Farewell To My Endless Love

Scarlett's POV:

After work, I walked out of the TV station with Zora, the make-up artist who helped me out this morning when Susan, Rita's mother, came storming into the studio and started wreaking havoc. Before we could make it to the gates, Abner caught up with us and invited us to dinner.

As soon as we sat down at the restaurant, Zora turned to me.

"So, how did you deal with that hysterical woman who made trouble for you today?" I almost chuckled a reply. Zora was one of the most serious, professional people I knew at work. I found it startling and a little amusing to see her transform into a common gossiper.

"I told her that if she ever comes after me like that again, I will expose her family's atrocities," I replied with a smile.

"Atrocities? Oh, my. Tell me more." Zora's eyes glinted with excitement and anticipation.

I just beamed at her but did not answer.

Seeing that I did not intend to reveal more than I already had, Zora stopped asking, but she still flashed me some curious looks the entire meal.

While Abner, Zora, and I enjoyed our dinner, a familiar man strode into the restaurant with a group of men whose swagger screamed opulence. My eyes darted to one of them whose name was Walker. I would never forget him as he had casually asked me to be his mistress over drinks before.

Abner instantly recognized Charles. He glanced at the door and then said to me, "The reason for your bad luck today is coming over."

It took all of two heartbeats for Charles to reach our table, his entourage falling into step behind him.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" I said by way of greeting.

"Dinner with some friends."

I swept my gaze over the men Charles referred to as his friends. They greeted me with a smile, but I could tell from their curious stares that they were guessing the kind of relationship I had with their dear friend.

"I see you've come here for dinner, too. I'll get the check. It's my treat tonight. Enjoy yourselves." Charles nodded to Abner and Zora.

"Oh, thank you, Mr. Moore." Abner did not move. Zora stood up, shook Charles's hand, and thanked him.

Although a little surprised by Zora's gesture, Charles returned the handshake and grinned. Then, he shot me a look as if he was waiting for my expression of gratitude.

"That's very kind of you, Mr. Moore. Thank you," I finally blurted out.

Charles answered my remark with a rare, gleeful chortle.

"You're annoyingly cute when you try to be formal with me, Miss Riley. I wish you'd just call me honey."

My heart leapt to my throat. Why the hell would he say that in front of people?

Was I not in enough trouble?

Charles flashed me his smug smile that he knew very well peeved me. I could only stare at him as he walked away with his friends to their table. He seemed to be in a good mood, and it made me a little

nervous.

"What just happened, Scarlett? Did one of the richest, most eligible bachelors in the city just flirt with you in front of God and everybody? Are you guys dating?" Zora looked at Charles's receding figure with wide eyes and then bombarded me with questions in an excited, gasping voice.

"No. It's not what you think," I said perfunctorily.

"What is it then?"

"It's complicated."

Again, Zora stopped asking since she could not get any decent answer. I heaved a sigh of relief.

After dinner, Abner, Zora, and I left the restaurant together, but before we could walk out the door, Charles's assistant rushed over to us.

"Miss Riley, Mr. Moore wants you to stay and wait for him."

"Fine." I did not want to wait for Charles, but his assistant was just doing his job. I did not want to make things difficult for him.

Seeing that I agreed, he nodded and shuffled back to their table.

"Scarlett, do you really want to sit around here and wait for him? You could've refused." Abner immediately noticed my unwillingness.

"It's okay. I have something to discuss with him anyway." I shook my head.

"Are you really going to be okay?" Abner watched me carefully. If I told him the truth, he would not leave.

"Yes. Don't worry. Go home. I'll see you at work tomorrow."

"All right."

I said goodbye to Abner and Zora at the door. As soon as the two of them left, Charles and his friends rose from their seats and started heading out of the restaurant. I stood at the door and waited for them. "Come." Charles snaked his arm around my waist and ushered me out of the restaurant. The doting look in his eyes got me all confused and a little anxious.

I did not resist. I just let him guide me out. The last thing I needed right now was the attention of the entire world around us. I did not want to embarrass him or myself.

"Ease up. You're with me and my friends. You're safe." Outside the restaurant, Charles stood in front of his friends, wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and held me close.

"My friends, I heard that one of you once attempted to pursue my dear Scarlett. Well, he can't be blamed though. For having a good taste," Charles commented in a voice dripping with sarcasm.

His friends simply looked at him and did not say anything. They all tensed up like they knew they were going to pay for coveting what belonged to one of the members of the Moore family.

Of course, Walker was the most nervous. After all, he was the one Charles was talking about. The others might just look guilty because they had thought about making a move on me but never really acted on it.

"Scarlett is the apple of my grandparents' eye. She's very precious to them. No man in his right mind would risk the wrath of Michael and Christine Moore just to steal Scarlett away."

None of them moved a muscle, but all of them avoided making eye contact with me and with Charles. I supposed they might be wealthy, but none of them was powerful enough to challenge the might of the Moore family.

I just stood there and bore witness. I thought this little charade of Charles's was beneficial to me. If I let him threaten his friends passive aggressively, then none of them would dare come after me anymore, and I would be able to live in peace.

"Well, I guess you also share fault in this, Scarlett. You keep such a low profile. You should make it known that you're part of the Moore family." Charles stared at me with adoring eyes and tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear.

Remembering the mark that Susan's hand left on my face, I dipped my chin and turned my face away from Charles's view. But I was a little too late. Charles saw what I was trying to hide, and his calm, delighted face suddenly turned dark as if someone had just flipped a switch.

"What happened to you?"

I tried to cover up my cheek with my hair, but he stopped me and held my hand tightly.

"Tell me what happened."

"Nothing." I tried to struggle, but it did not work. Charles was incredibly strong.

"For the last time, what happened?"

"I said it's nothing, Charles. Calm down. People are watching."

Charles's expression only became colder. Realizing that he would not get a straight answer from me in public, he grabbed my hand and dragged me toward his car. Next thing I knew, we were sitting in the backseat.

"Is it Rita?" Charles asked through gritted teeth.

"No, it's you!" I exclaimed.

He made a promise to Rita, but he did not keep it. He was the reason Susan marched to the TV station and humiliated me in front of my colleagues.

If he had just married Rita like he said he would, we would not be here right now.

"What?" Charles looked at me with a frown. Then, he appeared to think of something and suddenly said, "You look much better than usual when you're angry. You're more like a real human being now."

"You're insane!"

How was this the perfect time to be joking? And how could he switch moods from angry to amused in a matter of seconds? I honestly did not know anymore.

I pushed him away and reached for the door.

He reached over me and shut the door immediately after I opened it.

"Do you have a first aid kit at home?"

"Why?"

"To treat your face."

"No."

"Then we'll go to my place. I have all sorts of creams there that'll make you feel better."

"No, thanks. I'm fine."

"No, you're not. Drive!" That was the last word that he uttered before he settled in his seat.

Next thing I knew, the driver was gunning the engine and driving to Garden Street.

Twenty minutes later, we arrived at our destination. I refused to get off the car. Why should I do whatever he asked? He did not own me.

When Charles finally lost his patience, he yanked me out of the car and stuck me into the house.

"Be a good girl. When you get hurt, you need to treat your injury immediately. Otherwise, it will take you longer than you need to recover."

"I know, but do I have to treat my injury here?"

"No. I just want you here."

I was speechless for a while. What did he mean by that?

We were going to divorce. Why should I listen to him?

But Charles was so strong. I was helpless against him.