CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

SCARLETT'S POV

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When I turned around to look at him, I could see he was trying his best to cover up his emotions but his eyes, those deep , dark eyes that held such thick feelings conveyed it all.

I gulped before speaking, "So?"

Giving him an indifferent look, I said,

"Should I care?"

His eyes widened a little, "You don't?"

"Should I ?"

He was silent for a few moments. I thought he wasn't going to speak so I spoke again,

"A gold digger doesn't care about anyone but herself , right? " His eyes showed he was guilty of what he said before but I was in no mood for forgiving him. I'm not the one to handle his mood swings.

He has no right to say whatever he wants to say at any damn time without a single ounce of care.

" I mean.... that's what I have heard." With a shrug I added.

He was looking at me with an intensity I wasn't used to. His eyes showed he was frustrated and helpless.

"Can we..." He started but I cut off him in between.

"I need to go." Saying this, I turned around and again tried to walk away.

But this time, he didn't stop me. He kept looking at me with eyes full of pain and frustration but he ....he didn't make s move to stop me.

And I don't know but for some reason, my chest pained a little on seeing this.

Did he really think I was marrying him for his money, his status?

Well, I couldn't blame him. I gave him no other reason to think of. Why would a girl who didn't even know him, would agree to marry him?

That night when he asked why did I agree to marry him, I gave him that reason of him being the sexiest man alive. I myself gave such a stupid reason which is obviously leading over to the conclusion he just made.

But damn it, it hurt, it really hurt. Him thinking so low of me made me feel disgusted.

It was like I just wanted to go away to some unknown place and start again with a new identity. That's how much he affected me, his words affected me.

I was only a step away from the door when I felt him right behind me. When I felt his hand grasping my arm and pulling me close to his chest, so close I could feel his chest rising and falling.

"You can't go" putting his both arms around me, he trapped me between his chest and his strong arms.

"My back hurts because of the wooden pieces of the bookshelf."

This reminded me of his wounds. He must be hurt. And here, I was, walking away.

I didn't even realize how stupid my actions of quickly turning around and trying to turn him around so I could see how much hurt he was looked. It was untill I heard his deep chuckle that I realized. I blushed red but thankfully it doesn't easily show on my cheeks.

I immediately ceased my efforts of making him turn around. I was fruitlessly pushing his shoulders in a way so his back would face me. He kept chuckling at me.

"Hee hee hee" I made a laughing face and said in a mock reprimanding tone,

"Very funny, right? Now shut your hee hee and turn around."

Luckily, he complied with my command this time.

I could see that his thin shirt was pierced at certain places. There were scratches too of those tiny wooden pieces.

And the heavy books of the shelf also fell on his back. That must have hurt pretty badly too.

I was surprised how his face and his body didn't show a single sign of him being hurt. How could he bear this all?

If I was in his place, I would have probably fainted by the amount of crying I would have done.

I was still upset at him but that doesn't mean I was ignorant of what he did just now, if he would not have been there at time, I don't know what could have happened. I shudder thinking about it. There was a kid with me too. I was grateful to Xander for this.

I could feel his intense stare on me all this time. I looked up to see his eyes held an unreadable emotion, something I couldn't decipher.

Suddenly, he held me more closer to him, his grip tightened more on me.

He leaned closer to my face. I could feel his hot breath on my lips.

I could have stepped back, I could have again tried to get out of his hold and I know he wasn't the one to force if I did.

But the thing was, that I myself didn't want to step back. I don't know why but for some unknown reason I wanted to be in his strong and hard arms.

"Come with me." He again repeated what he said before.

One thing I've noticed about him is that he never asks someone anything, never asks what the other person might want, he just commands, just orders and expect everyone to do the same as he wants. It was kind of cute to see him expecting me to follow too.

But he knew , he knew I won't follow him, he knew he can't order me to do as he wishes which I think he never do, I don't think he is the one to wish for anything.

He looked like someone who would always get what he wants, no matter what. His masculine dominance was so asserting, so alluring that I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to actually have him as ...my..lov....

Oh no no no, what was I thinking? How could I even think that?

He must have put a spell on me. Yeah, that's the only explanation. Why would I even think about him that way.

I need to clear my head. After getting back home, I'll go for a walk in the nearby park.

Knowing he can't order me,he turned around as if he knew I wasn't following him.

Coming to me, bending his head a little and looking deep into my eyes, he sighed.

"Pl...please"

I smiled a little on this. He never said "please " before, it seemed from the way he was so uncomfortable speaking it.

Unknowingly, a chuckle left my mouth on seeing him like this.

And instead of scowling at me, I found a small smile dancing on his lips. The sight was too beautiful for me to keep looking so I turned my head to look around and I saw most of the attention of people in the bookstore were on us.

Even Marcia winked at me when our eyes met. I blushed at that.

He noticed it too. The smirk on his face was enough to tell me that. Wrapping his arms around me, he took me outside to his car.

It took us almost forty minutes to reach his mansion.

This was my first time coming here.

I got a strange but beautiful feeling inside me. It was going to be my home soon. I never thought about this. I never thought about me marrying but I am now. And thinking about my home with my husband kinda gives a warm feeling inside my chest. But it didn't last long. I know I won't be here for long. I'll try my best to make Xander's life more lively and know the reason why he's like the way he is but....I know, I know I won't ever be able to live here forever, I can't even think of being here forever. Marriage is not something I've ever thought about. I need to talk about it with Maria. I can't just lie to her like this. It's not exactly a lie, it's just that she doesn't know what I want to do. But I'll tell her soon.

He opened my door again this time. I am perfectly capable of doing it myself though.

This mansion was modern stylish with a vintage touch to it.

It was so huge , I knew there was a lot of area behind the building too from the way it was surrounded by greenery all around. The garden was so vast and clean.

I was in awe looking at it.

I came out of my reverie when I heard a clearing of throat. It was Xander.

He was looking at me expectantly.

Maybe to see my reaction. I'm sure he knew it's my first time visiting his place.

I wanted to smile at him but no, he still hasn't apologised. He's so stubborn.

We went inside. The place was even more grand from inside but it lacked a certain warmth, a homey feeling.

The furniture looked so expensive but even it was not enough to make the mansion seem like a home.

I didn't realize I was looking around with a frown on my face till Xander asked me,

"You didn't like it?"

"It's... it's good." I turned to look at him.

He was already looking at me.

"It's just...." I sighed, "nothing"

"Tell me where the first aid kit is, I'll bring" Changing the topic, I suggested to him rubbing my hands together.

He nodded, "I'll get it."

He was going to get it himself but I grabbed his arm. A shock passed through my body. I immediately pulled my hand back. He did the same.

"You sit down here. You are hurt. Let me . Also, I'm not going to steal anything if you are worried about that." Yes, I was worried about him but that doesn't mean I've forgotten how he talked to me.

He seemed to realise that too. For he got up and stood next to me. Why does he always have to stand up. He's so tall.

I have to crane my neck to look at him. To avoid that, I tried to step back.

But he grabbed both of my arms and brought me close to himself.

"I don't think you are a thief...."

"Because you know it , right?" I asked , a little bit frustrated. I don't know why I was so frustrated at his words but I just don't know. I didn't like the way he talked to me.

He sighed. Putting his forehead on mine, he brought me more closer to him.

He shook his head, "No, you are not a thief. I'm...."

Now, I looked at him expectantly.

"Yes?"

"I..I am..."

"You are thief?" I asked trying hard to suppress my smile. I was upset but seeing him stuttering like this , it's hard to control wide grin spreading on my face.

"What ? No , I mean .....no I'm saying that I ....uh...I .."

"Yes? You...you what?"

Taking a deep breath, he said,

"I am sorry. I didn't mean those things I had said."

Oh lord, he finally apologized. What I would have done for that to happen.

I didn't realize I was actually looking up at the ceiling as if to thank god.

Obviously, I couldn't move my arms as they were trapped by him.

He looked confused.

"What are you looking up at the ceiling?"

"Oh, nothing."

He squinted his eyes a little.

"I'm telling the truth." I said nodding my head up and down.

"You sure?" He asked raising his left eyebrow.

Damn him! He looked so good like that.

"Yeah, I am" I swallowed.

He brought his face more close to mine. I could feel his hot breath on my face. He examined my face closely.

Putting my head on his chest, I sighed a little,

"I was thanking the lord." I ended with a mischievous smile on my face knowing he can't see me.

"What?" He pulled away to look at me.

"I said I was thanking the lord." I ended with a wide smile.

He looked confused for a moment but then it seemed as if he found what he was looking for.

"Oh, you are thanking the lord because you are marrying me, right? I know all the girls would want to be with me and you are the lucky one. Go on thank the lord as much you want."

I would have thought he was serious if I didn't see the mischievous glint in those deep eyes if his.

"Oh baby, no baby, you got me all wrong baby." I said pointing my index finger at him in a waving manner and laughing.

His eyes widened.

"I'm your baby?" He asked coming closer to me.

I laughed.

"Obviously not. It's a song Xander. Haven't you heard?"

"What? A song?"

"Yes, a song." I playfully poked his chest as I was already standing so close to him.

"Oh Xander, you really haven't heard it before?"

He shook his head at my question.

"Awww, little baby hasn't heard it." His eyes were wide as saucers this time.

They became a bit dark, amusement and want were shining in his eyes.

Stepping more closer to me,

"You think I'm little?" He whispered in his normal voice aka deep and husky voice that never ceases to allure me.

"Yes, I just called you that. Little baby."

Putting pressure on "little baby" I said to him.

"Ohh, I'm no baby. And definitely not little." He chuckled a bit.

"You mean to say you're not little? Okay little baby." I shrugged with a laugh.

He playfully glared at me.

I raised my hands in the air as if to give up, "okay okay "

Coming close to his face, I said,

"Big baby."

He gave that smile, the smile which meant whatever he was going to do or say, it's sure I won't like it. Period.

He leaned his face close to mine. Intensely staring into my eyes, not even blinking once. His gaze flickered downwards to my lips before again looking in my eyes. Licking his lips, he leaned more close to me.

What is he going to do? Is he...is he going to kiss me? Why was he looking at my lips? Everyone has lips, he doesn't need to specifically stare at them.

Oh my god!! What the heck am I thinking?

Obviously, I'm so stupid. But his eyes....they showed his want.

Instead of kissing my lips, he went towards my side and licked my left earlobe before sensually whispering the words which left me red as a tomato.