Entangled: YOU, ME AND THEM

All Great Beginnings

Carter's P.O.V

"A part of me dies every time you look everywhere instead of at me."

I repeated those words again and again in my head. And everytime, it became worse and worse to deal with. How could I say that? I probably ended up hurting her even more.

"May I know what caused this day of drinking?" I heard Jayden as he slipped into a chair across me. We were currently seated in the balcony of one of the hotels that Jayden owned supposedly having breakfast. But I was too busy being hungover and thinking about she-who-shall-not-be-named.

"Is it Scarlett?" he asked slowly. I snapped my eyes to his and nodded softly.

"Come on bro, you can tell me. You haven't forgotten her, have you? It's been seven years!" He exclaimed, looking at me in disbelief.

"She was my first love, dude and pretty much the last too. She didn't even give me the chance to explain so it is clearly an injustice on her part." I let out everything I had in one breath.

Jayden's hazel eyes regarded me skeptically. After a few moments, he asked, "Don't you think you are being too dramatic? What if she doesn't like you anymore?"

I sighed as I sipped the alcohol from the glass. "I could still feel the love in her eyes for me. The way she nervously looked at me, the way she subtly moved away from me when I wrapped my arm around her tiny waist, the way she looked at everyone except me when she fell into the pool. I clearly still affect her. And boy, do her green eyes make me go crazy!"

Jayden nearly choked on his food at this. "Definitely dramatic", he muttered under his breath.

I narrowed my eyes at him and asked, "Oh really? So, care to tell me why you were all over Riley yesterday?"

Jayden met my eyes and replied flatly, "She is my friend. Still."

I shrugged nonchalantly and retorted quickly by saying, "You were always a good liar."

Jayden shrugged too. "Think whatever you want to Carter."

I downed the rest of my drink in one go and stood up. "I'll see you later Jay. I have work to complete."

Jayden looked up at me, his mouth stuffed with food and I had to hold in a laugh. He looked too much like a chipmunk. Especially with those eyes of his.

"Cartier work, eh?" He asked with his mouth full.

I scoffed at him. It was a long running joke. Just because I like classy products, they had taken to calling me Cartier. Because it was a company with a name closest to mine.

I pulled on my jacket, waved at him and set off to the sleek Alpha Romeo that was waiting for me below. The hotel chauffeur pulled open the door and the cool breeze of the air conditioner made me feel cozy. Something about cars just amazed me. How they worked flawlessly and smoothly.

The hum of the engine was steady as we drove through the roads of L.A. to the penthouse I had rented.

I was here on official company business and needed to stay here for about two weeks in order to finalise a deal. The other two weeks were my self given vacation.

I leaned back into the seat and looked out of the window at the scenery whizzing by. Thoughts of Scarlett ran through my mind, but I tried to push them. Just enjoy the moment, Carter Alderidge, I silently chided myself.

When the car finally stopped in front of my beloved penthouse that would be my temporary home, I nearly jumped out and skipped to the door. When I was well settled and felt comfortable, I switched on soft music and felt myself drift off slowly.