Chapter 17 You're strangers
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
You're strangers.
SCARLETT – POINT OF VIEW
Before I know it, it’s morning.
Eve and I spent the night packing up everything the Agency gave me, the dresses, the shoes, everything. I don’t feel sad. I am just worried. I keep wondering how Marcy will take it. I try to trust Damian’s promise of an ironclad contract.
“Caleb is handsome, isn’t he?” Eve says as she surfs through my closet for a dress.
I frown, caught off guard, “Aren’t you with Rick?”
She turns to me, her hair in a perfect bun, “I’m not with Rick. I would have told you if I were. By the way, I find it particularly odd that you never asked about our relationship or the lack thereof.” She narrows her gaze at me, with her hand on her hip.
My cheeks flush, and I say, “I didn’t want to make it uncomfortable for you.”
She rolls her eyes, “Pish posh. Make it uncomfortable. That is what best friends are for. Example – Roman is devastatingly handsome, is he not?” She grins widely.
My cheeks heat up violently, and I let my hair fall over my face, hiding my blush, but she saw it already.
“Come on!” She urges, giggling.
I shrug, “I don’t know. Maybe. I don’t really see his supposed beauty. Everything fades away when he opens his uncultured mouth.” I point out, annoyed all over again.
“Hm, you are right.” She turns back to my closet and pulls out a dress. “Wear this. Let’s see if he’ll stay silent.”
I can’t keep the smile off my face as I wear the beautiful lace, yellow body con dress. It comes with a scarf, so I wrap it across my neck, covering my cleavage. My curled hair flows behind me in stunning waves. I keep my face bare.
Satisfied with my look, I walk out of the bedroom with the last box and freeze when I see Roman in my apartment.
He is not alone, but all I see is him.
I hadn’t even realised when they got here. Now, he is filling up the space. I run my gaze over him. He is wearing a white tee, black slacks and a brown vest. His hair is curly and beautiful. His gaze is on me, freezing me in place, sizing me up.
I feel an odd sense of satisfaction as he drags his gaze down my body, fixing on my curves.
“Good morning, Scarlett.” Damien smiles at me, and I nod, “Hi.”
“If you are ready, we can go through the amended document,” Caleb says.
“Yes, please. I am ready.” I force a smile and walk past Roman, pretending I don’t feel his alluring scent.
“Here you go,” Damian hands it to me.
Carefully, I read through it, glad to see it is amended. There are modifications, about my safety and unconditional protection, about how I’ll have a respectable career. It is all I want. I hand it to Eve, then Rick.
Roman is silent, which is surprising. He is leaning against the kitchen counter, tapping his fingers on it, brooding and devastatingly handsome.
I need to kill that part of me that finds him alluring. It will be the death of me.
“If you approve, you can sign,” Damian suggests.
I inhale slowly and nod. I am about to sign my life to him. Two years is a long time, but time will pass either way, so that is a consolation.
“Of course,” I say, and take the pen from him.
I sit, and I sigh. It is odd because I feel like a fraud, signing a fake name, but maybe I am not a fraud, because I am Scarlett Brooks.
Roman walks to me and signs easily.
“One more issue and then we are done,” Damian tells me, and hands me a different contract.
“She’ll read it in the car,” Roman announces, then takes my hand abruptly.
I inhale sharply as he leads me out of the apartment and down the stairs. His hold is firm, warm and encompassing. The height difference between us makes me want to blush, but I don’t. I pretend I am unaffected.
His car is a Rolls-Royce Ghost. Goosebumps breaks over my skin immediately.
I pull my hand out of his, “You don’t have to drag me, Roman.”
“Well, get in the car, your sister will catch up.” He glares at me, and my stomach turns.
I get in the car, and I am immediately assaulted by his overwhelming smell.
He is quiet as he drives.
My gaze lingers on him and slowly dips to his hands on the steering wheel. A Patek sits comfortably on his wrist, but that is not what I am looking at.
His hands are so veiny and large.
Heat flushes down my neck, and I look away.
We get to the Agency, and I step out of the car. He takes my hand before I can speak, and I try not to roll my eyes at his misplaced possessiveness.
“We signed the contract already, so play your part.” He murmurs as we walk in. Our friends are already there, and so is Marcy.
I inhale slowly as we walk into our office. She glances at me, then at our linked hands.
“The dress is a bit too late, isn't it? You are a prostitute. Modesty is overrated now.” She narrows her gaze at me.
Eve gasps at her words.
I don’t speak. I knew she was going to be like this. I thought I’d braced myself, but her words still hurt. Oddly enough, Roman holds me tight, his whole body vibrating with fury.
“Get up.” He barks at her, and my eyes widen.
To my surprise, she gets up, holding on to the last shreds of her dignity.
Damian drops the contract before her. “We already discussed this. I advised you to have a lawyer present, but you didn’t listen. I’ll give you a brief rundown of this ironclad contract.”
“The original contract is completely terminated. Scarlett owes you nothing. You were supposed to receive twenty grand as compensation, but not anymore. You will never contact Scarlett or Roman. Your silence is ironclad. Ricardo is no longer in your employment. Everything about Scarlett will be destroyed right now. She has all your stuff in a box. You are strangers. You never met. Do you understand?” His tone is sharp and unforgiving.
Marcy nods, “I understand.” She signs the contract.
“Call her a prostitute again, I fucking dare you.” Roman whispers, holding me tightly. His words are dark, and his gaze is darker.
“I am sorry. Goodbye.” Marcy says icily.
Rick drops the boxes on her desk, and we walk out. My heart is pounding with every step I take. Something tells me this is not the end. Marcy will be back, and when she is, I’ll be ready.
I slip out of Roman’s hold, but he wraps his arm around my hips and pulls me to him.
“Pack, and I’ll come back for you in two hours. You’re moving in.” He whispers, running his finger over my back.
Overstimulated, I jerk backwards.
I made a deal with the devil.