The moment felt surreal to Skylar, and she wondered if her ears were playing tricks on her. Her suspicions, however, were confirmed when Tobias immediately shielded Skylar with his body as they both continued staring at the bed. An abrupt hush had descended upon the room, leaving only the sound of their anxious breathing.
Tobias crept over to the bed, then bent over slowly to peer under it. Another pair of eyes instantly met his. Tobias barely flinched, but Skylar was so taken aback that she gave an ear-splitting scream.
Skylar watched, stupefied, as a man crawled out from under the bed. Fortunately, the entire room was brightly lit, and the scene looked more absurd than horrifying.
Tobias held onto Skylar protectively, his watchful gaze never leaving the body of the man who had wriggled his way out from underneath the bed. The man was short and of a small frame. The camera and voice recorder that he clasped in one hand instantly betrayed his profession.
“I think I have entered the wrong room and fell asleep! I’m so sorry for disturbing you. I’ll head back to my room now,” the man mumbled foolishly, already threading his way to the door at top speed.
Tobias marveled at the audacity and persistence of these tabloid reporters. He’d only left the room once in the afternoon, so the reporter must have snuck in then and hidden ever since. What if I hadn’t been around? Tobias fumed.
Skylar would have unwittingly gone to bed with a man lying below her. What if he was a pervert? What would stop him from having his way with this helpless woman?
Skylar had barely recovered her wits. Her heart was still thumping wildly as she said hoarsely, “Where did you come from? What the hell were you doing beneath my bed?”
The reporter immediately took to his heels, preparing to flee. Tobias had anticipated this and raised his leg to deliver a sturdy kick on the reporter’s knee. The latter collapsed with a howl of agony and crumpled to the floor clutching his knee. The entire room had heard the audible sound of bone breaking.
Tobias squatted beside the reporter, casually observing as he shook and whimpered in pain and fear. “Tell me. What were you doing hiding down here? You paparazzi really know no bounds.”
Gasping, the reporter stammered, “Mr. Ford, I didn’t want to do this either, I swear! I didn’t take any pictures. Let me go, I beg you! I’ll never do it again.”
Skylar frowned. Anger had now replaced her initial shock, and she took a step forward. “How did you know that he was Mr. Ford? Who sent you here? Which media company do you work for?”
Tobias delivered a heavy blow to the reporter’s face. “If you already knew who I was, you should know what I do to people who don’t tell the truth. I’ll give you one last chance. Why are you here?”
The reporter trembled in submission. He knew full well Tobias’ reputation for brutality.
Reluctantly, the reporter replied, “The other Mr. Ford sent me, asking me to report everything you did, right down to every single word you said. I’m a private detective! You came back just as I was fixing my cameras in the room. I’m just a pawn! I’m begging you to let me go, Mr. Ford. I’ll never take on a job like this again.”
Skylar could scarcely believe her ears. How can Sheldon, always so frivolous and careless, be the mastermind behind this evil scheme?
The thought that Sheldon had actually stooped to spying on his own brother was more perplexing than the reporter’s presence in the room. Based on Skylar’s impression of Sheldon, he neither had the means nor motive to carry out such a cunning plot. Or was Sheldon fooling us all along? Skylar wondered.
Beside her, Tobias burst into a bitter laugh.
Skylar turned to Tobias and glimpsed in his eyes a mix of rage and utter disappointment.
Tobias stood up, then spat, “Go back and tell Sheldon that he’s making a big mistake. He’d better learn to stay in his own lane.”
Tobias stalked off. Without a moment to lose, the reporter stumbled out of the room. In his haste, he collided heavily with the door frame. Reeling, he nonetheless pressed forward blindly, hell bent on escaping from Tobias.
Skylar’s mind was now in a tumult. Upon sensing the gloomy aura that surrounded Tobias, the questions that had rushed to her lips died away just as quickly.
Skylar slipped her hand into Tobias’ tentatively and offered meekly, “Why don’t we go out for a walk? The nights here are really serene and beautiful.”
Tobias looked unmoved, his expression entirely blank. The only trace of emotion he revealed was in the barest quiver of his voice as he replied, “You should get an early rest. Don’t be late tomorrow.”
Skylar said nothing. Unlike his blunt self, Tobias now seemed defensive, secretive almost. Tobias was not usually in the habit of expressing his emotions, but he appeared even more guarded now.
