't you go home?" Owen asked, watching Ian pour himself a cup of water. "Luckily, you missed Monica's visit. I don't think her father has been sending her to check on you."

"It's taken you this long to realise that?" Ian replied.

Ian looked around at the few customers they had for early-day drinking. The business was steadily getting better during the day as word got around about their fine drinks, but the night was when he saw many of his customers.

"Well yes. I am aware that she likes you, but I always thought her father was sending her here. You should hurry home before she comes back. That woman likes you too much to stay away from you," said Owen.

It was a sad yet entertaining sight to see Monica trying to court Ian. She would fail each time and then come to Owen for advice.

"Send her away. It is time for business."

"Right, right. By the way, it seems your charms are failing since that woman Scarlet hasn't returned. Honestly, I didn't have any faith you would be able to get that woman. Word going around the town that it was a surprise she got married- Excuse me," Owen coughed, putting up his hands to show he didn't want to fight after Ian glared at him.

Owen forgot that Ian didn't enjoy the town's gossip. Owen found it to be funny since a lot of gossip was shared here when their customers got a little too drunk. Ian had even instructed them a few times to write down the gossip.

'I can never understand him,' Owen thought.

Ian was about to walk away now that he had his water, but then a familiar carriage stopping outside caught his attention. The day had just gotten better.

"Boil some water for me," Ian instructed Owen. There was only one thing the young heiress was coming for. He knew that she would be back, but he didn't think it would be this quick. 

It must be killing her inside to be back already after what she said.

"She's back. How?" Owen questioned, looking at Ian. Was there going to be a relationship between the two? 'For someone who wants to settle in the town peacefully before cooking up a storm, he's not doing a good job.'

Ian kept his eyes on Scarlet, watching as her driver helped her out of the carriage and today she came with two guards. 

"Well, this is a wonderful surprise. You claimed that you would not be back."

Scarlet ignored the reminder of what she said. "I would like one table please."

"How about a private room? You're gathering a bit of attention already," Ian said, glancing at a group of men eyeing Scarlet. 

They were already drunk and were not looking at her because of the rumours. With their minds relaxed and not thinking about gossip, they viewed the beautiful woman who entered. 

Ian didn't enjoy it since it shouldn't take being drunk to notice the woman before him.

Scarlet looked to the right at a few drunk men. It was only midday and they were drinking their life away. "If my guards can stand outside, I would like a private room."

"Of course they can. This way," Ian said, turning around to personally escort Scarlet. "Was it the tea that brought you back?"

"Yes. What else would I have come for?" Scarlet questioned. 

"Me," Ian responded, his disappointment evident in his voice. "I saw the way you stared at my exposed chest."

"I looked once as you approached me. Nothing more than that so do not get your hopes up," Scarlet said, looking away from him so he wouldn't get any more ideas.

Ian was handsome, but she was not seeking to be with a man at the moment. Certainly not one with secrets.

"I like that you are honest. I thought you would have denied having one look. I will keep my hopes up. You said you wouldn't come back yet here you are. There might be a day when you want me for more than pouring tea," Ian said, smiling as Scarlet appeared annoyed.

"Do you speak to all your customers like this?" Scarlet questioned, putting some space between them so they were not walking so close by. 

"I don't," Ian answered. "You are special."

Scarlet was suspicious of his special treatment toward her once more. He could continue with it to be disappointed in the future as pouring her tea wouldn't give him gifts. 

Ian opened the door to a room he used and let Scarlet walk in.

Scarlet frowned, confused as to why she was entering an office. "This isn't a private room. This is your office."

"It is. If I take you to the private rooms, when you exit the other customers will see you. No one else will come this way other than the employees. Do you want to stay here or go to the other rooms?" Ian asked. 

"I will be taking up your space. I don't like anyone in my office," Scarlet said, not wanting to bother him. She wasn't that special to intrude on his space. 

"I am offering it to you because I have no use for it. Do you plan to spend all day here drinking tea? Only then would you get in my way. Not that I mind," Ian said as he would enjoy seeing her lounging around. 

"Who drinks tea all day? I will only be here for no more than twenty minutes. Since you are offering your office, I will accept and pay more than what you charge for the other private rooms," Scarlet said, taking a seat on the long chair. 

Now that he had gotten her to stay, Ian had to leave to brew the tea. "I will bring the first pot of tea."

On his way out, Ian glanced at Scarlet's driver. 

Harry waited for the door to close to then tell Scarlet, "I will return to the carriage to make sure no one troubles it. Enjoy your tea."

He was not only her driver but a third guard. Harry wouldn't put it past someone to be so daring to mess with her carriage. Now that he saw with his eyes that she was safe, he would return to the carriage. 

Scarlet watched as Harry exited the room and then she was left all alone. Scarlet inspected Ian's neat office. Why did he trust her so much to not snoop around his things? Scarlet would not do this with anyone she had known for years.

Scarlet had no interest in his business more than a customer to snoop around, but there was no telling what someone else might do. Again, she questioned what exactly was making her special in his eyes if he wasn't after getting money out of her. 

If his efforts were to court her and then get a joke out of it to tell the town, he might just disappear from the town once again. 

Scarlet patiently waited for an employee's return with the tea, but to no surprise, Ian returned with a tray in his hands to serve her once more.