Lost in Lies

Coffee and Closure?

Scarlet waited at the café near her store, and she was really anxious about seeing Clark. Every time the door went, she would look up. He wasn't late, Scarlet was just jittery, regretting getting there early.

Finally, Clark entered, and Scarlet's heart did a flip. He had on some dark blue jeans, a casual white t-shirt with the image of a Pokémon on it, the cute yellow one.

His hair was longer than usual, and a strand was falling over his eyes. Which looked really cute to Scarlet. He seemed well. looking more like the Clark she met all those years ago. It seemed like a lifetime now.

Clark smiled when he saw Scarlet, his dimpled cheeks showing. He was genuinely happy, those big bright eyes of his shimmering bright. She was in trouble.

"Hi Scar." He greeted her.

"Hi." Was all she could say.

Clark ordered them a coffee and started to talk once he was seated.

"How are you? I hear the store is doing well?"

This small talk went on for a while. Clark told Scarlet about his time at the clinic and the friends he'd made.

When he was with Clair, he hadn't realised that his old friends never reached out. After all the therapy, he realised that she had also alienated him from everyone.

He told Scarlet about Greg and Ian's antics, how they kept him going. Ian with his flirting and Greg with his warm smile and endless patience, he also had a wicked sense of humour, always teasing Ian.

"You sound more like the old Clark, I am so happy for you." Scarlet told him with a genuine smile.

"I am selling my house, Scar. I thought you might want to know. There is a small apartment that I like, it suits me down to the ground. I don't need a big place, and my job is changing, so I will have fewer hours and funds."

"Oh. I thought you loved that place?" She asks.

"And you loved your job."

"No, Scar, I didn't. I needed to do long hours to forget. The money was good, and my dad was proud. But I hated it there. The only client I liked was Serene, who knows that I am leaving now, I gave her a call. She is happy for me."

"I am also happy for you, Clark. If you are finally getting peace, I am over the moon."

They continue to chat. Scarlet talks about her plans and Cam's amazing cousins who have taken senior roles in her shop. About her designs, and all the new customers requesting items.

Before they knew it, the sun was setting.

"Clark, we have been talking for a long time and nothing about moving forward." Scarlet tells him, panicked. She hadn't mentioned the engagement yet.

"It has been amazing, Scar. The time away has opened my eyes. I know we can never be more. You deserve so much better than what I can give you. As long as you're happy, that is enough for me. Maybe one day I can find someone who makes me as happy as Cam makes you."

Scarlet went cold when he mentioned someone else. Her heart hurting. But she knew he deserved to be happy also.

"I hope you do, Clark. You deserve it. Don't put yourself down. Any woman would be lucky to have you for their own." It hurt to tell him this, but she needed to say it.

"Just not you, Scar?"

"No, Clark, not me. I do have to tell you something." Reluctant as she was, he needed to know.

"I am engaged, Clark."

She saw the light in his eyes dim then. Guilt is eating away at her, but why?

"Congratulations, Scar. I wish you all the best. I do have to go now, though. I promised Ant I would spend some time with him."

Scarlet saw the moisture in his eyes, and she just wanted to hold him, but she didn't. Instead, they walked out after paying and headed to Clark's car, where they said their goodbyes. Scarlet hugged him, and Clark placed his head on hers, telling her...

"Be happy, Scar. I will always love you. Now and forever."

He then pulled away and left, not looking back. While Scarlet just stood there with tears in her eyes.

The pair didn't notice that they were being watched. Cam had finished work and had decided to meet Scarlet, thinking she might want to cheer up after seeing Clark.

He noticed the way the two looked at each other, and it saddened him. But not as much as it should have. Cam always knew Scarlet's feelings for him were not as deep as they were for Clark. He had hoped they would change, having resigned himself to being second best, but it wasn't enough now. Scarlet was hurting and confused. She didn't know what to do. Cam needed her to be happy. He would make her happy.

Scarlet

That night, when Scarlet got home, she noticed that Cam hadn't messaged or called her all day. So, she decided to call him.

He answered straight away.

"Hi Scar. I am just heading to yours. I need to talk to you about something. I will be five minutes. Ok?"

He then hung up, no, I love you, or even a bye.

Five minutes later, the doorbell rang, and in walks a flustered Cam.

"Hi babe." Scarlet greats him.

"Hi, Scarlet. Can we sit, please?" He asks.

She leads him over to the sofa, and they sit. Cam takes Scarlets hands in his and starts to talk.

"Ok, so. I have been doing a lot of soul searching. I saw you with Clark, and the way you both looked at each other made me realise that you belong together. I am not what you want, Scar. I know I am not your 'one'."

Scarlet is shocked. She shakes her head and tries to get words out, but Cam continues.

"I love you, Scar, so much. But you have never looked at me that way. I am not mad, but we have to face the truth. You do not love me like you do him."

Scarlet finally finds her voice.

"Cam, no! I love you, I want you. I chose you. Don't do this, please."

She was sobbing now, so Cam pulled her to him and kissed her gently.

"Don't make this hard, babe, please. You should be happy."

"I am happy Cam, I want you to be the one."

"I know, babe, I want that to. But life has a way of choosing for us. Clark is who you should be with. I would always know that, and it would ruin us. I would always wonder."

Scarlet knew he was right. So, she took off the ring and placed it in Cams hand.

"I am so sorry, Cam. You are amazing. Why can't it be you?"

Cam takes Scarlets face in his hands after dropping the ring. He kisses her deeply.

"This is goodbye, my beautiful, kind and loving Scarlet. I am leaving tomorrow to work with my friend. It would be too hard to see you."

He kissed Scarlet again, both in tears as they slowly made love for the last time. A sweet goodbye.

By the morning, Cam was gone. The ring was left on the coffee table with a note.

######
Scarlet

Keep this to remember me and the happy times we shared. I will forever have you in my heart.

Make a great life for yourself, and be happy.

Do not grieve us or be sad for long.

If he hurts you again, I will end him Scar.

Keep that beautiful smile on your gorgeous face.

I love you.

Yours forever

Cam. Xxxx

#######

Scarlet read the letter several times. Her heart was breaking. She knew Cam was right. There was something she had to do, not now, she had to grieve. But soon.