Chapter 1: The hider

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"Would  you like to have a coffee after the wrap-up, Scar?" Cal asked with a generous smile before placing the files on the table where Scarlett sat. Scarlett's head rose to his voice before she passed him a genuine smile.

"Thank you so much for this, Cal and yes for sure.  At least caffeine would be a darling after the tiring day" Scarlett shrugged with a small smile.

"I can understand that, Scar. And you're working way too much. I know you're stressed because of that damn lawsuit" Cal sighed as Scarlett's eyes flickered with the tension for the umpteenth time.

"Adair event planning is not just a company. It's my soul, Cal. I dreamed of it since I was fifteen. I'll do anything in my power to protect it"

Cal let out a smile to her before nodding. "I know. And Trust me, you will win" Cal responded making Scarlett heave out a sigh of pain.

"Thank you so much, Cal. If not for you I would've lost a long ago. Thank you so much for standing here with me and helping me. You're one of the reasons I'm still fighting" Scarlett let out a small sigh. Cal grinned.

"Always there, Ms Adair"

Scarlett let out a small smile at his playful grin that helped her lighten her gloomy mood. She's fighting against Kacey Wills who has filed a fraud case against Adairs' event plannings, an Event planning company that is led by twenty-three years old Scarlett.

After completing her graduation, Scarlett opened this company which was her dream since she was fifteen. Adair's event management might not be the biggest event planning company in New York but she has worked hard to build enough of the reputation for the company that it gets good deals every month. 

All of things were going well and in rhythm, until out of nowhere a suit against the company was filed by some man named Kacey Wills. The suit for fraud and illegal use of property. They say Scarlett's company was built on an illegal land whose authority is held by Kacey Wills and he wouldn't settle without proper compensation. 

Scarlett has tried innumerable times to reach out to the man for a conversation but the only time he would see her is in front of the court.

Scarlett has done hard work for two years building this company and name to let Kacey do anything to it. And who knows if he's even right. He isn't even ready to face Scarlett for a proper conversation. 

After wrapping up the work, Scarlett finally left with her friend Cal who also happens to be Company's manager.  In this position, he's well aware of every affair of the company including the lawsuit having a clear idea of how much his boss is stressed. 

"I know a friend whose cousin is a lawyer in Dallas. I'm sure he can assist us in some ways" Cal said before taking a sip of his coffee. Scarlett who sat opposite of him, looked at him with newfound interest in her eyes. A beam of hope creeping into her galaxy eyes and they shimmered.

"For real?" She asked.

"I talked to him last night. He said that he's happy to take a look at the matter" Cal informed before his phone buzzed with a short ring. 

"Uh, who's it?" He muttered before taking his phone and opening it. Scarlett noticed sudden lines of worry that crept up Cal's face wondering what happened. 

"Cal, is everything alright?" Scarlett asked with concern.

"Uh Scar, I have to leave urgently.  My mother's got a cardiac arrest. My brother texted."

"Oh my god!"

"I'll call you later, okay?" Cal said abruptly getting up. Grabbing his coat and pocketing his phone back.

"Please take care of her and tell me if you need any help" Scarlett responded. 

"Yes, sure." He said before he left. Scarlett sighed in worry as she stared at Cal's disappearing figure praying that his mother would be safe.

~~

Scarlett waited for the Uber to arrive which came after fifteen minutes. It was raining in the town today and the weather was quite gloomy. Scarlett opened her phone to get a check on Nancy, her little sister till she get home.

Scarlett: Are you fine, Nancy? Had dinner?"

Nancy: Nah, I'm waiting for you, Scar.

Scarlett: Okay, will be at home in thirty minutes. Make sure to close the windows.  The weather's quite bad.

Nancy: Yeah don't worry, Sissy ;)

Scarlett put the phone back in her purse before settling her eyes outside the window.  The trees were passing by and most of the shops were already closing because of the bad weather. She sighed resting her back on the seat till she finally was back.

"Nancy, I'm home" Scarlett closed the door behind herself before taking off her coat and putting the keys in the keyhole. She took off her shoes and shocks that were in bad condition because of the street side water.

"Scar, I've warmed the dinner and settled it on the dining table. I've selected a movie as well." Nancy informed as she arrived in the living room. Scarlett gave her a smile before ruffling her hair slightly. 

"Fine let's watch it after dinner" Scarlett replied making Nancy jump in excitement. 

Scarlett let out a shaky breath as she stared at Nancy's carefree and excitement for the little joy where at the back of her mind, the reminder about the suit played. How's she gonna face all of it? She wondered. 

Nonetheless, she has to.

For the sake of her little sister. For the sake of her future.

Scarlett can't even imagine what will happen to them if the company shuts down. That's their only source of earning. She can't go back to those terrific days she had as a child. After facing every bad omen, she swore to protect and take care of her little sister. Now that she has overcome all those bad days, she would never go back to face them ever again. 

She has to give her a hundred per cent to win the case to protect her company.

After having dinner and watching the movie both sisters went to sleep. Tonight's weather was so bad that Nancy insisted on sleeping in Scarlett's bedroom. Although the apartment wasn't very big it was enough with two bedrooms, one for each sister, a guest room, a living and a kitchen with a beautiful lawn.

Scarlett said yes gladly because she is so scared of thunderstorms. Both girls as sisters, shared quite similar fears.

"Scar, we will win right?" Nancy muttered in a feeble tone. Her eyes held tonnes of hopes that didn't go unnoticed by her elder sister. Scarlett felt a piercing cut through her heart seeing Nancy so worried about their company.  She was too young for this.

And Scarlett has always made sure that no matters of the company reach her. But as a younger sister, Nancy has always known when her sister's in obstacles.

"We will for sure, Nancy" Scarlett smiled back giving Nancy her assuring eyes.

"Why don't we ask Mr Miller? I'm sure he'll help us" Nancy suggested after shrugging. 

"He has already done so much for us, Nanc. I can't ask for more. We shouldn't burden him more. He has already provided us with a lot for five Damn years. I owe him enough to ask for more. And why we should when your sister is capable of fighting" Scarlett chuckled.

"Yeah, my strong sissy" Nancy mumbled with a feeble smile that Scarlett returned before the sleep consumed her.

*****