Chapter 2 Meeting

Scarlett's POV: On the way to the restaurant, I kept silent, and Charles didn't say anything either. We had been married for three years, but we acted around each other like strangers.

And now, I had to accompany my husband to see his fiancee.

The driver pulled over at the Rainbow Dream, a three-Michelin-star restaurant. It was the most luxurious restaurant in the city.

"Mr. Moore, Miss Lively is waiting for you on the second floor," the usher greeted Charles. It seemed that Charles was a regular customer here.

I followed Charles into the elevator.

"Try to look happy when you see Rita, okay? Don't pull a long face," Charles said coldly.

"All right," I replied, manufacturing a smile and putting it on my face.

Soon, we stepped into a private room.

"Scarlett, long time no see."

I fixed my gaze on Rita and desperately tried to keep my face neutral. She still looked so young and beautiful. Her face and skin were as smooth as porcelain. She must have spent a lot of money on taking good care of her appearance and her body.

Charles once said that she was dying, but I didn't feel convinced because she looked better than I did.

"Yeah. Long time no see," I said, flashing her a half-hearted grin.

"Have you gotten over the jet lag? How did you sleep last night?" The smile on her face looked sincere, as if she wasn't the one who called to provoke me last night.

"I slept all right, thank you for asking," I replied.

Today's main dish was steak. Charles was cutting Rita's steak for her.

I didn't think I'd seen Charles being so considerate to someone.

"Charles told me last night that you're seeing someone."

"Yes. He's a painter," I immediately made up a story.

The moment I answered, I noticed that Charles's hands trembled slightly.

"Do you have any photos of him?"

Rita's curiosity caught me off guard. I took a look at Charles, but he didn't look at me.

"Well, I don't. We're not yet officially together. It doesn't feel right to have photos of him in my phone if he isn't my boyfriend yet," I explained, lowering my head and refocusing on cutting my steak.

"Then are there any photos on his Facebook account?" Rita pressed.

"I think so. Let me look for it for you." As I spoke, I took out my phone and thought about which of my classmates I should choose to act as my fake pursuer.

Pierre was the first person that popped in my head. He was one of my good friends.

I pulled up his Facebook page and found a photo of him in front of the Eiffel Tower. Pierre had long hair and a young and handsome face. He looked like an artist, and he was completely different from Charles.

I handed my phone to Rita.

"He looks like a romantic boy from Paris. I'm really happy for you. Charles, it turns out that Scarlett's type is totally different from you." After saying that, Rita showed Pierre's photo to Charles.

Charles just glanced at the screen and groaned, "They're a perfect match."

"Is he coming to America?" Rita asked and handed my phone back to me.

"He's still in Europe. He's holding an art exhibition in Lyons. He's actually considering developing an art career here in the United States, so it's entirely possible for him to move here," I said, making up more lies.

"Do you love him?" Rita prodded.

I was stunned for a moment.

After collecting myself, I answered, "Of course I do." I tried my best to keep clam as I didn't want to give myself away.

"That's great. It seems that we don't need to worry about Scarlett after all, Charles. Let's wish Scarlett and her special someone happiness," Rita chirped and raised her glass.

Charles also raised his glass, his face still bereft of emotion.

"Scarlett, I wish you and your man a wonderful life," Rita beamed at me, her face brimming with sincerity. Even though I didn't find any holes in her genuine facade, I knew that underneath her angelic face lurked an ugly monster.

"Thank you. I wish you and Charles a wonderful life, too."

We all downed the contents of our glasses.

When I put down my glass, my hand trembled. A wave of nausea rolled in my stomach. I bit down the sickness that I felt and wished that the meal would be over. I didn't want to spend another minute in the same room as the pretentious Rita Lively.

"Excuse me. I need to go to the bathroom," I muttered, rose from my seat, and left. I didn't really need to use the bathroom. I just wanted to go outside for some fresh air.

When I came back, Charles was already helping Rita put on her velvet coat.

"Rita doesn't feel well. I'll give her a ride home. I'll come back for you..."

"No, no need. It's okay. I can go home by myself."

I watched Charles and Rita walk out of the restaurant with his arm around her shoulder. All of a sudden, the tense muscles all over my body relaxed.