I snapped out of my thoughts and faced Skylar. He was looking around the room, as if assessing it.
“What do you mean by cousin?” My eyes narrowed at him.
He stopped looking around and turned to face me, a mischievous smile on his lips. I couldn’t figure out what was running through his mind.
“Don’t you remember?” he asked.
I rolled my eyes. “Come on, stop playing tricks on me. I’m not in the mood for your games, Skylar.”
“And neither am I,” he admitted. “You’re just too serious.”
I snorted and glanced at the wide-open door before bringing my attention back to him. “Who let you in?”
“Your dad.”
My forehead furrowed at his words. Why would Dad let him enter the mansion? As far as I remembered, Skylar was Anthony’s cousin. And Dad had vowed never to let anyone from the Clasiso clan enter our house. Did he make an exception for Skylar?
“Liar,” I said.
He laughed again. I had no idea what was making him so happy. He was standing in front of a girl locked up for Japen’s sake!
“If you don’t tell the truth, I’ll drag you out of this room,” I warned him.
The smile disappeared from his face as he stared at me. “Would you rather be locked in this room alone?”
My brows furrowed and I narrowed my eyes at him. “Get out.”
He nodded, pursing his lips into a thin line. “Kidding aside,” he said. “Do your business, and I’ll wait for you here. We have something to discuss.”
His serious tone made me stop arguing. I let him sit in one of the chairs around the tea table and rest his chin on his hand.
I noticed he had changed a lot since the last time we saw and talked to each other. I remembered how desperate he was back then to know the truth behind Anthony’s death. But now, in that room where I had been staying for weeks, he seemed carefree. He didn’t carry his domineering aura and appeared… cool.
I shook my head. I shouldn’t think too much about him, or else he would notice my discomfort. I didn’t trust people with that cool and kind front. They were usually hiding their true nature behind a facade, just like Simmy.
I rolled my eyes and entered the bathroom. I took a quick shower and put on my favorite white dress before stepping out of the walk-in closet.
The first thing I saw was Skylar sitting like a king in a chair. The one who called me his cousin but then took back his words.
I walked towards him and sat in the chair across from him. “What now?” I asked.
He looked at me from head to toe again. “I notice you really like wearing white. Do you love it that much?”
“Enough with the jokes, Skylar. Tell me why you’re here.”
He shook his head, his lips curving into a smile. “I heard your dad locked you in this room.”
My brows furrowed. “How did you know?”
“Someone called me.”
“Someone?” I blinked. “Who?”
He shrugged. “Simmy.”
“Simmy?!” I gasped, looking at him wide-eyed. “You know her?”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “Simmy is my… aunt. She’s my father’s sister.” He clicked his tongue and studied my expression.
My throat went dry as I looked away from him. My fists clenched and unclenched continuously. My breath sagged as I tried to wrap my head around how Simmy and Skylar were related, not just by bond or law, but by blood!
“Azora,” he called.
“Get out,” I said, my voice low and surprisingly firm. My teeth gritted in annoyance.
I saw him brush his hair with his fingertips out of the corner of my eye. He took a deep breath. “Do you want to know why I’m here?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “It doesn’t matter. Simmy called you to mock me with freedom, so get out. I don’t want to see you here, and don’t ever step foot inside this room again, Skylar!”
“Azora,” pain laced through his voice. “Please calm down.”
“How could I? You told me you’re Anthony’s cousin and now you’re Simmy’s nephew?” I laughed without humor, glaring at Skylar. “I never knew you took on all the roles I hate.”
“It’s not my choice,” he said, an amused look on his face. I hissed at him, and his expression turned serious. “I’m here for an important matter, Azora. So please… sit down and let’s have a normal talk.”
A normal talk. I scoffed but took a step and sat down in the chair across from him.
A smile spread across Skylar’s face when he saw me follow his words. I crossed my arms and looked him straight in the eye.
“Tell me exactly why you called me your cousin.” It was not a question or a request, but an order. I bit my cheek at how firm my voice was.
Skylar cleared his throat. “Simmy is not related to your mom or dad by blood. She was just your mom’s childhood best friend. You might not know that she has a half-brother, and that’s my father, making me her nephew.” He wrinkled his nose and smiled wryly at me. “She’s not bad… sometimes. I never got to know her well because my father lost contact with her a long time ago. Last month, I bumped into her, and she recognized me instantly because I look a lot like my father.” A boyish grin appeared on his lips.
I rolled my eyes. “Then, what’s the reason you’re here?”
Skylar cleared his throat and stared straight into my eyes. There was nothing but seriousness in his features, so I couldn’t help but sit up straight.