Chapter 7 Agreeing To Just One Date
Skylar paced the floor in her room unable to get Christian’s words out of her head. She couldn’t understand half the words he spoke. Although she accepted his challenge on the spur of the moment, she didn’t know what it meant. What would he do?
His words always made her furious. Why did she lose her composure around him? Why couldn’t she stay immune to the man, like he didn’t exist? Her temper, and her tantrums worked with everyone except Christian St. James.
What did he mean by his parting shot? She wouldn’t get engaged to him now! The wish to revolt was so strong that Skylar contemplated ways to escape the persistent man. However, each time, thoughts of Granny’s condition made her change her mind.
A knock on her door brought her back to reality.
She opened the door to her grandpa. “The ambulance is here, Skye. Let’s go.” Skylar followed her grandpa out to her granny’s room. Christian was already there with the paramedic, helping him out.
Skylar and her grandpa picked up their suitcase before following them out of the room. While her grandpa talked to Grandpa Ben on his way out, Skylar reached outside with her grandparents’ suitcase.
“Load it in my car,” said Christian, taking it from her hands and loading it himself. “Get in the car.”
“No, I’m going with granny in the ambulance.”
“They have a caregiver, a paramedic, and an ENT. Your grandpa also wants to accompany her. Get in the car.” He sounded impatient, and Skylar glared at him with her hands on her hips.
“Oh no! I forgot my car in the café last night!” she gasped, placing her hand over her head. How could she be so absent-minded?
“I had it towed to your house.” Her mouth hung open with surprise.
“Oh! Thank you!” Christian’s eyes softened a little, and a smile tugged at his lips. Maybe she wasn’t so hard to charm. After all, she was just a naïve, eighteen-year-old with a foul temper! He could win her over, right?
“My pleasure mademoiselle! So, will you please get inside the car?” Skylar nodded, seeing her granny already settled inside the ambulance. Her grandpa climbed inside with his wife and the ambulance geared up to leave the premises. Skylar climbed in with Christian and they left the mansion with the ambulance following them. Skylar called Mrs. Jules to reach the house as soon as possible.
They reached in five minutes and Christian parked his car in the driveway, waiting for the ambulance to arrive. A guard helped Skylar with the luggage while she waited with Christian.
“Here, have this. I can hear your stomach grumble for food.” Christian handed her a bar of fruit and nut chocolate. Skylar’s mouth hung open, and she accepted the treat. Who didn’t like chocolates? Her stomach was actually rumbling for food. Did he really hear it?
“Thanks!” She took a bite but immediately repented it.
“Don’t you tire of saying the word? If you’re so grateful, why don’t you go out on a date with me?” She gave him a look of disbelief.
“Is this a bait to make me go out with you? Then I don’t want it.” She held out the chocolate slab, although her heart battled against it. The way it melted in her mouth, she craved the full thing. It seemed like the sinful fruit Adam gave Eve!
Christian rolled his eyes at her but didn’t accept it back. “Joking, Skylar!”
She took another bite of it when the ambulance entered through the mansion gates. Christian helped them wheel Granny inside while Skylar rushed after them all the while eating her chocolate. She couldn’t stop! Did he mix a magic potion in it to make her all mushy and fall for him? Christian chuckled at her, seeing her go crazy over the treat he got for her. He now knew how to win her over!
She went inside Granny’s room and sat down on the bed with her. “Are you okay, granny?” she asked with concern.
“Yes, dear. So, what are you busy munching?” Granny sounded relieved to be back at home at last. It made Skylar relax, too. She hadn’t been able to talk to her while at the St. James mansion.
“It’s the chocolate I gave her,” said Christian, coming inside the room.
“It’s the best I’ve eaten so far. Where did you get it from?” she said excitedly, forgetting her animosity toward him for a moment.
“It seems the magic potion is working!” Granny chuckled, and so did he, while Skylar gaped at him. She knew it! She stared at the last piece in her hand with dread!
“Come here, my boy! Thank you for your help,” said Granny, holding her hand out to him. Christian caught her frail hand and sat down beside her, almost sticking to Skylar. She was trapped between Granny and him, their conjoined hands blocking her escape.
“It’s okay, granny. I’m a part of the family. Am I not?” He gave Skylar a brief glance. She looked so adorable from so near. He could lick the chocolate off her lips!
“Of course you are! So when is the engagement?” Skylar choked on her chocolate and gaped at the two of them. Couldn’t they stop discussing it?
“We’re just waiting for you to get better, granny.”
Granny Miriam scoffed at his words. “I’m already better. Don’t delay unnecessarily because of me.”
“I’m not getting engaged at eighteen.” They both gave her an exasperated look.
“No one’s asking you to marry now, Skye. Just get engaged to keep Benjamin happy,” said Granny with a sigh. Skylar suddenly remembered Caleb’s accusation and looked down with defeat. She didn’t want her granny to get another heart attack because of her.
“Fine. Do what you want. Kill me already!” she pushed their hands off and stormed out of the room.
“Don’t mind her, Christian. She erupts at every single thing since her parents’ death. She will come around after a few years when she matures. Do you think you can be patient with her?”
“Of course! I can understand Granny. I was the same. I’ve changed myself drastically in the last few years,” admitted Christian.
“I’m so glad you’re here to take care of her. We always worry about her.” Christian held her hands to comfort her.
“Don’t worry granny. I’ll always take care of her. Why don’t you get well soon?”
Granny smiled at him gratefully. “I will. Plan your engagement soon, my boy.” Christian nodded, but before he could reply, Mrs. Jules came into the room. Granny introduced her to Christian. He left them and went out in search of Skylar. He found her in her room, sulking. Although the laptop was in front of her, she seemed lost in a world of her own.
“Dreaming about me?” He leaned down to whisper in her ear. Startled out of her wits, Skylar would have fallen off her chair if Christian didn’t grab her by the shoulders.
“What are you doing here? This is my room?” she sprang up, shrugging his fingers off her body.
“I came to see you just like you did last night. I remember welcoming you warmly.” Skylar glared at him, ready to throw him out. Why couldn’t he just go home? He wanted to help her grandparents and now his job was done here.
“That was accidental. I'm sorry. I didn’t mean to enter your room.” She sat down at her laptop, ignoring him. Maybe he would take the hint and leave, but he didn’t. Instead, he stood watching her with a strange expression on his face. It seemed he was thinking about something. Maybe he wanted to say something.
“You don’t have to apologize, Skylar. You have every right to enter my room. We’ll get engaged soon before I return to the university.” Skylar didn’t answer this time. What could she say when her protests fell upon deaf ears?
“It’s surprising to see you so quiet. What happened? Won’t you fight me?” chuckled Christian, teasing her.
“What’s the use? It’s a waste of energy. If granny’s health wasn’t at stake, I would have escaped.”
“You can still escape the engagement. Remember the challenge you’ve agreed to? Just prove to me that you’re immune to me. Prove it you’re not attracted to me.” Skylar’s jaws dropped, remembering the challenge.
“How can I prove it?” Christian looked at her with a glint in his eyes.
“Go out with me. Give me one date!” She could almost see the pleading look in his eyes, but it was gone in a split second. Skylar chewed her lips. Should she agree to his impossible demands? What harm could one date do? She could surely prove that she was immune to him. Right?
“Fine. Just let me know when. Will you stop this nonsense once I prove it to you?” she asked eagerly. Christian just turned and walked away with a smile on his lips.
“We’ll see! It depends on your reaction to me. Be ready at 6 o’clock tonight.” Before Skylar could ask anything, he walked out of her room and the house, leaving her wondering what he meant.