Rita's POV:
Charles had been getting more and more indifferent toward me lately, which left me feeling all flustered and restless. Did I do something wrong?
At this time, Richard walked in with a bunch of roses in his hand. What was wrong with this man?
"Where have you been? Did you find anything?" I had sent him to keep an eye on Scarlett, but he had returned with no useful information.
"I haven't found anything unusual, babe." Richard put the roses in the vase, turned around, and looked at me fawningly.
"Oh, you worthless goon! Have you really been keeping an eye on Scarlett like I told you to? Charles has been giving me the cold shoulder! It has to be her fault!" I rushed up to him, grabbed the vase, and shattered it on the floor.
Richard did not even flinch. He had been guarding me for so long that he had gotten used to my mood swings and erratic behavior. Without saying a word, he just went ahead and started cleaning up the mess I made.
"I asked you a question, Richard!" I could not stand it when he answered me with the silent treatment.
"Spencer has opened a new bar. Maybe we can ask him what's going on with Charles and
Scarlett," he finally suggested.
That lit up a bulb in my head. Spencer was Charles's good friend. Why had I never thought of asking him?
"Thank you. That's a great idea."
With a smile, I tiptoed and kissed Richard's Adam's apple. The dejection on his face disappeared in an instant, and he had completely succumbed to my charm. He stretched out his arms and attempted to wrap them around me. I knew he wanted more.
But I did not let him succeed. I pushed him away and said, "You stay here. I'll change and go to Spencer's new bar."
Spencer's family was mainly engaged in the entertainment industry, and they had almost complete monopoly over Los Angeles' bar scene. Even though Charles and Spencer had been friends since they were little boys, they were completely different. Charles did not mess around with women while Spencer was a frivolous flirt.
I flicked my wavy hair and practiced my charming smile, hoping to get something helpful out of Spencer.
When I arrived at Spencer's new bar, I bumped into the person I really wanted to see but was not expecting to.
Leaning against the door of his silver Phantom, Charles took a drag from his cigarette. His perfectly sculpted profile was facing me like a bust of a Greek god. He was in all black but without the suit jacket, and the two topmost buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a little of his chest. I could not help smiling from ear to ear.
Only a woman out of her damn mind would let go of such a handsome, rich man. I clenched my fists and started walking toward him, my insides burning with sheer excitement.
"Charles!" I called his attention.
He turned around and raised his eyebrows. He seemed surprised to see me.
"What are you doing here, Rita? You're unwell. A bar is no place for you. Go home."
He wanted me away the moment he saw me. I was not going to make it easy for him. I softened my features, slumped my shoulders, and started speaking in a gentle tone. "But I haven't come out for a long time. I'm feeling better today, so I decided to go out and have some fun. I heard that Spencer has opened a new bar, so I came to see it. Will you accompany me?"
"No, Rita. Please go home. You can't strain yourself. It'll be more troublesome for you and the people who have to take care of you if your conditions get worse," Charles replied in a neutral tone and then took another drag from his cigarette. He seemed to be unmoved by my begging.
But luck made us meet here. I was not about to leave and waste the opportunity. Knowing that Charles would not dare stop me, I stepped up, took his hand, and dragged him into the bar.
He kneaded his nose, tossed his half-finished cigarette, and let me tow him. I felt complacent that he still cared about me. Otherwise, he would have forced me into his car and drove me home against my wishes.
Spencer was also surprised at my arrival. Upon laying eyes on me, he looked like he wanted to say something but decided not to say it. If I had to guess, I thought it would fall along the lines of me not being welcome in his new bar. I did not appreciate it, but I just flashed him my best sweet smile.
I almost blew up my own act when I saw Scarlett's presence. It seemed that Charles was outside waiting for her.
Ever since we walked in, Charles's eyes had been glued to Scarlett.
I forced a smile and held on tightly to him. "Let's go to a private room, Charles."
Ignoring my request, Charles turned to Spencer and said, "Will you get Rita a private room?"
Then, he left.
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