A Villainous Affair

Chapter 10

Five weeks later on a sunny Saturday afternoon, Scarlet knocked on Herb's door. She quickly smoothed down her new top and skirt, a green and black ensemble that brought out the color of her eyes. A pair of fashionable green pumps lined with peau de soie fabric completed the outfit.

Her heart inexplicably thumped as she waited. They hadn't had contact for over a month, so what could he possibly want with her after all this time? He sure hadn't seemed to want her company anymore, especially after she'd revealed the details of her tragic childhood.

Despite his abrupt disappearance, she'd persisted in trying to reunite with him. They'd shared too much to simply throw it all away. Scarlet wanted one more chance to show him she was a person worth knowing. But when she'd called, he didn't answer. She'd visited his loft unannounced, but he never came to the door even though the windows glowed with a strange colors. Neither had he shown up at his usual hangouts.

Scarlet wondered if something had happened to him, so she'd checked around extensively, but no one knew anything. Her frustration and anger grew to the point where she'd seriously considered blowing his door open with explosives. At the very least, she wanted an answer and an apology for ignoring her.

It also would have been an excuse to see him one last time.

But finally, he'd called. Apologized profusely for being so incommunicado, and said he'd had an excellent reason. One she'd understand soon. Told her to come over immediately because he had something important to show her right now.

Scarlet had half a mind to ignore him. Would serve him right if she turned the tables. But since inventors often had an absentminded side, she decided-just once-she'd give him the benefit of the doubt.

Scarlet raised her hand to knock again when the door opened.

Herb took one wide-eyed look at her raised fist and jumped back. "Whoa! Maybe wait to punish me until after I show you my greatest invention, like, ever."

Scarlet charged inside. "I was only going to knock, Herb." She whirled on him and jabbed her finger at his face. "Show me what you've got, and it better be good. I don't care one bit for the way you left me hanging."

"I know. I'm sorry. Terribly sorry-that wasn't one of my better decisions. But while you bared your heart to me, I came up with the grooviest invention to help you reach your goals! I just had to make it as soon as I could." He entreated her with puppy dog eyes. "You're going to love it, I promise."

Scarlet crossed her arms. "Fine, so where is it?"

Herb cupped her elbow. "Come on over-no, wait, I'll go get it." He leaped across the room.

Scarlet had never seen him so pumped before. His excitement was contagious. She couldn't help but feel intrigued.

Moments later, Herb returned, pushing a rolling hangar before him. A strapless red evening dress hung from it.

She frowned. "Are you taking me to a ball? What's with the dress?"

"Not just a dress-it's a rocket dress!" He clapped his hands. "This is gonna be so fun! Put it on in the bathroom and I'll show you how it works."

When she hesitated, he took her elbow in one hand and pushed the hangar forward with the other. The strength he used to propel her forward surprised her. I guess when it comes to his inventions, he doesn't fool around.

"Okay, okay, I'm going!"

Scarlet removed the dress from the hangar and took it into the bathroom. Everything about it felt like an ordinary evening dress. Perhaps the material weighed a tad heavier than the kind normally used, but that was all. She kicked off her pumps, took off her clothes, and shimmied into the dress.