“Relax! She did not say anything. She did not spit the food out of her mouth either. It might mean that the taste was somehow bearable,” I comforted myself. And I thought of something else to offer her.
“Coffee or juice?” I asked timidly.
When she said she’d love to have a glass of fresh fruit juice, I did not dally.
After I gave Skye the second glass of juice as she had asked for a refill, I saw Marco looking as shocked and astonished as I was when I realized Skye was talking to me. But since I had somehow adjusted to my mind-blowing emotions, I broke the silence and greeted Marco.
“Hey!”
I guess Marco also bit h
“That was my seventh birthday gift from dad Ted,” Skye said in between huffs of breaths and wiping her tears from having a fit of giggles and cackles.“Wow! I am more amazed that despite you knowing what was inside the box actually, you still jumped as if it was the first time you’d seen it in your life,” I said with chuckles. I was really amused at how she bounced on her seat as soon as the monkey inside the box of wooden made, creative and decorative box.“I was still about to ask you about what you guess was inside it when Jack the monkey popped out of his hiding,” Skye said with the smile on her face never fading.“I never thought it would be what it is,” I answered as I tried to put the box the way it was when I spotted it earlier. I closed
“I only want to talk to you,” a man in his late fifties almost, wearing an elegant suit, blatantly declared as soon as we got into Marco’s office. He was already waiting in the receiving area of Marco’s office when we arrive.“If that is the case, I am afraid that is not possible. You can forget we met and cancel whatever deal you were offering,” Marco decisively answered.“Are you sure about that?” the man in suit leisurely commented. He even sat with his legs crossed, left above his right knees. “Think about what you will lose if we cancel this deal….”Marco clenched his teeth. Based on what I could see, the man was holding some kind of ace card to threaten Marco the way he did, and Marco was somehow a bit shaken about the possible resu
Marco’s POVIt was refreshing to see and watch Skye and Gab share a joyful leap of laughter after jumping at the same time when the wooden box Gabriel was holding suddenly opened, and a funny-looking monkey toy sprang out of it. I could not help joining their boisterous cackles and guffaws as they both seemed to bust their sides. I know it meant more for Gab than how it might appear to be, but I am happy for him as well. I had hoped the tension would die down between these two precious people I now regard as my living family. As weak as it might sound or appear to anyone who knew and knows me well, Gabriel and Skye are the dearest people I have in my life right now. I don’t know how to explain how they both came into my life in different ways, but they have one thing in common. They both saved my life! Intentionally or by mere coincidence, fate had brought them into my path. Somehow, somewhere down my labyrinth, they happened to cross, and now, they both weigh so much more to me t
I did not get any answer from the two, so I paused in my tracks, and my eyes took turns looking at Skye and then at Gab, asking silently what was wrong. I noticed the look in Gab’s eyes was the same as mine. He was also asking, and the only difference was the questions in his eyes and mine. I knew I could not conceal my expressions from this man since he knew me for more than a decade now, but I was hoping he would not be so vocal asking right in front of Skye. I guess my thoughts were accurate, considering Gab seemed to hold his tongue from asking me verbally. But…“What’s wrong?” Skye asked. I could sense the wary in her tone, and I wanted to slap my own head for not being able to hide any of my emotions from her. I even tried to deny it and make her think she was wrong to think something was off, but her next words shattered me into a million pieces. “I don’t know if Gab here is buying it, but I am not. So, just spit it out,” Skye’s eyebrows drew a line on her forehead, eyeing G
“And maybe I am just feeling so guilty that I could not keep my word to Skye since I said we could stay here all day if she wanted to, and now I had to go, but I do not want to leave her behind,” I groaned and sighed in frustration.I blew a few big breaths with my self-mockery.“I know I can trust you with her, but I don’t feel comfortable leaving her behind. I hope you understand, man,” I turned to eye on Gab, defeatedly.Gab shook his head as he smiled back at me when he heard my words.“It’s not like Skye would want to stay behind either,” Gab chuckled. “Besides, I would feel more comfortable to have you both under my watch, just in case chaos comes swinging by, by any chance,” he added.&nb
Before anyone could say anything, Skye continued with her words while checking my safety belts securely fastened.“I was there the whole time my dad was restitching your wound. You were naked that time. You had a blanket covering your lower body, but when he realized that your catheter got misaligned, he had to do it again, so I also have seen whatever you are desperately trying to hide from me right now,” she stated like it was a matter of fact trivia and not something I should feel so embarrassed about.Nevertheless, I felt so naked even with all my clothes still on, covering my entire body decently. I had to beg her to stop her litany. I was worried my flushed face would not be enough. The car might flood with my blood seeping out of my ears and eyes in so much torture from her mere words.
Skye’s POVWhen we arrived at the car parked in the yard, all ready and waiting for us to leave, I got into my usual seat in it and was actually expecting Marco would do the same. I just realized I was wrong to think so when Gab told Marco to sit in the back. I looked at the two upfront of the vehicle and saw Marco was already seated next to Gab, who was sitting behind the wheel.Marco seemed to be insisting, defying Gab’s words, and the two bickered, so I decided to butt in.“I agree with Gab. Hurry up and move to the back, Marco,” I said my words with a hint that told Marco I wasn’t just suggesting. It was because I was ordering him.I find his actions childish to insist on taking the passenger’s seat, know
I gathered all the remaining strength I could muster to act accordingly. I noticed Marco was still in his deep thoughts, seated next to me. I managed to grab a pinch size of his sleeves and tugged on it to call his attention.“Marco, are you alright?”I think Marco did not notice the slight shiver in my voice. I wouldn’t be surprised if he missed noticing, I am even grateful he did. He must have thought I was just whispering since I only managed to speak softly. Marco looked around and stepped out of the vehicle when he figured out that we were the only people left sitting inside it.I don’t know where everyone else went, but I could see Gab standing outside the door to Marco’s side, knowing for sure we would walk out of the car in that direction. I was about to do jus