Revenge on my Billionaire Husband

Chapter 4

‘I never expected you here so soon boy. What changed? Are you back to your senses?’ he asks, in a disparaging manner.

I am tempted to lash back at him on a whim, but I draw out a deep breath from my lungs and say ‘I will marry Scarlett. But on one condition.’

He laughs again. ‘You had a change of heart real quick. You don't get to make conditions. This is not a negotiation.’

I close my eyes and shake my head. This is low for me, but I swallow every mucus in my mouth, to remind myself to calm down and remember that I do have a plan.

‘Can you at least listen please?’ I say in a hushed tone.

‘Where is all that attitude, tough man? Since you asked nicely, I will listen’

‘Thank you. These are my conditions: You will give me both my ownership shares and inheritance before I marry her.’

‘I know you wouldn't come down without a fight. You will get only one of them and get the other after your second year anniversary.’

‘I want the ownership shares first,’ I demand without thought.

‘You don't get to choose. Deal or no deal’

‘Deal’, I say hesitantly, pretending to be sad about my defeat.

‘Congratulations Son’, he says, extending his hands for a handshake but dragging me into a forced embrace.

‘One more thing Father, I need to see her and talk over dinner before commencement of the wedding plans. Can you kindly arrange that?

Mr Stone stays up waiting for Scarlett to return. He is restive; shaking his legs in dynamic crests and troughs, his head lowered deep in musings, and getting up spontaneously to every creak, croak and chirp and asking ‘Scarlett is that you?’

‘I should have never asked her to marry Tyrion. What if she was gone for good?’ He can’t help himself but wonder, afraid that he might have scared her away.

‘What was I even thinking, threatening her with the inheritance?’

‘I will call Mr Rhodes first thing in the morning. It’s unfair what we are asking of our children. We can sell the company, we should put our families first, above all.’ He says with mixed feelings.

It will be a herculean task convincing Mr Rhodes, but he doesn't care about anything at this point–neither his friendship nor the business– can replace his bond with Scarlett.

I can’t lose her, I won’t forgive myself if Scarlett is scathed because of my selfish drive. If anything happens to me, I will petition the god of death to take me to hell to live out the rest of my life. He bursts into uncontrollable tears. He whimpers loudly that he doesn’t hear Scarlett come in.

Scarlett planned to sneak in quietly to pick up her phone and passport and take the next available flight out of NYC.

‘I still can’t believe Papa bear will do this to me.’ She says while holding her chest. It hurts like a dagger stabbed her heart, and it shatters with shards piercing against her chest. Her face is flushed, eyes are swollen with tears rolling down her cheeks.

She catches sight of him, but looks away.

‘Why is he waiting up, like he cares?’ she scoffs.

Getting closer to him, she hears someone crying, she doesn't expect them to come from him, so she walks away, only to be stopped by the crying voice,

‘Scarlett, can we talk please?

‘Papa bear, is that you? Is that really you?

She is brought to more tears. She has never seen him cry. She couldn’t bear the scene. Her chest feels like it's ripped apart. She hugs him and they stay cuddled up in an embrace crying. In that sober moment, she makes the decision to marry Tryrion.

‘Papa bear, I will marry him, Ok? Can you stop crying please? My heart can’t take it.’ She pleads.

‘I can’t let you do that. I don't care about the business enough, to lose the only family I have left. I am calling Mr Rhodes first thing in the morning’ he manages to say, choking on his words.

She should be relieved that she doesn't have to marry Tyrion. She is touched by her father’s outbreak and decides to proceed, to both their surprise.

‘Father, I know how much that company means to you. I will do it. And besides if I don't marry him now, I am not sure I will ever consider the idea of marriage.’

‘Scarlett, did something happen to you?’ he says breaking down into louder whimpers and falling on the floor.

She struggles to lift him off and falls down herself. They look at each other and oddly burst into a resounding laughter.

‘Come here baby,’ Papa says enveloping her in a hug.

They remain there in silence, till he asks her ‘What happened to you?’

‘I promise to tell you all about it, after we wrap this up’ Scarlett says to avoiding opening up and bursting into another bout of tears.

‘Are you sure about this?’

‘Yes Papa’, she says trying to sound convincing enough to both herself and her Papa bear. She needs to convince herself, else she might change her mind.

You can't act on a whim. Are you in or out? She asks herself. I am—in, I guess.

‘Papa Bear, I will marry him, on one condition. I say in a demanding tone.

‘Ok. Anything for you, love.’

‘I won't run the business. You know how much I hate logistics.’

‘Done! We will work it out.’

Are you sure about this? She asks herself. ‘You are not one to be spontaneous. Well, here’s to first timers’, I toast to an imaginary glass in the air.

‘Papa, I am going to bed. Please, keep those tears at bay. Goodnight’

‘I love you baby,’ he says, kissing her forehead.

She doesn't say the words back. She lets out a faint smile and goes straight to her room, walking like a zombie.

She lies down on her bed and lets out silent whimpers till she falls asleep.

‘Hello old boy,’ It’s Mr Rhodes on the phone with Mr Stone.

‘Good to hear from you.’

‘I trust everything is going well at your end. Have you closed your end of the deal? Because I have.’Mr Rhodes says excitedly.

‘Well’, Mr Stone hesitates. ‘I have closed the deal as well.’

‘Great news! It’s finally happening. Let’s have the wedding in two weeks. What do you think?’

‘Uhmm, I think we should leave it to them to decide.’

Leave it to them to decide? I don’t trust Tyrion enough to let it wait out that long.’

‘We should at least ask them if it’s fine,’ Mr Stone says with no glee in his voice.

‘Old boy, Tryrion asked to see her and talk over dinner. Can that be arranged?’

‘Oh! I will speak to her.’

‘Let them exchange contacts. So they chat or ping or whatever they do these days. I will send his contact, send hers. I will ask him to contact her first.’

‘That’s alright. I will send her contact across. Do have a good day,’ Mr Stone says, ending the call and enveloped deep in thought.

He knocks gently on her door, twice, but she doesn't respond. He opens the door to find her seated by the window, faraway in thoughts. He walks quietly to her and gently nudges her.

‘Who is that?’ She exclaims nearly jumping out of her skin. ‘You scared me Papa.’

‘I am sorry about that. Are you okay, baby?

‘Sure, Papa. I am all good, never been better.’

‘Are you sure about this?’ he asks, with a sullen face.

‘Yes, Papa bear. You can trust me.’ she says wearing a smile that’s a little too fake.

‘He wants to meet you. He wants to talk over dinner. Is that okay? Do you find it comfortable?’

‘Oh! Really? When? I think it’s a good idea. The earlier we start getting acquainted with each other, the better,’ she says lying through her teeth.

‘Great! I will share your contact information. He will reach out to you.’

Her heart is beating faster than she can recall. Her stomach tightens, with semblance of a whirlpool developing in its walls. Her mouth is parched. Everything is happening too fast.

I am not mentally ready to meet him.

At that moment, her phone beeps. It’s a message from Tyrion. It reads;

‘Be ready by seven pm tomorrow. My driver will come pick you up. Don’t keep me waiting longer than a second. Tryrion Rhodes.’