Dangerous Desire The CEO’s Hidden Woman

Skyler chuckled. “Don’t be silly, Scarlett. It’ll be fun. I’ve heard the food there is delicious. To die for!”

Scarlett sighed and said nothing.

“What kinds of places did you guys go to when you were dating? Fancy places? Or some sloppy fast food joint every now and then, eh?” Skyler asked. He was curious to know more about the relationship between Francis and Scarlett. He still hadn’t gotten a good read on Francis, and he hadn’t figured out what had allowed their relationship to survive this long, considering the fact that they came from such different worlds.

Scarlett began recollecting the early days of her romance with Francis. Back then, she had been optimistic and cheery. She had had a positive outlook on life despite all the hardships she had faced, just trying to keep herself and Skyler afloat. She would save up as much money as she possibly could, but she was never stingy. She had been both frugal and generous in those days. However, after she met Francis, she had forgotten what it was like to be frugal– not to place things but experiences on a pedestal.

More than once, carrying her big canvas bag wearing jeans and sneakers, she would arrive at upscale restaurants along with a suited-up Francis. Sometimes it would be a sushi bar uptown with highly skilled Japanese chefs serving omakase or the latest fusion-forward joint overflowing with caviar, truffles, and coveted wines from France and Italy. She would always be surprised to see patrons around her dressed to the nines in stunning cocktail dresses and tuxedos fit for the red carpet. She knew she didn’t belong in this world.

Finally, one day, Scarlett noticed a sign outside one of the restaurants. It read:

“Improperly dressed customers will be turned away. We apologize for the inconvenience.”Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

She knew they weren’t apologetic in the least: inappropriately casual scum like Scarlett was not welcome.

She still remembered the sight of that ominous very clearly. At that time, she stealthily pulled the sleeves of Francis and pointed at herself, and asked, “Am I properly dressed?”

“Babe, you always look great!” She knew, even then, that he was just trying to be nice. What a big liar Francis was!

She pointed at the sign on the door and even noticed a waiter narrowly averted her gaze.

“Is it impolite for me to dress casually? While everyone else is in fancy outfits?” Scarlett pouted, motioning to the other customers.

After dinner, they walked back to their car. As they walked under the starry night sky, they talked in low voices. Scarlett’s tender, pink lips had been so tempting to Francis that he couldn’t help himself. He gently pressed her up against the door of the car and asked, “May I kiss you?” Scarlett had just nodded quietly. Then, with not a second to waste, they were locked in an embrace, their lips melting into one.

Although she was stunned by the depth of the kiss, her mind kept wandering to thoughts of the restaurant they had just been at. She asked, breaking the kiss inelegantly, “Why didn’t they kick me out for being dressed the way that I was? Is it because you have connections? Is that why they didn’t just throw me out? Because you’re… you?”

Having known Scarlett for a while at that point, Francis was well aware that she wouldn’t drop the subject until she got a definitive answer out of him. Helplessly, Francis responded, “The chef and I go way back. They usually prepare an exclusive table for me when I drop by….”

Francis knew he had to be careful what he said to Scarlett. If he were not cautious, he might fall into a trap she laid out for him.

“Oh,” she said, “I bet you’ve taken dozens of women to that restaurant before me, isn’t it? I bet the chef does know you super well…” She said sarcastically.

When they got in the car, she still didn’t want to change the subject. And the question was a good one, right to the point. As a successful man, Francis used to have many lovers, so he was very speechless and really didn’t know how to answer her question. At last, he only said, “My love for you is very real, Scarlett.”

Scarlett just nodded readily and turned her away and asked, “So, were all those dates just about sex? Is that what you were in it for?”

Once again, Francis fell into her trap.

“It’s not very good for your health to have sex too much, you know! You could turn into a sex addict.” Scarlett continued.

After that, Francis used one hand to pull her back into his arms. Scarlett trembled slightly and asked, “What do you think you’re doing?”

His eyes were sharp and glinted in the night. He looked like a panther.

“You know exactly what I’m doing, Scarlett.” He growled.

***

Suddenly, Skyler said something that pulled Scarlett back into the present moment. “It sounds like Francis has been the one dominating your relationship then. Am I right? Or did I misunderstand?” His words jolted her.

“What? What are you talking about? I’m the one in charge.” She said, ruffled by his comment.

“Oh… it just seems like….”

“What are you trying to say, Skyler? Spit it out.”

“It’s nothing. Never mind.” Skyler said, afraid of angering his sister.

“Don’t you believe it?” She wondered.

“I believe that you’re strong, powerful, and completely in charge of your life.” He didn’t want to argue with Scarlett about silly things. He turned his eyes to his computer again.

When Scarlett saw his reaction, she knew he didn’t believe what she was saying. She grabbed his shoulders and forced him to look her in the eye. “Hey, listen, I’m in charge. Francis can’t control me.”

Skyler turned around and pointed at Carlos, who was eating dessert in the dining room and said, “Alright, Scarlett. I don’t want to fight with you. I’m going to spend some time with your nephew now if you don’t mind….”

Scarlett remained silent. She was troubled by the exchange and had nothing more to say.