Skylar strolled into Thompson's art centre with a big smile on her face, she couldn't stop thinking about her date yesterday with Vino. He was attentive to her that she couldn't help falling in love with him. Yes, she was in love with Vino. And no, she hasn't told him yet. She was planning to but he left in a bad mood yesterday
"Hey, Skylar. You seem to be in a good mood this morning." Cynthia greeted her immediately, she stepped into the reception. Skylar turned to stare at Cynthia with an equal cheerful smile on her face
"Hi! Cynthia, and yes, I'm in a good mood. How's the party preparation coming?" Skylar asked her, she turned to take in the decorated office and smiled. Today was the day of the Talent Hunt Show and she was excited that it was finally happening.
"It's okay. Everything has been taken care of" Cynthia replied waving her off to the elevator as she stood up to usher in the guests.
Skylar smiled and went into the elevator. She put in the number for the hall where the party was to take place. She rested her back against the wall and let the elevator carry her to the hall.
Skylar stepped out of the elevator and make her way down the corridor into the hall, she saw Madison running all around with the gift items in her hands, immediately she saw Skylar approaching, Madison ran up to meet her
"Hi! You weren't in the office yesterday. Are you okay?" Madison asked Skylar while trying to balance the gift items in her hands.
"Oh! That I'm okay. I just took some time off yesterday" Skylar replied, blushing red from her heart when she remembers what she did with Vino yesterday.
"I'm sure yesterday was good judging from the way you are blushing" Madison pointed out while staring at Skylar who was trying hard to hide the blush on her cheeks.
Madison suspected that whatever happiness was in Skylar's face. It has to do with the boss too who couldn't stop laughing and smiling as soon as he got to the office today. Which was a first for him as he rarely smiles or laughs only when he's with Camille or any of his family members.
"Is the boss in?" Skylar rushed to change the topic immediately, she saw the curious look on Madison's face. Truth is, she considered Madison her friend and she would have loved to tell her about her dating Vino but she doesn't know if Vino would like it. Maybe he wants to keep their relationship a secret.
"Yes. He arrived very early this morning" Madison replied with a broad smile on her face. She moves closer to Skylar and whispers into her ear in a hushed voice "He seems to be in a very good mood today. Do you know why?"
Of course, Skylar does know why Vino was excited but she wasn't going to tell Madison. Hell! She hasn't even told her mom that she was dating Vino "Me? How?" Skylar scoffed at Madison like she had just had the most absurd idea. She quickly rushed into her office to escape Madison's incessant questioning.
Immediately, Skylar walked into her office. She paused as she took in the woman who was sitting in her office with a wide smile on her lips. Skylar ran to hug her as she wasn't expecting to see her in New York City and most especially not in her office. She knows Vino had a hand in this.
"Hey! Angel. I miss you too" Paula exclaimed excitedly as she pulled out of the hug to take in Skylar's look. As soon as her husband and she had settled in at their new apartment after relocating here. Paula had planned with Vino to visit Skylar. She was most pleased when Vino told her that he was dating Skylar.
"Paula I___ how____"
"Hey. Wow!!" Skylar couldn't form any coherent words as she was speechless and excited to see Paula in her office.
"I know you are wondering what I'm doing here right?" Paula asked Skylar who nodded in affirmation.
"Well, we've relocated to New York City because I want to be closer to you," Paula continued, earning another hug from an ever-happy Skylar.
"Wow!! Thank you for coming over. I'm happy to see you here" Skylar finally says after some time with a big smile on her face.
"Thank you for having me. And happy second day anniversary" Paula called to her, earning a gasp from a shocked Skylar who wasn't aware that Vino had told Paula about their relationship.
"As much as I'd love to sit here and chat with you all day, unfortunately, I can't as I have to check on the decoration," Skylar told Paula with a frown on her face. She has completely forgotten about the Talent Hunt Show which was to be held that evening.
"Oh! Sure. You go do your thing. I will make myself busy in your office" Paula exclaimed waving Skylar off as she picked up her phone to call Ernesto.
Skylar nodded at her and turned to walk out of the office. She walked down the corridor into a much bigger hall where the party would take place. She was about to enter the hall when she felt a hand wrap around her waist. Skylar paused as she snuggled into Vino's arm. She was conscious of the people around her causing her to be a bit restless.
Vino noticed her restlessness which was why he pulled them into a vacant room next door and bent to kiss her hungrily and angrily. He was angry that she was hiding her relationship with him when he wanted to tell everyone that she was his woman but this stupid woman wanted to hide him. And he was also angry that she refused to spend the night with him yesterday.
"What was that for?" Skylar asked him after he had pulled out of the kiss. She turned to wipe his lips with her hands to get rid of the lipstick which had stuck to his lips
"For missing you like hell. I never want to let you go" Vino told her, pulling her into his embrace once again. He couldn't sleep a wink last night as he kept turning and turning on his bed wishing for her to be with him. He wasn't going to let her go today, she must spend the night with him else he will be forced to spend it in her tiny apartment.
"But we spent the rest of yesterday together. How can you miss me after such a short time?" Skylar asked him, shocked. Though she had missed him too but that was mainly because of her insomnia. Since he was her cure, she couldn't sleep soundly last night without him beside her as she had done the night before.
"Woman! I want to be with you always. I would love to marry you right now if you'll allow me" Vino told her as he waited for her response with a half breath.
Skylar searched his face to see if he was lying but he was dead serious. Marriage, she repeated in her mind. Was she ready for marriage? What about his parents? Will they accept her if she says yes to him?
"Come on, stop brooding about that. I was only joking, I'm not proposing, I mean we are only two days old" Vino went to wrap his arms around her. Even after he had said that he couldn't help feeling hurt. It means she doesn't love him enough to want to marry him.
"I ____I'm sorry I need to go" Skylar ran out of the room, without waiting for Vino's response. Her mind was in turmoil, the enormity of what she had done finally caught up with her.
She wasn't thinking about her future when she said yes to being his girlfriend. She never believed he would want to marry her. It wasn't going to work and before she got hurt, she needed to break their relationship, if it was even worthy enough of that title.
Vino and her were two worlds apart. They were two sides of a coin which can never meet. They were opposite in every way. How can such a relationship work?
Skylar excused herself from Paula and went home to prepare for the evening party.
***
Skylar strode into Thompson's Art centre with Paula and her husband beside her.
She had gone back home to change and return to the party which was stated for seven P.M. Skylar walked into the reception and was surprised how it has transformed from a working office to a party ground. She glances from one employee to another. Shocked as this was the first time, she saw everyone all dressed up.
"I think we need to go up to the hall where the real party is," Paula said to Skylar but she wasn't listening as she was caught up looking from everyone to another.
"Are you okay?" Paula tapped Skylar gently pulling her out of her trance.
"Yes, I'm alright. Let's go to the party" Skylar nodded to them and led them into the elevator. Mr. Ernesto stood in front of them while both Skylar and Paula rested their backs against the wall of the elevator.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Paula asked Skylar again who merely nodded but Paula wasn't convinced. She knows something was bothering her.
"I'm okay. I guess, I'm a bit nervous about the party and I feel so uncomfortable in this dress." Skylar rushed to explain herself when she saw Paula's face filled with sadness. She didn't want Paula to be upset tonight, it wasn't Paula's fault but rather Skylar's mistake and she has to fix that.
"You shouldn't be bothered about the party; all the paintings are beautiful. We have ordered for six already" Paula told Skylar who smiled excitedly. Even though she failed in the relationship department. She was glad her work was still going on smoothly.
"And about the dress, it is beautiful, Vino had such good taste when it came to dresses" Paula exclaimed causing a shocked Skylar to watch her with a surprise on her makeup face.
"Vino? But I thought you got this dress for me?" Skylar couldn't help feeling bad. She was about to break up with Vino tonight but here she was wearing the dress he bought for her. How can she break up with him?
Paula laughed as she took in Skylar's curious look. She was surprised she even thought that "No, darling. Vino brought the dress into your office earlier. He said he couldn't give it to you as you were busy. I assume you knew about it that's why I didn't bother to tell you"
Skylar nodded at Paula as they all stepped out of the elevator into the party hall. There was no use blaming Paula for a crime she and Vino committed.
Immediately, she stepped into the hall, her eyes searched around for Vino until they stopped at him talking to a couple. Skylar assumed they were his parents as the woman kept running her hands through his cheek with an affectionate look in her eyes.
Skylar forced her eyes away from the scene in front of her. She could see that his parents adored him. They surely wouldn't want him to end up with a nobody like her. Someone like Camille will do just fine for him. She turned away from him as soon as she felt about to glance at her, she saw Paula watching her with a curious expression on her face.
Skylar excused herself from both Paula and her husband. She walked down to where the paintings were showcased, to browse through them. She was absorbed in a particular painting when she felt a hand tapped and took in the person causing blood to drain from her face as she was pale.
She let the person guide her out of the hall down into the night as she prayed in her mind that somehow, someone will save her...