SKYLAR

"excuse me," she said in a low tone and then vanished from the room. The tension in there was killing her. She hemmed a sigh of relief the moment she stepped out.

Skylar loosed her mouth to stop her from leaving but she shut it when she met his warning smile. She shivered, and a cold sweat broke on her. She can't come to terms with the fact that this man would be the dead-end of her. She did everything he asked her to do so now what?

Can't he leave her alone? though is not like he would ever do that but she wished he would one day vanish from the world, that way she would also live happily.

" calm down Princess am not going to bite off your head at least not if you cooperate with me" he counted his steps, moving from the door towards her. Not leaving his devilish smile behind.

Skylar stepped back, her tiny legs shaking like a young tree taking the blow of wind.

What does he mean to cooperate? Will he be willing to kill her just like he did with her mother? Seriously! like he did to his son? She doesn't trust him even one bit, not like she has a choice. Free tears drained from her beautiful green eyes that were emitting nothing but pure fear.

"I know you need money so I have a deal for you and if you take it, it will do you good" he sat on her bed crossing his long legs and carrying a grin on his face. He seems pleased with the fear he has instilled in her. That is what he wants, if she fears him, she won't do anything stupid without thinking twice.

"A.......and if I...I disagree?" she stammered in a terrifying tone as if asking a favor from the devil." am sorry Princess but you don't have a choice" he laughed wickedly after ending his sentence. "Meet me at the Gracia hotel tomorrow at seven pm" he roared sternly adjusting his blue suit " I will let my men send you everything you will need to look beautiful" he Strode to the frozen girl and carefully dumped a heartwarming kiss on her forehead before strolling elegantly to the door " And don't keep me waiting" he warned and sealed the door after him.

Skylar was still in a daze, rooted to her spot when Juliet entered. She is now back in the lion's den.

"Princess Skylar!!" her voice reached her before her body. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand" Are you crying? And for what" she sounded annoyed. She lied to them, she made them believe she was an orphan when she had a rich father.

Juliet regrets her bad actions toward her. If she knew she was not as poor as she claimed, she would have been her best friend and not that foolish Tina.

Juliet Is angry because her lies have cursed her a good friend. " hey, Sky, " the girlish voice steered their attention.

Tina stood, holding the door. She looked worried and flickered her gaze to her suspect which is Juliet. Skylar lowered her eyes when she met her concerned blue eyes.

Tina is her best friend, the only person that took the place of her brother. Just like her brother, Tina was always her defender and protector. They do everything together and even share the same room." am sorry" she murmured and rushed out of the room, leaving Tina with no choice as she shot daggers at Juliet.

She was suffocating, her thoughts were pulling the air out of her lungs. She could feel her rib cage squeezing her heart with force. Life was out of her reach.

All these years, she thought there was a chance for her to stand aside from her past and continue her life as her mother would encourage her to do and also make her brother proud. That night, the red light fell on her, she was the one supposed to lose to death but he gave up his to make her live. Her brother traded his life for her! just to tell her how much he valued her.

Even when she thought she couldn't continue, she forced herself through all the hardship she had encountered because she didn't want to waste his effort.

But seeing him again after all these years, the presence of his murderous aura and evil smile has broken her wings, the will to fly high, and the zeal to push harder.

Thinking about everything carefully, there is no escape route for her. She is now the target????

His next prey!!!!

Tina stared at the closed door in shock. Skylar is not a crying babe, it seems she is seeing a different Skylar. She flickered her gaze towards Juliet who was standing with her hands crossed looking all annoyed" What is that look? Are you telling me I made that liar cry?" she sounded even more irritated at the accusation glare Tina was throwing her way.

She isn't that cruel, Skylar is also her friend just that at times she gets jumpy and rough with her that does not justify her hating her.

" Are you asking me to believe you?" Tina knew how cunning this Juliet girl could be. She is not someone that can be trusted." for God's sake Tina, I did nothing," she said sincerely but Tina just glared at her. But a small part of her believed her. Both girls fight a lot but Skylar has never lost to her. For crying out loud, she is the bad one here" She is a liar and for your information, his dad came here for a sweet visit. I hope you don't get surprised" She smiled and swayed her body out." What! " why is that coming from Julie's mouth?

Skylar is an orphan, how can that be possible? She couldn't bring herself to take her words seriously. " spoiled brat bitch" she hissed and rolled her eyes.

*******

Tina twisted the doorknob" Delivery for Miss Skylar" he was sure it was the right address. He looks at the small note to confirm the name. She sighed and took the pen to scribe her signature on the note "Thank you" she said and closed the door.

Skylar has not come out of her room since the previous day. She even refused to talk to anyone.

"what's up with that," Juliet asked passing her on the stairs." is not like someone can afford" She rolled her eyes.

Tina ignored her. What is the use of retaliating against her when she really can't afford it?

"come in" she heard the weak voice of Skylar behind the white door after knocking on it. She peered in to see her still lying on the bed, maybe it's not a good idea to bring up yesterday's issuer, she thought.

She loosed the pink box in the hand on the table" Sky, what happened to you, what the hell is making you commit suicide ?" her eyes looked puffer and red. She lifted her head and stared at the box sitting on her table"Delivery" Tina said "....am sorry for yesterday" she pleaded. Taking a glimpse of her.

"Since you are pleading why don't you tell me what happened? Juliet said your father came around?"

" yes my stepfather, trust me you wouldn't like to know him," she said with a small smile. it's enough that he got her family, she can't endanger them as well. " wow! I never knew my bestie has a father" Tina teased," oh spare me the title. He is nothing like my ideal father." her expression changed a little. The man she titled as a father in the past was the real killer of her mother and brother.

It's a sad story though. She was tempted to tell everything but first, she had to think about her safety. Anthony wouldn't mind dumping her body somewhere to protect his secret and stinky life.