Mine | Yours

Mine: Chapter 36

Alex's P.O.V

After hours of arguing and Dr. Depretis' body beaten to a pulp, I finally convinced Scarlett to come home with me. She didn't remember one detail about us or anything that happened afterward. She was still under the impression that she was working at the diner and being abused by her mother and step-father.

"I have to give her some sense of normalcy," I told Federico as we met in my office.

"If you think that is the right decision, I'll see to it that it is done," he replied.

"She will be driven to and from work by you, and you only. Is that understood?" I asked.

"Yes, sir," he replied with a nod. "Is there anything else I can do for you or Ms. Scarlett?" he asked.

"Yes. Apart from locating Cade, I want a meeting set-up with his father. With a little negotiation, he might be willing to hand his son over," I replied.

"Is having him under the same roof as Miss Scarlett the best idea, sir?" he asked.

"He will be confined to his room in the basement. Scarlett knows she isn't allowed down there, so I have faith they won't be bumping into each other," I replied.

"Very well then. I'll see to it right away," he replied.

"Good. You're dismissed. Send Scarlett to my office when you see her," I said as I turned my attention back to my paperwork.

"Yes, sir," Federico replied as he left my office. Minutes later, a timid Scarlett lightly knocks on my door.

"Come in,"

"Um, you wanted to see me?" she asked.

"Yes, have a seat," I replied as I put my pen down and watched as she carefully sat down. "Have you settled in fine?" I asked.

"Oh, yes. Your maids were very helpful in setting me up in my room. Thank you for your hospitality, sir," she replied.

"I told you, you can call me Alex. You don't work for me, no need for the formalities," I replied.

"Sorry," she said shyly.

"Well, it's been a week since you've been here. Do you have any requests?" I asked. "I want to make you as comfortable as possible," I added.

"Um, well, I'd like to go back to work. My friend Alice will be very worried about me," she replied.

Right, she's still under the impression that Alice is still her friend.

"I know you may not remember, but Alice isn't exactly your friend anymore," I replied.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"What's the last thing you remember?" I asked. She wasn't as talkative as she used to be. Getting her to tell me anything had proven to be a struggle, but for her I was willing to be patient.

"Um, my parents and I had gotten into an argument. That's what I remember," she replied, a pained expression on her face.

"Scar, I know your mother, step-father, and sister abused you. You don't have to hide that from me," I replied.

"I told you that?" she asked, shocked she had opened up to me before.

"Before all this, you and I were quite close. It was my own fault that we fell apart," I replied, averting my gaze from hers so that she couldn't see the shame my eyes held. "Pushing you away is the biggest mistake I could have ever made," I added.

"Hey, it's okay. Things happen, it's a part of life," she said, getting up from her chair and walking around my desk to side hug me. Turning my chair so that I was turned towards her, she takes my face in her hands and makes me look at her. The vulnerability in the air was thick, our hearts racing, my breath slow.

"Whatever you did, can be forgiven. I forgive you, Alex," she said, her eyes glossy.

"Scar, you don't un-," I started as I attempted to turn away.

"Hey, look at me," she said as she sat in my lap, forcing me to look at her. "From what I've heard, you helped me reconnect with my dad. Now I've got a little sister that I'll meet tomorrow. You even saved me from this crazy boyfriend I keep hearing about. You've given me life, Alex. From what I remember it was miserable, but with you and your help, I'm evolving," she said as she searched my eyes.

What was she looking for?

"You may think you have hurt me, but it's okay. You've saved me more," she added, breaking the silence between us.

"I don't deserve your forgiveness, Scar. If it weren't for me, we wouldn't be in this situation," I replied.

"That may be so, but everything happens for a reason. In the end, I'm sure this will make us stronger," she replied with a smile.

"How could you be so optimistic? If I were in your pla-," I started.

"You'd be breaking things and people?" she asked.

"How'd you know?" I asked with a light chuckle.

"Just a guess. You look like a man who shouldn't be messed with," she replied, a small smile playing on her lips.

God, I want to kiss her.

"Did we do that a lot?" she asked.

"Do what?" I asked.

"Kiss. You keep looking at my lips," she replied with a light laugh.

Busted.

"Yeah, quite often," I replied with a smile.

"Even though I have a boyfriend?" she asked, furrowing her eyebrows.

"I told you to stay with him for cover. Back then I didn't know he was the one hurting you or I never would have sent you back to him," I replied, looking away from her.

"Hey, at least you saved me again," she said as she made me look at her again.

"You shouldn't have needed to be saved again," I replied.

"Hey, it'll all be okay. I'm sure of it," she replied as she pulled me in for a hug.

She smells like me.

"I may or may not have snuck into your room to grab some shampoo and conditioner. There wasn't any in my room," she said.

"Did I-," I started.

"No, you just took a really deep breath," she replied with a chuckle.

"My apologies, I don't mean t-,"

"It's fine. Don't worry about it," she said with another chuckle. "I want to try something," she added, curiosity in her eyes.

"Of course, what is it?" I asked. Taking a deep breath, I couldn't stop her before I felt her soft lips against mine.

Well, this is a welcome surprise.

"I'm sorry. I thought it would help me re-," she started, but I didn't let her finish. Bringing her lips back to mine, I take her in as her hand tangles in my hair and I pull her flush against me by her waist. Pulling away, neither of us could contain our smiles.

"Did we ever..." she started, her cheeks tinted red.

"No. And even if, I would want you to remember me first before we slept together again," I replied.

"You think I'll get my memory back?" she asked.

"I know you will," I replied. "Plus, it gives me an excuse to kiss you," I added as I kissed her plump lips again as she giggled in delight.

"Did you mean it when you said you loved me? Back at the hospital," she asked when she pulled away.

"I did," I replied, pushing the loose strands of her hair behind her ear.

"I'm sorry that I can't s-," she started, but I silenced her by placing a finger on her lips.

"It's okay," I said as I cut her off, my voice a low whisper "If you ever felt that way you'll let me know. I'm in no rush," I said as I kissed her cheek, earning a small smile from her.