Skylar felt lonely in the enormous villa without Christian. Only one thought kept on disturbing her as she roamed around the property aimlessly. If she would have willingly kissed him and not called it a mistake, would he have stayed here with her? Suddenly, a wave of guilt washed over her as she sat down under the pergola. His words echoed in her head.
I will if you give me company.
She was ready to give him company here under the pergola, but he had left her here all alone like her parents did, as her brother did. Upset with herself, she called Hayley, but she didn’t respond. Next, she called Sienna, but she too seemed occupied. One by one, Skylar called all her friends, but each one of them was too occupied to entertain her call. Granny’s advice kept ringing in her head. She was right. They were all busy with their own lives to give her a thought.
Closing her eyes, she let the tears wash away her guilt. If Christian wasn’t returning soon, she had no wish to stay here all by herself for the next two months. It was alright to be upset, but how could he leave her alone this way?
She walked back to the house, up to her room, determined to leave. Picking up her suitcase, she started repacking her stuff in a state of fury. Obviously, she would return after a couple of months. So with enough to last her until then, she changed into a pair of jeans and a top.
Picking up her luggage and handbag, she went downstairs to inform Joanna.
“Are you leaving, Ms. Carnell?” asked the woman with wide eyes, panicking at the thought.
“Yes, Joanna. I can’t live here alone for two months. I’m going home to New York.”
“No, you’re coming along with me.” Skylar froze, hearing Christian’s voice behind her. Was she dreaming? How could he be here? He had left, hadn’t he? She slowly turned around to see him standing near the main door.
“What are you doing here? Hadn’t you left on a work trip for two months?” she demanded, storming towards him angrily. Was he playing some game with her? “How could you leave me here all alone, Christian? Is that why you brought me here?”
Christian watched her in silence with a grim look on his face. He had intended to leave but just couldn’t board the jet. Skylar’s tear-stained face kept him from taking the last step. Mrs. Franklin had sent him pictures of her reaction after he left. It was enough to know how upset she was. Her tears made him change his mind and come back to get her. Now he would make her accompany him on his trip.
“Why aren’t you answering me?” she asked, grabbing his shirt.
“I’ve come back to get you, Skylar. Mrs. Franklin, please can you load her luggage in the car?”
Skylar didn’t protest this time, and Joanna wheeled her luggage outside.
“Why have you come back when you don’t care about me?” She released his shirt and took two steps backward.
“I wouldn’t be back if I didn’t care, right? Now come on, let’s go.” He grabbed her wrist and pulled her along with him. Skylar’s heart skipped a beat, and a strange thrill spread all over her body. He hadn’t left her alone for two months! He came back for her! Surely he cared about her more than he showed.
He opened the door and helped her into the car. “You can lock up the house and go home, Mrs. Franklin. I’ll call you when we return.”
She nodded and waved at Skylar before going inside. Christian joined her and the car sped away towards the airport.
“I didn’t pack enough for the trip. I just dumped a few clothes to last me two months.”
“That won’t be a problem. We can buy whatever you need.” Skylar felt a little conscious of herself and searched her brain for something to say to him.
“So, were you crying for me?” She turned to give him a surprised look. How did he know that?
“Yes, I was upset. I hate living alone.”
Christian smiled, satisfied by her honest admission. “But you’ve lived alone in New York.”
“That was different. It was my childhood home. I have friends there.”
“Grandpa Ben wanted to join you here in my absence, but I declined. You wouldn’t have liked to live with him, right?” Skylar’s eyes widened with fear. No, she could never live with him. He scared the daylights out of her.
“No, I fear him.”
“I know, but he likes you. Your fear is baseless.”
“Maybe once I get to know him better, I will overcome it.”
“Why did you leave so suddenly?” she asked, turning to look at him at last.
“I was upset,” he admitted, looking away.
It was an honest admission. There was no point in hiding it from her. She already knew it.
“So, is this a pleasure trip?” She couldn’t help the curiosity bubbling inside her.
“Both! I had to postpone this trip because of our engagement.” Christian relaxed a lot this time with her beside him. He was glad that he returned on time for her. He couldn’t stay away from her for two months! Could she stay away from him? Maybe not! Why else would she want to return to New York? A smile lit up his face and he looked out of the window to hide his excitement. Although she didn’t show her feelings to him, it was obvious she felt something for him.
However, with the realization, another truth hit him hard. If he couldn’t live without her for two months, what would he do after two years when she left him forever?
Skylar, however, couldn’t stop the wild thump of her heart. The prospect of going on a Europe tour was too much to resist. For the first time in her life, she was happy that Christian came back for her. The heartache she felt earlier strangely vanished with his return.
Samuel dropped them off at the airport and they proceeded towards a quick security check-in. Later, they left to board Christian’s private jet. This time, there was a different team of cabin crew to attend to their needs.
Skylar relaxed to watch a movie after take-off. Christian joined her five minutes later, sitting beside her on the plush day bed in one corner. It could be converted into a sofa as per convenience. Acutely aware of his nearness, Skylar could hardly concentrate on the movie.
“Let’s watch a different movie,” he said, grabbing the remote from her hands. Their fingers brushed and goosebumps erupted on her arms. She released the remote immediately, as if electrocuted. “What type of movie do you like?”
“Crime thrillers and you?” she said, waiting for his reply.
“Romantic comedy or realistic!” Skylar gaped at the guy. He might be the first guy who liked to watch romance!
“I hate romantic movies! They’re so cliche!” she said with an eye roll.
“I don’t like the cliche ones. I like unique, evergreen love stories that touch your heart!” Skylar looked at his dazzling blue eyes. They seemed extra bright, as if he was genuinely happy.
“Like the classics?”
“Yes.” He sorted through the gallery and stopped at a movie about star-crossed lovers. “Wanna see this one?” he asked, and Skylar nodded. Christian started the movie and sat back to watch it with her.
“Have you seen it before?” she asked him, but found him gazing at her instead of at the screen.
“Yes, part of it. I’d love to see the entire movie with you.”
The movie was intensely emotional and Skylar felt tears streaming down her cheeks for the two protagonists who fought the world for each other. She didn’t realize when she had inched closer to Christian, grasping his hand for comfort. With her head resting against his broad shoulders, she felt warm and comfortable.
The movie ended, and it was evening already. Christian brightened the dimmed cabin lights, and Skylar realized where she was.
“Umm, I’m sorry,” she murmured, scooting as far away from him as possible. She wiped her eyes and looked away from his probing gaze in embarrassment.
“Did you like it?” he asked her, watching her closely.
“Yes, but it’s unrealistic. You don’t see such unconditional love these days! Nowadays, people consider love and lust as synonymous.”
“I doubt it, Skylar. Tell me, can you recognize true love when you see it?” Skylar gave him a confused look.
“I’m not sure. How do you tell the difference? I’m sure if someone ever loved me, he would tell me.” Christian shook his head and gazed at her with a strange look in his eyes.
“Not always. Someone might not love you yet lie to you. But a person who truly loves you will show his feelings through his actions. You will feel his love in everything he does for you. It’s up to you to understand his feelings. So, whom would you believe, Skylar?”
“What if I can’t understand his feelings?” she asked with wide eyes.
“You have to stop fighting him and try to understand him more.” He got up to go to the washroom while she sat there in a dazed state. She almost had the feeling that he meant himself when he spoke.