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

tell me

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

I would break down in

my house, I stopped Charles at the door and said, "You should go now.Thanks for helping me

your luggage," Charles said and stopped me from

you here?" I

him to keep pestering the woman who

on a business trip or an out-of-town date

face was twisted by negative emotions and his words cut me

more unwilling to talk to him, especially on the subject

"It's a simple question."

I had no intention of replying, Charles squeezed through my door and

snapped at him, "Why do you always insist on wasting your time on me? Rita's

little

for me at the right place and time

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

at me.After a few moments, he

me close and then whispered in my ear, "Can

he was speaking in

my question

down at me

of our noses were almost

business trip

feel his warm breath on my lips, and I smelled

will to resist were extinguished like a

away, shook off his grip,

trip.Can you please leave

enough away, my back was already

on the wall beside my head and leaned in until our breaths

voice, "Why did you go out drinking with Abner?

tone was now tinged

out with someone you were not familiar

put a resentful emphasis

to get wasted.I drank with my colleagues to celebrate the success of our work.And Nina was there to take care of me when I had a little too much to drink.She helped me get back

was Abner that entire

asked and then added, "Did he swing by

home without getting checked by a doctor first.He was kind enough to bring me to the hospital to make sure I was okay.And then

that whole lot of explanation,

I was getting dizzy.

get some rest, but Charles just would

explanation, Charles's face softened

replaced the coldness in his

in closer and touched the

leapt to my throat, and I swallowed to shove

I breathed the air

"Back away, Charles,"

blurted out, desperately trying to keep

refusal like a bee slurping up

"Scarlett..."

my name, Charles crashed his lips against

My mind instantly imploded.

the more I resisted, the tighter he

found the warmth of his mouth against