CHAPTER THREE – THE CEO’S NEW GIRLFRIEND

A strangled sob tore through the stillness of the apartment, the only sound breaking the heavy silence that had shrouded Scarlett since dawn. The news article on her phone screen seemed to mock her with its glaring headline. How could she have been so blind? A sharp rap on the door startled her out of her misery. Wiping her tears hastily, she shuffled towards the door, her heart plummeting at the sight of Clara standing on the other side. "Scarlett! Open up, it's me!" Clara's voice, laced with concern, filtered through the door. Taking a deep breath, Scarlett unlocked the door, her face red-rimmed and puffy. Clara's eyes widened in alarm as she took in Scarlett's appearance. "Oh honey, what happened?" she rushed in, enveloping Scarlett in a tight hug. Scarlett buried her face in Clara's shoulder, the dam breaking once again. Tears streamed down her face as she clung to her friend, the sobs racking her body. Clara held her close, whispering soothing words into her ear. It was a long moment before Scarlett pulled back, sniffling and wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "I saw the news," Clara began cautiously, her voice gentle. Scarlett flinched at the mention of the news, a fresh wave of pain washing over her. "He... he lied to me," Scarlett choked out, her voice thick with emotion. "All this time..." Clara nodded sympathetically. "I know, sweetie. It's okay to cry." They sat in silence for a moment, Scarlett leaning on Clara's shoulder, seeking comfort in her friend's presence. "But you can't stay here all day," Clara finally said, her voice firm but kind. Scarlett looked up, her eyes filled with despair. "Work? How can I face everyone after this?" Clara gave her a small smile. "Think about it, Scarlett. Sitting here alone won't solve anything. At work, at least you'll have people around you. Besides, you can't let him win, can you?" Scarlett considered this for a moment. The thought of facing the office gossip and Lisa's snide remarks made her stomach churn, but Clara was right. Sitting alone wouldn't help. With a shaky breath, she nodded. "Alright," she conceded, "I'll go to work." Clara beamed. "That's the spirit!" she said, clapping her hands together. "Now come on, let's get you ready. We'll show that jerk what he's missing." Scarlett chuckled weakly at Clara's fighting spirit. It was exactly what she needed right now. Clara bustled around the apartment, picking out a bright yellow dress from Scarlett's closet. "This color looks amazing on you," Clara declared, holding up the dress. "It'll chase away those Monday blues." Scarlett smiled faintly. Yellow wasn't exactly her go-to color, but the thought of wearing something bright and cheerful felt strangely appealing. "Alright, you win," she said, taking the dress from Clara. "But I'm wearing my flats. No way I'm walking through the office in heels today." Clara laughed. "Of course not, silly. Comfy shoes and a killer attitude, that's what we need!" As Scarlett showered and got dressed, Clara rummaged through her makeup bag, selecting a vibrant red lipstick. "Here," she said, holding it out to Scarlett. "A little pop of color to match your dress. Today, we're all about confidence." Scarlett hesitated for a moment, then took the lipstick. Red wasn't something she normally wore, but maybe, just maybe, it was time for a change. Looking at herself in the mirror, she saw a glimmer of defiance in her eyes. Henry may have betrayed her, but he wouldn't break her. "Ready to face the world?" Clara asked, her eyes filled with pride. Scarlett met her gaze, a newfound determination hardening her features. "More than ready," she said, a faint smile playing on her lips. Stepping out of the sleek apartment building, a sense of purpose replaced the earlier despair. Clara surveyed Scarlett with a satisfied smile. "Looking fantastic, girlfriend!" she declared. "Now, where's the trusty Ferrari?" Scarlett's smile faltered for a moment. "Henry took the keys," she admitted, her voice low. "He... he cut me off financially as well." Clara stopped short, her eyes widening in disbelief. "What? That jerk! Don't worry, we'll figure it out. You can stay with me until you find a new place. My apartment might be a bit small, but there's always room for a friend in need." Scarlett's heart warmed at Clara's offer. "Thank you, Clara. I don't know what I'd do without you." With a shared smile, they hailed a taxi, and Scarlett settled back in the seat, a newfound resolve building within her. The ride to Terracotta Enterprises was filled with a comfortable silence. As they pulled up to the familiar glass doors, Scarlett took a deep breath. She could do this. Entering the lobby, Scarlett noticed an unfamiliar woman chatting animatedly with Sam at the reception desk. Sam glanced up, his usual cheerful grin replaced by a worried frown. "Hey Scarlett," he greeted her, his voice strained. "Mr. Davies is looking for you. He's not too happy about you being late." Scarlett's stomach lurched. Late? She hadn't even looked at the time. Clara had whisked her away in a whirlwind of getting ready, and the betrayal had completely overshadowed anything else. Hurriedly thanking Sam, Scarlett made a beeline for her workstation, her heart pounding in her chest. As she rounded the corner, her blood ran cold. There, in Henry's office, sat a woman perched on his lap, her hand possessively intertwined with his. "There you are!" Henry's voice boomed across the open-plan office, his tone laced with anger. "Where have you been? I've been waiting for you for almost half an hour!" Before Scarlett could stammer out a response, the woman turned, her face breaking into a dazzling smile. It was the woman from the news – Raquel Rodriguez. Scarlett felt the color drain from her face. "Mr. Davies," she began, her voice barely a whisper. "I... I apologize for being late. There was..." "There was what?" Raquel cut her off, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. "Car trouble? Maybe she should try getting her own vehicle instead of depending on handouts from you, right Henry?" A cruel smile played on Henry's lips. He cast a pointed glance at Scarlett before turning back to Raquel. "Relax, darling," he purred, his hand stroking her back possessively. Scarlett's heart hammered against her ribs. The implications of Raquel's words were clear, a thinly veiled jab at the Ferrari Henry had taken away. And Henry, the man she'd loved and trusted, was simply enjoying the humiliation. Raquel leaned closer to Henry, her voice barely above a whisper. "So, Henry," she drawled, batting her eyelashes playfully. "Why is this... secretary... still here? Shouldn't you have gotten rid of her ages ago?" Tears welled up in Scarlett's eyes, blurring her vision. The woman she had loved was turning her into a public spectacle, and Henry, the man she had confided in, was letting it happen. "That's enough, Raquel," Henry said finally, his voice a low growl. But there was no real anger in it, just a hint of amusement directed at Scarlett's obvious distress. He turned to Scarlett, his gaze cold and distant. "Go to your workstation, Ms. O'Hara. We'll discuss this later." Scarlett didn't dare speak another word. With a burning shame that seemed to consume her whole being, she turned and stumbled towards the safety of the bathroom stall. Locking the door behind her, she sank to the floor, tears streaming down her face. The world outside seemed to fade away, replaced by the relentless echo of Raquel's cruel words and Henry's cold indifference. She had been nothing more than a secret, a convenience, easily discarded for a more glamorous image. How long she stayed there, huddled in the small stall, she didn't know.