Chapter 9: Meeting By Chance
1066words
I stormed into my room, throwing my suitcase to the floor, my mind consumed by rage.
'Hey, babe. What happened?" Everleigh asked, startled. She paused, removing her makeup to look at me.
I took a deep breath and walked up to her. 'What did your father tell you?" I asked softly, trying to stay calm.
'My dad?" She acted surprised. 'When he called earlier, he only asked how I was. Did something happen?" She set her makeup remover down on the vanity and stood up.
'Didn't he say anything about selling his shares in my company?" I pressed.
'I hate my father's business dealings, so why would he tell me anything about them?" she replied nonchalantly, sitting back down to resume removing her makeup.
'You don't get it, do you?" I said, my voice tense. She looked at me through the mirror, raising an eyebrow. 'Your father sold his shares in my company to some random buyer. That means we're no longer business partners. And do you know what's most painful? I married you because he threatened to withdraw those shares from my company. So, what do you have to say about it?"
She chuckled and shrugged. 'What do you want me to say? I don't know anything about it. I already told you I don't get involved in my father's business. You two can sort it out yourselves. Don't drag me into it," she said.
'Have you lost it, Everleigh?" I snapped. 'Do you understand what this means? If I'm no longer in business with your father, what's left for us?"
'I can't guess."
I leaned closer, speaking directly into her ear. 'It means we have no alliance anymore."
'I still don't get it. Can we talk about this tomorrow? My head is throbbing," she said, standing up.
'Sit back down," I demanded, pulling her back into the chair.
'Ouch! Have you lost your mind, Nathan?" she snapped, rubbing her arm.
'Listen, Everleigh. I don't know what game you and your father are playing, but let me be clear. I married you because of his shares in my company. If he has decided our business relationship is over, then our marriage is over too," I said, sitting on the bed to take off my shoes.
'In other words, you are saying what?" she asked.
'What part don't you understand? Are you always this clueless? We are getting divorced!" I clarified.
She puckered her lips, then burst out laughing. 'You always love expensive jokes, Nathan," she said, still laughing. I narrowed my eyes on her. 'Wait, are you being serious right now?" she asked, finally catching on.
'You and your father should rethink your actions. What were you thinking? Did you believe that after forcing me to marry you, he could just back out without consequences?"
'You can't possibly be threatening our marriage over a disagreement with my dad," she said. 'Besides, it would be a disgrace to my reputation if people heard I got divorced. What would you do after our divorce? Marry another woman? Don't even think about it, Nathan. No other woman is ever going to share a bed with you; over my dead body," she chattered, climbing onto the bed behind me.
I went to freshen up and returned to the bedroom when my phone beeped. I opened the message and my blood boiled.
'Everleigh!" I groaned.
'Argh, what is it, Nathan!" she grumbled, sitting upright.
'What is this?" I handed my phone to her. She gasped, covering her mouth in shock.
'W...where did you get this?" she stammered.
I snatched my phone back. 'You know what? I'm not going to yell or scold you because this marriage is over," I declared, storming out.
'Hey, son. Where are you going at this time of night?" my mother asked as I passed her watching TV in the living room.
'I'm going out," I said sharply. Before leaving, I turned to face her. 'And don't be surprised when Everleigh leaves this house."
'Wait, what do you mean by that?"
'I don't want anything to do with her or her family ever again."
'Come on, son. You can't just make such a decision. You are never getting divorced, and you know it. So let's not talk about this," she said dismissively.
'We are not talking about it because my word is final. I'm not staying in an alliance with a woman who cheated on me. Never!" I shouted, storming out, ignoring my mother's confused calls.
I drove recklessly to the nearest bar to get a drink. My head was pounding; I couldn't think straight anymore.
'I won't let you go in, ma'am. It's late; I have to take you home," I heard a guy saying as I parked my car.
'You are testing my patience, Gabriel. I said hand me the car key and go home; I will find my own way back. What's so hard to understand?" the woman responded.
Her voice made my stomach flutter. I couldn't see her face, but I was drawn to her. Why did I feel this way?
'It's my duty to look after you. I won't let you get wasted here again tonight. I'm taking you home, whether you like it or not. Let's go," the man insisted.
'You can take the car if that's what you are worried about," the woman said, heading inside. The guy blocked her way.
I shook off the strange feeling and headed into the bar.
'Get out of my way, Gabriel!" the woman groaned, pushing him aside.
She stumbled upon a flower vase, nearly falling. Her wavy black hair danced around her as she fell, but I instinctively grabbed her hand, pulling her towards me. She collided with my chest with a loud thud, making my heart skip a beat.
'Ouch!" she grunted.
'Are you okay?" I asked. She lifted her head, her honey-brown eyes meeting mine.
'Ma'am?" the guy exclaimed, rushing forward to pull her away from me. 'Are you okay?" he asked her, but her eyes didn't leave mine. Did she feel the same way I did?
She nodded, finally looking away. 'I'm fine, Gabriel," she said, her voice suddenly soft, as if she were about to cry. 'Take me home."
The guy held her hand and led her to the car. I stood frozen in place, watching them leave. Those eyes—unforgettable.
'Scarlett?" The realization twisted my stomach.
