Chapter 32 Time's ticking, Rosalina.
CHAPTER 32
SCARLETT – POINT OF VIEW
“Rosalina, Rosa! Rosa!” Dad sings songs as he looks for me.
I stay crunched, barely containing my laughter.
“I’m gonna get you, Rosalina.” He chuckles, drawing closer.
Determined to win, I crawl out from under the car only to directly bump into him, with his back to me.
I scream in glee, “PAPA!”
Then, I frown, because something seems off.
“Papa?” I frown, my voice filling the garage.
“Rosalina,” He hisses and slowly turns to me.
My heart sinks to the ground at his sight. Fear roots me to a spot. His face is burned. His whole body is burned and roasting.
I scream.
Then, I wake up coughing.
I gasp in the dark, thrashing against the sheets as I try to fight the panic, but it is always stronger than me. My chest caves in, and my lungs constrict. I am alone. I am alone tonight, and I have to push through this myself.
Slowly, I force myself to breathe, and I do. It takes a while, but I ground myself. I reach for the bedside lamp with trembling hands. My forehead is beaded with sweat, and my whole body is shaking.
I push back the knot in my throat and try to steady myself.
This is a very bad sign. Nightmares about my late parents are a sign that something is very wrong. I don’t have to think too much. I already know what it is.
Exhaustion weighs me down, and I sigh deeply.
It’s almost morning, so there’s no point in sleeping again.
Quietly, I make my bed and arrange my room. I try not to think of Dante, of his threats. How did he know? There’s absolutely no way he is connected to the Cartel, so how does he know about that part of my life, one I have done everything to bury? If he knows, then we know, too? Or has Marcy betrayed me? I have always known that it is only a matter of time.
I open the windows to let sunlight in.
My breath hitches immediately when I see Roman.
He is shirtless, wearing only shorts and talking to Rick.
The sight of him slams into me and almost knocks me to the ground.
His whole body is glistening with sweat, and he looks like a candy.
Need courses through me slowly, and I pull away from the window, only to knock down the bedside lamp.
They hear the sound, so they glance towards me.
My cheeks burn with mortification as Roman sends a wave my way, with a smirk on his face.
I return it awkwardly, then pick up the lamp that is still thankfully intact. Eve will be here soon, drowning me in her goodness and sunshine. So, I take my bath, lingering under the hot water, then I step out and change into a simple dress. I need to tailor my reaction. Everything is hanging in line.
As expected, Eve bursts into my bedroom, shining like the sun.
“Last night was amazing,” She gushes, cheeks flushed.
I smile, “Yeah, it was.”
“Have you checked the news this morning? I was up all night reading everything about you.” She beams, and I frown, confused, “The news?”
“Yeah, the news. Everyone is talking about you in the entertainment world. Roman was head over heels in love with you last night. He played his part to perfection and …”
I stop listening to her. I grab my phone and type in Roman’s name with trembling hands. My eyes widen as I see myself in his arms. A chill goes down my spine, and my blood turns to ice. There are multiple pictures of me in Roman’s arms. Pictures of me with Eve, with Rick, with Luca and everyone. How were these pictures taken? When was it even taken? Oh God.
“Scarlett?”
Everything is falling apart. I married Roman for protection, and now, my face is plastered on every front page with dubious headlines. They want to know who I am, and soon, they will dig into my past, a past that doesn’t exist.
“Scarlet,” Eve says firmly, and I look at her.
“Calm down, Scar. You’re freaking out, and you need to stop. Catch your breath. Stop thinking the worst.” She reaches for me, and I nod, pretending to believe her, but I don’t.
This is a sequence of action, a progression that won’t lead anywhere good.
I have been thrust into hell, and now have to watch my whole world crumble.
“Come on, let’s make breakfast.” She sighs, seeing that I am still panicking.
I let her drag me to the kitchen, where I sit on the counter and scroll through numerous headlines.
Has Roman Sterling found his match?
Love conquers all – Roman Sterling and his woman, Scarlett Brooks.
As expected, Who is Scarlett Brooks?
Sterling’s mystery wife-to-be.
Unable to bear it anymore, I drop my phone and push all thoughts out of my mind. They can dig into my past, but they will find absolutely nothing. Scarlett Brooks is a persona I created. The person I used to be died in a fire almost a year ago.
How quickly time flies. My parents have been dead for almost a year now, and somehow, I have done everything to push away the grief.
I know it’ll come back, sneak in and shatter me to the ground, but until then, I’m fine. I am fine.
The door opens, and Roman walks in.
Awareness floods my body, and my heart pounds like a talking drum.
Rick and Russell are closely behind him, but I don’t see them. I only see him.
He doesn’t walk to us. Instead, he heads up the stairs, and only then do I finally breathe.
My phone beeps, and I reach for it.
“Breakfast is almost ready!” Eve announces in glee.
“Take your time,” Rick smiles at her.
My blood runs cold as I read the text.
Time’s ticking, Rosaline. Move quicker. I want updates. D.
Dante.
Oh, God.
“Are you good? You look pale.” Rick frowns at me.
I push back everything and shove it in a deep hole, then I smile and nod, “Just hungry.”
“I need to check on Rue. Excuse me.” Russel informs us, and I nod.
The attention shifts off me, and I try not to panic, but everything intensifies when Roman walks down the stairs and makes a beeline for me.
“Whitman has confirmed tonight’s dinner. This is it, Scarlett. This is how to get what I really need. We leave in a few hours. Pack an overnight bag. His place is an hour away, and the weather’s supposed to turn.” He informs me with a warm and excited smile.
I nod, even though I’m dying inside.
I hope I can survive this night.