Chapter 121 Blast from the past.
CHAPTER 121
Blast from the past.
SCARLETT – POINT OF VIEW
“Do you think Roman can make it here in time?” Eve asks me on our way to her Gallery showing.
I haven’t seen my boyfriend in almost a month. I see him, yes, but we barely spend time together. He has been working overtime, leaving home early and coming home past twelve every day. As much as I miss him, I don’t want to add to his plate. This pipeline deal has been his dream. Truly, it’s the reason we got together initially, so he needs to focus on it properly. I have become less of a trophy wife, though. I spend my days talking to Adeline as we try to figure out what my father might have given me.
“I don’t know, Eve, but we are here for you,” I assure her with a smile.
By we, I mean Elena, Rick and I. Damian and Caleb are swept up in Roman’s business since they’re major heads. Elena can sneak away because, well, this is her job.
“I’m so nervous.” She whispers, leaning into me.
I wrap my arms around her and shower her wth kisses, “You have no reason to be nervous. Do not worry. We are here.”
The Gallery Show is a big deal. Her pictures will be displayed alongside top photographers, and at the right time, we will be allowed to pick and buy. I’m ready to spend all my money on every piece, but I doubt she will want that.
The car drives into the private, underground parking lot, and we step out. I’m wearing simple blue jeans and a white silk shirt. My hair is in a bun. I dyed it a week ago. Roman stared at me for a minute straight when he saw it, but said nothing. I’d like to say he was admiring, but it rubbed me the wrong way.
Eve dazzles in a stunning black dress. She looks elegant.
“Wait a second,” Rick informs us, his phone to his ear.
I frown and look around. We are the only ones here. The parking lot is empty. My paranoia spikes, and I carefully reach for the knife strapped to my hip as a car drives in.
“Ciao!” Adeline steps out of the car, smiling widely.
I let go of the knife.
“Adeline!” Eve gasps.
“Hey, pretty. Did you really think we’d miss this? Come on, let’s go buy everything.” Addie grins, and they hug each other.
I am stunned. Of course, she would pull something like this.
She walks to me. We haven’t seen each other since the fight we had, but we have spoken ever since. I hug her tight, and we all make our way into the Gallery. Luca and Roman will arrive together, apparently.
I force myself to focus on the pictures. They are all so beautiful. There are pictures of us, of me, and I look so ethereal. It’s absolutely wrong to let someone else buy this picture. I make sure Eve doesn’t put it up for sale. I am willing to pay any amount for all the pictures.
We all laugh when we see our vacation pictures. It is all so aesthetic.
“Hello there, beautiful.”
We turn around and find the men there. My gaze zeroes in on mine. He’s all dressed up, looking dashing and spectacular. He is staring at me intensely, so I walk to him. He wraps his arm around me and presses a kiss to my forehead, “Hi, baby.”
Goosebumps break over my skin, and a shiver runs down my spine.
“You’re late, again,” I whisper.
“Eve doesn’t mind.” He gestures.
“I do.” I nudge his shoulder lightly.
“I’m sorry, baby. No more late nights.” He promises, but I know he’s lying. He wouldn’t be the billionaire he is today if not for the late nights he put in. he is made up of hard work and determination. I would not have him any other way.
“Alright, spread out, people, make your bid, but not on everything! One per couple.” Eve orders nervously.
I blow her a kiss and let Roman lead me away. As expected, he bids on the black and white picture of me. It’s a portrait, and it’s beautiful. There are no pictures of him, which I think is intentional. I bid on the pictures of my girls and me, Elena, Eve and Adeline. The night of her wedding. We are drunk, but laughing and happy. We all take personal pictures, and leave behind the works of art regarding nature.
“Where will you hang the picture?” I ask Roman, my blood filling with excitement.
“Maybe my office, or the bedroom. The office sounds fitting. People need to know you’re mine.” He murmurs, kissing my neck.
“Or, you get a smaller version for the office and keep this in your bedroom,” I suggest, heart racing.
“Our bedroom.” He corrects and kisses me fully.
He pulls away, leaving me breathless, “It’s time we christen our bedroom, don’t you think? Enough holding back.”
I nod, “You’re right. We sneak out of the after-party and go home.”
“We make love, then fuck, not in that order though.” He winks at me, and I giggle.
The show goes on,n and we can’t keep our hands off each other. I can’t get enough of him. I want more, and more.
Once again, we have fallen into a moment of ease, and I should have known it would never last. Roman always shows me the world, just to rip it from me. Perhaps he is my penance, or I am just not deserving of the good things in life.
“Let’s get our picture.” He nudges me thirty minutes later, impatient to leave.
We walk towards it, and I frown when I see a man staring at it.
“Who the fuck is that?” Roman snarls, already storming towards him.
I stand there, horror sinking into my bones.
A long time ago, I loved a man, and couldn’t be with him because of my family.
Today, he is standing before me.
He turns around and smiles at me, “Hello, Rosalina.”