Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Miguel never allowed his babysitter or Richard to separate him from Charlene. When Charlene attempted to lay him in his crib, he grabbed her hair and cried out loud like a baby that had been taken away from his mother forcefully. Charlene had no other choice than to take him back to their room after feeding him his food. Charlene laid him beside her, whenever Richard tried to touch him he always crawled to Charlene and hugged her.

“Seriously, Miguel?” He was surprised when he rejected him again.

Charlene spared him an apologetic countenance before looking at Miguel. Richard scoffed softly, he turned to the other side and covered his body with the duvet.

Miguel gurgled at her and extended his hands to her, gesticulating to her to carry her. Charlene remembered the book she left because of him, she needed to read but Miguel didn't give her a chance. She sighed, she caressed his face and smiled brightly at him.

“Time to sleep, Miguel.” Charlene made to cover him up with his blanket but he sat up and extended his hands again. Meanwhile Richard was only pretending, he could feel all his movement and how Charlene was trying to pet him to sleep.

“Okay. You want us to sleep together?” Charlene asked calmly, he gurgled. She sighed quietly, she laid him beside her then laid as she focused her gaze on him steadily. He wasn't sleepy and all he wanted was to be cuddling in her arms. She figured out that he wouldn't allow her to sleep if she kept staring at him so she closed her eyes and before she knew it, she drifted to Dreamland.

Miguel crawled out of his blanket, he scrambled on top of Charlene purposely. He got on top of her body, laying his head on her chest, he grabbed hold of her hair and pulled with force. Charlene groaned silently, she lifted a hand to her hair and removed his hand before hugging him tenderly.

Miguel saw that Charlene was actually ignoring him, he pouted his lips and pulled her hair again, this time it was a bit painful.

“Ahhh!” Charlene cried out. She opened her eyes at once and looked at him. He pouted his lips while smiling, he extended his hands gesturing to her to carry him in her arms.

The sound of her cry awoke Richard, he sat up and looked at Charlene who was still in a laying position. “What's the matter?” He demanded solemnly.

“Nothing.” Charlene lied without making eye contact with him.

He traced Miguel's hand with his eyes and saw what he was doing. He moved closer in bed and loosened his grip. “Miguel– can't you stay quiet?” He said while looking at him inimically. Miguel's eyes fell, he pouted his lips then burst into tears. He moved into her arms while avoiding Richard. Charlene wiggled in bed as she sat up.

“You don't have to be harsh on him. It's nothing.” She murmured. He carried him up and made him sit on her leg as she supported her back with the pillows.

“Both of you are disturbing me. Can't you take him to his room? Why be clingy?” He rolled his eyes before returning to his sleeping position then turned his back at them.

Charlene sighed, she extended her hand, picked her book on the nightstand and put it down on the bed. She made Miguel rest his head on her breast, he stayed quiet without grumbling. Charlene flipped to the fifth page and began to read.

He raised his right hand to her breast, he peeked at her face then he laid his hand on her breast. Charlene chuckled, rubbing his back tenderly as he beginning to fall asleep.

Charlene wasn't able to read, she dozed off while patting his back. When he didn't hear any sound, he turned over to look at them. He sighed. He climbed down the bed and went to the bathroom, after a while he stepped out but still he met them in the same awkward position. He stood beside Charlene and watched her admiringly. For the first time he noticed something he couldn't decipher. Richard crouched down a little, he laid Miguel but not separating him from Charlene. She opened her eyes widely and looked at him, when she attempted to speak he put a finger on his lips.

“Shush!” He pointed at Miguel.

Charlene nodded once as she understood his signal, she laid beside him and made him sleep on her chest because he had started whining. Richard pecked his hair before returning to bed.

THE NEXT DAY Richard was ready to leave for work. He toddled out of the walk-in closet while knotting his tie, he glanced over the bed, he resisted the urge of rolling his eyes as he walked up to the bed. He squinched beside them and put a hand on her arm and caressed it in order to wake her. “Hey. Charlene, wake up.” He said quietly.

“Mh-mmmm.” She moaned as she adjusted in bed.

“It's eight o'clock, wake up.”

Sluggishly she opened her eyes to see his face close to hers, she winced back as she furrowed her brow. “What are you doing?”

“I'm going to take him to his room. You can prepare for school.” He ignored her question. He separated Miguel from her gently, not waking him, he returned to his standing position, he laid him on his shoulder and sidled across the room.

She sat up carefully and moved to the edge. She put her feet on the cold floor then she slid into her scuff and headed to the bathroom. She did all the necessary stuff before she walked out the bathroom with a pink towel wrapped around her body, she slogged her way through the closet while searching for simple outfits. She wore a skimpy turtleneck that showed her bare midriff and skinny jeans. She stepped out after she was completely dressed. A maid assisted Richard with his briefcase and they both walked out of the room.

“Good morning sir.” Maids greeted him as he was heading out of the building. He sauntered casually to the garage, his driver already opened the door for him, he hopped in, the driver also did the same then drove out of the mansion.

The driver halted the car in the parking lot, Richard alighted from the car and one of his men carried his briefcase after him. He took the elevator to the last floor, he sauntered to his office and unexpectedly he met Devyn and Scarlett in his office having a solemn conversation.

“Scarlett, why are you here?” He walked close to them and sat on the same couch with Devyn.

“To see you of course. I didn't get the chance to attend your wedding. I went on vacation.” She dropped the magazine on the table and gazed at him steadily. “How come you married that lady?”

“Have you guys met before?”

She nodded. “At the party. That night you refused to show up and Devyn brought her with him. Wait, have you guys been dating secretly?”

“Of course not. Our parents arranged our marriage, I had no choice.”

“I don't like her.”

Devyn who had been listening to their conversation burst into mockery laughter. “You never like her because you know she'll put an end to your dirty relationship with Richard.”

Both of them glared at Devyn scornfully. Scarlett took her purse and threw it at him. “You really have a death wish, don't you?”

“You son of a bitch!” Richard dragged him by the ear.

“Relax bro. At least I know both of you have been sleeping together while others don't. Your secrets are safe with me.” He winked at her playfully.

Richard smacked him by the head and stood up. “Scarlett, wanna catch dinner with me tonight?” He narrowed his eyes.

“Sure, at my place, please—” He shrugged his shoulders and walked toward his deck.

Devyn wanted to interrupt but Scarlett threw him a deadly glare so he choked back his words. “I'm out.” He was infuriated and standing on the same roof with both of them would lead to a fight.

“I'll be expecting you tonight, okay?” She smiled lightly, she took her purse and rose. Richard nodded as a response then she left his office.

***

He informed his driver to return to the mansion since he was going to drive himself to her residence. By the time he pulled the car to a halt it was half past seven, he alighted from the car and sauntered toward the door, he opened it and stepped in.

Scarlet descended the stairs with enthusiasm, she had been eagerly awaiting his arrival. ”I was about to call you thinking you're not going to make it.”

“I promised, didn't I?”

She walked up to him and halted in front of him. She was wearing a flannel nightgown which was a bit transparent and revealing, she didn't have its jacket on and her cleavages could be seen by him. “Over here, I will prepare something you'll like.”

Richard shook his head negatively. “No, I lost my appetite. There's something we need to talk about.”

She looked at him eagerly while grinning. “About what?”

“Let's break up.” He said heavily.

Scarlett was taken aback. She had been hoping that one day they would get married since Richard and Henrietta weren't together anymore. She had always loved only him ever since they were in highschool but she made it known to him when he divorced Henrietta. “You can't do this to me, Richard.” She screeched. “I don't care if you're married. You don't love her after all.” Tears hovered in the corner of her eyes as she tried hard not to cry.

“It's better we end it now or I make it worse later and meanwhile I don't have the intention of marry another wife, I think we are adults here and you understand what I mean. We only had fun and we both enjoy it right. You deserve better and I don't want you to think I used you later that why I'm telling you this now before it's become worst that we both can't handle it. We don't have future together, what am I even saying? I don't love you, maybe what we have for each other since high school it's lust. I'm only doing this because of the old time sake and I respect you a lot as a woman. So please, let's leave this whole thing and pretend it has never happen before okay.” Richard enunciated with no remorse.

Scarlett's eyes popped widely, she slumped to the floor helplessly. “How do you expect me to deal with it?”

“You really have to.”

Scarlett rose with her gaze focusing on his face. She wiped her tears with her palms. “Do you love her?”

“It's none of your fucking business. Let's just be friends, no benefits.” He put his hand on her hair and ruffled it tenderly. “Don't think about it, okay?” He leaned over and pecked her forehead. He paced back and turned to leave.

“Richard...” He stopped without turning back. “I really love you.”

He didn't bother to respond, he exited and drove out of her mansion. He called Devyn to find out where he was. He drove to their favorite pub. He made his way toward the VIP area, Devyn was spotted alone. Richard walked over and slumped beside him. “Hey. What's up, man?”

“I'm tired.” He answered.

“You and Scarlett...”

“We broke up. I wonder why she thought I was going to marry her one, what a foolish lady.”

“You're really an asshole, you know that. You don't deserve any of them. I'm afraid for Charlene, you don't deserve her.”

“Can we just stop talking about her? Now my son is ignoring me because of her.” He grumbled with frustration.

“Because you're a terrible father.”

Richard didn't bother to respond, he grabbed a bottle of vodka and poured into the glass, he lifted to his lips and gulped down. Again he refilled it and drank out his sorrow till he was fully drunk.

“Richard.” Devyn tapped his shoulder gently.

“Um.” He looked at him.

Devyn already informed his driver to come over. “Your driver is.” He couldn't allow him to drive himself home in his drunk state. He helped him to the car park, he opened the car door and he hopped in by himself. The driver bowed and hopped into the car.

He drove in the mansion, before he could alight and open the door for him Richard already alighted. He made his way inside, tottering while descending the stairs.

The moment he entered, Charlene stepped out of the bathroom with a pink towel that reached her mid thigh as she had finished taking a shower before heading to bed. She already decided to fetch Miguel in his room later since Richard refused to return, little did she know that he was back home already, in a drunken state.

Richard barged into the room without knocking, it was his room of course so he could do anything he wanted. Charlene winced, she wasn't expecting him. And to think that she was wrapping just a towel around her body. She freaked out silently as she stood on the same spot staring at him.

The stench of alcohol from him filled the room. He had actually drunk his ass out.

Richard hadn't noticed her until she took a pace, he pivoted at her and he was awed by the sight. He started laughing. "How did a pretty, sexy lady like you get in here?" He said drunkenly as he staggered towards her.

Charlene turned to enter the bathroom but she felt a force drag her back. She fell roughly to the floor and winced. The towel came off and revealed her bare body. Shamefully she wrapped her hand on her breast.

Richard erected instantly and his body reacted badly to what he saw. He leered lasciviously into her eyes.

She quickly grabbed the towel and put it on again, leaped to her feet then made an attempt to rush into the bathroom but he stopped her. He looked sleepy and awake, at the same time.

"Has anyone ever told you...you have a sexy body?" He asked, not expecting a reply anyway. "It would be sweet to have you underneath me." He said and started laughing hysterically.

"Richard, you're drunk. Let go." She managed to say while trying to push him away.

"I'm not drunk!" He yelled. "Who said I am? Huh?!" He rasped.

Before she could say one more word, he drew her close to himself forcefully and crushed onto her lips. The kiss was so rough and intense that she couldn't breath and he didn't care. His hands were all over her body, caressing her as he was getting her aroused.

She tried hard to wriggle out of his hold but she couldn't, he was too strong for her,combined with the fact that he was drunk, she became helpless.

If she ever wanted romance from him, not this type. She had always dreamt of a sweet, slow and passionate romance but this one was just too much for her to bear. It was a painful and agonified romance with no sweetness.

He threw her onto the bed and climbed over her briskly. “Richard, don't. Please stop already, you're drunk.”

He chortled. “I'm not drunk. I've never wanted anyone more than I want you right now. What lubricious skin you have.” He smooched her neck.

After he took her towel off, he grabbed hold of her boobs in his left hand and played with it tenderly. He resumed kissing her and Charlene couldn't help but fell at his mercy. She wiggled nonstop in bed.

She let out a soft moan when he pinched her nipple. She had never felt such pleasure before, she was new to everything and the sensation that ran down her spine jacked her body in bed. She suddenly found herself drawing him closer to her, wanting more. At that point, she didn't care if it was painful or sweet. Maybe getting him into her like this will make him start liking her, she wasn't certain.

He traced her entrance with his right hand and when he found it, he rubbed on it for a while with his fingers, making her get wet. She cried out when he teased her.

Charlene started moaning again after he pushed a finger into her and slid it in and out. He gradually increased two and the more he fingered her, the more she wanted him inside of her. Ignoring the pain she felt, the pleasure she felt made her want more.

Richard positioned himself, he brought himself to her entrance and rubbed it there softly, to make him want once more.

As he was about to push in, some crazy thoughts flashed across Charlene's mind in a second. 'What if he wakes up tomorrow to find out something happened between us and then he hates me the most?' 'Will he not loathe me after this?' 'Is this right; she concluded.

“NO!” A voice screamed in her head and she pushed him off roughly, grabbed her towel and scurried out of the room.