Bye, My Irresistible Love

Scarlett's POV: 

Charles pulled me into the elevator, ignoring my rejection of his advances.He did not press a floor number immediately.He reached out and felt my forehead.He was standing close enough for me to smell that cool fragrance he was fond of wearing.

"What happened? Why do you have a fever again?" Charles asked in a slightly annoyed tone.

He eyed me carefully, and I turned away.I really did not want to explain myself to him.

So what if I was sick? Rita was also sick, but she was not getting this kind of badgering from him.

"Answer me."

Charles grabbed my arms and forced me to face him.

"I drank and had a little too much fun in a different city."

I looked straight into his mesmerizing eyes and continued, "Seattle had amazing views, and I was with a very nice man."

A muscle flickered in Charles's jaw after I made a reference to Abner.He narrowed his eyes at me and pinched my chin a bit harder than usual.

"You are still married to me.You should've asked for my permission first before you went out partying."

The moment he played the husband card, I felt even more exhausted.

I just wanted to get inside my house and pass out on my bed.I shook off his hand and jabbed the elevator button to my floor.

"I didn't need your permission.My work life is none of your business."

After saying that, I kept silent.I just watched Charles from the corner of my eye.

He had put on that frosty expression that he wore whenever he was provoked, and I felt inexplicably happy about it.

I walked out and dragged my suitcase behind me the moment the elevator reached my floor and its doors opened.

I ignored Charles completely and strode away as if he was not there to begin with.

He was on my heels as I made my way to my place.

While I dug for my keys in my purse, he said, "I don't like the way Abner looks at you.Why did you go out and have a drink with him? Aren't you afraid that he'll take advantage of you?"

The jealousy in his voice rang so loudly in my ears.

He spoke as if he was the only man who was right for me, and it made me stop.

I turned my head and looked up at him.

He was wearing an all-black suit with the top two buttons of his shirt undone, revealing a bit of his chest.

He looked handsome and elegant as usual.

There were still times when I found myself catching my breath whenever I looked at him.

"First of all, Abner is a decent, respectful man.He'll never take advantage of anyone.Second, he and I went out with the whole team to unwind.It wasn't just the two of us.Third and most importantly, are you jealous?"

I asked pointedly.

Charles looked at me for a few seconds.

I could tell that he was caught off guard by my question because a little color rushed to his cheeks.

"You think too much.I'm just worried about our family's honor and reputation.You're still bound to me and the Moore family.You're still expected to behave well while you're still my wife," Charles answered coldly.

"Of course I am."

my head and went back to digging for my keys.I could not

me that he was indeed jealous? Of course

my wishful thinking set me up for yet another self- humiliation? I did not face Charles the entire time I was looking for my keys and even after

I would break down in front

door and said, "You should go now.Thanks for helping

not here to help you with your luggage," Charles said and stopped me from

you here?"

him to keep pestering the woman who was going to be his ex-wife?

go on a business trip or an out-of-town date with Abner?" Charles asked with a

emotions and his words cut me like a knife, I

getting more and more unwilling to talk to

"It's a simple question."

had no intention of replying, Charles squeezed through my door and then shut it behind

steps backward and snapped at him, "Why do you always insist on wasting your time on me? Rita's the one

little tired of

right place and time and

he truly cared about me, he would turn around and run back to

just stared at me.After a few moments, he started walking toward me and then

whispered in my ear, "Can we talk like

speaking in a gentle, almost

answer my question

at

our noses were almost

trip or an

feel his warm breath on my lips, and I smelled a hint of

my pride and will to resist were extinguished like a candle in

away, shook off his grip,

a business trip.Can you please

far enough away, my back was already

wall beside my head and leaned in until our breaths

said in a hoarse voice, "Why did you go out drinking with Abner?

now tinged with

you go out with someone you were

emphasis

get wasted.I drank with my colleagues to celebrate the success of our work.And Nina was

was Abner that entire

and then added, "Did he swing by your

bring

lot of explanation, I started

I was getting dizzy.

really needed to get some rest, but Charles

my explanation, Charles's face softened

slowly replaced the

the tip of his

and I swallowed

I

"Back away, Charles,"

trying to keep my

just drank up my refusal like a

"Scarlett..."

Charles crashed his

My mind instantly imploded.

him away, but the more I resisted, the tighter he held

his mouth against mine a