Page 11 of Contract Of Shame

Chapter Four

Richard waited while she signed the contract. He wanted to stop what he was doing, but the words never left his lips. She carefully folded the piece of paper and threw it in his face. He caught it easily enough. There was no satisfaction in the moment. Only immense guilt. His father had taught him from a young age to always go after what he wanted and to not care about anything but what he wanted.

For the next week Scarlet would be his. Her seduction would be a challenge. He would need to show her that her time was worth every penny.

“I’ve settled the care of Harry. He’ll stay with my parents for the week.”

“I’m not leaving my son for a whole week with strangers. I want him with me,” she argued.

“No. I want you to myself. I’ll pick you up tonight.” Richard knew if he spent time with the boy he wouldn’t be able to walk away.

“No. My son’s welfare comes first.”

He cursed and tried to think of an alternative. “You’ve met my friends, Wayne and Lily?”

He was not really interested in getting his close friends involved, but he wanted his time with Scarlet to be undisturbed.

“Yes.”

“As you know they’ve got a child of their own, and they wouldn’t mind having him. You can phone him every night and anytime you want.”

Scarlet stared at him, and she nodded her head.

“Don’t you want a copy?” he asked.

The punch in his gut had nothing to do with her look of derision. He held the document in his fingers, and the file felt dirty in his grip.

“I want no reminder of our time together. I hope you come prepared with protection. I want nothing from you.” With her words hanging in the air she stormed out of his office and finished off her shift.

Richard wanted to burn the offensive contract. Well, he’d made his bed, and he might as well lie in it.

****

Scarlet made it through the day. She didn’t know how. Work, phone calls and files to be organised. Richard came out and tried to talk with her. She blanked him. When the week was over she’d have to come back and work here. She didn’t want anyone to treat her any differently or think she’d gained special treatment.

Opal turned up at lunchtime, and she had her company for the next two hours. The young girl always stayed near her when she visited. She asked her opinion on everything, and even with the situation with Opal’s brother hanging over her head, Scarlet found herself smiling at the young girl’s jokes.

“Hey, aren’t you supposed to be in school?” Richard came out asking his sister.

“It’s Friday. I’ve got half-day today.”

“Well, stop nagging my employees. They don’t want to hear about a school-girl’s day.” He turned to leave after ruffling her hair.

Scarlet stared back at him. “Actually this employee likes listening to Opal. It wasn’t that long ago I was a school-girl myself.”

He froze and turned back to stare at her. She knew she’d said the wrong thing. What was the point of caring? The contract had been signed, and when he picked her up tonight for the next week she’d be his.

“He’s so bossy sometimes.”

“What’s up, petal?” Scarlet watched the girl freeze up and looked behind her. She recognised the man as being one of Richard’s oldest friends.

“I’m fine, Tony. You?”

“I’m still alive and looking forward to another day. Is the grumpy dwarf in?” he asked the young girl.

“Why do you call him a dwarf?” Scarlet found herself asking.

“A long-standing joke. Richard was a late bloomer. Tiny as a mouse through high school. Only during college did he sprout up. Well, who is this delightful woman?” Tony took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

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