Skylar's eyes fluttered open as she slowly came to. She looked around until her eyes landed on Tyson who had fallen asleep. His head was on the dressing table with his mouth slightly opened. He must have really worn himself out. She felt really sorry for him.
Quietly, she stood up and wrapped a blanket around him, careful not to wake him up.
"You must really care about him." A soft voice said behind her, causing her to flinch a little but not enough to stir Tyson.
"Yes, I do." She nodded without turning to look at the speaker. She knew it was someone else and not Michelle, the voice was too soft to sound like Michelle.
"He's been through so much the past few weeks. I begged him countless times to take it easy but he didn't listen. He's going to break down if he doesn't take it easy."
"Don't worry, he won't."
"And how do you know that?"
"Because he doesn't seem like that kind of person to break under pressure. He's way too strong for that."
"Hmmm. You're probably right." The speaker said as she slowly nodded. "Can you turn around please? I need to see the person I'm talking to."
"You'll probably just look at me with disgust like his mother did."
"I am not Mitchelle. Mitchelle is just a spoilt piece of shit that has this mentality of how her
daughter in law should be. She and Lila are practically the same thing, really. Please turn around, dear."
Skylar sighed and turned to face the speaker. Standing in front of her was a beautiful woman who looked to be in her early fifties but was probably way older than that. She was a really beautiful woman who was aging really well. Her hair was grey, long, full and looked really healthy. At that moment, Skylar hoped to age just like her even though, she would never age.
"Wow!" The lady said, giving Skyler a running over with her eyes. "Even with the slightly swollen face and all, you're really beautiful. Simple and classy. Nothing too extravagant, I like it and from the looks of it, I just might like you."
"A complete stranger?" Skylar arched her brow.
"Of course! Eventually, we'll get to know each other and you won't be a stranger anymore."
"And Lila?"
"Good riddance to bad rubbish! I never liked her anyway. Such an annoying spoilt brat!"
"The same might just apply to me, don't be so sure yet."
"I'll be the judge of that dear. So..... what is your name?"
"Skylar."
"A very beautiful name. I like it. Where are you from?"
"Not here." Was the only response she gave.
"I see. We haven't gotten to that level of familiarity yet."
"Thank you for understanding." Skylar smiled sweetly for the first time since she walked into the mansion.
"No, no, it's fine. I might be old but I don't pry on what doesn't concern me. Though, I do have a question that's been on my mind since I saw the news on the TV, may I ask?"
"Yes, you can."
"Thank you. What's your real reason for marrying Tyson. With the little time I've already spent with you, I know for a fact that it's not because of money. There has to be a different, more solid reason to the point of giving your kidney in exchange."
Skylar opened her mouth then closed it. "It's... personal. But I promise you, it won't have any effect whatsoever on your family. It's just a thing between Tyson and I."
"I see." She nodded slowly, not a trace of anger or annoyance in her eyes. "I understand."
"What's your name?"
"Thought you'll never ask." The lady grinned. "It's Crystal."
"Crystal? Wow! A perfect name for a very beautiful woman."
"Awwn, thank you." Crystal said sweetly, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
Skylar had only spoken to her for a few minutes and she was already falling in love with her. Crystal was the sweetest person she had ever met and the first person to treat her well since her return apart from her employees at work.
"You know, no matter what anyone says, you're a part of the family now. I fully accept you as a Knight and as my grand daughter in-law. Lila can go hit her head on the wall for all I care."
Skylar smiled but didn't say a word.
They chatted a little more and Skylar got to know more about Crystal before she excused herself.
Skylar plumped down on the bed and watched Tyson sleep. It was creepy, yes, but it was a very long time she watched him sleep last. Her mind went over when she first met Tyson.
She and Tyson had known each other for more than ten years, from knowing each other in their orphanage home to loving each other later.
Every time she had an issue, Tyson stepped forward and she owed him way too much. Getting him to remember who he was, was the least she could do.
At that time, she was only six years old, and a fire took away her happy family. She was led by a strange woman to an orphanage home.
She was taciturn, and because of this, the children in the orphanage saw her as an easy target and bullied her. Every time the other kids played together, she ran to hide under the big willow tree in the yard and watched them eagerly, wishing she could muster up the courage to join them.
Until one day, she was bullied again and that was when Tyson showed up to protect her. He had arrived the previous day and was really distant; he didn't hang out with the other kids either. Him protecting her, came as a shock to her. It was so unexpected.
He pulled her behind him, and his tender voice was firm. "Don't you ever bully her again, if you all know what's good for you. Lay a single finger on her ever again and you'll regret it!" The aura he gave off was dangerous and scary. Skylar wasn't scared though and he noticed.
He turned around and his clear eyes were warm, like the sunshine in winter, illuminating her whole world in an instant.
He stroked her hair gently. "My name is Tyson, and you?"
"Tyson …" Skylar couldn't help whispering.
Her phone rang out loud cutting her thoughts short. She stared at the name on the caller ID with a deep frown before walking to the window to answer the call.
"Skylar, are you all right?"
The familiar voice seemed to pull her thoughts back to the past, bringing back memories she didn't want to remember.
Skylar tightened her lips for a long time until they started to ache. She replied in three words depressively, "I am fine."
"Then why did I hear that you attempted to kill yourself? Skylar, why are you so stupid? Tyson is dead and he won't come back. There's nothing you can possibly do to bring him back. You need to move on. For your own sake! Just listen to me for once in your life!"
"No, he's not dead..." Skylar gritted her teeth and she was sure of it because... "I've actually..." She had found him. Before she could complete her statement, she felt warm breaths on the back of her neck. She ended the call quickly and turned around to face him.
"You're awake."
"Who called?"
"A friend," Skylar said, and walked to the dressing table, gently placing her phone on it.
Tyson arched a brow and glanced at her phone. "Someone like you has a friend? Also, you attempted to kill to yourself? Why would you attempt to do something so stupid?"
Skylar's eyes dimmed and she looked at the face in front of her.
At that time, she thought Tyson was dead. She had already decided to go with him, call it an obsession, she didn't care. She couldn't live in a world without Tyson in it. He had become her everything. Her entire world, so she went back to California, where they first met, and wanted to end it all.
When she was found passed out on the floor with bloody wrists and was quickly rushed to the hospital, she started to come up with a plan especially when she realized that no matter what she did, she couldn't die. The freaking curse wouldn't leave her. At first, it was a blessing but when she found out Tyson had died and tried joining him in the other realm, it became a curse.
Eventually, when her emotions were no longer all over the place and she had the time to reflect over everything that had happened, she realized that just like her, Tyson couldn't die and very few people knew about his weakness; their weakness.
When she was discharged, she used the connections she had developed over the years to find him and when she did, it broke her heart when she realized he couldn't remember anything. Why? She had no idea but she was going to find who was responsible for his memory loss and she was going to make them pay.
Skylar stared at him in silence as he awaited for an answer.
She sighed and softly responded. "It's a long story. One I'm not ready to share with anyone." It wasn't the right time, she couldn't force him to remember, he had to recall everything on his own. As a Doctor herself, she knew what would happen if she tried to force him to remember.
Her answer made Tyson stunned, he didn't expect such a response. But he couldn't blame her, they were strangers and she owed him no explanation.
"I see". Was his only response before walking out of the room.
Skylar didn't realize she was holding her breath until the bedroom door had closed. A tear fell from the corner of her eye. She wiped it away angrily. It wasn't like her to cry. And she wasn't going to start now.
She walked to the mirror and stared at her face. The swell was completely gone and there was not a single mark on it. No one would believe she got hit multiple times. She sighed. At this rate, people would start to get suspicious.
With a deep sigh, she picked up her things and stepped out of the room, also.
XXXXX
For reasons known to only him, after about half a month, Tyson never reached out to her or his family once. No call, no nothing. Even when she went occasionally to his home to visit Crystal, he was never around.
On the news though, he could be seen every day, either accompanying Lila in the hospital or on his way to accompany Lila. Seemed like they had made up.
In this regard, the media reported it with great joy. The wealthy and famous Tyson Knight was not in love his new wife but was still in love with his girlfriend. Was it an arranged marriage, perhaps? They probably would never find out because Tyson had refused to accept their invitation for an interview.
They were relentless, though. Every single day, there was a large number of reporters waiting at the entrance of the mansion. The Guards were able to keep them from breaking in, though.
Skylar was prepared for all this. Therefore, she didn't pay too much attention. As a Doctor, she knew very well that it was imperative for her to take good care of herself, and there was still a long way to go.
Early in the morning, Skylar drove to the Knight mansion to check up on Crystal like she usually did. Upon walking into the living area, she heard Mabel talking to Crystal about Tyson.
"Tyson won't come back, and there was news this morning."
"That's outrageous!" Crystal glanced at the newspaper and got angry. "Tell him I'm ill and see if he will come back! He has to!"
"Mom, as long as that Skylar girl keeps coming back, he's never going to return. You're trying to force their relationship and that will only push him further away. The person he loves is Lila, you just have to accept it like that," Michelle said.
"Oh shut up! There is absolutely no difference between you and Lila so why won't you prefer her! You had better give him a call and tell him to be home before the day is over! I won't take such an attitude from him. Whether he likes it or not he's married and must take full responsibility."
"He's not a child anymore, mother. He's a grown man and can do whatever he likes and be with whoever he wants. You can't force him!"
"Michelle!" Crystal snapped, hitting her walking stick hard on the floor. "Do as I say and call that son of yours!"
Michelle rolled her eyes and glanced at Skylar with a sneer before walking away. Mabel also excused herself, leaving Crystal and Skylar to their usual routine.
At dinner time, Tyson walked into the dining room with a bored look on his face. Michelle has probably passed the news to him.
The anxiety on Crystal's face faded as her eyes settled on him sitting there in good health. Even with her bravado attitude, she was starting to get worried.
"Mom called and said you wanted to see me."
"Yes, we haven't heard a word from you in about half a month except from the news. We were starting to get worried."
Tyson sighed and requested for the food to be served. He was really hungry and needed strength for the conversation he was going to have with his grandmother.
Skylar took a seat beside him but he didn't say a word, didn't even spare her a look.
After the family had finished eating and Crystal had reprimanded him to her satisfaction, she got up and said, "You are not going anywhere tonight, you've been away for far too long!"
"I'm an adult, Grandma, I can sleep wherever I want."
"Indulge me." She said quietly and walked away.
When it was just the two of them left, Tyson finally glanced at her.
"Where have you been?" She asked quietly.
"I don't think that's any of your business."
"I see." Was all she she said. And here she thought things were finally going smoothly between them after he defended her against his mother. She had thought wrong, apparently.
"You know, no matter how close you are with my grandmother, I won't sleep with you. I will never commemorate this marriage"
Skylar pursed her lips, silently seething. The urge to slap him was so strong but she controlled herself. The last thing on her mind was sex, so why would he even think such?
Skylar closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Crystal was only worried about you. She's not getting any younger and doesn't need to be so worked up. You need to be more considerate. Also, you can sleep better when you stay at home. You have lost a lot of weight."
"You don't have to pretend like you care!" Tyson snapped, got up and angrily left the mansion to let out some steam.
He took a seat on the bench in the garden and watched the blooming flowers being swayed by the wind. The garden always had a calming effect on him and he started to feel himself relax. He reclined on the bench and closed his eyes, enjoying the breeze and fresh air.
Skylar assumed Tyson had left, so she left the bathroom door open while she took a shower. She had plans of spending the night because she has promised Crystal earlier that she would stay over and in the process, try to speak some sense into Tyson's head even though she was the cause of it all.
When she was done showering, she wrapped a towel around her body and walked into the room and at that exact moment, Tyson walked in.
Skylar stood there in shock, her fingers tightly holding her towel. Tyson stood there, staring at her, not knowing how to react but also keeping his cool. His cold and intense gaze on her made her shudder.
"Tyson? I thought you had left."
"Left?" He asked as he took a step toward her. He looked pissed. Really pissed. "What do you really want?" He asked lowly as he took another step. "What do you want from me?"
"I want you to remember."
"Remember what?" He had closed the distance between them and his face was mere seconds from hers.
"Everything." She whispered. "I want you to remember everything."
A second later, he had her pinned against the wall, his mouth near her earlobe. "Is that the only thing you want? Or is there more?!"
He raised her towel up to her thighs, spread her legs apart with his and settled between them, pressing himself against her as he slowly caressed her thighs with his thumb.
Skylar bit down on her lower lip and arched against the wall.
"What do you want Skylar?" He whispered huskily in her ear.
"You." She moaned out loud. "I want you."
"Good."