Chapter 60 A fool
CHAPTER 60
A fool.
ROMAN – POINT OF VIEW
Fuck.
She wasn’t supposed to hear that.
“He didn’t mean it like that,” Caleb says quickly.
“You know he doesn’t say things like that,” Damian adds.
“Really? Because we know what we heard.” Eve barks at him, but I’m not looking at them.
I’m looking at her.
Her cheeks are rosy, and her eyes are filled with so much hurt. My chest aches painfully, and I know this is not what satisfaction feels like.
Why do I even still care? She hurt me. She broke my trust, and somehow, I still care. Absolutely not.
“Are you ready?” I ask bluntly, pretending that didn’t happen.
“Apologise to her, right now, Roman!” Elena snarls at me.
I scoff calmly, “I’ll apologise when she returns the one fifty million she made me lose. Do not waste my time.”
Then, I walk past her, hands clenched in a fist. Abruptly, I stop and turn back.
“If you think for one second you can go back inside or act like a fool today, I’ll let you know who I am. Do not piss me off. Do not let me remind you how ironclad the contract you signed is. I’m not above going to court and spilling all the secrets, including the ones you so dearly hide.” My voice is clipped and devoid of emotion.
Eve looks ready to explode, “You asshole –”
“It’s okay, baby,” she smiles at her sister, then turns to me, tilts her head and smiles wickedly “Of course, sugar, we wouldn’t want our secrets leaked, would we? However, next time, keep your displeasure focused on me alone, and try to be smarter with your cruel words. Hate me in private but love me in public, that’s the contract we signed, right?”
My tongue grows heavy. I drag my gaze over her body, her stupid dress that I need to burn.
“I’m ready. We have somewhere to be.” She reminds me and walks past, strutting unaffected by what just happened.
“Roman,” Damian sighs.
I turn back to them only to be met with a sounding slap from Elena.
“Your mother would be disgusted by what you’ve become. Return her phone to her, you ungrateful idiot.” She spits at me and walks away.
Eve follows her, but not before flipping me off.
I stand there with a throbbing cheek like a fool. I clench my jaw hard and walk to the car.
“Don’t act like a fool, Roman.” Damian calls after me.
I don’t turn back or respond, but his implication is clear: don’t touch her.
She’s already in the car. I sit beside her, with Rick and Eve in the front. My temple is throbbing, and my hands are trembling. She made a mess, she betrayed me, and yet, I’m suffering for it? How does that make any sense?
The car ride is silent and tense. She doesn’t speak and just stares out the window. My gaze drags over her body, and I hate myself more for it, for my persistent attraction to her. Whatever this is needs to die.
Soon, Rick drives into Cole’s, the restaurant where we’re having the meeting.
“Give us a second,” I say to the bodyguards.
Rick hesitates, as always, reluctant to leave her with me, but he knows better than to cross me right now.
I wait till they leave, then turn to Scarlett, who’s still quiet.
I hand her the phone. She takes it silently and puts it in her bag. I wait for her to speak, to say anything, but she doesn’t. She doesn’t even ask what I did with the phone. She doesn’t seem to care about anything. I do need her head in the game, though, but I know I won’t have a problem with that. She’s great at what she does. At her core, she’s still that escort.
I step out of the car, walk around, and help her out.
She places her hand in mine. I clench my jaw hard. Then, I place my hand on her lower back, trying not to touch her directly.
She smiles as I lead her in. The restaurant has been reserved for the afternoon. Everyone is present, chatting amongst themselves, smiling. I’m still the richest in every room I enter. The rings on my fingers, my watch, my shoes, my jackets are all so expensive, more than they can think.
“Oh, look who’s here! We thought you were ghosting us.” Marjorie smiles and walks towards us.
I am about to respond when Scarlett does, “Ditch you and miss a chance at this exquisite restaurant? Absolutely not. You will have to forgive us for the lateness, the fault’s all mine. I couldn’t decide on a dress to wear.”
“Looks like you made the perfect decision.” Marjorie compliments, and Scarlett scoffs, “This old thing? Please, have you seen yourself? I love your outfit. I’m totally digging the midi.”
I stand there like a fool as they talk, back and forth, smiling like old friends. Scarlett’s charm seeps into the room. She’s smooth and seems to know what to say.
“What do you think, baby? Her shoes are to die for, right?” She reaches for me, and my blood turns molten ice.
She’s touching me. She’s not supposed to touch me. She shouldn’t be touching me, but this is different.
I look at the shoes and frown because I don’t know what I’m supposed to see. It’s a pair of heels with red bottoms which seem to stand out.
“Eh, yeah, perfect.” I fumble my words, and they laugh.
“Oh, you’re so right, Scarlett. Our men are airheads sometimes, but they do everything to please us, including complimenting a shoe they care nothing about. Speaking of our men, here’s mine.” Marjorie flushes as David walks towards us.
“Hello, Scarlett. You look splendid. Hi, Roman, nice to see you again.” He nods at us.
We shake hands politely. I don’t consider us as friends, more like business partners. This restaurant is only one of his many establishments, and business seems good. Maybe I’ll talk to him about opening some of mine, as long as he doesn’t fear a bit of competition.
“Let me introduce you to everyone. I hope the change in plans didn’t cause too much trouble.” Marjorie pulls Scarlett away from me.
“None at all. It’s perfect considering we’re going on a vacation in a few days.” I answer calmly.
Scarlett nods, “I am so excited about this one, but Roman is so secretive. He won’t tell me where we’re going.”
Perhaps I should be worried about how easily she seems to fit in everywhere.