The King Legacy – Generation Two, Chapter Ten: A Hijacked Honeymoon

 

In the blistering June heat, Scarlett wondered whether she would be able to withstand the two-week stay in Egypt. It was a beautiful place, unlike anything Scarlett had seen before – she had holidayed when she was younger, but mainly around Europe – often staying with her Uncle Jared and Aunt Zelda on their travels. The difference this time is that she was alone. Victor had agreed that it would be a shame for the honeymoon tickets to go to waste, and originally Scarlett had asked Kim if she would like to accompany her, but after she was unwilling to leave baby Riley – Scarlett decided to go alone. The break away from Sunset Valley would do her good, and despite leaving Harmony, she felt that she would be able to be a better mother upon her return.

She had cancelled the posh hotel and the honeymoon suite in Cairo, and had instead decided to book into an adventure camp site in the nearby town of Al Simhara. She wasn’t materialistic like Victor was, and she wanted to experience Egypt in all of it’s glory.

As Scarlett stepped out of her taxi and made her way into the base camp, she was greeted by an enthusiastic host.

“Ahh, you must be our latest guest, Mrs Black?” He beamed taking her hand in both of his and shaking it.

“Miss King, if you don’t mind.” Scarlett smiled back, just because a piece of paper said that she and Victor were still legally married did not mean she had to parade around wearing his ring and using his name – this trip was about her finding herself again, and she couldn’t do that whilst she ‘belonged’ to somebody else.

“So tomorrow, we’re going into that thing?!” Scarlett asked, pointing up at the huge pyramid that dominated the skyline.

“Certainly. I’ll be getting you up around 8:30.” The host replied.

8:30? Scarlett hadn’t seen that time since she had been at school, but nevertheless she was excited to see what Egypt would offer her.

As Scarlett sat eating breakfast the following morning, she struggled to stop thoughts of her disasterous wedding from creeping back into her mind. She was enjoying the sun and the break from reality, but she knew that when she got home she had some growing up to do. Harmony would be six years old soon, and Scarlett couldn’t believe just how fast her baby girl had grown, and she was growing ever aware that her parents were aging. As well as Harmony, Scarlett realised that if anything were to happen to her parents, she had Willow to think of. It was easy to forget that the mature voice of reason in her family was actually just a teenager, and Scarlett knew that she kept quiet about a lot of her problems. She wasn’t worried about Alfie, she often thought he should’ve been born first – he was brilliant in the “older brother” role, even to Scarlett; his older sister.

Scarlett spent the next week exploring Egypt’s many ancient tombs and landmarks. She had had reservations about holidaying alone, but she soon found that her own company was actually entertaining. She’d always been used to living in a house crammed with her parents, brother, sister and their numerous friends and relatives who would always be popping in, and she’d never really known what it was like to be independent. Through school she had been seeing Peter, and even after he had died she was never alone because of his memory and the guilt she felt over his death, and then of course there had been Victor.

As Scarlett uncovered more hidden secrets in Al Simhara, she began making notes in a small pocket journal she had brought with her – if she had to write about her disaster wedding in this legacy book, then she would make sure it was followed by the best adventures to keep her future generations entertained. Connor had slowly but surely been teaching her how to make her writing a little less one-dimensional, and she soon found herself becoming enthralled in documenting her various adventures in Egypt.

Scarlett did a lot of thinking during that first week. She found herself realising that she was lacking in progress with her career. She loved working at the theatre and being surrounded by music, but she was left wondering whether a hobby was better left as a hobby. What other career could she do? She had no idea, but as she spent one enjoyable Thursday afternoon hacking away at thousand-year old rock, she thought of Kim. She was preparing to go back to work following Riley’s birth, and she was even becoming something of a regional treasure – the first Sunset Valley resident to go into outer space. NASA was determined to make her the poster girl for their new exploratory space campaign, and Scarlett couldn’t help feel a pang of jealousy. Kim loved her job, it paid insanely well, yet she still managed to walk around with a smile on her face and be the perfect wife and mother.

But Scarlett as an astronaut? She laughed to herself, her opinion of herself wasn’t that high.

The second week took much of a different turn however. Whilst eating alone in a restaurant in the centre of the town, a waitress came over, a tray in tow.

“This is from the man at the end of the bar.” She smiled, placing a Strawberry Daiquiri cocktail down next to Scarlett’s empty glass.

Scarlett gave a slight laugh as the waitress walked away and looked at the drink, on the napkin beneath it was an address. Scarlett looked over at the man, who winked and proceeded to walk out of the restaurant. Usually, Scarlett wouldn’t have acted on it – she was used to men buying her drinks in bars, it had been happening since she had acquired some fake ID in high school and had begun to paint the town red. However, Scarlett felt intrigued – it had been a long time since she had been ‘dating’, and she was technically single again. So much so, that the following afternoon she found herself being greeted by Youssef at his home a few blocks away from her camp.

“I’m glad you called, Scarlett! Drink?”

“Little early isn’t it?”

“Well, it’s five o’clock somewhere I suppose.” Youseff smiled, his English was impeccable and Scarlett found his Egyptian accent charming.

The pair spent the rest of the afternoon drinking and chatting, and Scarlett found herself laughing for what felt like the first time in years. However, after the fourth cocktail Youseff began asking Scarlett about her family, to which a drunk Scarlett broke down. It was the first time she had truly acknowledged that her marriage and relationship had failed, but Youseff was supportive – offering her a shoulder to cry on whilst he poured another drink for the pair. He wasn’t pushy, and he wasn’t out to get into Scarlett’s pants like people may have thought, Scarlett was just happy to to feel young and free again.

She made the first move, and Youseff laughed as he felt Scarlett’s hands slide downwards towards his crotch. She felt amazing, it felt great to be doing this because she wanted to, and not out of some sick sense of loyalty or fear. It didn’t matter that she would probably not see Youseff again when she went home, she was living in the moment, and right now Scarlett was taking control.

Youssef didn’t object when Scarlett asked to see his bedroom, and before he knew it the pair were getting even closer on the bed.

“Are you sure about this, I would’ve been happy with just a drink!” Youssef exclaimed as Scarlett began kissing his neck, unbuttoning his shirt.

Scarlett felt like by having sex with Youssef she was ridding herself of her inhibitions. She felt like she could take on the world in between Youssef’s thighs, and after she emerged from the sheets, hot and sweaty she felt happiness and ecstacy, instead of regret and deflation.

It was the early hours of the morning when Scarlett snuck out of Youseff’s house, even in the darkness Egypt was as humid as ever and Scarlett strolled absent-mindedly through the streets until she reached base camp.

The sun had come up by the time she returned, and as she clambered into her tent she let out a contented smile – it was fun this whole no strings attached thing. She’d never see Youseff again no doubt, she wondered if it could be as fun back home. As Scarlett drifted back off to sleep, she thought about how she would deal with the reality back home.

It wouldn’t be so bad, she kept telling herself. The good thing about being at rock bottom, is that the only way she could go was up.

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A/N: Hope this chapter seemed a little brighter than the previous, it’s refreshing to give Scarlett a new start of sorts – although I don’t think we’ll have seen the last of Victor yet! Mwahahaha.

 

The King Legacy – Generation Two, Chapter Nine: A Bad Day for a Black Wedding (Part 2)

Scarlett charged past the crowd of congratulating relatives and friends and headed straight to the small bar, manned by a very handsome young bartender.

“Double vodka.”

“Congratulations Mrs. Black, would you not prefer some of the champagne that you picked -”

“I asked for vodka, okay?” Scarlett pressed, flashing a steely look at the barman who recoiled quickly and rushed off to pour her one.

Scarlett turned around, thankfully everybody seemed to be mingling amongst themselves and she saw Victor talking to an old college friend of his, she sighed, downed the spirit which she felt burn her throat and gullet on it’s way down and turned to face the wedding party. It was time to put her game face back on.

As Scarlett acted the blushing bride, the gradual intoxication helped her feel more at ease. She enjoyed her first dance with Victor, but as they swayed to Ellie Goulding’s “Your Song”, Scarlett thought that Victor’s grasp on her waist was a little too tight. Feigning that she had to stop her cousin Charlie from stealing their wedding presents, she rushed away from the dancefloor and over to a quiet corner.

“Scar?” Pippa came over to Scarlett.

The pair stared at each other, words seemed to escape them both.

“Congratulations.” Pippa said, blankly.

“Oh, Mum…” And Scarlett began to cry, tears carved deep tracks in her make-up as Pippa grabbed her shoulders.

“Have you made a mistake here? Have you? Because if you have, you don’t have to do this you can come home with me and Dad and we will fix it. We will fix it for you.”

“Mum, how can you fix this? And what the hell, you shouldn’t have to! I’m twenty-five years old for god’s sake, I made the smart decision. The right decision.”

“Scarlett… the right decision is the one that your heart makes, not always your head… you’ve not done this out of love, have you? I know that. For christ’s sake, I should’ve stopped you! I should have stopped you!”

 

“Mum this was my choice. I let you do enough. Hell, you probably know my own daughter better than I do?” Scarlett wiped the tears from her eyes.

“Maybe, I should move away or something, you know – Victor has money, I’m sure that maybe some independence, a fresh start, it could do me and Harmony some good.”

“Do you love him?” Pippa asked sternly.

“Mum, I-”

“Scarlett, it’s a simple question. Do you love him?”

Scarlett waited, but more for effect if anything – she knew the answer.

“No.”

“Well it doesn’t take a genius to work that out now, does it?”

Scarlett spun around, and stood there, frozen with fear. Victor had heard every word, and Scarlett felt her heart sink to somewhere around her ankles. Why had she dragged them through these past couple of torturous months, attempting to live a lie for the sake of some non-existent stability for the daughter that she barely spent any time with.

“Victor, I…”

“Save it Scarlett. I know exactly how you feel, d’you really think I’m that fucking stupid? D’you really think that everytime you’re on top of me I don’t know that you’re thinking of that dead waster?!”

Pippa stepped back from the pair, they were now attracting a lot of attention and Pippa blushed as her workfriends huddled around each other to discuss the debacle.

“Don’t you DARE! Don’t you dare talk about him, he has nothing to do-”

“What was wrong with us then, huh? What couldn’t I give you? You want more money? Somebody younger? Well I’m telling you now Scarlett, you should be grateful with what you have! Who else would take on a lonely, teenage mother whose still attached to her own parents by umbilical cord? I’m the best you’ll get, sweetie. Better start getting used to it!”

Guests stared at Victor, his tirade having carried across the majority of the congregation.

“You’re making a show of us.” Victor said, much quieter to Scarlett as he straightened his tie, “How embarassing.”

Scarlett stared at him, still reeling from his outburst.

“Victor, this has all been…”

“Don’t say it. Not here, not now. Why put me through it if it wasn’t what you wanted? You’re just a stupid girl. I, I loved the idea of you – I’m a businessman, I need something half-attractive to keep on my arm. Why, why am I even explaining myself? Just pull yourself together and put a smile on your fucking face. We’ll talk about this later.”

Victor grabbed Scarlett’s arm, intent on turning her round and pushing her towards the wedding party to attempt to salvage some dignity, but Scarlett pulled away.

“No, no I can’t do this anymore Vic, I don’t know what I feel. I’m, I’m sorry that I brought it to this, and today of all days but, no. I don’t need… I don’t want you in my life. You don’t love me either, I know it – and the worst part is, is that you don’t love me the way I am.”

The anger in Victor’s eyes seemed to calm slightly, and Scarlett saw for the first time a flash of remorse.

“I hate long dresses, and boring business parties and the classical music you keep wanting me to play. I’m young, I’m young and I’m stupid and I still act like I’m a teenager but so what? That’s just who I am, I don’t want to play the dutiful wife, and I’m sorry it’s taken me up until now to say it but it’s true!” Scarlett sobbed, turning away from him – at this point all she wanted was her family, to make sure that Harmony was okay, and to go home and try and salvage what would now remain of her life.

“We’ve just got married.” Victor cried, his voice sounded pleading now, a desperation that Scarlett had never heard – it made her stomach flip, she wasn’t just the victim here; she knew that.

“I’m sorry, Vic. Really, I am.”

“You think this is it? Believe me Scarlett, what was all this about? You after my money?”

“No! No, it’s nothing like that… you can keep everything I don’t want your…”

“Well how generous, thankyou.” Victor spat, he turned round and headed towards the bar as Scarlett stood there. She was only just aware of how dark it had become, and just how forced the chit-chat surrounding her was. Sunset Valley would be talking about this for years.

“What do you reckon she’s telling her?” Willow asked her father, as they sat eating pieces of wedding cake.

Many guests had made their excuses to both Victor and Scarlett, and Connor couldn’t understand why his daughter insisted on seeing the night through to the end – it had hardly been the wedding any of them had wanted. He sat with Willow who was peering over at Scarlett, who was explaining to Harmony that Victor most probably wouldn’t be a part of their lives anymore.

“God knows,” Connor began, “she’ll learn in school that weddings are where families begin, not end…”

“You know, I think it’s been pretty fun!” Brock perked up.

Connor smiled, Brock was the son of Jared’s daughter; Mayra and therefore Connor’s great-nephew. A cheery child, he’d bonded with Harmony at elementary school and enjoyed spending time with his extended family.

“I think you might be the only one, son.” Connor sighed, as Willow gave him an awkward look.

“Are you gonna be okay Mummy?” Harmony asked, she had changed out of her bridesmaids dress.

“Course I will, honey – now you’re going to stay at Uncle Alfie and Auntie Kim’s tonight, yeah? Riley needs cuddles from his favourite cousin.”

“Are you still going on holiday?” Harmony asked, playing with the hem of Scarlett’s dress.

Scarlett was taken aback, she hadn’t thought about her’s and Victor’s honeymoon – she certainly didn’t think they’d be spending two weeks in Egypt together after this.

“I dunno sweetie, but listen to me. We’re gonna spend loads of time together from now on, huh? Do all the things you like to do with Nana and Granddad?”

“Does that mean I can get a pony for my birthday?!” Harmony bounced excitedly.

Scarlett let out a chuckle, she loved her innocence.

“I’ll think about it, not sure if a pony might be too much for your sixth birthday honey.”

 

After Connor had taken Scarlett, Willow and Harmony back home, Pippa attempted to begin clearing up the mess, in every sense of the word. As she went round clearing dirty plates, she saw a disheveled Victor emerge from behind the bushes.

“I wish I’d never gotten involved in your family.” He said striding over to Pippa, she winced as she smelt the pungent odour of whiskey on his breath.

“Victor, please, this isn’t my fight.” Pippa replied, she was getting too old for this.

“Seriously? You do everything else for her, you aren’t going to fight her battles now?”

“Victor, I, I truly feel for you. It must be awful for how this has all turned out, but, you made my daughter unhappy.”

“Oh please, I don’t know anybody that can make her happy.”

Pippa eyed him up and down, all she wanted to do was go to bed.

“Blood is thicker than water, and I will die before I watch my kids be miserable. Goodnight Victor.”

It had been hours since Connor had brought her home, but Scarlett still hadn’t changed out of her wedding dress. She sat on the end of her parents bed, unable to bring herself to sleep in the bed she had shared with Victor for the past four years. Her bouquet lay next to her. Picking it up, Scarlett burst into floods of tears – she had screwed up yet again. Her parents expected her to write down these experiences to pass onto future generations of the King family, but Scarlett cringed at the thought of her great-great-great grandchild laughing at possibly the shortest marriage in history.

As Scarlett wiped the tears from her eyes, she looked around her parent’s room – on the wall was a small and slightly weathered photograph – it was of her mother and father, taken nearly thirty years ago – at the Sunset Valley Autumn Festival. Scarlett smiled as she admired her mother’s beauty.

Strength. She had been filled with it during her youth, it was time to get that back. Scarlett King wasn’t going to let this keep her down, she had a lot to live for, and as she began removing her make-up and slipped out of her dress she felt empowered.

This was the first day of the rest of her life.

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A/N: Hope you’ve enjoyed guys 🙂 such fun episodes to write and the wedding was so so gorgeous, just a shame it ended the way it did haha! Anyway, even more shocks and surprises in the coming chapters – hope it’s keeping you entertained! I’m away on holiday from the 15th – 23rd, so the next week may mean no chapter! But they are pre-written so I’ll be posting Chapter Ten as soon as I’m back!