Chapter 27

The morning felt oddly different.

Mainly because I could tell the difference in the mattress. Although I protested, Ethan said he wanted me to spend the night elsewhere. He said I’ll be more comfortable that way. I couldn’t deny that though, because it was really true.

Not that I was not happy or that I was complaining because he took the right decision by bringing me to my house that he used to find small. Well, I did rub that point in his face every time I got the chance just so I could hear him apologize for it.

I dragged myself back to the present and rubbed my eyes in an attempt to lose the drowsiness. I squirmed between his arm draped over my body.

I tried to remove his hand off of my body, but he pulled me even closer to himself.

“Ugh, stop moving.” He growled.

“Ethan, it’s eight already. We got to get up.” I said, trying to push his hand again.

“I don’t care.” He said and didn’t budge even a little. “We can wait for another half hour.”

“I don’t know Ethan; don’t you think it’s cramped in here? My apartment is already small.”

“Jesus, you’re not going to let it go, are you?” He woke from his sleep.

I smiled. “Don’t you have to go to the office?”

“I do.” he mumbled. “Do you want to, though?”

“What? Go to the office? No, thanks.”

“No, I mean. do you want me to go? And leave you alone?” He asked.

“Not really.” I sighed. “But it’s up to you. Just go if it’s important. I can manage.”

“I don’t want you to manage.” He said. “Tell me if you’re really fine with it.”

To be frank, I wasn’t. I liked solitude but today is not that kind of day. I needed him to stay with me. At least for this one day until I get over it. But. Ethan knows me well. And he also knows that I don’t want him to go.

Generally, he’d drop everything and stay with me in the house. But he’s asking me, which means he is still considering going there. If there isn’t anything important or really in his interest that is stopping him from staying with me, he wouldn’t have taken this long to decide. I don’t think it’s fair for me to take advantage of this.

I better think of something to let him go.

“Skylar?”

“I promised the girls that I’d take them to the movies today,” I said quickly, leaving him no time to protest against it.

“Girls?”

“Mila and Evie? Stella’s girls. I promised I’d take them out.”

“Oh.” he nodded. “Then, in that case, you’ll probably not need me.”

“Yea.” I smiled.

“Good.” He said, a slight hint of mirth glistening in his eyes. “How long do you have before you need to get ready?”

“I don’t know. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, I better be quick.” He smirked and pulled me closer to kiss me.

Slowly, his hand went to the side of my shirt.

“What are you doing?”

“You don’t know what I’m doing?” He asked with a similar smirk, as he got my shirt over my head.

“Ethan now is not the time! I have to leave in another hour or so.”

“I won’t take that long, I promise.” He said.

“But.”

He cut me off with a kiss.

***

“Can I trust my girls with you?” Ben stood like a statue between me and the girls and tried to pull off a serious expression.

“Of course, you can,” I replied. “Ben, I’m not eating them. Why would-”

Ben ignored my protests and turned around to face his kids. He kneeled down and stared at them with concern.

“Did you memorize my number?” He asked them, holding their palms.

“Yes!” They replied and smiled.

“Good. Now, if you forget my number, what will you do?”

“We’ll call mommy!” They sang happily.

“And what if they forget that too?” I asked.

“Shut up.” He said and glanced at me with annoyance.

I rolled my eyes and kneeled down beside him.

“Girl,” I said. “Do not listen to your father. Did your mother ever tell you that he’s stupid?”

“What!” Ben shrieked.

“Um.” Evi said nervously. “She didn’t tell us, but she was muttering to herself about it once.”

“Really?” Ben asked in horror.

“Ben, shut up. She told worse things about you and you know that.” I said. “Girls, if you don’t find me or if you get lost. you are not going to worry yourself with your mom’s or dad’s numbers. If you can’t remember them, you’re going to find someone around and ask for help.”

“Skylar, are you an idiot?” Ben hissed. “What if it’s a kidnapper they seek help from?”

“Ben.” I warned him. “There are hundreds of people that go to the movie. The kidnapper can’t really kidnap them!”

He groaned. “Why can’t I come along? I promise I won’t disturb you guys. I’ll just sit somewhere else and watch over my girls.”

“Daddy, it’s a girl’s day out!” One of the girls said.

“Yes.” I said. “I’m not even taking my driver along. Why would I take you?”

“You’re saying I’m not worthy of being your driver?” He said, looking offended.

This time, three of us rolled our eyes. “Ben, please. Just get inside. We’re getting late.”

“But you-”

“Do you want me to call Stella?”

“No!”

“Then just go!” I said.

“Fine.” He muttered. “Girls be careful with this devil. If she troubles you, you can know what to do?”

“Okay, enough. Let’s go girls!”

***

Almost four hours later, the girls and I ultimately decided that we had a blast.

We started off by watching my movie, and I was glad I could escape from the sight of a lot of people. And the few ones who noticed couldn’t react immediately out of surprise.

I was glad when I heard the talk. Not boasting or anything, but the movie was definitely amazing. Zac and I had even planned to celebrate the victory soon. This time, the critics appreciated our performances. Although it was a tragedy, I think that is what has gripped the audiences.

My schedule was filled with upcoming interviews and other promotional events. I was beyond happy.

Although the last couple of days were not exactly glorious, I made sure I’m not going to let that meddle with me now. I need to move on and balance everything and focus more on my professional issues.

After the movie, the girls said they were starved, just like I was. We dropped by a store in the mall and ate some food.

Later, I took them shopping. I think the girls really got their genes from Stella because they had impeccable taste in clothes and tireless energy to select the correct ones. I was one proud godmother.

We both loads of clothes, mostly for the girls and went to grab some ice cream. I suggested we go home because Ben already was getting on my nerves by calling me every five minutes.

He wasn’t informed about our change of plans, so he kept buzzing us with his chatter.

“Did you guys have fun?” I asked them as we stepped into the elevator.

“Yes!” They sang in unison together.

My eyes caught sight of an old lady who was pleased to look at the two cheerful girls beside her. She moved her eyes up and caught me staring at her. Without doing anything stupid, I smiled at her.

“They look very happy.” She said, “Your daughters are very pretty.”

“Um, thanks. But, they’re my friend’s daughters.” I smiled.

“Oh,” She smiled anyway. “I’m sure your kids are pretty too.”

“What?” Evie gasped. “Skylar, do you have kids? Why did we never meet them?”

“Oh, no, I don’t have any kids. Um, not yet, at least.” I said to the three of them.

Not yet? What the hell do you mean by that? I asked myself.

“Oh dear, but you’re wearing a ring. Did your husband leave you?” She asked, gasping.

“No, no, no. Why would-”

“Then why don’t you have kids still, dear?” She asked. “Why is everyone these days delaying having kids. Back in our times, everyone used to eager to have kids. To cherish their baby who was their epitome of love. Oh dear, what is happening to the concept of love these days?”

Right in time, the elevator binged, and I quickly took the girls away from her. What was she even talking about? In front of the kids?

And. kids? This soon? Why would anyone have kids right after getting married? Well. my parents did, but. that’s different.

But now that she said it, it was kind of bringing up new questions. Ethan and I never really talked about any of this. Well, our plan was to not stay together for more than year. But now, things changed. So this will eventually have to come up.

I let myself wonder what it would be like to really have kids. Would Ethan want kids, though? I didn’t know. He was great with Mila and Evie, but we never know how it is to have kids of our own. Knowing Ethan, I don’t think this thought even crossed his mind. Maybe I should initiate the talk.

Suddenly, the lights in the parking lot went off. I clutched the girl’s hands in surprise. There was silence everywhere, our eyes seeing nothing but the darkness. Before I could do anything, I felt Evie’s hand being gripped away from me, her screams filling the place.

“Evie!!” I screamed and pulled Mila to myself. My body was now shaking with fear.

I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my neck. I cursed and fell back, Mila screaming in surprise.

The lights were now turned on. Evie and Mila ran to me in an instant.

“Skylar, Skylar, are you alright?” Evie started crying. “Skylar, there. there is someone here. He.”

“Sh.” I cooed her. “It’s okay. Don’t worry.” I said and pulled the girls to a car and hid behind it.

“Skylar, there’s blood on your neck.” Mila screamed.

My head snapped to my side where blood was oozing out of my skin. I gulped in horror and quickly called Ethan.

After three rings, he picked up. “Yes, baby?”

“Ethan.” fear was dripping from my voice. “Ethan. you need come. Ethan, they. you should. they are here. They are. again.”

“Skylar, why are you crying?” He asked. “And who? What are you-”

“The men from last night. Ethan please come quickly, we’re in the parking lot. They-”

“Skylar are you sure it’s them. Just be-”

“Just come here if you don’t want us dead.” I quickly snapped at him.

There was really no time for me to get angry at him. Why would I imagine things? Suddenly, Ethan’s call got disconnected. I didn’t really try to call him back.

Once again, the lights went off. Before I could get up, the lights came back again.

But this time, the girls were gone.

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