Christian waited impatiently, but before Skylar’s turn, the doorbell rang. The game ended when Sienna’s ex-fiance, Roman Drexler, appeared on their doorstep. After everything he did to Sienna, everyone panicked, and a battle ensued. They all stepped forward to support Lucas and Sienna. Roman did not stand a chance with all of them against him. He begged Sienna for forgiveness and she forgave him finally. He left, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.
After a hasty dinner, everyone retired to their room to sleep. However, Christian had other plans! He couldn’t sleep without talking to Skylar. The whole day she had been avoiding him and he wanted to know the reason behind it. What had he done? Weren’t they an engaged couple?
He went upstairs and waited for her. After five minutes, the cubicle elevator stopped and Skylar emerged, all by herself. This was the opportunity he had been looking for.
He walked out of his room and followed her down the corridor.
Skylar whirled around, sensing his presence behind her.
“What do you want, Christian?” She walked backward, watching him warily.
“Why are you avoiding me? Why didn’t you dance with me?” he demanded, taking a step forward with every backward step of hers.
“I don’t think you need me. Aren’t you enjoying with Lucas and his brothers?”
“Yes, I am, but that’s different.”
“How so? Dance with them then.” She turned and hurried towards her room, simmering with fury. Christian chuckled, realizing she was jealous of them.
“Don’t tell me you are jealous of Lucas, Marcus, and Nicholas?” Skylar fumed more. Yes, she was! What was the big deal? She went into her room and was about to close the door on his face when he caught it. His strength was no match against hers and she gave up.
“Go to your room and laugh your heart out. I want to sleep. Good night.” But Christian didn’t pay any heed to her words. He stormed inside and closed the door, turning around to face her.
“You can’t get rid of me so easily, Skylar. I’m your fiance, remember?” he said, walking towards her.
“Oh, you remember! I thought you had forgotten all about it. No wonder you readily agreed to sleep with Nicholas.” Christian gaped at her as realization struck him. So that was why she was so angry with him. A goofy grin spread over his face.
“I can sleep with you if you want me to.”
“No need. I’m happy to sleep with Hayley!” she said with wide eyes, as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Good night, Christian!”
“I’m not going anywhere without my kiss. You’ve tormented me the whole day and I want my compensation.”
There were repeated knocks on the door and Skylar grinned, knowing it was Hayley who kept on knocking impatiently.
“Who has a death wish now?” groaned Christian as he went to open the door.
“Oh! Did I interrupt you guys?” asked Hayley with an impish grin.
“No, not at all!” chirped Skylar.
“Yes you did,” said Christian. “Can you come ten minutes later?”
“No way! She’s mine for the night. Have a great night, Christian!” said Hayley as they both pushed him out of their room.
Although it was all in good humor and Christian too chuckled at their mischievous mood, he felt frustrated. He needed that kiss so badly! He sighed and went back to his room. It had become impossible to stay away from her for even a single night!
“Why are you looking so heartbroken? Are you missing him, Skye?” asked Hayley as they lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
“No, I’m fine. Tell me about you and Ashton.” A deep sigh escaped her, as she couldn’t tell her friend what she was actually going through.
“No, you don’t look fine at all. First, tell me honestly what’s the matter with you!” asked Hayley, turning to face her.
“Nothing, just that Christian will marry me after we return from here. I never expected it to happen so soon, Hails. He hasn’t even given me time to get to know him well. Neither has he involved me in his plans.” She stopped herself from divulging more details.
“It was inevitable, Skye, wasn’t it? Your family wanted that.”
“But I don’t. I dreamed of falling in love with a tall, dark, and handsome guy and marrying him one day. But I’m stuck with a tall, fair guy who just wants a contract marriage with me and nothing else. It was my idea initially, but now I want a proper marriage like Sienna’s. I can’t tell him that for fear of rejection,” swore Skylar.
“Don’t you both love one another?” Hayley realized her friend was in the same state as she was.
“He hasn’t confessed and neither have I. Initially, we were putting up an act in front of the others. That’s what we always used to do in front of his and my family,” she sighed.
“We’re in the same boat, Skye. Maybe we won’t be as lucky as our friends. I love Ashton, but I don’t understand the guy. He always seems to be on the run. He doesn’t open up much and I’m still back at square one with him. His words are too contradictory. He doesn’t believe in relationships and dating, yet he wants to date me. I’m his girlfriend, yet he hasn’t contacted me for weeks. I’m totally confused.”
“Oh, you didn’t tell us you are his girlfriend! I’m sure he will open up. Give him time to adjust, Hails. I think something is preventing him from admitting his true feelings to you. Even if he doesn’t, you can always pursue him and convince him. Maybe once he is convinced of your feelings, he will open up.”
“Yes, Skye. You’re right. I’ll confess soon. You should too. Tell Christian what you want, how you feel.”
Skylar felt a little better after that heart-to-heart with Hayley, her best friend. Maybe after returning from here, she would tell Christian she wanted a real marriage with him. The two friends dozed off to sleep, eagerly looking forward to the next day. It was their close friend Sienna’s wedding day, and it was special for them.
The next morning, Christian, too, woke up in a positive frame of mind. By evening, he could leave Preston Island and return to Cleveland. Then he would make her sign the contract and marry her immediately. He wanted her to confess that she didn’t want a contract marriage with him, that she loved him. Unless, she admitted, he would go ahead with the contract marriage as planned. He had waited enough, but not anymore.
They all met at the breakfast table. Christian wanted to sit with Skylar, but she sat with Alyssa and Granny instead. There was excitement in the air, and at that moment, he envied Lucas. They both looked blissfully happy sitting with one another, as if they were married already. Why couldn’t he have that sort of happiness when he and Skylar were engaged already?
He gazed at his fiancee, who seemed oblivious to his condition, busy enjoying with her close friends.
“Did you confess to Christian?” whispered Hayley as she served Ashton’s breakfast. He hadn’t come down to breakfast, and she was concerned about him.
“Not yet. Did you?” Hayley shook her head with a sigh and went upstairs to face Ashton.
Skylar peered at Christian discreetly, but found him staring at her instead. She blushed crimson at being caught. His words from last night echoed in her head like a broken record. Did he still need a kiss? She could feel his gaze drop to her lips! Yes, he still needed it!
She looked away and tried her best to enjoy the food, but it was an arduous task. With Christian’s gaze constantly on her, she couldn’t control her eyes from wandering back to him.
After breakfast, Granny needed a little help, and Skylar went to her room. The others went upstairs to get ready before helping Sienna.
Christian stood in front of the elevator to capture Skylar the moment she emerged from granny’s room. He had left her alone last night, but not today. He would inform her they would leave right after the wedding ceremony.
After ten minutes, Nicholas grabbed him and pulled him along towards their room. “You have to help me with my cuff links, bro!”
Christian went upstairs with him to get ready since Skylar still hadn’t emerged from Granny’s room. Maybe he would catch her later!
He showered and was ready after an hour while Nicholas had disappeared somewhere again! Christian walked out of the room just in time to see Skylar emerge from hers, dressed in a flowing, off-shoulder turquoise dress with an illusion neckline. She looked breathtakingly beautiful. With her long hair glowing like spun gold, and the turquoise dress clinging to her like a second skin, she was a sight to behold.
He walked purposefully towards her while she hesitated a little. He could see she had exchanged the dress he hadn’t liked.
“Do you like this one?” she asked breathlessly. Christian smiled and nodded at her, satisfied by her eagerness to please him.
“Be ready to leave after the wedding ceremony!”
“That early? Can’t we leave after lunch?”
“Only if you kiss me before you go down.” He didn’t give her an opportunity to back out this time. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her into his room and closed the door.