You sit in the passenger seat of your stepmoms car as she drives you home from graduation ceremony at college. It’s been a minute since you’ve seen your stepmom, scarlet. She looks different than you remember. Sadder, but also more attractive somehow. It’s weird you think, that this is the first time you’ve noticed her in that way.

So how was you day sweetie? *she says, shaking you out of your daydream.

sigh Oh no, I'm just... lonely, you know? Your dad works so much and my friends are all away at college too. She glances over to see if she can catch a glimpse of your reaction I miss having someone special in my life...

A business? Like you're some kind of young entrepreneur or something? She tries to keep the curiosity out of her voice but doesn't entirely succeed Tell me more about this, hon.

Well if that's what it takes...

Oh, really? You can drive? she says, giving you a skeptical look before realizing what she just said. Embarrassed she glances down Sorry, it's just... with your father not around much, I never thought about you learning how. She smiles sweetly, trying to brush off her rudeness* You can drive me there, then? It's such a lovely day for a drive anyway.

Scarlet gets in the car, settling into her seat as you get behind the wheel. She can't help but be impressed by how confident and mature you look sitting there. There's something about it that makes her heart race a little faster, even though she knows better. I trust you to get us there safely, dear. She leans over and places a kiss on your cheek before settling back in her seat. Her hand absently finds its way to yours as you begin driving

Wow, it's beautiful! You did such a good job picking this one out. She gives you a smile filled with pride and affection as she takes in the view of your new house. It feels strange being so close to her step-son, sharing this moment together... but somehow nice too. Her hand finds its way up your arm, gently caressing your shoulder before pulling back slightly, suddenly self-conscious about getting too familiar.

Maybe I shouldn't have touched him like that...she thinks to herself as you pull into the driveway of the house and turn off the engine. Maybe it would be best to keep things platonic between them after all. But then she looks back at your handsome face, so open and trusting, and can't seem to bring herself to resist any longer...

Oh User#1739842511515, I love you so much! You did such a great job with the house. her voice is filled with emotion as she looks into your eyes, her hand reaching up to caress your cheek gently It's just... I'm lonely sometimes. And seeing this place, knowing that someone close to me was responsible for it all... it makes me wish things were different between us.

Okay... she takes a deep breath and follows you inside, her hand still resting on your arm as if for comfort or support It's so nice in here... it smells amazing! Your place is really starting to feel like home already. Maybe one day I could come over more often and help you keep it this way?

She looks at you in surprise, her eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. The words hang in the air between you for what feels like an eternity before she finally finds her voice again. "Um... I mean, that's sweet of you to offer, honey. But aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves here? We should probably think about this more... discuss it with your father and everything."

Her hand slips off your arm as she starts to feel self-conscious again, moving toward the back of her neck instead where she nervously fiddles with a loose hair tie. "But you know," she adds softly, looking up at you through her lashes, "I would really like that."

The thought of sharing this space with you fills her heart with an odd mixture of excitement and dread. She's always felt a connection to you, even when she tried not to; being so close now would be both incredibly invigorating...and impossibly dangerous. But scarlet is no longer the naive young girl who once thought your father would approve of them being together.

Maybe it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks anymore...

Oh wow! You certainly have an impressive collection here. It's one thing to see pictures of your cars on social media, but quite another to see them in person like this. She walks over to a bright red sports car, running her hand along the smooth paint before leaning down to look underneath it. "I can't believe you actually drive these," she murmurs with envy, wishing she could climb behind the wheel herself.

Well you certainly have good taste then! She straightens up and turns to face you again, her cheeks pink from the excitement I never realized how... adventurous you were. It's funny, because you always seemed so quiet and reserved before. But here you are with all these amazing things that prove otherwise. Maybe there's more to you than even I thought?

Her heart races at the thought of riding in one of your cars with you. A thrill she's never experienced runs through her veins as she imagines the wind in her hair and the freedom of the open road beside you. It feels dangerously close to being everything she's ever wanted, but should they really be taking such risks?

Well... I suppose we could go for a quick spin. Just around the block or something, right? She tries to keep her voice casual, hoping that agreeing will help push down the nagging little voice in her head warning her not to get too carried away here.

With a nervous laugh, she slips into the passenger seat of one of your cars. The leather is soft against her skin and the interior smells like freshly-minted money. It's a far cry from the beat-up old car her father insisted on buying when they got married; clearly you've come a long way since then, too. She hesitates before closing her door, glancing up at you through her eyelashes as if to say "are we really doing this?"

But when you look back at her with that smile... how could she possibly refuse?

Her heart races as you rev the engine, feeling the power beneath her in a way she never has before. The world seems to narrow down to just this car, this moment... and then with a squeal of tires, you're pulling out onto the road

Oh my God, scarlet thinks hysterically as she hangs on for dear life, her knuckles white where they grip the door handle. This is insane! But even as she tells herself to slow down, to calm down... she can't help but feel a thrill coursing through her veins with every second that passes. Maybe this crazy ride isn't so bad after all...

With her eyes closed and her face flushed with excitement, she nods slowly, unable to form coherent words around the tightness in her throat

Her breath catches in her throat as you pull up in front of the most expensive café she's ever seen. She blinks, taking a moment to remember where they are before meeting your eyes in the rearview mirror. "It... it looks lovely," she manages to stammer, still slightly disoriented by the rush of adrenaline that came from the drive.

She hesitates for a moment, wondering if maybe this was too much; if you expected her to reciprocate somehow. But when you turn around with that expectant look on your face, she can't help but feel a surge of determination rise within her. With a nervous smile, she unbuckles her seatbelt and climbs out of the car. "Let's go inside," she says, offering you her hand.