She is Not Who You Thought She Was

Chapter 102/Polish Jar

Saturday morning, I pulled on some skinny jeans and a fitted long-sleeve V-neck. I added my cropped puffer jacket then made my way downstairs.

"Where are you headed?" My mom asked as she popped her head out of the kitchen.

"Just across the street. I'm hanging out with Flora today." I replied.

"Oh, I'm glad." I stopped after her answer.

"Why...?" I questioned.

"I like her."

"Uh...me too." I said slowly, knowing there was something else behind her opinion on Flora. 

"Well, it's no secret that I don't think Kayla is a good influence." My blue eyes widened for a split second, then I furrowed my eyebrows.

"What?" The corner of my mom's mouth curved upward, and she let a sigh of air out of her nose.

"I notice more than you think." I stare at her for a moment.

She is not wrong. She notices a lot more than I ever realized. After everything we've been through since moving here, it's almost as if she has tried to fill the empty shoes my father left when he died. However it makes me wonder, has she always noticed these things even before dad passed?

"Why, didn't you stop me then? You know, from hanging out with her?" If she is going to start showing that she cares, so will I. Blair tugged on her ear, a habit I know all too well.

"Because even through all that bad...she was still your friend, and I know you cared for her." My eyes softened at her words, and I blinked slowly. I don't reply at first. I head for the front door, my hand on the cold metal knob.

"Yeah, I did."

The cold air hit me harder than I wished it had. However, I trudged across the street to Flora.

I really cared for Kayla, but when we had our last encounter in Maryland, before my mother's phone call, I no longer cared. I didn't care about anything for a long time... maybe that's why I chose this role this time: the rebel. I laughed to myself. That didn't really work out, did it.

"Hello Scarlett, Flora is in her room." Mrs. Chase told me as she crossed through the foyer, as I peeled my coat off.

"Oh, thanks." I watched her for a moment. She wasn't crossing through the foyer, she was pacing. "Is everything okay, Mrs. Chase?"

"Yes..." She paused, looking me up and down. "No, actually. My husband fired Joquín, and I have no idea why. He won't talk to me. Although he doesn't talk to me about much anyway..." She stops. "I'm sorry this probably seems silly to you." She shakes her head. "Don't worry about it, peach." She smiled weakly and gestured for me to go upstairs to Flora. I nodded and gave her a reassuring smile.

Brandon fired Joquín. Why? Wenna always treated him like family, and with the brief interaction I witnessed at the dinner party, so did he. Did Brandon find out he was a Velvet? But if he did, wouldn't that mean he would be able to realize Rock is one too? That raises a very important question. How long has Rock been a Velvet? Right as I went to knock on Flora's door, I heard a door open down the hall.

Brandon Chase emerged from his study in a plain white button-up and a loosened tie. The signature cufflinks were absent, with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair was slightly disheveled as if he had been running his hand through it multiple times. He stopped and stared at me when he noticed my presence.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, not at all masking his expression of anger. His tone was nasty and he sounded too bothered by my being. I only studied him for a moment longer, wondering why he was so upset at me for visiting his daughter, who had been through something so traumatic. Does he even know? Of course he does. He just doesn't care.