Chapter 41 Skylar Stands Up For Herself
Christian turned to see her stomping angrily towards him, yet didn’t budge from his position. It angered Skylar to see the amusement in his eyes. So, he found it funny, right? She would disrupt his cozy relationship with the clingy woman right away. She would show Rossi her exact position!
“Oh, here you are, Christian! I had been looking for you,” she gushed, putting on a fake smile to hide her jealousy.
Christian raised an eyebrow at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He knew what she was up to. Why would she look for him when he had clearly informed her where he would be? “Have you sent me the email, Skylar?”
“Yes,” she said without glancing at the woman beside him. Skylar was acutely aware of the hateful glare she was giving her. “I’m going to the cottage to freshen up.”
“Come back in five minutes. The press meet will start.” Skylar nodded and turned to rush to the cottage.
“Does she live with you? How can you allow her to call you by your first name, Christian?” asked Ms. Rossi, leaning towards him. Skylar clearly heard her and whirled around to face the woman.
“Excuse me? What did you just say?” she asked, taking a step towards her.
“You heard me, didn’t you? How can you live with your employer?” The malice in her voice surprised Skylar.
“It’s none of your business, Valentina. I would suggest you concentrate on the press conference instead,” stated Christian with a grim look on his face. He didn’t want a fight on such an auspicious day.
“I’m sorry, Christian. I won’t bother with her anymore if you don’t want me to. So, will you go out with me to lunch after the press conference?”
“No, he won’t,” stated Skylar, anger bubbling inside her at Christian’s aloofness. Couldn’t he tell her they were engaged?
“How can your PA decide for you, Christian? Doesn’t she know her place?” demanded Ms. Rossi while Christian watched Skylar, waiting for her to introduce herself as his fiancée. She should know her position and be able to defend her honor in front of his petty female employees. He wouldn’t always be present to stand up for her.
“I’m his fiancée and your future employer. I’m not a PA, but training to be the future GM of the company. So watch the way you speak to me, Ms. Rossi. I could have you sacked for being disrespectful towards me.” Christian smiled with pride. This was what he wanted Skylar to do!
“She’s right, Valentina. Please apologize to my fiancée right now.”
“I’m so sorry, Christian,” she said sweetly, with a charming smile on her face. Mr. Costa approached them and led Christian away, leaving the two of them alone. Skylar turned to leave, but Ms. Rossi grabbed her hand in a deathly grip. It shocked Skylar, and she gaped at the woman. The moment Christian left, her attitude completely changed. What was wrong with her?
“Let go, Ms. Rossi,” she gritted out angrily.
“Don’t think you can marry him, bitch! You might have grabbed him through unscrupulous means, but Christian is mine. We have known each other for the last four years. We have built this resort together. You weren’t even there in his life then,” she hissed at her. Skylar wrenched her hand free of her hold. For a fleeting second, she wondered if Valentina Rossi was the woman he loved. No, it couldn’t be. He only knew her for the last four years, whereas he knew the woman he loved for the last ten years, almost.
“Keep dreaming, Ms. Rossi. Christian and his family have chosen me as his life partner. You will face Christian’s and Grandpa Ben’s wrath if you harm me. So watch the way you behave with me. You might have known him as your employer in a professional setup. I wouldn’t have got my hopes up based on that if I were you.” She tossed her hair and walked away, leaving the woman trembling at the insult. Skylar Carnell wasn’t a weakling to have such bitches dominate her!
After freshening up quickly, she joined Christian in the conference room. She saw the press reporters busy setting up their equipment for an interview.
“Come here, Skylar,” said Christian, holding out his arm for her. She smiled with relief and went towards him. He wrapped an arm around her possessively as he interacted with a few reporters. He introduced her around as his fiancée and the future GM of Saint James Intercontinental Suites.
They were led towards the entrance, where Christian had to cut a ribbon and inaugurate the resort formally.
Skylar could feel Ms. Rossi’s envious gaze pinned upon her. It didn’t affect her anymore. She clung to Christian to make her even more jealous.
They returned to the conference room afterward.
“I’m proud of the way you stood up for yourself, Skylar. There will be many such incidents, some in my absence, too. I want you to be confident and handle them diplomatically,” said Christian when they were alone at last. They sat down, waiting for the conference to begin.
“I will. Is that why you didn’t put her in her place?”
“Yes. I won’t be always there to do it. I want you to handle them yourself.”
“I’m learning to.”
The press meet started, but Skylar was glad Ms. Rossi wasn’t a part of it. She fumed in one corner, watching her perched beside Christian.
“Will you launch any other winery in the country, Mr. St. James?” asked a reporter towards the end of the press conference.
“Yes, we are launching our second one in Napa Valley, California, next,” announced Christian proudly.
“Double congratulations, Mr. St. James, for your grand success and on your engagement!” said the reporter.
“Thank you,” said Christian.
“When are you planning your wedding, Mr. St. James?” asked another reporter.
“Skylar and I are yet to decide on the date. We will announce it when we do.” Christian was eager to wrap up the press meet, which had already stretched to an hour.
“One last question, Mr. St. James. Is it true that your older brother Sebastian St. James is missing?” asked a reporter.
Skylar gaped at the man and then at Christian. How did she not know anything about this?
Christian looked uncomfortable and stood up to end the press meeting. “That would be all for today. Thank you for your time and patience.” The reporters left, but Skylar was bursting with curiosity. She wanted to ask him about Sebastian, but Christian was busy with the special lunch arranged for everyone.
“Please come this way, Ms. Carnell,” said Mr. Costa, leading them towards the banquet hall where a buffet had been set up. She stuck to Christian’s side throughout the meal, interacting with all employees like a true GM should. She might be the youngest one present there, but she maintained her poise throughout. Thankfully, Ms. Rossi avoided them like a plague, sticking to their restaurant manager instead.
“Shall we go?” asked Christian, holding his arm out for her to take. She placed her hand in the crook of his arm and he led her away from the crowded place.
“Where are we going?” she asked breathlessly.
“To the cottage to freshen up.”
“Oh,” she said, but Christian didn’t miss the disappointment in her tone.
“Will you go out on a date with me now?” Skylar looked up at him with surprise, and her heart skipped a beat. Why was she behaving like a hormonal schoolgirl around him?
“Now? Where?” she breathed, unable to control the wild thumping of her heart.
“We will leave this place tomorrow morning. So, let’s check out the attractions nearby?” he asked, searching her eyes.
“We’re leaving? I have even seen Rome.”
“We’re heading to Rome next. We will stay there for two days before heading to our next destination, Venice. In between, we will stop at Florence for a day.”
Skylar’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she grabbed his hand to pull him along faster. “Hurry then. I can’t wait to go on this date.” Christian chuckled and rushed along with her. He, too, couldn't wait to go on a date with her. He had been tolerating her jealousy since last night. Now he was sure she felt something for him to make her jealous of every woman he met. Maybe it was time to take their relationship to the next level.
They quickly freshened up and walked out of the resort, hand in hand, to the car, waiting to take them around the place. Christian knew all about the place. He took her to see the historical sights of significance, like the Villa Aldobrandini, Villa Falconieri, amongst others. They checked out some of the beautiful cathedrals and parks around the Frascati region. It was a novel experience for Skylar, and she realized she loved going out on a date with Christian.
It was evening, and the sun had set as they headed to a cozy diner for some authentic Roman fare.
It was a grand way to end their date, only Skylar was unaware that the date wasn’t over yet. Christian definitely wanted something in return for his efforts!