i need a title
As she stood on the cold balcony, Scarlet Tutson closed her eyes and remembered playing in the sand in Miami. She envisioned herself breathing in the hot steamy air, as she ran through the salty waves. She remembered the feeling of her hair after a quick dip in the water. She had moved to New York over three years ago. As much as it hurt to say it, she actually missed home. She hadn’t talked to her father since she and her sister moved out. She remembered promising her father that she would keep in touch and take care of her sister Belle. When Scarlet had asked Belle to live with her she had no idea how hard it would really be. She closed her eyes tighter and felt the coolness of the morning. Her concentration was broke when she heard laughter from a distance. She opened her eyes and looked at Manhattans morning lights. It was 5:30 am. Scarlet awoke at 5:04 worried, scared and alone.
As the laughing became clearer, Scarlet turned to see her fourteen year old sister Belle and roommate Alex Versace. Scarlet had decided to take Belle along to New York and raise her on her own. Alex and Belle had been out since 8:00 that night, supposedly shopping for Scarlet’s upcoming promotional ceremony. Belle’s black Fendi hat covered her glossy blue eyes. Her Juicy Couture coat hid her flashy clothing, but by Belle’s unstable walking Scarlet knew they had been doing more than just shopping. They’d been drinking.
Belle threw her Louis Vuitton bags on the leathery black couch exposing empty alcohol bottles.
Scarlet rolled her eyes and walked slowly back toward the balcony. She could care less about her sisters’ actions at fourteen. Scarlet had better things to think about, herself and her career. She didn’t have time to go out with Belle, let alone sit down and have a talk with her. Belle didn’t have many friends, she usually just tagged along. Scarlet stretched her arms far with her back toward the balcony’s glassy ledge. Trying not to think about the two obnoxious drunks, she breathed in the heavy air and closed her eyes.
Belle noticed her sister alone out on the balcony ran towards the closed balcony door. Belle fell to her knees looking straight out towards Scarlet, her hands against the glass door.
She never really noticed how Scarlet’s jet black hair blew and bounced in the wind so elegantly. Belle admired Scarlet’s glistening green eyes as the dim sunlight reflected on them. Belle was jealous of Starlet’s anorexic body in that tight black Prada dress. She cherished Scarlet’s tan legs that sparkled in her pink Monolos.
Belle looked down, staring at her own hands comparing herself and shook her head. She felt as if Scarlet had the perfect life. It was almost as if every time someone looked at Scarlet they bowed and put her on a pedestal. Even when they were young Scarlet had the upper hand. She was well liked and always got her way. Belle was more… hated.
Scarlet opened her eyes and looked down at Belle. Scarlet’s face showed disgust and disappointment. She stared into Belle’s dark beautiful blue eyes
Scarlet felt as if there was some sort of sparkle in Belle’s eyes that showed an image. It was almost as if Belle was to cry, but Scarlet didn’t see tears. It was something else. It started to sparkle more and the image slammed down. Scarlet saw Belle’s perfectly manicured nails wrap around the sparkling sight and Scarlet’s vision faded away.
The irresistible sparkle was nothing more than a shot glass.
Mad and frustrated Scarlet opened the balcony door and fiercely pushed Belle from the position on her knees to the floor.
“Move!” Scarlet yelled.
She walked right over the crunched up Belle and waited for her drunken sister to beg for forgiveness.
Belle was back on her knees, still facing the glass door, not at all reacting to Scarlet’s outrageous behavior. With her hands against the cold balcony door, she closed her eyes tight and tried to remember the feel of home. The warm sun and the hot sand all came back. Her eyes almost popped out as she closed them tighter wanting to magically transport herself home. Pictures of the night she had with Alex ran threw her thoughts. She ferociously shook her head, grabbed a hold of her snowy blonde hair and yelled, “No!”
Like a broken tree branch, something in Scarlet snapped. She grabbed a hold of Belle’s fragile arms, ripping her off her knees. The two were nose to nose.
How could you, Scarlet thought, follow that dim witted socialite Alex?
She wanted to yell at Belle for being so stupid in her obsequious ways. Scarlet screamed in Belle’s face, “I said move!”
Scarlet slammed Belle into the balcony door and Belle fell to the ground. Breathing in the tension, Scarlet began to storm away not looking back; but Belle was fast to grab a hold of her leg.
“Help me.” Belle pleaded.
Scarlet stared deep into Belle’s eyes once more. Belle’s face wet with tears. Belle’s Fendi hat now laid upon the floor; her coat falling of her shoulders. Her bleached blonde hair stuck to her face. Belle’s once dark mysterious eyes now looked faded.
Scarlet tried to remember Belle as a young girl, around the age of five. She was so innocent and pure. Belle had the whole world at her hands. Now looking at her, Belle was pathetic and worthless.
“Get off me, your better off on the streets.” Scarlet said with a despicable tone.
Belle let go, left behind.
_______________________________________________________________________
Scarlet slammed the front door of her uptown penthouse and rushed to the elevator. Sweat gathered in the palms of her hands as her heart raced in her chest. Her Monolos seemed to make dents in her dainty feet as she hurried out of the elevator. Thoughts were rushing in and out of her head. She thought it felt good to hit Belle, she deserved it.
As she was passing by she listened to rich socialites hanging out in the lobby of Trump Towers gossiping about the front page of the Manhattan Mercury.
“Isn’t that Belle Tutson and Alex Versace?” they whispered.
“Yeah! I heard Belle has been in and out of rehab seven times.”
Model or something, Alex Versace, I’m guessing she’s a very positive influence. Where’s Belle’s mother?”
Where was the Tutson sister’s mother?
They laughed and pointed at the embarrassing photos of Belle and Alex at Fusion 215.
Scarlet’s face turned a bright red and stormed towards the socialites gossiping posy. She snatched all three Manhattan Mercury from their hands and threw the newspapers in the trash.
“You know, it’s not good to gossip ladies. It gives you wrinkles!” Scarlet reminded them and continued to storm away.
Addy, the hotel clerk, noticed Scarlet’s frustration as she stormed through Trump Towers. Addy rushed her way into Scarlet’s empty path hoping to calm down her client. Addy was almost embarrassed of Scarlet’s behavior.
“Miss Tutson, should I ring up your limo? He just left a few minutes ago on a family emergency.”
“Get out of my way!” Scarlet yelled.
Scarlet fiercely pushed the soft and meek clerk out of her path and rushed through the doors of the hotel.
Addy was used to Scarlet being unfriendly and insolent. Addy knew she should ignore Scarlet and let her continue on with her emotional rampage but she didn’t. Addy ran after Scarlet only to see the front doors of the hotel slammed in her face.
“I’ll get your coat!” Addy yelled after Scarlet.
Addy and the socialites all looked at each other amazed at Scarlet’s behavior.
“Carry on.” Addy said hushing them up.
Within seconds the socialites were back gossiping about Alex and Belle.
Scarlet ran down the steps of the hotel and hurried to central park. Her heart still pounding in her chest slowed down as she sat on a bench viewing the water. She pulled out her Blackberry and dialed a number.
Any number, she thought.
“Hello?” It was Jake, the only person Scarlet wanted to see.
Jake Weston and Scarlet had been dating on and off for a while now. He always knew how to calm her down and make her smile again. No matter what he could turn her day around.
As soon as she heard his voice she had forgotten her frustration and why she had called him.
“Hey it’s Scarlet. Could you meet me at Central Park? I need … I just … I need your help.”
Scarlet had never asked Jake for anything during the two years they had been dating. Jake didn’t really know what to say to Scarlet. Should he go? Scarlet usually handled things on her own.
“Hello?” Scarlet’s sweet voice turned cold and bitter. The feeling that Jake took away just bottled up inside her again. “If you can’t do one simple thing for me then don’t bother doing anything again.”
Scarlet hung up and threw her phone in the grass. She took out her handbag and looked through it trying to find a mirror. Disgusted with her appearance she threw the mirror where her phone had landed.
Even though she had ripped Jake’s face off when she hung up the phone, she knew he would at least stop by or call back. She looked around hoping Jake would come soon, her patience running out.
She needed to get her mind out of the stressful event that had taken place. She thought about her upcoming promotional ceremony that Belle had organized for her. Belle … why didn’t that name sound familiar?
Scarlet had worked for Elle magazine as an intern for one year now and was already being promoted to Junior Assistant. To Scarlet this was big, it was huge. She had put aside her focus on her family to be successful in her career. To celebrate this big moment Belle had planned out a big promotional ceremony, invited all of Scarlet’s friends, family and co-workers.
Her phone lit up in the grass, but she ignored it. Whoever
Her comforting thoughts about her career faded away every time she thought about her family.
“Hey.” A voice from behind her whispered.
Jake’s buff arms wrapped around her neck as he softly kissed her on the cheek. Scarlet shrugged him off of her, she hated public affection. Jake sat next to her on the bench. His dark brown hair and eyes looked more amazing than ever. Scarlet started deep into his eyes.
Scarlet looked away from his eyes hoping it wasn’t awkward and said “I’m thinking of kicking Belle out.”
Jake looked at her surprised and sarcastically replied, “If you haven’t noticed by now Belle is only fourteen, where would she go?”
“Does it matter? She’s ruining my life with that nasty habit. Tabloids have been on her rear end ever since I got my promotion. The last thing I need right now is bad publicity.”
One thing about Scarlet that Jake hated was her selfishness. She reminded him of Scrooge. Maybe he could talk some sense into her.
“I’d say it’s a cry for help. Have you tried talking to her about it?”
“Talking to her about it would include sitting down in a disease filled bar full of drunks and mourning widows. I could totally see the headlines now.” Scarlet’s voiced sounded bitter again.
“Did you call me down here for help or to brag about how much your life sucks.” Jake laughed after his sly comment.
“Just … forget it.” Scarlet jumped up from the bench and collected her thrown items and walked back towards her apartment. Not looking back she could sense Jake walking the opposite way towards the Coffee Shack. He usually went there to smoke a cigarette and blow off steam.
Sometimes they both forgot why they were even together. They had a lot in common, but never agreed on anything. They had never exchanged “I love you” to one another, but in some ways they felt they didn’t even like each other. Scarlet couldn’t imagine herself with anyone but him. Jake felt the same. Even though deep inside they did love each other, they both just pretended love didn’t exist.
Scarlet stopped to check her phone and noticed a missed call from a 424 area code. Los Angeles? It was probably someone from work wanting to know more about Fashion Week. She redialed the number, but it went straight to voicemail.
“Hi, you’ve reach Essence Tutson. I’m off on a business trip in New York, but I’ll be checking my phone every now and then. So leave a message and I’ll get back to you when I can. Thanks.”
The worried and scared feeling Scarlet had this morning rushed back immediately. It was her mother, who she hadn’t talked to in fourteen years.
The voicemail clicked over and a woman answered. “Hello?” Her voice was so familiar and warming. Scarlet hung up and ran to Trump Towers.
“This can’t be happening!” Scarlet yelled as she burst through the front entrance of the hotel.
She cared less about what people thought of her as she frantically searched the lobby for Addy.
“Addy! Where are you?!” Scarlet pushed through the gossiping posy once more and ripped Addy from her position.
“Miss, is everything all right? You look a little pale. Should I call a doctor?” Addy asked worried.
Scarlet made sure that Addy was there for her on hand and foot whenever. Even though it wasn’t Addy’s job and she didn’t get paid, Addy felt it was her duty. Addy did Scarlet’s laundry and followed her around the city carrying her shopping bags. She even fetched Scarlet’s coffee. As embarrassing as it sounded to Scarlet, the hotel clerk was sort of her best friend.
“I’m fine! Just call this number and tell her to meet me at Central Park in one hour.” Scarlet snapped back. She snatched a pen from her handbag and wrote the mysterious 424 area code along with the number on Addy’s hand.
“But this is a Los Angeles number?”
“She’s in New York, trust me.”
“And what if she has some kind of emergency to tell you?” Addy said thinking out loud.
“That woman should have no reason of emergency.” Scarlet said harshly.
She hated her mother and whatever news she had to say was most likely an apology, an apology for leaving her and Belle at such a young age with no reason. Her mother had left when Scarlet was three years old. She would never forget the night her mother packed her bags and never looked back. Essence didn’t even bother saying goodbye. She always guessed that her mother got sick of her boring life. Essence would stay home, take care of her family, and go to bed. Every night it was the same thing, but she loved it. Scarlet knew she did, but something just wasn’t right.
Scarlet dramatically walked to the elevator and left with an impression in Addy’s mind.
A few minutes later Scarlet was standing in front of her penthouse door. She reached out to open the door, but then backed away. How would Belle take this? Belle didn’t even know her mother.
“She doesn’t know how it feels to be left by the one person you love the most. Why should I tell her at all?” Scarlet said to herself as she stood there alone.
Scarlet was foolish. Belle did know what it was like to be alone. Belle felt alone everyday when Scarlet wouldn’t come home from work. Belle even felt alone when Scarlet was there.
She checked the time and realized it was only 6:52am. Belle would probably be passed out, slobbering all over the couch.
“My couch!” Scarlet said slamming the door open.
But Belle wasn’t on the couch and the couch wasn’t filled with slimy slobber. The apartment was quiet and dead silent. Everything stood still as if the event that took place only an hour ago, never happened. Scarlet didn’t even bother checking if Belle was still alive, instead she checked on Alex.
Of course Alex was still awake. It would take more than 50 gallons of drinks to give her a hangover. Alex lay in her bed fiddling with her Mac laptop, with an ice pack on her head. Alex smiled as soon as Scarlet walked in the room.
“Hey stranger.” Alex said as Scarlet sat on the edge of her bed.
Scarlet ran her hands up and down the soft satin blankets. “What happened to your head?”
“Ha, it’s nothing really just a little bump I’m fine.” Alex said giggling,” Have you checked on Belle?”
As soon as Alex said her name, Scarlet quickly changed the subject and asked where the two girls had been,
“Just… running a few errands, ha”
Scarlet felt tense.
Sometimes Scarlet felt like she should hate Alex for letting Belle join along. Other times she wanted to thank Alex for getting Belle out of her sight. But who could hate Alex? She was the most beautiful person Scarlet had ever seen. Alex had a very distinctive look to her. Her red hair looked brown in the morning but black at night. Her glowing skin reflected images. Her blue eyes weren’t bright, but dark and cold.
“Belle… I’m sure she’s fine. When I was fourteen I was doing a lot more than taking care of myself,” Scarlet said as she got up, “Essence called by the way and I’m not sure if I’m in the right place to tell her. She’s going to need someone to talk to about it.”
Alex could tell that Scarlet wanted her to tell Belle. “She’s your mother, not mine Scarlet…”
Interrupting Alex, Scarlet butted in, “It’s either you or not at all. That’s it. I’m meeting Essence at Central Park in one hour and I’m off to work after that. I’ll see you later.”
Scarlet always left the room with people wondering what she was going to do next. It was now 7:15am. She passed Belle’s room slowly trying to figure out if she was awake or not.
Scarlet hopped in the shower and wished Essence, her mother, had never called.
Belle awoke as soon as she heard the door slam open. She quickly got out of bed and pressed her ear against her bedroom door. She heard Alex and Belle whispering about someone, a woman named Essence.
Essence. Why did that name sound familiar? Belle knew she didn’t know this person, but the name she did.
As soon as she was sure Scarlet was out of Alex‘s room, Belle tiptoed into Alex’s room and shut the door.
“What was that all about” Belle asked eagerly.
“Um, your … mom called. Scarlet wanted me to tell you. I mean … she wanted to tell you… but…”
“My mom?” Belle interrupted, “but I don’t have a mother … I mean I do … everybody does.” Her voice showed that she was nervous and scared.
Belle almost felt like a child again. Not knowing where to turn when unexpected things come along. She tried to laugh it off, forget about it, but it didn’t work.
She grabbed her coat and slipped on some high heels.
“I’m going out.” And with that, Belle left.
Exactly one hour later Scarlet was sitting on a bench in the middle of Central Park waiting for her mother.
What would she look like? Would she be nice, friendly, or caring? Should Scarlet make conversation with her? This was the woman who left her on her own, to take care of her sister and sick father. In this situation Scarlet looked at herself like the hero and Essence the conniving villain.
Hopefully she won’t be as egotistic as me, Scarlet thought with a chuckle.
Scarlet looked around. She didn’t feel nervous or exited. She didn’t feel sad or mad. She was more confused than anything.
“Your father had that look on his face, every time he was thinking of something important. Something that he wanted to share with others, but never got the chance to say.”
Without even realizing it a woman was standing in front of Scarlet. Her brown curly hair hung down to her waist. A small tear from her bright green eyes rolled down her rosy cheeks as she sat next to Scarlet.
Scarlet didn’t move or look at the young woman. She knew who she was, but she couldn’t believe it. Her heart stood still pounding in her chest. She felt as if the whole world stopped and pressed forward. The woman was talking, but Scarlet couldn’t hear her. She felt like the woman was on mute.
“I didn’t come here to ruin your life or ask to be back in it. I just need to know who you are. What kind of woman you’re coming to be.”
Where was she all these years?
Scarlet now examined herself and started to doze off. Scarlet wore a bright red leather Gucci coat that ran a little over her knees. She threw on black leggings underneath it and had her jet black hair back in a loose bun. She tried to push back strands of her hair behind her ears. She fidgeted a little and smoothed out her coat
“Your father … he … “
As soon as the woman mentioned her father’s name, Scarlet bounced back to reality from fantasy land.
“What about him?” Scarlet now faced towards the woman.
Scarlet examined Essence carefully, looking for any wrinkles or stress lines. She looked for bags under her eyes or any ingrown hairs upon her face. But she was perfect. She looked healthy, fit and young. Her hands looked as smooth as a baby, Scarlet wanted to touch them. Her green eyes were as big as the moon. Her dainty nose fit her face almost to well. Her neck was long and gorgeous. Scarlet might as well have cut her out from a magazine. Her body was shaped so perfectly and her outfit fit her so well.
“Will you at least look at me?” Essence asked.
“Look at you? Is that what you want me to? Or should I leave without giving a hint? Running away from your problems runs in the family, just ask Belle. Are you ever going to at least tell me why you left?” Scarlet snapped back.
Essence sighed, “Just listen to me, please.”
Scarlet nodded her head.
“Your father … he … he … passed. He passed away this morning. At 5:04am. Doctors aren’t sure of the cause, but … I just thought you should know.”
Scarlet felt something cold and hard burn in her chest. It was an unexplainable feeling that she couldn’t overcome. She felt as if she was about to throw up or pass out. This couldn’t be real.
Images of her and her father replayed in the back of her mind. She remembered the first time he taught her how to ride a bike and the first time he took her to the zoo. The simple activities she did with her father would be attached to her like glue for the rest of her life.
It was almost as if Essence couldn’t breathe. She had said it in such a way that made it sound like it was her last breath.
“You just thought I should know? I have a right to know!”
Essence was silent; she didn’t really know what to say.
“I have to go to work …” Scarlet said and left.
Essence looked down and tried to feel what Scarlet felt. Scarlet didn’t seem upset nor did she seem happy.
Her father had just died, she should be crying. She should be asking her mother for help. Scarlet didn’t ask how Essence was or anything. Why was Scarlet acting so heartless?
“That’s not my daughter”
Belle left the apartment in a hurry, trying to find her sister. She wanted to apologize and make things better between them. Everyone knew that Scarlet only cared about herself. Belle thought it was worthless to ask her for help. Now that their mother was back in their lives maybe they could all come together and be a family.
That’s all Belle really wanted.
She needed to find someone who knew where Scarlet was at all times. Who knew where she was every hour on the hour.
Addy!
As soon as she got to the hotel lobby she ran right to the front desk. Addy was hassling through some papers, frantically trying to sign them all at once.
“Need any help?” Belle asked.
“Oh no, it’s just these stupid release forms for your sisters party tonight. I must say you did an excellent job planning it.”
“It’s tonight? I mean … yeah it’s tonight. Thanks.” Belle almost forgot about the party that she, herself, had planned.
“Don’t worry, even if you do have another slip up, I’ll be at the party to make sure everything goes right.”
Even though this wasn’t the first time Belle came home drunk, she was still embarrassed to figure out that Addy knew. Eventually when Addy knew, every guest of Trump Towers knew. When everyone in Trump Towers knew then soon everyone in Manhattan knew about Belle’s actions.
“Look, I just need to know where Scarlet is, I need to talk to her.”
“Well she left a few minutes ago to go meet a woman named … Essence. Whoever that is.”
Why didn’t Scarlet tell Belle she was meeting Essence? They could have gone together. Nothing made sense anymore. It was as if Belle had nothing to turn to.
Without saying a word to Addy, Belle walked out of Trump Towers and sat down on the sidewalk. She rested her head on her knees and started to cry. Scarlet really didn’t care about her. Scarlet didn’t think about Belle at all. Belle wasn’t known as her sister. She was known as the slob of the family. Maybe if Belle wasn’t in her life Scarlet would be so much happier. Maybe Scarlet was right, Belle was better off alone on the streets. Nothing could be worse than this.
“Excuse me, but could you tell me how to get to Fusion 215? There’s this party I need to attend tonight, but I have no clue where it is?”
Belle looked up and noticed a familiar looking woman with wavy brown hair and bright green eyes.
“It’s a little downtown, I could write down the address for you … but if you don’t mind me asking, are you going to the promotional ceremony for Scarlet Tutson?”
“Why yes I am.”
“I’m Belle Tutson her sister, I’ve planned the whole party. I know everyone on the list, but I don’t recognize you at all”
The woman started to look dizzy, put her hand to her head and fainted.
“Oh no, Help! Someone call an ambulance.”
Belle, still unsure who the woman was, tried to help her up.
“Can you hear me?” Belle asked the woman as she tried to get up.
Addy rushed out of the hotel noticing the commotion and dialed an ambulance.’
Addy frantically gave them as much information as possible. “No I’m not sure what happened, Belle what happened?! She’s in her mid thirties; I’m not sure what her name is. Belle what is her name?”
And then it all hit Belle. The name slipped from her tongue like she didn’t know how to pronounce the word. She wanted to scream the name as she whispered, “Essence Tutson, she’s my … my mother.”
Scarlet tried to find the closest taxi possible. Once she found one she hopped in and paid her fare.
She didn’t think about her mother or her father. She didn’t think about his death and she didn’t think about her mother’s surprising appearance. She watched an ambulance drive by and slow down traffic. She would have never thought her sister and mother were in the back of it.
Scarlet didn’t cry about her father nor complain about the traffic. She simply sat there as if it was a normal drive to work. She couldn’t wait to walk through the doors of Elle Magazine. Every time she did she felt relaxed and welcome. Everything was about her at work. As if it wasn’t like that everywhere she went, Scarlet felt like a princess every time she passed the front desk of Elle.
Her ceremony that Belle had planned was tonight, around eight. There would be a live band and A-list celebrities attending this black tie invent. And it was all for Scarlet. Everything was all for Scarlet.
Her thoughts came to a halt and the taxi driver’s screeching breaks stopped the car.
“134 Broadway, Elle.”
“No, I’m at 134 Broadway, Elle.”
“Ma’am, that’s what I said.”
“No, I’m sure you said Belle… I mean.”
The taxi driver cut her off short,”Excuse me?”
Scarlet shocked with her words, jumped out of the taxi and ran into Elle Magazine.
“I’m crazy, that’s what I am. Belle never comes to my mind. I hate her guts and all of a sudden I speak of her disgusting name?” Scarlet murmured to herself.
She walked right past the front desk employee of Elle, slammed her office door shut and locked it behind her.
Her office was sort of a ‘home away from home’ for her. She often caught herself calling work “home”. She spent much more time in her office than at home anyway.
Everything was always set up so perfect in her office. The bright lime green walls shined on the linoleum floors. The long glass windows surrounded the room as if it was holding the room in place. Her short glass coffee table had stacks of Elle Magazines and letters of recommendation. The coffee table had a long leather couch wrapped around it. Pictures of beautiful models prancing down the runway for fashion week hung on the green walls. Her glass desk had more magazines, pictures, papers, letters and books than it could hold.
She sat in front of her computer and sighed. She picked up her phone and called Belle.
“Hi, you’ve reached Belle, you know what to do!”
She hadn’t changed her voicemail since the 6th grade.
“Belle, it’s Scarlet. I need to know when my fitting is for my party. Peace”
Scarlet never said much to Belle or ever cared to call her, only to ask her for things.
She looked at the time. 12:30. It would be hours before her party.
“I wish there was something to pass time by.”
“Welcome to Miss Scarlet Tutson’s first Promotional Ceremony! You know when she first worked with us we never really thought she would come this far. Believe or not we thought she wouldn’t get far at all!”
Scarlet’s boss Maggie opened up the party with an amazing speech. Everything was going just as planned. No one broke dress code or tried to break in. Paparazzi were kept on the down low and Fusion 215 looked more elegant than any award show ever. Belle had done a good job. Speaking of Belle, she was no where to be found, but Scarlet didn’t care. She just wanted the night to be drama free.
“I hope you all have a good time tonight celebrating Scarlet’s hard work, she really deserves it. Thank you”
After Maggie was done a loud applaud was made and the party began. People began to dance on the smoky black dance floor and hang out in the sunset red lobby room. Scarlet was anxious to meet the head editor of Elle magazine, but that wouldn’t happen until tomorrow.
Jake hated coming to Scarlet’s classy events and could never find anything to wear, but managed to look his best.
“You look great.” Scarlet said as she kissed him on the cheek.
Everything was perfect, almost too perfect.
A loud slam came from the backdoor of the party and everyone’s heads were turned. There was Belle standing with the same Juicy Couture hat and coat, as she wore the night she came home drunk. A woman was besides her trying to help Belle stand up.
The guests of the party did not return to socializing or dancing they just started at Scarlet signaling her to explain.
Scarlet shocked couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t move, she didn’t even know what to say.
“S-s-scarlet! I t-t-told you I would plan … the best … pa-r-r-ty ever!” Belle screamed from the back door, “You always said I was better off on the streets or never born! But I still gave you this party. I love you sister!”
The guests of the party laughed at Belle as she tried to walk towards Scarlet.
“Sister? I am not your sister; I have no clue who you even are! Take these two women away; get them out of my sight!”
But no one moved. The guards standing in the door way seemed to disappear in a blink of and eye. The guests of the party had left to. Before Scarlet knew it, it was only her, Belle, and the woman.
“Your friends left.” The woman said.
“Those aren’t my friends! There my real family, they actually help me with things Belle could never do!”
The woman shook her head,” You see, were your family, whether you like it or not.”
Scarlet laughed hysterically, but stopped shortly when she realized who the woman was. It was her mother.
“Scarlet, all I want is for you to come home, and be you. I miss you. Ever since you got that stupid promotion you’ve changed. You left me, alone. I just want my family back.” Belle cried.
Scarlet looked down at Belle’s watering eyes and tightened her fist.
