Lost in Lies

The Opening and an Ending

The day of the opening had arrived. Wine and cake were put out for the customers, and the store was packed with eager shoppers. Scarlet was in her element. Abigale and Charlotte decided to assist instead of just supporting, as there were so many people.

Clark was by Scarlet's side, chatting to customers and being the old Clark, happy and funny. That was until Cam arrived. He gave Scarlet a warm hug, congratulating her on the massive turnout.

"I am so glad you came." Scarlet tells Cam.

"I wouldn't have missed it." He replied.

Before Scarlet could offer Cam a drink, Clark had his arms around her.

"Cam, do not hog my girl."

Clark was suddenly all over Scarlet, who felt embarrassed at his anticks.

"Clark, please let go, I need to mingle." Scarlet pleads with him.

"You mean Cam, right?"

"Well, yes, Cam and everyone else. He came all this way to support me. Clark, you need to chill out. What has gotten into you?"

"If he touches you again."

"You'll what, Clark? Will you ruin all my hard work?"

The customers hadn't noticed the brewing tension. Luckily, Charlotte and Abi noticed and took it upon themselves to steer people away.

Clark was getting mad now. He knew it was unreasonable, but the jealousy wouldn't quit. Scarlet, seeing the signs, pulled Clark out of the shop floor and into the office.

The room was small, with a computer desk and two chairs. It was cosy. Pictures dotted the walls, mostly design ideas.

Clark looked at Scarlet, then tried to hug her, but she pulled away.

"You still want him, don't you?" Clark asked.

"This is getting silly, Clark. I am with you, I gave you a chance. What is going on?"

Dropping his head, Clark gives his response.

"I don't know, Scar. I can't get myself to believe that we are ok. That you want me. I do not deserve you. Even now It is hard for me to trust anyone after Clair. I really am trying."

"Maybe you need to see someone, Clark. This isn't you."

"I only need you, Scar. Can we get away somewhere? Just leave."

"No. I have my shop and it has just opened. That is not an option."

Clark then takes a seat and puts his head in his hands, and breaks down. His whole body shakes with heavy sobs.

"Clark, I am going to call Anthony." Scarlet tells him while rubbing his back gently.

She is really worried about him now. The signs were there, but Scarlet was too blind to see them. Everything he has been through coming to the surface. Everything he did, what Clair has done, Clark's farther and his high expectation's. The many women Clark hurt. It all came to fruition.

This man is broken, and nobody can fix him but himself.

"I think I need help, Scar. It is all too much. I am so sorry for all of it. My strength has gone. My mind doesn't feel like mine anymore."

Scarlet hugs him then, and he sobs into her shoulder. They stay like that for a while until there is a knock at the door.

Anthony enters and sees the state his brother is in.

"Clark, why didn't you say anything? Come on, man, let's get you to mine. Scarlet, are you coming? Charlotte will stay here." Anthony asks.

"No, she isn't leaving her opening for me. Scarlet, I love you, but I need to get myself sorted. Live your life, babe. When I am back to myself, I will find you. If you're single, then I will take you out." Clark insists.

"Yes, that seems like a plan, Clark. Get better, ok?" Scarlet tells him with tears dripping down her face.

She kisses him one last time before Anthony nods, then leads Clark out of the door and to the back Exit.

They were over. Clark is doing the right thing and letting Scarlet go. His demons were too strong.

Getting herself together, Scarlet heads back to the waiting customers. She puts all the worries to the back of her mind and smiles. Looking around her seeing all the happy faces makes her feel a little better. Charlotte comes to her then and gives her a hug.

"You ok, babe?" She asks.

"No, but I will be." Scarlet replies.

The rest of the day flies by. Nearly all the wine had gone, and the delicious cakes that the bakery sent over had been eaten. A large chunk of the stock had been sold, and orders were placed for personalised items that Scarlet made. Luckily, some new items were coming in later that week.

The opening was a success.

When the last customer leaves, Cam brings a glass of wine and some cake to where Scarlet is sitting.

"Here, Scar. I saved you some." He says, smiling.

"You are a lifesaver. I needed this, thank you."

The four of them drank the rest of the wine while cleaning up. Scarlet adds up her takings, and after the wine and food, she still makes a massive profit. The bakery didn't want full payment for the cakes, so that helped.

When it was all done, Abigale sat them down and made Scarlet tell her everything. Which she did. Feeling like a huge weight had been lifted as all was revealed.

Clark

Sitting in his brother's car, he felt defeated. If he didn't fix himself, he would lose Scar forever. He was going to a rehabilitation centre. He knew that it was what he needed. Clark had a major breakdown. His childhood trauma and all that happened recently had gotten to the point where he couldn't function.

Clark's father was paying for it. He felt partly responsible, knowing what he put his son through. Anthony hadn't been treated badly, but that was because he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps.

Looking back, Clark's dad hated his past self. A selfish man who wanted success above his family. That had changed when he saw what his wife was going through. He almost broke her too.

So now Clark was put first. He was going to stay there as long as he needed it. Then, he could get back to his life. He would tell Scarlet about all about his past that he had tried to forget. Hopefully, she would wait for him and take him back.

Arriving at the centre, Clark was surprised at how nice it was. It looked more like a retreat than a rehab facility. They were met by a lovely woman who had a big smile.

"Hi, I am Jane. You will have to put up with my face for the duration of your stay here. I will be your one-to-one councillor. There will be group chats, but that will come later."

Clark was then led to an office where his father signed some papers. The lady showed them around after that. Only a few people were there, maybe five that they could see. It was a rehab for people with all sorts of problems, but Jane told them that most of the residents that were there now had depression or needed grief counselling.

It was a coxy place, all soft sofas and well-maintained gardens. Each room had its own bathroom with a shower, a comfortable bed, and a sofa. There were TVs in each room that were fixed to the wall. Downstairs, there was a games room, dining room, and a kitchen that can be used to cook for yourself if that is what helped you to wind down. A library was also downstairs. The group meetings were held in a different room. It was also cosy with pastel colours and beanbag chairs. Jane had her own room for one-to-one meetings. It was in her office, but it had a large sofa and a few chairs.

Clark felt good about this. He was hopeful for the first time in a long while.