Chapter : 5 [ Mrs. Scarlett Hamilton ]

[ Scarlett ]

“I am not going to meet these barbarians ever again. Did you hear their questions? Don’t they know the basic manners that some aren’t meant to be discussed.” I huff in annoyance as soon as we  walk out Windy’s house.

Blaze, who was also very uncomfortable by the questions which were thrown at us ‘jokingly’. He quickly excused us out of there before someone got to know about the truth behind our arrangement.

I roll my eyes,” I prefer my privacy, Mr. Blaze until I am here and it won’t be very long.” I say with confidence.

“Let’s get back to the house. I will take you for shopping after my shift. You really need to replace your wardrobe temporarily, I mean until you live here.” He says again in his sarcastic tone.

“I am fine with my clothes. Moreover, you can’t afford the cost of the brands I prefer, dear husband.” I also use mocking tone but he looks indifferent by my remark like he expected it from me.

“Go inside the house and do not open it unless its Windy. She will surely come to check upon you out of her habit and probably bring food for you. When I say do not open the door means I am saying it for your own safety and privacy.” He says looking deeply into my eyes.

“Do you mean that I am not safe here?” Fear crawls under my skin upon hearing his words. My father never compromise with my safety even though he is a complete control freak.

“You are a businessman’s only child means you are an easy target for his enemies, Scarlett. Use your brain, its very obvious. I can’t  be with you all the time.” He answers logically. Since my Dad wants me to live a very simple life of a driver’s wife, which means I won’t have his security wrapped around me all the time.

“Drop me off at my attorney’s office. I have to discuss a few things with him.” I say to him directly without any beat about the bush.

“Why do you want to go there?” He asks me with a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

“That’s none of your business. Do not to be my husband.” I snap at him as frustration is building up inside me.

His facial features harden, he clearly looks humiliated by my harsh reply but it was true.

“It is my god damm business as long as your are my responsibility, Ma’am. Whether you accept it or not, we are legally married on papers.” He reminds me of the blasphemy and betrayal I received by my own father.

“My Mom left a few properties on my name when she died. They are in different parts of the country and an amount of 50 million in the case of an emergency. I never thought I would need it but I think the moment has come to use what she had saved solely for me.” I tell him quietly.

He stares at me before shaking his head. I can’t understand this complex man.

“Do you really think that your father has no idea of these assets. I bet he must have warned your family attorney about it because I drove him there a week ago.” He says and it catches my ears’ attention.

“Is that true?” I ask to confirm and he nods his head in affirmation.

“Yes, Ma’am.”  He confirms his statement and it forces me to think what did my Dad actually wants to discuss with Mr. William, our attorney who was loyal to my mother than my father. I look up at Blaeze whose eyes are still lingering on me. For some odd reason my mind screams that he is more than he shows.

“Did you hear their conversation by any chance?” I shot an arrow in the dark. He is only loyal to my father but I can call my shots to investigate him.

‘I am his driver, Ma’am. He won’t take me to a closed door meeting. I hope you know your father well.’ He answers and for some reason I believe him. My father doesn’t even trust his own shadow.

“Fine, now take me to Mr. William’s office. My dad doesn’t know about these assets. My Mom kept it a secret from him. Maybe she knew, one day he would trade me off to get rid off me. The last hurdle in his way to take monopoly over everything. I quietly murmur the last part to myself.

‘What do you mean?” He frowns.

“It’s nothing now, take me there.” I dismiss him.

“Okay.” He agrees and calls a cab.

“Why can’t you buy a car. You can take loan for it. I am sure my Dad pays well.’ I roll my eyes.

“I don’t need a car because I hardly get time for myself.’ He replies.

“But I do need a car, Blaze. You can’t expect me to give up the basic needs in my life.” I try to reason with him.

He doesn’t react and we wait for the cab to arrive.

An hour later, we are standing outside the office of Mr. William. He picks out some cash from his wallet from his pocket and forward it to me. I look at the money and then at him with confusion.

“I am going to the work, Ma’am and you have to return home. Here’s some cash. Hail a cab one your work is done here. I will see you in the evening.” He clears my confusion.

“Okay.” I stare at the money it is less than the tip I used to leave for waiters whenever I dined or went to clubs. I try to hold back my tears. The karma is laughing at me for taking everything for granted.

“Take care of yourself.’ He says gently and leaves in the same cab.

I move inside the office only to meet familiar faces. They greet me like before. I reach out to the receptionist, “Hello, I want to see Mr. William Saunders.” I tell her. She seems a new employee here.

She looks up from her computer screen and a wide smile spread on her lips.

“Scarlett, is that really you? Oh My God! I am seeing you after a long time.” She exclaims like she knows me for a long time but why don’t I remember her.

Well the entire city knows me.

“Sorry but do I know you?’ I ask her and her smile drops instantly.

“I am sorry, I forgot that you do not remember the ones who are below your status. I am your old gardener’s daughter. We used to play together while my mother cooked food. Your father fired my parents when he learnt about our friendship. We cried and promised that we’d never forget each other but I guess your father taught you well how to keep yourself up and look down at others with pity or disgust. By the way, I am Jasmine.’ Her smile drops and a bitter expression that I usually receive from everyone who aren’t equal to us in wealth.

‘Oh, I am really sorry, Jasmine, I am seeing you almost after a decade. Please forgive. Of course, I remember our friendship.” I say with guilt. But the truth is I only remember my special friend from my childhood.

“Never mind, I will inform Mr. William that Ms. Scarlett Remirez is here.” She says in a professional tone.

I stand there in my guilt.

“Mr. William is expecting you in his office, Ms. Remirez.” She says and resumes her work.

I take a deep breath and try to focus on my agenda of coming here. I push the door of his office and enter inside. He is sitting behind his desk, buried in a thick stack of papers. He raises his face and a smile instantly appears on his grim face.

“Oh, Scarlett, its my pleasure to see you after a long time and congratulations on your marriage. When Mr. Remirez asked me to prepare marriage documents, I thought he was only doing it to scare you but your ring tells that he was serious. I am happy for you, child.’ The old man says with a warm smile.

“Please, don’t remind me about that joke you all call marriage. He ruined my life, Mr. William.” Tears brim in my eyes as I stare down at my ring. It weighs on my finger constantly mocking at me.

His smile turns into a frown,” What’s the matter, Scarlett?”

“He conspired me into this marriage with his driver.” I narrate him everything since the start.

“Blaze Hamilton is a good man but if you’re not happy then I think its unfair. Tell me how can I help you?” He asks me once I am done telling him.

“I want you to find a way to annul this marriage and transfer my mother’s assets on my name which she left for me.’ I demand him and smirk inwardly as I am planning to run away far for next six months until my twenty-fifth birthday.

He takes off his glasses and rubs his temples.

“I am sorry, my dear but its not possible to annul the marriage as I left no loopholes when I prepared the papers and neither you can claim your mother’s assets as you are still not attain the age of twenty-five. She clearly stated it in her will. She wanted you to be mature and smart enough to take your own decisions which won’t be driven by impulsiveness or anger. You have to continue this marriage for next six months, Mrs. Scarlett Hamilton.”