Chapter 105 His ruin.
CHAPTER 105
His ruin.
ROMAN — POINT OF VIEW
I watch Scarlett’s reaction at the mention of Dante’s name. She has a visceral reaction, her eyes widening and her skin flushed. I don’t want to make assumptions and shatter the foundation we are building, but I can’t help but wonder about her reaction. Is it guilt or perhaps the fear of being caught? Accusing her of fraternising with Dante won’t end well, considering I tapped her phone and have been receiving the message he intended for her.
As much as I hate to admit the truth, Dante is one step ahead of me because he knows things about her that I do not. Asking about it only shows my defeat, and I refuse to lose this game of ours. Scarlett shouldn’t be caught between, though. No matter how innocent she might be, she shouldn’t be caught between what she did not ask for.
“Are you sure?” She asks, voice trembling.
My gaze on her is unflinching, and I can’t help but drawl, “Why? Are you afraid to see him? Is there something I’m not supposed to know?”
My words hit her hard, and she flush harder than before. She glares at me, and I brace myself for her harsh words, but she nods, then looks at Elena, “I’ll be upstairs, packing.”
Then, she walks away, followed by Rue and Russell.
“Really? Was that a nice thing to say, Roman? What’s wrong with you?” Elena chides, “Of course, she isn’t excited to see the man who blackmailed and forced her to do what she didn’t want to. She’s trying to move past it. It has been months, but you just had to drag her back.”
My chest burns, and I have no response. I didn’t say it to hurt her. I just had to ask.
“You should go to her and fix it.” Damian sighs, disappointed in me.
I clench my jaw and head for the elevator. Moments later, I step into the suite and find her packing. She nods at me and continues. Should I be worried that she can hide so much of her anger?
For one second, I put aside my curiosity and see the woman in front of me. We decided to do something together, to make a conscious step in fixing our relationship, and I threw all our hard work down the drain. What a way to go. I can be exhausting at times. At least, I am self-aware.
“Scarlett,” I whisper.
“Yeah?” She answers without looking at me as she packs my clothes.
Fuck.
“I’m sorry, Scarlett. I shouldn’t have said that. It was disrespectful, and Iapologisee.” My lungs constrict as my chest caves in painfully.
It occurs to me that she lied, yet I’m the one apologising.
I shove the thought away.
“It’s okay, Roman. I’ll be ready in a few minutes, and we can leave.” She doesn’t look at me, still, and it drives me insane.
I have spent the better part of the last decade avoiding being perceived and seen by others, and yet, here I am, almost falling to my knees, begging her to look at me. For a moment, I can’t help but wonder: does knowing me more lead to loving me less?
“Scarlett,” her name falls from my lips like a prayer, and she must have heard the agony in my words because she finally looks at me.
She runs her gaze over me and sighs, “It’s okay, Rome, just … don’t do it again.”
An hour later, we’re in my car, and Russell drives us home. We will only have the house to ourselves for a couple of hours before we have to leave for the yacht party. In the morning, Eve will arrive, bringing her infectious chaos.
“Do you have any other plans for today?” She asks as we drive over the bridge.
I frown and shake my head, “Not that I know of. Do you have something you want me to do?”
“I was hoping we could spend the rest of the day in bed,” she smiles, cheeks flushed, “I am not really excited to be socialising, but I know it’s important. What do you say?”
I nod, warmth spreading through my chest, “I have no plans. We can do whatever you want us to do,” I lower my voice, smirk, and whisper, “By staying in bed, do you mean … staying in bed?” My voice is heavy with intent as I tease her.
Her eyes widen, and she turns as red as a tomato, “Roman! You know what I meant,” she chides, and I grin.
“Since your mind is in the gutters, I’ll swing by the boutique and find something aappropriatefor the party. I doubt all my elegant dresses will be appropriate for tonight.” She murmurs.
“We can do that together.” I offer, leaning closer to her.
She scrunches her nose at me, “Are you sure? Do you not have better things to do?”
“Better than spending time with my girlfriend?” I scoff and glance at my watch, “We have hours until the dreadful party. We can swing by the boutique, then spend the rest of the time in bed.”
She nods, and a small smile crawls onto her face, “That sounds perfect.”
A day with her.
We spspenthe afternoon as planned. She splurges, and I let her, then we return home where we watch her favourite series. I try to be still, but I am very restless. Dante’s presence at the party weighs heavily on me. I am held together by a thin thread, and I will snap if he tries anything stupid, which he will. He is an animal and can never change. I know a thing or two about that.
All my thoughts blank away when Scarlett walks down the stairs, looking elegant and sexy.
She found a perfect dress, and I’m so close to ditching this party and continuing our solitude, but this is necessary.
“Are you ready?” She asks, smiling at me.
She will be my ruin, and I will die happy.