Bidding goodbye to everyone, they got into Alex's car, a BMW. He was doing the driving and not the chauffeur. Along the way, she was preoccupied by her own thoughts.
"Scarlett...Scarlett? What's on your mind?" came Alexander's question from the driver's seat, breaking into her reverie.
"Oh, it's nothing really."
"Well, you looked rather distracted for a moment there, I've been trying to catch your attention..."
"Oh, sorry about that, pardon?"
"I was saying let's stop by Gotham's for lunch. Is that okay with you?"
"Yes, it's fine."
"Alright."
They pulled up at the restaurant and walked in after which they were promptly led to a private room. She ordered steak, well-done, an action which rendered Alex speechless and confused. Whenever they dined outside previously, she'd always ordered salads and other meals he found quite unhealthy. Contrary to what most women were made to believe, eating like a bird did not make one appear more beautiful, at least not to him. Noticing his shocked gaze, she figured she should probably explain but then she changed her mind. Instead, she asked,
"What are you having?"
After their meal, she excused herself and left for the ladies' room, agreeing to meet up at the parking. At the parking lot right before she got to their car, she ran into someone as she took the corner and almost twisted her ankle thanks to the high heeled stilettos she was wearing. Right before she fell a pair of strong manly arms pulled her back up. She raised her eyes to meet beautiful brown ones with golden flecks at the edge. The owner of these eyes had perfectly arched brows and beautiful lips, topped with a lovely, not quite shaved moustache and well-trimmed sideburns.
"Uhm...Hi...I mean sorry..." Well, that was unacceptable. She sounded like she'd completely lost her composure.
"Well, hello and sorry about bumping into you. I took that corner too fast," He explained in a deep husky voice and giving her a friendly smile.
"Never mind. It's not a big deal. I could also say that I took that corner too fast," she composed herself before replying with a friendly smile in return.
"You don't remember me, do you?" He asked.
"Sorry, I don't. Have we met before? Because if we had, I definitely would have remembered you..." She said then realized the implication. A second later she added, "Because I have a good memory when it comes to faces."
"Daniel Lance, you wouldn't remember me. I was a bit on the shy side. Nerdy, with the glasses which I'm not wearing at the moment. You were the popular girl, Scarlett and your friend, Iris, was it?"
"Yes, it was." Her phone rang then it was soon hung up. On checking it, it was Alexander's missed call. She'd been more than fifteen minutes.
"It was lovely catching up with you Daniel but right now I have to go." She felt like she was being too short, but Alexander was still waiting for her.
"Oh, well, how about I buy you dinner to apologize for almost knocking you over?"
"That would be lovely, but I have to decline. May be another day?"
"That's okay, you will let me know when you're free. May I have your contact details?"
"Sure."
She bid him goodbye after they'd exchanged their contact details then walked back to their car. Alexander was on the phone and by the smile in his voice, she knew it was Elleana. Oh well, she was worried he would reprimand her for having kept him waiting but thankfully, he'd been preoccupied.
She lay her head on the headrest and closed her eyes deep in thought. After the divorce, which was thankfully earlier than they'd planned, she needed a time out, she needed to take a vacation. She needed time away from everything that reminded her of her failed marriage. Her mind went back to the attractive Daniel Lance. One might wonder why she didn't tell him that she was married. First, she didn't know whether he was romantically interested in her and secondly, her marriage was just a deal, and it would be over soon. So why show anyone else the result of her ridiculous obsession? So, she decided against saying anything.
After they'd gotten home, Alexander picked up some stuff from the master bedroom before leaving whereas she went straight to her bedroom, changed into casual white sweats and a t-shirt and threw herself on the bed face first. Not at all like the classy woman she was in front of Alexander. Several hours later she was woken up by the ringing of her phone and she drowsily picked up the call. It was her lawyer notifying her that the contract was ready, and he'd brought it. He was downstairs.
She tied her hair into a messy bun and made her way downstairs. Her lawyer was seated in the living room, while a servant poured tea into his glass.
"Good evening Mr. Kutcher."
"Good evening, Mrs. Keller, I have the contract as you requested, and the copies."
"Thank you, Mr. Kutcher. Is everything as I'd requested?"
"Yes, however, I have to ask you to reconsider the terms. Are you sure you want nothing from Mr. Keller? As your father's friend and someone who's watched you grow up, I don't want to see you take a loss. Your parents were very much against this marriage, but you insisted. They will be very disappointed."
"You don't have to persuade me again, Uncle David, I've made up my mind. I don't want even a cent from Alex. I have enough money. In fact, more than enough. Moreover, taking money from him will make it seem like I'd sold myself. It will also disgrace all the feelings I have for him, making it appear cheap. I don't want anything."
"Okay. I respect your decision. The contract will be valid on the date you gave. Once he's signed, your marriage will be officially annulled. You just have to send it to my office, and I'll deliver it to the civil affairs bureau."
"Okay, thank you Uncle David. Have a lovely night. And I have a request. Please don't tell mom and dad about this. I'd like them to find out from me."
"Have a lovely night as well, Scarlett. And don't worry, I won't say a word. This is something that should come from you." David bid her farewell then left. She was left clutching the papers, lost in thoughts. She seemed to be doing this quite often lately.
That night she went to sleep dreaming about her life after parting ways with Alexander. Her dreams were filled with both bitter and sweet moments. Dreams she'd yearned for and those she'd let go intertwined in her mind in a loop.