Chapter 2

“How do you feel now?” Lucas said, inspecting the cut on her hand.

“A bit better. That evil lady won't stop at nothing just to see me hurt.”, She pulled Lucas towards herself while faking a cry, “She's so evil Lucas, you should send her packing already.”

“I need time for that. Uncle Lewis forced her on me. I need enough time to execute my plans.”

Maria was not happy. She wanted Scarlet out of the house as soon as possible but Lucas' words calmed her nerves a bit.

The doctor came in to announce that they could go home as they have been discharged already.

Scarlet on the other hand, nursed her injury at home. She prepared beautiful lingerie and made Lucas favorite meal. She was trying so hard to make Lucas happy.

In the stillness of the cold night, it was freezing out. She heard his room door open. She quickly wore the lingerie and held the meal she had prepared earlier. She walked nervously to his room, her heart was beating fast. 

The lingerie was a sleeveless one, the cold atmosphere was not helping matters either.

He was her husband after all, so her actions were justified.

She took long shallow breaths as she stood facing his door. She took one last look at herself and knocked on the door.

He came out of the room. He had only a boxer on and his body glistened with sweat. Droplets of sweats formed on his chest.

“I came to give you this.” Scarlet showed him the tray of food she was holding. 

“Isn't it too late for this? I don't do late night meals. I'm not ready to end up looking unhealthy like a bumpkin like you.” 

Scarlet felt hurt and the tray nearly fell from her hand but she held onto it with the last strength left in her body. It was as if his mean words were sapping all the energy she had left.

“Lucas, can we at least sleep together tonight? It is cold outside and since we got married, we haven't slept together, on the same bed like couples should.” 

He kept staring at her.

“Look, I even made your favorite, I know you barely have the time to get freshly cooked meals since you are always busy.” She said, forcing a smile.

Lucas drowned, “You disturbed my sleep because of this.” With one swift move, he hit the tray and all its content came crashing to the floor, “Now, leave!”

No sooner had he finished speaking, then she saw a hand wrapped around his waist, massaging it gently.

“You are such a pest, Scarlet. Too bad but Lucas does not need your food. Not at this point of the night. We were almost on the verge of having something nice.” 

The sight before her and Maria's words made her eyes sting with tears. She bent over and picked the broken plates and cups. Here she was, seeking to have just a night with her husband who in turn was spending it with his mistress in their matrimonial room on their matrimonial bed.

The color drained from scarlet's face.

“What is she doing here, Lucas?” 

“To do the things you can not do”

“On our matrimonial bed?”

“Watch your mouth Scarlet. You are just someone I'm using to pass time. Your days are numbered in this house.”

Scarlet felt humiliated. The disappointment on her face was so obvious.

“When will you finally learn to love me? What about my feelings? What about me Lucas?” She asked, her voice trembling and heavy with disappointment.

She was his legal wife, the only one expected to spend her nights with him. She had every right to be angry, seeing another woman in his room but he cared less about her emotions and disrespected her still.

“Love does not exist between you and I. And if you will do me the favor, I'll like to go to bed now.” Lucas said, banging the door in her face. 

Scarlet's legs grew weak, she found herself unable to move but she spurred herself on. She kept looking at his door as she walked away to see if he would come after her.

Lucas sat on the bed, scratching his head.

“Scarlet will never cease to amaze me. What has come over her?” 

Maria smiled and tried touching Lucas. She was flirting with him. He gently held her hands and pulled her away.

“Not now, Maria. I need to sleep now.”

Maria was stunned. He has never rejected her advances before. 

Scarlet changed out of her lingerie and wore pajamas. She sat on the bed, cleaning off the makeup she had worn on her face.

Suddenly, she heard her door knob turn.

Her face lit up in surprise, she thought Lucas had come back to see her.

She sat straight up, fixing her gaze at the door. A feminine head popped in. It was Maria.

Scarlet knew she had come to look for trouble but she vowed not to give her any.

“Maria, what are you doing here, aren't you supposed to be in bed with your lover?”

Maria pulled a chair and sat on it.

“Lucas and I were childhood friends, our friendship generated into love. It was so unfortunate I had to go back to the states for my university education. We lost contact.”

“I didn't say I was willing to hear your story about your childhood love, what are you doing in my room?” Scarlet asked, standing arm akimbo.

“You need to let go of Lucas. You need to stay away from him. Leave his life.” Maria shouted.

Scarlet was angry already but she spoke calmly. Maria will be the last person to ever see her weak.

“You know, you amaze me Maria. You come into a woman's home and sleep with her husband from time to time, you turn him against her and still have the guts to tell his wife to stay away from him, what the hell is wrong with you?” Scarlet asked, her voice rising.

“Lucas doesn't love you. No one in his family does. Do you think you can cope with that?” Maria sneered. She was obviously enjoying the degrading and hurtful words she was saying to Scarlet.

“And you think he loves you? You are good for his bed though. Little wonder he can't flaunt you outside as expected. Bloody Sex toy.” Scarlet jeered, expecting a reaction from her.

Scarlet's words got to her and she charged at her. She drew scarlet's hair, dragging her across the floor forcefully.

“You evil bitch.” Maria cussed.

Scarlet tried freeing herself from Maria but her grip on her hair was firm. She screamed and tried pushing Maria away.

“Let go of me, Maria.” Scarlet screamed as she held onto Maria's hands.

“Not until I rip your hair off your head.” Maria pulled at Scarlett's hair, this time around, with a firmer grip.

Scarlet's head was hurting already, she knew she had to do something. She raised her leg and kicked Maria hard on the stomach which sent her rambling.

Maria's shout alerted Lucas and Claire. Seeing Maria sprawled on the floor and Scarlet's disheveled hair, Claire went straight to Scarlet and gave her a thunderous slap.

Clap!!!

Scarlet felt dizzy instantly. 

Lucas picked Maria up and dusted her dress.

He went over to Scarlet and pulled her by her hair.

“You are hurting me Lucas.” She cried, as he dragged her across the floor.

“If anything happens to Maria, I will kill you.” He walked past her and led Maria out of the room.