Chapter 18 Engaged.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Engaged.
SCARLETT – POINT OF VIEW
“Am I supposed to live in a Penthouse?” I frown at Eve as we pack my belongings.
“I don’t think it will be his Penthouse. Don’t worry, we’ll go together. Maybe we even spend the night there?” She suggests softly, and I nod, ignoring the knot in my throat.
I stay silent as I pack everything else. There’s a framed picture of us, with Rick in the background. My heart swells painfully, and my knees buckle. I lean against the bed and sit on the ground.
“Oh, my love,” Eve whispers and wraps her arms around me.
My eyes sting with tears, and my chest caves in. Goosebumps break over my skin, and pain oozes out of me.
“You are not just my best friend, Scar. You’re my soulmate. You are everything and more. Nothing will split us apart. This can be good. This will be good, I promise you. You are the strongest woman I know, and we are going to walk every step together. You will never be alone, I promise you. I’ll love you forever.” She proclaims loudly and passionately.
I nod and hold on to her tight.
The words spill out of me, “I’m so scared. I am tired of running, and now, I have bound myself to a man, a dangerous man. What if he is worse than the people I’m running from?”
“Roman is an asshole, but he will never hurt you. He also fancies you.” She states.
I frown and pull away from her, “What?”
“He obviously fancies you. You should have seen the way he looked at you in that dress, or the look on his face when he yelled at Marcy. He is a gentleman deep down, and he is not going to hurt you. He needs you as much as you need him. Now, no more tears. Let’s get dressed for our next adventure.” She beams, and I nod, my chest expanding. Her happiness is very contagious.
We finish packing up. I wear a pindown top and baggy jeans.
I am not surprised when we walk out and find Roman in the living room.
“Hi.” I smile at him, even though my insides are a mess. I have dragons in my belly.
“Hi. Are you ready?” He asks, standing upright.
I nod, “Yes. It goes without saying that Rick and Eve are coming with me.”
He smiles softly, and I forget how to breathe. His whole face transforms immediately.
“I know, Scarlett. They’ll be in Caleb’s car. You’ll be in mine. We have a lot to discuss.” He takes the bag from me and walks out, expecting me to follow.
I am too stunned to move because this is it.
“We’ll be right behind you. You’re going to the Bronx.” Rick tells me, and I nod.
Reluctantly, I walk out of the apartment, go down the stairs, and find Roman waiting for me, leaning against his car. It’s a different car. A Mercedes-Benz.
“Another car.” I smile, unable to keep it in. My Dad used to love cars.
“Do you want it?” He teases and opens the door for me.
“I wouldn’t say no,” I giggle, and he closes the door.
He walks around, gets in the car and drives us out. I try not to look at his hands and just focus on the scenery. He has a bottle of water and snacks for the journey.
The city thins out slowly, almost reluctantly. The west side opens up with fewer horns. The river appears in flashes between barriers, black and calm, reflecting nothing but passing headlights.
I glance at him and say softly, “You said you wanted to talk.”
He nods, holding the steering wheel tighter, “I have a home in the Bronx. It is beautiful, but it is not my only home. I am a businessman. I have a lot of companies, Sterling Consolidated Group, aprivate holding company. Sterling Capital Management is a hedge fund and private equity firm. Sterling Trust & Assets, family wealth, inheritances, shell ownership. I can keep listing. My point is, I am very busy, so I won’t stay at home often.”
“I don’t have a personal staff, but I can get you one if you want. Your sister and bodyguard can stay with us there. I have a private security firm, so the best of my personnel will be with you at home. I know this might be too soon, but we have to attend a private event in a week. I’ll give you the details later. Let me know if you need anything.” He muses, focusing on the road.
I am about to respond, but frown when he pulls into a large store called Pandora Diamonds.
“We have to pick an engagement ring.” He explains, and I nod, even though I am freaking out.
“People are watching us, Scarlett. They are watching you. I just want this to work well.” He sighs at my silence.
“Alright. Let’s get engaged.” I fake a smile, but I am glad he asked for my opinion. Maybe he is not the asshole I think he is.
He helps me out of the car, and we walk into the store. His arms are around me protectively. We don’t walk to the counter; instead, he makes his way down the aisle, like he has visited this place before. I frown, and my heart stings at the possibility, but I push it back because it is irrational.
“Pick any ring you want.” He whispers, almost reverent.
I browse for a while, then settle on a beautiful diamond ring. There’s no price tag, and he pays for it quickly.
We get back in the car and continue the journey.
Ten minutes later, he pulls down a quiet road, and I frown. I have never been to the Bronx before.
“We are almost home.” He assures me, and I nod, curious.
My mouth drops in shock as we drive into his home. It is basically an estate.
A gated driveway with stone paving and subtle inlaid lines comes into view as we drive further in. Palm trees spread out with sculpted hedges and minimalist landscaping. There’s a private dock and water access.
The house rises in soft white stone, its façade clean and symmetrical, softened by graceful curves rather than sharp lines. Tall arched windows glow warmly from within, their black frames crisp against the pale exterior, giving the home a lived-in warmth despite its size.
At the centre is a tall, arched entryway, framed in textured stone that glows softly under recessed lighting. The front door is oversized, matte black, and solid, more vault than welcome, set beneath a high vertical window that hints at a soaring foyer inside.
I have never seen something like this before, and I grew up with wealth. This is a different kind of luxury. It is quiet and calm. A complete contradiction to what I think Roman is.
“Welcome home.”