Chapter 5
CHARLOTTE
“You don’t think he’s bluffing?” Susan nervously asked as she stopped her pacing for the umpteenth time. As I sighed, she replied to herself, “Of course fucking not. He’s the great and wealthy Keith Royalwood. He’ll destroy us, Charlotte.”
“I don’t want to get married,” I muttered, my head dancing in refusal, my eyes feeling hot and heavy. “I can’t do that shit again, Susan.”
“But Lo-Lo…” She hurried to me and knelt before me, the plea in her green-eyes irresistible. “We cannot handle going against that man. We really won’t survive.”
“I’ll find a way to detach myself from the company.”
“You could go to jail!” she hollered, her eyes filled with disbelief. “Do you really prefer that?”
“I’m sure I can find a way to protect us. Whenever he comes, I’ll speak to him. I’ll go to jail, and you’ll be fine.”
“Charlotte…”
“I dragged you into this even though you warned me. I can’t hurt you.”
“Why aren’t you listening to me?!” She snapped and rose to her feet. “Sure, the company could take a blow. I… We can deal with that. But do you really think I can survive you going to jail over this? You’ve been through enough shit!”
“I know!” I sprang up. “I know that, okay? I do. But… The… He…” My hands could only float in the air, words refused to form. Then, a massive exhale sharply dragged out of me and I asked, “Susan, what if I lose more of myself? I already lost a lot. I…”
“Charlotte.” She pulled me closer, and her embrace allowed me to keep my words in. “Think about your survival above anything. It’s unfortunate that Mr. Royalwood found out, but maybe this could be a good thing. Marriage to a big man like him could boost your protection.”
“What if it turns out to be a bad thing, Susan?”
“Then, we’ll look for a way out.”
“So…”
“Consider saying yes, Lo-Lo. That is currently your best option.”
I know that too. My brain knows it. My heart does too.
But… I am just so afraid.
“Brady hurt me so much, Susan,” I whispered out my inner pain. “What if that man does worse? I haven’t even gotten the courage to heal.”
She held me tighter. “What if he turns out to be a good choice?” As she held the back of my head and planted soothing strokes against it, she said, “Let’s make sure saying yes works in your favour as much as possible.”
“How so?”
“Mr. Royalwood can’t be the only one making demands. He sounds like a reasonable man, so let’s shamelessly draft a few things you could ask him to do in return.”
That idea sank into me and my troubled self felt a little lighter.
“You are so fucking smart, Susan,” my tender voice praised as I leaned back to admire her cute face.
“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “Says the woman that was always top of the class.”
“I know you love my sexy brain,” I teased to distract myself from the memory of that tall man. “I love your sexy brain too.”
“Don’t you dare to-”
I was already planting sloppy kisses all over her cheek, her complaint came too late.
“Lo-Lo!”
“You can’t escape my attack! Mwah! Mwah!”
While laughing from her belly, she also attacked me with kisses. That went on for a while until we fell against the fine couch, our breaths rapid as though we just ran a marathon.
“Lo-Lo?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m unsatisfied. Brady Simmons deserves more hell than divorcing him. He needs to bleed, Lo-Lo.”
We turned our heads to each other at the same time.
And with a small smile on my lips, I answered, “I just thought of a very good idea.”
~~~
Punctuality must be a special trademark of the men associated with Royalwood Enterprise.
Brady never missed his mark with time.
And his boss arrived exactly twenty-four hours after his visit yesterday. No plus or minus.
“Does your friend have to be here?” His voice reminded me of the dream I had during the quick nap I took two hours ago.
It was a very troubling one.
A naughty one, actually.
But the details were indeed troubling because there’s no way I’m already that attracted to him. I just met him.
Besides, I’m more used to my dreams torturing me, not arousing me.
“She does.” I sat opposite him.
His thick brows slightly lifted. “It seems your ex has you conditioned.”
“Conditioned?” That choice of word bothered me.
“Let’s get down to business.” With a lean back, he crossed his lengthy legs, his shiny loafers reminding me of his crazy wealth. “What is your response, Miss Kissman?”
I glanced at Susan, who was seated at the far end of the couch I was on. She nodded and I garnered some courage.
“If you expect me to say yes,” I said, “I expect you to do certain things.”
“Certain things.”
“Yes.”
He didn’t look impressed or otherwise. All he said was, “Let me hear them.”
“One, sending Brady to jail is too easy. Make him suffer. Torture him, and expose how he stole your money.”
“Done.”
“Oh.” I didn’t expect that quick response. “Really?”
“As long as you say yes,” he reminded.
“Uhm… Okay…” I hope his quick agreement is a good sign. “The second thing, I-”
“You are worried I’ll be like Brady Simmons?” he voiced the concern within me.
I couldn’t add anything more.
I could only stare at him, anticipating what he would say.
“M-Mr Royalwood?” I stuttered as I watched him get up. “Where are you-”
I thought he was headed for the exit, but he turned out to be coming to me.
Without a word, he settled next to me, and I stiffened because his oozing fineness easily impressed the nerves in my body.
While trying hard not to look at him, I quietly asked, “What are you doing?”
“Look at me, Miss Kissman,” he ordered, his voice low.
The authority in his voice worried me; I decided not to look.
“Look… at… me,” his words dragged, and I felt a bit of his suit blazer against my skin. “Miss Kissman.”