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CHAPTER 23
"Say what now?!"
It had all come like a shock to Skai when Davion said those words but the truth was, she expected something very different and a way out of coming close to Damien, not the other way around.
"Skai?"
"Um…" Skai blinked, trying to focus her attention on him and not act too shocked.
After all, for some this was a one-in-a million opportunity she was tossing away should she say no and she knew it.
However, Skai contemplated if it was worth her mental health knowing who her partner was going to be.
"Mr. Michael I uh… I mean." She fumbled with her words, her mind going blank in search of the right excuse to tell him. "Umm. I do not think I am the right person for the job."
"Nonsense. How can you say that?"
"Because…" Skai barely got the word out when Davion waved a dismissive palm at her to stop her.
"Skai." He exhaled sharply, fixing his tie before driving one hand into his pocket. "Think of it this way: you get to mingle with high-end people in society, broaden your horizons, learn a few things and relax for the night. You stand nothing to lose out…"
"My time."
Davion's mouth dropped.
She stole the words right from his mouth.
But she wasn't wrong either way.
Time was valuable. Precious infact and even though money can and cannot buy one's time, he needed to make a good impression to make her agree.
"Please, do me a favour."
Skai pressed her lips together, her mind considering her options.
Just when she thought a negative answer would be better, a thought popped into her mind.
"Wait, when is this party?"
"This Sarturday," Davion responded eagerly.
Her eyes widened briefly before narrowing on him.
'Wait. This is good right? If I chose to go, I finally have a reason tpo deny my family's dinner and not have to deal with my brothers.'
As soon as they dropped, her eyes sparkled, fire dancing in their depts. "Fine. I'll go."
*********
Skai did not give much thought to Davion's plan neither did she regard the party. What she was most concerned with was tghe fact that she could escape her family crisis.
Brrrhhh!
She chcked the caller ID. The moment her gaze landed on his name, her breathing ceased involuntarily.
"Ethan."
She had almost forgotten about him. At once she answered the call as ssweetly as she could, while keeping things professional due to where she was.
"My apologies for the call. How are you?"
"I'm fine. Sorry for not checking up on you this morning. Hope that scumbag isn't disturbing you?" Ethan's raspy voice rang out from the other end of the phone.
"No. Just threatening texts bt he can do nothing. Thank you once again for defending me."
"As I said, it was nothing. Anyways, since our dinner was ruined yesterday, I was thinking, would you love to go out today with me?"
Skai hesistated for a moment. How could she give an answer to that?
Of course she would ahve loved to but with everything that happened the previous night, how was she sure that scalewag wpould not be tailing her just to cause more trouble for her and Ethan?
"Umm, no."
His eyes closed at her answer, A part of him already figured it out but he had hoped she would not let that scumbag ruin her mood.
"Understand this. I do not trust Craig. He may make trouble for you too if he sees us together."
"I am not afraid of him," Ethan cut in.
"I…"
"Skai, he is your past. He isn't worth your time. You also do not need to worry about me. I can handle myself. If he wasnts trouble, then I'll happily give it to him."
Her smile brightened. He was always caring. That was one thing she loved about him.
"I have something to show you but I won't force you. When you are ready, we'd go out."
Skai breathed out. If he coudl see the disappointment in her eyes, perhaps he would reconsider what she meant.
"Okay. I've got to go. See you later."
She did not wait for his response when she disconnected the call and went back to work.
Ethan, on the other hand, lifted his head, his eyes tariling towards a window in a very big company and sighed.
A few seconds passed and his thoughts remained fixed on Skai.
"I guess some other time then." He lowered his head. His free hand playing with the box on his thigh.
'I wanted to see the look in your face when you open your present.' Ethan voiced inwardly.
********
Following her approval, Davion wasted not a second more and went about processing the invitation as well as submitting Damien and Skai's name to the orrganizers.
By the time everything was done and settled, he strode over to Damien's office with an envelope in hand.
Knock! Knock!
After getting a reply from Damien, Davion pushed into the office. Quickly he crossed the space between the table and the door, took a seat while dropping the envelop in front of Damien.
The cold aura about him spoke volumes as the latter regarded the white envelop in front of him.
A quirk of his eyebrow told Davion all he wanted to know about the CEO returning to his grumpy, aloof self while silently inquiring what the envelop was about.
"The arrangements for the party."
Damien did not respond, sparing a moment's glance at the p[aper. The last time he was curious about something like this and he ended up with an arrangement he still thouight of how to leave.
"I have everything ready. Your invitation with Skai, the names and all has been taken care of as ordered."
"Wh…"
"I am glad you agreed to it this morning," Davion chimed in before Damien could express his shock. "I see you are gradually opening up to her. It's cool. Goodluck man."
Goodluck?
What goodluck was that fro something he had no idea…
'Raphael!'