Chapter 64 Did She Love Him?
Skylar’s impulsive behavior disturbed Christian. She should have learned to trust him by now. How could she leave without informing him? Maybe she was taking it out on him. After all, he too did the same to her!
Now what would happen to his planning? He would look like a fool here. Anger boiled inside him and he called her, but she didn’t accept his call. He stormed out to ask at the reception, in case he was mistaken.
“Ma’am left almost half an hour ago.”
“I see. Thanks.”
He walked away and called Skylar again. This time, she accepted his call.
“Where are you? Why have you left without informing me?” he demanded angrily.
“So that you can spend your precious time with Claudia! She explained how close you both are since the day she was born.”
Christian scoffed at her reply. Surely she hadn’t believed Claudia after everything they shared!
“I thought I asked you to stay away from her.”
“I did. She was the one who sought me out.”
“You shouldn’t have believed her then,” scolded Christian.
“I didn’t initially, but she told me she knows about our contract marriage. She told me you’re planning to marry her after two years when our contract expires. How does she know about it, Christian? Unless she’s speaking the truth.”
Shocked, Christian couldn’t utter a word in his defense. How did Claudia know about it? He hadn’t uttered a word to her or to anyone else.
Disgusted at his lack of explanation, Skylar disconnected the call. Christian didn’t wait a second longer. This has to stop once and for all. He had to put Claudia in her place. He needed to know what tricks she had been up to this time.
He stormed into the administrative department and looked at Claudia’s cubicle. She looked up at him and smiled with satisfaction. “Ms. Shelby. See me in my office right now,” he barked before storming away.
He summoned her sister, Cecelia to his office too. She should know what her sister was up to in return for everything he had done for them. Instead of gratitude, she was attempting to cause problems in his personal life.
“Did you call me, Chris?” asked Cecelia, as she peered inside his office.
“Yes, please come in.” Cecelia walked inside and sat down at his desk.
“You look upset. Is something the matter?”
The door creaked open and Claudia sauntered into the room with a satisfied smile on her face. This was the attention she had been seeking, and now it was hers. However, the moment her gaze fell upon her older sister, she frowned. Why was Cecelia here?
“What is it, Christian? Why did you call the two of us here?” she pulled a chair and sat down beside him.
“Maybe to invite us to his wedding!” said Cecelia with a chuckle.
“No, Cecelia. There’s another grave issue that needs to be addressed right away.” Both women gaped at him with curiosity.
“What issue, Chris?” Christian hesitated a little, but he had to do this. His future with Skylar was at stake!
“Claudia, why have you lied to Skylar about us? You know I will never marry you. Then why did you attempt to break my engagement? Who told you I am interested in a contract marriage with Skylar? Did I tell you I will break off with her after two years and marry you? What the fuck is going on? She is so upset that she has left without informing me. It’s all because of you. Why did you do it? I have helped you in your time of need. Is this what you can give me in return? I love Skylar! I always have since the day she was born. I will always be hers, no matter what! So please stop meddling in my personal life” Claudia sat frozen with shock, her eyes wide with guilt. She hadn’t expected Christian to confront her in front of her sister.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Christian. I’m sure your fiancée has misunderstood me,” she started, but Christian interrupted her.
“Stop lying, Claudia. I’m sorry, but I can’t retain you in my office after what you’ve done. I will have to terminate your association with Saint James Intercontinental Suites right now.”
“Wait, Chris! Don’t throw us out, please. I apologize on behalf of Claudia. What she has done is very mean. Let me deal with her my way,” said Cecelia.
“I’m not throwing you out, Cecelia, but I’m sorry about Claudia. I can’t risk losing Skylar because of her.”
Tears pooled in Claudia’s eyes as covered her face with guilt. “Please don’t throw me out, Christian. I’m sorry, I got carried away. I overheard your conversation with your lawyer when I arrived at your office in the morning. I promise I will stay away from Skylar now. Please, I need this job.”
“I’ll ensure she sticks to her promise, Chris. Do you want me to talk to Skylar? I’ll make Claudia apologize to her.” Cecelia’s plea melted Christian, and he got up to dismiss them.
“No, need. I’ll handle it my way. Just ensure that Claudia stays away from my personal life.”
The sisters left, and Christian walked out of the hotel to look for Skylar. He had to clear the misunderstanding as soon as he could before planning their wedding. He was tired of running after Skylar and explaining himself every time. He couldn’t live in constant fear of losing her. Maybe he would hasten their wedding. At least she would be legally bound to him! She would be his to do whatever he pleased with her!
The idea pleased him immensely as he drove over to Caleb’s house. Two more days and they would be in New York to attend Sienna’s wedding. After returning from there, he wouldn’t give her a moment to change her mind. He would make her sign the contract and marry him. At least, for the next two years, she would be stuck with him!
He parked in the driveway and went up the porch to ring the doorbell.
Grandpa Phil opened the door, and Christian smiled at him. “Has Skylar returned, grandpa Phil?”
“Yes, just! I think she’s in the nursery. Lillian had to leave urgently, and she’s getting the twins cleaned up.” Christian smiled with relief and went to his room to freshen up. He was dying to talk to Skylar and demand an explanation for her behavior.
He was about to leave the room when Skylar walked inside. She froze upon seeing him, but he shut the door before she could flee. “Why did you leave without informing me?” he demanded angrily.
“I’ve learned it from you.” Christian glared at her for a second, before walking towards her. Skylar stood her ground, refusing to be dominated. He stopped inches away from her and gazed at her upturned face, full of defiance.
“I didn’t tell Claudia about our contract marriage!” he explained himself with a sigh.
“I understand! She heard it in her dreams!”
“No, she overheard me talking to my lawyer.” Skylar gaped at the man. Was he really preparing a contract already?
“I don’t believe you. I saw you with her.”
“You’re overreacting, Skylar! Can’t you trust me, for God’s sake?” He felt frustrated and walked away from her, turning his back towards her.
“Am I overreacting? If you’re such a saint, why do you have such a woman in every city you go to? I don’t have any such men waiting in every city for me. How would you have reacted if it was me instead?” She opened the door and marched out, leaving him gaping after her.
He knew what he would have done if that was indeed the case. He would have murdered those guys and gone to prison!
A slow smile spread over his face at the realization! He understood why she was so affected by the other women! Skylar Carnell liked him more than she could afford to show! Or did she love him? He had a hunch before, but now he was one hundred percent sure of it. Her eagerness to kiss him, her heated admission, her jealousy, and the way she missed him all pointed out one thing. She loved him! Only she was in denial!
He marched out with a goofy smile on his face. The realization excited him, and he looked for the object of his thoughts. Where was she?
“What are you doing here, smiling all by yourself? Have you gone nuts?” asked Skylar as she walked up from behind him. Christian turned to gaze at her, seeing her in a new light altogether.
“I’ve made lunch. Come on, tuck in before it disappears.” She walked past him towards the kitchen and Christian followed her like a lost puppy.
“Why do you care about me so much?” he asked, leaning over her to check what she had made. With the rest of the family in the dining room, no one gave them a thought.
“You’re my fiancé, after all! Even if it’s a contracted relationship, you’re my responsibility for two years.” Skylar gritted out, unable to tell him she didn’t want a contract marriage with him. It annoyed her immensely, yet she couldn’t beg him to marry her for real!
“Right! Even if it’s a contract marriage, you’ll be my wife for real.”