Page 25 of Contract Of Shame

Chapter Seven

On Sunday they met up with Lily and Wayne. Lily embraced Scarlet immediately while Wayne stared at her a few seconds before kissing her on the cheek. Scarlet noted the age difference between the couple. She didn’t say anything as she glanced up at Richard. They had a similar age gap.

They played around a little, Lily and Scarlet talking while the men played at some of the tables. At one point Richard pulled her into his lap for good luck. Wayne did the same to Lily. The experience was enjoyable. Towards the end of the day they gathered in the restaurant and bar area. The men went off to get drinks leaving the girls to chat.

“How was Harry?” Scarlet asked.

“You’ve asked that several times. Harry is a darling and spending the day at the zoo with my dad. Believe me, the guy has a lot to make up for. Thank you for agreeing to double date.” Lily placed a hand over hers.

Scarlet smiled back and thought about the last time she’d had a girlfriend. Never being the honest answer. She had never really gelled with anyone, not even at work. “It’s nice,” she admitted.

“Wayne was constantly telling me I had to go out. In this world no one likes a woman who enjoys staying at home and being a parent.”

Scarlet nodded and looked out toward the bar.

“Richard does love you, you know?” Lily said. Scarlet placed her drink back on the table and turned to the sweet woman at her side.

“Richard doesn’t love me. He doesn’t know how to love, and he’s assured me come next Friday our time will be over,” Scarlet said. Their short time together had been why she had moved out of his bed last night. Getting used to cuddling with him would bring more heartache when he moved onto the next woman. He might make comments about being lonely, but Scarlet knew he liked that way of life.

Scarlet hated how much she was becoming affected by being with him. She refused to think in terms of love. Being in love got you hurt, and she couldn’t deal with it. She wasn’t a single woman anymore. Harry was counting on her.

“I can see it, Scarlet. He’s never been this laid back with a woman before.”

I wonder what you’d think if you knew about the contract.

It didn’t matter what he’d said about that stupid piece of paper. Scarlet couldn’t let it go. She didn’t know why, but it stayed like a bruise over her heart refusing to heal.

The men came back with the drinks. Richard handed her a small glass of wine. She didn’t have the heart to tell him she hated the stuff and smiled at him.

There was so much they didn’t know about each other. He drank his beer, and Wayne gave Lily some water.

Their love was exploding out of them. Their fingers met and locked; their eyes stared back and held. The small chuckles and the delighted squeal as Wayne nibbled her neck – this is what real couples were like, their love a strong and powerful connection.

She could see Wayne would never hurt Lily. Richard placed a hand at the back of her chair. His fingers played with her exposed back. He’d asked her to wear the shirt and trousers. Staring back at the happy couple and with Richard touching her, she couldn’t handle it.

“I need to go to the bathroom,” she said and moved out of the chair. Richard followed her.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“Nothing. I just need to go to the bathroom. Do you want to supervise?” Scarlet knew she was being unfair. She didn’t why she was behaving like a bitch. Richard nodded in her direction and let her walk away.

Tears formed in her eyes, and she wouldn’t let them spill over. She was bigger and better than being a cry baby. Witnessing love made her want it. Why couldn’t she be left in her own little cut-off world? She’d been getting by like always.

When the other women left, giving her a disparaging look, she splashed water on her face and stared at her reflection.

Many revelations were happening all at once. Her feelings for Richard, witnessing love between a happy couple. Suddenly, she started craving what other people wanted. Harry hadn’t been created through love. She closed her eyes and shut out the memories. No one would help her but herself. She’d been taught a long time ago to keep her head up and refuse to allow anyone to beat her down.

Taking a few deep breaths, she dried her face and went to face the world.

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