Chapter 30 Keep it private until it's permanent.
CHAPTER 30
Keep it private until it’s permanent.
Roman – Point of View
“We should know in less than a month,” Caleb assures me, and I nod with a sigh.
“Have you reached out to Takeshi?” Luca asks, and I shake my head.
I am distracted. Scarlett is pressed flush against my body as she listens to Eve describe her photography progress.
Warmth spreads through me. Her scent fills every pore in my body, and it will be so easy to drown in her.
Luca clears his throat with a smile, and I look at him.
I met him about four years ago. He was new to New York, but here to stay. We became fast friends because we shared similar views, and we still do. I don’t have to be a genius to know his family is involved in some shady shits. Luca is different, though. He is calm and just as greedy as I am. He is quick to let me know about deals. We have a symbiotic relationship that mutually benefits us.
He is rough around the edges like I am, unlike Caleb, who has such a big heart.
Luca gives me a look, and I narrow my gaze at him, warning him not to say anything. He can be lewd.
“Scarlett,” He grins, ignoring my warning.
Scarlett turns to him. She looks at me, at Caleb, then at him.
My heart skips a beat, which is so stupid. It’s just Scarlett, but she has wormed her way deep in my heart and often makes a fool of me.
“I’m Luca Valentino.” He flashes a grin and offers his hand.
She glances at me for a second, as though asking me for permission. A shiver goes down my spine at the sheer innocence on her face. Her cheeks are rosy, and her eyes are clear. I want to keep her in a jar and take her with me everywhere, but at the same time, I want to keep her as far as I can from me. She is very distracting.
“I’m Scarlett Brooks.” She answers softly.
He tilts his head with a smile, “Scarlet Brooks. You don’t look like a Scarlett.”
I don’t see it, but panic fills her eyes at his words.
“She won’t be Brooks for long. She’ll be Scarlett Sterling.” Caleb points out.
I glance at Scarlett with a warm smile. She doesn’t respond.
“That is true. I’m a businessman with a lot of companies. What do you do, Scarlett?” Luca leans in, curious.
Scarlett looks at me again, then responds, “I don’t do anything for now. I’m trying to figure out my place in this new world.”
Her words have been top-notch this evening.
“This new world?” Luca frowns, “What kind of world were you used to?”
She doesn’t respond, so I look at her.
Her face is covered in a mask of indifference that I know too well.
“I prefer not to talk about my childhood. I lost my parents a while ago, and the wound is still fresh.” Her words are robotic and devoid of emotion. Then, she smiles, “I need to use the restroom.”
Unease fills me as she walks away, grabbing Eve.
“There’s something about her.” Luca muses moments later.
He’s as suspicious as ever, and I don’t like it.
“Drop it.” I snap.
He grins and raises his hands in surrender.
A few minutes later, Scarlett returns and slips back into my hold. We have played our game to perfection, and it is time to leave. She is obviously exhausted, and so am I. My mind keeps lingering on the fact that she has lost her parents. I didn’t know that. I don’t know much about her. There’s a gap we need to bridge.
“Get the cars ready,” I tell Rick, and he nods.
He leaves with Russell and Rue.
Scarlett and I say our goodbyes, looking loved up as always. They are all eating it up. Marjorie holds a seat on the chair, and she has taken a liking to Scarlett. Most of them have, but some are still cautious.
“Seems Whitman is onto you,” Luca murmurs.
I follow his gaze. Harold Whitman stands on the other end of the hall, nursing a glass of champagne. His gaze is locked on Scarlett. Whitman is a Senior Officer in the Department of Energy, and hell-bent on stability and family values. He holds so much power and doesn’t trust me. I don’t trust him either. He is an old bat who doesn’t mind his business. His wife is with him.
“On his way here.” Luca frowns, and I clench my jaw hard, irritation blooming in my chest.
I pull Scarlett closer to me and press my lips to her ear.
She stiffens as I whisper, “A DOE officer is coming, baby, and he can smell bullshit from a mile away.”
She pulls away and looks at me. She doesn’t have to respond. She knows what is at stake.
Rick returns on time.
“Sterling.” Whitman smiles as he closes the gap between us.
“Mr Whitman, Good evening.” I say politely, holding on to Scarlett tighter, then nod at his wife, “Mrs Whitman, you look splendid.”
She chuckles, “Don’t flatter me, Roman.”
“Roman doesn’t flatter. He says the truth, blunt as ever. You do look stunning, Mrs Whitman. Like a magnolia in May.” Scarlett murmurs smoothly.
“I’m Scarlett Brooks, Roman’s girlfriend.” She adds, introducing herself with a warm smile.
“The girlfriend. I wasn’t sure you existed.” Whitman frowns at her.
Scarlett flushes, “Roman and I have a certain mindset, where we keep it private until it is permanent, and what people don’t know, they can’t ruin. He’s the best part of my life, and I wanted to keep him mine for as long as I could.” She confesses and places her hand on my chest.
Can she feel how fast my heart is beating?
“That is so sweet,” Mrs Whitman gushes, fooled.
“Keep it private until it is permanent.” Harold repeats and smiles, “It is permanent now?”
“Yes, it is.” I nod, shoulders squared in determination.
“We are getting married very soon.” She beams, shining like the sun.
“That’s a big rock.” Harold clears his throat.
“Roman doesn’t hold back when it comes to me.” Scarlett shrugs and kisses my cheeks warmly.
Heat rushes down my spine, and my heart pounds faster.
“We are all so glad to see you have found someone. I want to hear all about your love story. Why don’t you swing by our estate tomorrow?” Mrs Whitman suggests.
Tomorrow? I have to work. I have so much to do, but I smile and nod.
“We’ll be there.” Scarlett obliges.
“Does evening work for you?” Harold narrows his gaze at me.
This is a trap. An obvious trap, but I can’t back down, not now, not yet. I am getting that deal, and nothing will stop me.
“Evening is perfect.” I force a grin.