"for real!!" Tin exclaimed with wide eyes, then slowly relaxed her back muscles. "But that's too....I don't trust him."

"Not after what happened."

"I don't know what to do." Skylar exhaled, quietly picking on the petals of the small pink flower that lied still between her fragile fingers. 

Grayson words from earlier kept resounding in her head. But even after countless reassuring's, it didn't still sit well with her.

"What do I do, Tin?" Her eyes moved to her only remaining best friend. "My life is pretty much ruined."

"It's all because of them." The rims of Tin's eyes glowed red. "Those fucking bastards."

She felt at fault for what happened.

'even if they could have successfully fooled the naive Skylar, how could she have allowed herself to be fooled too.'

"If you keep gritting those poor teeth's like that, you might create a window." Skylar warned. And the burning larva in Tin's stomach cooled down a little.

She stared at Skylar who looked rather carefree in the midst of all the chaos.

Lying on her back, with the sun caressing her innocently, chubby face. Big brown eyes fixed on the flower in her hands like she couldn't care less about anything else.

But Tin could tell it was all an exterior. Knowing well that in her head right now, she must be buried deep in her thoughts. Lost in a no man's land.

She understood Skylar just how she knew her left from her right.

Very shy, but straightforward. Some people call it plain, but only those who really understood her could find the beauty buried deep inside.

With a determined look, Tin stated. "No matter the decision you make, I will always stand by you."

"Uhh––?" Skylar who hadn't caught what she said blinked dumbly.

"Just follow your instincts." Tin smiled softly. "No matter what, I will be right by your side."

"That....I already know." Skylar nodded.

"I mean if it gets out of control we can just run to a far away island together."

"And what if they recognize me?" Skylar asked seriously.

"We will keep running until we find an island that doesn't." Tin pressed her lips together. "Maybe go to Africa."

"Am sure it won't get to that." Skylar been the ever positive one smiled. 

"I hope so." Tin grimaced, then looked around the empty field of flowers. "So what should we do now?"

"I can't go anywhere with this face." Skylar sighed. "And wearing a mask is very suspicious, and also really not comfortable."

"I really can't understand why this is happening to you." Tin eyes drooped. "Piper, she....."

"Let's not talk about her." Skylar shook her head. "I just want to sleep. It has been a long time since I have heard any quiet."

"Lie on me." Tin patted on her thigh, and Skylar wasted no time scouting over. 

Head on Tin's lap, she muttered under her breath. "So uncomfortable."

"One more word and I will throw you off." Tin snapped angrily.

"Very uncomfortable, but still good." Skylar smiled to herself and the annoyed Tin couldn't help but smile along.

★★★★★★★★

Grayson was barely immersed in his work when his phone ranged.

Already guessing the identity of the caller, he asked. "How's she doing?"

"The miss is fine, boss." Natasha replied. "She's at the flower tea garden at the south of the city with her friend." 

"Make sure to keep an eye on her." Grayson ordered, eye staring out of the glass wall of his office and down the city below.

"Roger that." Natasha nodded, eyes moving back to Skylar's sleeping form.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

The next two days for Skylar was exceptionally normal considering the past days events.

Peaceful enough for her to come to a conclusion.  

She was going to refuse Grayson's offer. She didn't want to stain his reputation with her muddy love life.

It was her problem. And her's to solve. Alone.

And she was going to tell him this night.

Staring at the foreign looking object in her hands, Skylar turned to Natasha with a confused look. "What's this for?"

"The stomach." The blond replied rather bluntly, causing the poor questioner to heat up. "Let me help yo....."

"No––thanks. I–i can do––it myself."  Skylar jumped back, tightly clunching on her stomach.

Natasha who didn't notice the other girl's uncomfortableness reached out again. "I will just help you fix the waist trainer, and nothing more."

Unable to refute, Skylar slowly let her towel drop. Revealing her fair, plumb body, while wearing only a bra and a pant.

With skillful hands, Natasha put the waist trainer around her bulging stomach. "Take a deep breath, miss."

Following her advise, Skylar drew in a breath.

With unconcealed strength, Natasha buckled up the waist trainer in seconds. Then stepped back. "All done miss."

Skylar felt utterly uncomfortable the moment she released the breath. Contemplating on how long she could stay with such a thing on.

She already had enough problem wearing a 'bra'. The waist trainer now seemed to add to the pile.

'just tonight. Just for tonight.' 

With Natasha's help, she successfully put on her dress for the night, which comprised of a fancy, emerald green, knee length gown. And a pair of matching low heels. Topped with collection of a silver set of jewelries.

She settled for light makeup. And with that she set of to meet Grayson who was already in wait.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting." Although the heel she wore was pretty low, her legs still shook uncontrollably with each step.

"Are you okay?" Grayson asked worriedly.

"I am fine." Skylar grinned sheepishly. "It's just that...the heels are a little bit uncomfortable."

"Do you want to change into sandals?"

"No––no need." Skylar shook her head. "I can manage."

Seeing the hesitant look on her face, Grayson couldn't help but pop a brow. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

"No––i mean yes." Skylar chocked on her words. "Later."

'there's still more time. We can tell him later. Preferably at the end of the night.' Skylar tried to ease her nervousness.

"Then let's go." Grayson held his arm out and Skylar hesitantly took it. "You call lean on me." 

"Oh..." Skylar gaped dumbly, then nodded.

After some minutes of driving in a comfortable silence, they arrived at their destined destination.

Skylar swiftly hopped down, not waiting for the gentleman who drove to help her with the door. 

'We are here. We are really here.' An alarm blared in Skylar's head.

She could feel the nervousness creeping down her spine. 

They were now standing in front if a mansion, although she had seen a fair share of mansion designs, the one before her at the moment had a very rich taste and pleasing sight.

"Are you nervous?" Grayson quickly noticed her slight trembling, but Skylar was so lost, that she forgot he was there for a second. 

"Kind off." She quickly replied after jumping back to reality.

Truth be told, she wasn't just nervous. She was both nervous and freaked out.

"Don't be." He advised, before taking the lead into the mansion.

They arrived just in time. Which was a second after dinner was served.

"You are here." 

Skylar quickly noted the faces of the people sitting around the dinning table.

First, they was a good looking aged man, who looked exactly like Grayson sitting on the head seat. Next to him was a pretty blacked haired woman with a small gentle face.

And lastly was a brunner teenager who looked nothing like the two couples.

The person who spoke first been the lady who Skylar roughly guessed to be Grayson's mother.

"Mom, dad." Grayson barely nodded, then took a sit.

"Like, they are the only people you can see." The teenager scowled distastefully.

"Grow taller, and maybe I will be able to notice you next time." Grayson reply cockily.

Feeling out of place Skylar quietly took a sit beside him. About to turn on her invisible mode when both mother and daughter exclaimed.

"You must be the girlfriend!!" 

".........." Skylar head ran blank for a reply.

"Mom." Grayson sighed.

"I didn't think Grayson would bring you over." Vanessa said excitedly.

"Me neither." Mia chorused. Staring curiously at Skylar who felt like scattering into dust.

"She is so pretty." Vanessa grinned.

"You can say that." Mia chirped.

"How cute." 

"Very cute."

"So how did you two came to know each other?"

"Mom!!" Grayson  called a little louder than the first. Successfully shutting the two women. "We aren't dating."

The sentence seemed to have broken a spell, as they both look between Skylar and Grayson. 

"But the news said——" Vanessa pointed out doubtfully.

"Since when did you begin to believe in social media?" Grayson popped a brow lazily.

"But...but..." Vanessa was unable to accept, when her husband finally spoke up.

"Enough." Mr Knight sighed then looked over to Skylar. "I am Bendix, and this is my wife, Vanessa and my second daughter, Mia, since am sure  Grayson never thought of telling you that."

Skylar nodded shyly, then said. "I am Skylar."

"It's nice to meet you Skylar." Mr Knight smiled warmly, then glared at both his wife and daughter. "Don't bother about them. You can just treat them like thin air."

Vanessa felt down, eyes fixed on her empty plate, when a thought hit her.

'they might not be dating now, but there is still time to make that happen.' And as if telepathic. Mia and her made eye contact then nodded tactfully.

She had to do this, or who knows when her son will be able to find a wife. 

What if he spends the rest of his life alone?!!

This is the first time he has ever brought a female home. That should only mean she is special.

"So what do you do Skylar?" She quickly regained her spirits. Smiling broadly.

"Business. I jus—st graduated las—last year but I—-d–on't have a j—ob yet." Skylar stumbled on a reply.