Chapter 3 Three

2 years later

" it was a pleasure to meet you Skylar I look forward to seeing the finished product in a few weeks " the middle-aged man said shaking my hand roughly.

I gave him a smile " pleasure is mine sir, any changes please contact me whatever the time " he looked surprised for a minute.

That would be my last business meeting. Before my long break anyway. I would be working from home still helping my boss out.

But I'm actually allowed to have 3 weeks off for myself. I actually was planning on having myself a vacation.

Booking myself a really nice hotel and enjoying the beautiful beaches of Thailand.

But turns out my family decided to book me in for three weeks of bonding time.

When I tried to object my mum gave me one stern look that nearly scared me to death.

So now as I drive back to my small house I have to think of what to pack for three weeks. Apparently, we're all going down to a house in France.

I guess that's one perk of Christian being a successful guy.

5 hours later I'm sitting in the car anxiously waiting to get to the house. The place we were in was utterly beautiful.

The guy driving me claimed he was a taxi driver but I can see through his facade. He doesn't even have an Id and he didn't ask who I was.

"Here we are miss, " he says bringing the car to an automatic stop. I legit hit my head against the front seat. That's gonna bruise up.

"fucking hell woman calm down" the guy shouts rubbing his now sore head. I shoved his head into the steering wheel when the dickhead tried to get money from me.

" that wouldn't have happened if you just told me you were driving me instead of lying to me" I grab my bag roughly and get out of the car.

The warm sun hit my face immediately.

The guy rounds the car coming to stand in front of me " sorry, just following instructions but I kind of got carried away" I just stare at him, you think.

He left me soon after and went towards this house that I could only describe as beautiful. The dark exterior mixed with the white stone drive and garage had me in awe.

My little moment of staring at this house was short lived as I heard the sound of a motorbike pulling up. I removed my sunglasses squinting to see who it was.

As this person removed their helmet I was met with a blonde, buff guy. He angled his head slightly, looking like he was cracking his neck or something. Once he finished that his eyes met mine.

I quickly looked away. "hey, don't move" he called after me when I was about to walk into the house. I spun around and noticed him before me. His chest rising and falling.

Where are all these hot guys coming from? Does Christian have younger brothers or something. " uh, why can't I move" he sends me a brief smile before wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

"cant let a beautiful woman walk in alone can I" oh god he called me beautiful, how can I say no to that. I try to hide my smile but I think he knows , Charmer.

Walking into this house I took a moment to scan it. I was amazed at how open and spacious it looked. The walls were a mixture of neutral colours and were decorated with big canvases.

I need to take a lesson out of Christians book.

After walking around the house for several minutes the rest of my family started to turn up. My mum was the first to come running towards me. She placed her bags randomly on a table. She wrapped her arms around me

"my baby, oh god I've missed you sweet girl" she cried into my shoulder, her tears tickling my neck.

I have to admit I haven't seen mum in about 3 months not since she came out to see me. That was an experience.

"I've missed you too mum" I was content being in the arms of my mother. No matter how much I love being independent I do miss her extremely.

My little sister wasn't too far behind. She looked strange with a different colour in her hair but I could recognise lily immediately.

She jumped on me wrapping her legs around me like a monkey. I laughed as she squeezed me tight. I haven't seen this one in a while.

She's a growing designer now. Travelling all over the country I'm honestly am so proud of her.

Not only that but she gets me really nice clothes.

The perks

" you changed your hair" I say touching one of her curls.

" do you like it ?" She asks me. I could tell she was nervous for my response. I grin at her " I love it really suits you sis" she was instantly relieved.

Her light hair before is now a deep brown and she looks so much more matured.

" cmon let's go inside. I saw that you met Adrian outside" she links her arm with mine. Oh the hunk from outside that's his name.

It does suit him.

"Yeah I did, who is he" she giggles " he's a "

Before she could finish she was interrupted when Adrian came up to to both us. He kissed lily on the cheek and then me.

" let me have my moment to introduce myself, flower" lily nods her head before walking away leaving me with Adrian.

I raise my eyebrow at him. " Adrian maguey, it's a pleasure to meet you" he takes out his hand wanting me to shake. I don't dare refuse.

" skylar, always nice having new faces but I'm kind of confused to who you are " I tried to make that sound the as polite as possible.

His grin widens " a close friend of the knights, let's leave it at that shall we" I'm confused for a few seconds but he just wraps his hand around my shoulder pulling me into the dining area.

Walking in there I wasn't prepared to see the massive canvas on the wall overlooking the whole room.

I stopped walking completely to take every inch of it.

" it's beautiful isn't it" Christian comes walking over a bowl of rice in his hands.

I could only nod. The photo on the wall was of my whole family both mine and Damon's. It was a picture we took on the night that I last saw Damon. At the restaurant before he told us this news.

I looked happy standing in front of Damon. Completely oblivious to what was about to happen.

My mum and Damon's stood tall. Both happy with our families as one. We all looked so different.

Makes me wonder what Damon looks like now.

" I can't believe he put it in here though" Adam says. He looks at the other tire weirdly.

" I'm practically being watched over by myself as I eat. It's creepy as fuck" Adams statement was funny but oddly true.

Wait

Didn't Christian put this here.

"What do you mean he?" I turned to Adam carefully watching his reaction.

" I'm home" Natalie's high voice gets us all turning our heads. I noticed Adam visible relax before going to the other room. Something is off about this house I can feel it.

As per usual we all sit down to have a nice dinner. Everyone seems to be getting on well no fights no arguments.

Life's good.

Finishing off this delicious meal that was cooked for us we all moved out to the back. There was a large pool that looked like it was inviting me in.

I'm going to have to try that tonight. With or without their permission.

" do you remember when Damon taught her how to swim, I still remember it like yesterday nat" I hear my mother say as we look into the pool.

![Image](http://Flashback

"Damon we can't be here, it's going to close and we're going to to get locked in" I stand at the door of the aquatic centre my arms wrapped around myself.

Damon ignored me his head facing the wall. He took out goggles from his pocket and walking over to me.

I tried not to stare at his chest too much but it was very hard.

" they're giving me half an hour. We're not leaving here until you get in" he said. He oozes control.

I have never been a confident swimmer. People at school were joking with me with the fact I wasn't a good swimmer.

After we finished laughing we realised that Damon wasn't joining us. He was staring at me intently.

" fine" I whisper, finally taking off my tshirt and shorts. Damon did as well and he instantly dived in. I watched his body sink into the water before he swam to the top.

My eyes lingered on his athletic body underneath the water.

He swam over to the side and moved in between my legs as I sat on the side. My legs in the pool.

" come here baby girl " he whispers as he pushed my back so I moved closer to him. My legs were on both sides of his waist now.

I didn't even realise that I wasn't sitting on the side anymore. Damon had started to move back and I was clinging onto him.

We spend 30 minutes on the pool. He guided me into the pool and showed me what to do.

Soon enough I was swimming on my own and confidently. Damon grabbed my hips. He lifted me above the water before bringing me back down.

" now nobody will laugh at you babygirl" he said as we swam to the side.

That was the night that I became obsessed with swimming and also obsessed with him. I try and go every morning expecially on weekends.

" I remember that" I say to my mum blinking away the tears of the fond memory.

I left them to walk around the house. Christian said I could walk around a little bit to explore the house.

I walking upstairs and found a hallway. There were about three rooms up here.

I walked into one of the rooms and stood in awe when I saw the large room. It was a grey toned room with a dark black desk.

It looked like an office but also had a relaxing feel to it.

I traced my fingers against the desk. As I rounded the table I narrowed my eyes at the photos showing up on the screen.

What

There were just pictures of guys in army uniform and also of the family. The picture changed to a guy wearing a uniform. I glanced at the guys face and instantly stilled.

I can never forget those gorgeous eyes.

"Damon" I whispered the same time I heard a large loud bang from downstairs which was then followed by a scream.

"Natalie" I quickly ran out of the room racing down the stairs. I was scared.

As I slammed the door open to the lounge area I never expected to see the sight before me.

James was being held down by someone but i couldn't see their face.

" dude it was just a joke, there's no feelings there" James said his throat being held down. He tried to get the guy off him but he couldn't.

Strength was something James didn't have much of.

" she was depressed I only pitied her" every word coming out his mouth was making me feel uneasy.

Is James talking about me. Not like I really cared we ended it the other month.

It still hurt though.

" she's not a joke, I could kill you right now James" the guy said into his ear. It was clear though his voice had that rough tone to it.

Wait

No

I know that voice.

"Damon" my voice said quietly. His name slipping off my tongue like silk. I know he heard me . I saw his back tense up and James was instantly allowed to breath again.

Everyone looked anxious for what was about to happen.

Christian took this as the perfect time to get everyone out of the room. Natalie was just wiping away tears.

Once I heard the door shut. I dared to glance up at him. He had his back to me still. His hands pressed against the wall.

" Am I not worth looking at " I said keeping my voice strong.

" this is just brilliant, 5 years and your still the arrogant guy that left us all" I even laughed at the end.

I clicked my tongue and turned around to walk out. I barely moved two feet when I felt him grab my arm pulling me roughly against his chest.

" baby girl" I felt his lips move against my head. The nickname instantly bringing my memories back.

" don't do that " he said his hand moving round to wrap around me.

" do what" I said

He paused for a minute " walk away" he simply said.

At his words I roughly pushed him off me and walked towards the door again.

"If you can do it so easily , so can I" I said before slamming the door behind me leaving him alone. Just like he left me.