The four women whirled around to gape at her, the color drained from their faces.
“No ma’am. We were just..” stuttered one of them.
“Yes, you were just Indulging in mindless gossip about things that don’t concern you. It can land you in trouble. Are you aware of that? I have a recording of your derogatory remarks. I can accuse each of you of defamation charges. Hope you are prepared for it.” She stated with a grim look on her face.
One of the women burst into tears while the others looked scared out of their wits. Skylar marched ahead without a look at them. She was seething from the insult. How could Christian encourage the Deputy GM of his company in front of everyone? If anyone is at fault, it was Christian, not these petty employees. She didn’t wish to go down to the restaurant to join him but this was a professional scenario. She couldn’t let her personal grudges control her professional life. It would give those bitches satisfaction to see her so affected.
Quickly freshening up, she marched out of her room to the restaurant to join Christian.
He stood up to escort her to the vacant seat next to him. “Took you long enough! I was waiting for you.”
Skylar flashed a fake smile at him. The hurtful remarks she overheard played in her mind like a broken record. She wanted to demand an explanation from him right away but maybe it would have to wait.
“Oh, you didn’t need to.” He introduced her to each and every one at their table. She greeted them all with a polite smile. Mr. Fairbanks sitting on the other side of her pushed a plate of appetizers towards her.
“So, when are you coming down to the head office?” he asked her. The others started the meal while discussing about Grandpa Ben and Sebastian’s absence.
“Maybe after this tour.”
“I’m sorry for being late, Christian,” chimed a shrill female voice, attracting their attention toward a woman rushing inside the restaurant. She was tall, tanned, and looked drop-dead gorgeous in a white business suit that clung to her curves. Christian smiled and welcomed her cordially.
“That’s alright, Savannah. We’ve just started. Join us, please.”
Skylar’s mind was immediately on high alert as she glared at the woman. So this was Savannah! She felt an instant dislike for the woman who came to a stop just behind her.
“I think you’re in my place,” she leaned in to whisper in her ear with a fake smile pasted on her face.
“Nope, I’m where I belong. I think you forgot yours.” She said out loud, making all heads turn towards them. Christian stopped his conversation with the Director of Finance and looked at her curiously. He summoned a server for a spare seat for Savannah and returned to his conversation. The server brought one. To Skylar’s immense surprise, Savannah asked him to squeeze it between her and Christian.
“Excuse me, please.” She flashed Skylar a victorious grin and sat down beside Christian. Skylar fumed at the malicious woman but couldn’t create a scene in front of the board of directors. She was the future GM of the company, after all. She needed to maintain her composure and self-respect. She couldn’t stoop to Savannah’s level! No wonder she wasn’t chosen to replace Mr. Fairbanks.
“Let it go, Skylar. Can I call you that?” asked Mr. Fairbanks in a low murmur.
“Yes, please do.” She smiled at the old man who was as old as her dad.
“So, what did you major in?”
Skylar explained about her course, and her college while the old man listened intently.
“Why didn’t you pursue your master’s or an MBA? It would help you in your career.”
“I don’t think I’ll get time after marriage with full-time training at the head office,” she said, amazed at herself for being able to open up to Mr. Fairbanks.
“You can take up an online course.”
“Yes. I can do that. Thank you, Mr. Fairbanks.” She completely ignored Savannah and Christian for the rest of the meal, giving her attention to everyone else but them. She was furious with Christian for not standing up for her. He could have stopped his whore but he didn’t!
After lunch, she walked with Mr. Fairbanks back to the conference room. Strangely, both Christian and Savannah were missing. Where could they have disappeared? She wanted to hunt them down and catch them red-handed but her image was at stake. With all eyes noticing her every move, she couldn’t be reckless.
She sat down in the conference room and interacted with the team instead. Although she was the youngest, they treated her well, explaining everything patiently. Skylar liked the team from the head office. There was Tim Bailey, who was the Director of Marketing! Stephen Fordyce, the COO was quite helpful indeed! Anna Scott, their VP was the sweetest person she had ever met. Despite mingling with them, Skylar felt restless with every passing minute. What was Christian up to with Savannah? Images of them kissing one another drove her crazy. Was he really involved in an affair with her?
He wasn’t what he portrayed towards her. She shouldn’t have moved into his bedroom.
The door opened and Christian strode inside with a grim look on his face. “Sorry to keep you waiting! An urgent matter needed my attention.”
Skylar scoffed inwardly at his explanation. An urgent matter indeed! She wondered where he left Savannah behind. She avoided looking at him although she could feel his angry eyes focused on her. He might have expected her to sit meekly beside him but she preferred Mr. Fairbanks’ company instead. She wouldn’t change her seat and sit beside him.
The meeting stretched for another two hours. “That will be all for today. Thank you for your time. The minutes of this meeting will be emailed to each one of you as soon as possible. We will meet after three months for the AGM in LA.”
“I’ll return to LA tonight. I’ll see you at the head office, Skylar. Give me your number,” said Mr. Fairbanks after the meeting was over. Skylar exchanged numbers with him and with several others too. After they left, she escaped upstairs to her room. Christian had to rush to their flagship hotel in Venice which was undergoing a major renovation. Thankfully, he didn’t ask her to accompany him. Maybe he wanted to go with his precious Savannah.
Fuming with jealousy, Skylar showered and changed into a pair of shorts and a tee shirt and sat down to relax and watch the television instead. She ordered some food and drinks to keep herself engrossed. Yet her mind was on what Christian was up to.
It was almost six in the evening when Christian returned to the hotel. He unlocked the door with his spare set of keys and dragged his tired body inside. He could see the television on while Skylar lay sprawled on the couch, fast asleep. The sight of her sweet, innocent face tugged at his heartstrings. He knew she was upset with him but he had been helpless today.
He hadn’t expected Savannah Ferguson to overreact to Skylar’s presence. He knew of her feelings for him for a long time but never encouraged the woman at all. Yet Savannah couldn’t accept his disinterest in her. She couldn’t contain her jealousy.
He was glad that Skylar didn’t react to her similarly in front of the board of directors. He wouldn’t have been able to explain her behavior to Grandpa Ben. These people were his grandpa’s trusted friends and employees who have handled the company for years. He had to keep his cool in their presence despite seething with fury at Savannah’s behavior.
Thankfully, that chapter was over but now he had to face Skylar’s wrath! The promise of a kiss echoed in his head all day and he was looking forward to the night. Now it didn’t look like she would give him any.
A knock on their door brought him out of his thoughts. It would be their dinner. He rushed to open the door.
Skylar woke up with a start, looking around the place with confusion. She hadn’t intended to fall asleep on the couch. Switching off the television, she sat up only to notice Christian in the room. When did he return?
“Dinner’s here, Skylar!” he announced, walking towards the table with a tray laden with food. Skylar followed him but her appetite had disappeared at the sight of him. Her mind was now bubbling with a thousand questions. Where was he for so long? What was cooking between him and Savannah?
Christian noticed the scowl on her face as she sat without touching her food. He sighed knowing he had to address the issue now before it got completely out of hand.
“What happened? Why aren’t you having your dinner?”
“I’m not hungry. You can have all of it.” She got up to go to the bedroom but Christian grabbed her wrist to stop her.
“Finish your dinner before leaving the table, Skylar. If there’s an issue you want to discuss, ask me. There’s no reason for you to sleep on an empty stomach.”
Skylar wrenched her hand free and sat down angrily. “Obviously there’s an issue and you know what it is. Who the hell is Savannah? How could she insult me in your presence? Where did you disappear with her after lunch? Most importantly, where were you for so long? I’m sure you were with her. I’m tired of your flings in every city we visit, Christian. Do me a favor. Cancel the engagement and release me from this torture.”