LIES THAT BOUND US

G.C?

CHAPTER THREE -

Scarlett’s POV

I couldn’t focus at work the next day. Every time my cursor blinked on the screen, my mind slipped back to Gordon Campbell. His charming smile. The way he looked at me was with softness in his eyes.Or was I being delusional?The way he lingered in my thoughts infuriated me. I was supposed to be sharp and mysterious.

But I gave in too much. I kept replaying the scene, his words, his warmth, his charm. I was jolted out of my reverie when I heard soft knocks on the glass door. “Come in,” I said.It was a deliveryman. He had a red box package in his hands as he walked towards me.“Uhm… Miss Wright?” He said while checking my name on his list board.“Yes.”He dropped the big box on my desk. I was confused. He directed me to sign. I signed.“Have a nice day, miss.” He said, leaving with a soft smile.What could the package possibly be? Or who is it from?I studied the box, trying to figure out what it contained or who it was from.

There was a tag by the side, with an initial ‘G.C’ etched in its hinges. G.C? The box had a big Chanel logo on it and the packaging looked expensive.I untied the ribbon and lifted the lid of the box. It was a long red satin dress. I had no idea what to say. My mouth was wide open, surprised.I squealed.A call came in on the phone, cutting my excitement. It was an unknown number.“Hello?” I said with a little happiness in my voice.“Scarlett.”

A deep, smooth, and sharp voice said.I recognized that voice.“I couldn’t get our last conversation out of my head. The red dress reminded me of you, Scarlett,” he said slowly. I’ll tell you what, I’m having a charity dinner tomorrow night at seven o’clock. It would look perfect on you then. Don’t you think?”And there goes his slick charm again. I didn’t answer right away. My eyes moved to the dress, thinking of its similarity with my name which meant red.

I bit my lip slightly, thinking of a response.G.C. meant Gordon Campbell. It all made sense. I didn’t want to seem so easy, “ Charity Dinner?” I asked, putting my upper body weight on my desk.“Yes.” He replied slowly, and I could feel the smile on his face.I scrambled, my pulse was tripping over itself. “How did you even get my number?”He chuckled, low and rich. “Don’t worry about that, sweetheart. Just say yes.”My throat suddenly went dry and my heart was thudding like a drum. “Sure.”“Good. I’ll send a car. Seven o’clock.”And just like that, he hung up.

For a long second, I just sat there, staring at my phone, trying to gather my thoughts. Then a squeal slipped out of my lips before I could stop it. I clutched my phone to my chest.I shouldn’t be this happy. This was an assignment. This was the perfect chance to get close to him, to prove to Ryker and myself that I was capable of more than mere fluff pieces. I comforted myselfI didn’t even hesitate. I dialed Maya, my best friend.“Girl!” I blurted the second she picked up. “Emergency. I need you.”She sounded scared. “Scar, if this isn’t life or death, I swear I’ll…”“It is,” I interrupted her.

“I’m coming over to your place tonight.”“Is it that serious?” She blurted.“Yes!” I shrieked.When I arrived at her apartment, she jumped on me. She scanned me, “Do you have any bruises? What happened? And what’s in that box you’re holding?” “Girl, relax” I shoved her off. I paused and smiled at her. “I’m going on a date tomorrow night. Well, not a date per se…”There was a beat of silence.

Then she shrieked so loud so loud, my ears almost bled. “Oh my God! Okay, don’t move. I'm going to get my sewing kit, we need to make you a perfect dress before tomorrow night!”“Wait, wait,” I dragged her back to the living room, “he already sent me a dress.”I blushed.“Wait, you’re serious?” She said with disbelief.I showed her the box and she opened it.“He’s such a gentleman. You’ve really hit the jackpot.

Come on, tell me his name.” Maya teased.I blushed, “Gordon Campbell.”Her mouth dropped, “THE Gordon Campbell?” She said emphasizing ‘the’“Yes,we met in an interview.” I said“How? Where? What? How?” She rushed me through all the questions.“Quit asking all those questions, and let me try the dress…” I said as I ran to her room to change.I came out from her room, fully dressed like I was going for the dinner that night.

She slowly looked at me. Her mouth was wide open.“Scar, it looks so good on you,” she said while walking closer to me with her arms wide open.“You think?” I smiled at her“Yes,yes. I’m tired of seeing you in different shades of blazers” she teased and we laughed.“Come on, I don’t wear that much of it” I replied.My phone buzzed. It was a text. From Ryker.

He wanted me to meet up with him.I quickly changed back into a sweatshirt and a pair of joggers.My stomach twisted as I moved towards the door.“Where are you going?” Maya said.“I need to step out, you know, for fresh air.” I stepped out despite her protests.The location was a lounge. It was exclusive. Low jazz played in the air and the low light shed a small beam on the polished furniture.

I crossed to the back booth where Ryker waited.He sat like a king on his throne, his eyes sharp as they swept over me. Then they darkened.“Well, well. Ms Wright.”“What do you want from me? I know what I’m doing. You don’t need to call me every split second to see if I have things under control. Trust me, I have things under control.”He leaned forward with his elbows on the table. “Do you? Because the way you’re looking, I’m not convinced.”My spine stiffened. “I can handle it, you don’t have to worry about me.”“Good.

Because if you mess this up, you’ll be answering to more than just me.”A shadow shifted beside him. He was tall and lean. I hadn’t noticed him before. He looked quiet but his eyes carried another mystery.“This is Xavier,” Ryker said casually, as if he were introducing a friend at brunch. “He’ll be keeping an eye on things and making sure you don’t mess things up.”My gaze shifted to him.

Xavier gave me a small nod.“I believe you are aware about the charity dinner tomorrow night?” He said“Yes I am, I was invited.”“Perfect.”He didn’t trust me enough to handle things. I could see it in his eyes. Ryker's smirk grew as he poured himself a whiskey, “Now go, play your part. Remember, you play by my rules.”His words echoed.*********The dinner hall smelled of wealth.

It was glamoured with chandeliers.I had been to many events like this but tonight, I’m not here just as any reporter, I was Gordon’s date. Walking beside him drew lots of attention I never knew I could get.His hand wrapped around my waist steadily and my nerves buzzed all at the same time.“Who’s she?”“Why is Mr Campbell with that woman?”I heard whispers coming from behind me.

He gripped my waist tighter in a protective way and guided me to a table where we both sat.He smiled, “I must say, you look absolutely stunning tonight, Ms Wright.”I was flushed, “You’re not so bad yourself,and please call me Scarlett.” I teased him too.“Mr Campbell?” A voice said.It was a man. He looked a wee bit familiar but I couldn’t tell.

He shook hands with Gordon. I sat still, confused.“Oh, Ms..uhm, Scarlett, this is my personal assistant, more like my right hand man, Zachary Lambert. And Zachary, this is Scarlett, she’s with me tonight.” He introduced.“Nice to meet you,” I said with a forced smile.His smile was tight and professional. He stretched his hands to shake me, “Of course,” he said finally. His gaze stayed fixed on mine, the suspicion in his eyes was loud.

“What would you like me to do for you, Mr Campbell?” He said“When I need you, I'll call you. Thank you” Gordon replied.He bowed and walked away.“I don’t think Zach likes me” I said to GordonHe chuckled softly, “He doesn’t trust easily,” his eyes glanced at me slowly, “But I do, especially when the person is a sight for sore eyes.”I tried hiding my rosy cheeks. Dinner was over before I knew it.Gordon carried the conversation with ease, and I found myself sharing more than I had planned too. His voice was sharp and he had good humor too.

Even though I caught Zach watching me from time to time, it was enjoyable.“So we’re gonna call it a night?” Gordon said as he walked me to my apartment door.I smiled, “ Tonight was…very fine”

“Well, that’s a nice way to sum it all up tonight,” he chuckled. I had ran out of nice things to say, “I wished this night never ended,” “It doesn’t have to. We’ll have a proper dinner, just me and you, tomorrow night, what do you say?”“Uhm….sure, it’s a date” I said, biting my lip.

He pecked me, “Car would be here by 6:30.” And entered into his car.What a night!