Scarlet’s POV

It was nine in the morning and I had slept later than usual. Now, lying in bed, I replied to Pathum’s messages. But apart from those, there were some notifications from Wattpad, and new messages on Google Hangouts. When I went into Hangouts, I looked at the person’s name and saw that it was the same as mine.

What the heck?! Who’s this pretending to be me? I thought, chuckling to myself in amusement.

I clicked on the name and an image appeared with a message below. I recognised it, and it sent shivers through my spine. I tried to get up from the bed but I was powerless. I started to shiver at the sight of the picture and the realisation of who it belonged to. How could this person have taken my pictures? The face looks like me but that body isn’t mine.

I looked at the message and it read:

(Unknown) Scarlet: “Hello baby girl, remember me?”

Even though it was creepy, I texted them back.

Scarlet: “Who are you? And who’s that?”

(Unknown) Scarlet: “Oh, don’t play innocent, sweet girl. You know who I am.” The reply came with a smirk emoji.

I hated the message as well as that emoji.

What the hell is happening?

I saw Pathum’s messages but I swiped them away planning to reply to them later. I don’t have any idea who this is but I have yet to reply.

Scarlet: “No, that’s not me. I’ve never taken such a picture in my life.”

(Unknown) Scarlet: “So the face is familiar but the body isn’t. Does that ring a bell? I was familiar with your face but never with your body, but I dreamt I had.”

I made a disgusted face at this pervert’s words.

What the heck is this person up to? And how the hell does he have my contact info?

I don’t know how to answer these questions or what to do, because millions of thoughts rushed through my mind. I touched the carpet with my bare feet and the cold temperature made me recoil. I was still shaking from fright, and I realised I had no control over it.

Scarlet: “What do you want with me, you pervert?”

(Unknown) Scarlet: “Oh, that hurt, my sweet girl.”

I froze after reading this latest message. Something about the way he said it in the text sounded familiar. Sweet girl? That sounds like I should recognise it but I cannot track down the memory to figure out who this is.

Is this a joke? What the heck is going on?

Scarlet: “Seriously, I don’t know you so would you please stop doing this? If you don’t take down the picture, I’m telling the cops.”

Of course he was quick to respond to me.

(Unknown) Scarlet: “Oh, sweet girl, the police can’t hurt me.”

I growled in frustration before typing, my fingers rapidly hitting the keyboard.

Scarlet: “What are you? What do you want from me?”

(Unknown) Scarlet: Anything and everything!

Scarlet: What the hell are you talking about?

(Unknown) Scarlet: Chill out sweet girl.

Scarlet: Stop calling me sweet girl, you jerk.

(Unknown) Scarlet: Oh, but sweet girl there’s nothing to worry about. What’s wrong?

Scarlet: Why the heck are you doing this to me? I’m warning you, stop immediately.

Unknown: Aww look at you.

Scarlet: Stop.

Unknown: There’s nothing to freak out about, sweet girl.

Why does he keep calling me that? And why does it sound so familiar?

Does this person know me? I thought, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion while staring at the screen.

I have zero guesses, and my shivering hand wasn’t cooperating with me as well.

Scarlet: You better stop this.

Unknown (Scarlet): You’re still as hot as you were a year ago.

A year ago? Omg it can’t be him. My shivering worsened at the memory and realisation of who this is. The phone fell from my hands to the bed, and then it vibrated with new notifications but my mind was filled with his name and he himself. I don’t want him back in my life.

Unknown (Scarlet): Oh sweet girl have you figured it out already? Why are you so meek about it?

Scarlet: Victor?

Unknown: My sweet girl, it’s a pleasure to be back.

I froze, scared and frustrated.

Why is he back? What does he want? And what’s with that picture he sent me? Is he still after it? Oh, God, why did You have to put him in my life? What’s the point in this? I don’t want him back. Please God, you’re making a mistake. I don't want him to cause any trouble for my family again.

I stepped backward and fell to the bed.

This is not good. Didn’t he promise not to come into our lives? Didn’t he say it was over and that we’re no longer a part of his life. I don’t know what I should do, should I tell Pathum? No, I can’t stress him out. I don’t want to stress anyone out. He cannot settle in our lives, he’s gone and so shall it be.

His name and face appeared many times in my mind. I wanted to get out of this prison but it’s too late. He has already entered my mind and now I can’t ignore him. But in the midst of everything why him? God please tell me why?

I heard a few knocks on my door but I ignored them before Mom opened the door and screamed at me.

“Get up Scarlet!”

She was standing near the door with crossed arms. Turning to her, I took a deep breath and wiped the sweat off my face before getting up and walking towards her.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Morning, mom.”

She raised her eyebrows as she examined me curiously.

“Morning to you as well. What kept you up all night?”

“Nothing.”

My blunt response had her glaring at me.

“Then why were you sleeping in until nine?”

“Because my body needed it,” I replied sassily.

She shook her head at me, tutting.

“You only need eight hours of sleep and you would’ve gotten it if you had gone to bed at the right time.” Her voice faded as images of Victor filled my head.

I stopped her from speaking further by putting my hand up.

“Mom, could you leave me alone?” I asked while not looking at her.

She sighed, sounding tired.

“I’ve left you alone for a while and look where you ended up.”

I met her eyes, our gazes locking.

“What do you mean?” I tilted my head in curiosity.

“You’re still in bed even though it’s past time to get up, and you don’t go to bed at an appropriate time. And you’re always moody,” she explained while giving me a look. ”What does that sound like to you?”

“Oh, mom,” I said, getting up to hug her as tears started to cascade down my cheeks.

“What's wrong?” she asked kissing me on the forehead.

“It’s….. nothing..” I stuttered.

“Oh, it can’t be nothing if you’re crying like this. Now go ahead and tell me, sweetheart.”

Her words were comforting, but I just shook my head. I couldn’t bring myself to bother her about the Victor situation. It would no doubt upset her. So I decided to lie.

“Mom I promise there’s nothing wrong. I just have a bad headache.”

She nodded her head with a grim look on her face.

“Okay then, grab 2 Tylenol, and it’ll be fine.”

“Okay.”

I went into the medicine cabinet in the bathroom and pretended to take some Tylenol. And a few minutes later, Mom, Abigail and I were all in the kitchen. Mom was pouring out a cup of her favourite warm tea while Abigail was already drinking hers. I was just sitting there, staring at my cup while ignoring them.

“So, how‘s Pathum doing?” mom asked suddenly.

Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts, so I looked up, meeting her eyes.

“I replied to his morning messages but he seemed to be busy with his homework, so he hadn’t replied to me yet,” I said.

But suddenly, Abigail spilled her tea all over herself, and looked at me as if she’d seen a ghost.

“You’re lying,” she accused, trying to wipe the tea off of her, and I rushed to help, but she stopped me with a shake of her head. “It’s fine, Scarlet. It’s just hot tea.”

“I’m not,” I protested. “He really is busy.”

“Okay, but don’t let lying become a habit, Scarlet. It’s not a good thing to do,” Abigail said, finishing her tea.

I looked at her, raising my hands in surrender.

Soon we began to cook breakfast and I focused on cutting the vegetables but my mind still wandered to Victor and the disgusting image he sent me. He’s an expert at editing. But what if mom saw? How am I supposed to explain that he has my email? I don't know what to do.

He didn't seem to want to move on from the past.

Mom then got our attention by snapping her fingers, and we both looked t her. Her eyebrows were raised as she studied us both. It made us squirm under her penetrating gaze.

“What were you two talking about a few minutes ago?”

“’About Scarlet’s lying,” Abigail smirked nervously.

“What?! I’m not lying to anyone,” I said sternly.

“Well, didn’t you do it earlier when you were asked about Pathum?” Abigail asked me.

I shook my head.

What’s her problem?

“Of course not!” I denied again, slamming my teacup down on the table.

Mom stopped what she was doing and stared at me, tapping the table to get my attention. When she spoke, her voice was firm and her gaze stern.

“You need to control your anger, Scarlet,” she said.

“But I’m not mad.”

“Clearly,” mom replied sarcastically, wiping the liquid that fell from my cup.

I grumbled to myself, thunking my head onto the table.

“You guys are nuts, just leave me alone.”

Abigail looked at me, an eyebrow raised.

“What's with you? You’re always in a bad mood. Isn’t she?” she asked.

I huffed. She’s talking as if she never gets into a bad mood. But that’s what you get when you’re the younger one in the family.

“Oh, please. Aren’t you guys always in a bad mood as well?” I glance at them.

“Yes, but at least we try not to be controlled by it.”

I look up at them, my glare frosty, and when I speak, my voice is practically dripping with sarcasm.

“Oh pardon me! You guys could teach me how to master that skill.”

“Very funny, Scarlet,” mom said as she clapped, smiling at me while Abigail rolled her eyes.

I hated it when this duo combined.

I left the kitchen and went towards my room, lost in a sea of thoughts. I was suffocating because I was metres away from drowning. And there's no one who can help. Although Pathum is the only one I can go to. There’s no one other than him, it must be him.

Finally after waiting two more hours I got a call from him.

”I’m so sorry for being late, sweetie.”

I was still sniffling from earlier, but managed to reply to him.

“It’s okay to be late, I don't recall the last time that you were, probably never. So don’t blame yourself for that.”

When Pathum heard my cries, he reacted immediately with concern.

“Why are you crying?”

“Oh nothing’s wrong. I just have a slight headache.”

I lied. Knowing that he would figure it out I lied, maybe because I want him to discover the truth rather than revealing it. I pray he would get me.

“I don’t recall the last time you ever shed tears for a headache. But if you’re not okay, I’d advise you to take some medicine as quickly as possible. Okay?”

But I shook my head, as stubborn as ever, even though he couldn’t see it.

“Oh, don’t worry about me, sweetie, I’ll be fine.”

“But I will worry.”

I blushed at this, thankful he couldn’t see it.

“Aww you’re so sweet.”

“Hmm… ugh I hate that word but yet I proceeded to send it.”

The annoyance in his tone was obvious, so I decided to get to the bottom of it.

“Are you okay? And why were you late? I’m sorry for asking but I noticed a significant difference in your mood. You were ecstatic before eight but after I woke up you were different. What’s wrong?”

“Uhhhhh….. about that….” he said, sounding very awkward.

“Seriously, what is it?”

“I……… can’t.”

I’m now very confused since he’s being vague in his words.

”Can’t what?”

He coughed, trying to clear his throat, but when he spoke, his voice wasn’t very strong. It sounded like he was trying not to cry.

“I’m sorry. I love you and I won't let any harm come to you sweetie, please understand, I can’t let anything happen to you.”

”Pathum, seriously, what’s wrong? What are you implying?”

“We need to stop talking for a while,” he said bluntly.

I froze, not knowing what to do. Did he mean he needed a break? But what about that pervert, how can I deal with him alone? What has gotten into Pathum? Whatever happened it must‘ve occurred while I overslept. Is he frustrated because I slept more? No, I don’t think he has that type of temper.

With shaking fingers, I sent him a message.

Scarlet: That’s not funny, Pathum.

He hung up after I sent the message, and I saw that he read it. He appeared to be in the middle of typing but suddenly went offline. I then waited for fifteen minutes while staring at the screen but he didn’t re-appear.

What’s happening? Why God why?

He always replies before he goes to sleep but it’s different. I knew the timezone well enough to confirm that he wouldn’t be going to sleep at this time of night.

Something must’ve happened while I was asleep, but what was it?