Chapter 62 You don't deserve her.
CHAPTER 62
You don’t deserve her.
ROMAN – POINT OF VIEW
Damn.
Damn.
She’s going to sell me out. Scarlett will sell me out, and I deserve it.
She exhales and looks at me. Our gaze locks, and my heart pounds, only because she will sell me out, again.
“Oh, come on, not one good thing to say about our dear Roman?” Lily laughs, and I clench my jaw hard.
Scarlett finally speaks, “My dear Roman is an asshole.”
She is selling me out.
“Oh, really?” Marjorie chuckles.
“We fought before leaving, and it’s one of our many fights. Love tends to do that to people. We argue, agree to disagree, and sometimes just disagree plainly. He’s not the easiest to love, but he’s mine, just as I’m his. Do not let me bore you with tales of our love. Here’s the point I’m driving at: Roman is a very passionate person. When he chooses something, he sees it through. Sometimes, his passionate attention can be exhausting, but it is mostly endearing.” She remarks softly, reaching for me.
“I know you think his wealth makes him disconnected, but that’s not true. We didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in our mouths; we had to forge ours. Roman doens’t keep his wealth to himself. He’s the kind of man who doesn’t hide successes. When he eats, we all eat. I know most people are curious about him, about the fact that I don’t work. I have the luxury to spend time figuring out my direction because of him, because he takes care of me. This project won’t just be the government’s, but his, too, and he takes care of his properties.” She sends me a warm smile, and I pretend my heart isn’t ignited.
“He might not be the only one, but he’s the best. Roman Sterling is an asshole when it comes to his work; he doesn’t allow mediocrity and only employs the best. I can spend the next hour talking about my husband, but I know you understand me.” She concludes with a chuckle.
For a second, there’s silence. Scarlett’s words are suspended in the air, hanging heavily above us. I don’t think too much about it, because she’s just doing her job. She’s paid handsomely for it.
Marjorie chuckles, “Well, I guess there’s nothing left to say. You know a lot about a man by how his wife talks about him.”
Daniel Price nods, “We’ll be in touch, but know we’re watching you.”
“I would expect nothing less,” I respond calmly.
We finish our food, and everyone starts to disperse. Scarlett makes her rounds, talking to everyone with a big smile. Everything about her screams luxury, her fucking seductive dress, her hair, shoes, bags, and back. Once again, her back is the outfit. She has a toned back, one I’m very acquitted with.
I clench my jaw hard and push away the memories.
“I have to use the restroom.” She informs me, a lingering smile on her face that fades almost immediately.
Bitterness blooms in me, but I nod stiffly, not responding. I watch as she walks away, so I step onto the balcony, fresh air seeping through me. This is a luxurious restaurant, and I can’t help but think of the money he’s bringing in, how much more it can add to my pile.
My phone beeps, and I pull it out.
I connected Scarlett’s phone to mine. She doesn’t know it, but I see everything she does, and right now, she’s on a call with Bree. I don’t feel comfortable snooping at the moment, considering she could have sold me out. Perhaps we’re even now, but I know we can never be even. She broke my trust, and that can’t be bought.
I linger on the balcony for a second, then turn to leave, only to see Lily walk in.
She smiles at me, but I just frown at her.
Lily is one of those girls I don’t even remember dating. Dating is a strong word because there was no commitment between us, just the occasional high of a quickie. We had no fun, that’s all.
“Your girlfriend seems in love with you.” She speaks, eyes twinkling with a mischief I’ve seen before.
“As she should. I see you got promoted. Daddy’s money finally paid off.” My voice is cold and bored. Lily’s father was a Senator, and her mom has a seat in the Senate. She was born swimming in money, and never knew what to do with it, but at least now, she seems to have found a purpose.
“Daddy’s money always pays off. You, on the other hand, have climbed up in life,” she grins, strutting towards me. “The cars, the companies, the name, the woman, life seems to be going well for you.”
“I worked for it, but thank you.” I scoff bitterly. Mind games were always her speciality.
“Worked for it? You could spend the rest of this life and the next working, and you would still not deserve a woman like Scarlett.” She muses, eyes clouding over with something I do not care to know.
My chest expands, and I leer, “How quick of you to paint her as an angel. Maybe I do not even care about deserving her!”
I register my words only after it has been said, words powerful enough to shake the foundation of everything. How ironic that I would be the one to unravel everything, not her.
Lily looks at me, gaze narrowed and whispers, “If they know the real reason why you want the pipeline deal, they will give it to you. You hide always, and now, coming into the light will give everything you have always wanted.”
Irritation flares in me, “I don’t need your advice, Lily, and you should stay away from my wife and me.”
“She’s not your wife yet.” She chimes in, amused.
“Consider yourself uninvited to the wedding.” I seethe, resisting the urge to yell at her.
She chuckles, face flushes, and eyes bright with humour.
I turn around, irritated, and find my dear wife-to-be standing there, a frown etched on her face.
“I’m ready.” She says, her tone clipped.
“It was lovely to meet you, Scarlett. I hope we can have fun one of these days. I know a good dive bar.” Lily winks at her.
Scarlett nods but is firm, “Of course, soon. It was lovely to meet you, too, but we have to leave now.”
Together, we walk out of the restaurant. We seem to find holding unnecessary as we walk side-by-side to the car. Rick nods at me as he helps her into the car. She sits stiffly, shoulders squared, frowning as she looks out the window on the drive back.
I should commend her for a job welldone, but I don’t.
“Keep your mistress hidden, or I match your actions. I don’t want your forgiveness anymore, Roman, just your respect.” She informs me stiffly as we drive past the gates.