♡ Skylar ♡I glanced at the time on my phone's screen after I pulled my car to a stop inside the building parking lot. I glanced out of the car without winding down the window. Cars were parked neatly and not a single soul was there. I sighed and grabbed my bag, about to open the door when my phone rang.I relaxed back in the seat and took a peek at my phone to see Lara's name on the screen. I answered the call immediately. "What's going on?""Will you be stopping over at the office today, ma'am?"I stole a glance at the empty garage before replying."Yes, why?""An envelope was sent in by the mayor, and Mr Miller also sent in a..." she trailed off as if thinking of the proper way to put her next words."Pretty romantic package," she added.My lips unconsciously spread into a smile. I immediately shook my head, my smile dropping. I cleared my throat. "Is that all?""A few papers to sign and documents to review"I nodded as though she could see me. "Okay. I'll be there soon. "I low
♡ Skylar ♡Jake had hurried out then, saying he needed to get something done, and I had emptied the coffee cup before leaving, too.As I drove to the office, I realized something. My revenge plan on its own was quite messy or put it better, it had ended up messy the moment I became friends with Alfred again.It was simple at first. Get revenge on Alfred for betraying me and then get justice for Mom. But now things were different. I found out Alfred was deceived by Catherine. Looking at it, anyone could fall for that. I also found out that the person's voice I heard before I was pushed down the cliff didn't belong to Alfred, so in all, Alfred might be innocent. Which leaves me down to the ones who killed Mom.What was I doing to find them? Nothing. Mr Jun was the only lead I could find in five years. How reasonable was that?Moving on, in between it, I found out Samantha is not who she claimed to be, even though that had been obvious from the very beginning. I also found out that Mom
♡ Skylar ♡"Heck yeah, I'm not letting you off this time,""I saw the way you looked at him on the TV the other day. You had those eyes that clearly said, 'Damn, I'm in love with this man' .." I frowned as I bent over to pull my heels off. Once I had it off, I stood to keep it by my table and settled back on the couch. "I'm pretty sure I didn't," I muttered. She clicked her tongue. "You know, this is getting pretty annoying for me,"I sighed and crossed my arms over my belly, giving her a pointed look."An answer for an answer""What?" She looked lost."I'll only answer your questions if you answer mine,"She snickered, reaching for her purse and pulling out her phone."What's this? Twenty questions?"I leaned back on the couch, not taking my eyes off her."I guess I won't be answering your questions then. She looked at me immediately, and I smirked. A few seconds later, she snickered."Ask away."I sat up immediately. "Do you have any connection with Alfred?"Her lips curved upw
A few weeks later...23rd December 2023♡ Alfred ♡Anyone who walked into the room could feel the heated tension coming from it. The board members were all seated at the table. Dad, at the head of the table, and Aiden opposite me.I didn't miss the mischievous smile he constantly sent my way, but I, on the other hand, just stared silently at him."As we all know, the two candidates for the president position are between Aiden and Alfred.""We have watched how they both worked hard for the company and after taking a vote. I and the board announce to everyone that..." Dad trailed off as he looked between Aiden and me.Somehow, I was not so scared. I knew what was meant to be would be. I wasn't saying I deserved the company more, but everyone knew how hard I worked to keep it the way it was. I knew Aiden would go as far as buying shareholders, and that was where the little fear I had was coming from. Sometimes evil wins, and we can't do anything about that."Alfred will be taking on the
The next day...♡ Skylar ♡"Where's Aurora?" Hannah asked as she walked out of the kitchen into the living room. I raised my leg to the couch, sitting cross-legged."I took her to Mom's yesterday. I have a busy schedule for the next four days, and Arielle will not be available. "She nodded. "Talking of the Miller's, here's everything," she said as she dropped a brown envelope on the center table."Thanks to the informant. I wonder how she got this?""Insider work," I muttered. "Right," she gave a short nod."I also got the footage of the day he kicked you out of his office. Also, I made up a story since you do not want anyone to find out you are Valerie. We just say you were her best friend, but you lost contact during the time she dated him. "I slowly leaned forward and picked up the envelope. I opened it and took out the papers.Evidence against Miller's family. So many of them. It could ruin his father, bring down the company, give Alfred a mini breakdown as he just got the pres
♡ Skylar ♡I tore my gaze away from Alfred as I pulled away from him. There, I finally accepted the painful truth, and it felt like a burden had been lifted from me, but not entirely. I still had to carry the constant fear of him finding out I was Valerie. 'Should I tell him? No, I can't'Not this night or this year, even. Maybe once the resort was over. That way, if he eventually didn't want to see me again, things wouldn't be so awkward between us."Uhm, thank you. You look good too. "His lips spread into a smile. I turned to leave, but his hands held my wrist, and I stopped, watching in confusion until his fingers slid down to interlock with mine.I gulped hard.Why was he making things hard for both of us?Without saying another word, he led me out of the kitchen."The house is surprisingly quiet today," he hummed as we passed the living room, heading for the main door."Yeah, I took Aurora to my mom's. I've had a busy schedule these days. "He just nodded in reply. We got out
♡ Skylar ♡I stirred in my sleep and became alarmed when I felt a hand on me. I slowly opened my eyes to see it wasn't just anyone, and yesterday's night was definitely not an illusion.I was lying facing Alfred, his arm draped around my shoulder and his other hand holding mine.I smiled as I took in his ethereal morning visuals. He looked so vulnerable. I never thought a day like this would come again. Yesterday's night was one night I'd never forget.How did I end up so into him once again? I also don't know how it happened the second time.I slowly raised my hands to his face, my fingers hovering above his lips, and then his eyes fluttered open. I pulled my hand back, flushing hard."I know I look irresistible in the morning, love," I looked away from him. "When did you wake up? You sound like someone awake for a while. "He laughed. "Ten minutes, maybe." He replied. I scoffed and sat upright. As I made to pull the blanket away, he held my hand."Where are you going?"I turned t
The next day♡ Skylar ♡I had just left Alfred's office and was heading towards the cafeteria to get a drink for myself. As soon as I walked into the room, all eyes turned to me, and they began to murmur something.I could barely pick out their words, but as I passed by two people, I caught their conversation."I feel pity for her. Who knew her best friend would get caught in a messed-up family like that?""Well, we don't even know, I still don't get why she had to deceive him, though?"My ears perked up at her words, and I narrowed my eyes.What were they talking about? It was very obvious that I was the subject of their discussion, but I didn't want to think anything stupid right now.My phone suddenly beeped, and I reached for my pocket, pulling it out. It was a message from Samantha. I was about to ignore it, but I paused when I noticed the beginning of the text.I opened it immediately. - Do you know you're trending? I always knew you were a sly woman, but you didn't have to u
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