Chapter 40 Skylar Fumes With Jealousy
After a sleepless night cramped up on a tiny bed the next morning, Skylar was in an irritable mood. She hated her life now as she had to go back to his room to use the washroom. If only she had gone to New York instead.
Skylar stomped into his room, but found it vacant. Christian was nowhere around. Did he go to work early in the morning? Maybe yes, since the formal inauguration was supposed to be held today. Relieved, she freshened up and fixed herself a cup of coffee.
The doorbell rang, and she rushed to open it. Who could it be? Had Christian returned from his morning jog? She remembered he had asked her to join him today.
Opening the door, she gaped at the hotel staff carrying a large tray laden with a delightful breakfast.
“Good morning, ma’am. Mr. St. James sent breakfast for you.”
“Thank you so much.” The staff set the tray down on the table and walked away with a smile.
Skylar looked at the tray and rolled her eyes. Who can eat so much? She grabbed her mobile phone and called the man.
“Hey, Skylar! Did you get your breakfast?” asked Christian with a satisfied smile. He had been waiting for his call.
“Yes, I did. Why did you send so much if you don’t have any intention of joining me?” she scolded him, making his smile widen into a grin.
“I can join you if you want me to. I haven’t had coffee yet.”
“I’m making coffee for you. Drop everything and come over immediately,” she ordered him, making him chuckle at her wife-like tone. Skylar made coffee for him, but seethed with fury. She would declare her intentions of not marrying him over breakfast. He could go back to the woman he loved. A raw feeling of jealousy coursed through her body at the thought. She felt betrayed, used, and angry! What had come over her? How could she have allowed him to do this to her?
After a minute, Christian unlocked the door and walked in with a shit-eating grin on his face. “Hey, fiancée! Did you miss me so much?” he asked with a wink at her.
“Not at all. I wanted to talk to you.” Christian closed the door and approached the dining table. Inside the confines of the cottage, he noticed her scowling face. Now what was wrong with her? Surely she wasn’t still upset because he cuddled her to sleep last night? This woman was really impossible!
“What about?” he asked, sitting opposite her and taking a sip of the refreshing coffee she made. He was getting used to her having her coffee!
“I want to cancel the engagement, Christian. I’m serious this time. Our parents didn’t want us to marry. So honoring their last wish isn’t a reason at all. We don’t feel a thing for one another and I don’t think we should go ahead with such a relationship.”
Christian didn’t reply as he frowned at her, deep in thought.
“You didn’t answer me, Christian.”
“Why this sudden decision? Did my innocent cuddle upset you that much? Well, I’m not sorry I hugged you. There’s no harm in a hug. As for your feelings, I’m sure you will feel something for me with time. Give me one solid reason you cannot give our relationship a chance.”
Skylar hesitated a little, wondering if she should tell him what she had overheard. “I don’t want to, that’s all. I don’t owe anyone an explanation.”
“Of course you do. This isn’t child’s play, Skylar. You owe me, Grandpa Ben, your grandparents, your brother, and everyone else an explanation.” Skylar faced him squarely, determined to discuss everything now.
“Fine then. I overheard your conversation with your woman last night. You want to postpone our wedding for her sake, right? Why are you marrying me if I don’t mean a thing to you? Why don’t you go to her and cuddle her instead of me?” Christian gazed at her for a minute, too dumbfounded by her outburst. Did she misunderstand his conversation with Lillian? A slow grin spread on his face as realization hit him hard.
“Are you jealous, Skylar?” Skylar gaped at the arrogant man and her cheeks flushed with color. Yes, she was, but she would never admit that to him.
“No, I don’t fcking care about you and your hook-ups.”
“I see. Then it shouldn’t bother you at all, right?” His eyes shone with amusement as he dug into his food without giving her an explanation. Let her admit first that she was indeed jealous!
“You’re disgusting!” she got up to leave the table, but he grabbed her wrist instead.
“Finish your food and get ready to go out with me.” Skylar yanked her hand away from his hold.
“I have no intentions of doing what you asked for.”
“Well, I’ll use force then. You’re my trainee manager, and I’ve already spoken at my office about you. There’s no backing out now.” Skylar gaped at him with surprise. She had completely forgotten about the internship opportunity at his company.
“I’m not ready today. My body is aching!”
“Who asked you to sleep there? Take some medication and get going. I hate excuses.” Skylar shot him a hateful look and gobbled her food.
“I hate you,” she muttered under her breath.
“No, you don’t. You like me actually,” he said, getting up. “I’m waiting in the conference room at the resort. Come quickly.” He winked and left, while she fumed at his arrogance. How could he jump to his own conclusions? She didn’t like him at all, or did she?
There was no time to waste, and she quickly showered and got ready in a wine-colored skirt, a matching suit paired with a beige top. It was the only formal wear she had brought with her. If she had to go to work everyday, she would need more of such clothes. Adding a touch of makeup, she locked the cottage and rushed out. After five minutes, she rushed inside the conference room that was already packed with too many people. All eyes turned towards her the moment she went inside, and Skylar wanted to vanish with embarrassment. Where was Christian?
“Please come this way, Ms. Carnell,” said Mr. Costa, getting up from his seat to guide her towards a chair. “Mr. St. James will join us shortly.”
“Thank you, Mr. Costa.” She took her seat, wondering what Christian was up to now when everyone was waiting for him. Within minutes, the conference door opened and Christian strode into the room.
“Sorry for the holdup. I had to take an urgent call.” His glance fell upon Skylar, and he smiled at her. Skylar gave him a stiff smile but couldn’t help wondering if it was the woman’s call again. After all, he didn’t once clear up the air nor decline her existence. It only meant she was right in her judgment.
“So, we are here to discuss our marketing strategies. I’m happy to inform you that our marketing head, Ms. Valentina Rossi, has already launched a huge country-wide campaign. We are pleased with the results of her hard work! Congratulations, Ms. Rossi!” said Christian to a tall brunette clad in a black pantsuit. Skylar glanced at the way she ogled at Christian and she felt like throttling the woman.
“Thank you, Mr. St. James. I want to share with you the strategies our team and I have proposed,” she said, getting up from her seat and sitting beside Christian. Skylar fumed as she glared at the woman. Why couldn’t she be as important as her? At that moment, she realized how much she had been wasting her life doing nothing. All her friends were well settled in their careers, except Alyssa, of course. With the same degree as hers, Hayley was already handling Barclay International effectively. She, on the other hand, was just Christian’s fake fiancée. Was that her career goal?
She sucked in a deep breath and started noting down the points discussed at the meeting. She noted down what every manager suggested on her mobile phone.
The meeting was over and she picked up her mobile phone and walked out of the room. “Skylar, thanks for noting down everything. Can you please email the minutes of the meeting to me? My PA Mrs. Allenwood fell ill and couldn’t accompany us on this trip.” Skylar gaped at him with surprise. She hadn’t expected him to notice her at all. His appreciation meant the world to her, and she forgot her jealousy momentarily.
“Yes, I was about to email them to you. I can fill Mrs. Allenwood’s shoes on this trip.”
“Thanks, but only on this trip. You will train to be the GM one day. Come over to the reception area in fifteen minutes. The press will be here to cover the inauguration ceremony.”
“Oh! I’m not adequately dressed for a press meet.” Christian’s gaze checked her out, and he smiled approvingly.
“You’ll do.” He winked and walked away, leaving her fuming. Couldn’t he at least tell her she was looking fine?
After completing her work, she rushed to the reception area only to find Ms. Valentina Rossi sticking to Christian’s side as if she was the fiancée instead of her. Blood boiled in her veins and she strode purposefully towards them.