4 - Mr Handsome

♡ Skylar ♡

"Rora?!" I called. She didn't reply, so I turned to look at her.

I sighed, seeing that she was no longer standing beside me.

Hannah placed the black gown back on the rack and looked at me.

"She must have left while we were arguing."

I rubbed my temples tiredly.

Gosh, I can't deal with this girl always running off when we are at the mall.

"I'll go check for her before she gets herself injured like the last time," I said to Hannah, who just nodded in reply, and I walked away.

I started with the children's section, but she wasn't there. As I moved past the racks, my eyes suddenly fell on Aurora, but she wasn't alone. She was talking to someone. I walked up to them immediately.

"What in the world do you think you're doing?" I snapped at the guy, and Aurora turned to me just at the same time he did.

Immediately our eyes met, I froze. Literally. My breathing hitched as his blue eyes bore into mine like he was trying to read something.

Those striking blue eyes I'd always recognize, anywhere, anytime. My mind suddenly replayed the last time I saw him in person. The look of pure hate and disgust he gave me was something I'd never forget—a sight that lives rent-free in my head. He hadn't changed much.

He still had the same electric blue eyes I once fell in love with, his black hair in curls falling over his face, his jawline sharp and defined, and his perfect lips that I was once head over heels for. But not anymore. Not anymore.

What was he doing here? I had been preparing for this moment for the past few years, but that was until I got my revenge. I never planned for him to meet Aurora. Not now, not ever.

Wait, what was I thinking? He wouldn't recognize me anyway. I wasn't the same woman he knew five years ago. He knew Valerie McCoy, and I was Skylar De Novo.

"Skylar De Novo?" He called, pulling me out of my train of thought as he stood straight.

I forced a blank look on my face, grabbing Aurora's wrists. Harsher than I intended to.

"You have a daughter?"

"And how's that any of your business?" I retorted sharply.

I was using every ounce of self-control I had to not close the distance between us and make him feel the same pain I felt five years ago.

"Woah, take it slow, Amore, do you even know who I am?" He replied, clearly amused by my sharp comment.

"Is it that obvious I don't care?"

He chuckled, crossing his arms, and I couldn't help but wonder what was so funny.

"You didn't mention in your interview yesterday that you were this hot-headed."

"Yeah, I am, only to jerks like you."

He feigned a hurt look, shortly placing his folded fists on his chest.

"That hurts, but your daughter doesn't think of me as a jerk, though."

I glanced down at Aurora immediately, arching a brow.

"What?"

"Yes, Mommy, he saved me from slipping off the wet floor." She smiled widely.

I exhaled and turned back to Alfred, who was already staring at me, a smirk dancing on his lips.

Oh, how I so wanted to wipe that smirk off his face.

I bit the inside of my cheeks to stop myself from replying. I wasn't going to do him the honors. I didn't even know why the hell I was still standing and exchanging words with him.

Still holding onto Aurora, I prepared to walk away, but his next words made me halt.

"Wow? You're not even going to thank me for helping your daughter?"

"I'd rather kiss my ass than thank an asshole."

I ignored the look on his face and turned instead.

"Bye, Mr. handsome!" Aurora waved at him.

"See you soon, sweet sticks," he replied as we walked away.

Once we were out of earshot, I halted my movement and turned to Aurora.

"What did you think you were doing?"

She looked at me through her lashes, giving me that damn puppy look I could never resist.

"He's not a bad person, why do you hate him?"

"His eyes are so blue, just like my own, and yours, he's so handsome too, can he be my daddy?" Aurora continued.

I shook my head, folding my fists by my side, as anger slowly began to seep into me.

Why did he have to come to the boutique? Of all days, he came when I was here with Aurora.

I hate you so much, Alfred F*cking Miller.

"Mommy?" Aurora's voice made me look back at her. I calmed my nerves as I squatted to her level, reaching out to hold both of her shoulders.

"Are we going to see him again?" She asked softly, her eyes glimmering in hope.

"Look, sweetheart, he's not a good person, he-"

"But he saved me from falling." Aurora cut me off, a frown settling on her face.

I exhaled as I pulled her into my arms. There was no possible reason I could give her. He had saved her, but did he save me? Did he save us when we needed it?

I mean, I just couldn't bring myself to tell her that he was her father, the same one who turned his back on me and left without another thought, believing rumors rather than me. I'd just have to make sure they never met again. I knew Aurora, she was persistent when she wanted to be. Just like an asshole I know.

"Woah, what's going on here?" Hannah's voice made me pull away from Aurora, and I stood upright.

"Nothing," I replied, making sure to mask every emotion from Hannah, but from the look on her face, I knew I failed at my attempt.

Instead of pushing it, she nodded.

"Ethan just called, he's back in New York, and he wants us to meet in a restaurant for dinner." Hannah smiled.

Ethan's actually Hannah's college friend, somehow we met, one thing led to another, and we've been close friends ever since. Only that he had no idea about my past. Hannah was the only person I told.

I forced a smile as I held Aurora's hand once again.

"Really? That's cool."

Again, she gave me that 'seriously?' look, but I pretended not to notice.

"What time?" I asked instead.

"7 pm"

I nodded, and at that instant, Aurora wriggled out of my grip, running ahead of us.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Hannah finally asked, casting a glance my way immediately Aurora was out of earshot.

I cracked my fingers, something I always did when I was stressed or tired.

"I met Rora talking to Alfred when I went to look for her."

Hannah stopped walking immediately, and I mirrored her actions.

"Mwoya! (What!)" Hannah exclaimed with wide eyes.

"Does he recognize you?"

"Of course not!"

"That asshole! I feel like kicking his ass right now." Hannah frowned, curling her fists tightly. She looked at me and suddenly took a step closer and wrapped her arms around me, engulfing me in a tight hug.

"It's okay, babes, you're better now."

I fought back the tears that threatened to slip out as I nodded, wrapping my arms around Hannah in return.

When we finally pulled away, I gave her a small smile.

"Thank you"

"What besties do" Hannah winked, earning a smile from me, and we walked back to her office.

★★ 7 pm

CrescentNight Restaurant...

I parked my car skillfully in the parking lot, and just as I removed the key from its hole, my phone rang out loud. I sighed and fished out the phone from her bag.

A small smile crept to my face when I saw Mom's name flashing on the screen. Swiping across the screen, I answered the call.

"Good evening, Mom."

"Skylar! It's been a while, don't you think?"

"I'm sorry, Mom, I've been so busy with work."

"How's Dad and Sam?"

"We are good," Mom replied with a sigh.

"I'm going to stop over after I leave the office on Monday, how about that?"

"Perfect"

I chuckled, twirling the key in my hands.

"I've missed you so much, Mom."

"Me too. Send my greetings to little Rora."

"Sure, bye, Mom!"

I ended the call and tucked the phone back in my bag.

Aurora opened the door and got out, and I did the same, locking it securely before holding Aurora's hand, and we headed into the restaurant. The restaurant was pretty big and beautiful on the inside. It had a purple and black background, artificial flowers hanging here and there, and dark purple lights turned on, giving the place a dark glow. Aesthetically pleasing. Perfect for privacy. Ethan chose well.

Staring around, I sighted Ethan and Hannah already seated on a table just by the glass wall, facing the parking lot, and we headed towards them.

"Uncle Ethan!" Aurora exclaimed, released herself from my grip, and rushed to Ethan.

I rolled my eyes at her dramatic run and slipped into the seat opposite Ethan.

"Aww, my little princess!" Ethan chuckled as he pulled her into a tight hug.

When Aurora pulled away to take her seat, he looked at me with a smirk on his face.

"Hey"

"So now you see me?" I snickered, rolling my eyes, and that got him chuckling.

"Jealous much?"

"You wish," I scoffed, and he laughed.

We ordered our food, and after some minutes, we were attended to, and we dug in immediately.

"So how was your trip?" I asked after I took a sip of water from the glass cup.

"It was great. I know you missed me," he winked.

"If you keep saying that, you'll make me puke." I rolled my eyes, turning my attention back to my meal.

"Hannah, what did you do to Sky while I was away?" Ethan joked.

"Nothing much," Hannah replied, her voice laced with mischief.

"Mr handsome?" Aurora's tiny voice suddenly cut me off from what I was about to say.

I stilled, gripping my fork tighter than I was supposed to.

As far as I knew, Aurora only referred to one person as Mr. Handsome.

Alfredo f*cking Miller

What was he doing here? Why was he suddenly everywhere I was?

I slowly looked up to see Alfred already staring at me with his signature smirk. Damn, this man for always ruining my life.

He wasn't alone, he was sitting with Xander, and a lady sat opposite them. Nobody needed to tell me who the lady was. Catherine Rodriguez. The number three on my list

"Mom, it's Mr. Handsome," Aurora added.

"Who's Mr. Handsome?" Ethan and Hannah asked in unison, both looking confused.

Alfred suddenly waved at Aurora, and that was all it took for her to rush towards him.

Well, f*ck my life.