By now, Juliet was bored and utterly apologetic as her mother kept up her verbal assault. Juliet had apologized millions of times now and was just hoping for her mother to forgive her, or better yet, stop nagging.

Laura and Wanda were successful in getting Granny Payne away from the long-haired man that she was getting well-acquainted with.

“You should be ashamed of your conduct. You, not only brought male strippers in this house, but also got your grandmother involved in all of this.” Juliet rolled her eyes at the repeated sentence. “I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. What else do you want from me? I already apologized, a total of 24 times.”

Judith glared at her daughter before turning away from her. “I’m seriously disappointed in you, young lady. I hope you have a better excuse to give to your father.”

“I’m a grown woman now, mom.” Juliet burst as she glared back at her mother. “I don’t need you to tell on me to dad. He wouldn’t have minded this anyway.” The underlying message wasn’t hard to miss as Judith stared wide-eyed at her daughter.

Judith didn’t have anything else to say as Juliet walked out of the kitchen with heavy but quick steps.

Entering the living room again, Juliet noticed how Lauren sat looking miserable on the sofa beside an entertained Vanessa. The three men were back to only tending to Vanessa. Laura and Wanda had left the living room with Granny Payne, who was whining about going back to the living room.

“Party’s over.” Juliet announced as she clapped her hand once with a frown on her face. The three stopped and quickly straightened themselves up while picking up the pieces of their clothes that they had stripped out of.

As if noticing the absence of Scarlet, Juliet asked, “Where’s Scarlet?”

Lauren looked at the red head before she quickly went out of the living room in search of the said woman.

Juliet watched Lauren with confusion until she was out of the living room before turning to the three – now fully clothed – men.

“Um, goodbye then.” She spoke with a confused face as she looked at the three. She had already paid them and was ready for them to leave. “Uh, we’re sorry, you got in trouble because of us.” Dustin spoke as he looked at Juliet with genuine concern on his face.

Juliet simply nodded before shrugging, “I get in trouble all the time.”

When the three men were gone and Juliet had come back to the living room, where only Vanessa was sitting, she sighed heavily. “What a night, right?”

Vanessa stared at her cousin before she crossed her arms and spoke what was really on her mind, “What is going on between Scarlet and Lauren?”

Juliet looked at her cousin with wide eyes as she coughed nervously before shaking her head, “N-Nothing. Why would you ask?”

“I know that you’re hiding something from me. There is something more to their relationship.”

Juliet wasn’t sure how Vanessa had found out about this but she was certain that she wouldn’t get any information out of her.

“There is nothing more to their platonic relationship.”

Vanessa didn’t believe her.

……………………………………………….

Lauren knew where Scarlet would be, which led her straight to the rooftop where – undoubtedly – Scarlet was.

She was looking out into the wide spread darkness as a frown still graced her features, when Lauren took a seat beside her. The dark-haired woman had already sensed the blonde’s presence from the strong scent of vanilla.

It wasn’t even a minute into the silence when Scarlet spoke, “Do you know what bothers me more than the thought that you didn’t tell me you were bisexual?”

Lauren gulped before she spoke with her voice shaky, “What?”

“That Katie is bisexual too.” Scarlet turned to look into Lauren’s eyes that were holding regret. “I’m not angry that you wanted Ben to……” she trailed off as she looked away from Lauren.

“I’m not even mad at you for enjoying the little show they put on. I’m just furious that when I’m trying so hard to forget about Katie, you just keep reminding me of her more than anything.”

Lauren didn’t know what to say as she stared at Scarlet’s expressionless face. “What do you want me to do?” Lauren’s voice was low and shaky as she spoke.

Scarlet turned to Lauren with an emotionless face, “Leave me alone.”

Lauren was taken aback by what had just come out of the older woman’s mouth as she stared at Scarlet with hurtful eyes, “What?”

“Just leave me alone.”

“I’m sorry, Scar. I truly am. I didn’t mean to make you so angry. But don’t push me away.” Lauren’s eyes were filling with tears as she scooted close to Scarlet. “I’m not angry. I just don’t……. want to see you for now.”

Lauren’s breath hitched when she heard what Scarlet had just uttered.

“I can’t move on if you keep on reminding me of Katie.”

Lauren’s tears were now flowing freely as she stared at Scarlet, who had turned away from her and was back to staring out into the spread darkness.

With hesitancy, Lauren stood up from her sitting position and left the rooftop with hurried steps as her tears were still falling from her eyes.

She was grateful that no one had witnessed her like this as she went to the guest room. She didn’t want to answer anyone’s questions.

Scarlet sighed heavily before her breaths became labored and her eyes became wet with moisture.

She was crying and she was remembering Katies, after hurting Lauren. Surely, this was the lowest she cold go.