Chapter 8 - Secrets

"No, you are not coming into work yet!" I said sternly to Jasper as he attempted to leave the bed after a mere three weeks of being away from work.

"I need to go back to work, Scarlett!" He yelled angrily as I shook my head.

"I know you want to, but you need to rest," I said softly.

"Scarlett!" He sighed dramatically.

"On Friday, I won't be checking in on you until the evening. I'm due to attend something."

"And what might that be?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

Oh, y'know, just a court case for my mentally disturbed father.

"A meeting," I replied shrugging my shoulders.

"Does Haynes know about the scar?" He asked after a minute's silence.

"Mr Queen, I -"

"I want the truth, Scarlett."

"He hasn't even seen them yet." I said quietly.

"Them?" He repeated loudly.

Crap on a shït sandwich. (A/N: What up Drillbit Taylor reference!)

"I had best be going now," I announced standing up.

"Sit back down right now and explain." He got out of his bed and sat on the chair opposite me.

"Mr Queen, please -"

"No! I am not having that. I swear to God, I will fire you if you don't tell me what the hell happened!" He snapped glaring at me.

"Get some rest, Mr Queen. I'll see you later on." I said rolling my eyes before attempting to leave.

"I was nearly killed because of you, who's to say it won't happen again?" He smirked evilly.

"Mr Queen," I gasped as he continued smirking.

"Well?"

I slowly walked up to his bed, removed my jacket and sat opposite him.

"When... When I was around seven, my father, he..."

I stopped, not knowing how to tell him that my father was in fact a psychopathic, deranged excuse of a man.

"I... I really don't want to talk about it." I said quietly.

"Your father did this, didn't he?" He asked menacingly.

"Which is the reason I won't be seeing you till late on Friday. I'm due to attend court."

"I am coming, too." He declared, also standing up.

"Are you insane?" I yelled at him putting my hands on my hips. "There are floods of photographers and reporters currently hounding this entire building still trying to find out what happened in Paris and you don't think that turning up in court will allow them to make up vile stories about you?"

"I couldn't care less, Scarlett," he smiled easily as he sunk back into his bed.

"Well, I do. Stay in bed and rest. I'll bring you some dinner for later when I come by. I'll see you later, Mr Queen." I pulled up the black silk sheets of his bed which smelt absolutely divine.

Of him.

His musky, sexy aroma.

Goddamnit, I really need to stop doing that.

I left his place around the backdoor to avoid the crowd of reporters when suddenly my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Scarlett," Vincent's voice replied.

"Oh, Vincent is everything okay?"

"Yeah. I just need to see you. We need to see each other more often," he spoke seriously as I frowned.

"What?" I laughed. "We went to dinner last night!"

"Yes, but I miss my girlfriend, is that so bad?"

Vincent and I had been dating for just less than three weeks since I got back from Paris. He hadn't been very romantic whilst asking however, which was slightly disappointing but at least I had some hope in establishing a relationship.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I laughed. "I've got to give Mr Queen dinner later today."

"You're too good for that man, Scarlett," he tutted angrily.

"Alright, bye Vincent," I chuckled as I put the phone down.

Even though Vincent was sweet and caring, I couldn't help but feel something was missing. Even when we were together, Vincent seemed unusually coy about everything and didn't really say much which irritated me a lot. It almost seemed like I didn't even know him sometimes and even though I was no expert, I was pretty certain that that was a tell sign that this relationship could only go so far.

***

After returning from the office that evening, I picked up the soup and muffins I'd made earlier and made my way back to Jasper's; thankfully the reporters and photographers had disappeared. I unlocked the door and made my way in.

"Mr Queen?" I knocked on his bedroom door as he opened it wearing nothing but a pair of boxers, his sculpted eight pack proudly on show marred with the newly formed scar from the bullet.

"Scarlett," he smirked arrogantly. "Come in."

"Of course." I choked out.

"How did the meeting with Lucas go?" He asked putting on a pair of sweatpants.

Since Jasper was away from work, his best friend, Lucas, stood in as temporary CEO of the company until his return.

It was just as well that Lucas was very good at doing Jasper's job.

"It went very well. Lucas managed to get James Patton to invest in the software your team developed," I replied as I noticed his eyes clouding with anger.

"A first name basis, is it? You've been working for me for nearly a year yet you still address me like a mere acquaintance," he snapped angrily.

"We are in a professional working relationship, Mr Queen, I'm afraid formalities are a necessity," I told him softly as he scoffed.

"Yet you can easily call Luke by his first name even though you were in a 'professional working environment', is that it?"

"It really is not that big a deal," I said trying to maintain a steady tone. "Come, eat something now."

"I'm not hungry," he muttered turning his attention to his phone.

Suddenly my phone buzzed to life as I read Vincent's name on the screen.

We're going out. Get your ass of Moodypants' house and I'll see you in an hour ;) V.

I grinned at his childish, demeaning nickname for my boss who seemed to be at war with his emotions at present time.

Moodypants? We need to work on that. See you soon. S. X

"Would that be your lover?" Jasper barked suddenly.

"I'll see you later." I ignored him as I opened his door to leave.

"Scarlett," he started, hopelessly. "Please be... Be careful. Vincent isn't all he seems."

"Why do you keep saying that if you can't explain any further?"

He stayed quiet for a moment as I folded my arms expectantly.

"Cancel your plans with Haynes, we're going out to dinner."

"How can -"

"Do you want to know or not?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

Sighing, I whipped out my iPhone and called Vincent.

"Are you ready already?" He asked in disbelief.

"No," I laughed. "I'm afraid I have to take a raincheck, Mr Queen has an urgent meeting where I have to attend too."

"Fücking Jasper," he growled.

"Hello, Vincent!" Jasper chirped in the background as I stifled a laugh.

"You're still at his please?" Vincent roared. "What, have you moved in there now?"

"Vincent, stop overreacting please," I frowned in confusion. What had gotten into him? "It's an important meeting and I have a job to perform."

"Scarlett, the next time I see you, I swear -"

"Goodbye, Vincent," I snapped ending the call feeling a little uneasy.

Since when did he ever speak to me like that?

We had only known each other a little over a month, and while I could tell he was possessive, his recent actions screamed there was something worse I had to fear.

"Everything okay?" Jasper asked as I nodded. "Okay, just let me change and we'll get going."

"Are you sure you're okay to leave the house?"

"I'm not dying Scarlett," he laughed softly. "I'm also driving as I've given Smith a few weeks off. Now leave so I can change, unless, of course, you'd like to admire the view." he winked.

"Um, I..."

"What is it?"

"I haven't got anything to wear, I mean I have, it's just... I'll have to go home," I trailed off, feeling rather bland in my jeans and Tee.

"Scarlett," he grinned rolling his eyes. "We can stop by your house before we leave."

"Thank you."

"I won't be a minute," he grinned as I waited downstairs before noticing a pair of bright pink thongs on the floor.

"What are you looking at?" he asked as he stepped inside, dressed in a Prada suit, looking extremely sexy.

"Really, Jasper?" I questioned in disgust as his eyes followed my gaze.

"Before you judge me," he began a smirk gracing his lips. "Lucas was here when I stepped out for a while with his girlfriend. I promise it isn't mine."

"Fine. I'll let you have that one." I muttered walking past him as he inhaled deeply.

"God, you smell beautiful," he murmured.

"Thank you?" I replied hesitantly, but pleased that he liked my perfume.

The man had good taste.

"Let's go." He sat inside his Rolls, his long, tanned fingers gripping the wheel sexily - if that was even possible.

"Would you like to come in and wait, Mr Queen?" I asked as he parked up outside my place.

"Of course," he smiled stepping out and following me inside. Although my place was large, it felt more like a shabby cottage in contrast to his luxurious condo.

"Would you like a drink?" I asked as I poured him a glass of wine. "I'll be down in a bit."

"Take your time Scarlett, don't rush."

Don't rush?

I hurried up the stairs and rummaged through my walk-in closet, desperate to find something nice to wear. Finally, I settled on a midnight blue knee-length dress with a simple diamond bracelet and the necklace Jasper had bought me. I kept my makeup subtle but added my trademark red lipstick before allowing my waist length blonde hair to fall freely down my shoulders. I quickly put on a pair of diamond studs and slipped on a pair of heels before making my way down.

"I'm ready," I said softly as I walked into the living room where Jasper was sat. His eyes roamed over my body as he cleared his throat.

"You look lovely, Scarlett," he smiled as he stood up as we left and headed to the restaurant.

I wondered the entire way there, what the hell was Jasper being so secretive about?

And did I really want to know?

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