Hate That I Love You. (GWTW Fanfic)

Chapter Three - Two Hours

"Come on, you have to drink this, you'll feel better."

Scarlett choked a little from the water that her maid, Jewel, shoved down her throat. She coughed and sat up, "Wha- what happened?"

"You fainted Miss O' Hara" Jewel told her, wiping her forehead.

"Oh. Oh, my, I remember reading a letter, and- And..." She burst into tears, feeling faint all over again. Why did he leave? Love cannot run out. She knew that for sure. Scarlett never stopped loving anyone. Her mother, her father, Mammy, her son and daughter, Bonnie, her sisters, and most importantly, Rhett. Suddenly, she felt mad. Why on Earth would he just marry another woman? Did he really not lover her anymore? No. He did. She knew he did. Rhett just got married to make her mad. She stood up and pushed Jewel's hands away from her face. "Come on Jewel, help me pack, we're taking a trip to Charleston." Scarlett O'Hara was determined to get her happy ending.

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Scarlett and Jewel settled in a hotel in Charleston and the very next day, she made a plan to take a visit to Rhett's mother. 'Maybe he's there' She thought. She hoped he was. She didn't tell his mother she was coming, or else Rhett probably would've left. She would surprise them both. She pinched her cheeks, making them a light shade of pink before knocking. Then, she panicked. What if Rhett was in there? And with his new wife? Oh, god. She would be so embarrassed and horrified! It would make her look needy. But she was needy. For Rhett. 'Calm down.' She thought. 'If they are there, I'll just say just because we're supposedly divorced doesn't mean I can't be friends with his mother. I do recall meeting her at Bonnie's funeral. Lovely lady. And I can tell she liked me, too. Maybe better than Anne.' She let out the breath she was holding and knocked on the door once more.

Quickly, she heard a muffled shout, and a woman, who looked like a maid, opened the door. She raised her eyebrows at Scarlett.

"Um, I'm here to see Mrs. Butler." Scarlett said.

The maid smiled tiredly, and gestured for Scarlett to come in. Scarlett followed the silent little maid, not really paying attention to where she was walking, for she was looking around the most beautiful house she had ever seen. The carpets covering the smooth wooden floor had soft gold accents on them. The walls were dark and light brown, a different sort of gold than the carpet. And matching curtains, but just the right shade.

Elanor Butler smiled hugely, rose up from her seat, and hugged Scarlett.

"Why, Scarlett! It's absolutely marvelous to see you again! Oh, I'm overjoyed!"

Scarlett smiled too, for she was also happy to see Rhett's mother. She remembered now how much she liked Elanor Butler. But she was confused. Why was she was so happy to see Scarlett, when Rhett - supposedly - divorced her?

Did she not know? Surely Rhett told her, Scarlett knew he adored his mother. Or was she just simply happy to see her? This thought made Scarlett smile wider. It was comforting to know that Elanor Butler liked her for who she was, and not because she was her son's wife.

Scarlett bit her lip. Where was Rhett? She wanted so badly to ask Mrs. Butler where he was, but that was rude, and besides she hadn't even said one word to the woman yet! Bringing herself back to the present, she looked at Elanor. "Mrs. Butler, I am so delighted to see you again as well! It seems like years have passed since-- well, you know." Elanor tried not to frown. She was too happy to be upset. Therefore, she shook her head, shaking the thoughts away as well.

"Scarlett, darling, are you hungry? Sit down, please. I insist." Scarlett obeyed and begged silently that she would bring Rhett to subject. As if reading her mind, Elanor said, "So Rhett married Anne Hamilton." She didn't miss Scarlett flinch, but she continued, "And I guess they're doing well, but I hate to tell you dear, I'm glad you are over and hope you will be staying for dinner. It's just-- Rhett is coming over for dinner tonight."

Mrs. Butler smiled as she saw Scarlett's eyes brighten, for she loved Scarlett, and hardly knew Anne. Scarlett hesitated, "By-- By himself?" She looked up at Elanor Butler's face, and saw her smile, which was comforting because it probably meant yes.

"He is, I'm afraid Anne will be busy at the orphanage." Scarlett pursed her lips and let out a silent, "Oh." Happy and nervous at the same time. What would his reaction be? Would he kick her out? What will she wear? Panicking, Scarlett looked at the clock.

They had two hours before dinner. Two hours of torture, of waiting. Two hours of wondering what she would say. Two hours of raking through her clothes violently. Two hours until she would see her soulmate. Her heart, her other half. To her dismay, and excitement, two hours went by like two minutes. She suddenly found herself at the dinner table when the door knocked.