Skylar stepped into the Thompson's mansion, having been ushered in by their maid, Maria. She considered waiting for Paula, who was still in the car with her husband, discussing but Skylar didn't want to feel like she needed to depend on anyone. She could handle Vino herself. She was an independent lady.
Skylar strolled into the hall where the Charity Ball was taking place. There were many people here tonight, many of them she had never met. Skylar shrugged as her eyes caught the painting on the wall. They were different drawings of children from different works of life. Skylar gulped as she run her hands through one, captivated by the smile on the little boy whose cloth was torn but still had a smile on his face, his dark-skinned and a dimple on his cheek got through her, she would donate all her savings to make sure that, that little boy smile remains on his face. Skylar could see that Mrs. Thompson was passionate about helping orphans and the needy, but why?
"Here you are. I've been looking for you all over the Thompson's mansion," Paula exclaimed bitterly as she was annoyed having to walk around the vast mansion searching for Skylar in her heels.
Skylar turned to stare at a bitter Paula who was glaring at her. It brought a smile to her lips when she saw Paula fuming in a fake annoyance "I'm sorry. The painting captivated me"
Skylar said, turning to look at Paula, who was dressed in a red flowing gown with a halter neck. It surprised her how Paula could pull off a dressing like that, looking so beautiful like an angel. She didn't even want to think of her dress; she looked like she was going to a funeral rather than a charity ball; she didn't know what prompted Mrs. Thompson to pick a black gown for her.
"Woah! Oh my God, you're so beautiful," Paula exclaimed as she took in Skylar's dress.
Skylar guesses she was busy discussing something with her husband when they came to pick her up that she didn't notice her dressing.
"Are you sure? I feel like I'm dressed for a funeral rather than a charity ball" Skylar told her; a bit shy about her compliment. She could never be comfortable in this dress, seeing that it exposes more skin than she could ask for.
"Are you kidding me? You're lovely. It's no wonder most men in the room right now couldn't take their eyes off you," Paula commented with a smile on her face, causing Skylar to roll her eyes at Paula.
Skylar knew Paula was faltering her and trying to get her comfortable, but she can never be. All she needed right now was to go back home and probably open that brandy that has been lying useless in her bar for a year now and drink herself to stupor.
"Come on, let's go. I'm sure the ceremony is about to start," Paula called to Skylar, dragging her away from the painting, which caught Skylar's eyes. They both walked down the hall to where the tables had been arranged for tonight.
Skylar was thankful for once that this wasn't a four-table arrangement but rather a two-to-one table. She was thankful for having Paula sit beside her, though she regretted taking her away from her husband, who was seated at another table, lost in conversation with his partner.
Skylar's eyes scanned the rest of the table and gasped when eyes found Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, who were seated at the front seat immediately opposite the podium. Their children surround them on their left and right with their wives and date. Her eyes caught Michael with a woman he was gazing up at who she supposed was his wife, seeing that she has never really met her. She was laughing at what Michael had whispered into her ear.
"She's so beautiful. Is that Michael's wife?" Paula's voice brought Skylar out of her thoughts as she turned to see her pointing to the woman she had found earlier.
"Yes, I guess so. She's really beautiful," Skylar told her as she watched her nod before turning to listen to what the MC was saying.
Skylar felt eyes on her, which was why she turned to the left of Mrs. Thompson, and her eyes found those brown coffee eyes that always mesmerized her. It drew her to them; she sucked in a breath as she felt his lips parted and his tongue darted out to wet his lips. That simple gesture caused Skylar to squirm on her seat as she fixed her gaze on him.
A movement on his side caught her attention as she turned to take in Elise, who had tapped him to gain his attention. Skylar frowned as she noticed that they were like one family sitting together.
"What are you looking at so intensely?" Paula's voice got through to Skylar as she quickly averted her gaze and forced a smile onto her face as she tried to pretend that she wasn't undressing Vino with her eyes a moment ago.
Paula turned away from Skylar's weird smile as she searched around for anything that could have caught Skylar's attention.
She smiled as soon as her eyes found Vino perched in the far corner of the room, calling something to his mother. Paula's scowl as soon as she noticed the woman in his arms, Elise Fabio. That wild woman, why can't she just stop already. Vino can never be hers, Paula exclaimed in her mind as she turned to stare at Skylar who seemed interested in the MC's speech, but Paula could see that it was all fake. She's only trying to avoid looking at Vino.
"Woah! Look who we have there, girl," Paula exclaimed excitedly as she pointed to Vino, who she had just noticed a while ago.
Skylar turned to look in the direction where Paula was pointing but stopped as she felt the same eyes on her. She quickly averted her eyes. "That's Vino, Paula. What's so special about seeing him? And I never told you I was searching for him," Skylar scolded Paula, who only smiled as she stood up, dragging a shocked Skylar with her.
"Where are we going?" Skylar asked Paula, who doesn't seem like she could hear any of her protests as her mind was fixed on the goals ahead.
"Paula, please don't do this to me. I'm not ready to meet him yet, please" Skylar immediately went into a pleading mood as soon as she saw the direction they were taking.
Her words seem to have gotten to Paula, who stopped and turned to glare at Skylar, who cringed in fear at the anger in her eyes. "Shush!" Paula told her angrily, putting a finger to her lips to shut her off.
"We are going over there to say hello, and you are going to greet him like you've gotten over him. Why should you be the one still wallowing in pain when it looks like he has moved on?" Paula scolded her as she averted her eyes from Paula's. Skylar couldn't help but feel that Paula was a bit harsh right now, but what she had said was the truth. Why should she hide away from the world because her boss discovers she was no good for him?
"Okay. Fine. I'm only letting you off the hook now, but don't try that again, understand?"
"Yes, ma'am" Paula replied with a mocking salute as she smiled broadly at Skylar, who couldn't help smiling back.
Paula paused as she gazes around the room, thinking "It would have been satisfying if we could find you a date"
"No, Paula, no. Please, I'm not looking for any relationship," Skylar begged her, as she could feel the wheels in Paula's head-turning for the potential man for her.
"Come on, I'm not saying you should get in the sack with him. I'm just saying you can use him to make Vino jealous. What do you say?"
Skylar opened her mouth to reply, but someone beat her to it. "Hello, ladies. Ain't you both looking beautiful tonight?"
Skylar and Paula both turned to the voice which had spoken behind them. Skylar couldn't help feeling irritated by the man that kept checking her out. She wanted to smack his face but didn't want to run his handsome face.
"Woah! What's your name, pretty? You're just my type?" Skylar rolled her eyes at him. He looked younger and handsome in a golden blazer and matching bottom. His feet were adorned in a shiny Louis Vuitton's gold shoe. He looks more like a musician on stage than an invitee to a charity ball, but she did like his accent. He has that American drawl to him that distinguishes him from the rest.
Skylar smiled as she was about to reply out of respect and courtesy. Her mother has spent years drilling into her, but the familiar voice she heard next causes the words to hang in her throat.
"She is not available, Gian"
Skylar turned angrily to glare at Vino. How dare he make that decision for her? How can he come in here and pretend all was well with them? And where is his shadow? Isn't she supposed to follow him everywhere? Skylar mustered to herself as she searched around for Elise.
Vino's last words registered in her brain as she turned swiftly to stare at the man in shock. "Gian? Gian as in Giannova Mason?" Skylar asked with more enthusiasm than she intended. She just couldn't keep the excitement from her voice
"Woah! Did you hear that, Vino? The pretty woman knows my name," Gian exclaimed excitedly as he bent to hug Skylar, but Vino glared at him before pulling Skylar to his side, cradling his hands at her waist.
"What part of 'she is not available don't you understand?" Vino called angrily at his friend with a frown on his face. He had invited him here tonight to help him apologize to Skylar, not trying to woo her to himself.
"Uh__oh!" Gian whistled loudly with a smile on his face "He finally stuck his claim on her, so smart of you, Thompson" Gian drew the last part with a wink before turning on his heel but the woman's voice stopped him.
"Wait!" Skylar called loudly to him. She stepped away from Vino's embrace as soon as Gian had turned to watch her.
"You haven't answered my question. Are you Giannova Mason?" Skylar repeated her question again.
"That's my name, Angel. The one and only," Gian replied, raising his eyebrows at her, wondering why she was interested in knowing his name.
"Really? Woah! I can't believe I'm finally meeting you. And sorry. It seems you are mistaken. Mr. Thompson and I are not in that kind of relationship. Our relationship is more of a boss and an employee," Skylar rushed to explain as she avoided Vino's angry eyes. She smiled at Paula, who had folded her hands and watched the drama unfold in front of her eyes just as she had wanted.
Gian raised his eyebrows in shock. He wasn't expecting her to deny her relationship with Vino, or was she trying to make Vino jealous? If that is her intention, then it's working. Gian could see Vino glaring at him and fuming in anger. Truth is, he was attracted to Skylar the first time he had seen her gazing at his painting with delight on her face.
He had stalked her until she was alone. He never knew she was the girl Vino was planning to introduce to him. He could see the reason why Vino was in love with her. She was lovable, and very attractive__ he wishes he could have her for himself__ just a taste.
"Actually"
Gian came out of his thoughts and turned to watch Skylar advancing slowly to meet him. His eyes immediately went up to Vino, who was also shocked just as he was...
"I saw your paintings, and it captivated me"
Just as I am with you__ Gian mustered to himself but didn't say it out loud because he didn't want Vino to have his head, especially when he found out that he was falling for his girlfriend...
"I would love it if you could give me tips. I will____" Skylar paused as she ran her hands through the blazer of Gian, touching his muscled hands in the process. "Woah! Such muscled hands, it's no wonder you could paint such a captivating piece of work" Skylar continued gently trying to get Gian to accept her invitation, she wanted to get away from Vino especially since she had to look up to see his shadow advancing with an angry look on her face.
"Sure. I'll do that only if you'll agree to dance with me," Gian replied with a smile on his face. Even though he knew she was using him to make her boyfriend jealous, he allows her because that's how much he wants to be with her.
"Good. Let's go have that dance, handsome" Skylar smiled, biting her lips to drive her point. She wraps her hands around Gian's and lets him guide her to the dance floor.
She couldn't help catching the last glimpse of Vino's angry face as he clenched his fists in anger. Skylar smiled before she allowed herself to be enveloped by Gian's hands as they both danced to the tune of the music...