Chapter 103 You know where to find me.
CHAPTER 103
You know where to find me.
ROMAN – POINT OF VIEW
We return to the hotel and get ready for bed. Apparently, she packed her clothes in haste and forgot most of her stuff in Italy. I wonder if she knows that subconsciously, she created a reason to return there. Travelling seems highly unlikely now because of the threats we face.
I am more than happy to lend her my shirt. She wears just a thong beneath, and I try not to be so obvious. She’s killing me, though.
“Are you okay, baby?” She packs her hair in a bun, and I grin, seeing through her play.
“I’m perfect.” I turn off my phone and put it in the drawer.
The day weighs heavily on me, but at least she’s here.
I wrap my arm around her midriff and pull her closer to me. I bury my face in her hair. She smells like my greatest fantasy. I am determined about our no-sex relationship, at least for the next month. We are sexually compatible, that much is true, even though we've only had sex once, but we don’t need to screw like bunnies to know that. Sexual compatibility is easy. I need us to put in the work and be compatible in other ways.
“I hope you sleep tonight, and if you wake up, can you wake me too?” She murmurs, voice thick with exhaustion.
“No, I will not.” I scoff.
She turns to me and glares, “I need you to wake me up, Rome. Don’t … don’t be alone in the darkness. I can only fix you if you tell me where it hurts.”
A knot expands in my throat, and I nod, “I’ll try, only if I deem it necessary. Now, sleep.”
She raises her brows, but doesn’t push. She lays her head on my chest and is about to settle in when our phones beep loudly and don’t stop beeping.
I am irritated, but reach for my phone.
“Another article.” Scarlett murmurs, scrolling through the messages we got from Elena.
I click on it, nose scrunched, jaws clenched.
Valentine came early? Vanessa Hart.
In response to today’s piece, the lovebirds were seen out for an ice cream date. How generic and domestic. It’s hard to see Sterling in a natural setting as if he hadn’t threatened to break apart the union mere hours ago. Love brings out the best part of us, after all. Perhaps there is hope for them. Scarlett seems smitten with her beau, clinging to him hard as they walk down the street in New Jersey.
According to sources we cannot disclose, Sterling might be facing trouble with his hospitality and tech company. We do not have any solid information yet as they’re keeping it closed, but when we do, you’ll be the first to know.
We have to admit, they do look enamoured by each other, but even fools fall in love. We aren’t fools or in love with dear Ms Scarlett, so we see things clearly. Sterling needs to wake up and see he’s marrying a fraud.
Attached below are their pictures.
My nostrils flare, and my vision narrows. I’m going to drain them for all they have and enjoy it.
“Can we go to bed now? I don’t want to talk about them.” Scarlett drops her phone, and I do the same.
I wrap my arms around her, getting ready to stay awake as always, but moments later, I fall asleep to the soft rhythm of her breathing.
My slumber isn’t peaceful for long.
Soon, I find myself running through the thickest flames. The smoke is in my lungs and burning my eyes. I can’t see clearly. I’m trapped in a burning mansion, and there’s nowhere to go. A shadow passes by me, and I run after it, desperate for a saviour. The fire grows thicker, and I scream for the shadow to wait. It turns around, and it’s Scarlett.
I wake up with smoke in my lungs and burning eyes. I’m sweating buckets as if I’d truly been trapped in a burning building.
My vision burns, and it takes a while to realise where I am.
I’m fine. I’m safe. Scarlett is here. She’s safe.
I know I promised to wake her, but I don’t. Instead, I turn on the AC, wrap my arms around her and fall back asleep.
I have no more nightmares and wake up to her head on my chest as the day breaks.
She stirs, yawning, eyes heavy with sleep. We stare at each other, and warmth spreads through me. I can’t help myself. I run my fingers through her beautiful hair and kiss her softly on the lips. I pull away before I can deepen it and lose myself in her.
“How did you sleep?” She sits up and stares at me.
I angle my body towards her, and place my hand on her thigh, “Very well, beautiful. How did you sleep?”
“Wonderfully. I was so jetlagged, and I see you didn’t wake me at night, so no nightmares?” She watches me like a hawk.
I nod and lie, “No nightmares.”
Just a white lie.
I do not understand the meaning of the nightmare I had. It makes no sense. Why was she in the burning building? Was she trying to save me? Why did she run from me?
“Good. I need to take my bath, so we can get a hearty breakfast before driving home. Do you have any meetings today?” She asks, brushing lint off my chest. I lean into her touch.
My phone rings before I can respond.
It’s Damian.
“I’ll be in the bathroom.” She tells me, and I nod.
I get off the bed and step out to the balcony.
“A little early, don’t you think?” I speak, running my gaze over the city spread out before me.
“Says the man who never sleeps. You’ll like what I have to say. You can go back to sleep after.” He assures me, and I nod, “Tell me.”
“I heard back from the Union, and they’re taking our offer. They see no reason to drag this out longer than necessary. Business can continue as expected.” He informs me.
I am pleased. “Thank you, Damian. See you soon.”
I end the call and turn around to join Scarlett in the bathroom, but my phone beeps.
My blood turns to ice when I realise it’s a message from Dante meant for Scarlett.
Come to me, Rose, and stop pretending you like that bore. You know where to find me.