The next day...♡ Alfred ♡"Why are we doing this again?" I asked, shooting a glance at Arielle, who had just gotten out of the car. She smiled and stretched out her arms and legs before walking up to me."Because you, my brother need to loosen up." she smiled widely, popping the p on her last word.She sighed dramatically and crossed her arms."You stay in your office twenty-four seven, aren't you tired?"I looked up at the long trail that didn't seem to end and turned back to her."So you think hiking on a Sunday afternoon is the best way to loosen up?"She chuckled. "Quit complaining now, let's move big brother," Without waiting for me, she started to make her way up the mountain. I sighed, following after her.Sometimes, I wonder who is older. If I had known we were going to go hiking, I would have given more ground excuses."So, I got the job I told you about," Arielle said when I finally caught up with her pace.I turned to look at her with raised brows."Really? Doesn't she kno
The next day...♡ Skylar ♡"Dinner? I have plans, Mom. "I peeled off my jacket, hanging it on the chair. I headed for the coffeemaker, and my phone was still pressed against my ear."Really? Clear it, then""Mom," I drawled. "You know I'm really busy these days, and Aurora is there too,""It's not an excuse dear, Your father and I will be expecting you this evening, 7 pm.""Have a nice day." She didn't let me reply before hanging up. I sighed, tucking my phone in my pocket.Great. When I was just thinking of working overtime. The going and coming to the resort site had taken all my time. I barely even have the time for my own company or myself. I exhaled, grabbed the cup of coffee, and headed back to my table. Just as I settled on the chair, the door opened, and I looked up.I narrowed my eyes as I watched Hannah get comfortable on the chair opposite me."Hey, bestie," I forced a smile and turned my attention to my coffee, blowing air into it."Did I come at the wrong time?"I sh
♡ Skylar ♡"Oh Skylar," Mr Jun called, turning his attention to me. My lips curved into my famous fake, sweet smile as I nodded. "It's so nice to finally meet you," I replied softly, my eyes not moving away from his. I noticed how he shifted uncomfortably under my gaze before laughing awkwardly. He took his eyes off me. I smirked, looking down at my plate."So, let's eat?" Dad called with a light chuckle."Yes," Mom added, and the room fell silent. The sound of cutleries hitting against the ceramic plates pierced into the silence once in a while.Soon, Dad broke the awkward silence and started talking with Mr. Jun about something I didn't care to listen to. Every other person in the room was involved in their conversation, but I wasn't because I was too focused on someone. The so-called owner of Jun's Pharmaceuticals. I needed a way to start a conversation and shove words into his mouth. "So Skylar, what do you think of Jake?" "Skylar!"I flinched, the fork almost slipping out of m
♡ Skylar ♡I stared at the text until it disappeared from the screen.Why was he suddenly texting me at 1 a.m.? I turned to lie on my side, pulling down the notification bar on my phone. I clicked on his text. My fingers hovered above the keyboard as I thought of what to say. Since our encounter at the mountain, we hadn't talked, and I think I kind of made him angry."Wait. Why am I even thinking of what to say? It's Alfredo Miller. I shouldn't be texting him at all. " I hit the send button. I watched as the three dots indicating he was typing appeared, then disappeared and appeared again. Finally, he sent the text. I rolled my eyes. I snickered, curling my toes under the blanket. He had read the text before I could think of deleting it. Now I sounded like I really did think of all his words
♡ Alfred ♡"If we can have the Sanders stay at our hotel for the weekend, it might have a good impact on our sales in the hotel."I sighed, tapping my feet on the floor."Is there any information on where they'll be staying?""None, I'm aware of," April replied. "You should know these things! It's your job!" I snapped, turning around to glare at her. She lowered her head, avoiding my gaze."I'm sorry, sir,"I scoffed and turned away from her, my eyes settling on the elevator door."Get any information you can find and get back to me by tomorrow,""Yes, sir."My phone buzzed as I stepped out of the elevator. It was from Xander. I sent the text and clicked on Skylar's name. She hadn't replied to my text.What exactly was she so mad about?Putting my phone into my pants pocket, I headed to my office. I pulled open the door and walked in."Oh, look who's he
♡ Skylar ♡I got out of my car. Gripping my bag tight, I slammed my car's door shut. I turned around, my eyes stopping on the building in front of me. Gold-Kard was peeking out from the rooftops in huge sparkly red letters. I reached for my phone in my bag and dialed Catherine's number immediately. She answered the call on the first ring."Hey babes," she yelled over the loud music. I blocked out my other ear at how loud she was."I'm about to come in, where are you?""Uh by the counter, you'll see me once you get there, okay? It's so loud in here","What did you say?" She yelled.She could have just stood up from where she was.Sighing in irritation, I nodded as though she could see me."Okay, I'm heading in now"I returned the phone to my bag and zipped it up before walking up to the entrance. One hour should be enough to build the foundation for her trust and I'm getting my ass out of this place.The interior was nothing like the outside. Now I understand why she was yelling like
♡ Skylar ♡Beep. Beep. Beep.The incessant, increasingly annoying sound of whatever it was, slowly brought me awake. I turned around in my bed, pulling the blankets with me as I reached out for my phone. The phone continued to ring as I searched for it on the table, still groggy from sleep, My head hurt like hell, my hand suddenly hit something and it came crashing to the floor.The sound had all iota of sleep disappearing from me and I sat up. I stared down at the shattered picture frame of Aurora and sighed.Beep. Beep. Beep.Fucking stupid alarm. I grabbed my phone and turned it off immediately. Brushing my scattered hair back, I pulled away the comforters and got on my feet.The throbbing pain in my head increased and a wince escaped my lips as I soothed my temples with my finger.How the hell did I get home last night? I remember getting wasted and not finding Catherine. Wasn't it suspicious that she disappeared all of a sudden? How did I even get so drunk easily? If the bitch had
♡ Alfred ♡"What do you mean by only one suite?" Skylar snapped."Well, these days our rooms are usually sold out, and you're only lucky if you make a reservation early.""I'm sorry ma'am" the lady added, bowing slightly. "It's fine, we'll take the suite. Check us in, please. " I smiled at her, and she nodded, turning towards her laptop.Skylar grabbed my arms and turned me to look at her. "Are you insane? I'm not staying in the same room as you. ""Let's just find another hotel or better still find a ride home."I stared at her, a vacuous look on."We can't. It's past eight, and besides, I'm famished,""Finding another hotel is like an hour's journey, and trust me, Amore, I'm not ready to walk that long,"Her lips parted as she stared at me in disbelief and frustration. She turned sideways, running her fingers through her hair while muttering something inaudibly."Sir," the lady called.I winked at Skylar and turned back to the lady."Room 192, floor 5" I nodded, grabbed the keys,
A week later **♡ Skylar ♡"With all the evidence presented in court today, I hereby confirm Ethan Jun and Elias Jun guilty as charged and hence sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor"The judge hit the gavel on the table and got on his feet."Court arise."We all got on our feet, and I watched in relief as the policemen whisked them away. I didn't feel bad for Ethan at all. He didn't show remorse when he tried to kill me, so why should I? It felt great to finally get justice for all they did to me. Not just for me and my mom but for every other person whose life has been ruined by them. Mom turned to me as she pulled me for a tight hug."I'm proud of you, Skylar,""I'm glad you never gave up, not even once," she added. As she pulled away, she held both my hands, a smile on her face."Now, forget all that happened in the past and live your life the way you should have. Don't hold back anymore. "I nodded. I felt tears escape from my eyes. But this time, they weren't because I w
♡ Skylar ♡I stopped my car in the compound and pulled out my phone. I opened Samantha's new text."Ethan is not with Aurora. You can go in now. Be careful and use the taser if things get out of hand but hopefully, it doesn't. He has cameras everywhere so don't talk to anyone on the phone on your way in"I exhaled and stared at the taser peeking out from my pants pocket before pushing it back in properly.Our plan was for me to go in, and meet Ethan while Sam distracts the men guarding Aurora, saves her, and leaves. Immediately Sam escapes, she takes Aurora to Alfred, who is with the police, and the Police come in to take Ethan. Some officers had been deployed to Mr Jun's office also. It was a good plan. But one mistake and everything could go wrong.I put my phone in my pocket and got out of the car. As soon as I stepped out, a guy walked up to me. He looked at me carefully as if studying my features. "I'm here for Ethan" He raised a finger on the receiver in his ear and muttered
♡ Skylar ♡"Skylar," I heard Alfred's voice. I looked up just as he pushed open the door and rushed into the head teacher's office. He cupped my cheeks immediately, his eyes filled with worry."Are you okay?"Was I? I was freaking out internally. I mean, who wouldn't? My only child was abducted. If I were the one, I'd be scared to death, not to talk of a five-year-old. I wonder how scared she'd be right now. The thought alone made my heart squeeze. I had cried but wiped it off immediately. Crying was going to solve nothing. In fact, I have had enough of this shit already. First, it was shooting Hannah, and now abducting my daughter?"It was Ethan who took her,"His jaw clenched as he let go of me. "That bastard has gone too far,"I turned around just as he turned to the principal. "How could you let a pupil leave with someone without the parent's approval?!""I apologize, Mr Miller. We had no idea because he used to come with Ms DeNovo on some occasions, " the head teacher replied.
♡ Skylar ♡I stepped back in shock, my lips apart and my eyes widened. What could I call this discovery? Surprising? Shocking?Hannah was the Informant. How had I not known? No, how did she manage to hide it so well that I didn't suspect her not even once? Why did she go as far as that? Why didn't she just come clean to me? She knows so much about Alfred's family, she hates Alfred and contacted me as the informant because she knew as Hannah that I wanted revenge. Wait. Ethan lied to me. She deceived me all this while. Come to think of it, did she befriend me at first for these years just to get at Alfred?"I know what you're thinking and trust me that's far from it" She began calmly as she put her phone away. I shook my head. "No, how can I? I already have trust issues because of you and Ethan!""What? Don't compare me to Ethan""At least listen to what I have to say"I nodded. "Okay go on, tell me the perfect cooked excuse you have brewed"She sighed. "You see, my mother had a thi
The next morning♡ Skylar ♡I snapped my eyes to Aurora's plate as soon as I walked into the kitchen. I raised my brow, seeing the slices of bread untouched on her plate."Rora, why aren't you finished yet? You're going to be late for school. " She adjusted herself on the seat, picking up a slice. "Daddy keeps giving me more," she muttered before stuffing the bread in her mouth. I looked over at Alfred, who was seated opposite her, and narrowed my eyes in accusation, but he just shot me a smile.I rolled my eyes."You know, she doesn't eat much, she's forcing herself because you gave it to her," I replied and reached over to her plate, taking the last slice and eating it."Sweetheart, you should have told me," She gave him a sheepish smile in return."Ugh, my bones are so weak it feels like I was the one doing the dancing last night," Arielle groaned. We all turned our heads towards the door as we watched her walk in while dragging her feet.She yawned loudly as she stretched her ar
♡ Skylar ♡"I knew she was going to fall asleep" I muttered as I took my eyes off Aurora's sleeping figure in the backseat."I'm going to, too but I'm afraid my brother will ask me to be left overnight in the car" Arielle added in a whisper causing me to chuckle.The dance performance had ended about two hours ago and Alfred had suggested we eat dinner in a restaurant before we headed home. Right after we got back in the car, towards my house, Aurora had fallen asleep. I wouldn't blame her though. She was just a little girl and her day had been stressful, besides it was late at night."Right, Ari, why are you still staying at Skylar's?" Alfred suddenly asked.I heard her mutter something incoherently before she added."Because my work is not over yet. The resort is not completed right?"She sighed and leaned forward, to settle herself between the front seats of the car."Though I don't want to quit. It's the best job, can I keep it?" She asked. I turned to her while smiling."I can al
The next day♡ Skylar ♡I stared down at my laptop immediately after the worker ended her presentation. Flexing my knuckles, I gave her a small smile and a nod."That was good. Everything is precise, but I still need to look into it. "Closing my laptop, I glanced at everyone in the room."Let's meet again tomorrow before lunch and I'll give my final decision,""Yes ma'am"I smiled, grabbed my laptop, and headed out of the meeting room.These past five months have been different. It was like everyone just disappeared. After that unfortunate incident with Ethan, I had seen him one or two times that week before he disappeared. I never saw him again or heard from him, and neither did Hannah. I didn't tell Alfred how Ethan had acted like a jerk. He was going to probably kill him, but that wasn't what I wanted yet. Finding strong evidence against them was what we were working on now, and I did my best to stay away from Mr Jun.Mom and I were working our relationship together and trying t
♡ Alfred ♡I dropped the gift bag I carried in, on the table and looked towards the stairs. Just then, Aurora came bouncing down the stairs."Daddy!" She giggled. I grinned and crouched to her level, opening my arms. She rushed into my arms, hugging me tightly. When she finally pulled away, I patted her hair lovingly as she kept a wide smile on her face."How was school today, sweetheart?"A frown immediately appeared on her face, making her look even more adorable. "A little bit interesting and a little bit boring,"I chuckled. "Why do you say so?"She shrugged. "It was interesting because I made a new friend but boring because my teacher taught a really really hard topic" She emphasized how hard it was in such a funny way that I couldn't help my laughter."Is that so?" I asked in between laughter."Daddy," she whined. I smiled so wide that my cheek hurt. Skylar had done such a great job in raising her that sometimes I didn't believe she was just five. Other times I can't help but
♡ Skylar ♡"How did you survive the fire, Mom?"I had lost count of how long we had stayed hugging and crying but Dad had found us in the room and then found out that I knew she was my biological mother. Currently, Mom was preparing dinner. We were all going to have dinner as a family and tell Samantha about us. I didn't know if Mom was going to leave the house but from the look of things, spending five years in the house with Dad, she had grown into him. It would feel nice to stay as one but my only fear was Samantha. "Should I call it fate?" Mom replied as she pulled open the lid of the pot. The aroma filled the kitchen and I salivated. I always knew something was familiar about her cooking.She turned to me. "Samantha's father found me when I fell unconscious from the fire."Right. I had to thank him. He found my mom and me. Somehow he was that string that brought us back together. "We made a deal for him to take me in. I'd pretend to be Samantha's mother. I wanted to disagree