This story is going to be a little different from my others. I’ve got a basic plan outlined in my head but I’m not sure how many chapter it’s going to generate. I hope you like it, and if you do, be a doll leave a review.

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Using a silver, antique fork that was handed down to her through a wedding present, Peyton picked at a bowl of fruit that sat piled high in a white, ceramic breakfast bowl. She wasn’t what she would class as a ‘morning person’, but the start of a new day was her favourite time. It was the only time where could be truly be alone.

In some weird sense, Peyton had always felt alone. With her high ranked standard of living, an expensive mansion which she called home and a strapping, high profiled businessman for a husband, it even surprised her that she managed to feel lonely.

It had all started when she met Nathan Scott when they were both freshman in high school. He was the star of the basketball team. She was a cheerleader. It was a cliché that they were to end up together, but they did. They were often ridiculed as a couple as they were so different. Nathan was a man’s man that loved basketball, women and parties in that order. For him to hold down a girlfriend was often the middle of many bets placed within the team. He came from a powerful background filled with money and supremacy. This pretty much was the basis of Nathan’s arrogate, cocky personality.

Peyton was a moody, sarcastic, cheerless cheerleader that loved alternative music and art. She was an only child raised by a widowed father. Throughout their four years of school, they were pretty much on and off. When it came to heading off to college, the couple decided to go their separate ways. Nathan had initiated the backup, much to the backing of his father who insisted that it was only healthy for a young college freshman to play the field a little. However, much to Nathan’s surprise his found himself missing Peyton. Even though the pair were constantly locked in a bitter battle, he couldn’t help but miss her stubborn, bitchy ways. After a private jet flight down to New York. Half a dozen long stem red roses. And a truck full of her favourite vanilla scented candles, Nathan had won over Peyton's heart. It was only right that the pair marry, which they did right after college. Peyton had a few objections as she wasn’t sure that Nathan was the one but it was put down to cold feet. On a sunny, May afternoon, Peyton Sawyer officially became Peyton Scott.

With the help of his father, at the ripe age of twenty-five, Nathan purchased his first home. It was one of those homes that even put Barbie’s dream house to shame. Peyton hadn’t seen anything like it. It was a gorgeous, spacious place with lavish decorations, granite worktop and the highest ceilings one could imagine. To boot, the manor consisted an Olympic size pool and Jacuzzi, a private garden, wine cellar and a gym. The home was even a featured in a special edition of North Carolina’s Lifestyle magazine.

As the years slowly passed, the dynamics of life took over. Nathan was handed the empire that was Scott Motors. He became an overnight success. Peyton knew it was only a matter of time before Nathan morphed into his father. For Peyton, there weren’t many opportunities in Tree Hill as a budding artist, which restricted her to small, part time job drawing the local strip.

The different lifestyles had a quick toll on their relationship. It had become flat and empty. However, to the outside world, they were the perfect couple.

“Mrs Scott, can I get you anything?”

She hated be being referred anything that wasn’t Peyton. She had persisted Claudia to call her by her first name, but once Nathan became a wing to it, he had threatened to dock a weeks pay if her heard of anymore unprofessional behaviour.

“I’m fine Claudia. Thank you”

Claudia was their maid that Nathan had insisted that they get. It was more for show that anything else. Peyton didn’t feel right ordering someone about and rarely took advantage of her. Nathan, on the other hand worked her to the bone.

Chewing onto a slice of melon, Peyton watched as she began to clean and prep Nathans breakfast.

“Claudia why don’t you take the morning off”

The brunette looked up, almost scared at the words that come out of her employer’s mouth.

“But Mr Scott…”, she squeaked

“But nothing. The house is immaculate and you completed all of your chores. I’ll handle Mr Scott. Now go. Enjoy your morning”, Peyton smiled

Claudia smiled perkily

“Thank you”

Peyton nodded in response as she watched her hurry out of the kitchen. Her peaceful breakfast was soon thrown out of the window as she heard his expensive shoes squeaked against the oak flooring that they had recently had fitted.

As he stepped into the kitchen, Peyton scanned him as he was dressed in his usual attire. Dark navy, power suit. Designer shoes. Neat haircut. Groomed to perfection. That was Nathan Scott for you. There was not denying that he wasn’t hot. He knew it. Peyton knew. Damn, every female in town knew it. With the body of a Greek god and the looks of a model, how could you not be attracted to him. The money, home and lifestyle too added to the appeal. Too bad he was married right. Still, didn’t stop some women.

Scanning through a pile of mail, he robotically placed a kiss onto the top of his wife’s mane of curls. Some would call this a gesture of affection. But Peyton knew it was just part of his routine.

Nathan stopped in front of the empty coffeepot,

“Have you seen Claudia?”

“I think she’s folding laundry”, Peyton replied innocently

“Damn, how many times do I need to tell her? I need a fresh pot of coffee in the morning. What’s the hell is wrong with her”, he slammed

The blonde rolled her hazel eyes

“You know it wouldn’t kill you to make your own pot of coffee”

“Then what would I need Claudia for” he replied, in attempt to figure out how the use the machine. Before he had a chance, his sidekick had already begun to ring.

“Christopher, I’ve been expected your call…” Nathan answered with a smile

Peyton watched as his engaged in a friendly banter with whom the name she only recognized as his financial adviser. From the moment he awoke to the second his body hot that mattress, Nathan was all about work. He worked hard to earn money. That money would then be invested back into the business. It was an endless cycle.

Hanging up, Nathan looked over at Peyton, whose vision was engrossed onto the patio doors that lead out to their garden.

“I know what you’re thinking”

Snapped back to reality, Peyton just about processed his words

“What?”

Nathan smiled gently and placed his callous hands onto her shoulders

“I promised I would get the garden in order for the dealership party and I will. The gazebo. The plant beds. The pool. I’ll sort it”

As Peyton just rolled her eyes, Nathan smiled proudly to himself. His father had always advised that to keep women happy was she give her everything she wanted.

“Sure. Whatever”, Peyton hummed as Nathan picked up his briefcase

“I’m gonna head off now. I’ll see you later”, he spoke already half out of the kitchen and towards his car

Looking around, she knew that this was the basis of her life. Yep, this was just a normal day in the life of Peyton Scott.

x-x-x

“I need you to get in contact with our Charlotte account and get me an inventory count”

Nathan requested, holding a fresh cup of black joe while he paced through his dealership, with his assistant hot on his trail, attempting to keep up.

“Right away sir”, Harriet scribbled down “Just a reminder, you have an afternoon meeting with Mr Reynolds.”

“Reschedule. I’m not the mood to talk numbers today”

“But he’s only in town for the weekend”, she replied anxiously

“Not my problem”, Nathan spoke, scrolling through his sidekick as he walked straight into his office “Oh, and for lunch I want turkey on rye bread. Not that poppy seed bangle you usually buy”

“Of course sir”

“That will be all for now”, he waved her off, settling down at his oak desk. He pushed away a stack of what looked liked invoices and picked up the sports section of the newspaper that was already situated on his table.

Hearing a rap on his door, Nathan once again saw Harriet peek her head through the door

“There’s a Mr Battle on line two”

Nathan alerted at the sound of the name and quickly picked up the phone

“Tony….just the man I wanted to hear from”, he grinned leaning back against the leather chair

“I know, considering you left me three messages in the span of an hour. I’d say you’re pretty desperate”

Nathan chuckled. Him and Tony went way back. They met in college and were pretty tight.

“I need your help. You’re the only contractor that I can trust and I need some yard work done”

“Sorry man. Can’t help you. Got a big job down in Georgetown. We’re taking at least five figures”

Nathan sighed

“No worries….”, he replied, watching as yet another familiar figure stepped into his office “Speak again soon Ton”

As the dial tone rang through his eyes, he hung up.

“Who was that?”

Nathan watched as he got comfortable on his newly imported leather couch

“Tony”

“As in Tony Battle”

Nathan just nodded

“Darn good shooting guard. Too bad he had to carry on his family in construction”, he snipped

“What do you want dad”, he rolled his eyes, changing the subject not wanting to have to hear the ‘oh, I couldn’t have been rich and famous but I traded that in for family’ speech

Dan buttoned up his crisp Armani suit

“Just thought I would drop by the family business”

“Funny”, Nathan kinked a brow “I could have sworn that it said Nathan Scott above the door when I walked in this morning”

“Don’t try and get cocky with me son. I may have handed the business down to you but I’m still the big dog in this town”

“Oh, how could I forget oh Mayor Scott?”

With Dan being mayor of the town, it pretty much put Nathan in the firing line for success.

“So what did Battle want?”

“Actually I needed him for a favour. I need the yard organized before the dealership party in a couple of weeks”

“Shouldn’t you leave that to the little old lady that you’ve got spending all your money”, Dan threw in sweetly

Dan never missed a chance when it came to taking a swipe at Peyton. It wasn’t that he didn’t like her but he always believed that the pair weren’t made for each other. He had managed to separate them after high school it remained only temporarily.

“Peyton doesn’t spend all my money dad. And you know as well I do, she isn’t one for partying planning. Anyway Tony was the man for the job, and now that he can’t do it. I’m stuck”, he spoke, quickly changing the subject. He had to admit, at points he wasn’t too fond of Peyton, but would always have her back.

Nathan began flipping through his contact cards as Dan paused.

“Or not?”

“What are you saying?”

Dan leaned forward, with his large hands clasped together

“I’m saying that I know someone that can lift you out of your little predicament son”

“Who?” he asked in interest, knowing his father probably had more contacts that Donald Trump

“Lucas” he replied simply

For a split second Nathan had hoped that Lucas was some desperate Spanish gardener that was in need of money. But with the eerie smile attached to his father he knew full and well what Lucas he was talking about.

“As in…”

“As in your brother, Lucas Scott”

Dan barely knew him. Why the hell was he suggesting him as a bitch that Nathan could put to work? Nathan knew that his father had tried to make contact with Lucas when his mother had died, but he never heard anything back and guessed that he had just shot Dan down.

“Dad, have you been drinking?”, Nathan asked knowing he liked a good drink or two. But it was too early, even for him.

“No, but I have been investigating. And from what I know, Lucas is good with his hands and could use the money”

“If you think I’m paying that jackass one penny then you’ve got another thing coming!”

“Well then I’ll pay him”, Dan quietly fought back

Nathan began to feel the pit of his stomach churn away. He would never admit it, but he had always felt a little jealous towards the brother he had never come to know. According to Dan, he was just a mistake. But pictures of him hidden in Dan’s liquor cabinet proved otherwise.

Nathan leaned against his desk, hanging his head dangerously low

“I’m only gonna tell you this once. There is no way the punk is setting one foot into my house”

Dan just nodded and stood up, smoothing out any unruly creases that may have formed in the nick of his suit.

“Your pretty much sitting on a gold mine son”, Dan burly expressed, skimming a few paintings with his finger “You do know that right”

Nathan crossed his brows

“Of course”

“Good. Now, I put it upon myself to let me just remind you of something. Everything you own and have is because of me. I gave you this dealership. Don’t make me take it away”

Nathan heard him loud and clearly. There were two things about his father that Nathan knew to the bone; one, he wasn’t a man of empty threats and two, what Dan Scott wanted, Dan Scott got.