WS VILLA
"So... you regained your memories?" Alice asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I regained them somewhere between our first date and the wedding," Skylar replied, casually sitting at the dining table with a big bowl of fruit in hand. Alice, on the other hand, was munching on two bags of chips, looking like she was about to burst with curiosity.
Warren had left for the office hours before Alice arrived, and as for Gina? Well, she had hurriedly left that morning, and frankly, Skylar couldn't care less.
"And you didn't tell me?" Alice nearly shouted, surprised by the revelation.
"I wasn't really sure at first, and there was just... a lot happening," Skylar sighed, rolling her eyes. "Warren and I had come so far, and I didn't know what to do."
"So far?" Alice pressed, clearly intrigued.
"Yeah. Our love story's a weird one," Skylar said with a smile, taking a piece of fruit and popping it into her mouth.
"What are you waiting for then? Spill the tea, Sky," Alice said, practically bouncing in her seat, a huge grin spreading across her face.
••••••••••••••• 16 YEARS AGO •••••••••••••••
BROWN MANSION
"Mumma!" the three-year-old girl called, tugging at the hem of her mother's dress.
"My sweetheart," Mrs. Karina cooed, picking up the little girl and cradling her in her arms.
The toddler's brown eyes were wide with curiosity as she gazed around the mansion, now filled with decorations. The house buzzed with activity, with all her uncles and aunts (the Savants) running around, and her big brother, Ray, and her father, busy with something important. Something big was happening, and the little girl could feel it.
"What's happening, Mumma?" she asked, her voice soft and filled with innocent wonder.
"Oh, baby, your daddy, your mumma, and Baby Ray's friends are coming over. They'll be staying with us for a few years, so you have to be kind to them," Mrs. Karina explained, her voice soothing as she gently brushed her daughter's hair.
"Friends?" The toddler's eyes widened with excitement.
"Yes, sweetie. Friends," Mrs. Karina laughed softly, poking her daughter's chubby cheek.
"Sky would make friends too, right?" the little girl asked, her voice laced with a hint of insecurity.
"Of course you will. Now go to Aunt Minni and get your yogurt," Mrs. Karina said, setting her daughter down with a gentle pat on the head.
Skylar rushed off to the maid, excitement bubbling inside her.
By evening, the mansion had quieted down, and everyone waited for the guests to arrive. They were coming from Italy—business had failed there, and they needed a place to stay. The whole family, along with their trusted Savants, was anxious.
"Ray!" Skylar called, running to her big brother.
"Yes, bub?" Raymond smiled, lifting her up and sitting her on his lap.
"Do you think they'll like me?" Skylar asked, her voice filled with the uncertainty only a little girl could express.
"Of course they will, bub. Who wouldn't like you?" Raymond chuckled. Little did she know, there was someone there who had already fallen for her—someone who was crazy about her.
The doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of the guests.
"I'll get the door!" Skylar shouted, her small legs running toward it. She reached up to grab the doorknob, but her hand couldn't quite reach. She turned around.
"Mumma! Dadda! Ray! Come get the door!" she yelled. Moments later, everyone stood together as the door was opened.
Skylar's eyes scanned the new arrivals. There was a tall uncle, a kind aunt who was already hugging her mum, a boy who was getting crushed by Raymond in a hug, and a girl who was almost like her with a brown doll. Then, her gaze landed on a boy who was trying to push Raymond off him.
"Hello, Sky. I'm Lucy," the little girl said, catching Skylar's attention.
"Hello, Lucy!" Skylar beamed at her, then smiled at the girl's mom as she was swept into the hug.
By now, the boy had freed himself from Raymond's hold and stood before Skylar. He was taller than her, and she had to look up to meet his gaze.
The nine-year-old boy stared at her with pure adoration in his eyes. She was more beautiful than he had imagined. Fragile, delicate... like a glass doll. And that doll was his.
"I finally get to meet you, my doll."
"Hello..." Skylar muttered, still unsure of the boy's name.
"I'm Warren, Mon Amore."
"Wawen?"
"Nope."
"Warien?"
"Not that either, love," Warren smiled, amused by the cute mispronunciations.
"Don't worry. I'll get it. Until then, you're my booboo," Skylar giggled.
"I've always been yours, Mon Amore. And you've always been mine... just mine," Warren muttered, though it was almost inaudible to Skylar, who was still laughing. Raymond and their parents, however, heard it loud and clear, and they shared knowing smiles.
∞∞∞∞∞
SKYLAR = 4
WARREN = 10
RAYMOND = 10
LUCY = 3 and a half
∞∞∞∞∞
"Nice Aunt," Skylar called as she walked into the mansion.
"Thanks, Aunt Minni," she added, smiling at the lady who had taken her backpack and lunchbox. Skylar then rushed over to Warren and her mother, who were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice her approach until she called out again.
"Mom, nice Aunt, it's time to pick Booboo and Baby Ray from school!"
She had just returned from her nursery class, and Lucy, for sure, had either just returned or was already asleep. Warren and Raymond were the only ones left to pick up.
"Oh, right. Go with Aunt Minni, and I'll stay with Lucy, okay?" Mrs. Karina said, kissing Skylar on the cheek.
"Okay, come on, Aunt! Let's go!" Skylar muttered, her excitement clear. She couldn't wait to see Warren again.
Skylar's smile widened as soon as the car arrived at school. She spotted Warren and Raymond waiting outside the gate for them. But then, her smile faltered when a girl, probably a year younger than Warren, ran out and clung to Warren's arm as if her life depended on it.
Mrs. Kruz called out for both boys, and they happily ran over. Warren was quick to enter the car, eager to see the little lady who had occupied his thoughts all day.
Skylar, however, wasn't smiling. She stared at the arm the girl had held onto and then turned to stare out the window with a pout and teary eyes.
Raymond and Mrs. Kruz were stunned, while Warren felt a deep sadness, almost like a crushing weight on his chest.
BROWN MANSION
By dinner, Skylar still hadn't come out of her room. She had skipped lunch and hadn't spoken to anyone. Her room was locked from the inside, and the sound of her crying reached everyone's ears. Warren, more than anyone, felt the pain in his heart, knowing it was his fault.
Both fathers couldn't take it anymore. They couldn't bear to see their kids suffer. They knew Warren was the only one who could calm Skylar, and Skylar was the only one who could heal Warren's pain. They just needed each other.
"Here's the spare key to Sky's room," Mr. Josh said, handing it to Warren. Mrs. Kruz had already informed them of the situation. They all knew something was off.
"I... I'll go, thank you so much," Warren said, wiping away a few tears before running to Skylar's room.
SKYLAR'S ROOM
"Please, just listen to me," Warren begged, holding Skylar in his arms as she thrashed, trying to escape.
"No! Let me go! Go be with her!" Skylar yelled, finally managing to break free from his hold.
"Listen to me!" Warren shouted, and Skylar froze, the tears she'd been holding back finally spilling over.
"You... you don't love me anymore. You... you won't marry Sky anymore!" she cried, her voice breaking.
Warren's heart shattered, but he quickly moved to her, cupping her cheeks and wiping away the fresh tears.
"Warren doesn't love Sky anymore. Warren will leave Sky," she whimpered.
"No, no, I love you, Sky. I only love my Sky. I would never leave you. You're my life," Warren said quickly, his words desperate.
"Really?" Skylar asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.
"Really. I'll love only my Sky," Warren smiled, and Skylar immediately wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.
"Booboo will only love and marry Sky. Not that pretty girl from school," Skylar murmured, and suddenly, Warren understood. His doll was jealous, and it made him smile.
"Only Sky," he whispered, tightening his hold on her.
∞∞∞∞∞
After dinner, Skylar and Warren were lying together on his bed, cuddling.
"And we'll have a baby boy, his name will be Alex," Skylar explained, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Just one? I want two boys and a pretty girl like you," Warren pouted