Saving Scarlett

By Sipho Bayeto

She has it all, the rich Father, the glamorous lifestyle, the perfect image and people at her beck and call Or so it seems. Yet deep inside, shes just a woman, longing to be filled, desperately searching for love, acceptance and purpose.

An unwanted journey leads to discovery and just when she thought all hope was lost, He comes just in time offering her something infinite, as she meets Him halfway ..... they embark on a journey to Saving Scarlett.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jun 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524681951

Sipho Bayeto

Sipho, is innovative and passionate about making a difference on the planet. She aspires to bring hope and encouragement with everything she writes. She has previously worked as an editor for an online website and has written content for Abrupt Magazine. She is currently based in London UK.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 . All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/01/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5246-8194-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-8195-1 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgements

1. Desperate Approval

2. Captivated

3. Joshua: An Insight

4. A New Friend

5. Emotionally Broken

6. Outburst: A Cry from Within

7. Exhale

8. A New Beginning

9. The Fire Spreads

10. A Growing Passion

11. Transforming

12. Sparkle

13. Returning

14. Back To Reality

15. A Change of Heart

16. Love Cures Hatred

17. Debut

18. Home Sweet Home

About the Author

Acknowledgements

Thank you God for believing in me.

My amazing family, my parents, my siblings, my boyfriend and friends, I am grateful to you all for encouraging me when it came to writing this book.

Thank you to my editor for all her hard work on this book.

To the person holding this book, hope you enjoy it.

1

Desperate Approval

The day Scarlett was dreading finally arrived, to make matters worse she was exhausted from only having three hours sleep and she was nursing a hangover. Her friends had thrown her a party at a bar in Sloane Square where they had partied till the early hours of the morning. Their reason? They wanted to send her off in style knowing how she was going away, to a place she didn’t really want to go to. Their way of having fun was having unlimited alcohol and dancing the night away. Scarlett had only agreed to go, hoping it would cheer her up, but now she was paying for it. Why had Richard come so early to pick her up anyway? Her bags had been packed, and although she was physically ready to leave, her emotions were having a hard time catching up.

Justin, her boyfriend of three months, had showed up to say goodbye. He was handsome, and no doubt Scarlett wasn’t the only one that thought so. They were having so much fun together and to think she wouldn’t see him for the next few weeks filled her with sadness. Justin was a nice guy, but then again she had met nice guys in the past, well, they had seemed so at first, until they had gotten what they wanted from her. This, whatever this was with him was convenient for her.

If she was truly honest with herself, Justin was, in her opinion, a good distraction from the troubles of her home life. He made her forget everything else and enjoy the bliss they were sharing. However, her heart was closed for now, would it ever open fully again? She wondered.

She knew the fact that her and Justin came from similar backgrounds made it easier to pursue a relationship. They moved in the same circles, both had rich parents, and pretty much got almost anything they wanted.

Scarlett knew too that her time away would be a good indication of whether he really did like her or if he would easily replace her. That thought left an uneasy feeling in her stomach.

Standing by her red mini cooper, Scarlett wrapped her arms around Justin as he held her affectionately, rubbing her back.

I really wish you didn’t have to go, he professed, sounding so genuine that if she hadn’t had her fair share of bad relationships she would have almost believed him. Smiling knowingly, she looked into his eyes and confessed,

Yeah I wish that too. I’m gonna miss you, her eyes dropped to the ground, overcome with sudden embarrassment.

I’m gonna miss you, too, he told her and kissed her tenderly, holding on to her as if he never wanted to let her go.

Hey, listen! he began once they had parted. Are you sure about wanting to put this relationship on hold while you’re away - do you think it’s a good idea?

We are not really putting it on hold, she ran her hands up and down his shoulders. She really needed to know what Justin felt for her, she had been let down so many times and before she reached the point of no return with him she had to find out how he felt during her absence.

I think it’s going to be a good thing - the time apart – it gives us a chance to miss each other. I’ve seen you almost every day the last three months, she laughed.

Yeah, I guess so, although I’m not really feeling this time apart thing, can’t you tell your mum no and then come and stay with me for a month? He frowned looking puzzled and, as if to convince her further, he moved close to her ear, nuzzled his nose against it and whispered,

"I’m staying in my Dad’s penthouse in Knightsbridge for a few weeks, think of all the fun things we could do," with that he gently kissed her cheek, her neck and then her lips. Scarlett knew exactly what he was implying, closing her eyes she took a long, steady breath. He could tell the offer was tempting for her. She had got so used to having him around, she didn’t want to think about the fact that she was going to be sleeping alone for the next few weeks. Being in the centre of London meant she could do whatever she wanted, however she wanted, and also, keep an eye on Justin; he had a reputation for partying hard. However, something deeper allured her to go through with this trip. Right now, the approval of her parents was more important to her than pleasing him.

Scarlett pursed her lips looking up at the seven bedroom mansion that stood before her eyes. It had indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an indoor gym and a tennis court. Even though she lived in luxury, Scarlett would rather have the simpler things in life, all she wanted was a loving family. Her eyes wondered past the four cars that were parked near the huge gates that led to the entrance of her house. This was her home; this was where she lived with her parents. Her eyes fixed on the window that led to their room then quickly rested back on Justin.

It’s not that simple, she leaned into him silently asking him to hold her which he did. For a minute it felt peaceful, as if the world consisted of just him and her. Until her mother’s voice shattered the moment.

Scar, come on, hurry up. You’ve had all week to say your goodbyes. Marian called out from the same window that Scarlett had just glanced at. Her mother had an attractive figure that could rival any twenty-year-old, all in proportion with a small waist and a slim build. Most of her friends assumed at first that they were sisters due to the fact that Marian didn’t look old enough to have a daughter as old as Scarlett; even though she was forty-five.

Give me a minute, Scarlett pleaded despairingly, suddenly getting irritated. Why did her mum always manage to have this effect on her?

Two minutes and that’s it, Marian agreed, popping her head back inside.

Jeeze - what’s up with her? Justin stated contemptuously, I think you should get yourself in that car before your mother loses it, he suggested while giving her one last hug and a quick kiss.

Yeah, you’re right, she folded her arms, forcing a smile. Picking up her handbag from the floor, she started walking round the car to the passenger seat as Justin followed behind her. Richard, who happened to do various jobs for her parents as and when they needed them, as well as being a family friend, would be driving her to the young adult’s summer camp she was heading to.

Justin put his arm around her and drew her in for another hug then whispered in her ear,

Have a good time baby, he kissed her cheek softly, But not too good of a time, he added opening the passenger door for her. Her bags had already been placed in the boot.

I don’t think I’ll be able to have a good time – but hey – such is life, she smiled at him sadly and got into the car. Today she didn’t feel like driving, she just wanted to sit and daydream of happy things, she didn’t want to think of what lay ahead. Justin waved at her and walked towards his convertible, she was hoping he had at least waited until she was out of sight to leave. Instead, she was the one watching his car drift out of the gates of her home. Why did this suddenly bother her? As soon as that thought entered her mind she pushed it far away.

Perhaps the only positive thing out of all of this was the time away from him, falling for him was not an option right now. She had been burned before and wasn’t keen on it happening again. She had to get her thoughts together; she had to get control of her heart before it ran away.

Goodbye to Justin, goodbye to her decent social life for two whole weeks and hello to complete boredom – this was the thought that was running through her mind. Richard opened the door and joined her in the car throwing his bag behind him. She noticed he only had one, oh the joys of being a guy, no need to pack a wardrobe.

Cheer up. he commanded at once. Scarlett looked out of the window and ignored him. He too, irritated her just like her mother, but for different reasons. He always seemed so happy. She had known him for several years and not once had she seen him sad or angry, he was always so composed and … peaceful. Her world seemed troubled in comparison to his. Sometimes she wished she could experience whatever it was that brought peace to his life.

Richard Balducci was half Italian and half Indian, strong minded, yet possessed a gentleness that drew people to him. He worked as an architect in the city and was probably the most humble person Scarlett knew. He wasn’t easily swayed by the world and always stood up for what he thought was right. He had been the older sibling she had never had. She craved a close family to go away on weekends with, have dinner at the table with and enjoy a life filled with all the things that money couldn’t buy. Scarlett and her parents lived separate lives. Her father was much more affectionate than her mother. She had wondered why the need to feel loved had been so important to her, if asked, she would certainly have denied wanting her parents attention. Those feelings and thoughts were ones she kept close to herself. No one entered in to this part of her soul. Scarlett had gone through many different experiences that, a few decades back, would have been considered appalling and shameful for a young person her age. She had just turned twenty-one and had finally found a way to block it all out; that was with her friends - partying, drinking, smoking cigarettes and spending a lot of her time with whomever she was dating at that moment. She had come to terms with the fact that perhaps this was what life would be for her and, somehow, she had to get used to this constant feeling of emptiness on the inside. Everything she had done could not pervade that empty space and right now she felt as though nothing ever could.

It didn’t help that her father was never around and didn’t have time to spend with his family. This had been her life for as long as she could remember. Her mother on the