Seduced By My Billionaire Boss

Chapter 50: A LOVE SO STRONG

Skylar rushed out of the restaurant in fear as she clutched her dress tightly, she ran until she stopped at the garden where Vino and she had argued the night of Mrs. Devin's painting.

Her heartbeat beating erratically in her ribcage signifies her fear. If only Paula had told her about the secret birthday celebration, she wouldn't have bothered coming.

She can't have Vino leaving her too. She couldn't survive without him in her life. She had survived when her father left but it was so hard. She had to watch her mom shoulder all responsibility herself so that she couldn't help blaming herself. if only she hadn't insisted on celebrating her birthday that night. Her parents would have still been together. None of this would have happened.

Skyler sighed heavily as she sat down on a swing at the far edge of the restaurant which was hiding away from the view of anyone coming here as she thought back to that night...

It was the beginning of the first snow, the night was quiet and serene. It seems like a perfect night for a little girl to celebrate her birthday. Being the night of the first snow, most of the shops were closed which was a good sign. All shops and houses had been covered in white and even the road.

Skylar was returning from the only gift shop which surprisingly was still open even in such a time like this with Leon who was giggling at how adorable she was on her birthday as he held her birthday cake.

Skylar had been very excited that she had rushed home, she couldn't wait to celebrate her birthday with her father after such a long time. He was finally coming home to be with them" Come on Leon, don't be too slow. I can't wait to meet father," Skylar screamed at a slim boy who was holding on to the cake with both hands.

Leon's parents had moved into the apartment next door when Skylar was three and since then, they have been best of friends. Without him, Skylar could never have survived childhood.

Leon's step faltered as he stared at the little girl in front of him who was bubbling with happiness, he feared for her. If only he wasn't grown up enough to know what's worse, he would have allowed himself a bit of enjoyment tonight but his mother's words still rang in his young mind.

"Leon, I see you are getting closer to that Evans kid. Is that so?" Leon had groaned at his mother's endless questions as he abandoned the book, he was trying to concentrate on the coffee table, he turned to gaze at his mother

"Why ask the obvious when you know the answer? '' Leon had replied that night as he turned to gaze out into the dark sky. The moon was just starting to shine, casting a beautiful shadow in the sky. He and Skylar had promised to meet in the park an hour soon but judging from his mother's words, he doubts he will be going anywhere soon.

"Because, son, '' His mother had come to stand in front of him, her hands raised to pat his cheek with motherly affection while Leon cringed from embarrassment.

His mother continued after she had dropped her hands to her side" I don't want you to be seen with that girl any longer else her curse may rub off on you"

"Curse?" Leon had asked in shock. Even though his young mind couldn't understand the full meaning of that word, he could know that it means so bad if his mother wanted him to stay away from Skylar.

"Yes, son. Can't you see that she's cursed or else how do you explain the disappearance of her father after her birth"

Leon had pondered those words after his conversation with his mother that night. Since then, he still couldn't bring himself to tell Skylar about it. Looking at her bouncing up in her little pink dress and a tiny tiara on her hair with a happy smile on her face, he didn't want to break the news to her.

"Sky" Leon had called to hear causing Skylar to skid to a stop in front of their big black gate as she turned with a wide smile to him "Yes, Leon"

"I __________" But Leon couldn't complete his sentence because that moment they heard a scream and the cake dropped from Leon's hand as he stood transfixed in front of the gate watching Skylar as tears flowed down her face.

"Do you think they are arguing again? '' Skylar had asked Leon as she raised her hands to wipe the tears from her eyes and summoned the courage to open the gate and let herself into the compound where her mother's loud voice could be heard clearly.

"Leon, there you are" Mrs. Rodriquez had rushed over to take a protesting Leon away from her side, and judging from the look the woman had given her, she knew she was no longer welcomed in their homes.

With a heavy heart, Skylar had let herself into the room where her father was rushing about to leave, he neither cast a glance at her nor had wished her a happy birthday but had rushed out of the house like he couldn't wait to leave their presence. The banging of the gate had been the last time she had ever since her father and now____

"Skylar"

Skylar jolted out of her thoughts as she turned to the voice who had called to her in the darkness.

Her hands went to wipe the lone tears that had escaped her eyes as she took in the white flowing gown which adorned her visitor's body. Judging from the gown, Skylar could tell it was expensive which make her curious to know the owner

"Yes. Who are you?" Skylar had the caller with a frown on her face. Though she wanted to be left alone, she was glad it wasn't Paula nor Vino.

The visitor step into the light while a gasp escape Skylar's lips as she rose in shock from the swing "Mrs. Devin"

"Good evening, Miss Evans, right?" Mrs. Devin asked as she took a seat beside Skylar on the swing. She was just in time to see Skylar leaving the restaurant in a rush and she had offered to look for her.

"What are you doing here?" Skylar asked but she paused as she mentally slapped herself for asking the obvious question which led her to apologize "Forgive me. You are obviously here for the party"

"Yes. Your birthday party but I can't understand why the celebrant will keep her guest waiting eagerly for her to grace their presence" Mrs. Devin pointed out as she turned to gaze back to the restaurant. She could still remember the first time she had met Skylar, that night she had agreed to paint her nude and since then she had taken a liking to her.

"You don't understand. I can't celeb______"

"Then make me understand," Mrs. Devin told her as she rushed to cut her off from her self-pity

"Though I know you don't consider me as a friend but a problem shared is half solved" Mrs. Devin continued slowly intending to make Skylar talk as she plastered a smile on her face urging her on with her eyes.

Skylar gulped nervously as she averted her gaze from Mrs. Devin. She felt embarrassed and scared of admitting her fears to her. What if she judges her wrongly? What If she thought she was just being paranoid?

" Skylar. Can I call you that?" Skylar nodded as she turned to look at Mrs. Devin briefly before averting her gaze.

"You can tell me anything. I promise I won't judge you. No one is perfect. You just need to love your imperfections''

After Mrs. Devin's motivational words, Skylar found herself telling Mrs. Devens most of her deepest fears and as the night dragged on, she discovered that it was just that___ just fears and nothing else. It could never define her relationship with Vino.

"I hope you won't let such trivial things ruin your birthday. Come on, you only clock thirty once" Mrs. Devin said with a smile as she stood up from the couch and stretched forth her hands to help Skylar up.

A giggling Skylar stood up from the swing and gave Mrs. Devin her hands while they both strolled back into the restaurant. They pause at the door, while Skylar stops to smoothen out her dress and calm her nerves.

Just as the door opened to usher them back into the room, Skylar turned to whisper in Mrs. Devin's ear before she was hijacked by Paula "I hope you're right"

"I am always right. Trust me!" Mrs. Devin whispered back at her as she watched her conversing with Paula. Skylar nodded at her to show her understanding as she watched her walk to meet her husband who was conversing with some men who Skylar recognized as the Thompson's business associates.

"Where did you go? I've been searching all over for you and Vino has been worried. He thought you left him" Paula immediately rushed to reprimand Skylar as she rushed to fix her makeup which was ruined by the tears.

If Paula noticed the tears, she refused to comment on it but rather continued her work in silence" I'm sorry for making you worry" Skylar apologized as soon as Paula was through with her makeup.

Paula smiled as she stepped back to admire her work "Apology accepted. There better be an explanation for your action"

"Of course, there is but that's later. I need to find Vino '' Skylar rushed to reply as she turned to morph through the crowded restaurant searching for Vino and stopping occasionally to respond to birthday wishes.

"They're come the celebrant" Was Gian greeting to her as soon as Skylar found them conversing together.

"You are here, too?" Skylar gasped in shock. She had thought he had gone back to Spain. She never would have imagined he will be here tonight just to celebrate with her.

"Of course, I am. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Happy birthday, Sky" Gian greeted her as he pulled her into his embrace while patting her shoulder with friendly affection.

"Thank you" Skylar replied but her eyes were fixed on Vino who stood watching her with darkening eyes.

Gian pulled out of the embrace first, he looked from Skylar to Vino to see they were transfixed with one another. He cleared his throat to get their attention and when he did, he rushed to tell them

"I can see you both can't wait to jump on each other. Why don't I excuse you, man?" Gian winked at Vino as he patted him on the shoulder before strolling through the room to meet Vino's younger brother, Victor who was in conversation with a beautiful girl.

"I'm____" Vino pauses to clear his throat as he lets his eyes roam around the room nervously.

"I'm sorry" He continued again trying to get Skylar to forgive him even though he didn't know why she was so adamant about celebrating her birthday but if only she knew

"I'm sorry that I went behind you to create all of this" He gestured to the decorations around him and everyone who had gathered to celebrate them.

"But" He paused to gulp while letting his eyes raise on her, he allowed his voice to rise a bit so it could be heard by everyone. He suddenly knew it was time for him to do this. And right now, at this moment it feels so right

"But I couldn't just give up. After everything we've been through, I couldn't think of the proper time to say this. I know we've only known each other for a short while but I can't do without you" Vino stopped to wipe the tears from his eyes while Skylar gazed up at him with a few tears of her own which she didn't bother wiping away.

"These past few months without you have been pure hell. I only discovered what treasure it was to have you grace my present every day with your captivating smiles and when I lost that___ my existence became meaningless. I don't think I can ever live without you"

The whole restaurant had quieted down while everyone watched with shock on their faces.

Vino gazed around the restaurant nervously, he suddenly became conscious of his environment "This is the first time I'm doing this. So, pardon me if I'm a bit awkward" he told Skylar, plastering a nervous smile on his face as he went down on one knee.

A gasp escaped Skylar's lips as she gazed at Vino in shock, her hands flew to her mouth in shock "Vino" She whispered his name trying to get him to stop joking as her heart escalated with his action

"When I heard you were kidnapped" Vino continued gently ignoring her gasp of protest.

"My whole world came capsizing down. I was reminded of what I felt for you. And I promise that when I find you, I will spend the rest of my life telling you"

"I love you, Skylar Evans. Please, will you make me the happiest man on Earth by becoming my wife? I want to make you mine"

Loud voices erupted through the restaurant as everyone chanted their approval and urged Skylar to respond "Say Yes! Say Yes!!"

"Yes' ' Skylar finally gasped with tears of joy flowing down her cheeks as Vino stood up to gather her in her hands.

Vino kissed her everywhere while stopping to thank her for saying yes to him before they all went through the crowd to receive their congratulations.

Skylar was excited, her birthday will forever be cherished in her heart. This man had made every birthday have meaning to her without even knowing and so, she vowed to love him forever.