♡ Skylar ♡Dinner was amazing, and it brought me one step closer to achieving my goals. Jake suggested we stop by the park playground. We had a little wine and were both a bit tipsy, so it seemed like the best option to sober up a bit.Sitting side by side on the swing, we continued our conversation from earlier. I tried to sound casual, and he didn't seem to suspect anything, or at least he made me believe that. About an hour later, we were on our way back to my house in his car."I guess this is it," Jake muttered as he pulled up in front of my house. I smiled."I had an amazing time tonight. It was the best way I've de-stressed in weeks," I replied, undoing my seatbelt."Well, I'm glad."He unlocked the doors, and I pushed it open, stepping out of his car. I took a deep breath as the cold night air hit my face. I had almost forgotten that the year was coming to an end. Standing in front of Jake, I carefully removed his suit jacket from my shoulder and handed it back to him."Thank
♡ Skylar ♡ His lips curled into a smirk as he said that, and I rolled my eyes."You're annoying, you know.""What can I say?" He shrugged. I turned away from him and started walking to the elevator, with him trailing behind me."Come on, Love, are you still mad at me?" He asked as we stepped into the elevator. I rolled my eyes, avoiding his gaze as I watched the doors slide shut.How could I even stay mad with those blue eyes looking at me like that?"How about I buy you and Aurora dinner?""I have plans.""My friends are coming over tonight. It's been a while since I had dinner with them.""Then I'll tag along."I turned to look at him immediately, raising my eyebrows."Ethan is going to be there.""Even more reason I should come."I exhaled, turning away from him. There was no way I could stop him from doing whatever he wanted. Arguing was a no-no.The elevator dinged, and the door slid open. We both stepped out, heading for the main exit.As I placed my hand on my car's door handle
♡ Skylar ♡"This way ma'am" A junior Chef greeted, bowing slightly as she stopped in front of Sam and me. "This way" she added and led us to the main kitchen. We followed her to the large counter where all the tasting cakes were spread out."That will be all, thank you" Sam ended her phone call and looked at me."Everything's ready. We'll take a look there in the evening," she said.I nodded and turned my attention back to the cakes."Should we start?" I asked."Yeah," she nodded, crossing her arms.The lady who led us in handed us two forks. Samantha cut a piece of the first cake and then moved on to the next flavor. I followed suit.Chocolate. Vanilla. Red velvet. Carrot. Strawberry."Vanilla," "Red velvet," Sam and I said simultaneously. I turned to look at her immediately."I think the red velvet is best," I calmly added.She scoffed. "Vanilla.""It's mom's favorite.""Well, we can always try something different. I'm sure she won't mind. It's not like she's going to eat every bi
The next evening...♡ Skylar ♡"There you go," I whispered to Aurora after helping her put on the bow headband Alfred got for her. She took a step back and twirled, giggling with excitement. I smiled and grabbed my bag, holding Aurora's hand as we walked out of the house. I helped her into the car and got in the front seat. Starting the car, I drove out of the parking space.An hour later, we arrived at the hotel. Holding Aurora's hand tightly, I headed to the main entrance. I exchanged pleasantries with some of the guests before entering the elevator that took us to the top floor where the hall was located. The hall was almost filled with guests, and the dim lights gave it a magical atmosphere. I nodded at the lady checking invitations at the desk and walked past the security guards into the hall.Samantha and I may have argued while planning, but the hall turned out perfectly. The glass walls provided a stunning view of the starry night. I smiled and nodded at the guests I recogni
Earlier that day...♡ Alfred ♡"What do you mean I have to walk in with Catherine?" I gritted out.Dad chuckled over the phone. "Exactly what you just heard"I scoffed as I leaned my back on the seat headrest. "And you think I'll do that?""Of course, you don't want her finding out what you are up to right?" I knew for sure he had a smirk on his face as those words rolled out of his mouth. I clenched my fists tightly as they dropped to rest on my thighs. I should have known this was going to happen. I should have known better than to make a deal like that with my father of all people."We'll only be walking in and that's it""Sure, son" He snickered. I rolled my eyes and tucked my phone in my suit pocket. Opening the car door, I got out. The door of the car beside mine opened at the same time and Catherine stepped out. She waved and rounded the car to meet me. Straightening out the rough lines on her gown, she smiled at me."How convenient" I snickered. Her smile brightened. "I gues
The next day...♡ Skylar ♡"That'll be all," Lara said as she angled the camera back to herself."So ma'am, what do you think?" Lara asked with a hopeful smile. I ran my hand down my hair."The proposal is nice. I can work with it""You know what to do. We'll see tomorrow""Yes ma'am" she smiled. I hung up and stood from the stool walking up to the refrigerator. I had taken the day off. Not necessarily my decision, it was Dad's mandatory order for Sam and me to take two days every month for a break. And today I saw the perfect opportunity to take a break after my chaotic night.I pulled the refrigerator open and after giving it a cursory glance, I grabbed a canned lemon drink and closed the refrigerator. I sank back on the stool and peeled the can open."Oh my goodness!" I heard Hannah yell. I looked towards the door as she rushed into the kitchen."What?" I asked, raising the can to my lips and taking a long gulp. She drew out the stool beside me and sat, turning her phone's screen
♡ Skylar ♡Slowly, he closed the small gap between us, his hands resting on my waist as my fingers found their way into his hair, tangling in it as our tongues battled for dominance."...Red."My fingers froze in his hair as those words escaped my lips, my eyes widened and I pulled back to look at him. He seemed surprised, and all I could think was, 'What the heck?'I let my hands drop to my sides and took a step back, creating some distance between us."I'm sorry, I didn't-" The words got stuck in my throat as I watched him shake his head and take a step closer, and another, until he had me trapped again. He reached for my cheeks, his thumb gently caressing them. I could feel the walls I had built over the years slowly crumbling down."Say it," he whispered, guiding my face to meet his gaze."What?" I managed to utter, my breath quickening."Say it again, call me red," he whispered, his thumb still brushing against my cheeks, teasing my senses, trying to break through my defenses. I
♡ Skylar ♡I pushed open the door to Alfred's office and stormed in, gripping the envelope tightly. He turned around, phone to his ear, and looked surprised to see me. "I'll call you back, Xander," he said, putting the phone down on his desk. "Skylar.." he began."You must be feeling pretty satisfied right now," I interrupted, forcing a smile."Skylar, listen, I didn't know my dad would do this," he said.I scoffed, briefly glancing to the side before returning my glare to him."Just like the way I didn't know you and your dad made a deal to manipulate him for my inheritance!" I replied. He froze, his eyes widening. "You-""Yes, I found out," I yelled."Why? Did you think you could get away with it?" I added, lowering my voice to a whisper. He took a step towards me. "If you come any closer, I swear, you'll regret it for the rest of your life," I seethed, and he stopped in his tracks. I raised the envelope and threw it at his face, the papers falling to the floor beside him. His e
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