Immediately Skylar stepped into the hotel, she knew all was not well. Right from the moment she met Paula pacing at the reception with a frown on her face, she knew something drastic had happened but she couldn't even imagine what that was?
“ There you are” Paula exclaimed as soon as she saw Skylar approaching her with Gian following closely behind her.
“ Where have you been? I've been trying to get in touch with you but your phone has been switched off” Paula told her as she nodded in greeting to Gian who was spotting a smile on his face.
“ How are you, Paula,?” Gian voiced his greeting as he turned to walk away trying to give them privacy but Paula's voice stopped him on his track.
Vino stood perplexed at the foot of the plane surprised, he couldn't believe he was hallucinating right now. What was he expecting, that she comes with open arms saying that she wants him back? No, never, Skylar was too proud to do that. it was his fault for listening to Paula in the first place. No one could ever persuade Skylar to make up with him unless she wants to. It only shows that he loves her more than she did to him.“ Boss, the plane is about to leave”Vino turned to his bodyguards who had surprisingly shown up as requested by his brother Michael due to the media who were heavy on their quest.Vino nodded but pause as he let his eyes run through his body before stopping at the blinking noise on his stomach “ How many times I've I warned you not to come to me with a fake bomb on you
Skylar coughed as she tried to force her eyes open but it seemed too heavy for her to lift. At first, it seemed fuzzy but after she got her eyes open, she turned to stare at the darkroom in shock as she couldn't believe what she was doing here away from the hotel.A quick glance at her legs and hands, she discovered that they were being tired by heavy rope while she sat on a stool. Skylar tried to break free from the rope on her hands which was tied behind the chair but all to no avail.The memory of the past day flooded her memory as she remembers going to meet Vino at the airport before coming in contact with Elise. Speaking of Vino, Skylar couldn't help wondering if he was alright? Did Elise go through with her threat? Skylar cursed herself loudly for being weak. She couldn't protect herself or the man she loves. What will s
Vino paced to and fro his office, ignoring the heavy frown on Mr. Falcone's face as he sat crossed legs on the couch opposite Vino's table.“ Will you come to sit down for a minute, Vino? You are wearing me down with your pacing. I'm surprised how you seem to keep that up for an hour now” Mr. Falcone scolded him as he stood up to force Vino into the couch beside him since he saw he wasn't going to budge any moment soon.“ What's going on with you?” Mr. Falcone asked him as he pretended not to know anything. Even though Vino's father had told him everything this morning when he had asked him to talk to his son.Vino shook his head as his hands went to the watch at the back of his hands, he saw that the time was just a few minutes past noon. His eyes we
Vino stared at the document in front of him, not really making out the words in them. It was the budget paper for the forthcoming annual Art dinner but Vino might have well been staring at any other document for all he cared. His mouth pulled into a thin line as his eyes furrow, Vino couldn't force himself to work no matter how much he wanted to and this was the only way he could take his mind off her but this wasn't working. In a daze, Vino picked up the pen which was lying useless on the table, twitching it in his hands he bent to write absently on the paper in front of him while he thought of Skylar. It had been two weeks without Skylar by his side. Even when they had fought, he was content seeing her smile whenever she chatted with Madison or Cynthia but now________ she’s no longer here. It's like she disappears from the surf
Skylar sat gazing through the darkroom she had come to know as a home. Her hands went frequently to rub her belly which was still a surprise to her, she ought to be starting antenatal soon but here she is locked in an abandoned farmhouse and at Elise's mercy with no hope of ever getting out.Speaking of her pregnancy, she was surprised that Elise wasn't making any plans to do something to her baby. Coming here, she had thought Elise was trying to kidnap her to do bad to her baby but that didn't seem to be the case…The clicking sound of the heels approaching through the corridor dragged Skylar from her straying thoughts as she turned in the direction of the door which seemed to open immediately…“ I was beginning to think I'm being forgotten here,”
Vino carried Skylar out of the car and walked to his house which he had vacated for weeks ever since he lost Skylar.She was still sleeping soundly in his arms, he turned to Paula who was right beside him helping him with the door to the parlour where his doctor was waiting with his bag in his hands.“ Thank you for coming on short notice, Doctor Clinton, '' Vino told him, who nodded as he went to close the window blinds which were bringing in the breeze from the ocean. Coupled with the aircon, the breeze was too much for Skylar to handle.“ Anything for you, Mr. Thompson,” Doctor Clinton told Vino as he stepped closer to the patient who was sleeping on the couch where Vino had dropped her.“
Vino arose with a start. He rubbed furiously at his eyes to get rid of the sleep in his eyes while wondering what could have woken him.A whimpering and the sound of someone struggling to breathe caused him to shrug out of the bed in seconds and rush to Skylar's side who was thrashing around and screaming.Vino rushed and carried her in his arms while whispering to her“ It's okay, angel. You are safe with me” Vino told her, his heart was beating fast in his chest. He never believed her nightmares would come so soon. Doctor Clinton didn't warn him it would be this soon.“ Please don't hit me. I'll do anything you want” Skylar screamed as she struggled to get away from the person who was hurting her.
“ Mom!” Skylar exclaimed in shock as she ran into her embrace. She had missed her mother so much. She tightened her hug and cried into her shoulder. “ My baby. I'm so sorry all of this happened because of you father, if only I wasn't so beautiful” Her mother said with a smile as Skykar's snorted and step away from her mother. “ Come on, mom. This isn't your fault. None of it was” Skylar told her as she let her eyes take in her mother, she had lean since the last time she saw her. “ Mom, what happened to you? you've lost so much weight” Skylar scolded her mother as she turned her around to examine her more. “ I'm okay, darling. I couldn't eat anything without knowing how you were” Mrs. Evans re
Skylar watched everyone gathered to celebrate her little baby. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as they sang a birthday son for him. “ Happy birthday to you” “ Happy birthday to you” “ Happy birthday to you dear Valentino” “ Happy birthday to you” Skylar smiled as she saw the tears of joy on her son's face as soon as he cut the cake. He bubble with happiness and came running to her side shouting with happiness “ I did it mom. I did it. Now I can protect you. Daddy says I'll be able to protect you, when I clock five. I'm now five” He called excitedly as he turned to flex his tiny muscles at his mom who squat down beside him and hug him tight to her chest. “ Yes, Tino. You are five. Thank you for growing up so healthy and being brave for Mom and Dad. We love you so much” Skylar told her son with a smile on her face as she turned to wipe her eyes away from her son as she wouldn't want him to see her in tears. He worries so much about her already with
EpilogueFive years later“ Has the flowers been delivered already?” Skylar asked the man who was bowing his head in front of her.“ Yes, ma'am” The man respectfully responded with his head still bowed.“ I hope it's, Tulips?” Skylar asked the man again to be sure there wouldn't be any mistake in the celebration today. She wants today to be a perfect day for everyone.“ Yes Ma'am. it just as you have requested” The servant replied with a knowing smile on his life. He wasn't annoyed with his boss's incessant questioning. He knew how thorough and perfect his boss could be.“ Thank you, Brian. You may take your leave now” Skylar nodded as she took a sip of the juice in her hands before she walked outside to the balcony and stood gazing at the sea. The refreshing breeze calm her nerves and brought peace to her mind.“ It's alright, Skylar. You are safe. Everything is fine. You are good and this is perfect '' Skylar rechanted in her mind as she struggled to calm her mind but even though it
Skylar gazed out of the window as she sat between two hefty men who she hadn't met before. Leon sat in front while Ty drove the car. She was shocked to see him again considering the last time he had left. Apparently, Leon didn't fulfil his part of the bargain when they arrived in Italy. Ty got annoyed and left but now that's he's back. Skylar guessed that Leon had once again made him another promise.Skylar oitied Ty, if only he knew who Leon was. He isn't the kind of man to keep promises but Skylar couldn't blame Ty, he was just another victim of love. Love, an emotion so strong that it could claim your whole being. She knew from first hand information how powerful it could be. It was love that drove Lolita into being an accomplice to Leon even though she knew she was at risk of being arrested with him.It was love that drove Ty to also aid Leon in his kidnapping spree. And the same love had turned to obsession and consumed both her sister, Elise and Leon , risking their life for t
Two Months LaterFlorence, ItalyA loud bang accompanies Leon entrance into the house where he had kept Skylar, this past few months away from any prying eyes. It was the safest place for him. No one would think to look there. Considering how much his mother had always hated Skylar, he knew she would never believed he was keeping Skylar under her nose.“ Leon, please let me go. You can't keep me hostage forever” Skylar groaned as he pleaded with him. This was their usual routine anytime he came to check on her and deliver her food.“ Of course, darling. I'm letting you go today. We are going to see the sunshine” Leon's face breaks into a smile as he squat down in front of her where she was tired to the floor. He placed a tray of food in front of her, his eyes straying to her stomach. Skylar watched the smile disappear from his eyes as he clenched his fiset in anger. She shivered in fear as she remembered the first time he had found out that she was pregnant. He had beat her badly bu
“ What's in it, son? Open it” Mr. Thompson urged his younger son as he rushed to his side. He was prepared for whatever was in that nylon. If it was some message from his business rivals, he will kill that fucking son of a bitch with his bare hands. He wouldn't mind being termed a murderer if it means protecting his family.“ Yes, Vino, open it. It might be the clue to Skylar. please be strong” Michael told his brother as he urged him on while nodding.Vino stares at his family to see the concern and care on their faces. He swallowed his fear and ripped the nylon apart. A little shiny thing fell off his hands onto the tiled floor making a clicking noise as it hit the floor.Vino gasped, he didn't need to look before he knew what that was. It was Skylar's engagement ring. He would recognize it anyway in the world as it was a custom made one. Only Skylar has that design.“ Whe__re di__d you g_et that?” Vino stammered between tears as he sank into the couch while breaking down in tears.
“ Anything missing, Inspector,” Mr Thompson asked the inspector as soon as they came down the stairs, having checked the rooms over and over again to be sure they hadn't missed anything.“ Nothing at the moment, Mr Thompson” Inspector Scott replied as he came to stand in front of them. He smoothed out his uniform and took the seat across from them. With his pen in his hands, he started his questioning.“ With nothing missing, this rules out the possibility of theft. Mrs Evan who do you think would kidnap your daughter” Inspector Scott asked Mrs Evans who was dabbing at the tears in her eyes and trying to think hard on his questions.With the notepad and pen in hand, the inspector was waiting for the answers but it seemed none was forthcoming. He decided to help her and give her some clues'' Maybe some friends from school or work colleagues who would wish her bad” “ I___ don't really know. My daughter never really communicated with me. And___'' She paused to sniff and dabbed at her ey
“ Miss Brooke '' Vino called to Madison who stood up and rushed into the office, she gasped for breath before closing the door behind her. She stood in front of Vino trying to make out the reason why he was calling her. “ Here,” Vino told her as he handed her a file while standing up from his chair. He has been putting finishing touches on the annual file budget paper.“ Give this to Mr Falcone. He will understand” Vino answered as he waved Madison out of his office while he took out his phone to place a cal through to Skylar.Ever since the announcement of their engagement, the media has been on their heels trying to get a comment or two from them but they have been busy trying to round up their company’s business but now they could grant an interview to them.Vino jolted out of his thought as soon as he noticed that Skylar’s number was not going through. He kept trying it over and over again but each time the answering machine kept saying:“ The subscriber you're trying to reach i
Skylar's gaze shot up to stare into Leon's face, searching for signs of a joke but seeing the hard glare in there she couldn't help shivering in fear. What if he's not joking? What if he's going to force her to marry him? Will she be able to leave with him? What about Vino? And her baby, will she ever forgive her weak mother.“ No, I can't let him control me the second time. Back then I was naive and alone but now, I'm no longer alone. I have a man who loves and cares for me and a baby who deserves her father's love. I need to be strong for both of them” Skylar chanted in her mind as she watched Vino call instructions to Ty before turning to drag her out of her mother's home.Skylar paused as she looked around the room, she was scared, she couldn't possibly leave like this without leaving any clue for her mom or Vino.Leon stopped and turned to glare at Skylar in anger. He had been pulling her to himself but this stupid woman wouldn't budge“ What do you think you're doing?” He shouted
“ What should we do now? Is she dead?” Ty asked in a frantic voice as he scrambles around searching for God’s knows what…“ Be quiet!” Leon screamed at him as he squatted down to examine Skylar. The brave facade he presented to the world would have fooled everyone if not for the escalating of his heart in his rib cage which shows his fear as he turned to call something to a shocked Ty who was having a problem with breathing.“ Will you stop behaving like a sissy and go get water?” Leon shouted at him immediately, his hands felt the pulse coming out from Skylar. Only then could he relax as he started to work on reviving her.Ty rushed into the kitchen and almost fell against the cabinet as he right his wrong foot and collected