After two days, Christian and Caleb helped Sebastian to their jet to return home. Although he hadn’t recovered fully, the hospital discharged him at Caleb’s insistence. “Be careful, bro,” said Christian, as he helped him to the seat. “You can lie down inside after takeoff.” “I’m fine here with you.” Sebastian closed his eyes as a wave of relief washed over him. He had never imagined he would see his family again. Christian and Caleb occupied the seats beside him and waited for takeoff. They were bursting with curiosity to know what was happening. The last few days, they couldn’t ask him anything in the hospital with the cops always around them. It was only after Sebastian could give a brief statement did the cops leave him in peace. Caleb coaxed the doctor to permit them to take the patient to Cleveland while Christian hastened the discharge formalities. Now, after take-off, they relaxed and looked at Sebastian curiously. Did he know about uncle Sylvester’s death? “Tell us wha
A Month Later: Skylar read the chat messages her friends had been sending since morning. After Christian left abruptly, without informing her, she had been depressed for days. She waited for his call every day, refusing to forgive him. How could he leave her behind? The wish to call him up and blast him was intense, yet she didn’t give in. If she would have been at fault, she would have called him, but this time, it wasn’t her fault. It was Christian who left her! With nothing to do, she took up a job in a travel agency nearby. The pay wasn’t much, but at least she could keep herself occupied. It was a small set-up at a walking distance from the house with only ten employees. The proximity of the place was the sole reason her family agreed to her going out. Sebastian had completely recovered and his wedding was fixed after a fortnight later. Desmond Steele wasn’t arrested yet, but they couldn’t wait any longer. A month had gone by, yet Christian didn’t remember her even once. He k
Skylar stepped out of the washroom, freshly showered, ready to go to work. She just had time to grab a quick breakfast before heading to her workplace. Someone’s presence behind her made her turn around. A gasp escaped her lips as she came nose to nose with Christian! “When did you arrive? Today isn’t Thursday!” she stammered, acutely aware of his gaze checking her out. Christian’s eyes darkened at the sight of her refreshing beauty. She was like a breath of fresh air for his soul. The white formal dress clung to her curves, arousing him further. Her moist, glowing skin drew him like a magnet and he closed the distance between them. “I changed my plans. Are you upset that I returned early?” His body touched hers, pinning her against the wall behind her. His arms went on either side of her body to trap her. “No.” “Then? Are you happy to see me?” “Yes.” His hypnotic gaze had her under his spell turning her brain to mush. Her heart thumped wildly at the sight of him. She had misse
Realizing his slip of the tongue, Christian glanced at Skylar with dread. He didn’t want her to know how much he loved her! It would make him too vulnerable before her. Thankfully, she was too lost in the song to hear him mumble.The song ended, and she turned to him hopefully. “That was so heart-touching. Don’t you think so?” “Yes. It’s good. Who’s the singer? She's really talented.” “I didn’t get her name. Maybe some budding artist.”They reached the hotel and Christian led her inside the grand set-up.All the employees greeted him with respect and surprise. He had arrived unannounced and they were at their wit’s end. “Good morning, sir! Should we get the conference room ready?” asked a nervous, suit-clad man. “No, Mr. McCarthy. I’ll just use my office today. Please send our Finance Manager over in an hour. This is my fiancée, Skylar Carnell. We would need the Presidential Suite for an overnight stay.” “Hello, Ms. Carnell! It’s an honor to have you stay here. I’m Jeremy McCarth
After a few minutes, Claudia left when their Finance Manager came over. Skylar, too, involved herself in the discussion. The meeting went on for an hour almost. “Do you want to accompany me on a tour of the place?” Christian’s eyes swept over her as he relaxed in his seat after the manager left. Skylar blushed at his scrutiny, remembering their heated kiss a while ago. Sitting alone with him within the close confines of the room, she felt her heart thump wildly inside her ribcage. “Yes, I’d love to.” “Good! Let’s go. Oh, one more thing. Stay away from Claudia!” He got up and walked towards the door while Skylar followed him with a confused look on her face. Why did he warn her against Claudia? Did he have a history with her? Maybe there is something he didn’t want her to know.“Why? Isn’t she close to Lillian?” she asked, as he led her towards the elevator. “She is close to every one of us. Yet I want you to avoid her.” He didn’t provide her with further explanation as they intera
Skylar’s impulsive behavior disturbed Christian. She should have learned to trust him by now. How could she leave without informing him? Maybe she was taking it out on him. After all, he too did the same to her! Now what would happen to his planning? He would look like a fool here. Anger boiled inside him and he called her, but she didn’t accept his call. He stormed out to ask at the reception, in case he was mistaken. “Ma’am left almost half an hour ago.” “I see. Thanks.” He walked away and called Skylar again. This time, she accepted his call.“Where are you? Why have you left without informing me?” he demanded angrily. “So that you can spend your precious time with Claudia! She explained how close you both are since the day she was born.” Christian scoffed at her reply. Surely she hadn’t believed Claudia after everything they shared! “I thought I asked you to stay away from her.” “I did. She was the one who sought me out.” “You shouldn’t have believed her then,” scolded Ch
“How convenient! That’s not how it works. You can’t get a real wife without a real marriage!” she hissed, carrying the food to the table. Christian helped her with a grin as if challenging her to stop him. “Deal with it! It was your idea!” He waited for her to accept his challenge and confess, but she didn’t. How stubborn could she be? Skylar grumbled under her breath. She knew he was challenging her to admit that she wanted a real marriage with him. Somehow, her ego stopped her from admitting it aloud to him. She placed the food on the table and sat down beside Erica.“What’s cooking between you two?” asked Erica, leaning in to whisper in her ear. She and Sebastian had just returned from the wedding venue to grab a quick lunch before heading for the last fitting. Ever since the mishap, Sebastian employed two bodyguards to accompany him everywhere. Grandpa Ben tried to convince Christian too, but he didn't pay any heed to it.“Nothing special! So, what theme did you settle for?” “H
“How can you be so sure he has murdered our parents? I mean, it could be an accident. What grudge could he possibly have against my parents?” Christian shook his head with a grim look on his face. “The police had arrested his main accomplice, Sammy Jacobs, last week. They extracted a lot of information about the murder plan Desmond hatched years ago to kill my parents. His main grudge was against Grandpa Ben and our family. Your parents were there with mine on that fateful night of the accident. If they hadn’t opted to travel together, they would have been alive now.” Skylar sat listening to him with her jaws dropped to the floor. A wave of anger swept through her body against the criminal. It was because of him that their parents were no more. “Why can’t the cops extract information about Desmond’s probable hideouts and arrest him already? How can they allow a criminal to roam free?” Christian released a deep breath and caught her hand to calm her down. The gentle massage on the b