“I won’t affect Skylar. I believe that’s just your prejudice against me, Mr. Ford. Skylar and I have been friends for decades. We’re as thick as thieves. Perhaps I hold more weight in her heart than you.”
Tobias scoffed, “I hope so.” The icy look in his eyes intensified.
Dissatisfied, Penelope pursued further, “Have you met Brayden’s wife? He told me that the two of you are very close.”
Tobias kept quiet. So what if Brayden and I share a bond?
Right then, Skylar walked out with a bowl of pasta. Wearing a pair of heat-insulating gloves, she carefully served the oval-shaped bowl in front of Tobias.
“You guys go ahead and enjoy your meal. Please excuse me,” Penelope uttered.
Skylar called out to her and led her to the guest room upstairs. I should’ve told Tobias in advance that I’ve got a guest at home, then it wouldn’t have been so awkward for Penelope.
She asked for a pair of pajamas, but Skylar could not offer her any because hers were extremely revealing.
A few days ago, she even received a fishnet one, which she had chucked aside in the wardrobe. Her array of nightgowns spoke volumes about Tobias’ fetish.
Penelope did not insist. She removed her jacket and lay down on the bed. Seeing Penelope’s bulging belly, Skylar felt so sorry for her.
After helping her to settle in, Skylar headed downstairs only to find Tobias had already finished the entire bowl of pasta. He was puffing on a cigarette with his eyes squinted as white smoke lingered around him.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier that you’re coming? I didn’t get to prepare a proper meal.” Skylar wanted to bring the bowl into the kitchen.
Tobias grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his embrace. “Since when there’s a rule that requires me to inform before showing up?”
Skylar looked at the stairwell. Thank goodness Penelope isn’t here.
“This is the invitation to your father’s birthday banquet tomorrow.” Tobias fished out two invitation cards from his pocket.
In the past, Thomas never really had the chance to talk to Tobias. It was on Skylar’s account that Tobias accepted the former’s invitation.
Skylar knew about the birthday banquet. She did not plan to attend it initially—not until she found out that Miranda was going to be there too.
Miranda updated her happily over the phone that Thomas would be announcing his divorce with Irene on his birthday. With that, their hard days would soon come to an end.
“Are you going?” Skylar asked.
Tobias answered half-heartedly, “Well, I’ve never attended a birthday party before, except for my mother’s. Then again, if you’re going, I’ll be there to keep you company. I’m afraid that you can’t cope with it alone.”
Smiling, Skylar said, “Don’t you think that you’re a dangerous man, Tobias Ford? When you pamper me, you make me feel like I’ve got the whole world in my hands. Conversely, when you give me the cold shoulder, I feel like I’m in the deepest pit.”
Tobias could sense grievances from her tone of voice and reflected on himself. Indeed, when I’m focusing on a task at hand, I won’t even think about Skylar.
Penelope left super early the next morning. She informed Skylar through text message that Brayden had picked her up.
During breakfast, Skylar attempted to pry some information from Tobias. “What do you think is the chance of Penelope and Brayden getting together? How’s Brayden’s relationship with his wife?”
Last night, Penelope was the one who tried to dig information from Tobias. Right then, it was Skylar’s turn.
Knowing that Tobias disliked gossiping, Skylar had to work harder to get him to talk.
Cupping her hands around her face, she bit her lips, winked at him bashfully.
Eventually, Tobias caved in. “Brayden’s wife has gotten used to him being a playboy. So, they won’t get a divorce. Penelope won’t be the only woman who has his child. In other words, she can deliver him a baby, but he certainly won’t take responsibility for it. Do you understand?”
