Chapter 3 03

Inside the wide capacious office; the Air conditioner blowing so cold with a quirky fragrance; the desk littered with so much files and two apple laptops, was sparklingly neat and glittering as it was made of annealed glass.

There was a black coloured cushion, some meters away from the desk, right beside the wall. A throw pillow was placed on it, making it look comforting for a nap. And just in front of the glass desk, were two whirling seats.

The door and the walls around it was made of glass and done in such a way that, only a person from within the office could see what was going on out there. She could even see when a person was coming to her office; but no one from the outside could see a thing from the office.

It was so convenient for the boss alone.

The glass door slid open with the lady walking in, her shoes not making any inconveniencing sound as they were flat shoes.

She held two files in her hands and struggled to keep a good mood as she walked towards the million-worth desk.

"Good evening, ma'am" she let out a warm smile.

"I'm done with the analysis and just brought this for review".

She didn't sit - of course, not - but stood in front of the desk with the files proffered in her hand.

She was used to her boss being a little snubbish, so didn't have any problem when it took her long to reply her.

"Let me have them, Stacey" she looked away from her laptop with her hand held out, and the lady quickly handed the files to her.

Dazed eyes; a beautiful but tired face, stared into the first file as she flipped through the pages. Having been at the office for over nine hours, her pony - styled hair was already having some ruffled strands, although, they didn't alter her unutterable beauty.

The staffer - Stacey - was a little nervous as she stood in front of her boss' desk, watching her go through the files. She really hoped there were no errors as she wouldn't want to get on her bad side. Yeah, Skylar Gray could be really nasty when she was tired. And she was prone to tiredness when she must've been exhausted from work at the office.

"Where are the analysis for twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth, Stacy?" That calm, tender voice was suddenly heard and Stacy felt her nerves wreck a bit.

Skylar had closed up the file and was staring at her.

"Um.... I thought the marketing director must've filled it in. I'm really sorry, ma'am...."

"Really?" Skylar scoffed.

"You should've confirmed that before bringing these files to me, Stacey".

Funny enough, she sounded more tired than angry; the tiredness reflected in her round white eyes.

"I'm... I'm really sorry, ma'am. I'll have it fixed right away" Stacey statedapologetically, adjusting the medicated glasses on her eyes.

"Fine. But I can't sign them now; I'm leaving already" Skylar packed up the files and handed over to her.

"Okay ma'am; I'll make sure they're on your desk first thing in the morning. I'm really sorry for the inconvenience" Stacy bowed and turned around to leave.

"How's your health, Stacey?" she suddenly heard her boss ask and turned to find her arranging some of the scattered files on the desk.

"I'm.... I'm getting a whole lot better, ma'am. Thank you" Stacy replied gratefully and left when her boss said nothing else.

Alone in the office, the twenty-six year old Skylar Gray packed up her files and closed her laptop. She was done from the office, but might still need to work at home.

Stretching her hand filled with jewelries that winked, she reached for the office PBX and connected to her P.A

"Hello, ma'am...."

"Come over to my office now; I'm about leaving" She said and ended the call.

She stood up afterwards and went over to her transparent tempered glass window to stand. That part of her office had always been her favorite as she could see the city right from it - the crossroads, the moving cars, people... It was worth more than some fresh air to her and helped her clear her head when she was having a mundane day at work.

She exhaled deeply and crossed her arms below her chest, her eyes just fixed into space. So many thoughts in her head, but hell; she didn't know which to think of.

Maybe, her grandmother's burial? Or....

The beeping sound of her phone ringing distracted her as she turned to glance at it on the desk. Maybe, it was a good thing it distracted her.

She went over and picked the phone when she realized it was Luis calling. She's been dodging his calls for hours and perhaps, it was time to be a little considerate.

Picking the call and placing it on her ear, she walked back to the large window and awaited him to speak up.

"My goodness! You finally decided to take my calls, Skylar" he exclaimed, ecstasy echoing in his masculine voice anyway.

"I was almost getting worried. How're you doing, Skylar?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Just busy" she answered in the best way she could, tucking some of the ruffled strands of her hair behind her ear.

"Oh; I understand. It's really not easy, handling one of your father's companies - the only one he has in this city for that matter" he paused and chuckled, his plaudits not fawning her in anyway.

Oh! Well, she was already used to such flatters.

"So, I um.... I decided to surprise you by coming to pick you up" he continued.

"Hope it's much of a surprise, anyways"

"Pick me up?" Skylar asked with a crumpled look, ignoring his chuckles.

The door of her office slid open immediately with her dark skinned P.A coming in.

Noticing she was on a call, the P.A non-verballaly asked her boss if she were to go ahead and Skylar urged her to.

"Yes; My car's just outside your office, ma'am" Luis said, earning Skylar's attention.

For real?

"I don't get. Why would you come to my office without letting me know?" She asked with a scoff, glancing at her P.A as she packed the files, laptop and designer bag from the table before walking out.

"Well... Like I said, I wanted to surprise you" Luis replied on the phone.

Skylar rolled her eyes and itched her scanty brows.

"Just... hold up; I'll be there in a sec" she dropped the call and left the office, trailing after her P.A.

The rest of her staff were still at their desks, positions and offices, working. And they greeted the twenty-six year old boss that walked pass them.

"Bye, ma'am Skylar".

"Goodbye, ma'am" they kept chorusing and Skylar kept waving and smiling at them.

She got outside to the parking lot and spotted his car from a distance.

"Marcel!" She Called out to her P.A who was on her way to her car.

"Yes, ma'am..."

"Come this way" Skylar said and started walking towards the car, expecting the P.A to follow.

It was a latest model, red and flashy and looked quite worthing.

Luis had been at the driver's seat. And when he noticed Skylar was getting close, he stepped out of the car, all beaming with smiles.

"Hey" dressed in a sophisticated manner in his designer suit, Luis looked really handsome and manly. But Skylar wasn't there for the looks.

"Mr Luis. You didn't think it was necessary to inform me before coming to my office?" Skylar asked as she stood in front of him.

Her P.A was just behind, hands-filled.

"Of course, Skylar; I know. Like I said before, I just wanted to surprise you" Luis said as he adjusted one of the buttons on his suit.

"But I trust you won't turn me down.... please?" He opened the front door and smiled at her.

Skylar rolled her eyes and walked in, just wanting to give him the privilege this time around. And as she did, Luis couldn't help but beam happily.

He closed the door and collected her belongings from her P.A, keeping them at the backseat.

"Goodbye, ma'am Skylar" the P.A waved at her and Skylar didn't hesitate to do same, with a returning smile.

As soon as Luis was seated in the car, he ignited it and took off.

*

*

The drive was a boring one for Skylar. Although, Luis had tried grunting up several conversations and make the drive lively, it just didn't work out for someone like Skylar who was tired from work and wanted his voice to be the last thing she'd hear.

She didn't respond to conversations but Luis didn't mind and kept talking non stop.

Finally, they drove into her two storey Mansion and Skylar couldn't help but release the comforting breath she had been holding.

"Hope you enjoyed the ride?" Luis asleep with a smile as he turned off the key in the ignition.

Enjoyed?? It was the worst ride ever!

"Sure, I did" she lied anyways, forcing a smile.

Luis quickly rushed out of the car to get the door for her. And while she stepped out, he hurried to the backseat to get her things.

"Mummy!" She heard that tiny voice call, one that brightened her dark mood.

She turned happily, her ponytail swaying with her as she turned to see the five year old girl, trotting towards he, funnily having so many colors all over her face.

Skylar beamed and opened her arms wide for her baby to run in.

"Yeahhh. Looks like someone missed me so much" she crooned as she carried her in her arms and kissed her neck while the baby giggled.

"My goodness, Tasha; what happened to your face? Who did this to you?"

"I did it to myself, mummy. I'm trying to learn to be me my own makeup artist" The little one answered happily and Skylar smiled and placed her down on her feet.

Her nanny had come out of the house already.

"So, how was school today, huh?" She palmed her hair.

"School was okay. But I'm so happy tomorrow's weekend and I can be at home all day!" Tasha beamed, making her mother smile.

Oh! One thing Skylar has always loved was her daughter's cute childish voice.

Luis, holding Skylar's things, walked towards them with a beam.

"Hello, Tasha. How're you today?" He asked cheerfully, but the happy countenance on the kid's face dropped immediately as she stared at him.

Urgh! Just like Skylar had expected.

"I'm fine" she mumbled and walked away, going back into the house.

Oh, no...

"Hey...Tasha" Skylar called, but the kid wouldn't turn or look at her as she completely walked in

Skylar sighed tiredly and the nanny - Emilia - went further to get the things from Luis.

"Good evening, ma'am" she greeted warmly as she took the things from Luis.

"Good evening, Emilia. How're you?" Skylar asked, trying to return the warmness.

"I'm fine, ma'am. Welcome home" she smiled and walked in with the files.

"I didn't do anything wrong, did I?" Luis asked, wondering why her daughter acted the way she did.

"Of course, you didn't. You should leave now; it's late. Thanks for the ride". Skylar replied, but Luis looked a little hesitant.

"I'll give you a call, alright? Please, promise you won't snub". He said and Skylar was nearly forced to laugh out.

"I'll try not to" she belied her thoughts, anyway, making Luis relaxed .

"Alright, then. Goodnight" he waved once at her.

"Goodnight".

He returned to his car and Skylar watched him as he drove away. At last.

Her mind flashed back to Tasha. Oh, God! When would that kid start acting nice to her male acquaintances? She couldn't tell why, she was just never friendly with anyone of them.

Well, Skylar had bigger problems on her mind than that of her daughter.

She sighed and turned around to go into the house, but suddenly stopped when her eyes spotted the flowers.

With few steps, she got to the garden and noticed the flowers were looking untrimmed. Oh, damn! They needed to be attended to immediately.

"Emilia!" She stretched her neck towards the direction of the house and called.

"Emilia!"

"Yes, ma'am!" The thirty-three year old lady came running out of the house.

Yes, she was older than Skylar.

"Did you say the gardener quit his job a week ago?' she asked.

"Oh; yes, ma'am. He said something urgent had come up and warranted him to stop" the lady enthused.

"I see" Skylar muttered.

"Well, the garden needs to be attended to; I don't like how it looks at all. Can you get a gardener first thing in the morning? He doesn't have to be employed; just tell him we need him for tomorrow alone".

"Uhm... Okay, ma'am. I'll call my brother tonight and tell him about it right away. He should know someone". Emilia replied.

"Okay, Emilia. Please, first thing in the morning. You know how I feel with my garden".

"Of course, of course. Don't worry, we'll definitely have someone tomorrow morning" Emilia assured and Skylar nodded and walked away.