Skylar strolled arm in arm with Vino down the lobby into the restaurant. She was clad in a plain white short gown which fell an inch below her knee. It was the only gown she brought with her which was suitable for a dinner meeting. She ransacked her bag immediately searching for it after Vino had asked her to dress formally for tonight.
Skylar turned to subtly glance at her partner who was frowning at the occupants of the restaurant who were starting at them.
He was simply dressed in grey linen slacks with a white shirt which was rolled up at the sleeve. His neck was bare of tie causing him to leave two buttons opened at the neckline which shows a strand of curly chest hair.
Skylar gulped nervously as she forced her eyes away from her straying thoughts. After hearing that they would be sharing a bed, she couldn't control the rate at which her heart beat per hour, anticipating. She hopes he's not one of those men that goes to bed naked.
Gosh! What could she do? Her cheeks were colouring from her thoughts as she patted her cheeks trying to rid herself of those ridiculous thoughts.
"Are you alright, Miss Evans?" Vino turned to look at her, concern showing on his face. Her cheeks were tainted in pink as he wondered what could possibly make her blush?
Skylar dropped her hands. She turned to look at Vino embarrassed. What will he say? If he knows what she's thinking about right now? Will he term her a slut or what?
"Nothing. I'm okay. I'm just nervous about our meeting with Mr. Ernesto" Skylar replied as she moved forward an inch to stand beside him where Vino was looking down at her since he was taller.
"You shouldn't be. This is not the first time we be having a dinner meeting with a client" Vino replied shrugging as he leads
Skylar enters the restaurant. A waitress who was putting on the hotel's uniform of gold and white with the logo abreast on her chest shewed them to their table. They both sat down beside each other as they waited for Mr. Ernesto
"What would you like to order, Mr. Thompson?" The waitress asked them, drawing her words slowly, trying not to make any mistakes since she was not fluent in English.
"Just get us Rouge Rossi wine. When we are ready to order, I will let you know" Vino told the waitress dismissing her as he fixed his eyes on his companion for tonight.
She was beautiful in white. Her hair was parked into a bun in the middle while some strands were let out in the front. Her face was bare of any make up making her look like an angel.
"So, Miss Evans. What do you say we do to while away time?" Vino asked as he rested his elbow on the table as he turned to look at her with a smile on his face.
Skylar glanced around nervously, avoiding his eyes which seemed to see through her "I__ I__ don't know sir" Skylar replied stuttering.
"Why Miss Evans? Okay, tell you what? Let's play a game" Vino replied as he rested his back against the couch.
"A game?" Skylar asked with a mixture of shock and surprise. What game could they possibly play? Skylar wondered in her mind.
"Yes. The one truth and one of your deepest secret games" Vino replied while watching the blank look on Skylar's face.
He went further to explain "It goes like this. I'll tell you one of my deepest secrets about me with one truth and you will do the same. Deal?"
"Deal," Skylar replied after some time. "A game of truth and secret does not hurt, moreover if she liked no one would know" Skylar wondered in her mind.
"Okay. I will go first. My deepest secret, I hate that I don't have blue eyes like the rest of my brothers" Vino answered shyly as he avoided Skylar's eyes.
He was embarrassed, he had never told anyone that he had always wished he had blue eyes. He even tried to paint his eyeball once but he developed cold feet.
Skylar's eyes widened in shock. How can he hate such a trivial thing? If only he knows that his brown eyes are the colour of her favourite coffee, he wouldn't think that
"And the truth?" Skylar asked him, trying to rid the awkwardness that was beginning to settle between them.
"Yes, the truth. I have never fallen in love with an employee before" Vino replied slowly, watching Skylar's face for reaction. He wanted badly to add "than I love you" but he didn't want her running away from him.
Skylar gasped at him, shocked. Was he trying to tell her to back off? Was he warning her not to have feelings for him? Countless times she had to endure Camille taunts that Vino doesn't do employee in her mind and wishing that it wasn't true? And now he's rubbing it on her face.
Vino anticipates Skylar's response. When she was quietly observing him and battling within herself.
He decided to break the silence which had envelope them "So, Miss Evans. What's yours?"
"Okay. I always wished I had a younger sibling" Skylar replied shrugging
"Vino smiled at her "Are you an only child?" Vino asked her. Skylar nodded.
"Good. And the truth?"
"The truth is, I think I'm in lo________"
"Good evening, Mr. Thompson and Miss Evans. Glad to meet you again, Miss Evans" Mr. Ernesto's voice cut Skylar off her sentence as she turned to see him being ushered in with his wife in his arms.
"Good evening, Mr. Ernesto and Mrs. Ernesto" Skylar greeted them both as she shook Mr. Ernesto's hands and pecked Mrs. Ernesto on her cheeks.
"Nonsense dear. Call me Paula" Mrs. Ernesto replied, smiling at Skylar as she sat down beside her husband and turned to nod at Vino.
"Sure, Paula" Skylar said smiling as they signal to the waitress to bring their food.
Vino's mind was in turmoil as his mind kept playing Skylar's words before they were interrupted by Mr. Ernesto 'I think I'm in lo____'. What was she trying to say? If only they were not interrupted. Vino asked himself repeatedly but he still didn't get the answer.
The waitress cleared their table when they were through "So, Miss Evans. I've discussed with Mr. Thompson, I would like you to paint a mural for me at El Escorial, my ancestral home. Initially, I wanted it at my newly renovated art centre but my wife and I both decided to have the pictures of my grandparents and parents on the wall of El Escorial.
"Like some sort of family tree. Right?" Skylar asked them, jotting something down on her tablet.
"Yes. Exactly, like that" Paula exclaimed excited "That's the word he was searching for"
Skylar smiled as she jotted it down on her tablet "You will need to provide me with the pictures of your parents and grandparents. Also, when do you want it done?"
"Tomorrow will be fine by us. And if you finish early, we can have the launching party on Sunday before you go back. I will send Thiago to come pick you up at the hotel since Mr. Thompson will be busy with his meetings" Mr. Ernesto replied smiling as he sipped his wine "What do you think, Mr. Thompson?"
"That's fine by me. Tomorrow is alright. Thiago can come pick her up" Vino replied frowning. He didn't know how to tell them that he was not here for any meeting but rather he had followed Skylar here like a jealous boyfriend who fears leaving his girlfriend alone.
"That's good then. If that's decided, we'll like to take our leave now" Mr. Ernesto said as he stood up along with his wife.
"Thank you for having us tonight. And for coming over, Miss Evans" Paula greeted Skylar as she pecked her lightly on the cheek before turning on her heel as she followed her husband out.
Skylar sat down heavily on the couch exhausted. Her legs were screaming to get out of the heels but she couldn't do anything about it. A waitress came over to clear their table. "Do you care for your dessert now, Mr. Thompson?" She asked Vino.
The Ernestos had declined dessert saying they were filled up but Vino had mainly told the waitress that he would get back to her. Skylar hoped he refused because she was more than filled up tonight.
Vino glared at her "Not yet. What part of I will get back to you, do you not understand?" Vino shouted at her. The waitress mumbled her apology as she rushed to clear the table and ran to the kitchen.
Skylar looked at Vino as she wondered what could possibly make him go mad. Skylar watches as his eyes scans the gold Rolex watch at the back of his hands like he was expecting someone.
Skylar shrugged as she turned to pull out her phone from her silver clutch bag to put a call through to her mom just as she caught the glimpse of the manager coming over to their table with his staff behind him.
Skylar dropped her phone as she watched them with curiosity. They stopped in front of their table. The manager walks closer to them with a smile plastered on his face
"Hola! Signore Thompson y signora Evans. Hope you enjoyed your meal?" He asked Vino and Skylar. They both nodded in affirmation.
"Great! Courtesy of our hotel, we've decided to present this cake to you as our little way of appreciating the love between you both" He replied as he motioned for the waiter to put the cake on their table which Skylar didn't notice till now.
Vino watched them wordless as he glanced at the word inscribed on the cake 'Forever together, V & S'. Vino frowned; he needs to give the baker a piece of his mind tomorrow. How can he turn a romantic cake into trash with just five words? He was expecting a love message, explaining his love for Skylar not this. He just hopes Skylar loves it for his plans to fall through.
Skylar gasps as she stares at Vino nervously who was frowning, making Skylar wonder if he was pissed off at her or at the hotel. Skylar stood up abruptly. She will do anything to displace their notion of them.
"That's very thoughtful of you, Mr. ________?" Skylar strayed off looking at the manager, waiting for him to supply her with his name. Which he did.
"Carmen, Miss Evans"
"Mr. Carmen but you are mistaken, we are not______"
"Let's just eat. Thank you" Vino dragged Skylar's hand until she reluctantly sat down on the couch. He took a knife and cut out a portion and handed it to Skylar before doing so for himself too.
Skylar took the cut-out portion and ate a little out of it. She moans in excitement, sending Vino out of breath as he watches her
"Wow! This is so delicious" She compliments the manager and his staff.
"I'm glad you like it, Miss Evans., Now, if you could grant us one wish, we'll be very excited!" The manager grinned at her.
***
Now in the shower preparing to go to bed. Skylar couldn't help but wish she didn't grant the manager' s request. Her hands strolled unconsciously to her lips as she ran her hands through them. She stares at herself in the mirror as a smile form on her lips. She still couldn't believe that Vino kissed her again, a second time.
Though she was embarrassed after the manager and staff had requested for them to kiss, the whole occupants of the restaurant had also joined them in singing "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" Vino had slammed his lips on hers as they kissed in front of the whole restaurant. Her heart wants to burst from excitement.
"Miss Evans, are you alright? Are you planning to spend the night in the shower?" Vino called softly to her. He settled himself onto the bed with adrenaline flowing through his veins causing his heart beat rate to increase faster than normal.
Skylar grunted her response as she forced herself out of the shower. She opened the door slowly and peered into the semi dark room where the only source of light was a dim ray coming from a table lamp beside Vino. Skylar was surprised to see Vino in bed. She expected him to work still late hours.
After the kiss they had been awkward with each other and now she's so scared. What if he? Gosh, Skylar, you shouldn't be thinking that about your boss? Her mind scolded her.
"Miss Evans, are you planning to sleep while standing?" Vino called to her from the other side of the bed where he was sleeping with his hands between his head. Skylar's heart skipped a beat, she had assumed he was asleep.
Skylar strolled nervously to the bed and lay down slowly. Her heart beat increasing faster with each ticket of the wall clock. She doesn't like the fact that she was the only one affected by the chemistry between them. Vino was unaffected.
"Ouch!" Skylar screamed immediately as Vino gathered her in his arms, enveloping her in his warmth.
"Shush! Miss Evans, let's go to sleep" Vino's hushed breath fans the nape of Skylar's neck causing her to gulp nervously. She snuggled into his warmth as her nose got the scent of his after shave.
"Sleep?" Skylar asked in her husky voice, betraying the turmoil inside of her.
"Yes, Miss Evans or do you have anything else in mind?" Vino asked her, chuckling softly as he planted a kiss on her hair.
"No, I__ I__ mean___" Skylar stuttered as she hid her face in the crook of his neck.
"Just go to sleep Miss Evans. Even though I'm dying to get down with you, I can't do that because I've never forced any woman before in my life. So, shut up and go to sleep"
Skylar's heartbeat escalated as she turned in his hands to stare at him in shock. Does he want her? Vino Thompson, her boss, wants to get down with her? Skylar couldn't help the smile that spread through her face as her heart almost burst from excitement and love.
"Mr. Thompson I____"
"Miss Evans, I've warned you enough. Another word from you and I won't be responsible for my actions tonight. I'm on the edge here trying to control my body. Please don't tempt me!" Vino scowled at her as he stared into her eyes. Even holding her in his hands is doing things to him. He just wished she shut up soon. He has never been aroused before by the sound of a woman's voice like he is right now.
"But I____"
Vino connected their lips as he kissed her slowly savouring the taste of her soft succulent lips like his life depended on it. Skylar moans as she opens and grants him entrance causing both their tongues to collide together fighting for dominance.
Vino gathered her in his hands. So that she was on top of him as he deepened the kiss.
"Next time, listen to the warning because I won't be able to control myself. Goodnight, Miss Evans' ' Vino called husky to her after they had come back for air.
"Goodnight, Mr. Thompson" Skylar replied breathless as she went to sleep with a contented smile on her lips.
Though she wished they had gone further, the next time she was not going to let him go so easily.