Chapter 17

At the airport of Empire City, Scarlett was impatiently walking back and forth while waiting for the plane to land. She was starting to feel restless having to wait for so long even though it had not been so long since she was there. She looked at the time on her wristwatch now and then to what the time was.

Right at that moment, the plane landed smoothly and a while later its passengers started coming out one after the other. A specific young man with ink-black hair, and obsidian eyes, came out of the plane dressed in a plain black suit that was specially designed for him.

When he appeared in Scarlett's sight, she walked up to him with a smile on her. Though she was annoyed she did not let it show in her expression. She did not want to come and receive him but she had to in other to pose herself as the 'world's best girlfriend' any man could ever have to the public.

She walked to him wrapped her hands around his neck and planted a light kiss on his lips. She smiled at him and said, "Welcome babe".

The Mam looked at her and only gave an "Mhm" to her and pulled off her hands that were wrapped around his neck and stepped away from her walking ahead.

"Is that all you have to say to me after I waited for so long to receive you?" Scarlett asked taking hurried steps to reach him.

He stopped and turned around abruptly making her bump into his chest falling backward but he caught her by her waist and brought her back to her feet.

He let go of her waist straightened his posture and apologized. "I am sorry.... I am not in the right mind to talk right now so please talk less for now".

"I have been busy lately and I need to rest. Whatever you have to say to me please wait for the time being because I need to clear my head". He said and turned around and left her standing and staring at his back.

The look of hurt she had on her face when he was facing her took a 180-degree change as he stared at his back. The look on her face at the moment was that of pure anger and jealousy. Realizing that she was in a public place with many people around she masked it with hurt and sadness and ran after him.

She could not let the world see that side of her, it would break the facade she puts in front of everyone and make them believe. If that were to happen then it would ruin her career.

When she caught up to him, she hooked her hand around his and said, "Gale, I understand that and you don't have to worry I will not disturb you with any talks until you are ready" she said with a bright smile on her face. The kind that can make anyone believe whatever she said without a doubt.

"Oh....and don't worry I will keep you company while you relax, "she said jumping a little in excitement.

But the moment Gale heard those words his steps halted. He turned to her with an annoyed look his eyes without saying a word and their eyes locked on each other.

With that single look, she knew it was time to keep silent. Averting her gaze from him, she looked down at the floor and said nothing further. Gale resumed his steps and Scarlett silently followed him out of the airport.

When they reached the outside, Gale released her hand from his and headed towards his car where his driver was already there waiting for him. When Scarlett saw this, she felt hurt, and for the first time in a long time, that feeling of hurt was real.

"Gale". She called out and then he stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Gale, what is the meaning of this, I came here to pick you up and you are leaving me without a word of explanation".

"I need to rest Scarlett. And I believe you are busy as well so don't bother yourself about me, you go and take care of what needs to be taken care of on your end, and don't stress over me". He said, trying not to hurt her with his words and tone.

"I... OK. I won't stress over it. Take care of yourself". She said while looking a bit hurt on the surface but within her, all she felt like doing was to go and kill Melody for refusing to stay dead and showing up again.

Gale nodded at once and left her heading for the SUV that was a few steps away from him.

Scarlett was red with anger as she watched the car drive away from her sight. What does she have to do to get this man to fall for the way he did for Melody in the past? She has tried possibly everything she could think of but got no improvement in the way he treated her. And today... Today was worse than any other day. Not exactly the worse but knowing that Melody was out there and she was responsible for it made it worse than any other before.

Inside the car, Gale closed his shut and rested his head on the headrest. Ever since Scarlett told him about meeting Melody, he was not able to get the thought out of his mind.

He was afraid of what Melody would do if she ever found out that he was a part of the conspiracy that killed her parents and ruined her. Back then he had no idea just how powerful the Novas were. Although he knew that they were powerful, he did not know to what extent their power and influence were.

He was made use of and fooled to an extent that he did not even realize until it was too late. The day he saw her nude photos with a man inside a hotel in the news he broke up with her instead of standing beside her.

He was even the one who gave them access to that particular room but he had no idea who was going in it or what they were going to do. That day he received a text message on his phone threatening his family if he did not cooperate with them.

Back then his family's business was just a start-up and he lacked connections. So when someone came to him and asked for the key to the room Melody was in he gave it to him without question knowing that his parents' lives were at stake.

He realized what sort of conspiracy that was about to happen right after it had already happened. Then he found out that Jacob Nova was behind it all it was too late to act. He knew that there were more people than just Jacob but he had no idea who they were.

Jacob Nova had promised to take care of his family and help their businesses stabilize if he said nothing or bury him completely if he refused. He was left with no other choice other than to agree.