Skylar's POV

"Congratulations , Sam!...Yes of course I'll be there , even for a day...I would love to meet the little angel...Okay , see you soon!"

Samantha and James are blessed with a girl! I'm too excited to go there and meet her. But there's only one problem.

Him.

I cannot see him. I don't want to see him. The starting was difficult , forgetting him and immersing myself in work. It was even harder for me to concentrate.But I was so mad at him. Mad at him for not trusting me. Mad at him for not listening to me. Mad at him for asking me to leave.

I had promised myself that even if I bumped into him there somehow, I'll ignore him and not listen to a single word. No matter what he says or what he does, he had his chance to listen to me and now he has lost it.

"Darling, I'm coming in!" Bernie waltzed into my cabin. He was the most cheerful person I've met here and probably the closest too. I love his energy and the way he helps me out.Too bad he wasn't straight or every girl would be dying to be with him with his gorgeous looks and a great personality, something that is really rare.

"Hey, Bernie! What brings you here so early?"

He dramatically put a hand on his chest and gasped."Did you forget about the FAB?" I quirked a brow in question, he deflates, "Founder's Annual Ball."

"Of course I haven't forgotten about it. I have been a bit busy." Between juggling the Burke project and handling everything at the new job, it's been hectic but at least it has kept me occupied.

"Well, you cannot afford to be busy. You need to select a dress, decide on makeup and find a date! It's almost here, the next week!"

"Calm down Bernie. I already have a dress and I told youI won't bring a date I'll be bringing my cousin as a plus one."

"Hmmm, fine."

"Also, I'll be flying out to the States for a day. "

"Tell me you're kidding."

"A close friend of mine just had a baby and I want to go see her."

"Awww, congratulations to her.But promise me you'll be back in a day."

"I promise."He just smiled and went out.

That evening I packed up a single bag as I had to catch the morning flight and be back here by night.I just hope my biggest apprehension of seeing him there doesn't come true.

"So all packed up?" Em asked as she brought out the dinner.She has been so understanding with me for the past week.

"Yes."

"Are you sure? I mean what if-"

"Em, please." She knew I did not want to talk about it so she dropped it.

I took in a deep breath as I took in the Hawaii breeze, it's so good to be here.I was having flashbacks the entire flight here but I somewhat succeeded in pushing them away as it brought back nothing but pain.

Finally knocking on Sam's door, "Surprise!" I whispered yelled as I saw the little girl lying in her arms.

"Sky?! Oh god it's so good to see you!"She hugged me with one hand.

"I know." I hugged her back. It was so familiar.

"But I thought you'll be here by evening, that's when Ethan will arrive." She closed the door as I made my way inside.

Shit. She didn't know. Thank god that I was saved but how do I cover up?

"Oh, he knows I need to get back early."

"Oh. Anyways, meet Alice." I looked up at Samantha seeking permission to hold her and she happily nodded.

"Oh my god," I whispered as Alice looked up at me with her mesmerising brown eyes.

"Skylar!Good to see you , I see you've already met Alice." James exclaimed as he came from behind.

"Yes, and she looks just like you. You guys are so lucky."

"Good thing that Ethan's also arriving, we all can have dinner together then."

"I'm sorry I can't. I have a flight back to London in 2 hours."

"What?!" Samantha almost yelled.

"I know, I'm sorry but there is so much going on at work that I cannot stay longer."

"Oh well, then I appreciate you making the time to come see us." James added.

"Come on, Skylar. At least stay for a day."I knew it would be difficult to say no to Sam.

"I'm sorry Sam, I promise I'll come over for a week next time."

She just nodded with a tight smile.

2 hours flew by and I didn't even realise. It was time to say goodbye.

"Alright hope to see you soon again and Alice thanks you for all the gifts you brought her." Sam said as we hugged goodbye. I just smiled and sat in the car, I was on the verge of crying. As we pulled out of the driveway, I saw a familiar car driving in but I ignored it.

Ethan's POV

I had pulled in just when a car was leaving. To my surprise both Samantha and James were standing right outside their house.

"Ethan, you just missed Skylar!" Samantha exclaimed as she came towards me.

"What?!" I missed her? No , I cannot let her go. This could be my only chance to see her I cannot let it slip.

"We would understand if you'd like to go see her first. We know you two haven't met each other due to all the business." James said as he looked at me.

"But-" It wasn't good of me to not meet their daughter first.

"You'll meet Alice afterwards, just go silly!" Samantha said as she pushed me towards my car. I hugged her and hopped into the driver's seat and rushed to the airport, I don't care if I crash my car. She is the most important thing right now.

I parked the car and threw a couple of hundred bucks at the nearby valet ,and ran into the airport and saw her.

There she was, in a beautiful brown dress , that complemented her luscious dark hair. She looked every bit of the goddess that she was but she was in the checking queue.Without any care in the world I ran towards her.

The security stopped me. "We're sorry sir, we cannot let you further unless we see your ticket."

"Do you even know who I am? I just need to see my wife, now move!" Recognition seemed to dawn the guard's face as he moved aside. I made my way hurriedly towards her, I shouted.

"Skylar!" She wasn't able to listen to me.

"Skylar!" I still wasn't close enough, I made my way up the stairs but as I reached the floor she wasn't there.

"Excuse me, the lady with the brown dress? Where is she? She was standing right here." I asked breathlessly.

"She must have boarded, sir."

I made my way but I was stopped by the host. "I'm sorry sir I need to see your boarding pass first." The last passenger had already went in.

"You don't understand. That's my wife in there and I need to see her."

"I'm sorry sir, my hands are bound." He said and locked the door by punching in a code.

No. This cannot be happening.

"Please, I need to see her. You have to understand." I was practically begging at this point.

"I'm sorry. It's almost time for the take-off. You can call her in 7 hours after her flight has landed."

That was it. I held his collar, "You son of a bitch. You think I don't understand that-"

I was pulled away.I turned around to see James.

"Ethan, let him go. He's just doing his job."

"James , I-"

"Ethan, let him go." I pushed him away and sagged to my knees. I could see her plane taking off the runway right in front of my eyes through the tall glass window. She was so close yet so far away.

"How come none of you told us about this before?" Samantha asked. I was at their place and I seemed to have physically lost the strength to hide anything.

"You should go see her then." James added.

"You think that didn't cross my mind? I don't even know where she is!"

"She is in London." Samantha added gravely. London? That is so far away. Before I could ask her, she continued,"She mentioned about catching her flight to London. So I figured that's where she is."

I hugged Samantha."Thank you. Thank you so much. You have no idea how much you've helped me."

"Now go. What are you waiting for?"

I pulled out the gift basket I had gotten for their daughter.''This is for Alice. The person who made it possible for me to have a chance to see Skylar." They smiled at me.

I left. I needed to see her. In fact lucky for me that I had gotten an invite to the Bennet's annual ball, it's good a good excuse to go to London.

I'll be there, Skylar.

Skylar's POV

The founder's ball is tomorrow and my flight had just touched down. I had lied to Bernie about having a dress. I have less than 24 hours to find one.I let out a sigh and made my way home.

I nursed a cup of hot tea in my hands, thinking about him. How lucky I was to not see him, otherwise I have no idea of how I would've reacted.

It was Saturday, the day of the ball. I did not feel like going at all but as a new employee, this was my best chance to introduce myself and make connections. I was currently at a boutique with Emilia.

"How about this one?" I stepped out wearing an emerald green mermaid gown with a high neck and no sleeves.

"Hmm, it's good but not good enough." She stashed through the racks and then she pulled out something. A gorgeous shimmering black gown. It was off shoulder with thin chains falling around the shoulder. A strategic cut out around the torso with straps covering around and a thigh high slit.

"No way. I'm not gonna wear that."

"Come on, Sky! You know you want to. Plus it will totally go with your new pumps. Pretty please'' I miss Ava.

"Okay, fine. No need for those puppy eyes."

She jumped in joy as we checked out and left.

It was 7 pm already and we were in the midst of getting ready. I had put my hair up with a few loose strands around. I decided to go with light smoky eyes and red lipstick. I don't know why I had this sudden urge to dress up today.

Emilia whistled. "Hotness alert."

"You don't look so bad yourself." She was wearing a dark blue sating gown with straps and hair up. She looked really good.

The Limo was already here and we took a seat.

"Liquid courage," I said as I opened up a bottle of champagne and we made ourselves comfortable.

We entered the banquet and to say it was mesmerising, would be an understatement. I knew this was the biggest event in London but I didn't knew it'd be this big. Everything around was dimly lit with classy arrangements. It felt like we were blanketed by the starry night sky.

Looking at all of this reminded me of the merger party. How he danced with me.But it was time to move on. Because he wasn't here today and I need to get him out of my mind. My heart.

I tied up my black mask with streaks of silver on it, matching my dress. It covered half of my face.

Did I mention this was a masquerade?