The Malibu sun rose slow and golden over the Pacific, the waves rolling in a lazy rhythm against the beach just beyond Charlie's deck. Seagulls drifted in the distance, their cries half-lost under the whisper of the surf.
Inside, the air smelled faintly of coffee, expensive scotch, and whatever cologne Charlie had drowned himself in the night before.
David stirred awake in the guest bedroom, sunlight spilling across the sheets tangled around him and Scarlett. She was curled up against his chest, her hair a wild golden mess, her naked skin warm and glowing in the light.
For a moment, he just lay there, staring at her and thinking how surreal it was — that this girl, once a stranger he's predecessor pulled into chaos, was now sleeping beside him, smiling even in her dreams.
He smiled and moved the hair out of her face, kissing her swollen lips. There were plenty of marks left on her body from their wild night. They would have probably continued till morning if they weren't tired.
Scarlett blinked awake a minute later, stretching like a cat before meeting his gaze.
"Good morning baby" she murmured, her voice low and hoarse from last night — and the hours of moaning and screaming.
David grinned. "Morning dear.. You sound like you swallowed gravel."
Scarlett smirked, pulling the sheet up to cover herself playfully. "That's because someone kept testing my vocal range. "
He laughed, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "Guilty as charged."
Her cheeks warmed. "If your brother didn't hear us last night, he's probably deaf."
David groaned. "Oh, he heard. Charlie hears everything." He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "He's probably waiting downstairs right now with that stupid smug grin, ready to make a thousand jokes."
Scarlett giggled, sitting up and wrapping the blanket around herself. "Then let's give him something to grin about. But first, let me wake you up properly."
David raised an eyebrow then gasped in pleasure as he felt her warm mouth below. He reached down and stroked her head. " If this how you wake me up every morning, I'm gonna start waking up before sunrise."
She didn't reply, just increased her speed of moving. Soon, David groaned and released everything inside her mouth.
As she swallowed it, she spoke teasingly. "This is all you will get for now. I'm still sore from last night. Now be a gentleman and carry me to shower."
He smiled and picked her up gently and headed to the bathroom. She just closed her eyes and let him take care of her. She was now more certain than anything that she really loved this man, and her parents would be wrong if they thought they can take her away from him.
When they finally made it downstairs, hand in hand, Scarlett looking radiant in one of David's shirts and shorts she'd borrowed.
Charlie was sitting at the kitchen island sipping coffee. Jill leaned against the counter beside him, already dressed in yoga pants and an oversized tee, scrolling through her phone.
Berta was nowhere to be seen, probably out back with a cigarette and a comment locked and loaded.
The moment Scarlett stepped into the kitchen, Jill looked up, eyes gleaming. "Well, well, look who's glowing brighter than the Malibu sunrise."
Scarlett blushed crimson. "Oh, stop it."
Jill grinned wickedly. "I'm serious. You've got that post-earthquake hair and that lazy smile. I can tell a good night when I see one."
Charlie hid his smirk behind his mug, offering no comment — just giving David a slow, approving nod, the kind only an older brother could deliver. The kind that said, attaboy.
David caught it and groaned. "Oh, for God's sake, don't start."
Charlie lifted an eyebrow. "Who's starting? I'm just appreciating that my brother's finally living the Malibu lifestyle properly. Late nights, beautiful woman, you're making me proud."
Scarlett tried to contain her laugh. "You two are impossible."
"Correction," Jill said, pointing at Charlie with her coffee cup, "he's impossible. I'm just observant."
Charlie glanced at Jill with mock offense. "Observant? You spent the last hour giving me a detailed analysis of Female moaning patterns."
Scarlett almost choked on her orange juice. "She did what?!"
Jill smirked unapologetically. "Honey, this house has thin walls. And trust me, that was not a complaint. I was cheering for you. I guess I also got in the mood." She winked.
David covered his face with one hand, laughing despite himself. "I'm moving out today before this turns into a reality show."
"Too late," Charlie said dryly. "I already called CBS."
Scarlett rolled her eyes and leaned into David's shoulder, whispering, "Your brother's insane."
David nodded. "Welcome to the family."
A few minutes later, Berta shuffled in from the patio, cigarette in hand and her usual unimpressed face on. "Well, I see the lovebirds are alive. Thought maybe we'd need a defibrillator after all the racket last night."
David almost spat out his coffee. Scarlett buried her face in his arm, mortified.
Charlie coughed, pretending to look innocent. "Berta, don't embarrass them. They're young, in love, and very… vocal."
"Yeah," Berta muttered, sitting down. "Working here should come with hazard pay."
She looked at Scarlett. "Take care of this one. Make sure he doesn't turn up a drunk idiot like his brother."
Even Jill burst into laughter. Scarlett reached over and swatted David's arm lightly. "You said your brother was bad, not the whole house!"
David raised his hands defensively. "Hey, I forgot Berta was basically the FBI of gossip."
"Damn right," Berta said, pouring herself coffee. "Now, who's making breakfast? 'Cause I ain't cooking for a house full of hormonally overcharged idiots."
Charlie waved toward David. "He's the rockstar now. Millionaire, remember? Let him order takeout."
David grinned. "Fine. Pancakes, eggs, and whatever greasy stuff Malibu calls breakfast. My treat." He pulled out his phone and ordered enough food for everyone.
As they waited, Charlie leaned back in his chair, eyeing his brother thoughtfully. "You know, Davey, I was half expecting you to wake up this morning regretting everything — like I usually do."
David chuckled. "Nah. Not my style anymore."
Charlie nodded slowly, a rare moment of sincerity flickering in his expression. "Good. I like seeing you like this. You've got your head on straight, a girl who clearly adores you, and… hell, you've even got money now. You're like the functional version of me."
David laughed. "Don't jinx it."
Scarlett looked between them, smiling softly. There was something unspoken in that moment, the kind of bond brothers share after years of distance and silence.
Charlie might have been the womanizing, scotch-drinking cynic, but right now, he was just proud of his little brother.
When breakfast arrived, they ate together on the deck. The ocean breeze was warm, the sound of the waves mingling with the clinking of plates and occasional bursts of laughter.
Jill was back to teasing Charlie about his "emotional moment," while Berta scolded him for leaving crumbs on her clean counter. Scarlett leaned against David, her eyes soft and content.
By midmorning, David and Scarlett were packing up. Scarlett was humming to herself, tossing her bag into the car, still glowing like sunlight on water.
Charlie came down the steps barefoot, a coffee mug in one hand, and Jill trailing behind him in one of his shirts.
"So," Charlie said, setting the mug on the hood of the car. "You're really leaving, huh?"
David nodded. "Yeah. We gotta head up north. Scarlett's parents are expecting us today. They are quite pissed at me."
Charlie smirked. "Meeting the parents already? Damn, you move fast."
Scarlett sighed and leaned against David. " I hope they can see the man he is, not what they think of him. And David won't sit silently and take it if they annoy him."
Jill leaned on the doorframe, grinning. "Don't worry, sweetie. I'll text you the full list of topics to avoid. "
David gave her a mock glare. "Do that, and I'll leak your bikini pics to TMZ."
Charlie laughed. "Now that's brotherly love."
The mood softened as David hugged Charlie, their laughter fading into something quieter. "Thanks for everything, man," David said. "Really. For letting us stay, for the talk last night… and for not roasting me too hard this morning."
Charlie patted his back. "What are brothers for? Just promise me one thing — don't screw this up. You've got something good here."
He glanced at Scarlett. "And if you ever get tired of him, I've got a guest room open."
Scarlett laughed. "I'll keep that in mind, Charlie."
David rolled his eyes. "You won't survive her nagging for a week." She playfully punched his arm .
Charlie smirked. "She'd fit right in."
They shared one last laugh, one last round of teasing, before David opened the car door for Scarlett. She turned back and waved at them, her smile wide and genuine.
As the car pulled out of the driveway, Charlie stood watching until the red taillights disappeared around the curve of the coastal road. Jill slipped her arm around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder.
"You really care for him. And You're proud of him," she said softly.
Charlie exhaled, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah. Against all odds, the kid made it."
Berta appeared on the deck with a dish towel, yelling, "You better not start getting sentimental, Charlie. I've got enough laundry without your tears on the floor."
Charlie raised his mug in salute. "Don't worry, Berta. I'm still the same lovable drunkard you know and love."
As the morning sun climbed higher over Malibu, the laughter faded into the sound of the surf. And somewhere along the winding road, David and Scarlett drove leaving behind the chaos of the beach house .
*****
"I should punch your teeth out you junkie criminal son of a Bitch ! You kidnapped my daughter! " An angry voice shouted at David who just sat like he was relaxed and carefree.
It was Scarlett's Dad Karsten who was yelling as her mother Melanie tried to calm him down. Scarlett sat beside David , holding onto his arm as she looked at him with worry. She thought David would have gotten angry by now after her father called him all the names, even threating to put him in jail.
But David only sat quietly and sniled at her assuringly. That made her feel more sure that she was right. He tried to speak politely, explain how he's changed and that he would take care of her well, but it didn't go well as it's shown.
As her dad paused to catch a breath, she stood up defiantly. " Dad, if you are gonna talk to him like that, we are leaving for good. I won't let you insult him without even trying to get to know him!"
Her dad almost burst in anger. " What else do I need to know! Everyone knows he's a fuckin criminal and a drug addict! It's a miracle he didn't sell you out for cash! I will never accept you dating a scum like him! You must leave him, that's jon negotiable. "
Melanie tried to mediate . " Look sweetie, I know you care about hik, but don't let your emotions blind you. He's not a good guy! The police showed us his history. He got arrested multiple times, even with a prostitute!"
Scarlett looked at David with a questioning look. He just shrugged. " It was actually one of your upper classman. The co captain of the cheerleader squad who graduated couple years ago."
She groaned. "Great! Atleast leave me some room to defend you !"
Her father almost jumped over the table and grabbed David." You smug bastard! Leave my house and never show your face here ever again. Don't try to contact our daughter, or I will kill you myself."
David stretched and got up lazily. He looked at Scarlett. " Well you heard the man. I mean, he's got a point, I am a bad guy." Then his demeanor changed as he looked at Karsten. " But you good sir, are an idiot. You should know better to threaten a scum. Scums usually react poorly to threats."
Her dad almost had a stroke in anger. " Get the fuck out of my house!"
David shrugged and replied, " fine." He looked at Scarlett. " I'm sorry babe, but I don't have the patience to seek approval from your parents. I have tried to talk, but I'm done. It's upto you now. No matter what you choose, I'll understand. "
She walked closer and grabbed his arm. " I'm sorry about this babe. I didn't know they would react like that." She then looked directly at his eyes. "I have said it already, I will be with you no matter what. I'm not going anywhere."
Her mother tried to protest. " Honey , you are making a mistake! We are your parents, we are only looking out for you."
Scarlett sighed. " I understand that mom. But I am not a kid anymore. I can make my decisions. Just the fact David didn't spend any of your money and even drove me here to return it shows he's not a monster like you guys are making him out to be."
Her father scoffed. " So returning the money he made you steal is supposed to be good enough to trust him? Are you even listening to yourself! He will just have his fun and throw you away!"
She smiled softly. " No, he won't. I have been in love with him for a year, and he never took advantage of me. I tried to seduce him, but everytime he said I was not old enough for it, and to find a better guy.. He could have had his way with me, and I would have accepted it, but he didn't.
Although he was a little rough around edges, he has kind heart. And after he ran away with me, he has shown he is a different man now. He did that for me. And I love him more for it. " She took hand and held it tightly.
Her dad threw up his hands. " I don't know what drug he fed you, but you have gone delusional. He has been to jail few times before, he will do it again. I have seen his type many times.
Give it a few days, You will see. Since you are an adult, we can't just lock you up. But we're still your parents. When he will show his true color, you'll know we were right. Then you'll come back to us crying. But until you leave that bastard, our doors are closed for you."
Melanie tried to stop him. " Honey, she still a kid! This can ruin her future! "
But her father was adamant. "Leave her be. If she wants to ruin her life despite our efforts, we can only let her learn her lesson. "
David sighed. " Despite the name calling and death threats, I understand where you are coming from. I'd probably act the same way if my daughter got involved with someone like me. But I'm tired of this. So I will be leaving."
He smiled gently at Scarlett. " Let's go baby. They will calm down after a while and see reason once they see you are happy."
She smiled sweetly and leaned against him. "Yes, we should go. You have to get ready for the concert."
They left the house, leaving her fuming parents behind. Once they got inside the car, she immediately jumped on him and kissed him passionately. David held her tightly and returned the kiss. After a while they parted, breathing heavily.
Scarlett carressed his face and whispered. " Thank you for not reacting too badly. I know you held back because of me. Thank you."
He sighed softly. "They are your parents. And they are right in a way. I didn't want to destroy your relationship with them completely. They'll come around after a while once they see they were wrong."
She smiled. " That's why I know I didn't choose wrongly."
David chuckled. " Now now, stop praising me so much. My ego is big enough as it is."
She grinned. " I can handle it. After all I have to deal with it for a lifetime."
The Impala drove away , leaving the town behind. A new chapter of their story ready to be written.