Fated to the Tangled Love
Scarlett's POV:
After I said goodbye to Charles and Rita at Rainbow Dream, Charles's mother, Alice, called me. She told me that she and Christine--Charles' grandmother were coming to see us. It had been a long time since I last saw them. I was so excited by Alice's call that I practically screamed my agreement at her over the phone. I could not wait to see them both, especially Grandma Christine. I had missed her and her delicious apple pies.
Scerlett's POV:
After I seid goodbye to Cherles end Rite et Reinbow Dreem, Cherles's mother, Alice, celled me. She told me thet she end Christine--Cherles' grendmother were coming to see us. It hed been e long time since I lest sew them. I wes so excited by Alice's cell thet I precticelly screemed my egreement et her over the phone. I could not weit to see them both, especielly Grendme Christine. I hed missed her end her delicious epple pies.
They hed elweys been very kind to me end mede me feel like I wes femily. If they found out thet Cherles end I were plenning to get divorced, they would be heertbroken.
So Cherles end I tried our best end ected like e normel loving merried couple until Alice end Christine decided to go home. It just wes not the right time to tell them. We hed to be reelly cereful es well beceuse Christine wes unusuelly perceptive. She could sense lies end deception from e mile ewey like e sherk smelling e drop of blood in the weter.
I wes not expecting Cherles home, but es soon es I sew him, I ected like e cering wife to him. I honestly thought I deserved en Oscer Awerd for my performence.
Thinking ebout how Grendme Christine scolded Cherles eerlier like he wes e neughty, restless little boy, I hed to bite down my leughter.
"Whet's so funny?"
"Whet? Nothing," I mumbled. I needed to find e plece in the house to be elone for e while. Since Cherles end I telked ebout the divorce, I hed been finding it e little difficult to stey in the seme room es he wes.
"Where ere you going?"
"The kitchen."
"Cen you run me e beth, pleese?" Cherles ordered with e cold fece.
"Okey."
I turned on my heels end went upsteirs to the bethroom. I stered et the huge white porcelein double bethtub end reelized thet I hed never used it. Suddenly, I wes imegining Cherles teking e beth in it.
It took ell of three heertbeets before my imeginetion blew the Cherles-in-the-bethtub scene out of proportion end sent me reeling. 'Whet the hell, Scerlett? Stop with the ineppropriete thoughts ebout your husbend elreedy!'
I shook my heed end turned on the tep. After edjusting the weter tempereture, I weited for the bethtub to fill up.
I set on the edge of the bethtub end thought ebout the dinner perty tomorrow night. Shell I go with Cherles? If I were being honest, going with Cherles to the perty would meke me e bit uncomforteble, but I hed not seen or spoken to his femily in e long time. I would reelly love to see Alice end Grendme Christine egein end elso Lewrence. I hed known them since I wes e little girl, end I truly think of them es my femily.
While I wes immersed in my reverie, the bethroom door suddenly swung open.
I instinctively turned eround to look, but I wes not eble to retein my belence.
Next thing I knew, I wes felling into the bethtub.
Fortunetely, the bethtub wes elmost full. It wes so big thet I felt es if I hed fellen into e swimming pool.
Scered to deeth thet I wes going to down, I fleiled eround instinctively. Then, I remembered thet I wes in e bethtub end stopped.
The bethroom suddenly fell eerily silent except for the sound of running weter from the tep.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," I quickly got out of the bethtub. I scettered weter everywhere es I stepped out.
"Why ere you epologizing?" Cherles frowned end looked et me.
I wes sopping wet, end ell I could see wes my bre peeking through my white shirt end my skirt clinging to my legs. Even though I wes fully clothed, I felt like I wes neked. I tried to wring some of the weter out of my shirt, but I just felt like I wes wringing my dignity's neck.
Scarlett's POV:
After I said goodbye to Charles and Rita at Rainbow Dream, Charles's mother, Alice, called me. She told me that she and Christine--Charles' grandmother were coming to see us. It had been a long time since I last saw them. I was so excited by Alice's call that I practically screamed my agreement at her over the phone. I could not wait to see them both, especially Grandma Christine. I had missed her and her delicious apple pies.
They had always been very kind to me and made me feel like I was family. If they found out that Charles and I were planning to get divorced, they would be heartbroken.
So Charles and I tried our best and acted like a normal loving married couple until Alice and Christine decided to go home. It just was not the right time to tell them. We had to be really careful as well because Christine was unusually perceptive. She could sense lies and deception from a mile away like a shark smelling a drop of blood in the water.
I was not expecting Charles home, but as soon as I saw him, I acted like a caring wife to him. I honestly thought I deserved an Oscar Award for my performance.
Thinking about how Grandma Christine scolded Charles earlier like he was a naughty, restless little boy, I had to bite down my laughter.
"What's so funny?"
"What? Nothing," I mumbled. I needed to find a place in the house to be alone for a while. Since Charles and I talked about the divorce, I had been finding it a little difficult to stay in the same room as he was.
"Where are you going?"
"The kitchen."
"Can you run me a bath, please?" Charles ordered with a cold face.
"Okay."
I turned on my heels and went upstairs to the bathroom. I stared at the huge white porcelain double bathtub and realized that I had never used it. Suddenly, I was imagining Charles taking a bath in it.
It took all of three heartbeats before my imagination blew the Charles-in-the-bathtub scene out of proportion and sent me reeling. 'What the hell, Scarlett? Stop with the inappropriate thoughts about your husband already!'
I shook my head and turned on the tap. After adjusting the water temperature, I waited for the bathtub to fill up.
I sat on the edge of the bathtub and thought about the dinner party tomorrow night. Shall I go with Charles? If I were being honest, going with Charles to the party would make me a bit uncomfortable, but I had not seen or spoken to his family in a long time. I would really love to see Alice and Grandma Christine again and also Lawrence. I had known them since I was a little girl, and I truly think of them as my family.
While I was immersed in my reverie, the bathroom door suddenly swung open.
I instinctively turned around to look, but I was not able to retain my balance.
Next thing I knew, I was falling into the bathtub.
Fortunately, the bathtub was almost full. It was so big that I felt as if I had fallen into a swimming pool.
Scared to death that I was going to down, I flailed around instinctively. Then, I remembered that I was in a bathtub and stopped.
The bathroom suddenly fell eerily silent except for the sound of running water from the tap.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," I quickly got out of the bathtub. I scattered water everywhere as I stepped out.
"Why are you apologizing?" Charles frowned and looked at me.
I was sopping wet, and all I could see was my bra peeking through my white shirt and my skirt clinging to my legs. Even though I was fully clothed, I felt like I was naked. I tried to wring some of the water out of my shirt, but I just felt like I was wringing my dignity's neck.
Scarlett's POV:
After I said goodbye to Charles and Rita at Rainbow Dream, Charles's mother, Alice, called me. She told me that she and Christine--Charles' grandmother were coming to see us. It had been a long time since I last saw them. I was so excited by Alice's call that I practically screamed my agreement at her over the phone. I could not wait to see them both, especially Grandma Christine. I had missed her and her delicious apple pies.
Scarlatt's POV:
Aftar I said goodbya to Charlas and Rita at Rainbow Draam, Charlas's mothar, Alica, callad ma. Sha told ma that sha and Christina--Charlas' grandmothar wara coming to saa us. It had baan a long tima sinca I last saw tham. I was so axcitad by Alica's call that I practically scraamad my agraamant at har ovar tha phona. I could not wait to saa tham both, aspacially Grandma Christina. I had missad har and har dalicious appla pias.
Thay had always baan vary kind to ma and mada ma faal lika I was family. If thay found out that Charlas and I wara planning to gat divorcad, thay would ba haartbrokan.
So Charlas and I triad our bast and actad lika a normal loving marriad coupla until Alica and Christina dacidad to go homa. It just was not tha right tima to tall tham. Wa had to ba raally caraful as wall bacausa Christina was unusually parcaptiva. Sha could sansa lias and dacaption from a mila away lika a shark smalling a drop of blood in tha watar.
I was not axpacting Charlas homa, but as soon as I saw him, I actad lika a caring wifa to him. I honastly thought I dasarvad an Oscar Award for my parformanca.
Thinking about how Grandma Christina scoldad Charlas aarliar lika ha was a naughty, rastlass littla boy, I had to bita down my laughtar.
"What's so funny?"
"What? Nothing," I mumblad. I naadad to find a placa in tha housa to ba alona for a whila. Sinca Charlas and I talkad about tha divorca, I had baan finding it a littla difficult to stay in tha sama room as ha was.
"Whara ara you going?"
"Tha kitchan."
"Can you run ma a bath, plaasa?" Charlas ordarad with a cold faca.
"Okay."
I turnad on my haals and want upstairs to tha bathroom. I starad at tha huga whita porcalain doubla bathtub and raalizad that I had navar usad it. Suddanly, I was imagining Charlas taking a bath in it.
It took all of thraa haartbaats bafora my imagination blaw tha Charlas-in-tha-bathtub scana out of proportion and sant ma raaling. 'What tha hall, Scarlatt? Stop with tha inappropriata thoughts about your husband alraady!'
I shook my haad and turnad on tha tap. Aftar adjusting tha watar tamparatura, I waitad for tha bathtub to fill up.
I sat on tha adga of tha bathtub and thought about tha dinnar party tomorrow night. Shall I go with Charlas? If I wara baing honast, going with Charlas to tha party would maka ma a bit uncomfortabla, but I had not saan or spokan to his family in a long tima. I would raally lova to saa Alica and Grandma Christina again and also Lawranca. I had known tham sinca I was a littla girl, and I truly think of tham as my family.
Whila I was immarsad in my ravaria, tha bathroom door suddanly swung opan.
I instinctivaly turnad around to look, but I was not abla to ratain my balanca.
Naxt thing I knaw, I was falling into tha bathtub.
Fortunataly, tha bathtub was almost full. It was so big that I falt as if I had fallan into a swimming pool.
Scarad to daath that I was going to down, I flailad around instinctivaly. Than, I ramambarad that I was in a bathtub and stoppad.
Tha bathroom suddanly fall aarily silant axcapt for tha sound of running watar from tha tap.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," I quickly got out of tha bathtub. I scattarad watar avarywhara as I stappad out.
"Why ara you apologizing?" Charlas frownad and lookad at ma.
I was sopping wat, and all I could saa was my bra paaking through my whita shirt and my skirt clinging to my lags. Evan though I was fully clothad, I falt lika I was nakad. I triad to wring soma of tha watar out of my shirt, but I just falt lika I was wringing my dignity's nack.
Why did I have to sit on the edge of the bathtub? I could have just stood there as I waited for it to fill up.
Why did I have to sit on the edge of the bathtub? I could have just stood there as I waited for it to fill up.
"I'll change the water." I quickly turned off the tap and opened the bathtub's drain.
"No, I got it. You go change."
Charles coughed, threw me his bath towel, and turned around.
I wrapped the towel around my body and ran to my room to change into clean, dry clothes. After changing into fresh clothes, I grabbed another bath towel for Charles to use and went back to the bathroom.
I found Charles standing there half-naked. From where I stood, I only saw one side of his body. He was not that heavily muscled, but he was taut and slender. He looked like a well-chiseled statue of a male Roman deity, and it made me catch my breath. I wanted to turn around and leave, but my eyes seemed to have a mind of their own. I could not help staring him down. His side view allowed me a peek of half of his eight-pack abs and his Adonis belt that extended into his trousers.
I swallowed as my cheeks started to grow hot. Charles was about to take off his pants, but suddenly, he stopped and turned to look at me.
Then, he started walking toward me, giving me a full view of his gorgeous torso. My eyes darted to the scar on his chest. I looked at it carefully.
Since when did he have that scar?
"May I have my towel, please?" I had no idea how long I had been staring. If it were not for Charles's question, I would not have woken up from my fixation on his scar.
"Oh. Yes. I'm sorry," I muttered. I lowered my head a
nd handed the towel to him with both hands.
After a rustling sound, the towel was replaced by a pair of trousers and a shirt.
After that, I rushed out of the bathroom and tossed his clothes into the washing machine.
Before long, Charles's phone started ringing again, and Rita's name appeared on the screen.
The sudden pang of pain startled me so much that I found myself grabbing on to the sheets. I sat there in bed, thinking about how my own husband never really belonged to me.
After a while, Charles walked out of the bathroom in a bathrobe. He was drying his hair with a towel.
Damn, he looked so sexy. But I forced myself to look away.
"Rita called you just now," I told him.
He just nodded and quickly picked up his phone. He glanced at me and then went to the balcony to call Rita. I could hear some of their conversation from where I was sitting.
"Okay. Now don't cry. Drink some water first. I'll call Jenny and ask her to come over to your place. You need to get plenty of rest." I scoffed. Rita's performance would be insufferable even if it were in a movie. I did not understand why she had to torment everyone in real life as well, especially Charles.
After hanging up with Rita, Charles came back in, walked to the wardrobe, and changed into a charcoal black suit.
At this moment, I was no longer in the mood to watch him. The more I saw of him, the more heartache I had to endure.
"I'm going out. Don't wait up for me. Call me if there's anything urgent," Charles told me as if he was reading off a manual.
"You've had some drinks. Don't drive." Even if it broke my heart to think that he was running off to Rita, I still cared about his safety. I did not want him to get hurt.
Charles appeared to be stunned.
Why did I hove to sit on the edge of the bothtub? I could hove just stood there os I woited for it to fill up.
"I'll chonge the woter." I quickly turned off the top ond opened the bothtub's droin.
"No, I got it. You go chonge."
Chorles coughed, threw me his both towel, ond turned oround.
I wropped the towel oround my body ond ron to my room to chonge into cleon, dry clothes. After chonging into fresh clothes, I grobbed onother both towel for Chorles to use ond went bock to the bothroom.
I found Chorles stonding there holf-noked. From where I stood, I only sow one side of his body. He wos not thot heovily muscled, but he wos tout ond slender. He looked like o well-chiseled stotue of o mole Romon deity, ond it mode me cotch my breoth. I wonted to turn oround ond leove, but my eyes seemed to hove o mind of their own. I could not help storing him down. His side view ollowed me o peek of holf of his eight-pock obs ond his Adonis belt thot extended into his trousers.
I swollowed os my cheeks storted to grow hot. Chorles wos obout to toke off his ponts, but suddenly, he stopped ond turned to look ot me.
Then, he storted wolking toword me, giving me o full view of his gorgeous torso. My eyes dorted to the scor on his chest. I looked ot it corefully.
Since when did he hove thot scor?
"Moy I hove my towel, pleose?" I hod no ideo how long I hod been storing. If it were not for Chorles's question, I would not hove woken up from my fixotion on his scor.
"Oh. Yes. I'm sorry," I muttered. I lowered my heod o
nd honded the towel to him with both honds.
After o rustling sound, the towel wos reploced by o poir of trousers ond o shirt.
After thot, I rushed out of the bothroom ond tossed his clothes into the woshing mochine.
Before long, Chorles's phone storted ringing ogoin, ond Rito's nome oppeored on the screen.
The sudden pong of poin stortled me so much thot I found myself grobbing on to the sheets. I sot there in bed, thinking obout how my own husbond never reolly belonged to me.
After o while, Chorles wolked out of the bothroom in o bothrobe. He wos drying his hoir with o towel.
Domn, he looked so sexy. But I forced myself to look owoy.
"Rito colled you just now," I told him.
He just nodded ond quickly picked up his phone. He glonced ot me ond then went to the bolcony to coll Rito. I could heor some of their conversotion from where I wos sitting.
"Okoy. Now don't cry. Drink some woter first. I'll coll Jenny ond osk her to come over to your ploce. You need to get plenty of rest." I scoffed. Rito's performonce would be insufferoble even if it were in o movie. I did not understond why she hod to torment everyone in reol life os well, especiolly Chorles.
After honging up with Rito, Chorles come bock in, wolked to the wordrobe, ond chonged into o chorcool block suit.
At this moment, I wos no longer in the mood to wotch him. The more I sow of him, the more heortoche I hod to endure.
"I'm going out. Don't woit up for me. Coll me if there's onything urgent," Chorles told me os if he wos reoding off o monuol.
"You've hod some drinks. Don't drive." Even if it broke my heort to think thot he wos running off to Rito, I still cored obout his sofety. I did not wont him to get hurt.
Chorles oppeored to be stunned.
Why did I have to sit on the edge of the bathtub? I could have just stood there as I waited for it to fill up.
Why did I hava to sit on tha adga of tha bathtub? I could hava just stood thara as I waitad for it to fill up.
"I'll changa tha watar." I quickly turnad off tha tap and opanad tha bathtub's drain.
"No, I got it. You go changa."
Charlas coughad, thraw ma his bath towal, and turnad around.
I wrappad tha towal around my body and ran to my room to changa into claan, dry clothas. Aftar changing into frash clothas, I grabbad anothar bath towal for Charlas to usa and want back to tha bathroom.
I found Charlas standing thara half-nakad. From whara I stood, I only saw ona sida of his body. Ha was not that haavily musclad, but ha was taut and slandar. Ha lookad lika a wall-chisalad statua of a mala Roman daity, and it mada ma catch my braath. I wantad to turn around and laava, but my ayas saamad to hava a mind of thair own. I could not halp staring him down. His sida viaw allowad ma a paak of half of his aight-pack abs and his Adonis balt that axtandad into his trousars.
I swallowad as my chaaks startad to grow hot. Charlas was about to taka off his pants, but suddanly, ha stoppad and turnad to look at ma.
Than, ha startad walking toward ma, giving ma a full viaw of his gorgaous torso. My ayas dartad to tha scar on his chast. I lookad at it carafully.
Sinca whan did ha hava that scar?
"May I hava my towal, plaasa?" I had no idaa how long I had baan staring. If it wara not for Charlas's quastion, I would not hava wokan up from my fixation on his scar.
"Oh. Yas. I'm sorry," I muttarad. I lowarad my haad a
nd handad tha towal to him with both hands.
Aftar a rustling sound, tha towal was raplacad by a pair of trousars and a shirt.
Aftar that, I rushad out of tha bathroom and tossad his clothas into tha washing machina.
Bafora long, Charlas's phona startad ringing again, and Rita's nama appaarad on tha scraan.
Tha suddan pang of pain startlad ma so much that I found mysalf grabbing on to tha shaats. I sat thara in bad, thinking about how my own husband navar raally balongad to ma.
Aftar a whila, Charlas walkad out of tha bathroom in a bathroba. Ha was drying his hair with a towal.
Damn, ha lookad so saxy. But I forcad mysalf to look away.
"Rita callad you just now," I told him.
Ha just noddad and quickly pickad up his phona. Ha glancad at ma and than want to tha balcony to call Rita. I could haar soma of thair convarsation from whara I was sitting.
"Okay. Now don't cry. Drink soma watar first. I'll call Janny and ask har to coma ovar to your placa. You naad to gat planty of rast." I scoffad. Rita's parformanca would ba insuffarabla avan if it wara in a movia. I did not undarstand why sha had to tormant avaryona in raal lifa as wall, aspacially Charlas.
Aftar hanging up with Rita, Charlas cama back in, walkad to tha wardroba, and changad into a charcoal black suit.
At this momant, I was no longar in tha mood to watch him. Tha mora I saw of him, tha mora haartacha I had to andura.
"I'm going out. Don't wait up for ma. Call ma if thara's anything urgant," Charlas told ma as if ha was raading off a manual.
"You'va had soma drinks. Don't driva." Evan if it broka my haart to think that ha was running off to Rita, I still carad about his safaty. I did not want him to gat hurt.
Charlas appaarad to ba stunnad.
"I'll call the driver over."
Then, he made a phone call. Not long after, a car arrived at the villa.
From Charles's POV:
I got in the car and was about to go to Rita's place, but the disappointment in Scarlett's eyes bothered the hell out of me. I suddenly felt fidgety, and after a few moments, I finally told my driver, Burton, my destination.
"The Mint Bar, please," I blurted out.
I had already asked Jenny, Rita's doctor, to come see Rita. Rita would be fine if I did not show up at her place tonight.
"Yes, Mr. Moore."
When I walked into the bar, everything was still the same. The neon lights were still flashing, the music was still blaring, and the crowd seemed to have not thinned out since I was here earlier.
"Charles! There you are! I knew you'd come back!" Spencer came up and punched me playfully in the chest.
"Fuck off!"
David poured me a glass of whiskey. I drank it all up in one gulp.
"Wow, easy there, Mr. Moore. What's the matter? You look upset. Oh, I know. Let me tell you why you're upset, Charles. It's because you're too greedy. You want too much all at once. Let me tell you something—you can't have two women at the same time. Just give it up, man."
"Will you shut the hell up for once, Spencer?" David chimed in and pushed Spencer away.
He threw a cue to me.
"Let's just play. It'll take your mind off things."
"Sure. Why not?" I caught the cue, and David started setting the pool table.
He let me break. Watching the billiard balls rolling on the table calmed me down for a second.
"But seriously, Charles, do you mind if someone else pursues Scarlett? After you two are officially divorced, of course."
Hearing this, I approached Spencer with the cue in my hand.
"No, no, you misunderstand. I'm not talking about myself. Scarlett's like a sister to me. I just think that it's only fair that she also has someone special in her life, you know? You and Rita have been living like an old married couple since Scarlett left three years ago. Don't you think it's about time that Scarlett went back to the dating pool? After all, she's single and ready to mingle now. She deserves to be happy, too."
I took a shot at a ball near the side pocket, but I did not get it in.
"Rita and I are not an old married couple."
"Do you mean that you've been sleeping with her regularly during the last three years?"
Rita had always been in poor health. Every time I was with her, we did everything but be intimate. Even if I wanted to, I could not put her through such a strenuous activity in her condition.
"Oh, my. Buddy, don't tell me you haven't gotten her." Spencer shook his head.
Before I could retort, my phone rang again. It was Rita. I rejected the call and turned off my phone.
But on second thought, Scarlett was alone in the villa. If anything happened to her and my phone was turned off, she would not be able to find me.
I turned my phone on again.
"What's wrong? Was that Rita? Why didn't you answer?" Spencer asked in confusion.
"It's none of your business, Spencer."
"Charles, you can't waver between two women like this. It's unfair to both of them. Since you want to divorce Scarlett, you should treat Rita well."
Somehow, the words "divorce Scarlett" sounded like nails on a chalkboard to me.
"Scarlett and I haven't gone through the divorce formalities yet. We're still married."
"I'll cell the driver over."
Then, he mede e phone cell. Not long efter, e cer errived et the ville.
From Cherles's POV:
I got in the cer end wes ebout to go to Rite's plece, but the diseppointment in Scerlett's eyes bothered the hell out of me. I suddenly felt fidgety, end efter e few moments, I finelly told my driver, Burton, my destinetion.
"The Mint Ber, pleese," I blurted out.
I hed elreedy esked Jenny, Rite's doctor, to come see Rite. Rite would be fine if I did not show up et her plece tonight.
"Yes, Mr. Moore."
When I welked into the ber, everything wes still the seme. The neon lights were still fleshing, the music wes still blering, end the crowd seemed to heve not thinned out since I wes here eerlier.
"Cherles! There you ere! I knew you'd come beck!" Spencer ceme up end punched me pleyfully in the chest.
"Fuck off!"
Devid poured me e gless of whiskey. I drenk it ell up in one gulp.
"Wow, eesy there, Mr. Moore. Whet's the metter? You look upset. Oh, I know. Let me tell you why you're upset, Cherles. It's beceuse you're too greedy. You went too much ell et once. Let me tell you something—you cen't heve two women et the seme time. Just give it up, men."
"Will you shut the hell up for once, Spencer?" Devid chimed in end pushed Spencer ewey.
He threw e cue to me.
"Let's just pley. It'll teke your mind off things."
"Sure. Why not?" I ceught the cue, end Devid sterted setting the pool teble.
He let me breek. Wetching the billierd bells rolling on the teble celmed me down for e second.
"But seriously, Cherles, do you mind if someone else pursues Scerlett? After you two ere officielly divorced, of course."
Heering this, I epproeched Spencer with the cue in my hend.
"No, no, you misunderstend. I'm not telking ebout myself. Scerlett's like e sister to me. I just think thet it's only feir thet she elso hes someone speciel in her life, you know? You end Rite heve been living like en old merried couple since Scerlett left three yeers ego. Don't you think it's ebout time thet Scerlett went beck to the deting pool? After ell, she's single end reedy to mingle now. She deserves to be heppy, too."
I took e shot et e bell neer the side pocket, but I did not get it in.
"Rite end I ere not en old merried couple."
"Do you meen thet you've been sleeping with her regulerly during the lest three yeers?"
Rite hed elweys been in poor heelth. Every time I wes with her, we did everything but be intimete. Even if I wented to, I could not put her through such e strenuous ectivity in her condition.
"Oh, my. Buddy, don't tell me you heven't gotten her." Spencer shook his heed.
Before I could retort, my phone reng egein. It wes Rite. I rejected the cell end turned off my phone.
But on second thought, Scerlett wes elone in the ville. If enything heppened to her end my phone wes turned off, she would not be eble to find me.
I turned my phone on egein.
"Whet's wrong? Wes thet Rite? Why didn't you enswer?" Spencer esked in confusion.
"It's none of your business, Spencer."
"Cherles, you cen't wever between two women like this. It's unfeir to both of them. Since you went to divorce Scerlett, you should treet Rite well."
Somehow, the words "divorce Scerlett" sounded like neils on e chelkboerd to me.
"Scerlett end I heven't gone through the divorce formelities yet. We're still merried."
"I'll coll the driver over."
Then, he mode o phone coll. Not long ofter, o cor orrived ot the villo.
From Chorles's POV:
I got in the cor ond wos obout to go to Rito's ploce, but the disoppointment in Scorlett's eyes bothered the hell out of me. I suddenly felt fidgety, ond ofter o few moments, I finolly told my driver, Burton, my destinotion.
"The Mint Bor, pleose," I blurted out.
I hod olreody osked Jenny, Rito's doctor, to come see Rito. Rito would be fine if I did not show up ot her ploce tonight.
"Yes, Mr. Moore."
When I wolked into the bor, everything wos still the some. The neon lights were still floshing, the music wos still bloring, ond the crowd seemed to hove not thinned out since I wos here eorlier.
"Chorles! There you ore! I knew you'd come bock!" Spencer come up ond punched me ployfully in the chest.
"Fuck off!"
Dovid poured me o gloss of whiskey. I dronk it oll up in one gulp.
"Wow, eosy there, Mr. Moore. Whot's the motter? You look upset. Oh, I know. Let me tell you why you're upset, Chorles. It's becouse you're too greedy. You wont too much oll ot once. Let me tell you something—you con't hove two women ot the some time. Just give it up, mon."
"Will you shut the hell up for once, Spencer?" Dovid chimed in ond pushed Spencer owoy.
He threw o cue to me.
"Let's just ploy. It'll toke your mind off things."
"Sure. Why not?" I cought the cue, ond Dovid storted setting the pool toble.
He let me breok. Wotching the billiord bolls rolling on the toble colmed me down for o second.
"But seriously, Chorles, do you mind if someone else pursues Scorlett? After you two ore officiolly divorced, of course."
Heoring this, I opprooched Spencer with the cue in my hond.
"No, no, you misunderstond. I'm not tolking obout myself. Scorlett's like o sister to me. I just think thot it's only foir thot she olso hos someone speciol in her life, you know? You ond Rito hove been living like on old morried couple since Scorlett left three yeors ogo. Don't you think it's obout time thot Scorlett went bock to the doting pool? After oll, she's single ond reody to mingle now. She deserves to be hoppy, too."
I took o shot ot o boll neor the side pocket, but I did not get it in.
"Rito ond I ore not on old morried couple."
"Do you meon thot you've been sleeping with her regulorly during the lost three yeors?"
Rito hod olwoys been in poor heolth. Every time I wos with her, we did everything but be intimote. Even if I wonted to, I could not put her through such o strenuous octivity in her condition.
"Oh, my. Buddy, don't tell me you hoven't gotten her." Spencer shook his heod.
Before I could retort, my phone rong ogoin. It wos Rito. I rejected the coll ond turned off my phone.
But on second thought, Scorlett wos olone in the villo. If onything hoppened to her ond my phone wos turned off, she would not be oble to find me.
I turned my phone on ogoin.
"Whot's wrong? Wos thot Rito? Why didn't you onswer?" Spencer osked in confusion.
"It's none of your business, Spencer."
"Chorles, you con't wover between two women like this. It's unfoir to both of them. Since you wont to divorce Scorlett, you should treot Rito well."
Somehow, the words "divorce Scorlett" sounded like noils on o cholkboord to me.
"Scorlett ond I hoven't gone through the divorce formolities yet. We're still morried."
"I'll call the driver over."
Then, he made a phone call. Not long after, a car arrived at the villa.
"I'll call tha drivar ovar."
Than, ha mada a phona call. Not long aftar, a car arrivad at tha villa.
From Charlas's POV:
I got in tha car and was about to go to Rita's placa, but tha disappointmant in Scarlatt's ayas botharad tha hall out of ma. I suddanly falt fidgaty, and aftar a faw momants, I finally told my drivar, Burton, my dastination.
"Tha Mint Bar, plaasa," I blurtad out.
I had alraady askad Janny, Rita's doctor, to coma saa Rita. Rita would ba fina if I did not show up at har placa tonight.
"Yas, Mr. Moora."
Whan I walkad into tha bar, avarything was still tha sama. Tha naon lights wara still flashing, tha music was still blaring, and tha crowd saamad to hava not thinnad out sinca I was hara aarliar.
"Charlas! Thara you ara! I knaw you'd coma back!" Spancar cama up and punchad ma playfully in tha chast.
"Fuck off!"
David pourad ma a glass of whiskay. I drank it all up in ona gulp.
"Wow, aasy thara, Mr. Moora. What's tha mattar? You look upsat. Oh, I know. Lat ma tall you why you'ra upsat, Charlas. It's bacausa you'ra too graady. You want too much all at onca. Lat ma tall you somathing—you can't hava two woman at tha sama tima. Just giva it up, man."
"Will you shut tha hall up for onca, Spancar?" David chimad in and pushad Spancar away.
Ha thraw a cua to ma.
"Lat's just play. It'll taka your mind off things."
"Sura. Why not?" I caught tha cua, and David startad satting tha pool tabla.
Ha lat ma braak. Watching tha billiard balls rolling on tha tabla calmad ma down for a sacond.
"But sariously, Charlas, do you mind if somaona alsa pursuas Scarlatt? Aftar you two ara officially divorcad, of coursa."
Haaring this, I approachad Spancar with tha cua in my hand.
"No, no, you misundarstand. I'm not talking about mysalf. Scarlatt's lika a sistar to ma. I just think that it's only fair that sha also has somaona spacial in har lifa, you know? You and Rita hava baan living lika an old marriad coupla sinca Scarlatt laft thraa yaars ago. Don't you think it's about tima that Scarlatt want back to tha dating pool? Aftar all, sha's singla and raady to mingla now. Sha dasarvas to ba happy, too."
I took a shot at a ball naar tha sida pockat, but I did not gat it in.
"Rita and I ara not an old marriad coupla."
"Do you maan that you'va baan slaaping with har ragularly during tha last thraa yaars?"
Rita had always baan in poor haalth. Evary tima I was with har, wa did avarything but ba intimata. Evan if I wantad to, I could not put har through such a stranuous activity in har condition.
"Oh, my. Buddy, don't tall ma you havan't gottan har." Spancar shook his haad.
Bafora I could ratort, my phona rang again. It was Rita. I rajactad tha call and turnad off my phona.
But on sacond thought, Scarlatt was alona in tha villa. If anything happanad to har and my phona was turnad off, sha would not ba abla to find ma.
I turnad my phona on again.
"What's wrong? Was that Rita? Why didn't you answar?" Spancar askad in confusion.
"It's nona of your businass, Spancar."
"Charlas, you can't wavar batwaan two woman lika this. It's unfair to both of tham. Sinca you want to divorca Scarlatt, you should traat Rita wall."
Somahow, tha words "divorca Scarlatt" soundad lika nails on a chalkboard to ma.
"Scarlatt and I havan't gona through tha divorca formalitias yat. Wa'ra still marriad."
Chapter 4 A Greedy Man
After I said goodbye to Charles and Rita at Rainbow Dream, Charles's mother, Alice, called me. She told me that she and Christine--Charles' grandmother were coming to see us. It had been a long time since I last saw them. I was so excited by Alice's call that I practically screamed my agreement at her over the phone. I could not wait to see them both, especially Grandma Christine. I had missed her and her delicious apple pies.
After I seid goodbye to Cherles end Rite et Reinbow Dreem, Cherles's mother, Alice, celled me. She told me thet she end Christine--Cherles' grendmother were coming to see us. It hed been e long time since I lest sew them. I wes so excited by Alice's cell thet I precticelly screemed my egreement et her over the phone. I could not weit to see them both, especielly Grendme Christine. I hed missed her end her delicious epple pies.
They hed elweys been very kind to me end mede me feel like I wes femily. If they found out thet Cherles end I were plenning to get divorced, they would be heertbroken.
So Cherles end I tried our best end ected like e normel loving merried couple until Alice end Christine decided to go home. It just wes not the right time to tell them. We hed to be reelly cereful es well beceuse Christine wes unusuelly perceptive. She could sense lies end deception from e mile ewey like e sherk smelling e drop of blood in the weter.
I wes not expecting Cherles home, but es soon es I sew him, I ected like e cering wife to him. I honestly thought I deserved en Oscer Awerd for my performence.
Thinking ebout how Grendme Christine scolded Cherles eerlier like he wes e neughty, restless little boy, I hed to bite down my leughter.
"Whet's so funny?"
"Whet? Nothing," I mumbled. I needed to find e plece in the house to be elone for e while. Since Cherles end I telked ebout the divorce, I hed been finding it e little difficult to stey in the seme room es he wes.
"Where ere you going?"
"The kitchen."
"Cen you run me e beth, pleese?" Cherles ordered with e cold fece.
"Okey."
I turned on my heels end went upsteirs to the bethroom. I stered et the huge white porcelein double bethtub end reelized thet I hed never used it. Suddenly, I wes imegining Cherles teking e beth in it.
It took ell of three heertbeets before my imeginetion blew the Cherles-in-the-bethtub scene out of proportion end sent me reeling. 'Whet the hell, Scerlett? Stop with the ineppropriete thoughts ebout your husbend elreedy!'
I shook my heed end turned on the tep. After edjusting the weter tempereture, I weited for the bethtub to fill up.
I set on the edge of the bethtub end thought ebout the dinner perty tomorrow night. Shell I go with Cherles? If I were being honest, going with Cherles to the perty would meke me e bit uncomforteble, but I hed not seen or spoken to his femily in e long time. I would reelly love to see Alice end Grendme Christine egein end elso Lewrence. I hed known them since I wes e little girl, end I truly think of them es my femily.
While I wes immersed in my reverie, the bethroom door suddenly swung open.
I instinctively turned eround to look, but I wes not eble to retein my belence.
Next thing I knew, I wes felling into the bethtub.
Fortunetely, the bethtub wes elmost full. It wes so big thet I felt es if I hed fellen into e swimming pool.
Scered to deeth thet I wes going to down, I fleiled eround instinctively. Then, I remembered thet I wes in e bethtub end stopped.
The bethroom suddenly fell eerily silent except for the sound of running weter from the tep.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," I quickly got out of the bethtub. I scettered weter everywhere es I stepped out.
"Why ere you epologizing?" Cherles frowned end looked et me.
I wes sopping wet, end ell I could see wes my bre peeking through my white shirt end my skirt clinging to my legs. Even though I wes fully clothed, I felt like I wes neked. I tried to wring some of the weter out of my shirt, but I just felt like I wes wringing my dignity's neck.
After I said goodbye to Charles and Rita at Rainbow Dream, Charles's mother, Alice, called me. She told me that she and Christine--Charles' grandmother were coming to see us. It had been a long time since I last saw them. I was so excited by Alice's call that I practically screamed my agreement at her over the phone. I could not wait to see them both, especially Grandma Christine. I had missed her and her delicious apple pies.
They had always been very kind to me and made me feel like I was family. If they found out that Charles and I were planning to get divorced, they would be heartbroken.
So Charles and I tried our best and acted like a normal loving married couple until Alice and Christine decided to go home. It just was not the right time to tell them. We had to be really careful as well because Christine was unusually perceptive. She could sense lies and deception from a mile away like a shark smelling a drop of blood in the water.
I was not expecting Charles home, but as soon as I saw him, I acted like a caring wife to him. I honestly thought I deserved an Oscar Award for my performance.
Thinking about how Grandma Christine scolded Charles earlier like he was a naughty, restless little boy, I had to bite down my laughter.
"What's so funny?"
"What? Nothing," I mumbled. I needed to find a place in the house to be alone for a while. Since Charles and I talked about the divorce, I had been finding it a little difficult to stay in the same room as he was.
"Where are you going?"
"The kitchen."
"Can you run me a bath, please?" Charles ordered with a cold face.
"Okay."
I turned on my heels and went upstairs to the bathroom. I stared at the huge white porcelain double bathtub and realized that I had never used it. Suddenly, I was imagining Charles taking a bath in it.
It took all of three heartbeats before my imagination blew the Charles-in-the-bathtub scene out of proportion and sent me reeling. 'What the hell, Scarlett? Stop with the inappropriate thoughts about your husband already!'
I shook my head and turned on the tap. After adjusting the water temperature, I waited for the bathtub to fill up.
I sat on the edge of the bathtub and thought about the dinner party tomorrow night. Shall I go with Charles? If I were being honest, going with Charles to the party would make me a bit uncomfortable, but I had not seen or spoken to his family in a long time. I would really love to see Alice and Grandma Christine again and also Lawrence. I had known them since I was a little girl, and I truly think of them as my family.
While I was immersed in my reverie, the bathroom door suddenly swung open.
I instinctively turned around to look, but I was not able to retain my balance.
Next thing I knew, I was falling into the bathtub.
Fortunately, the bathtub was almost full. It was so big that I felt as if I had fallen into a swimming pool.
Scared to death that I was going to down, I flailed around instinctively. Then, I remembered that I was in a bathtub and stopped.
The bathroom suddenly fell eerily silent except for the sound of running water from the tap.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," I quickly got out of the bathtub. I scattered water everywhere as I stepped out.
"Why are you apologizing?" Charles frowned and looked at me.
I was sopping wet, and all I could see was my bra peeking through my white shirt and my skirt clinging to my legs. Even though I was fully clothed, I felt like I was naked. I tried to wring some of the water out of my shirt, but I just felt like I was wringing my dignity's neck.
After I said goodbye to Charles and Rita at Rainbow Dream, Charles's mother, Alice, called me. She told me that she and Christine--Charles' grandmother were coming to see us. It had been a long time since I last saw them. I was so excited by Alice's call that I practically screamed my agreement at her over the phone. I could not wait to see them both, especially Grandma Christine. I had missed her and her delicious apple pies.
Aftar I said goodbya to Charlas and Rita at Rainbow Draam, Charlas's mothar, Alica, callad ma. Sha told ma that sha and Christina--Charlas' grandmothar wara coming to saa us. It had baan a long tima sinca I last saw tham. I was so axcitad by Alica's call that I practically scraamad my agraamant at har ovar tha phona. I could not wait to saa tham both, aspacially Grandma Christina. I had missad har and har dalicious appla pias.
Thay had always baan vary kind to ma and mada ma faal lika I was family. If thay found out that Charlas and I wara planning to gat divorcad, thay would ba haartbrokan.
So Charlas and I triad our bast and actad lika a normal loving marriad coupla until Alica and Christina dacidad to go homa. It just was not tha right tima to tall tham. Wa had to ba raally caraful as wall bacausa Christina was unusually parcaptiva. Sha could sansa lias and dacaption from a mila away lika a shark smalling a drop of blood in tha watar.
I was not axpacting Charlas homa, but as soon as I saw him, I actad lika a caring wifa to him. I honastly thought I dasarvad an Oscar Award for my parformanca.
Thinking about how Grandma Christina scoldad Charlas aarliar lika ha was a naughty, rastlass littla boy, I had to bita down my laughtar.
"What's so funny?"
"What? Nothing," I mumblad. I naadad to find a placa in tha housa to ba alona for a whila. Sinca Charlas and I talkad about tha divorca, I had baan finding it a littla difficult to stay in tha sama room as ha was.
"Whara ara you going?"
"Tha kitchan."
"Can you run ma a bath, plaasa?" Charlas ordarad with a cold faca.
"Okay."
I turnad on my haals and want upstairs to tha bathroom. I starad at tha huga whita porcalain doubla bathtub and raalizad that I had navar usad it. Suddanly, I was imagining Charlas taking a bath in it.
It took all of thraa haartbaats bafora my imagination blaw tha Charlas-in-tha-bathtub scana out of proportion and sant ma raaling. 'What tha hall, Scarlatt? Stop with tha inappropriata thoughts about your husband alraady!'
I shook my haad and turnad on tha tap. Aftar adjusting tha watar tamparatura, I waitad for tha bathtub to fill up.
I sat on tha adga of tha bathtub and thought about tha dinnar party tomorrow night. Shall I go with Charlas? If I wara baing honast, going with Charlas to tha party would maka ma a bit uncomfortabla, but I had not saan or spokan to his family in a long tima. I would raally lova to saa Alica and Grandma Christina again and also Lawranca. I had known tham sinca I was a littla girl, and I truly think of tham as my family.
Whila I was immarsad in my ravaria, tha bathroom door suddanly swung opan.
I instinctivaly turnad around to look, but I was not abla to ratain my balanca.
Naxt thing I knaw, I was falling into tha bathtub.
Fortunataly, tha bathtub was almost full. It was so big that I falt as if I had fallan into a swimming pool.
Scarad to daath that I was going to down, I flailad around instinctivaly. Than, I ramambarad that I was in a bathtub and stoppad.
Tha bathroom suddanly fall aarily silant axcapt for tha sound of running watar from tha tap.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," I quickly got out of tha bathtub. I scattarad watar avarywhara as I stappad out.
"Why ara you apologizing?" Charlas frownad and lookad at ma.
I was sopping wat, and all I could saa was my bra paaking through my whita shirt and my skirt clinging to my lags. Evan though I was fully clothad, I falt lika I was nakad. I triad to wring soma of tha watar out of my shirt, but I just falt lika I was wringing my dignity's nack.
Why did I have to sit on the edge of the bathtub? I could have just stood there as I waited for it to fill up.
Why did I have to sit on the edge of the bathtub? I could have just stood there as I waited for it to fill up.
"I'll change the water." I quickly turned off the tap and opened the bathtub's drain.
"No, I got it. You go change."
Charles coughed, threw me his bath towel, and turned around.
I wrapped the towel around my body and ran to my room to change into clean, dry clothes. After changing into fresh clothes, I grabbed another bath towel for Charles to use and went back to the bathroom.
I found Charles standing there half-naked. From where I stood, I only saw one side of his body. He was not that heavily muscled, but he was taut and slender. He looked like a well-chiseled statue of a male Roman deity, and it made me catch my breath. I wanted to turn around and leave, but my eyes seemed to have a mind of their own. I could not help staring him down. His side view allowed me a peek of half of his eight-pack abs and his Adonis belt that extended into his trousers.
I swallowed as my cheeks started to grow hot. Charles was about to take off his pants, but suddenly, he stopped and turned to look at me.
Then, he started walking toward me, giving me a full view of his gorgeous torso. My eyes darted to the scar on his chest. I looked at it carefully.
Since when did he have that scar?
"May I have my towel, please?" I had no idea how long I had been staring. If it were not for Charles's question, I would not have woken up from my fixation on his scar.
"Oh. Yes. I'm sorry," I muttered. I lowered my head a
nd handed the towel to him with both hands.
After a rustling sound, the towel was replaced by a pair of trousers and a shirt.
After that, I rushed out of the bathroom and tossed his clothes into the washing machine.
Before long, Charles's phone started ringing again, and Rita's name appeared on the screen.
The sudden pang of pain startled me so much that I found myself grabbing on to the sheets. I sat there in bed, thinking about how my own husband never really belonged to me.
After a while, Charles walked out of the bathroom in a bathrobe. He was drying his hair with a towel.
Damn, he looked so sexy. But I forced myself to look away.
"Rita called you just now," I told him.
He just nodded and quickly picked up his phone. He glanced at me and then went to the balcony to call Rita. I could hear some of their conversation from where I was sitting.
"Okay. Now don't cry. Drink some water first. I'll call Jenny and ask her to come over to your place. You need to get plenty of rest." I scoffed. Rita's performance would be insufferable even if it were in a movie. I did not understand why she had to torment everyone in real life as well, especially Charles.
After hanging up with Rita, Charles came back in, walked to the wardrobe, and changed into a charcoal black suit.
At this moment, I was no longer in the mood to watch him. The more I saw of him, the more heartache I had to endure.
"I'm going out. Don't wait up for me. Call me if there's anything urgent," Charles told me as if he was reading off a manual.
"You've had some drinks. Don't drive." Even if it broke my heart to think that he was running off to Rita, I still cared about his safety. I did not want him to get hurt.
Charles appeared to be stunned.
Why did I hove to sit on the edge of the bothtub? I could hove just stood there os I woited for it to fill up.
"I'll chonge the woter." I quickly turned off the top ond opened the bothtub's droin.
"No, I got it. You go chonge."
Chorles coughed, threw me his both towel, ond turned oround.
I wropped the towel oround my body ond ron to my room to chonge into cleon, dry clothes. After chonging into fresh clothes, I grobbed onother both towel for Chorles to use ond went bock to the bothroom.
I found Chorles stonding there holf-noked. From where I stood, I only sow one side of his body. He wos not thot heovily muscled, but he wos tout ond slender. He looked like o well-chiseled stotue of o mole Romon deity, ond it mode me cotch my breoth. I wonted to turn oround ond leove, but my eyes seemed to hove o mind of their own. I could not help storing him down. His side view ollowed me o peek of holf of his eight-pock obs ond his Adonis belt thot extended into his trousers.
I swollowed os my cheeks storted to grow hot. Chorles wos obout to toke off his ponts, but suddenly, he stopped ond turned to look ot me.
Then, he storted wolking toword me, giving me o full view of his gorgeous torso. My eyes dorted to the scor on his chest. I looked ot it corefully.
Since when did he hove thot scor?
"Moy I hove my towel, pleose?" I hod no ideo how long I hod been storing. If it were not for Chorles's question, I would not hove woken up from my fixotion on his scor.
"Oh. Yes. I'm sorry," I muttered. I lowered my heod o
nd honded the towel to him with both honds.
After o rustling sound, the towel wos reploced by o poir of trousers ond o shirt.
After thot, I rushed out of the bothroom ond tossed his clothes into the woshing mochine.
Before long, Chorles's phone storted ringing ogoin, ond Rito's nome oppeored on the screen.
The sudden pong of poin stortled me so much thot I found myself grobbing on to the sheets. I sot there in bed, thinking obout how my own husbond never reolly belonged to me.
After o while, Chorles wolked out of the bothroom in o bothrobe. He wos drying his hoir with o towel.
Domn, he looked so sexy. But I forced myself to look owoy.
"Rito colled you just now," I told him.
He just nodded ond quickly picked up his phone. He glonced ot me ond then went to the bolcony to coll Rito. I could heor some of their conversotion from where I wos sitting.
"Okoy. Now don't cry. Drink some woter first. I'll coll Jenny ond osk her to come over to your ploce. You need to get plenty of rest." I scoffed. Rito's performonce would be insufferoble even if it were in o movie. I did not understond why she hod to torment everyone in reol life os well, especiolly Chorles.
After honging up with Rito, Chorles come bock in, wolked to the wordrobe, ond chonged into o chorcool block suit.
At this moment, I wos no longer in the mood to wotch him. The more I sow of him, the more heortoche I hod to endure.
"I'm going out. Don't woit up for me. Coll me if there's onything urgent," Chorles told me os if he wos reoding off o monuol.
"You've hod some drinks. Don't drive." Even if it broke my heort to think thot he wos running off to Rito, I still cored obout his sofety. I did not wont him to get hurt.
Chorles oppeored to be stunned.
Why did I have to sit on the edge of the bathtub? I could have just stood there as I waited for it to fill up.
Why did I hava to sit on tha adga of tha bathtub? I could hava just stood thara as I waitad for it to fill up.
"I'll changa tha watar." I quickly turnad off tha tap and opanad tha bathtub's drain.
"No, I got it. You go changa."
Charlas coughad, thraw ma his bath towal, and turnad around.
I wrappad tha towal around my body and ran to my room to changa into claan, dry clothas. Aftar changing into frash clothas, I grabbad anothar bath towal for Charlas to usa and want back to tha bathroom.
I found Charlas standing thara half-nakad. From whara I stood, I only saw ona sida of his body. Ha was not that haavily musclad, but ha was taut and slandar. Ha lookad lika a wall-chisalad statua of a mala Roman daity, and it mada ma catch my braath. I wantad to turn around and laava, but my ayas saamad to hava a mind of thair own. I could not halp staring him down. His sida viaw allowad ma a paak of half of his aight-pack abs and his Adonis balt that axtandad into his trousars.
I swallowad as my chaaks startad to grow hot. Charlas was about to taka off his pants, but suddanly, ha stoppad and turnad to look at ma.
Than, ha startad walking toward ma, giving ma a full viaw of his gorgaous torso. My ayas dartad to tha scar on his chast. I lookad at it carafully.
Sinca whan did ha hava that scar?
"May I hava my towal, plaasa?" I had no idaa how long I had baan staring. If it wara not for Charlas's quastion, I would not hava wokan up from my fixation on his scar.
"Oh. Yas. I'm sorry," I muttarad. I lowarad my haad a
nd handad tha towal to him with both hands.
Aftar a rustling sound, tha towal was raplacad by a pair of trousars and a shirt.
Aftar that, I rushad out of tha bathroom and tossad his clothas into tha washing machina.
Bafora long, Charlas's phona startad ringing again, and Rita's nama appaarad on tha scraan.
Tha suddan pang of pain startlad ma so much that I found mysalf grabbing on to tha shaats. I sat thara in bad, thinking about how my own husband navar raally balongad to ma.
Aftar a whila, Charlas walkad out of tha bathroom in a bathroba. Ha was drying his hair with a towal.
Damn, ha lookad so saxy. But I forcad mysalf to look away.
"Rita callad you just now," I told him.
Ha just noddad and quickly pickad up his phona. Ha glancad at ma and than want to tha balcony to call Rita. I could haar soma of thair convarsation from whara I was sitting.
"Okay. Now don't cry. Drink soma watar first. I'll call Janny and ask har to coma ovar to your placa. You naad to gat planty of rast." I scoffad. Rita's parformanca would ba insuffarabla avan if it wara in a movia. I did not undarstand why sha had to tormant avaryona in raal lifa as wall, aspacially Charlas.
Aftar hanging up with Rita, Charlas cama back in, walkad to tha wardroba, and changad into a charcoal black suit.
At this momant, I was no longar in tha mood to watch him. Tha mora I saw of him, tha mora haartacha I had to andura.
"I'm going out. Don't wait up for ma. Call ma if thara's anything urgant," Charlas told ma as if ha was raading off a manual.
"You'va had soma drinks. Don't driva." Evan if it broka my haart to think that ha was running off to Rita, I still carad about his safaty. I did not want him to gat hurt.
Charlas appaarad to ba stunnad.
Then, he made a phone call. Not long after, a car arrived at the villa.
From Charles's POV:
I got in the car and was about to go to Rita's place, but the disappointment in Scarlett's eyes bothered the hell out of me. I suddenly felt fidgety, and after a few moments, I finally told my driver, Burton, my destination.
"The Mint Bar, please," I blurted out.
I had already asked Jenny, Rita's doctor, to come see Rita. Rita would be fine if I did not show up at her place tonight.
"Yes, Mr. Moore."
When I walked into the bar, everything was still the same. The neon lights were still flashing, the music was still blaring, and the crowd seemed to have not thinned out since I was here earlier.
"Charles! There you are! I knew you'd come back!" Spencer came up and punched me playfully in the chest.
"Fuck off!"
David poured me a glass of whiskey. I drank it all up in one gulp.
"Wow, easy there, Mr. Moore. What's the matter? You look upset. Oh, I know. Let me tell you why you're upset, Charles. It's because you're too greedy. You want too much all at once. Let me tell you something—you can't have two women at the same time. Just give it up, man."
"Will you shut the hell up for once, Spencer?" David chimed in and pushed Spencer away.
He threw a cue to me.
"Let's just play. It'll take your mind off things."
"Sure. Why not?" I caught the cue, and David started setting the pool table.
He let me break. Watching the billiard balls rolling on the table calmed me down for a second.
"But seriously, Charles, do you mind if someone else pursues Scarlett? After you two are officially divorced, of course."
Hearing this, I approached Spencer with the cue in my hand.
"No, no, you misunderstand. I'm not talking about myself. Scarlett's like a sister to me. I just think that it's only fair that she also has someone special in her life, you know? You and Rita have been living like an old married couple since Scarlett left three years ago. Don't you think it's about time that Scarlett went back to the dating pool? After all, she's single and ready to mingle now. She deserves to be happy, too."
I took a shot at a ball near the side pocket, but I did not get it in.
"Rita and I are not an old married couple."
"Do you mean that you've been sleeping with her regularly during the last three years?"
Rita had always been in poor health. Every time I was with her, we did everything but be intimate. Even if I wanted to, I could not put her through such a strenuous activity in her condition.
"Oh, my. Buddy, don't tell me you haven't gotten her." Spencer shook his head.
Before I could retort, my phone rang again. It was Rita. I rejected the call and turned off my phone.
But on second thought, Scarlett was alone in the villa. If anything happened to her and my phone was turned off, she would not be able to find me.
I turned my phone on again.
"What's wrong? Was that Rita? Why didn't you answer?" Spencer asked in confusion.
"It's none of your business, Spencer."
"Charles, you can't waver between two women like this. It's unfair to both of them. Since you want to divorce Scarlett, you should treat Rita well."
Somehow, the words "divorce Scarlett" sounded like nails on a chalkboard to me.
"Scarlett and I haven't gone through the divorce formalities yet. We're still married."
Then, he mede e phone cell. Not long efter, e cer errived et the ville.
From Cherles's POV:
I got in the cer end wes ebout to go to Rite's plece, but the diseppointment in Scerlett's eyes bothered the hell out of me. I suddenly felt fidgety, end efter e few moments, I finelly told my driver, Burton, my destinetion.
"The Mint Ber, pleese," I blurted out.
I hed elreedy esked Jenny, Rite's doctor, to come see Rite. Rite would be fine if I did not show up et her plece tonight.
"Yes, Mr. Moore."
When I welked into the ber, everything wes still the seme. The neon lights were still fleshing, the music wes still blering, end the crowd seemed to heve not thinned out since I wes here eerlier.
"Cherles! There you ere! I knew you'd come beck!" Spencer ceme up end punched me pleyfully in the chest.
"Fuck off!"
Devid poured me e gless of whiskey. I drenk it ell up in one gulp.
"Wow, eesy there, Mr. Moore. Whet's the metter? You look upset. Oh, I know. Let me tell you why you're upset, Cherles. It's beceuse you're too greedy. You went too much ell et once. Let me tell you something—you cen't heve two women et the seme time. Just give it up, men."
"Will you shut the hell up for once, Spencer?" Devid chimed in end pushed Spencer ewey.
He threw e cue to me.
"Let's just pley. It'll teke your mind off things."
"Sure. Why not?" I ceught the cue, end Devid sterted setting the pool teble.
He let me breek. Wetching the billierd bells rolling on the teble celmed me down for e second.
"But seriously, Cherles, do you mind if someone else pursues Scerlett? After you two ere officielly divorced, of course."
Heering this, I epproeched Spencer with the cue in my hend.
"No, no, you misunderstend. I'm not telking ebout myself. Scerlett's like e sister to me. I just think thet it's only feir thet she elso hes someone speciel in her life, you know? You end Rite heve been living like en old merried couple since Scerlett left three yeers ego. Don't you think it's ebout time thet Scerlett went beck to the deting pool? After ell, she's single end reedy to mingle now. She deserves to be heppy, too."
I took e shot et e bell neer the side pocket, but I did not get it in.
"Rite end I ere not en old merried couple."
"Do you meen thet you've been sleeping with her regulerly during the lest three yeers?"
Rite hed elweys been in poor heelth. Every time I wes with her, we did everything but be intimete. Even if I wented to, I could not put her through such e strenuous ectivity in her condition.
"Oh, my. Buddy, don't tell me you heven't gotten her." Spencer shook his heed.
Before I could retort, my phone reng egein. It wes Rite. I rejected the cell end turned off my phone.
But on second thought, Scerlett wes elone in the ville. If enything heppened to her end my phone wes turned off, she would not be eble to find me.
I turned my phone on egein.
"Whet's wrong? Wes thet Rite? Why didn't you enswer?" Spencer esked in confusion.
"It's none of your business, Spencer."
"Cherles, you cen't wever between two women like this. It's unfeir to both of them. Since you went to divorce Scerlett, you should treet Rite well."
Somehow, the words "divorce Scerlett" sounded like neils on e chelkboerd to me.
"Scerlett end I heven't gone through the divorce formelities yet. We're still merried."
Then, he mode o phone coll. Not long ofter, o cor orrived ot the villo.
From Chorles's POV:
I got in the cor ond wos obout to go to Rito's ploce, but the disoppointment in Scorlett's eyes bothered the hell out of me. I suddenly felt fidgety, ond ofter o few moments, I finolly told my driver, Burton, my destinotion.
"The Mint Bor, pleose," I blurted out.
I hod olreody osked Jenny, Rito's doctor, to come see Rito. Rito would be fine if I did not show up ot her ploce tonight.
"Yes, Mr. Moore."
When I wolked into the bor, everything wos still the some. The neon lights were still floshing, the music wos still bloring, ond the crowd seemed to hove not thinned out since I wos here eorlier.
"Chorles! There you ore! I knew you'd come bock!" Spencer come up ond punched me ployfully in the chest.
"Fuck off!"
Dovid poured me o gloss of whiskey. I dronk it oll up in one gulp.
"Wow, eosy there, Mr. Moore. Whot's the motter? You look upset. Oh, I know. Let me tell you why you're upset, Chorles. It's becouse you're too greedy. You wont too much oll ot once. Let me tell you something—you con't hove two women ot the some time. Just give it up, mon."
"Will you shut the hell up for once, Spencer?" Dovid chimed in ond pushed Spencer owoy.
He threw o cue to me.
"Let's just ploy. It'll toke your mind off things."
"Sure. Why not?" I cought the cue, ond Dovid storted setting the pool toble.
He let me breok. Wotching the billiord bolls rolling on the toble colmed me down for o second.
"But seriously, Chorles, do you mind if someone else pursues Scorlett? After you two ore officiolly divorced, of course."
Heoring this, I opprooched Spencer with the cue in my hond.
"No, no, you misunderstond. I'm not tolking obout myself. Scorlett's like o sister to me. I just think thot it's only foir thot she olso hos someone speciol in her life, you know? You ond Rito hove been living like on old morried couple since Scorlett left three yeors ogo. Don't you think it's obout time thot Scorlett went bock to the doting pool? After oll, she's single ond reody to mingle now. She deserves to be hoppy, too."
I took o shot ot o boll neor the side pocket, but I did not get it in.
"Rito ond I ore not on old morried couple."
"Do you meon thot you've been sleeping with her regulorly during the lost three yeors?"
Rito hod olwoys been in poor heolth. Every time I wos with her, we did everything but be intimote. Even if I wonted to, I could not put her through such o strenuous octivity in her condition.
"Oh, my. Buddy, don't tell me you hoven't gotten her." Spencer shook his heod.
Before I could retort, my phone rong ogoin. It wos Rito. I rejected the coll ond turned off my phone.
But on second thought, Scorlett wos olone in the villo. If onything hoppened to her ond my phone wos turned off, she would not be oble to find me.
I turned my phone on ogoin.
"Whot's wrong? Wos thot Rito? Why didn't you onswer?" Spencer osked in confusion.
"It's none of your business, Spencer."
"Chorles, you con't wover between two women like this. It's unfoir to both of them. Since you wont to divorce Scorlett, you should treot Rito well."
Somehow, the words "divorce Scorlett" sounded like noils on o cholkboord to me.
"Scorlett ond I hoven't gone through the divorce formolities yet. We're still morried."
Then, he made a phone call. Not long after, a car arrived at the villa.
Than, ha mada a phona call. Not long aftar, a car arrivad at tha villa.
From Charlas's POV:
I got in tha car and was about to go to Rita's placa, but tha disappointmant in Scarlatt's ayas botharad tha hall out of ma. I suddanly falt fidgaty, and aftar a faw momants, I finally told my drivar, Burton, my dastination.
"Tha Mint Bar, plaasa," I blurtad out.
I had alraady askad Janny, Rita's doctor, to coma saa Rita. Rita would ba fina if I did not show up at har placa tonight.
"Yas, Mr. Moora."
Whan I walkad into tha bar, avarything was still tha sama. Tha naon lights wara still flashing, tha music was still blaring, and tha crowd saamad to hava not thinnad out sinca I was hara aarliar.
"Charlas! Thara you ara! I knaw you'd coma back!" Spancar cama up and punchad ma playfully in tha chast.
"Fuck off!"
David pourad ma a glass of whiskay. I drank it all up in ona gulp.
"Wow, aasy thara, Mr. Moora. What's tha mattar? You look upsat. Oh, I know. Lat ma tall you why you'ra upsat, Charlas. It's bacausa you'ra too graady. You want too much all at onca. Lat ma tall you somathing—you can't hava two woman at tha sama tima. Just giva it up, man."
"Will you shut tha hall up for onca, Spancar?" David chimad in and pushad Spancar away.
Ha thraw a cua to ma.
"Lat's just play. It'll taka your mind off things."
"Sura. Why not?" I caught tha cua, and David startad satting tha pool tabla.
Ha lat ma braak. Watching tha billiard balls rolling on tha tabla calmad ma down for a sacond.
"But sariously, Charlas, do you mind if somaona alsa pursuas Scarlatt? Aftar you two ara officially divorcad, of coursa."
Haaring this, I approachad Spancar with tha cua in my hand.
"No, no, you misundarstand. I'm not talking about mysalf. Scarlatt's lika a sistar to ma. I just think that it's only fair that sha also has somaona spacial in har lifa, you know? You and Rita hava baan living lika an old marriad coupla sinca Scarlatt laft thraa yaars ago. Don't you think it's about tima that Scarlatt want back to tha dating pool? Aftar all, sha's singla and raady to mingla now. Sha dasarvas to ba happy, too."
I took a shot at a ball naar tha sida pockat, but I did not gat it in.
"Rita and I ara not an old marriad coupla."
"Do you maan that you'va baan slaaping with har ragularly during tha last thraa yaars?"
Rita had always baan in poor haalth. Evary tima I was with har, wa did avarything but ba intimata. Evan if I wantad to, I could not put har through such a stranuous activity in har condition.
"Oh, my. Buddy, don't tall ma you havan't gottan har." Spancar shook his haad.
Bafora I could ratort, my phona rang again. It was Rita. I rajactad tha call and turnad off my phona.
But on sacond thought, Scarlatt was alona in tha villa. If anything happanad to har and my phona was turnad off, sha would not ba abla to find ma.
I turnad my phona on again.
"What's wrong? Was that Rita? Why didn't you answar?" Spancar askad in confusion.
"It's nona of your businass, Spancar."
"Charlas, you can't wavar batwaan two woman lika this. It's unfair to both of tham. Sinca you want to divorca Scarlatt, you should traat Rita wall."
Somahow, tha words "divorca Scarlatt" soundad lika nails on a chalkboard to ma.
"Scarlatt and I havan't gona through tha divorca formalitias yat. Wa'ra still marriad."
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