***************
CHAPTER 7
Unlike her?
Skai's eyes flashed with defiance. There was no way she was backing down.
"Funny how you mistake loyalty and authenticity for inadequacy. I may not have been enough for you, Craig, but I am more than enough for myself. I have learned to value my worth and prioritize my own happiness. Not that your faulty cheating brain would know that."
Zoe snickered, a condescending smirk playing on her lips as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Please, Skai, spare us the self-righteous speech. We all know your track record—seeking sexual validation wherever you can find it."
"I may have made mistakes in the past, and one of them was ever dating a scumbag called Craig—but I won't let anyone define my worth. Your words, Zoe, hold no power over me."
"I…"
"Hey, love, what's taking you so long?" A deep, mesmerizing voice asked, cutting Zoe short.
Just as the tension in the air grew unbearable, a hush fell upon the scene as a wealthy, handsome man approached Skai.
His mere presence exuded power and confidence, captivating everyone's attention.
She tried to turn when she felt him place a firm hand on her shoulder. With a voice so calm yet commanding, he inquired once more, "Did you get what you were craving, love?"
Shock and confusion swirled in Craig and Zoe's eyes as they tried to make sense of who this person was.
"What? Did you hire a pimp to get you covered?" Zoe lashed out and eyed them over. She knew Skai, and getting a man this hot felt like an impossible situation.
But deep down, her jealousy irked her. She knew Craig was hot and handsome, and wanted him for herself. Had she known Skai had someone better, she'd have waited, so she thought.
That was her big mistake, as the next second, he threw an icy, deadly glare at her, petrifying every shred of confidence she had.
"Enough!" Zoe shuddered visibly. "I will not let you speak to my woman like this," he enunciated, making her seal her lips quickly and take a step back, hiding behind Craig.
Without sparing them even a second, the young man darted his gaze to Craig, arching his brow at him.
"Your words are baseless and cruel. It's clear you both lack the grace and decency to engage in civilized conversation." Craig balled his fingers at his side. Although they did not know this man, his insults left them speechless.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, we have better things to do than entertain your juvenile antics."
Craig and Zoe were taken aback, their expressions morphing into a mixture of shock and embarrassment.
Their attempts to degrade Skai had been silenced by this mysterious, wealthy stranger, who, till now, they had no idea who he was. And while their lips stumbled for words, their arrogance crumbled completely.
All this while, Skai, who had not uttered a word since his arrival, was shocked beyond words by this special save, but wanting to play along, she gave him a charming smile as she nodded at him.
"Sure honey. I'm tired anyway." Her smile grew as she gently placed a hand on his chest, putting on a perfect performance as the handsome man led Skai away from the toxic atmosphere.
The young man felt an insane sense of pride envelop him when she acted back and gently stroked his chest. As if to assure her that he was there for her, he gently touched her arm, doing his best to ease off her worry.
Why he did that, he didn't know, but the second he saw her, the sharp pain that coursed through his body and heart and the overwhelming need to protect made him act without thinking.
And for a moment there, Sky felt as though he could understand her pain, but their moment was short-lived when they arrived at their destination in front of his limo, away from pestering eyes.
Her gaze met the stranger's, gratitude displaying in them before she gave her thanks. "Thank you... for stepping in. I don't know who you are, but your timing was impeccable."
A gentle smile graced the man's lips, his eyes sparkling in the dark, revealing a glimmer of something deeper.
And the more Skai peered into them, she felt as though her soul was being pulled into an endless abyss.
"You deserve to be treated with respect and dignity." His deep voice brought her back to the present. "I heard and saw them. No one should have to endure such humiliation," he added, his lips pulling back a smile. "Allow me to make it up to you, Skai."
At once, everything seemed to have paused. Skai's brows creased in confusion. She recalled that she did not say anything. So how did he know her name?
Also, what did he mean by making up to her? Just showing up was more than she could ask for. Besides, she was sceptical about being close to him, considering she knew nothing about him.
Ignoring the puzzled look on her face, the young man added, "If you do not mind, I'd like to drop you off. That way I am certain you'd not encounter any more harm."
Skai hesitated for a minute, carefully considering her options. The past few days or hours had been filled with events, and she was worried about her safety.
Just as she was about to decline his offer, she caught sight of Zoe and Craig walking up to the latter's car and changed her mind.
If she left now, it would only prove Zoe right. While she didn't pay for his services, she did not know him as well.
"Fine. I accept."
His lips curled up slightly, and before she could comment on it, he wrapped his hand around her waist, pulling her body close before nuzzling his lips close to her ear.
Skai's eyes went wide at the sudden action. And when she felt his warm breath tickle her neck, she gulped, but quickly Skai regained her composure.
She placed both hands on his chest in hopes of pushing him away when he voiced out his command, making her stiffen suddenly.
"Don't move. They are watching."