Scarlett The Devil's Daughter (6 page)

We set to work and I notice that Drake is
still subdued. Dylan makes a brief appearance and then retires back
to the office on the premise of paperwork. Luckily it is a fairly
quiet morning and I try to lighten Drake's mood. About half way
through the morning I notice a man come into the bar. He looks
familiar and I watch him approach Drake who nods and leads him out
the back. Racking my brains it suddenly comes to me. This is the
man who was with my father this morning. Suddenly I get a horrible
feeling that I am about to find out why my father arranged this
job. Drake returns and I say, "Who was that Drake?" He smiles but
it doesn't reach his eyes. "Mr Anderson our accountant. He looks
after the financial side of things and there are some documents
that he needs Drake to sign. It's all boring stuff that I am glad
to keep away from." He gets called away by a customer and I take
the opportunity to sneak into the back. I know that I shouldn't but
I pass the office and stop, pretending to tie my laces. I hear the
man say, "It's a good offer, you should seriously consider it."
Dylan sounds weary as he says, "You know that it's not enough. It
would just about pay off what we owe and there would be none left
over to put Drake through College and take care of my father's
medical bills. Not to mention how we would live. No we have to
struggle on it's the only way." Mr Anderson obviously doesn't like
the answer and snaps, "Don't be a fool Dylan. At least this is
something. I mean there are a stack of bills that are due, which
reminds me I need you sign this Insurance acceptance form, oh and
this one to renew the licence." I hear Dylan sigh heavily and
quickly move away. My head is churning with the information that
I've heard. One thing I do know though is that my father is
involved. If he is out to destroy this family then he will have to
go through me first.

After an hour Mr Anderson leaves and I
decide to take Dylan a coffee in. Drake is still occupied with
customers and once I make the drink I push open the door to his
office. He is sitting at the desk with his head in his hands. He
looks up and on seeing the coffee smiles weakly. "Thanks Scarlett,
I don't suppose you put a brandy in it?" Dragging a chair over I
look at him with concern and sit in front of him. "Are you ok
Dylan? I know that something is wrong. Drake's mind is somewhere
else and you look like you have the weight of the world on your
shoulders. Maybe it would help to talk." Leaning back Dylan musters
a smile. "It's fine Scarlett, really. I just hate doing paperwork
and when our accountant comes calling it depresses me." I say
thoughtfully, "But this place does really well. Surely it's just a
matter of keeping everything afloat." He lowers his eyes and
hesitates before saying, "If it was just this place then it would
be fine. We would have lots of money left over each month and be
doing well for ourselves. The trouble is my dad's medical bills
drain everything from the business and we are behind on everything
else." Looking at him sympathetically I remember Mr Anderson's
comment. "Dylan if you sold up would that solve your problems?"
Dylan's eyes flash and he looks angry. "Did your father send you to
do his digging?" I look at him in surprise and he must see it in my
eyes because he looks immediately contrite. "I'm sorry to snap
Scarlett. You may as well know that Mr Anderson came here with an
offer from your father to buy this place. It's not the first time
and it probably won't be the last." Looking worried I say softly,
"I'm sorry Dylan, I didn't know. He doesn't tell me anything about
his business and I was wondering why he arranged this job. The
strange thing is though he hasn't mentioned it once so I am unsure
as to why I am here." Dylan looks at me and I can tell that his
mind is working away. "Maybe he'll let you know later. We can't
sell to him though. What he is offering is just not enough. I need
to find another solution to our problem before Drake finishes
school. I want to get him to college to study music. It's his dream
and he is very talented. He shouldn't have to give up on his dream
because of our family situation." Before I can reply Drake comes in
and looks crossly at us. "Come on guys it's getting busy and I'm
not a machine you know." Grinning at me Dylan jumps up and we
follow him outside.

For the rest of my shift it is all that I
can think about. Coupled with what I heard when I first came in I
know that something bad is going to happen. Drake and Dylan are
upbeat as usual in front of the customers and it breaks my heart
when I see the worry in their eyes. At the end of the day Drake
sinks down into a chair and pulls me on to his lap. "Do you fancy
going somewhere Scarlett? I need to get out of here and want to
spend time alone with you." Smoothing his hair away from his face I
kiss him gently on the lips. "Come on then. We could go for a ride
if you want." He shakes his head. "No I've got a better idea."
Mystified I follow him outside and he slings his arm around my
shoulder and says, "There's a place not far from here that I go to
to be alone. It's only a short walk and nobody ever goes there so
it's private." As we walk I enjoy the feeling of his arm around me.
It makes me feel safe and loved, a feeling that I have never had
before. I would walk all night with him if he asked me to. Before
long we come to a street where there are just a few houses. Drake
stops in front of one of them. As I look at it it appears empty.
The grass is long and the paintwork peeling. We walk up the steps
and to my surprise he pulls a key from his pocket. He grins at me
at me and I notice that his eyes are sparkling with excitement. He
opens the door and I follow him inside. The moonlight filters in
through the windows and bathes the room in a ghostly light. I look
at him in surprise. "What is this place Drake?" Grabbing my hand he
squeezes it gently. "It's my grandparent's old place. They died a
short time ago and we can't bear to get rid of it. One day I hope
to have the money to restore it and live here myself. I come here a
lot just to be alone and write my music. It calms me down and it
holds nothing but happy memories for me." I can feel the tears
pricking my eyes. Seeing them he laughs and pulls me against him.
"Don't cry for me Scarlett, I love coming here. Things are tough
for us at the moment but that will pass and then the future will be
bright." Thinking about my conversation with Dylan earlier I
tentatively broach the subject. "Listen Drake, Dylan told me
earlier about your situation. It totally sucks and I know that
things seem bad at the moment but you will find a way." Drake pulls
me towards him gently. "I know we will. Anyway I didn't bring you
here to talk about my problems, I came here to escape them and
spend time with my girl. Come on darlin, I've waited all night for
this." I follow him into another room where there is an array of
old fashioned furniture placed around the room. He pulls me down on
to the couch and holds me against him. Stroking my hair he then
kisses me lovingly and I just give myself up to the sensation as we
lie there in the moonlight doing what most teenage couples do for a
change.

We stay at his grandparent's house for most
of the night and then reluctantly head back before the dawn breaks.
As I ride home all I can think of is their problem. I wanted to ask
why they didn't sell the house to help them but it seemed so
callous given the obvious love that Drake has for the place. When I
get to the house I sneak inside and luckily I make it to my room
without anyone seeing me and just collapse into bed. I sleep until
quite late and wake up still feeling extremely groggy.

Once again when I go downstairs there
appears to be nobody around. Thankfully I help myself to some
breakfast and sit at the table to eat it. As I sit here Luna
suddenly comes into the kitchen. She is wearing exercise clothes
and look like she has just had a workout. "Scarlett honey you're
here thank God." I look at her in surprise. "Where did you think
I'd be?" Laughing she grabs a water from the fridge and joins me.
"We waited up for you for ages. Your father was worried that he
hadn't seen you for a few days and wanted a word." I can feel the
fear grip hold of me inside. I don't want any more conversations
with him if I can help it. Nervously I look around me. "Is he still
here?" Looking cross she screws up her face. "No he had to go to
work. I told him that he should relax a bit more but he never
listens to me. What is it with this family? All you lot ever do is
work, you should relax for a change and just enjoy yourselves."
Suddenly she jumps up and her eyes burn brightly. "I know, I'll
arrange a family fun day. We can all go somewhere and have a great
time bonding with each other. Oh this is going to be good. Right
then as soon as I've showered and changed we will get our heads
together and come up with some ideas. A picnic may be nice or a
trip out on a boat. I won't be long." Stifling a giggle I imagine
my family on a fun day. Like that would ever happen. Luna means
well but she must be seriously delusional if she can't see what
sort of family we are. We are hardly the Brady Bunch and the
thought of everyone on a picnic makes me want to laugh.

Quickly I get ready and scribble a note for
Luna, telling her that I had to leave for work.

I decide to stop in the town for some
supplies before I go to work and park the bike outside the general
store. The town is quite a nice one and I enjoy walking along the
tree lined main street.

The shops look expensive and there are
little coffee houses dotted around with tables and chairs outside.
I can just picture my sisters here. It's right up their street and
I am sure that they have managed to hammer my father's credit card
mercilessly during their stay. I decide to grab a coffee and just
enjoy the sunshine for a while. I have been cooped up in the bar
for weeks now and have forgotten how nice it is just to relax in
the sunshine. I wish that Drake was here with me and vow to make
him take some time off and bring him here.

I am soon joined by a couple of girls who
take the table next to me. I keep my back to them as I don't want
to make eye contact with anyone. As I listen to them it strikes me
that they are just the same as all the other girls from home. All
they talk about is shopping and boys and where their next beauty
treatment is going to be. I don't have many friends but the ones I
do have are nothing like them. They are like me, more into bikes
and music. I envy Drake his talent. I am not sure what mine is yet
and I am not sure what I want to do after my education finishes.
One thing I do know though is that just as soon as I can I will put
as much distance between my father and I as I can.

As I finish up I can't help but hear the
girl's conversation. "Are you going to the fight next week?" "Yes
who isn't? I mean all of that testosterone in one room; it's enough
to keep me going all semester." "Yeah there's nothing like seeing a
couple of hot guys beating the shit out of each other." They laugh
and then they really get my attention. "Whose fighting do you
know?" "Yes the usual crowd but I also heard that Dylan has put his
name down." "Gosh that's unusual. They must really need the money."
"Hmm yes I heard that his father's in a bad way. He doesn't stand a
chance in hell though going up against Marius." "God no. He's
unbeaten isn't he? Dylan must have a death wish." They laugh and
then one of them says, "I wouldn't mind a go at his brother though.
Trouble is I'd have to fight off most of the girls in high school
first. It would be worth it though." "Yes it certainly would.
Trouble is ever since Taylor he's kept away from girls. She must
have really broken his heart when she left him for Caleb." The
other girl laughs. "Fat lot of good that did her though. How long
did it last? No they'll be back together as soon as the next
semester starts. The trouble with the Knight family is they can
take their pick and nobody ever says no." "Yes I know, I wish that
Marius would pick me though, trouble is he seems keen on Layla, she
appears to be the exception to the rule and they've been dating for
ages now." Their conversation turns on to more mundane things and I
quickly make my escape. Despite everything I just heard the only
thing that I can concentrate on is this girl Taylor. I didn't like
hearing that Drake had a girlfriend and the fact that she left him
for Caleb is another nail in the coffin.

Once I have my shopping I head off to work.
I feel unsettled and hope that it eases by the end of the day.

When I reach the bar Drake is outside
waiting for me. As I silence my bike he comes over looking anxious.
"Thank God Scarlett, I was worried and thought that you may have
had an accident." I look at him in surprise. "No I just went into
town to pick up a few things. Sorry am I late?" Pulling me off the
bike he holds me close to him and I can feel the fear in him. I
pull away and look at him questioningly. "What is it Drake has
something happened?" He shakes his head and then takes my hand. "No
nothing has happened, it's just that I am starting to get used to
you being here at a certain time and I worry that you're safe when
you're not with me." Pulling him towards me I kiss him gently.
"Don't be silly. Nothing is going to happen to me. You should learn
to relax." He grins and looks at me sheepishly. "Sorry Scarlett,
I'm probably coming over all over protective but even I am
surprised by the depth of my feelings for you." I look into his
eyes and can see the love there but I have to find the answers to
the nagging doubts that have now been planted in my mind. Pulling
him down on to the step beside me I look into his eyes whilst
holding his hand firmly in mine. This way I will know if he is
telling me the truth when I say what I am about to say. "Drake, I
overheard some girls in town talking about you and Dylan." He looks
surprised and I can feel a dash of uncertainty within him. Looking
at me steadily he says, "And what did they say?" Still holding his
gaze I say, "That your girlfriend went off with my brother and left
you and that now they have split up you may get back together with
her." He looks at me incredulously and I can feel his surprise
within him. Reaching up he rubs his fingers against my cheek as he
stares into my eyes. "It is true that Taylor and I finished and she
went out with Caleb. They got that right. What they don't know is
that it was me who finished it. It just suits Taylor to tell it the
other way and I don't care what people think. It was over between
us a long time ago and what it ever was that I felt for her is
nothing compared to what I feel for you." I know that he is telling
the truth because I can read it in him. He kisses me gently and
then pulling away says, "What did they say about Dylan?" I sigh
heavily. "That he is going to fight my brother Marius and doesn't
have a hope in hell of winning." Drake's eyes look down and he
looks upset. He says quietly, "I know. I have tried to talk him out
of it but he wants to try and win the prize money to help get us
out of trouble. You and I know that he doesn't stand a chance but
he has still got hope." He lifts his eyes to mine and I see the
pain in them. "Is there anything you can do to talk him out of it
Scarlett? He won't listen to me and it may be better coming from
you." I squeeze his hand and think about my answer. I know deep
down that he won't listen to me but I have to give Drake hope.
Trying to look positive I smile at him. "Leave it with me Drake;
I'll see what I can do." Drake smiles softly at me and pulls me
close. "I love you Scarlett, in fact I know that you are the first
girl that I have ever truly loved. Just remember that will you
despite everything that might happen." I pull him towards me. "I
love you too Drake and the same goes for you. Lets not let my
family come between us, we're stronger than that." As we kiss I
feel so much love for him. I will do whatever I have to to make it
right for them that much I do know.