After Robert's birthday Chris and I went back to New York. I stayed there for a few days then I flew over to London. I have some business to attend to and I have to visit all of my facilities today. I had breakfast and changed into some professional attire. It's all very strange still.I'm the one that runs the whole place. It gives me sort of anxiety for when I have to fulfill some places. They talk to me about each problem and I guide them in the right direction. I've turned my dads old office into an office for the team. The room is huge and what better way to use it than that. I took my mothers old office and it is nice. I sent out emails to a recent client and I am waiting for a respond.

In one of the factories there was a malfunction with one of the machines so I had to call the repair men to fix it all. I was in deep thought when Marcus barged in with one of the business phones in his hand.

"Lena you ought to take this." He says out of breath

"Who is it?" I ask

"It's the royal family. They are asking for you about our recent project in Palestine." He says

I take the phone out of his hand and speak up.

"Hello?"

"Hello yes, this is Marie. We've been keeping up with your foundations work in the past few years and one of your recent projects have caught our eye the most. We want to invite you to one of our events and to congratulate you for your bravery. Your assistant Marcus told us about the accident and we were very sorry to hear about that. We want to talk with you. As well as the members of the royal family. You made us proud with your achievements and we want to show you to the world." One younger woman speaks one the phone.

"Yes of course. When will this event take place?" I ask taking a note pad and a pen.

"Some time in the beginning on July. We'll send out the formal invitations when it's time. Right now we just want to know if you approve and if you would like to attend." She says

"Alright, thank you very much Marie."

"You're welcome Miss Adams. The pleasure is all mine." She says

"Have a good day." I say

"You too, farewell." She says and hangs up.

I jump from my seat and excitement runs through my body. I go and hug Marcus and he just laughs at my silly self.

"What were they calling about?" He says

"They have invited me to join an event in the buckingham palace. They want to congratulate me on the success and my bravery so they called to see if I wanted to go!" I say with happiness

"That is amazing. You really out done yourself." He says hugging me.

"I really did. Didn't I?" I say with tears in my eyes.

"Let's go and grab lunch Marcus."

"Only if you're paying." He says laughing

"You know I am."

The two of us eat at a restaurant nearby and we chat along the way.

"When did they say the event takes place?" He asks wiping the corners of his mouth.

"She said it would take place in the beginning of July. It's only the last week of May. I'm not worried." I say

"I know you aren't. But this is a big deal." He says

"I know it is. I'll fly over to New York in two days and then I'll be back over here for the event." I say

"Why do you keep running away from England?" He asks

"I'm not running away. I just can't stay here for too long." I say

"I know. Thomas told me you're going to make a small factory close to New York."

"Yes, but it is still in progress. I still have a lot of paperwork to get done." I say.

"I have to admit. You're bringing this company to light it never got to see. I don't think your father would ever do with it the things you did. You took risks and you made it work for you." Marcus says

"Thank you Marcus." I thank him

"Any time."

♤ ♤ ♤ ♤ ♤ ♤

My jet lands in New York and I gather all my things so I could take them with me. I've been thinking of getting a cat. I really love them and I literally have no one with me. I'm mostly alone or talking with Chris or Maria. Those two keep me somewhat sane after what happened at Tony's birthday. Speaking of her. I haven't seen her since that day. She said she'll be visiting Colin's family. I just hope she got back. I don't know why I just have a weird gut feeling.

I bought a facility that is very close to Scarlett's Outset. I didn't realise it at the time but the address seemed very familiar. When I bought it I searched it up and who would have known, it was just a few yards away.

I got home an hour later and went straight to bed. I was too tired to do or eat anything. Good for me that it is noon only. I have some time to rest and get back into life.

I wake up from my nap at around 4pm. I stretch and grab something to eat quickly. As I am eating ramen I hear the bell go off. I get off the bar stool and walk to the front door. Before I reach it I hear a knock come through. I open to find.. Colin?

"Hey! I'm so glad you're home. May I come in?" He asks

"Sure. Whats wrong?" I ask letting him come into my apartment.

"It's Scarlett. She and I got back from my parents place like three days ago. She won't talk to me. She won't even listen to me. I tried to get to know what happened but she just pushes me away." he says

"Does she push away Rose too?" I ask

"Rose has been at Romain's this whole time." he says

"Thats most likely what the problem is. She misses her. No matter how long the're apart she always misses Rose." I say

"What can I do?"

"Hold her. If she lets you of course. Make her know that you value her and that her emotions are permitted." I say to him.

"Can you talk to her instead" He asks

"Why?" I ask

"You understand her far grater than I do. I mean you were able to withstand her while she was your boss. I know how she can get at times." He says

"What is it with you people? Scarlett may be strict in your eyes but she was never an ass to me. She respected me." I say

"Why did you leave then?" He says and I am left without a word to say.

"Excatly my point. Look I just want what's best for her and right now I know that is not me." He says

Oh you have no idea how much I agree with that statement alone. Get it together Lena.

"When do you want me to go over there?" I ask

"She'll come home in a few minutes so how about in an hour?" He says looking at his watch.

"Alright I'll be there." I say

"Thank you so much Lena. I asked Chris to talk with her and he told me you were the best for the job." he says

"Did he now?"

Chris, I'm going to kill you for this.

"Yeah. He told me you two were close and I trust him" Colin says walking to the door.

"Excellent. And where will you be?" I ask

"I'll be staying at my place for the night. I have a meeting in the morning and I don't want to wake her up." He says

"Okay. I'll head over to Scarlett's in an hour."

"Thanks I owe you." He says and leaves.

Oh Colin there is not something you could give me that I could want. Well.. No! Scarlett is not something to be given Lena. What has gotten into me? I sound like me father. Besides, Scarlett sees me as a friend, nothing more. There is no need for me to disrupt my friendship with her over my own selfish feelings.

I finish my food and head to my bedroom. I need to change into some clothes. Not pajama shorts.

I put on a simple black top and some baggy jeans. I topped it off with my flannel because it is windy outside. I wanted to put on my Jordans but the're still in the suit case so I wore my converse instead.

I put some concealer and mascara. I didn't feel like doing anything with my hair so I just combed it. I put on some lip balm and also some perfume. I don't leave the house without it. I have my two necklaces with me and my watch stayed on my hand. I didn't feel like taking it off anyways. I wait a bit and then head to the door. She's home now at least.

I drive to her place and up front I see a car parked. Who could this be? I ring the doorbell and an unknown girl opens the door.

"Um hello? May I speak with Scarlett?" I ask her

"Miss Scarlett won't talk to anyone today. Would you like for me to book an appointment?" She asks taking a notebook into her hands.

"That won't be necessary. I'm a friend you see." I say

"What's your name?" She asks

"Lena." I say

"I've never heard of you being friends with miss Scarlett." She says clutching her notebook.

"How long have you been working for Scarlett?" I ask her

"Do you want me to call security?"

"What's your name?" I ask her.

"Emily."

"Emily. You can take the rest of the day off. I'll stay here with Scarlett and I'll talk to her." I say walking past her.

"You can't come in!" She says walking after me.

"I just did. Now please leave. I want to talk with her in private." I say

"It is no use. She won't talk with anyone." She says

"Who came here before me?" I ask her leaning on the wall. She hesitates but answers.

"Chris and Jeremy tried talking with miss Scarlett but none of them got a word out of her. She just sits in her bed and she won't go out." She says obviously stressed.

"Have you tried getting her something to eat or drink?" I ask

"Yes. I made her a salad and she didn't even touch it. I brought her water and I also made her tea. All of it just stayed on her bed side table."

"Wait you still didn't explain who you were." She says

"I'm a good friend of her's. She and I have known each other for some time now." I say

"Okay. Good. Now, how do you plan on getting to to talk?" She asks

"Don't worry about that. You can leave and I'll handle it." I say lying through my teeth.

She goes to the living room and picks up a bag over her shoulder.

"This was not in the job description." She says and leaves without another word.

Okay game plan. First thing, get her to talk. Then drink something and lastly get her to eat something. Colin didn't tell me she was like this. He told me she was just quiet. Why did I say yes to this again?

I walk up to her room and I knock. I don't hear anything come from the inside so I walk in. There she is. Sitting the middle of the bed with her knees to her chest. Her head is turned to the window and I can't really see her face.

"Hi." I say

She jumps. It's clear she wasn't expecting me. The shock on her face stays and I walk to the bed to sit down as well.

"I can see something is very wrong. Would you like to tell me about it?" I ask her kindly. She just shakes her head and looks at me. She studies my face and stays quiet.

"Have you eaten anything dear?" I ask sitting closer to her. She just advert her eyes to the window.

"How about you go take a shower and I'll go make us your favourite pasta?" I ask her.

She doesn't answer still. I breathe out, gathering my thoughts and all the patience I'll need.

"How about we sit here for a bit and then you can go and take a shower. I'll even make you my infamous cupcakes." I say. No reaction.

Maybe once I make her the food she won't be able to resist it. I mean I don't know what to do here. I don't want to touch her without her consent, but she won't speak to me. So holding her is out of question. I take off my sneakers and I sit down next to her. I give her some space in between us so she doesn't get uncomfortable. Her hand travels to mine and she holds it. She looks at me as if she's asking for permission. I nod and she takes my hand and holds the back of it, close to her chest. I can feel her heart beating. It has a certain rhythm. She sits closer to me and leans her head on my shoulder. I stay in the same position. I am too afraid to do something she won't like.

"Would you want me to hold you? My shoulder is pretty hard to lay on." I say quietly, since her face is very close to mine. She nods and lets go of my hand. I open my arms for her and she just sinks into me. I put her legs over my own and she snuggles her face in the crook of my neck. Her hands hug my waist and she holds me like she's afraid I'll dissappear any time soon.

I hold her tight and draw circles on her back. She starts to cry silently and I just continue to do what I've been doing.

"You don't have to tell me what did or didn't happen sweetheart. What you do have to is to at least drink some water. You're probably dehydrated." I whisper into her ear.

She separates from my neck but stays in the same position, holding me close to her. I reach my right hand to grab the glass of water that's on the bed side table and I offer it to her. She drinks almost the entire glass and returns it to my hand. As soon as I put the glass down she falls back onto me and tangles her hands into my hair. I shudder as her cold fingers touch my neck and I try my hardest not to feel the tingles that are in my stomach at the moment.

"Can I sit on your lap?" She whispers into my ear.

"Of course you can. You don't have to ask anymore." I say smiling. She shifts her legs and basically straddles me. She hugs me and lays her head on my shoulder. I don't know where to put my hands so I just put them down next to me. I have to admit this is something I've dreamt of many times. I just never thought is would happen like this.