Skylar reached New York and immediately contacted her friends. They all planned to meet one another after months. After graduating from nursing school together, Eva and Sienna found an internship at Bellevue Hospital. Hayley had joined her dad’s hospitality business while Alyssa was in California at her grandparents’ place. Each of them was busy except Skylar. She knew it was time to think about her career. She couldn’t just waste her life doing nothing!
She picked Hayley up from her house and drove over to the shopping mall nearby where the others would meet them.
“Why do you have to join Christian? You can do an internship at Barclay International,” suggested Hayley. Barclay International was her dad’s business, and she handled it independently now.
“Maybe I will. I haven’t thought about it, Hails. I could open a small restaurant, too.” It was the first time she had expressed her inner desire.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Skye. I wish you all the success in the world. Plan it well and start already. You can take mine or Alexander’s help.” Alyssa’s brother, Alexander Van Every, was the CEO of Rotterdams, the famous chain of restaurants, and had lots of experience. Skylar knew he would always help her, but she wanted to achieve her dreams all on her own. She didn’t wish to depend on anyone.
They waited for the others while Hayley talked about her work. Soon, Eva and Sienna joined them.
“Congrats, both of you,” said Hayley.
“Congrats,” said Skylar.
“When did you return from Cleveland? I thought you would settle down there,” said Sienna.
“No, I didn’t like the place much. I’m not interested in working right now. I think I’m the most unproductive amongst us,” said Skylar with a laugh.
“You’re wrong! I’m the most unproductive!” said Alyssa as she approached their table, making their jaws drop at the sight of her. They squealed with delight to see her back for good. It was like old times when they would sneak out to have fun.
For the next few days, they caught up like old times. Skylar forgot about Christian and his promise. Sienna’s birthday was coming up, and they met at Alyssa’s apartment to plan. While Alyssa wanted to celebrate Sienna’s birthday at a nightclub, Alexander was adamant. Being overprotective of his sister, he would allow them to celebrate only at Phoenix, where he had a membership.
“Wait a minute! Why are we going to Phoenix?” asked Hayley with wide eyes.
“To celebrate Sienna’s birthday, obviously. Alexander has a membership there, and it’s the only nightclub he’s allowing us to go to. Of course, he’ll be accompanying us,” informed Alyssa, and they all groaned in agony. They wouldn’t have any freedom if he accompanied them.
“Why this torture? I think we should celebrate it at my place,” suggested Skylar.
“Or ours,” suggested Eva, who shared her apartment with Sienna.
“No, please. We always go to each other’s places. What’s so special about that? Let’s put our own reasons aside and do this for Sienna’s sake. She has gone through a lot and needs to get Roman out of her system for one day at least,” said Alyssa.
Roman Drexler was Sienna’s fiance, whom her dad dumped upon her before his death. They all agreed and worked on the plan. Alyssa handed out dresses for Sienna and Eva since they didn’t possess clothes suitable for nightclubs.
“Don’t worry so much. I’ll handle Alex. We will enjoy it despite his presence,” said Alyssa, comforting her.
“We’ll go on a weekday as the rush is bearable and the charges would be lesser,” suggested Skylar for Eva’s sake. They all pooled in money for the celebration, although Alyssa knew her brother wouldn’t accept a penny and add the expenses to his account. Still, she would offer him!
Sienna joined in after a while, oblivious to the meticulous planning that had been going on. They stayed for a while to enjoy some juicy gossip. Sienna left early, as she had to visit a lawyer regarding her shares in her dad’s business after his sudden demise.
“See you at Phoenix on Friday,” said Eva. Skylar dropped Hayley at her house and returned to her house. The palatial mansion was totally empty, with only Mrs. Jules staying there with her. She missed her grandparents immensely and called them after dinner.
“Grandpa Benjamin will come over on Friday to see you, Skye,” said her brother, taking the phone from her granny. Skylar was immediately on high alert. She actually feared Grandpa Ben since childhood. Although there wasn’t a valid reason for her fears, she just couldn’t get rid of it. She had the feeling he didn’t like her much.
“Why does he want to see me? What have I done now? I’m busy on Friday. We’re going to Phoenix to celebrate Sienna’s birthday,” she said, panicking a little.
“Fine, he will visit you next week. He wants you to join Saint James Intercontinental Suites as an intern. He’ll take you to their head office in New York.” Skylar’s eyebrows shot up to her head at the shocking news.
“What? But I’m not interested in an internship right now. I might join Barclay International, Hayley’s dad’s business as an intern.”
“You’ll do no such thing, Skye. Grandpa Ben wants you to take an interest in the family business since it will be yours as well after the wedding.”
Caleb handed the phone to his grandpa and Skylar couldn’t fight his decision anymore.
“You better not argue with Ben, Skylar,” warned her grandpa.
“Fine. Anything else you want me to do?” she asked, feeling frustrated with every one of them.
“No. Take care.” He disconnected the call, and Skylar paced the floor. She had to think of a way out of this mess.
For the next few days, she thought hard, but still couldn’t come up with anything. It was Friday evening, and Alyssa called her to remind her about their plan. Not that she had forgotten. Wearing a beautiful black ruched dress that hugged her curves well, Skylar drove over to Alyssa’s apartment. They had all planned to go together.
She eagerly pressed the doorbell, and Alyssa opened it.
“Are you both ready?” asked Skylar, walking in.
“Yes, almost. Just need to touch up my makeup,” said Alyssa, quickly dabbing on some makeup.
“Is that you, Hails? What has Alyssa done to you? I could hardly recognize you. My God! You look so hot!” said Skylar with a chuckle.
“You look hotter!” said Hayley. The doorbell rang and Ashton arrived to take them to Phoenix. Alexander had opted to pick up Eva and Sienna from their apartment and reach there soon. The club was just a ten minutes drive away, and they reached before time.
As Ashton parked his car, Alexander drove in with Eva and Sienna. With Alexander having all the access to the club because of his membership, they couldn’t have gone in without him. “Took you long enough, bro?” muttered Ashton with a chuckle while Alexander elbowed him out of the way with a grin.
They entered the crowded nightclub and Skylar tried to focus under the neon lights. Her head already spinning on hearing the loud thumping of the background music. She blinked to see the bodies gyrating on the dance floor, and drinks flowing freely around the place. There were people laughing, couples desperately grinding against each other, making out wildly in every corner. She hadn’t been to such a place before but refrained from broadcasting her lack of experience. At her college, her friends went out during weekends but she didn’t. She preferred her close group of friends who were just like she was.
The manager of the club rushed forward to greet him, leading them through the crowd toward the upper deck.
“Bro, please, can we check out the bar first? Why don’t you leave us alone for a while?” said Alyssa, expecting her brother to retaliate, but he didn’t.
“Fine. Enjoy yourselves, but you know your limits. I have a booking on the upper deck executive lounge for eight. You can occupy any table.” Alexander left with Ashton and they all breathed a sigh of relief. Sienna stood frozen at the scene all around her, as if wanting to escape already.
“Sien, stop overthinking for a change,” shouted Eva in her ears. With the wild music playing so loudly, it was impossible to hear a thing.
“Live for once, girl!” yelled Skylar as she rushed towards the counter to get the bartender’s attention. They needed drinks and with the place already crowded, she needed to charm him first.
As if by magic, he turned to look at her. “Oh, my God! He’s so hot. Watch me,” she said to her friends over her shoulder, making them all groan. An idea started forming in her head already.
“Let’s go upstairs and occupy a table first,” said Alyssa. They all went up the stairs to the luxurious and exclusive upper lounge, as Alexander had asked them to, and Alyssa spoke to the attendant in charge. He escorted them to a table that gave them a bird’s-eye view of the entire club.
Skylar sneaked her way to the counter, negotiating between the sea of people wanting their drinks. She smiled at the bartender, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her even for a second.
“Hi!” she said, breathlessly, on reaching him.
“Hey, beautiful! I’m Mike. What can I get you?” Skylar’s head reeled with shock. Had she found her Mike at last?