5 - C'est la Vie

♡ Skylar ♡

Ethan and Hannah turned at once to look at Alfred before they turned back to me.

"Is that Alfred Miller, or are my eyes just seeing wrong?" Ethan asked the obvious.

Who else would it be except the asshole? I wanted to retort, but I decided against it.

"Also, why is she calling him Mr. Handsome? Is there something you guys are not telling me?" he added.

I ran my hands through my hair in frustration.

"I'll be right back," I mumbled and got on my feet, heading to their table, which was just two tables away from ours.

"We meet again, Ms. De Novo," Alfred called, his eyes twinkling in amusement as I stopped by their table.

I clenched my fists inwardly, new-found anger bubbling inside of me, even though I tried my best not to show it. All that was on my mind was to tug at Catherine's hair and yank it until her scalp felt sore and do something much worse to Alfred, and I did just that.

I grabbed Catherine's hair angrily, tugging it hard, just like she had done five years ago.

"You sl*t!"

"You still haven't stopped being the b*tch you are!" I spat bitterly.

"What the heck?! Are you crazy?" Catherine yelled, trying to free her hair, but-

"Skylar?"

I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts. My eyes darted to Catherine's hair, inwardly wishing I could tug at it for real, but I controlled myself. I grabbed Aurora's wrists instead.

"Pardon her for disturbing your dinner," I muttered, turning to leave before I caused any real harm.

"You don't have to worry, she's a sweet little girl," Alfred replied.

I forced an extra-sweet smile, one that looked too good to be true, and pulled Aurora away.

"But mommy-" Aurora started to complain when we got back to our seats, but a glare from me made her swallow her next words.

"Would you just quit it, Aurora?" I snapped angrily.

She lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, Mommy."

"I just wanted to say hi."

"Common Sky, don't be so hard on her," Ethan whispered.

"That's right," Hannah muttered, and I snapped my head to look at them.

"No! If I'm not, she'd never get it!"

In fact, I had just lost my appetite after seeing Alfred and Catherine. They just had to remind me of the one day I'd been trying so hard to forget. And if I didn't leave at once, I'd probably find myself in jail in the next few seconds.

"Skylar" Hannah started.

"I just lost my appetite, we'll see some other time." I cut her off and grabbed my bag from the chair, getting on my feet.

"Sky? Are you okay?" Ethan called, raising a brow in confusion.

"I'm fine"

"Bye," I muttered, and I headed for the exit, Aurora trailing behind me. She got into the backseat while I got in the driver's seat, started the car, and drove out of the restaurant.

★★

We had arrived home about two hours ago. I had taken a warm shower and changed into an ash sweatpants and tank top. I had been trying to get some sleep, but I just couldn't. The incident from five years ago kept replaying in my head, no matter how much I tried to push the thoughts away.

I sat upright on the bed, ruffling my hair in frustration.

Anger coursed through my veins, and my hands unconsciously reached for the night lamp, ready to smash it on the floor, but I stopped halfway. Slowly lowering the lamp, my eyelids went shut, and tears slipped out of my eyes.

Anger. That's exactly how I felt. I felt angered that he was living his normal life happily while I had been picking myself up for the past five years now. Yes, I was the CEO of LDN, but that didn't stop the nightmares I had or the broken heart I was trying to mend; it didn't stop it at all.

"I hate you so much, Alfredo Miller, and I promise I'll make you pay for everything."

I opened my eyes, placed the night lamp back in its place, and wiped my cheeks. Standing up from the bed, I walked out of my room, making my way into Aurora's, which was just the next room.

I slowly opened the door and switched on the light, fully making my way in.

My brows raised in surprise at seeing Aurora curled on the bed, eyes wide open.

I suddenly felt bad for snapping at her earlier. It wasn't her fault. She was just a five-year-old, oblivious to everything.

"Sweetheart," I called softly, moving closer to the bed.

Aurora peered at me as she sat upright on the bed.

"Are you still mad at me, Mommy?"

I could sense she was so close to tears, and I hated it. I hated when Aurora cried.

I shook my head and sat on the bed, pulling Aurora into my arms.

"Mommy is sorry for snapping at you earlier."

I pulled away and tucked some strands of her hair behind her ears.

"I'm not mad at you anymore."

Aurora smiled. "Thank you, Mommy."

I nodded and got to my feet as I watched her lay on the bed. I helped cover her with the blanket before bending over to place a kiss on her forehead.

"Goodnight sweetheart"

"Goodnight Mommy," Aurora's voice came out as a whisper.

I exhaled and turned around, heading towards the door. Switching off the light, I walked out and closed the door behind her.

I headed straight to my room, and as soon as I walked in, I heard my phone ding, indicating a notification. I grabbed it from the side table to see that it was from Lara.

- The mayor wants to meet with you at his office on Monday at 8 a.m. I've adjusted to put it on your schedule -

My forehead creased in confusion as I read the text again.

Why would the mayor want to see me? Was it something good or bad?

I quickly texted a reply.

- Was the reason stated? -

Lara's reply came almost immediately.

- No ma'am -

I dropped my phone back on the table.

I had no choice but to go see him.

I climbed on the bed and pulled the comforters over me once again. Reaching out to the bedside lamp, I turned it on.

I exhaled and shut my eyes, pushing away every negative thought and hoping to finally get some sleep.

★★

Monday...

I was currently sitting inside the large meeting room in the mayor's office, my face set in a scowl. My eyes darted to the wristwatch wrapped around my wrist, and I hissed in annoyance, seeing that it was thirty minutes past eight. One thing I hated was people not keeping time.

I was about to grab my bag and leave when the wooden door was pushed open and a guy who looked in his early thirties walked in.

"Ms. De Novo," he called, a small smile etched on his face as he walked up to me.

"Where's the Mayor?" I asked, not bothering to hide the fact that I was boiling with annoyance.

"I'm sorry the mayor won't be here today, he's currently attending to some really important matters."

"What?! "

"He sends his apologies," he added.

"Anyways, I'm David, the mayor's assistant, so I'm going to deliver his message to you instead."

I pinched the bridge of my nose and stared back at him.

"Okay, can we start now?"

He looked at his watch and the door, then back at me.

"I'm sorry, we have to wait for one more person."

"Who? Didn't the person get the same time as I did?" I snapped.

If it wasn't so obvious to the guy, David, I was already angry. Coupled with the fact I barely ate anything just because I wanted to keep time, and now someone was still not here even after getting the same time.

"I apologize, Ms. De Novo."

Before I could come up with a reply, I heard the door opening, and I looked toward it.

Immediately I saw who walked in, my eyes widened in shock.

Alfredo Miller. Again!

What was with the universe and f*cking up my not-so-perfect life? First at the mall, then the restaurant, and now this?!

"Mr. Miller"

His blue eyes stopped on me, and we stared at each other silently, as if trying to read each other's thoughts. When I couldn't take it again, I broke the gaze.

"Strolling in almost an hour late, what was I supposed to expect from Alfredo Miller anyway?" I scoffed as he took his seat a few chairs away from mine.

"C'est la Vie, Amore," Alfred smirked.

I raised a brow, a retort at the tip of my tongue when David beat me to it.

"Ms. De Novo, Mr. Miller, can we get to why we are here?" David asked, and I turned to him immediately, forcing a smile.

"Please,"

He nodded and handed us each a document. I opened the paper, taking a cursory look at it.

My eyes furrowed, seeing that it was a contract with both our names on it.

"What's this for?" Alfred voiced out my thoughts.

"The mayor is planning on building a resort," David started.

"After searching for the best team to take over the work, he has decided that Miller's Group and LDN will be the perfect ones."

"What?!" I exclaimed.

"The mayor decided on you both because Miller Constructions has been known for their wonderful structures and building design, and we have LDN, the recent best interior design company in the States that everyone is talking about."

"So if you both can work together and put your skills and knowledge to use, then the resort will come out perfect."

"What's our gain in this?" Alfred asked.

"The mayor is giving a million dollars as a reward, plus more exposure for both companies once the resort is finished good and fine."

"Other benefits are listed in the contract."

I stared at the document.

Work with the man I despised the most? Definitely not.

Well, the mayor's offer was a little too enticing, it was good for my company as I was still growing, and it will surely give me the exposure I wanted. More investors and international contracts even. It was perfect for me.

But Alfred? He wasn't. Accepting the contract meant I'd be seeing him more often than I wanted. Not just me, but Aurora too. That was not what I was aiming for when I started to plot out my revenge plan.

"I'd like the both of you to think things through and sign this contract." David's voice brought me back to reality.

"The mayor is giving you only a day to make a decision," he added.

"If there are no questions, you're free to leave, we will see tomorrow."

"I'd take my leave now." I forced a smile at David as I grabbed my handbag and stood up, walking out of the room immediately.

I heard the door slam behind me, and I increased my pace, but then a hand grabbed my wrist, stopping my movement. I turned immediately and yanked my hands from Alfred's grip as though his hands were burning with fire.

"What?" I snapped.

"I hope you weren't too hard on your daughter last night," Alfred asked, his eyes narrowing in concern.

What was his concern, anyway?

"Why does it bother you?" I retorted, glaring hard at him.

His eyes narrowed like he couldn't believe what I just said. The concern in his eyes was now replaced with frustration.

"Are you kidding me right now?"

"You know, if we are going to be working together, you have to quit this rude behavior of yours."

"Oh, so I am rude!"

"Yes! And you think everyone should put up with your behavior."

"Give yourself some break, would you?"

I took a step towards him, we were so close that we were just an inch away from each other.

"Don't you dare talk that way because you have no idea at all?"

"Because this is all your f*cking fault!"

I took a step back, still holding the scowl on my face.

"Goodbye, Mr. Miller," I muttered, and I turned around, walking away immediately.