An Unwanted Gift

Skylar's POV

I shot upright, my gaze sweeping across the room.

A sigh of relief escaped me as i spotted Joan moving around the room. She was dressed in a nightgown, her hair falling messily around her shoulders as she hummed quietly.

Gosh, i hate getting drunk. My head goes completely blank the next day.

"Fuck, my head aches."

"She is awake." Joan grinned, walking up to me with a cup in her hand. "Drink." She handed the cup to me, taking a seat beside me on the bed.

"What is this?" I eyed her, taking it from her.

"For your hangover." The corners of her lips curled upward, then she cleared her throat, her eyes still fixed on me.

I stared right back at her, taking a sip. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You don't remember what happened yesterday?"

My stomach twisted a little. "I... can't forget what that bastard Jace did."

"No, not even that. After that, we went to a club. Remember?"

"Any problem."

She narrowed her eyes as she grabbed her phone and turned it toward me.

My brows knitted together as a video began playing on her screen. I've seen something like this.

I stared at the screen, eyes widening. "Wait, this wasn't a dream!"

"It's not a dream, girl. You left me in shock." She fanned herself with one hand and let out a chuckle.

I dropped back onto the bed, pulling a pillow over my face. "Let the ground open and swallow me," I groaned, hitting my head lightly with it. ”Delete it.”

"Come on, no one can recognize you in it." She laughed, pinching the screen to zoom in on the video. "See?"

Leaning closer, I squinted at the screen.

My back was turned to the camera, but the man in front of me was facing it, his face clearly captured. My face burned as recognition hit me. I knew that face from my aunt's housewarming party.

"Don't tell me you were recording a video of me kissing a stranger. You could have stopped me. I was obviously wasted," I hissed, pinning her with an icy stare.

She raised her hands in defense. "I swear, Skylar, I was also drunk. I don't even remember taking the video."

I stared at her in disbelief, pointing a finger at her. “You did that on purpose just so you could taunt me later.”

“Oops, she’s angry.” Her lips twitched, clearly enjoying every second of my irritation.

"Even if my face isn’t visible, those bloggers will still make a story out of it if this gets out.” I looked away for a moment. “What about the guy? Do you know anything about him?”

"Damien Rodriguez?" she answered.

I repeated the name in my head, then turned to her sharply. “How did you know?”

“That’s what I heard. He looks rich, though.” She bit back a laugh as she studied me.

I rolled my eyes."Good for him."

Aunt Bianca’s call came in shortly after. I watched her name flash across the screen before ignoring it.

"Come to the estate immediately when you see this," her message popped up on my screen.

Did she find out about what her daughter and Jace did?

"We'll talk later, Joan." I grabbed my jacket lying carelessly on the bed and slipped it on.

Not like I want to see her. My head pounded with every step I took. I just wanted to get home, take a cold shower, and collapse on my bed.

A package sat at her doorstep, neatly wrapped with a red ribbon. "Joan!" I called, putting on my shoes at the doorway. "There's a package here for you."

I stepped outside and pulled out my phone to arrange a private ride. There was no need to trouble Joan over a ride home.

Halfway to the gate, a scream pierced the air. My heart skipped a beat. I spun around and sprinted back, shoving the door open.

“Joan!” I yelled, rushing inside.

She stood close to the door, completely unharmed, staring at the table like she had seen a ghost.

I leaned against the door and placed a hand to my chest. "You scared the hell out of me," I hissed, straining my neck to see what had startled her.

She took a step back. "Don't come any closer, traitor."

I gave her a baffled look. “What did I do this time? You're being dramatic.”

"You bought the limited-edition dress I've been dying to get and didn't even tell me."

My brows furrowed. "What dress are you talking about?"

Without a word, she pointed at the package sitting on the table.

I moved over and pulled it closer. Lifting the lid, I froze. A red gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline and a deep slit, clearly worth a fortune.

"Oh my goodness." My fingers brushed over it. "It's so fucking beautiful," I exclaimed, carefully lifting it from the box.

A small note fell from the box. To Skylar.

"What the heck?"

Joan straightened, inching closer. "What is it?"

I stared at the note, then at the dress. "This... this is for me." I laughed softly. "I thought it was yours."

"You mean you didn't order it?" she asked, her voice coming out as an almost yell.

I shook my head. "No."

She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

I looked down at the dress again, my excitement slowly giving way to confusion. I hadn't ordered it. "I don't know who sent it."

She lifted a shoulder, running her fingers over the package. "There is nothing on the package to indicate who sent it. Maybe Jace?"

"Jace gifting me?... That's impossible."

"Or an admirer. It might still be Jace, though. Who knows? Like an apology kinda thing." She deepened her voice, mimicking him. "Skylar, I'm sorry. Forgive me. I—"

I held the dress out to her"That's his business. You can have it."

She threw her arms around me, squeezing the life out of me. "I love you sooo much, Skylar."

I pushed her lightly, giving her a playful poke on the head. "See you later. I need to head home."

...

The ride home was quiet, giving me enough time to think about my now not-so-perfect life.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, the sound making my pounding head ache even more. I sighed, reaching for it, and swiped to answer the call without looking at the name.

"Switch to video," the voice on the other end said.

I pulled the phone away from my ear and looked at the screen.

Aunt Bianca.

I switched to a video call. The moment her face appeared on the screen, I already knew this wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation.

"Jace called. The wedding was called off. Why?"

"Wait... he didn't tell you the reason?" I blurted out, shock evident in my voice.

“No.” Her eyes narrowed on the screen. “He said you told him you were tired and wanted to end it. Why, Skylar?”

Well, she wasn't aware of Ava and Jace's relationship? It wasn't my place to tell her.

She adjusted the phone in her hand, her frustration clear even through the screen. “I was also going to introduce you to some business associates after the party, but you disappeared. Do you think I threw that housewarming party just to celebrate? It was for business, Skylar!”

“I don’t want to go through with the wedding anymore. Uncle was the reason it started in the first place, and he’s no longer here. Let’s just end it.”

"A woman is the neck of her home, Skylar."

I arched a brow. "Okay, so?"

"No marriage is perfect, but it is her patience that keeps the family together in stormy seasons." She paused, her eyes searching mine. "You should be a role model to Ava. “I’ll call a meeting with Jace. You guys should talk it out and…”

I'd had enough. I tapped the red icon ending the call.

Can't believe I just wasted my time listening to some annoying lecture. My phone buzzed again, and I let out a groan.

Ava had tagged me in a post online . I stared at the image on my screen, showing her and Jace.

He had always wanted our relationship to remain a secret. He never acknowledged me, not even once. Yet here he was, looking at her so intensely.

I bit the inside of my cheek and gently tapped my shoulders.

I’ve got myself. This too shall pass.

Just as I reached to put it into my bag, a message from an unknown number popped up with just a "hello" emoji.

Who messages someone for the first time without introducing themselves? I slipped the phone into my pocket while concentrating on the window.

Another buzz followed from the same number. A kiss sticker appeared on the screen, followed by a video.

For a second, I just stared at the screen.

Pressing my lips together, I unlocked it and tapped on the message.

The same video Joan had shown me appeared on the screen. This time, my face was visibly clear.

A new message appeared almost immediately.

*You gave the dress to your friend. Why? Don’t you like it?

I drew in a slow breath. "Can't I just have a peaceful day for once."

"Any problem, ma'am?" the driver asked, not tearing his eyes from the wheel.

"No." I forced a smile.

I dialed Joan's number, but it went straight to voicemail.

*If you're seeing this message, don't touch that dress. Burn it if you have to.

Wait...

My hands turned cold as I stared at my phone screen. How did this person know I had given the dress to Joan?