Chapter 13

Scott sat in a small, cozy coffee shop in Los Angeles, feeling anxious and a little nervous. He was about to have his second meeting with Scarlett Johansson, this time in a more casual and personal setting.

Plus, Scarlett had mentioned that she would be bringing her daughter, Rose, which added a new level of importance to the meeting. For a man accustomed to high-intensity missions, this kind of meeting made him uneasy in a different way.

The coffee shop had a laid-back atmosphere, with soft music playing in the background and simple wooden tables, creating a cozy atmosphere. Scott chose a table in the corner, where they would have more privacy, away from prying eyes.

He was dressed in jeans and a casual shirt, but the nervousness was there he didn't see children often, and knowing that Rose was an important part of Scarlett's life made him want to make a good impression.

A few minutes later, Scott glanced at the door and saw Scarlett walking in with her daughter Rose by her side. Scarlett, with a genuine smile, looked relaxed and stunning, even in her simple outfit. Rose, with her curly blond hair and innocent smile, held her mother's hand as she looked around curiously.

When Scarlett spotted Scott, she waved, and Rose, a little shy, slowly approached with her mother. Scott stood up and gave them both a warm smile.

"Hi, Scarlett. Hi, Rose," he said, trying to sound as friendly as possible to the little girl.

Scarlett smiled. "Hi, Scott. This is Rose. Rose, this is Scott, that friend I told you about."

Rose looked at Scott, clearly curious, but didn't say anything right away. She hid slightly behind Scarlett, but Scott, who had dealt with more tense situations before, knew how to break the ice.

"You know, Rose," he said, leaning in a little, "I have a nephew who loves to draw. Do you like to draw too?"

Rose took a step forward, more curious now. "Yes... I like to draw flowers and dogs," she replied in a shy voice.

Scott smiled, relaxing a bit. "Flowers and dogs are really nice. Maybe one day I'll get to see one of your drawings."

Rose smiled slightly and sat down next to Scarlett, while her mother sat across from Scott.

The atmosphere between the three of them began to lighten, and Scarlett seemed pleased to see that Rose was starting to feel comfortable around Scott.

"She's a little shy at first, but you managed to gain her trust quickly," Scarlett said with a smile. "That's a good quality."

Scott smiled, looking at Scarlett. "I try. I'm glad she feels comfortable."

Their conversation flowed naturally. As Rose enjoyed a small cup of hot chocolate and sketched on a pad of paper Scarlett had brought, Scott and Scarlett took the opportunity to talk more deeply.

They talked about their recent experiences, how Scarlett was adjusting to life after her divorce, and how Scott was dealing with the public spotlight after years of anonymity.

"It's funny," Scarlett said, laughing lightly, "I never thought I'd meet someone like you at a charity gala. I guess fate works in funny ways."

Scott agreed, reflecting on the twists and turns his life had taken. "I never thought I'd end up at an event like that either, much less that I'd meet you. But I guess life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it."

As they talked, Scott realized how approachable and real Scarlett was, despite her fame. She wasn't just a movie star; she was a devoted mother and a person with her own struggles and worries.

They laughed together, shared stories, and little by little, the connection that had begun at the gala seemed to grow stronger. Rose would occasionally look over at Scott and show him her drawings, and Scott would always compliment her, making her smile shyly.

Scarlett watched this interaction with a pleased expression, seeing how comfortable her daughter was feeling in Scott's presence. After a while, Scarlett looked at Scott and said,

"Rose loves you. I think that's a good sign."

Scott, surprised and flattered, smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. She's an amazing little girl."

As the coffee went on, Scarlett decided to share more about her personal life. "I try to keep Rose out of the public eye as much as possible. I know how hard it is to grow up in the spotlight, and I want her to have as normal a childhood as possible."

Scott understood completely. "It's a good decision. Public exposure is a difficult thing to deal with, especially when you're in such a vulnerable position. I'm just learning that myself now, and I'm an adult now. I can't imagine what it would be like for a child."

They continued talking for a while longer, until Scarlett looked at her watch and realized it was getting late.

"I think it's time for us to go," she said, standing up. "It was really nice spending time together. And Rose enjoyed it too."

Rose, who had been drawing in silence, stood up and looked at Scott. "Will you see us again?" she asked, her eyes hopeful.

Scott smiled warmly and bent down to her level. "Of course I will, Rose. I'd love to."

Scarlett smiled, pleased with Scott's response. They said their goodbyes, and Scarlett promised to keep in touch to arrange another meeting. As Scott watched Scarlett and Rose walk away, he felt something new and promising grow inside him a connection he hadn't felt in a long time. As he drove home,

Scott reflected on how this simple coffee could mark the beginning of something deeper with Scarlett. He knew her life was complicated and that the spotlight would follow them wherever they went, but for the first time in years, he was willing to explore a new relationship and see where it would take them.

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