Chapter 3 Skylar

• I woke up very late the next day, as the event of the night came rushing to my head. I blush red as I remember the taste of his lips on mine. I rub my fingers across my lips as I close my eyes to savor his taste.
• I open my eyes quickly when I remember Camille's word that he doesn't date employees. The tiny hope I had dies immediately. I stood up sluggishly from the bed and went to the bathroom to shower. Today being Sunday, I have promised mom that I will visit her today. 
• I dressed quickly in a yellow off shoulder gown with a nude sandals and walked into the sitting room to get my car keys. Opening the car door I got in and drove all the way to my mom's place.
• I arrived at my mom's to see her in her flower shop tending to flowers. My mom is the only person on planet earth that is addicted to flowers.
• Opening the glass door, the scent of flowers greeted me as I smiled, closing my eyes to savor the scent. I've missed this so much. My mom walk out of her office immediately she heard the door opening,
• “Skylar darling, how are you?” She hugged me tightly, it's been ages since I last saw her and she hasn't changed one bit.
• “Mom! I'm fine” I replied, hugging her back before I sat down on the couch beside her while she kept staring at me with surprise on her face.
• “Mom! ” I asked her, smiling “What is it?”
• “I'm just surprised you came to visit me today, considering that I've been begging you for ages now ” 
• “Whatever mom, ” I said, rolling my eyes as I stood up to go take a drink from the freezer.
• “Anything new with you ” She asked me as she sip the drink I gave to her.
• “Nothing new mom. Ha! Yes, I got a new job and the pay is good” I told her, smiling.
• “That's nice then. What kind of job is it?” Mom asked me.
• “Same old kind. I got a job as an assistant artist in a big company ” I replied shrugging “ What's going on with you mom?
• “Nothing, just me and my flowers. Any new guy in your life now” Mom asked looking at me. I avoided her eyes as I wonder if I should tell her or not..
• “Kind of” I reply after sometimes, she raises her eyebrows at me surprised silently urging me to continue. I scoff at her, did she think it will take forever for me to move on from Leon?.
• “But he does not love me back ” I continued as I tried to avoid her eyes.
• She gasps at me “ Why did you think so darling?”
• “Because he's my boss and he doesn't do employees. So I've heard”. I reply trying to show her that it doesn't affect me in any way.
• “Really?” Mom asked looking at me telling me with her eyes that she knows how badly I'm affected by it. She is the only person that knows me more than I know myself.
• “Yes mom. Anyway, let's leave that, I miss you so much” I said smiling at her. I went to hug her. I'm so happy I came to see her today instead of sulking all day at home.
• “Mom, guess what?” I said, smiling as I stared at her. She looked at me curiously
• “What is going to be more exciting than you telling me that you are in love with your boss”
• “Mom!” I exclaim, embarrassed with a slight pink blush on my cheeks. I can't believe she just said that.
• “Fine. Tell me already, you know I'm not good with this your guessing game” She said as she went behind the counter to arrange the flowers.
• “Okay fine, I will tell you. Vino kissed me yesterday at the party” I said avoiding her eyes, I wouldn't want her to  judge me. I don't even know why I said that.
• “What?. You went to a party yesterday?” Mom asked shocked with her mouth open.
• “Yes but it's not that kind of party you are imagining mom. It's a company's party” I replied as she snorted at me. I stuck my tongue back at her.
• “I don't know what to make of it since he doesn't do employees but I felt I need to get it off my chest. You know” I continue bitterly trying to make of the kiss we had. What does it mean?.
• Mom came over to hug me as she whispered to me “ It's alright honey. I'm sure you will figure it out” I sigh heavily as I hug her back.
• “Yes mom, I hope so too. I'm hungry mom, what did you cook? ” I ask her as I search around for a lunch box or something to eat.
• “Go and check for yourself at home ” She waves me off to concentrate on her flower arrangement.
• My mom's house is an extension of the shop not very far. A white bungalow with a small picket fence. She's so lucky that she stays in a safe neighborhood. I wouldn't want to imagine what could happen to her at night.
• I opened the door and walked in as the smell of flowers greeted me . I shake my head, smiling mom and flowers. I'm really surprised she didn't name me with anything flowerish like Darcy, Lilly. I shudder from the thought of me with such a name.
• I kick off my shoes and walk barefooted to the kitchen and dish out fried rice and salad for myself taking it with me to the dining, I sit down and take a spoonful of it into my mouth.
• “Oh! Yummy!” I said smiling to myself. How I've missed mom's cooking.
• “ I see you are enjoying yourself ” Mon smiles as she stands in the doorway to the dining with her hands folded across her chest. I didn't hear her come in, guess I was preoccupied with my thoughts.
• “Yes mom. I've missed this so much” I said to her as I take another spoonful of rice into my mouth.
• She walk in into the kitchen and sat next to me watching me curiously as I rush the food hurriedly “ be careful else you cho___” she couldn't complete her sentence as I went into round of coughing and  fanning air into my mouth
• Mom stood up as she came over to rub my back before handing me a glass of water. I took a sip of it and relaxed“ I told you to be careful. I don't know why you are rushing the food” she said after I had calmed down.
• “I need to be home early. I need to clean my room and pick  my dress for work tomorrow. I don't want to be late” I replied as I took another spoonful of rice into my mouth but this time I chewed it properly but swallowed it.  I don't want to choke on it again.
• “That's great honey!. I see you are getting better in the ' cleaning' department ” Mom smiles as she emphasizes the 'clean'. I roll my eyes at her, not a bit affected by what she said. It's not my fault that I don't have enough time to waste cleaning my room when I have someone to do that for me.
• “Mom! You know I don't like cleaning ” I replied sticking my tongue out at her.
• She laughs and watches as I take my plate into the kitchen to wash them, I stack them neatly in the dish drain to dry while I wipe my hands with the kitchen towel and go out to bade my mom goodbye.
• “Mom! I got to go ” I called to her. She walks out of her room just as I grab my bag and turns to walk out of the door.
• “Okay honey. Take care of yourself ” Mom said, pecking me on the cheek and waving at me while I walked over to my car which was parked in front of the flower shop.
• “And Skylar” Mom called out to me. I paused as I was about opening my car door.
• I turn to shoot her a questioning glance “ Yes mom”
• “Go get your man. I'm sure he loves you too” Mom said smiling. She's talking like Vino is an ordinary man I can get not my boss and a fucking billionaire. How does one get such a man?.
• I shake my head at her and enter into my car. Backing out of her driveway, I drove home with the thought of one man on my mind. Vino Thompson.
• ***
• Vino
• I plunged into her one last time and came undone in her hands. I stood up exhausted as I went into the bathroom to clean myself up.
• Walking back into the room, Camille was fast asleep as I walked out of the room into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. I took the coffee and went into my study to get some work done before tomorrow.
• Sitting down on my desk, the files were opened before me. I blink twice as I stare into the blank sheet in front of me, thinking of what to write on it. I gave up and took out my phone, my fingers hovering on the dial call while I contemplated on calling Skylar.
• The taste of her lips has been on my mind since yesterday still now. She tastes just as I've imagined “ Get a grip on yourself Vino. You need to submit this proposal to the board tomorrow ” I scolded myself as I shook myself to get rid of the thoughts of Skylar. I forced myself to concentrate on the file in front of me.
• Picking up the pen which I had discarded before. I try to write something down. The sound of my phone ringing made me abandon the work completely  since no meaningful word came to mind. I picked up my phone to see that it was Mr. Ernesto calling.
• “Hello. Vino speaking ” I called into the phone immediately I picked it up.
• “Hello, Mr. Thompson. I need a favour from you” Mr. Ernesto said going straight to the point. That's one of the things I like about him, he doesn't waste time with pleasantries but rather goes straight to the point.
• “Okay. What do you need sir?” I asked him with a hint of curiosity in my voice wondering what he might want since this is the first time he's asking for my help.
• “I need to borrow an artist of yours for a week or two” He replied as I went silent on the phone.
• “Why? Do you have another art centre to paint?” 
• “Yes, but it's in Mexico. I need Miss Evans to paint a mural for me since I'm impressed with what she did here” He replies as I frown, running my hand through my hair..
• “Okay,” I reply reluctantly as I stroll to the window looking out to the ocean across the street “ I will speak to her tomorrow and get back to you” 
• “Thank you,” Mr. Ernesto said and hung up. I slumped down on the chair. Emptying the already cold coffee in one go I stood up and walk back into the room to get another round of sex before retiring for the night.