Immediately Skylar stepped into the hotel, she knew all was not well. Right from the moment she met Paula pacing at the reception with a frown on her face, she knew something drastic had happened but she couldn't even imagine what that was?
"There you are" Paula exclaimed as soon as she saw Skylar approaching her with Gian following closely behind her.
"Where have you been? I've been trying to get in touch with you but your phone has been switched off" Paula told her as she nodded in greeting to Gian who was spotting a smile on his face.
"How are you, Paula," Gian voiced his greeting as he turned to walk away trying to give them privacy but Paula's voice stopped him on his track.
"Stay. This concerned you too" Paula told him, causing the frown to deepen on Skylar's face as she was so much confused now.
"What's going on here? Please don't tell me there are more dramas. I've had enough today" Skylar told Paula as she stepped away from Paula, going to the nearest seat in the lobby to make herself comfortable for Paula's tale.
"Dramas? Why? What happened?" Paula asked, with shock on her face as she couldn't fathom what Skylar was trying to say.
"No, don't worry, let's leave that for later. I have far better things to discuss with you" Paula raised her hands to silence Skylar as soon as she saw that she was about to explain her statement.
"Okay. Go on. The suspense is killing me already" Skylar told her with a quick roll of her eyes, she had forgotten how Paula liked to take her time with everything, especially when it comes to gossiping.
"It's about Vino and Elise?"
This caused Skylar to sit up as she turned to stare at Paula, her heartbeat escalating faster than normal as soon as she heard Vino's name.
"Vino? Why? What happens to him" Skylar asked as she sat up on the seat, her eyes going over to Gian who was very much interested in their conversation considering the way he gave them his rapt attention.
"We found out that Adora isn't his"
"What? How come? Why?" Skylar exclaimed as she stood up from the couch, pacing around the lobby, she was so devastated and angry with Elise. She can't begin to imagine what Vino might be going through now?
"We still don't know why she did that? We couldn't ask her, she left before the police arrive" Paula replied shrugging, she was no more concerned with Elise's case. She was more concerned with the happiness of Skylar.
"Oh My gosh! How can she do that to Vino? He cared about Adora so much" Skylar called angrily to Paula. She was angrier with herself for being a fool too. She couldn't believe she risked her relationship with Vino all because of a child that wasn't his. Now, she doesn't even know if he will want her back considering the way she had rejected him last night.
"So, you need to go back to Vino. I know you were doing this because of Adora, now this is an opportunity for you to know that you were made for each other. please Skylar do not jeopardize this again" Paula pleaded, completely moved to tears. She had never believed that such a day would come when she would rejoice at another man's misfortune. She was this happy that something like this happened to Elise.
"Where's Vino?" Skylar finally made herself ask after she was done crying silently.
"He left for New York. There is a problem with the company, I think but if you could hurry, you could meet him at the airport before his plane leaves in an hour time"
"And Gian" Paula continued as she turned to look at the man in question who was also shocked from everything he had heard.
"Please, Skylar can't date you. She is pregnant with Vino's child and they both love each other" Paula tried to explain hoping Gian would understand and leave Skylar for Vino.
"I know" Gian laughed as soon as he saw the same expression on Paula's face.
"Come on, don't give me that look. I'm not here to break anybody's relationship. I have mine too, I was only trying to help Vino acknowledge what he felt for Skylar and he did. My job here is complete. I will be flying back to Spain tomorrow" Gian told them as he turned to see Paula looking at him with admiration on her face '' What the hell are you? Are you Skylar's guidance angel because that makes two of us" Paula told him as she smiled broadly at him? It was the first genuine smile she had after Elise's incident.
"You can say that again. At first, I was attracted to Skylar at the party but as soon as I recognized her as Vino's girlfriend, I decided to help him. What do you think? Did I do a good job?" Gian asked Paula as he threw puppy's eyes at her which caused Paula to erupt in a burst of loud laughter.
"Of course, yes. I had to give it to you. I mean you fooled everyone" Paula told him as she stopped and suddenly went serious" Do you mind pursuing a career in marriage counselling, you could be my partner and together we could help save every crumbled home and maybe _______"
"I'm sorry to cut off your potential client's talk. '' Skylar told them with a pout on her face, instead of helping her, they were busy planning their next careers ignoring her '' But I got to leave. I have to catch my love before he gets on the plane" Skylar told them, already rushing back to the door.
"Sure darling, you do that cause immediately he gets off the plane, there will be a long queue of women waiting to be picked as the new Mrs." Gian replied as he waved Skylar off with a smile on his face which caused Skylar to glare at him.
"Thank you for being such a supportive guidance angel Gian, '' Skylar called sarcastically at him as she rolled her eyes at him.
"Did I do anything wrong? I was only trying to help her" Gian turned to Paula who swatted him playfully on the shoulder, silently chastising him to behave.
"Good luck darling. Don't worry about him, I'll take care of him for you" Paula nodded to Skylar who blew her a kiss and stepped out of the door but not before hearing Paula's and Gian's last exchange.
"I'm taking the spot of a godfather you know" Gian had shouted at her causing Skylar's hands to rub her belly fondly.
"I'm taking that spot, silly you. And there's nothing like a godfather. I think godmother is the word you're looking for, right?" Paula told Gian as they both argued back and forth among them while Skylar rolled her eyes at them before stepping into the taxi which Gian had ordered in advance for her. She sat at the back and rested her head against the armrest after giving the driver the address to the airport.
She turned to whisper words to her baby while she relaxed" Just a little while, then you can say hello to daddy" she told her baby with a smile on her face. She just couldn't wait for Vino and her to reconcile. She can't wait to hug him to herself and be able to call him, hers again.
****
The taxi driver witnessed the drama with his client with an excited smile on his face, as he stared at her through the upright mirror. Looking at her, he could tell she was about to reconcile with her lost husband. He smiled, he still didn't believe how young girls of nowadays work, getting pregnant before marriage.
"Congratulations, ma'am. I wish you the best of luck" The driver called to Skylar as soon as she stepped out of the car after he had pulled into the driveway of the airport.
"Thank you" Skylar replied with a smile on her face, her hands going to pat her belly gently even though she didn't know why he was congratulating her.
She gave him her fees before turning to walk into the airport swamp with people returning to their respective places. She paused as she looked around, wondering where she should start looking for Vino when she heard the loud announcement in the room.
"All passengers leaving for New York City should go to Flight 292 now"
Skylar rushed forward as she pushed herself between the large crowd who were also rushing to meet up with their respective flight.
"Excuse me" She called to one lady who was trying to pet her daughter who was crying for her daddy. As soon as Skylar left the woman's side, she spotted Vino at the first of the row getting his passport checked about to get into the plane.
"Vino!!" Skylar screamed as soon as she saw that he was about to leave and she wasn't with her phone to put a call through to him. He stopped and turned around searching for who had called his name but he couldn't find her.
Skylar sighed heavily, cursing herself for forgetting her phone in the hotel. She made to step a foot nearer to him but paused as soon as she felt a cold hand on her shoulder.
"I wouldn't take that step if I were you" The cold voice called to her but Skylar frowned as soon as she recognized the voice wondering what she wanted with her.
"Elise," Skylar called as she turned slowly to behold Elise staring at her with a black shawl in her hair, shielding her face.
"What do you want from me?" Skylar asked her after suddenly remembering that she had betrayed Vino's trust in her.
"Do you think I will allow you to have the last laugh? NO, never, Skylar. Not when I'm still alive" Elise told her angrily as she tried to forcibly drag Skylar into the washroom but she wouldn't budge.
"You can't come in here and tell me what to do. I am Skylar Evans. No one can control me" Skylar snapped at her as she tilted her chin to her face challenging her to object her.
"Anyway, I'm glad that you've come. At least you can witness Vino's and I reconciliation" Skylar told her as she readjusted her bag on her shoulder before turning to take a step in the direction of Vino who was still trying to see who was calling him especially since that voice sounded like the woman he loved.
"Is that how you want it now"
Skylar ignored Elise's words as she was happier about getting back with Vino. She took another step but froze as she saw a man with heavily tattooed muscled hands standing at the back of Vino, her eyes ran through his body, she froze as soon as she saw the protruding bomb on his stomach just before he went into the plane. The same plane, Vino, was entering.
Skylar screamed but no words were coming out of her mouth, she turned to see Elise covering her mouth with her palm "I wouldn't do that, you know" Elise warned her as she circled her as a snake will do to her prey.
Tears spilled down Skylar's face as she pleaded with Elise to let Vino go but her pleas fell on deaf ears.
"His life is in your hands now, Skylar. I will let him go only if you agree to follow me wherever without no questions asked, okay" Elise asked her as she still placed
Skylar's eyes went back to Vino to see the man showing him the bomb while she witnessed the displeasure on Vino's face. She can't do this. She can't be the reason for Vino's death. She loves him too much.
"I'll do anything you want, please let him go" Skylar pleaded with tears eyes before she turned to stare at Elise who was smiling up at her.
"Good. Now drink this, and come with me" Elise told her before handing her a small bottle containing white liquid she had removed from her pocket.
"Why? What is this?" Skylar asked as she stared through teary eyes at the pungent smell coming out from the bottle she just opened.
Elise turned swiftly and glared at Skylar with a hard look on her face "Have you forgotten your promise. Or do you want me to call him to detonate the bomb?"
"No, please. I'm sorry" Skylar pleaded as she suddenly dawned the bottle in one go. She turned to follow Elise into the washroom.
Skylar paused, her legs were feeling wobbly and her brain fuzzy. What was wrong with her? She turned to Elise who was watching her and counting the time on her watch.
"What did you give to me? It making me feel weak and______"
Elise watched as she dropped dead on the floor. She smiled with an excited smile on her face "It's about time. Quick, let drag her into the van"
She told the woman who had just entered the as they both got to work, dragging a lifeless body into the van. She got into the passenger's seat and made herself comfortable while the visitor drove them to their destination.