"You."
His answer was simple, short, precise, and honest.
She was all he could think about at the moment. It was like magic how she managed to spread all over him like a disease.
"Huh?" Skylar was stunned by his response.
She gulped as she watched the expression on his face he looks serious. He wasn't kidding.
"Anything... YOU..... Serve." Steven replied. He enunciated you to hide the response he gave at first.
"Alright." Skylar relaxed at his response.
She was overthinking. Why would he say he wanted to eat her up She isn't some kind of food now, is she?
Skylar signaled Helen and the food was served. The table fell to silence as they both ate.
Steven would often steal glances at Skylar. She was perfect in all aspects.
No flaws at all!
Why would Louis think she needs a tutor?
"Ah! It's my lucky day!" Steven felt happy in his heart.
He couldn't think of having someone else as her tutor.
As soon as the meal was over, Skylar stood up and went towards the living room. Steven also followed immediately.
"Shall we begin?" Skylar asked.
"Of Course!" Steven snapped.
He was almost caught staring at his supposed student. He tried to gather his thoughts and focus on the task at hand.
"What do I have to learn first?" Skylar adjusted her chair and went closer to Steven.
Steven was losing it slowly. He was distracted by her fragrance. Her strawberry scent blew his mind off. He couldn't concentrate.
"Wifely duties or Etiquette?" Skylar asked for clarification.
"Wifely duties!" Steven replied immediately.
"Okay," Skylar shrugged.
Since Louis wanted her to learn then learn she will.
"The first thing to learn about being a good wife is to how to keep your man."
"Huh?" Skylar was confused.
Why would she need to keep her man?
"Men are like toys and need to be handled with care or they might fall into someone else's hands," Steven replied as if he could read the question in her mind.
Skylar nodded as she listened on. She had no reason to want to keep Louis. He can get snatched away for all she cares. He doesn't belong to her In the first place.
"Can you hear me?"Steven snapped his fingers before her as he noticed that she was spacing out.
"Yes...Yes..." Skylar snapped out of her reverie.
"Good. So tell me what do you think can be done to keep your man?"
"Huh?" Skylar was speechless.
She knew nothing about men and relationships. How would she know the answer to that?
"Don't know?" Steven guessed from her clueless expression.
"Hmhmm." Skylar shook her head.
"Show love." Steven's voice sounded more like a whisper.
It seems as if he was also learning from what he was teaching her.
"How?"
"Be the shoulder that your partner can lean on. After being weary from the troubles from the outside, he wants to return home to the warm embrace of his woman."
Skylar bit her lips as she tried to imagine Louis in her embrace.
No way! Her mind screamed for her.
"Why not? Steven asked.
"Did I say that out loud?" Skylar wondered how he was able to know what she has in mind.
"No," Steven shook his head. "Your face gave you away."
"Oh," Skylar pursed her lips.
So he knew what is in her mind by looking at her face.
"So..." Steven returned to the subject.
He became interested in the relationship that Skylar shared with Louis. He wanted to know all there is to know about them.
"....Tell me why you can't bring your husband in your embrace."
Husband? The word sounded foreign to her. She knew that she was Louis's wife but was Louis her husband?
The answer is no.
She never thought of him as her husband and she never will. So how is it possible to bring him into her embrace when she can't even accept him?
"It's no....."
"Alright." Steven nodded.
He knew that he won't get the answer he sought right away but he was willing to try again.
"Then tell me did you two have an arranged or love marriage?"
Skylar looked down as she remembered the circumstance behind her marriage to Louis. Her marriage to Louis was neither love nor an arranged marriage. Instead, it is a contract marriage.
But can she say that to Steven?
No, she couldn't shred herself off the last thread of honor she had left.
Judging from her reluctance, Steven could tell that they didn't have a love marriage. He danced in his heart at the discovery.
"So which one is it?" He pressed. He wanted to hear her say it.
"A.. Arranged.." Skylar lied.
She couldn't bring herself to say the truth. After all, the man was still her father. She couldn't dishonor him by telling everyone that he sacrificed her to save the White Corporation.
"I see..." Steven nodded knowingly. "Sometimes communication is difficult in an arranged marriage but you have to work something out so you don't tire your husband out."
Yes! That's the word!
Tire him out!
That's all she has to do to attain her freedom.
Skylar smiled determinedly. She already got the keyword and now she only has to work towards achieving that and it seems like a lack of communication could be a key factor to make that happen.
"This class is more helpful than I imagined." Skylar laughed in her heart.
She was busy in her world. She didn't hear all Steven said afterward.
"So...you have to try it out." Steven continued.
"Huh?" Skylar was lost. She didn't hear all he said before.
Steven could read her face and he knew that she was lost.
"You weren't listening?"
Skylar bit her lips and looked down. Her long lashes fluttered as she looked away. "I'm sorry."
Steven gulped at the effect she had on him. How could she steal his breath away in such a short time?
"Alright." He shrugged. "I was talking about the techniques to welcome your husband home."
"Oh," Skylar pursed her lips.
"All you have to do is wear a beautiful smile and make him feel special. Run to him. Hug him. Kiss him. Ask how his day was and show him how much you missed him."
"Really?!" Skylar's eyes widened.
Would she be able to do all of that?
Never!
She'd rather do those things in the opposite. He'd hate her then and he'll send her away.
"That's interesting." Skylar smiled as she thought of her plan.
"Yeah right." Steven agreed. He was picturing himself as her husband and she'll practice all she's learnt on him.
"If you do these then your husband will be glued to you." Steven was immediately reminded of the tale of the lovebirds.
He looked at her smiling face and his heart tightened. He wished she could continue smiling this way.
Her smile was the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.
"You have a beautiful smile." Steven couldn't hold back from commenting. "Has anyone ever told you?"
Skylar's smile widened and she looked down. Steven raised her chin and locked his gaze with her.
"You shouldn't hide your smile. It's beautiful." Steven repeated.
"Thank you." Skylar tried to look away but Steven got carried and cupped her cheek.
He wanted to keep staring at her. Her pearly white teeth were the best he's ever seen. They looked like they were carved from the moon. She was just too beautiful.
"What are you doing?" Skylar asked.
This wasn't part of the class, was it? Skylar couldn't understand why he keeps staring at her but she found him pleasant.
At least he made her laugh.
He made her feel like she doesn't worth less than anyone.
Unbeknownst to these two Louis already returned to the manor. He couldn't stay put in the office. He was itching to go back home.
For some reason he was restless. So he decided to return home earlier than usual. However, the scene before him was outrageous.
His aura became murderous. His eyes became frosty and the room suddenly felt cold. From his point of view, it seemed like Steven was kissing Skylar but as he got closer he saw that he wasn't.
Louis was sure that Steven would kiss her if he didn't stop him.
He was enraged.
He couldn't stand it.
He wanted to pull them apart but he restrained himself. He shouldn't lose control. Instead, he crossed his arms to hide his itchy hands.
"What are you two doing?"