Chapter 34 A bit of a stalker.
CHAPTER 34
A bit of a stalker.
SCARLETT – POINT OF VIEW
The housekeeper takes our bags and instructs someone to lead us to the dining hall.
I am awe as we walk down the halls. The mansion is beautiful, specially made, custom in its aura, but nothing seems to be as perfect as Roman’s home. Well, ours, now.
There are portraits on the walls, costly ones from the look of it.
Abruptly, Roman reaches for me and links our hands together.
My breath hitches, and I look at him, eyes wide, stunned by the gesture.
He doesn’t respond. He doesn’t even look at me. He holds me tighter, like it is natural, like we are truly in love. I am reminded of how important tonight is, so I lean into him and smile as naturally as I can. Leaning into him feels like ease, and I try not to think of what it probably means.
“Ah, there they are!” Stella Whitman smiles at us and makes a beeline for us.
She is wearing a stunning dress, one that screams of luxury. I don’t think she tries to always be perceived as wealthy. I think that is just the kind of person she is, old money, and she doesn’t have to apologise about that. I can learn one or two things about her, about being unapologetic in everything.
“Hello, Mrs Whitman. You look elegant as always.” I slip out of Roman’s hold and meet her halfway.
“Nonsense. You must call me Stella.” She chides dramatically, and I chuckle warmly, “Well, Stella, your fashion sense is enviable.”
She scoffs, “Don’t butter me up like a bread, sweetheart. Have you looked in a mirror lately? You are always so chic. You remind me of a younger me.” She smiles fondly, and my heart clenches painfully.
“It is a great honour.” I flush, cheeks heating up.
“Look at you, you’re so sweet.” She chuckles and pinches my cheeks softly.
I glance at Harold Whitman and curtsy lightly, “Hello, sir.”
“My wife likes you, Scarlett, so please, call me Harold. I hope the journey here wasn’t so stressful.” He looks at me intensely.
I don’t squirm under the weight of his attention; instead, I answer gracefully, “Time seems to fade into nothing when I’m with Roman.”
We look at Roman. His gaze stays fixed on me, and I almost melt. He doesn’t respond. He closes the gap between us and wraps his arm around my hips as if I belong to him.
“You have a lovely home, Stella, and getting here wasn’t any trouble. I take every opportunity to spend time with my love. Work gets in the way, often, but things are bound to change; things will change.” His deep voice washes over me like a warm hug, and shivers crawl down my spine.
He has a way with me, and I fear, it will be my undoing.
“Oh, really?” Harold folds his arm, eyes brow raised.
Roman drags his gaze off me and nods at Harold, “I know it might seem shocking, but I am serious about Scarlett. There comes a time in every man’s life when he must choose what is most important. Scarlett is the most important part of my life.”
I flush, hard.
Stella chuckles, “Your poor fiancée flushes hard. Let’s pause this conversation and have dinner. I hope you’re not allergic to anything.”
“I am not,” I answer softly.
“Come on, then.” Harold urges.
Roman leads me to the table. He holds me steady, then pulls out the chair for me. I watch as he sits beside me, taking over everything and drowning me in his scent.
Thankfully, we don’t speak much. The chef plates the dish before us and explains, “This is a three-course meal. The starter is the Seared Scallops with Truffle Risotto Bites. For the main meal, we have Lemon Butter Pan-Seared Cod with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and for Dessert, we have Lavender Creme Brulee.”
Just as we begin to eat, the rain intensifies, going from a four to a hundred. My eyes widen as it storms down on the roof, hard, but we can barely hear it. Harold and Stella seem unaffected. They are used to it, and their million-dollar house can withstand even the harshest storm.
Stella begins a light conversation, and I follow along.
Roman doesn’t stop touching me. His hand shifts from my lower back to my shoulder, then my arm, and now, my thigh.
Heat crawls up my neck, and I send him a look.
He appears innocent as he eats,s but I know he’s not. He seems hellbent on turning me into a puddle.
“It is obvious I invited you tonight to gauge your relationship.” Harold begins, and we look at him.
“I know that may seem harsh and a little extreme, but experiences have taught me better. I used to be like you, Roman, focused on work. I was very hedonistic. I didn’t care about getting married or having children. All I wanted was more money. Don’t get me wrong, money is nice, money makes the world go round, but the constant pursuit of money can be lonely.” He sighs and reaches for the champagne.
“I almost lost the absolute love of my life because I was obsessed with money. I had to rethink my life when Stella left. I had never felt so lonely. She was my beginning and the end. Without her, I drowned. I changed my life. I knew that no one would ever love me as she does. I knew she was my only chance, so I went after with everything I had.” He declares passionately.
Stella flushes and teases, “He was a bit of a stalker.”
Harold grins, “Yes, I was. She still loved me and just needed a push, which is another important thing to learn in a relationship and a marriage. Mistakes are inevitable, and some even break the foundation, but everything broken can be fixed. Do not relent in your passion and apologise whenever you are wrong. It is also mandatory to trust each other.” He advises, brows furrowed.
“You must trust each other. You are building a family together, and trust is more important than love. Understanding, too, and consideration. You must understand your partner, and you must always consider them. Think about them before you do anything, love them in a way that no one ever has. Mend every broken piece and see the magic you’ll be together.” Stella completes with a soft smile.
I can’t respond. My heart is in my throat.
“I trust Scarlett, and she is everything.” Roman avows, and it almost sounds like the truth.