Skylar's POV
I stood in front of the mirror, unsure how to pack my wet hair. I took a peek out the window, and the luxurious Mercedes Benz was still packed outside my house with neighbours flocking around it.
"Is he really going to give me my job back?" I pouted my mouth in confusion as I walked back to the mirror.
About twenty minutes later, I was done and made my way outside the room. I grabbed my pink bag and locked the door before dropping the key under the foot mat.
I walked towards Mr Ravenscroft's car with one of my hands trying to drag the gown I wore down my thighs. As I used the other hand to drag the breast pad up a little.
Why did I have to wear something so revealing?
I scolded myself and halted as soon as I got to the car. The car door opened, and Mr Ravenscroft was right there staring at me.
His gaze lingered on me, and my cheeks burned with embarrassment. My eyes wandered and landed on him after a while.
"Get in.." His voice demanded softly. I bowed my head and got into the car with him.
The ride was a thoroughly silent one as neither of us made a sound. I looked out the window all through feeling utterly numb and lost.
My mind was spiralling with different thoughts, as my mind drifted to my mother at the hospital.
"Are you okay?" His voice broke into my thoughts, and I jerked up from the car seat.
"Uhnnn?" I turned my head towards him, and our eyes locked once again.
"Yes sure," I cleared my throat and answered.
"We are here," he announced, and that was when I became aware of my environment. The buzzing honks from the cars and the colourful lights peeking from every corner caught my attention.
"Oh! That was fast," I said and forced a smile as I looked back at him.
"Mr Ravenscroft!" I blurted out and quickly threw my face to the other side as my entire body trembled.
"Skylar," he called my name teasingly, and my body reacted to him immediately following the sound of his voice.
"What are… you… what…" I stammered as my gaze fell on his bare chest. His broad shoulders and toned body made my breath seize as my entire face turned red.
"Why are you behaving like you have never seen a man naked?" He chuckled softly as he retrieved a new shirt and suit from the back seat of the car.
My eyelashes fluttered, and I shivered down to my spine. I subconsciously licked my lips in a daze as I stared at his chiselled abs.
"You want some?" He teased with a playful smirk on his face.
"Yes… No! No!! Mr Ravenscroft, please." I turned my face away and curled up on the car seat and used my palms to cover my face.
I heard him laugh, and I was forced to look at him once more. His white teeth sparkled in the night darkness, and his face glowed differently.
"You laugh?" My intrusive thoughts got the best of me.
"Not really," The smile on his face faded, and the atmosphere suddenly thickened as silence dominated the air.
"It's just that you look a lot more handsome when you smile and laugh." I broke the silence.
"Will keep that in mind." He simply responded.
"By the way, do you live in your car? How come you had an extra suit in here?" I had to satisfy my curiosity.
"Sometimes!" He answered shortly again.
"Besides, the meeting was impromptu." He explained with a frown.
"Enough of the question, let's go." He ordered as I opened my mouth to speak. He adjusted his tie and opened the car door.
I did the same thing and alighted from the car. He stepped on the red carpet and hooked my arm in his.
"Let's get this over with." He sighed deeply, and we walked into the five-star hotel with cameras and reporters flocking all over us.
The minute we stepped into the hall. The noisy room went still, and everyone turned around to look at us in silence.
My palm became sweaty, and I looked down at my toes as I staggered back a little bit.
The atmosphere dropped and everywhere became chilly, awkward, and uncomfortable. I could feel several eyes and stares, and I didn't dare meet any of them.
What is he doing here?
His father made him the CEO. What were you expecting?
It's only for two years. He won't last long anyway.
The murmurs and indistinct chatters found way to my ears, and my face twisted in confusion.
I turned to look at Mr Ravenscroft, whose eyes were dark, and the aura emitting from him turned dangerous.
"I didn't think the bastard was going to show up." I heard a comment, and almost everyone in the room burst into laughter.
My eyes widened in shock, and my ears caught sight of Mr Ravenscroft's fist clenched and trembling with anger.
"Of course he would show up. He's always trying to take what ours." I heard another mocking voice, and my face fell.
Bastard?
Does that mean?
"Enough!" A voice thundered through the hallway, and everyone turned silent once again. An old man in a wheelchair showed his face with a stern frown.
"Join us, son," the old man who had just spoken said, and Mr. Ravenscroft bowed his head. I did the same, and we both walked to a table and took our seats.
The event began, and several CEOs gave their speeches. Mr Ravenscroft Snr did the same, and there was a loud applause.
All through the event, I kept looking back and forth from Mr Ravenscroft. I wondered if this was the way he had been treated by his family all his life.
His father is the only one who seems to like him. No wonder he lived in his car at times. I couldn't help but shiver at the daggers being shot through several eyes as the event went on.
Suddenly, I regretted everything I had said to him this morning. I bit my tongue, and my face fell.
I looked back at him again, and this time, our eyes met.
"Do you pity me?" He asked me.
"Uhnn!" I murmured.
"You have been staring at me with so much sadness in your eyes as though I'm a wet, lost puppy. People might think you have fallen in love with me." He teased with a soft smile, and I glared at him.
An applause came from the audience stealing our attention away, and we joined in.
"Finally it's over. Let's get out of here. There's another place we have to get to." He informed me and grabbed my hands before I could even say anything.
"Tristan!" Someone called his name, and I watched him freeze on the spot. He shrugged and continued walking fast, but a hand caught him from behind, forcing him to stop.
"Please wait," a female voice spoke, panting hard.
We halted and turned at the same time. My brows creased as I came to face with a very beautiful lady dressed in a designer gown.
Her entire outfit was screaming luxury with her hair layered perfectly. She must be some heiress.
"Are you leaving so soon? You finally attended a family function after so many months. You should stay a bit and interact with everyone." She advised.
"Since when did you care about me?" His cold voice made the lady frown, and then she pouted her mouth playfully.
"Tristan!" She called.
"You dumped me and then married my brother, and now you want to act all cordial with me?" Mr Ravenscroft spilt out, and my eyes widened with shock.
"Let's go, Skylar." He said and dragged me away.
"Who is she?" I heard her voice after us, but Mr Ravenscroft paid her no attention.
The minute we moved closer to the door. It creaked open, and a familiar figure walked in.
"Skylar!" James called my name with a smug, and my body trembled in fear.