Chapter V: The Awakening of an Unwanted Interest, Part 2:

Roy.

We took the private elevator down to the large hall where the event was taking place. It didn't take long to find Ailan's husband. He was standing by the large window overlooking the terrace, talking to the woman in red who had caught my attention.

"Who is she?" I asked my assistant.

"I think she's one of the escorts hired by the hotel to mingle with the guests. She belongs to an escort agency," my assistant told me, looking at his phone where he kept all the information I needed.

"Escorts?" I asked, closing my eyes. I didn't like how that sounded. It meant that Scarlet O'Hara was selling herself for money.

"Wow, little brother! Since when has the Milton Hotel chain become so avant-garde?" Ailan said, looking at me mockingly. "And does Dad know about this?" she continued.

I ignored her sarcasm and frowned at my assistant.

"Whose stupid idea was this? I want to know now!" I ordered my assistant to find out who had been stupid enough to hire prostitutes to liven up a party held by the Miller Group.

It was clear that whoever it was was more than fired.

Without saying another word, and with my sister clinging to my arm, I walked over to the couple talking so interestingly by the window. As I approached, I decided that I would focus only on my brother-in-law, even though he was useless, and I wouldn't even look at that woman.

"Do you want to cheer me up tonight, beautiful?" I could give you some hot and desirable ideas." That's what my sister and I heard when we were near Patel.

I had an overwhelming urge to hit that man; I wanted to smash his face right then and there. I hadn't gotten a good look at his "companion" yet. Honestly, knowing what she did for a living, I wasn't interested.

However, with her tempting collarbone, the white skin of her back up to the start of the intricate corset closure, and her narrow waist, it made you want to take out your wallet and let her choose the amount.

"May I ask, Patel, what are your plans with your little friend?" I asked, looking seriously at my brother-in-law.

Hearing my voice, Scarlet turned toward me. Her eyes, an indescribable color, opened wide in surprise. It was as if she had hit me with something. I felt the mental blow to my head. As much as I wanted to look away, I couldn't—nor did I want to.

I found myself trying to analyze their exact color instead of paying attention to what was happening around me. They were a mixture of dark blue and intense red. Their halos were dark blue, but their irises had changing reflections ranging from dark ochre to lighter shades.

"Is she wearing contact lenses?" I thought, since I had never seen that color before nor a body so desirable. If I had seen them before, I would have tried them for sure. Only my sister's indignant voice broke the spell I was under.

"What are you doing here, Walter? Weren't you supposed to be at the office?" Why are you trying to cheer up your friend? Have you forgotten that you're married?" I looked at my sister, making the "companion" feel embarrassed. I could tell because her cheeks turned pink, although nowhere near the color of her dress.

"If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to work. Mr. Walter, excuse me..." she said. Her voice was audible for the first time, but it sounded affected. By the end, she was almost out of breath.

The image of a bed with white sheets and hours of sinful exercise while she whispered in my ear entered my mind. I was angry at myself for being so easily manipulated.

When I realized Scarlet was walking away, I followed her without thinking. I told myself I was going to clarify that she should focus on other types of clients and that adultery was not allowed in my hotel—not even with professionals and certainly not with my brother-in-law.

"I don't think we've been properly introduced. Miss..." I said when I got close to her, somewhat away from where my sister and her husband were talking. I expected her to tell me her name, but she didn't even look at me.

I watched, fascinated, as the muscles in her bare back tensed while she stood with her back to me, not turning around. She was silent for a second. I thought about repeating the question, although I doubted she hadn't heard me. Besides, I don't like to repeat myself.

"Ha... Hanna. Hanna,” she finally said, her voice like a siren's song.

My interest in this woman grew, as did my sexual desire. I could tell from her gestures that she was upset, but I didn't know why because she still hadn't looked me in the face. I could only watch her from behind.

"Okay, Hanna, how much would it cost to get you away from him? You have more clients to choose from here. Even I could offer you a good price. How about a thousand pounds for one night?" I said, hoping she would react. As I said before, I'm direct about what I want. I don't beat around the bush, and she interested me. Besides, I had to make it clear that Patel was out of her league.

Her reaction was immediate. She turned to me and looked at me in disbelief for a few seconds. Then, after looking at me for a moment, she saw the calm, determined expression in my eyes. Hers darkened even more, and a fascinating reddish glow shone in the depths of her irises. It was a sight to behold, which is probably why her response caught me off guard. When she approached me with the most seductive smile I had ever seen, I was overcome with the desire to kiss her. I felt her hands on my jacket, the fabric feeling like feathers of fire, and my desire grew stronger. I couldn't help but smile, knowing I would get what I wanted and that I would not sleep alone tonight. Whatever price she asked would be worth paying.

"It would cost you something very simple, handsome. Die and be reborn as a beautiful, sweet little dog." Only then could you sleep in my bed as my pet. Otherwise, asshole, keep your money," she said, pushing me away. I was paralyzed on the spot.

For the first time in my life, I had been denied something I wanted. Far from getting angry, however, I suddenly felt more stimulated than ever. I loved challenges.

I picked up my phone and watched the cheeky Scarlet disappear among the hundreds of guests at the party.

"Interesting, very interesting," I thought, phone in hand, ready to talk to my assistant.

"By tomorrow, I want all the information you have on Hanna—or whatever her name is—she's one of the escorts hired for the event. She's the one in the red dress," I said. Without waiting for a response, I hung up.

I turned to where my sister and Patel were supposed to be, but they were no longer there. I lost interest in the party. I picked up my phone again and called my assistant back.

"Get my car ready. I'm leaving. Oh, and make sure that young lady from earlier leaves the party right now—alone. Pay her double if necessary.” I hung up. My assistant knew what to do. He was well paid for it and never let me down.

On my way to my luxury apartment in Central London, I couldn't stop thinking about the bold and direct Scarlet O'Hara, with fire in her eyes and a body that could enslave and addict any man.

"That woman is certainly very interesting," I said, hoping to find out more about her the next day.