CHAPTER FIVE - THE CHIVALROUS PROMISE
628 Words
It was about 4 a.m. when Leonardo slotted his tie through his dress shirt collar. He couldn't believe how fast time had passed—he had stayed awake all night watching Scarlet sleep, and now he faced a tough decision. He was torn between staying and leaving.
His phone buzzed again. His presence was needed. He knew he couldn't stay back. Taking a deep breath, he realized how important his departure would be.
He picked up the file on the coffee table and retrieved the pen that Scarlet had wielded at him earlier.
He was expected to write down a review of his experience with her. Without hesitation, he opened the file and brought out the paper. After much thought, Leonardo scribbled something down on the paper.
He then proceeded to the sofa in the living area and picked up the single-breasted jacket of his tuxedo, taking one last glance at Scarlet.
Oh, what an angelic face she had, he thought to himself. How she slept with an air of vulnerability, her defenses down, her beauty unguarded like a delicate flower that blooms only in the quiet hours of the night.
He exhaled softly before exiting the suite.
•~•~•~•~•
When all the guests had left, Cassius paced from suite to suite, picking up the review papers.
When he arrived at the suite Leonardo and Scarlet had used, he was surprised to see Scarlet still asleep. Most of the girls had already gone down, mostly because it had been a rough night and they needed to clean up.
"Oh, what a brat. She thinks this is heaven," Cassius seethed with fury. He immediately walked towards the kitchenette, but he found the door locked. He dripped with anger as he picked out a key from his pocket. Unlocking the kitchenette, he collected a kettle, fetched some water, and proceeded towards Scarlet. Then, without hesitation, he poured the water on her face.
"Wake up!" he screamed.
Scarlet was suddenly drenched, making her jump out of bed. She swore she was about to make trouble out of this—someone had done this on purpose.
Her eyes opened to meet Cassius. Just as her rage was about to unleash, Cassius pulled out a gun and pointed it at her head.
"One silly move, and your brains will be blown out."
She was shocked. She wasn't expecting Cassius to pull out a revolver, and at that moment, her temper became calm.
Scarlet’s senses cooled when she realized Leonardo was nowhere in sight. She wondered how deeply she must have slept not to notice when he exited the suite. She wished he had stayed longer—at least then, she wouldn’t be facing such an interruption from Cassius while she slept.
This was, indeed, the first time she had slept like a baby without worrying about anything.
She looked at herself, still fully clothed in the same robe she had worn when she came in last night. The robe was still tied tightly to her body, exactly the way she had done it.
Could Leonardo have really left without taking advantage of her vulnerability? So, he did keep his word, she thought.
She thanked her stars.
With the revolver still pointed at her head, Cassius guided her into the elevator as they headed for the ground floor.
When they reached the ground floor, he pushed her out as the elevator doors opened, then dragged her into the bunker room. It was a large space where he usually assembled the girls.
Scarlet met with the rest of the girls, who were already waiting for Cassius. There were about thirty of them, plus the bodyguards positioned at each angle. The girls looked weary—some tired, some hungover.
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