Chapter 33 Absolutely in love with me.
CHAPTER 33
Absolutely in love with me.
ROMAN – POINT OF VIEW
I debated on wearing a suit before settling on a black vest and brown slacks. My wrist is adorned with an expensive Patek. My expensive shoes click as I walk down the stairs. I hope we don’t have to spend the night there, but I am willing to do anything to get this Government deal, including rolling up my sleeves with Whitman.
Whitman has a stiff set of rules. He is a family man. According to Caleb, he has three children, who are all married. His wife, Stella, runs a lot of non-governmental organisations and charities. She is an angel who spends a lot of money on the orphanage and anything else that makes her feel good about her mansions and fleet of cars. I’m not judging. Her husband works with the Government, so he definitely has a lot of money. I’m not one to judge, considering all I own.
I make my way to the living room, where Scarlett is waiting for me.
I inhale sharply at her sight.
She hasn’t seen me yet, but sometimes, she is all I see.
She is wearing a beautiful skirt with flower embroidery on it, paired with a light blue top that brightens her cheeks. Her hair is in a ponytail, which I don’t like. It is always better flowing, but I’m not going to say anything. Her heels are high, and her bag isluxuriousy. My chest swells with pride because she is mine.
I clear my throat, and she turns to me.
“Hi.” She whispers, looking everywhere but me. I try not to notice how odd she is acting. Maybe it’s nerves.
“Come on, we have a lot to discuss.” I offer my hand.
It takes her a second to accept it, and when she slips her hand in mine, I ignore the heat that crawls down my spine.
Our overnight bags are in the car. I tell her bodyguards to stay put, much to Rick’s displeasure. After a few goodbyes, we get in my car, and I drive.
“We should get there in less than an hour,” I inform calmly, my gaze on the road.
“Okay,” She answers softly.
I drive in silence for as long as I can. She stays silent and frozen in one spot. I clench my jaw hard and speak.
“We need to look convincing. We need to do better than we did last nnight” I state.
“I know. Should we go over the details? Maybe how we met and other information?” She glances at me, and I nod, jaws clenched.
“Maybe we met through a friend?” She frowns.
I shake my head, “Let’s not use that. It’ll lead to further questions, and before we know it, we'll have dug a deep pit. How about in a restaurant? At a party?”
“How about this – Our cars bumped into each other. You were a bit angry at my clumsy driving, and I was so apologetic. You kept thinking of me, wishing you had been less of a dick, and then, we bumped into each other again. Maybe at a coffeehouse? I was reading a book, perfectly engrossed in it. I don’t see you. You don’t see me, and we collided again. This time, you are kind, and I’m shy. We exchange numbers and go on a date. The rest is history.” She articulates, easily threading the lies.
I am stunned by her ability to lie so effortlessly. I wonder if I should be worried.
She continues, “We kept it private because of your work. You did and still do everything to make sure the public doesn’t intrude on our love by keeping our pasts private. There can be a show of possessiveness and protectiveness, I don’t know, be creative.” She shrugs lightly.
I smile, amused, “You’re the creative, not me. That is a perfect story you’ve created. How long have we been together?”
“Maybe a year?” She blinks, then frowns, “Or were you in any public relationship that might make everything messy?”
My smile falls off instantly, “There is none.”
“Good, so a year, then.”
“Stella is involved in a lot of NGOs and Charity Organizations. It’d be better if you show any interest in one. Maybe orphans, or domestic violence, or burn victims, something along that line.” I propose, glancing at her.
“Burn victims, then.” She blurts and looks away from me.
There’s so much about her that I don’t know, so much I want to know.
“Your parents are late?” I ask gently.
She nods, but doesn’t speak.
“How did they pass?” I chose my words carefully.
“A fire.” She answers stiffly.
I don’t ask any other questions. I can’t bear to do so, not when I’m keeping a mountain of secrets from myself. I can’t ask anything of her, so I don’t.
We go over other details, but the awkwardness persists.
“I did not go to Uni.” She tells me randomly, and I frown, “What?”
“I never got to go to Uni. So, if it comes up, what should I say?” Her voice is devoid of emotion and so empty. Shame clings to me, but Inpush it back.
“It won’t come up, and if it does, I’ll speak, tell them you’re interested in Interior Designing. It won’t come up. It’s none of their business. You don’t have to answer any question that makes you uncomfortable. You’re not an object. You’re a person, Scarlett.” I declare calmly.
She scoffs, “Don’t pity me, Roman.”
I clench my jaw, but don’t reply. I miss her sassiness and spice.
Soon, we draw closer to the estate, and the sky darkens.
Eventually, I drive into Whitman’s sprawling estate. The smell of luxury hangs in the air. Greed coils in me like a snake. I want more and more.
“This is important, Scarlett, very important, so please act absolutely in love with me. I might buy you a car if this goes well.” I promise, desperately.
She chuckles, “You might buy me a car? How sweet of you.”
Stella and Harold are not waiting for us, but I know they can see us. Harold is strategic and might be on to me. It doesn’t matter, though. This is a game we have perfected, and I always come out on top.
I get out of the car and help Scarlett out.
My arm wraps around her waist possesively and she melts into me like butter. I can’t keep my hands off her.
The housekeeper is waiting for us. We exchange pleasantries, and she leads us into the huge mansion.
Of all my cars and mansions, out of everything I own, Scarlett is the most important, because with her, I have everything.