Chapter 11

Scarlet's POV.

What did I just hear? I must have overheard.

Raymond belongs to a high-class society, and I was just the daughter of a wealthy man. At first, we were of different classes, and our worlds were once different.

I watched him closely and tried to read his real thoughts, but I couldn't. The bright smile on his face had hidden his true thoughts.

“You haven't answered my question yet. Why were you in Ray Entertainment?” I asked once again.

“Ray Entertainment is a new partner of Jade Mist Corporation. Some paperwork was unfinished, and I heard about the new CEO being chosen in today's meeting, so I was there personally to see the new CEO and complete the paperwork.” Raymond calmly explained to me what he failed to do earlier.

I was relieved to know he wasn't stalking me and that he was there for his own task. But I was upset by some other news.

“My clothes are soaked in blood. I will go and change my clothes. Since we are both at home, how about we both go outside today? I want to show you something.” Raymond seemed anticipated as he walked away from me; he was excited.

But I am worried about him. He has such a large injury on his head. What if someone accidentally hurts him?

I waited for ten minutes downstairs, my eyes constantly watching the stairs, waiting for Raymond to arrive.

Raymond has once again become the rich prince, and Trista will be the first person to attack him the moment she spots him. Actually, she doesn't even spot her; she will come here eventually, and Raymond should divorce me and marry her.

“Let's go! I am ready.” He returned.

He wore casual clothes again, but his handsome charm just didn't leave him alone; he looked good no matter what he wore.

We got into the car, and he drove somewhere I had no idea of. I kept looking outside the whole time; this road was unknown to me.

The cool air coming from the open window put me in a temporary coma. I fell asleep on the window fence, and my hair flew into the air freely.

“Scarlet. Scarlet, wake up.” The violent shaking and the familiar voice woke me up from the beautiful napping. It was Raymond standing in front of me.

“Have we arrived?” I asked as I wiped the drool from the corner of my lips.

“Yes, look outside.” He said, sliding from out of my sight, giving me the full view of the outside world.

I was expecting a modern view, but my expectations crashed when the beautiful and life-like scenery appeared before me. Raymond didn't bring me to any restaurant or tourist spot. He actually brought me to a forest.

The air was mixed with a wet soil smell. It was cold outside, and the breeze made the hair on my body stand on its ground.

Raymond slid his finger through my nose gently and smiled at me. He opened the door for me and held my hand as he guided me out. The soil under my feet was still wet; maybe it rained half an hour ago or something.

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked, waiting for a good answer to come.

“There's no deep meaning behind coming here. Do you know that in childhood, mom would always bring me and my sister here to play, as we were too naughty to play with other kids our age? The playground was actually banned for us as we would beat other children.” Raymond had a grin on his face as he shared his childhood moment with me.

I held his hand and walked out of the car; he parked it under the tree with a dry surface.

The rainy season has arrived, small sprouts have started growing on the land, and the grass has simply taken the whole land beneath us as it decorated the whole jungle with its wilderness.

“There's a huge and tallest tree in this forest on top. You can see the whole city once you climb it.” Raymond seriously knows this place the best.

“My dear Ray, you brought me to such a gorgeous place, but look at my clothes. Do you really think I can walk in this attire when the surface is this rough and uneven?” I asked him as I glanced at my own attire, snatching his attention.

“If you feel uncomfortable and can't walk anymore, I will give you a piggy ride.” He was unaffected.

We started climbing the hill in front of us. Raymond walked in front of me and led the way. Although it was still morning, the black clouds gathered in the sky as the clear and white clouds ran in the other direction.

“Ray, I think it's going to rain. Just look at the clouds on top of you. Do you really think we should walk further?” I asked for a confirmation.

“This forest has always been the safest of all; a little rain won't give us any trouble. Just keep walking.” He refused to back off and just kept on walking.

The scenery around sure was beautiful and a breath of fresh air. The birds were chirping and the insects were singing. The sound of a waterfall made everything even more beautiful. There seemed to be a river around us.

I wanted to know why Raymond brought me here, but I think he just wanted me to see his special place.

We reached the top after an hour, and the clouds were ready to burst. Just as Raymond said, there was a huge tree in this forest, which is the highlight of this forest.

“So this is where your mother used to bring you kids, huh? Just as you said, this place is beautiful. But why did she choose the jungle instead of an amusement park or any other children's playing spot?” I asked.

He chuckled. “This place isn't our special place because mom used to bring us here to play. But it's the opposite. This place used to be our punishment ground. Whenever we children stirred up a blunder and hurt someone, she would bring us here and tie us to that tall tree. Her character was really tough and full of anger in her youth years.” He explained.

“So you mean to say you brought me here to show me the place that traumatized you? I had no idea you had such a tough childhood.” I said, feeling sympathy for him.

And this time he burst into a laugh. “You don't have to feel sad for me. My childhood wasn't that bad. Mom never punished us kids without a reason. As I said, we were way too naughty, and she couldn't handle us. Both me and my sister were troublemakers, and mom would cry in front of us. We were simply idiots with zero brains.”

“I judged your mom way too quickly. I feel sad for her now. She really went through a lot because of you kids.” I shifted my sympathy towards her mother in no time.

He showed me around, showing me everything he used to see and do in childhood. And suddenly the rain started, wetting us both as we ran to find shelter around. And it was the tallest tree that gave us shelter.

The rain came and poured like cats and dogs, making us both shiver in the cold. I wrapped my hands around my body, rubbing both my hands around my shoulders to create a little heat.

Raymond saw my little acting and wrapped his hand around me out of nowhere. His hand pulled my waist behind, his body coated mine from behind, and the heat of his body escaped, entering mine.

Something was different about him today; he looked at me the way a lover looks at his beloved. But the scene from yesterday reminded me of something. The moment I realized what I was doing, I tried to break free from his grasp.

“We should stand separately.” I couldn't make any excuses, but I asked him to get away from me.

But he refused to do so and pulled me even closer.

“Scarlet, I have probably said this before, and I am saying it again. I won't hurt you. Never! When I said I fell for you the moment I saw you. It wasn't a lie. I actually have feelings for you. If it wasn't the case, I would never marry you.” His eyes never left mine as he confessed.

He sounded genuine and serious, but can I really trust him? What if he breaks my heart and trust like my jerk father and my scumbag ex-boyfriend?

“Raymond, I think the coldness is making you talk nonsense. How can you fall for me at first sight? You must be joking.” I am not ready to accept his confession yet.

I don't trust him enough to have those feelings for him.

I felt his grip on my body loosen. He removed his hands from mine, and when I thought he understood what I meant, he spun me around. His face was now so close to me that I could feel his hot breath hit me.

“I am completely sober and know what I am saying. I know our marriage was for convenience; we both had our own reasons. But my reason to marry you was always clear. I liked you, and that's why I proceeded with this marriage thing. I like you and love you from the bottom of my heart; trust me.”

“Sorry, Raymond, but I can't trust you. I really can't. I am scared, scared that you will turn out like him and hurt me like he did to my mother. I have been broken, and I wish to heal, not break my heart into pieces again. So please don't make me wish for something impossible.”