After finishing her work, Skylar decided to stop by the house when she suddenly flinched. She quickly scanned the backyard after noticing something in her peripheral vision but found nothing. However, when she turned around, she instinctively delivered a powerful punch that landed squarely on her husband's palm.
"That's quite a powerful punch," Vincencio remarked with amusement.
"How did I not sense him behind me?" Skylar thought, maintaining her cold glare at him as she warned, "Do that again, Vince, and you might end up in the hospital."
"The last time I was sent to the hospital, I had a couple of broken bones." He shrugged his shoulders and was about to hug his wife but quickly stopped, and Skylar noticed it.
"What?" She wondered.
"You're still cold; that's why I'm not sure if I'm allowed," he admitted, causing Skylar to nod.
"Right, I almost forgot that," she replied nonchalantly as she entered the house to hide the blush on her cheeks.
***
The rest of Skylar's day was filled with paperwork, meetings, and updates on every project her company was managing. However, her hectic schedule did not allow for a relaxing coffee break, as she needed to travel to her hotel with a mountain view late in the afternoon. As a hands-on CEO, she was determined to ensure the upcoming gala at her hotel went smoothly, especially since it would be hosted by her trusted business friends, the Park-Kim couple.
"Is everything ready and set?" Skylar asked coldly as soon as she arrived at the Sky Lux Hotel & Gallery Restaurant near the mountain's edge.
"Just a few more touches and your insights, and the event hall will be ready," the hotel manager, Brandy Ashford, said as they rode the escalator to the second floor before walking toward the event hall where the galleries were located.
"That's good. Ensure that security is operating at its highest capacity. I don't want anything unfortunate to happen here," she responded firmly as they entered the large event room.
"Everyone is ready and on standby, Mistress Sky," Manager Brandy replied politely.
"Alright, let's check everything." She nodded, and they began inspecting the event room, examining everything from the spaces between tables to the table settings, the podium, the lighting, and the sound systems, all of which were thoroughly assessed.
"And here are our security measures and protocols for medical emergencies," Manager Brandy concluded as they wrapped up the tour. Skylar quietly reviewed everything before glancing over at her secretary.
"Medina, lead the security measures for the upcoming event," Skylar firmly instructed, aware that numerous business personnel would attend the gala. She also anticipated that even underground organizations might participate in the festivities. Turning to her hotel manager, she added, "And Brandy, well done. Keep up the good work."
"Thank you, Mistress Sky." Manager Brandy smiled with pride and gratitude as she politely bowed to her boss.
"Alright, everyone, two nights from now is our big night. Please ensure that everyone is safe and well-accommodated. I look forward to seeing your excellent work tomorrow night, and I expect nothing less from you," Skylar informed the team assigned to manage the event before returning for another round, as she also needed to check the kitchen for the meal preparations.
***
As night fell, her CEO mode reached its limit upon her arrival at her old penthouse with Medina. Skylar immediately collapsed onto her couch, groaning, which elicited chuckles of amusement from her friends. It was truly a rare sight to behold.
"That's a deep sigh," Joey remarked from the kitchen.
"Well, she's the CEO of two companies, which requires her to juggle paperwork and attend various meetings." Medina chuckled as she set down their belongings and poured a drink, offering some to Skylar.
"Ah, now I understand Vincencio's worry." With a playful smirk, Joey remarked, capturing Skylar's attention.
"What do you mean?" Skylar quickly asked, prompting them to exchange glances before grinning at her.
"I thought you were in your cold, wall-like façade?" Joey teased. However, Skylar glared at him, making Joey raise both hands in surrender.
"Just spill the tea, Joey, and tell me what you mean by that," Skylar insisted firmly, eager to understand his point.
"Alright, I'll tell you, since his cooking will reveal the rest," Joey replied indirectly, causing her to frown.
"He did what?" Skylar asked as she walked to the kitchen area where Joey was plating their dinner.
"All of these foods were prepared for you, and he said Medina and I can take our portions as well." He replied, but his tone shifted to one of serious concern. "He's worried about your health and well-being, Sky. You should go home to him."
"I appreciate your concern, but…" Skylar sighed, preparing to explain her perspective, when Joey abruptly interrupted her.
"You're going to lose him if you keep doing this," he interjected with a sigh, causing Skylar to glare.
"What are you saying?" she wondered with a frown.
"If you could see how sad he is, you wouldn't be staying here at your penthouse again," he responded with a sigh.
"It's his fault." She clicked her tongue and looked away, but deep down, she yearned for Vincencio's presence whenever they were apart. There was an invisible pull she could not comprehend, yet she was undeniably longing for him.
"It's not like you're hiding something from him as well," Joey scoffed bluntly.
"What's your point, Joey?" Skylar asked firmly, clearly annoyed.
"I rarely express what's on my mind, but you must hear it now. Skylar, you should understand where he's coming from, when you're hiding something from him too. If that secret weighs heavily to the point of causing fear, you should recognize that since you were frightened when he discovered that you are the infamous Rose Slayer in the city." Joey stated directly, ensuring his point was clear, which made Skylar listen attentively, as it was true—she also had a secret she could not share with her husband. "Both of you are hiding something while battling with your fears. So, don't assume this is a one-sided issue; you are both carrying the burden.
"Sky, Joey made a valid point. Consider his perspective; you're observant. You can do that at the very least." Medina smiled encouragingly, offering the advice that Skylar needed.
"You two… I'm grateful to have you as my friends." Speechless, Skylar felt thankful for their friendship.
"Well, we won't dare to be on your bad side," Joey teased, causing Skylar to shake her head.
"We have already seen the worst of you, and besides, we know you needed us to keep you on track," Medina added, winking at her.
"And Vincencio is contributing to it," she said, flattered, adding a knowing nod.
"Then melt that cold wall façade," Joey suggested, but Skylar shook her head with a smirk.
"Not yet, at least since the gala is approaching. There's something I want to see from him." Skylar's mood turned mischievous, and her friends knew exactly what it meant.
"You sly fox," Medina chuckled.
"Whatever, I'm starving." She rolled her eyes, and at that moment, her stomach grumbled as well.
"Here you go, boss," Joey teased as he handed Skylar her portion, which included her favorite dishes: vegetable salad, grilled steak, and black coffee.
Their dinner was splendid and heartwarming, thanks to the home-cooked meal prepared by Vincencio. However, Skylar struggled with household chores, particularly in the kitchen, she was asked to step away and focus on other tasks. With a defeated pout, Skylar chose to take a break and retreated to her old bedroom, where she decided to leave her husband a message.
Couple's Text Messages:
Vince's Wifey: Thanks for the full set meal.
Before Skylar could change her clothes, her phone began ringing with Start A War song by Jennie Kim, the ringtone she had assigned to her husband's calls. She wanted to let the music play in the background, but her hand moved and answered the call instead.
"What the heck, Sky? Why are you nervous? It's just Vince," Skylar thought to herself as she noticed her trembling hands when she quickly grabbed the phone. Taking a deep breath, she answered, "Yes, Hubby?"
'Finally, you called me 'hubby.'
"Um, why did you call?" Skylar wanted to slap her forehead for forgetting her cold façade and composed herself as she pondered the question.
'I just miss you. Is that so wrong?'
"Absolutely not. I miss you too," Skylar thought, but calmly replied, "No, it's not."
'Ahm, I miss hearing your voice since we rarely talk. I understand that you're busy, but I'm concerned. As your husband, I care deeply about you. Can I still take care of you as my wife?'
"Damn you, Vince! You're making my heart melt." She smiled as she removed the tie from her hair, attempting to calm her racing heart.
'Ahm, it's okay if you still don't want to, but may I at least be the husband who cares for you? Would you allow me to cook a meal for you and serve you?'
"Hubby, you're not a servant. You're my husband, so you don't need to prove your worth to me." She responded gently, momentarily forgetting her emotional barriers.
'I know, but something... Argh, I'm determined to win you back. How can I do that when I can't reach you? I want you close to me. I need you here. Please, come back home.'
Skylar was taken aback when she heard his pleading tone; his words were heavy, filled with emotions he had suppressed since she had given him the cold shoulder. What ached her heart the most was the sound of his sudden tears on the other end of the line.
"Is he crying?" she thought when she heard some sniffling on the other end before asking directly, yet gently, "Are you crying?"
'N-no…something just caught my eye.'
"Liar. You're crying." She rolled her eyes, but internally, her heart ached at the sound of it. "Stop crying. You're hurting my heart."
'Doesn't matter. It won't change what I did. I hurt you, and I will take the blame. Just... Please don't leave me.'
"He's…" she thought, recalling what Vincencio had once told her, which made her blood boil. She bluntly asked in an annoyed tone, "Who says I'm going to leave you? I might have cold tantrums, but that doesn't mean I'm leaving you."
'But…'
"NO MORE BUTS, VINCENCIO! I'M NOT GOING TO LEAVE YOU, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" she snapped, firmly reminding her husband, even though she knew it was her fault that Vincencio was suddenly shaken. "His fear of losing me…is getting out of hand."
'I do, but…'
"Why are you acting like a baby?" she thought before clicking her tongue and gently reminding him of her feelings. "Dammit, Hubby, I'm not going to leave you. I love you and always will. So get that through your head; engrave it. You're mine, just as I'm yours, and nothing or no one could ever change that, okay?"
'Okay, but I miss you. I need you here.'
"I can't go home yet. I still have plenty of work that needs to be done tomorrow," Skylar replied with a sigh as she leaned against the headboard, unaware that the cold wall was slowly melting away.
'I need you, Skylar.'
"Argh, why are you making this so difficult?" she internally complained as soon as she heard his firm response. After a brief internal struggle, she gave up and allowed him to approach her. "Fine, come to me now."
Skylar closed the conversation with a heavy sigh. She composed herself on her bed before proceeding with her intended task. As she attempted to relax, she sensed something unusual in her room. The silence was unsettling, causing her to rise from the tub and carefully put on her undergarments before wrapping herself in her robe. Being a vigilant mistress of the house, she quietly retrieved her concealed black revolver from the cabinet, fully loaded, and prepared herself. She cautiously exited the bathroom, observing, with a gun at her side. Feeling a presence behind her, she cocked her weapon and aimed it at the man's temple.
"WHAT THE FUCK, HUBBY?! I COULD KILL YOU WITH YOUR SNEAKINESS." Skylar shouted as soon as she saw the person she'd pointed her gun at.
"Well, I wanted to surprise you, but I'm surprised. You have a gun," Vincencio shyly defended and noticed the revolver. Skylar looked over her gun before sighing with frustration.
"Safety purposes," she replied as she sat on the bed, very mad.