"What should we do now? Is she dead?" Ty asked in a frantic voice as he scrambles around searching for God's knows what...
"Be quiet!" Leon screamed at him as he squatted down to examine Skylar. The brave facade he presented to the world would have fooled everyone if not for the escalating of his heart in his rib cage which shows his fear as he turned to call something to a shocked Ty who was having a problem with breathing.
"Will you stop behaving like a sissy and go get water?" Leon shouted at him immediately, his hands felt the pulse coming out from Skylar. Only then could he relax as he started to work on reviving her.
Ty rushed into the kitchen and almost fell against the cabinet as he right his wrong foot and collected water from the facet, rushing back he handed the water to Leon who deposited the whole content on Skylar.
They waited for some minutes for her to wake up but it seems that wouldn't be happening soon. Ty was just about to voice out his doubt of the procedure when the tiniest cough caught his attention as he turned to stare at Skylar in shock.
"Oh my God, she's alive" Ty screamed in happiness as he squatted beside Leon to stare into Skylar's face who was just about to wake up from her slumber.
Skylar coughed frantically as she tried to stand up but a hand was keeping her on the floor, who could that be? Surely it couldn't be Vino, Skylar mustered to herself as she struggled to open her eyes. She was once again greeted by the darkroom as she searched around trying to know where she was.
As soon as she noticed the familiar surroundings, only then could she relax as she allowed her eyes to rest on the man, she hadn't seen in five years.
"Leon?" Skylar asked in shock as she stared at the man she once remembered as her boyfriend and childhood friend. Suddenly remembering his last threat to her, Skylar couldn't help but shiver in fear as her heartbeat galloped with every scenario her subconscious was imagining for her.
"Why are you here?" Skylar brought herself to ask him again when she saw he wasn't providing any answer to her unasked question while she mentally slapped herself for visiting her mom today. If only she had stayed at home just like Vino wanted, then none of this would be happening.
Receiving no response from Leon again, Skylar raised her head to look into his eyes but froze as she noticed the murderous look, he was giving her.
Her eyes followed the direction of his gaze and finally rested on her engagement ring which suddenly seemed heavy in her hands. Skylar cleared his throat as she frantically searched her sudden empty brain for words to take Leon's mind off her engagement.
"What should I do? Does he know about my engagement? Should I lie to him?" These were the thoughts running through Skylar's mind as she watched Leon clench his hands together in a tight grip while he watched her.
Skylar couldn't understand what was going on in his mind "Is he thinking of punishing me?" Skylar couldn't help shuddering from fear as she thought back to the last time she was punished by Leon.
Skylar stood in front of her window gazing into the night sky while she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Occasionally, her eyes stroll to the clock on the wall directly in front of her as she curses out loud.
"No, he's late again" Skylar cursed loudly as she grimaced in disgust. This was the third time in three years and her supposed boyfriend could have forgotten they were supposed to go and celebrate their third anniversary.
Skylar strolled back into the room to pick up her phone as she wanted to call him and probably thank him for forgetting their anniversary.
The phone was ringing as Skylar's eyes found the mirror, she paused and stared at herself in the mirror. She was beautiful even at twenty-eight, her curvaceous body was what everyone would kill for, and every man would want her as their girlfriend. Thank God, she has chosen Leon. He was everything she could have ever wanted in a man. He was her hope for a better future since he knew her more than anyone.
A sigh escaped Skylar's heavily painted lips as she looked down at her red mini gown with a sweetheart neckline that enhanced her full breast. She has chosen this dress and this colour tonight because she likes the way Leon's eyes danced in excitement anytime he saw her in this but if only she knew this was going to be a bad night, she would have thought twice about the dress.
The voice apologizing to her from the other end pulled her out of her thoughts. She forced herself to listen to Leon's poor excuse of an apology.
"I'm so sorry, Sky. I'm running late at the office; can you go wait for me at the restaurant?" Leon explained as he called into the phone.
Skylar nodded and was about to end the call when she heard his mom's voice in the background calling him to come over. Skylar groaned in annoyance as she ended the call and picked up her silver clutch purse and stepped out of her apartment.
She got into her car and drove herself to the restaurant Leon had made reservations at, two days ago. On the way, she couldn't help thinking about his mother, ever since they started dating, Leon's mother has always hated her and had been against their relationship. She was angrier that Leon never supports her instead he takes his mom's side. And to think he lied to her he was in the office.
"What kind of man couldn't protect his girlfriend, the woman he claimed he's in love with against his mother" Skylar mumbled to herself as she pulled into the restaurant. She threw the keys at the valet and stepped into the restaurant.
The manager was by her side in seconds, he knew her since they've always frequented their restaurant for their anniversary" Welcome, Miss Evans. Happy third anniversary" The manager called to her with a wink as he smiled.
Skylar cussed gently as her hands flew to her lips in shock" Woah! Thank you. I can't believe you remember" Skylar replied as she smiled at the man who was checking her out while licking his lips.
Skylar knew she ought to call off the flirting, but she was enjoying it. It is not easy to be wanted by another man. And she was enjoying that attention.
"Of course. I couldn't possibly forget that for the world" The manager replied as he let his eyes run through the woman's body. Gosh! She was hot tonight! He envies the man! The manager thought to himself as he turned to smile at her.
"You look beautiful tonight, Miss Evans. If you come with me, I'll show you to your table" he said as he was back to his professional voice as he turned to guide her to the table, he had reserved for them.
"Thank you," Skylar greeted him as soon as she was seated, she turned to smile at him flirting back but the manager only smiled as he had glimpsed the murderous look from her date. He saw him approaching them with clenched fists, he quickly made his escape before he got to his side.
"I'm sorry Miss Evans, I'd like to leave now. I'll be in my office if you need anything" The manager said as he rushed into his office without waiting for a response from the woman who was watching him with shock.
Skylar watched him go with a sad look on her face. She was glad to have someone to talk to while she waited for Leon but now, she's all alone. She couldn't help thinking back to his mom's words and how she has always mistreated her.
"Look, Leon, Look. I told you she isn't in love with you. Can you see her flirting with that man? I always knew she was a whore just like her mother? I told you she was cursed"
Skylar turned to the voice of the woman she had always despised, she stared at them as they walked to her table. Her hand linked with her son's. Skylar couldn't help feeling angry. How can he bring his mother to their date night?
"You brought her here?" Skylar exclaimed in shock as she stood up in anger "How can you do that to me. Do you know how much she hates me? Do you even love me?" Skylar asked him in anger. She couldn't help the tears that spilled down her face as she screamed at Leon who was barely trying to control her anger.
"That doesn't matter. What were you doing with that man? Are you cheating on me?" Leon exclaimed as he stalked closer to her, his hands clenched hard at his side as he struggled to control his anger.
"It is obvious from her look, Leon." Her mother replied with a scornful look as she glared at her "I'm sure she's sleeping with him. I told you not to date her, she's just a whore like her mother_____"
"Don't you dare talk about my mother that way___ she's better than you would ever be? At least she knew who her daughter's father is, do you know yours_____"
Just before Skylar could complete her sentence, a loud slap landed on her cheek, she screamed as her hands flew to it. She turned to stare at Leon in shock. She never believed he could ever hit her. This was the man who claimed to love her.
"You hit me, Leon," Skylar asked with tears in her eyes. She was so embarrassed and ashamed of herself. He hit her in a restaurant full of everyone. What will they think of her? Will her story be that of a desperate woman who seduced a man from the higher class just like her mother?
"I'll hit you again if you don't know how to talk to my mother. How dare you speak ill of my parents? You are not anything without me? I made you who you are today and this is how you repay me? I loved you___ I fucking do__ I was ready to disown my mother for you and you went behind my back to sleep with another man"
"I swear, Leon. Your mother is lying. I'm not cheating on you. What you saw right now was just an honest exchange nothing more I ________"
"How dare you call my mother a liar. I saw you both with my eyes"
"No, Leon it's_____"
Skylar couldn't complete her sentence because Leon had grabbed her on her neck and was choking her '' Die now. If I can't have you then nobody would '' he told her as he grabbed her neck tightly.
"Leon__please___ I ___ can't ___ breathe" Skylar exclaimed in shock as she tried to remove his hands from her neck but he wouldn't budge.
Just then she saw everyone gather to save her, only then could she close her eyes. She woke up the next morning in a hospital and________
"Skylar. Are you alright?"
Skylar came out of her thoughts as she turned to the man beside Leon who had called out to her. She recognized him as Leon's only friend. He has always been there through their dating years.
Skylar nodded at him before turning to wipe the tears from her eyes. She couldn't believe that hurt so much! And to think she had to remember that today.
But she was glad to have Vino by her side. He wasn't anything like Leon. He loved her for herself not what she could offer him and that she was glad.
As if on cue, her phone ringing tone filled the silence of the room, she took it from her pocket, and seeing the caller's ID, more tears kept spilling down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.
"Don't pick it" A menacing voice called behind her before a cold mental was placed on her neck. Skylar couldn't help shivering in fear. Will he really pull the trigger on her?
"Y_e_s" She replied, whimpering in fear as she clutched her phone tightly in her hands while it kept ringing.
Ty turned to Leon at the third ring, his eyes full of fear as he knew they were going to be caught. He couldn't risk going to jail right now "I think you should allow her to pick the call. He might be worried and send someone here to check on us. From what I gather her fiancé is a rich man"
"Don't call him that" Leon screamed at him "He will never be her fiancé. I am the only man she would ever love"
"But ___" The both pause as the fourth sound of the ringing tone again fills the room.
Leon paced to and fro the sitting room lost in thought. He finally stopped and turned to call something to Skylar "Pick it but don't tell him anything. If you disobey my order. I'll blow your head off"
Skylar nodded in fear as her hands reached out to accept the call. She needed to stay strong for her baby. She can't die now, not when she hadn't told Vino he was going to be a father.
"Hello," Skylar's voice rang through the phone as she plastered a smile on her face.
"Hey, Amore. How's your mom?" Vino's excited voice asked from the other end of the line.
Skylar gulped down the tears that threatened to fall. She can't cry. She can't let Vino know about this. It might jeopardize her chance of escape. She needed to play along and so she did "Mom is fine. She was so excited about the news"
"Really? That's great. I can't wait to meet her. I missed you already. I love you honey" Vino called into the phone as his eyes went to the clock on the wall, he saw the time on the wall, he was late for his meeting with his parents. He stood up and gathered his things into his bag and walked out of his office.
"I love you too. Take care of yourself. I_____"
Leon grabbed the phone from her hands with force, he ended the call and turned to glare at her "You have some nerve, Sky. How can you tell another man in my presence that you love him? You are such a whore. My mother wasn't lying"
"How dare you? The last time I remember, we broke up. What gave you the right to waltz into my life and control it, answer me, huh?" Skylar glared at him. She can't have him insulting her. As far as she knows they were no longer together, so he had no right to insult her.
"You are stupid?" Leon slapped her on the cheek in annoyance. He couldn't believe she was talking back to him. The Skylar he knew before would never dare talk back to him
"I'll make sure you regret ever talking back at me" He glared at her and to Ty, he said "Come let's go, we are running late" Before he dragged Skylar out into the quiet neighbourhood.
"Where are you taking me? Skylar asked him gently, she couldn't scream because of the gun pointed at her spine.
"To get married" Leon replied, shrugging with an excited smile on his face...