The sound of beeping reached my ears before I could feel my own hands. I opened my eyes, wincing when the bright light temporarily blinded me and the strong antiseptic smell hit my senses. Still, I slowly opened my eyes and noticed that I was in a hospital room.

I grabbed onto the bed in an attempt to pull myself up and that’s when pain ripped through my body, forcing me to moan out before plopping right back onto the bed.

“Hey, don’t try to move Scarlett. Lay down.” A voice said to me as hands tucked my blanket around me.

I blinked at the voice already knowing who it was. Davon Romanov. My best friend and coworker. I turned to him, my throat dry when I spoke.

“Davon,”

“Whoa, don’t talk yet. Drink this.” He instructed me as his hands put a glass of water to my lips. I did as I was told while he continued to speak.

“It’ll take some time before you get a bit more comfortable with your movements and speech since you’ve been under for three days. Do you remember what happened?”

I pulled my head away from the glass and raised a brow at him, my mind still fuzzy from just waking up. Davon sighed, set the glass down and explained.

“This is going to be a bit much but here goes nothing. You were stood up on your wedding day. Well more like replaced by that bitch Veronica, James embarrassed you and took everything you own, he also ruined your name to the blogs so now you’re the laughing stock of the city. More or less.” He said in one breath, eyes watching me intently to see what I would do.

I blinked, the memories rushing back to me. The wedding. James and Veronica betraying me. Getting hit by a car.

“What? Let me see.” I mumbled almost in disbelief as tears ran down my face but Davon just shook his head, refusing me to see what was circulating about me on the internet.

“No,”

My vision blurred and my body shook with sadness and anger despite the physical pain I still felt. How could they betray me like that? The question rang in my head over and over again. I spiraled trying to make sense of it all but a simple touch from Davon brought me back to reality. I looked down at his hand on mine.

“Don’t you dare cry. Not for anything and especially not for those bastards.” He warned me, his face both stern and concerned.

“DON’T CRY?! I lost my home, Davon. My money. My reputation. Every person in this city thinks I'm a cheating whore because of James. You said that I’ve been here for days. God, do I even still have a job anymore?” I blurted out, rolling my eyes as I sniffled, my world slowly crumbling away.

“You didn’t lose everything cause I’m still here. Plus, your job’s still safe. I spoke to management about it. You’ve got a month off.”

My eyes widened as I stared into Davon’s grey eyes.

“What?”

He chuckled and pulled away from me with a shrug.

“Don’t thank me. You would have done the same for me.”

I wiped away my tears, a bit glad that I had something good going for me when Davon spoke up again.

“What are you going to do now?” He asked me. I frowned.

“I’m not sure anymore.”

“So, James and Veronica go scot free after what they did to you?” He questioned, arms folded with a brow raised at me.

He didn’t need to say what I already knew. I was giving up, conceding to the people who hurt me but I had nothing left, not even my dignity. What the hell could I do? My silence was enough for Davon to get me. He sighed and ran a hand through his jet black hair.

“Giving up is not in your nature Scarlett. You’re a strong woman and I’m pretty sure that your parents wouldn’t like you caving in for some doucebag. So why don’t you get revenge.” He prompted, eyes still on me.

I bit my lip, contemplating. Davon was right. My dead parents would be livid if they found out what happened to me. They would be ripping James and Veronica a new one and here I was feeling bad for myself.

I steeled my mind, silently agreeing with Davon but then it hit me. Even if I wanted to get back at James and Veronica, how would I do that? They had a huge platform and with them blaming me for it all it would be next to impossible to convince the public otherwise.

“I don’t know if I can.” I replied solemnly weighing my options.

“Remember our movie, when Diana doesn’t let what happened to her because of her father get to her. Remember how she moved forward?”

I cock my head at him and in the moment a small laugh escapes my mouth. Davon’s eyes sparkle and he smiles.

“I’m pretty sure Diana from ‘Say Anything’ didn’t have her life thrown upside down like this.”

“Potato potato.” He mused before leaning forward, closing the distance between us. “All I’m saying is you can’t let this get you down. If it makes it any better, I’ll help you.” He offered.

I sat there in silence and smiled at him, a bit taken aback that a college acquaintance turned best friend who stood by my side for years was still willing to help me even if it didn’t concern him in the slightest.

“Are you sure? How would we even afford to do this? And you have work. You can’t juggle it all.”

Davon placed his hand on my hair and ruffled my auburn hair, watching me.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve already made arrangements.”

He pulled away and for the first time in a long time, I felt what it was to be cared for by someone.

Four days in the hospital gave me plenty of time to imagine James' face when I destroyed him.

Now I sat across from Davon in his small apartment, wrapped in one of his oversized hoodies because I had nothing left of my own, not even clothes. I cradled the warm mug of coffee in my hands, needing the warmth.

“I think I know how we can get back at James.” I said getting straight to the point. “When we were together, I remember him talking about making a bid for this huge construction project. He said and I quote, ‘If I get that deal, it’s going to change my life’, so I know it’s a big deal. James was also asking me for money for it. I guess that’s why he took all I had.”

"Meaning he's going all out with everything he has to secure the deal. That's great. We just have to get some money for a higher bid, draft a business proposal and then win at the auction. We'll crush his spirit first before destroying him in the eyes of the public." Davon replied, leaning forward with intensity in his eyes.

My stomach twisted.

"The auction's in two days though. I'm not sure where we're even going to be able to get a huge amount of money for it. Maybe the auction is a dud and we need to find another way to get back at James." I concluded, my eyes settling on my mug.

“How do we actually pull this off?” I asked, reluctantly looking pointedly at him.

Davon did say he had made arrangements after I woke up and I was willing to hear them, especially after he chose to say nothing while I was at the hospital.

Davon sank deeper into his love seat and pursed his lips before talking.

"Okay so don't freak out but first I managed to get some money to help with the supposed plan." He started, interlocking his fingers.

"How much?"

I raised a brow at him and took a sip of my coffee just for me to almost choke to death when I heard the amount he said.

"About three hundred thousand dollars." He said with a shrug.

I set my mug down hard on the glass tabletop and shouted.

"Tell me you did not take out a loan for this Davon. Are you insane?"

Three hundred thousand from the guy who used to steal my fries because he "couldn't afford lunch"? It was either he was a secret millionaire or he just took out a huge freaking loan for me and I was not having that.

"Woah, I didn't take out a loan. Well, not entirely. Calm down." He tried to calm me down with his hands raised up in mock surrender. "I had a trust fund. You know I didn't have a dad in college…"

"Yeah," I reluctantly replied, wondering where this was going.

"My dad came back after twenty years. Died six months later. Left me everything." His jaw tightened. "I've been using the money there to make some investments for my future so I just withdrew it all and also took out a small loan."

"You what?!" I screamed even more, catching him off guard.

I wasn't sure if it was the fact that he had that amount of money saved up and didn't tell me or the fact that his dead dad showed up in his life and he still didn't tell me! I crossed my hands and glared at him, not sure of which to be angry at him for right now.

"I can't accept that and return the loan." I scolded him, my throat tightening. "What happens if we lose and then you can't get back your money or worse you lose it all like me?"

"That won't happen. If you lose the bet then I'll get the money back and return the loan. It's a win-win situation, see?" He said, still trying to convince me.

I sighed and turned away from him, the gears in my head turning for a while before I caved a bit.

"And what if I win the bid? What happens then? How do we get the money back?"

"Then we'll win the rights and payment to carry out the project. Win win."

Davon smirked my way, making me frown and pick up my mug.

"Fine. We'll do this on one condition. If it goes south then I'll pay you back every cent. Deal?"

"Scarlett…" Davon muttered but I wasn't hearing any of it.

"Deal?" I reiterated, my voice leaving no room for argument.

"Okay," He sighed, taking the hint.

"I also have something up my sleeve but that'll be a surprise." He added, perking up.

"Davon," I drawled out his name but he shook his head, adamant about it.

"Just wait and see. I'm pretty sure you're going to love it." He said with excitement before glancing at me from head to toe. "But first we'll have to get you some new clothes."

"I don't…"

"It's non-negotiable. We can't have your first appearance in public not be jaw dropping especially when we're going to cause some problems." Davon's voice went firm but gentle.

"When you walk into that auction, I want James to see exactly what he lost. So, tomorrow morning we're going shopping and I don't want to hear any back talk about it."

He stood up and walked to his room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

My reflection stared back at me from the black screen of his TV. Borrowed clothes. Borrowed apartment. Borrowed money.

I had lost it all. It was a harsh truth but in two days, I'd face James again. In public. With cameras. With witnesses.

My hands tightened around the mug.

And this time, I wouldn't be the one thrown out and disgraced. He would.

I took a step out from my room only to hear Davon gasp at the sight of me. I smiled and smoothened my already perfect gown.

“How do I look?” I asked as if not already knowing the answer to that.

I had on a black halter neck gown that showed off my back and the back chain Davon had splurged on for me. My hair was wrapped up, allowing some tendrils to fall down and frame my face but that was not what held the outfit together. It was the diamond stud earrings that Davon had somehow managed to get his hands on. I had berated him for it, but when he told me that we were loaning it out, I relaxed a bit.

“You look stunning.” He mused, looking equally amazing in a matching black suit with silver embellishments and jewelry. His hair was coiffed back and not in the messy mop that he always left it in. Davon looked hot.

My eyes trailed down to his half open shirt, calling my attention to his chest. Was that a tattoo?

“Should we get going?” Davon’s voice called me out of my trance, making me clear my throat and put my hand in his.

“Sure.” I agreed.

With that we finally left his apartment. Our new destination? The auction.

As soon as the car came to a halt, we got down and headed into the building, murmurs already flitting around as I walked by. I could hear some of them.

A woman in pearls whispered loudly, "That's the one from the wedding scandal."

My jaw tightened, but I kept walking.

I winced at their words but Davon’s comforting touch calmed me down. Soon enough we got to the main room, my eyes immediately landing on James and Veronica as soon as I walked in. Fortunately, both of them didn’t notice me so we headed into the room and took our seats. I wanted to surprise them once I won this bid.

In two minutes the curator came forward and addressed us all.

‘Good day ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Ashton auction. There are several business deals to bid on but we’ll be starting with the best. The construction deal was put forward by Ashton Conglomerate.’

“Let us begin. We’ll start the bid at seventy thousand dollars.”

The room lit up, everyone raising their paddles bidding for the deal but I didn’t make a move. The bidding went on until James had the final bid at two hundred thousand dollars, his grin wide.

“Going once. Going twice.” The curator started until I raised my hand.

“Three hundred thousand dollars.” I announced, placing my entire life on this bet.

James and Veronica turned back to see who placed the bet, the smile from their faces wiped off when their eyes settled on me.

“Three hundred thousand. Going once. Going twice. Sold to the woman in black. “Congratulations Miss Scarlett Clear.” The curator announced, causing the room to explode in shock and whispers.

I stood up to my feet, Davon following my lead when James and his wife wasted no time in rushing over to me, disdain written all over their faces.

“How dare you come here you whore? Don’t you know your place?” James spat at me. I cocked my head and smiled, poking at him.

“Aww, is someone sad because they lost a bid? What happened, did you blow all the money you stole from me on hookers and drugs?” I asked, deliberately taking a glance at Veronica.

“Coming from someone who brought her own man whore to this event.” Veronica hissed. “Is this the man you cheated on James with? He isn’t even what I pictured. Such a way to lower your standards Scarlett.” She ended with a chuckle.

I got fed up, all my rage surging forward. Before I could say anything, my hand already reacted, flying through the air and slapping Veronica square on the cheek. She let out a surprised shriek, her hand on her red face.

“You bitch!” Veronica screeched, taking a step forward with her hand raised to return the favor but Davon was quick on his feet. He pulled me back, taking my place, his hand already stopping Veronica’s mid way.

“Touch Scarlett and I’ll make sure you suffer.” He warned as he threw Veronica’s hand away, his voice more threatening than I’ve ever heard it.

“You bastard!” James shouted out, moving to land a punch but Davon easily sidestepped it, returning the gift with even more force. James stumbled backward and crashed to the floor, his perfectly styled hair now a mess, his dignity shattered.

I was even surprised because Davon had never raised a finger on anyone until now and it was all because of me. I blinked as Davon turned to me, his features softening.

“Do you want to get your surprise now?” He asked, as if oblivious to the commotion he had caused.

I silently gave him a nod, not sure what to say. Davon pulled out his phone, tapped a few buttons and turned it to James who was still struggling to get up even with Veronica trying to help him.

The loud sounds of moans filled the room and it didn’t take a genius to guess what it was. A sex tape.

“I thought you’d like to see proof of who the real whore was when you were with Scarlett. If I’m not mistaken, this is you and Veronica just three months ago at the Fairview hotel.”

James’ mouth quivered as people gathered, each wanting a view of what Davon had shown.

“How did you get that?”

“Does it matter?” I finally retorted with a grin, following Davon’s lead. “By the end of day, the blogs should have this and much more. Next time, think of who you try to mess with.”

Davon’s hand found mine and pulled me along, leading us out of the conference hall. He didn’t say a word and neither did I but my mouth hung open in awe at what he just did for me. My heart welled up and I could feel butterflies form in my stomach.

As I followed him, I could only wonder one thing. What the fuck was that?