Bye, My Irresistible Love

Scarlett's POV: 

After work, I walked out of the TV station with Zora, the make-up artist who helped me out this morning when Susan, Rita's mother, came storming into the studio and started wreaking havoc.

Before we could make it to the gates, Abner caught up with us and invited us to dinner.

As soon as we sat down at the restaurant, Zora turned to me.

"So, how did you deal with that hysterical woman who made trouble for you today?"

I almost chuckled a reply.

Zora was one of the most serious, professional people I knew at work.I found it startling and a little amusing to see her transform into a common gossiper.

"I told her that if she ever comes after me like that again, I will expose her family's atrocities," I replied with a smile.

"Atrocities? Oh, my.Tell me more."

Zora's eyes glinted with excitement and anticipation.

I just beamed at her but did not answer.

Seeing that I did not intend to reveal more than I already had, Zora stopped asking, but she still flashed me some curious looks the entire meal.

While Abner, Zora, and I enjoyed our dinner, a familiar man strode into the restaurant with a group of men whose swagger screamed opulence.

My eyes darted to one of them whose name was Walker.

I would never forget him as he had casually asked me to be his mistress over drinks before.

Abner instantly recognized Charles.

He glanced at the door and then said to me, "The reason for your bad luck today is coming over."

It took all of two heartbeats for Charles to reach our table, his entourage falling into step behind him.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" I said by way of greeting.

"Dinner with some friends."

I swept my gaze over the men Charles referred to as his friends.

They greeted me with a smile, but I could tell from their curious stares that they were guessing the kind of relationship I had with their dear friend.

"I see you've come here for dinner, too.I'll get the check.It's my treat tonight.Enjoy yourselves." Charles nodded to Abner and Zora.

"Oh, thank you, Mr.Moore." Abner did not move.

Zora stood up, shook Charles's hand, and thanked him.

Although a little surprised by Zora's gesture, Charles returned the handshake and grinned.

Then, he shot me a look as if he was waiting for my expression of gratitude.

"That's very kind of you, Mr.Moore.Thank you,"

I finally blurted out.

Charles answered my remark with a rare, gleeful chortle.

"You're annoyingly cute when you try to be formal with me, Miss Riley.I wish you'd just call me honey."

My heart leapt to my throat.

Was I not in enough trouble? Charles flashed me his smug smile

at him as he walked away with his friends to

seemed to be in a good mood, and it made me a little

richest, most eligible bachelors in the city just flirt with you in front of God

at Charles's receding figure with wide eyes and then bombarded me with questions in

not what you think," I said

"What is it then?"

"It's complicated."

Zora stopped asking since she

a sigh of

the restaurant together, but before we could walk out the door, Charles's assistant rushed over to

Mr.Moore wants you to stay and wait for

"Fine."

Charles, but his

want to make

he nodded and

around here and wait for him? You

noticed my

discuss with him anyway." I

going

Abner watched me carefully.

the truth, he would not

see you

"All right."

Abner and Zora at

the two of them left, Charles and his friends

door and

my waist and ushered me out of

got me all confused and

did not resist.I just let him guide

thing I needed right now was the attention of the entire world around

want to

with me and my

his friends, wrapped his arm around my

one of you once attempted to pursue my dear Scarlett.Well, he

commented in a voice dripping with

simply looked at him and did not

all tensed up like they knew they were going to pay for coveting

was

the one Charles was talking

just look guilty because they had thought about making a move on me but never

the apple of my grandparents' eye.She's very precious to them.No man in his right mind would risk the

of them moved a muscle, but all of them avoided making eye contact with me

supposed they might be wealthy, but none of them was powerful enough to challenge the might of the Moore

there and bore

this little charade of Charles's was beneficial

none of them would dare come after me anymore, and I would be able to live

in this, Scarlett.You keep such a low

tucked a lock

left on my face, I dipped my chin and turned

a little

saw what I was trying to hide, and his calm, delighted face suddenly turned dark as if someone had just flipped

"What happened to you?"

to cover up my cheek with my hair, but he stopped me and held

"Tell me what happened."

"Nothing."

struggle, but it did not