Holding Out For Skye (24 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“Miss Fletcher? Mr. Chan will see you now,” the secretary said as she put down the phone and got up.

It was nine o’clock and Skye had come to see Thea’s father at his office. She had decided his office would be better than at home. She wiped her damp hands on her pant legs as she stood up.

She’d called Marina to let her know she wouldn’t be in today, that something urgent had come up but not to worry, she’d finish her work from home over the weekend.

As for Cian, she’d texted him that she was getting a root canal.

Fortunately he’d let it go.

The secretary showed her into Mr. Chan’s office. A cry of happiness made Skye look up in surprise.

“Skye!” Ten-year old Stephanie cried out as she launched herself into Skye’s arms.

Skye stumbled back as she grabbed her. Thea’s younger sister, Stephanie Chan was a force of nature and a delightful bundle of curiosity, cleverness and mischief, with short black hair and the slanted ebony eyes she shared with her sister.

As the story went—after Thea, the Chans had tried to have another child for years but had not been blessed with that fortune, until like a miracle, fifteen years later, Stephanie was born.

Stephanie had been not just a surprise but a shock. She preferred video games and tree houses to playing around with dolls. She was a complete tomboy to Thea’s quiet sweet-princess and often got herself into all kinds of scrapes.

She was a joy to be around.

Skye was very fond of her and for some reason, Stephanie seemed to like her too.

“Hey, Steph, what are you doing here?”

“I came to work with Daddy today,” Stephanie explained, an impish grin on her face.

“Is that right? Wow.”

“Yeah. Daddy said I’m the best little helper he’s got!” Her little face was full of pride.

“Well, that deserves a reward.” Skye reached into her bag and pulled out a chocolate bar from the several that she always kept in reserve in case of emergencies. Who knew when she’d need a chocolate fix?

She shot a glance at Mr. Chan, Stephanie looking at him too for permission to accept the treat. When he nodded, she took it with a happy cry.

“Thanks, Skye!”

“You’re welcome, sweetie.”

“Steph, honey, why don’t you go along with Mrs. Stuart and help her out?” Mr. Chan offered.

“Okie. I have to go back to work, Skye,” Steph said importantly. “Cya!”

Skye had to grin at her statement. “Bye, Steph.”

She waved as she left with the secretary. Skye turned to Mr. Chan.

“Have a seat, Miss Fletcher. To what do I owe this pleasure?” Mr. Chan sat back in his chair behind his desk, his hands clasped under his chin. He was a serious man with a lean strong face and shrewd dark eyes.

“Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Chan.”

“I always have time for Thea’s friends. At least, I assume this is a social call?”

“Um, yes. I came to talk to you about Thea and Nick.”

His eyes hardened. “Though I appreciate your concern, Miss Fletcher, it is not necessary.”

“I beg to differ, Mr. Chan.”

“I’m sure you do. I admit though, I
am
curious why you are here.”

Skye took a deep breath. “I believe you’re making a mistake by keeping Nick and Thea apart.”

“Is that so? Miss Fletcher, you presume too much. I think this meeting is over.”

“Mr. Chan, if you could just hear me out, please.”

“You have five minutes.”

“Mr. Chan, they belong together. Nick truly loves her and he would never do anything to harm her. He cherishes her.”

“Is that supposed to reassure me, Miss Fletcher? Love does not last. What happens when they no longer have that?”

How could she answer that when she herself didn’t know? “Nick’s feelings for Thea are very strong and she’s the center of his world.”

“Miss Fletcher, I know you would have no inkling about a father’s hopes and dreams for his daughter.”

Skye felt a stab at his words. No, she wouldn’t know that. Her own father hadn’t wanted her.

He was going on, “but I wish for Thea to have a good life and someone who can give her everything I could give her and more.”

“What about Thea’s wishes?
Her
hopes and dreams?”

“Would you have me watch my daughter live a struggling life?”

“No, no. But Mr. Chan, Nick won’t give her a struggling life. He’ll take very good care of her.”

“Just as he will love her forever and they will live happily ever after?”

Skye flinched at the mockery in his voice. “Mr. Chan, he really does love her and she loves him back. They deserve to be together.”

“Can you give me the guarantee that they will always be together?”

Her heart sank. “No. No, I can’t. But no one can.”

Lee Chan thoughtfully watched the young woman whom both of his daughters were very fond of, especially his youngest. Not to mention, his best friend’s family and son, Cian, were very much taken with her. He himself found her quite refreshing. She was very different from other young women. For one thing, she was honest and straight-forward.

But he hadn’t gotten to where he was and ensured his family’s well-being by just believing anything at face value. She could be the exact opposite of what she appeared to be. Which would not only affect his own family but Cian as well, who was like a son to him. And he was very protective of his family.

Well, he could take this meeting as an opportunity to see what she was made of.

“You are right about that, no one can. How about this then? What are you willing to do to see to it that Nick and Thea are together?”

“Me?” Skye was startled. “What can I do?”

“What are you
willing
to do?”

Skye had a bad feeling about this. But if there was any chance at all that she could help Nick and Thea? “If there’s anything I can do to help them, then whatever is needed.”

“That’s admirable of you. Would you give Cian up?”

Skye’s heart seemed to stop.
Give Cian up?

“What are you saying?” she asked him softly.

“If you break up with Cian, I’ll give you my word not to stand in Nick and Thea’s way. They can be together
with
my blessings. Would you give him up for Thea’s happiness?”

Would you give him
up for Thea’s happiness?

The words sliced through her like a lance, leaving her bleeding inside. Break up with Cian? Skye couldn’t lose him. Not him. She loved him. But at what cost? Thea and Nick’s happiness?

“Why are you doing this?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“Cian is like a son to me. He appears to care deeply for you. But your background is sketchy. You’re not the type of girl he usually goes for. Yet, he’s quite taken with you. I have my doubts if you’re good for him.”

“You mean, I could be a gold-digger,” Skye said tightly.

“I see we understand each other. So what will it be?”

Skye felt like her whole life had boiled down to this one moment. She’d finally found someone who made her feel like she belonged. To give that up, to give him up, felt like losing the most important part of her. The most
precious
part.

Cian’d come to mean everything to her. More than anyone, Skye knew just how lucky she was to have found someone like him. She knew most people went their whole lives without meeting the one person who could understand them as well as Cian seemed to understand her, the one person who accepted her as she was, with all her countless flaws.

Lee was disappointed at her silence. Looked like he’d been wrong after all. “Well, I can see what your answer is.”

Skye knew what she had to do. “How can I be certain you’ll let Nick and Thea be together?”

A look of respect flashed in his eyes but she must have been mistaken.

“Miss Fletcher, when I give my word, I keep it. I understand why you may have a hard time believing it, but as an act of good faith, I’ll call Mr. Finnegan today itself and ask him to come to the house. I will give him and Thea the good news that they can be together. How can I be sure
you
will keep your part of the bargain?”

Skye’s mouth set and her chin rose. “Mr. Chan, when I give
my
word, it’s etched in stone. If you promise not to stand in Thea and Nick’s way and let them marry, I give you my word that I’ll break up with Cian. Do we have a deal?”

Could she really be genuine? Lee stared at her thoughtfully. “Yes. We have a deal. But I have one more stipulation. None of them shall know of this discussion.”

Of course you
wouldn’t want any of them to know
, Skye thought bitterly. “I give you my word I’ll not say anything to them.” She stood up. There was nothing more to say. “Goodbye, Mr. Chan.”

“Goodbye, Miss Fletcher,” he said softly, wondering if he wasn’t making a mistake. Only time would tell.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Skye stopped short at the sight of Cian leaning against her apartment door. It was late afternoon now. She had whiled away the day at the park, trying to get her head straight. She had walked for hours, memories of times spent with Cian going through her mind. She felt numb.

Numb was good.

Cian straightened up when he saw her coming. He looked like he’d come straight from work. He was holding a bouquet of yellow roses in his hand. They were such a happy color, so full of hope.

Skye could feel her heart literally break at the sight of them.
Numb, stay numb.

“Hey, where have you been?” A broad smile lit Cian’s face as he presented her with the bouquet. “They didn’t have blue flowers so I thought you would like these yellow roses. They made me think of you.” He leaned in to kiss her but she managed to detract him by burying her face in the flowers.

Cian didn’t seem to be suspicious of her reaction, attributing it to her usual attitude.

If only he knew.
But he was going to find out soon enough.

Skye reached for the door and unlocked it. “What are you doing here?” she asked, trying to buy herself some time.

“Well, Nick and Thea are back together so now that he’s no longer morose, I’m free to spend all my time with my charming girlfriend.”

“How did they get back together?”

Cian gave her a thoughtful look. “Uncle Lee somehow changed his mind and agreed to let Nick and Thea be together.”

So she wouldn’t even have one
last day with him
, Skye thought wearily. But then she’d already known that.

“Oh. That’s great. I’m glad for them.”

“Yeah, they’re over the moon. I missed you today.” He reached for her but she backed away. Surprise crossed his face. “What’s going on?”

Skye’s heart wept at what she was about to do.
Numb, remember. Stay numb.
“We need to talk.”

“Sure. About what?” He still didn’t get it.

“About us.”

A flicker of unease wormed its way into Cian’s heart. “What about us?”

“I can’t do this anymore. I can’t
be
like this anymore.”

“What are you talking about?” The uneasiness was growing.

“Us. I can’t—” her voice broke. Skye tried again. “I can’t be with you.”

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Yes. I’m breaking up with you.” The words slipped out of Skye as if ripped from inside, leaving shards of pain behind.
So
much for being numb.

Disbelief clouded his eyes. “What?”

Don’t make me say it again
, Skye inwardly begged.
Please.

When she didn’t answer, only looked at him expressionlessly, a stab of pain hit Cian straight in the heart. She couldn’t actually be breaking up with him, could she? But she sounded utterly serious. Had they come so far, only to let it go now? Let what they had just go?

“But
why
?”

“Watching Ash and Kiera after their breakup, then Nick and Thea. The pain of it all. Cian, I can’t do it. I can’t go through that kind of pain.”

Cian stepped towards her but she only backed away. Her reaction was like being sucker-punched. “But Skye, that doesn’t mean the same thing will happen to us too.” It wouldn’t help if he lost his cool now.

“I can’t take that risk. I don’t want to fall in love like that.”
I’m already in love like that with you.
But Skye buried the confession deep in her soul.

The words were like blows being rained on Cian. She didn’t want to fall in love like that? What about him? He was already in love with her. How was he supposed to let her go? He rubbed at the spot over his heart. It hurt. Had he inflicted this kind of pain on the women he’d broken up with? Was this karma coming to bite him on his ass?

“Bullshit!” he exploded. So much for not losing his cool. She jumped in surprise. “Do you expect me to believe that you’re just going to let go of what we have together? Is that it?”

“Yes.”

“Bloody hell. Since when did you become a coward?” She flinched at that. Cian fought to keep his anger and pain in check. “Okay, help me understand. Why do you think we’re going to break up?”

“Nothing lasts forever. I know that better than anyone. You know yourself that you don’t stay with anyone for long. It’s better to end it now, before we get in too deep.”

He couldn’t read her face. For the first time since he’d met her, Cian couldn’t read her emotions. Her face was completely inscrutable. A flash of panic flared inside him.

“So you’re leaving me before I leave you?”

Don’t falter now
, Skye told herself.
Don’t let anything in.
“I just… I just think it’s better to end it now before it becomes too painful later on.”

“Before you fall for me,” Cian said in a clipped tone.

“Before we fall for each other. You have to admit we have nothing in common. We’re complete opposites. No one would have expected us to last anyway.”

“I don’t care about what other people think. I care about
you
.”

“Cian, it’s not you—”

“Don’t. Don’t give me that ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ crap. What do you take me for? What do you take us for? Damn you. How can you do this? To us? How can you stand there so cold and unfeeling? Does what we have mean so little to you?” She’d just ripped his heart out and she didn’t even seem to see it.

“No. Please. This is hard enough as it is.”

“Is it?” Cian spat out bitterly.

“You know it is.”

“No, I don’t. I’m beginning to think I don’t know you anymore. That I never really knew you.”

His words bulleted through Skye’s heart like fiery coals, leaving behind painful bleeding holes.
Oh, god,
just let me hold on a while longer.
Somehow she managed to find an ounce of strength to hold the pain inside. Just a bit longer. Until he left.

“Maybe you’re right. I can’t do this. I can’t love like that again. Losing my mother hurt so much. I can’t take that kind of hurt by loving someone so much again. We decided in the beginning that we’d tell the other if we wanted out of the relationship and I want
out
. Please don’t make it any harder than it already is. This is what
I want
. I hope you can understand.”

The weariness on her face got to Cian more than anything else. She looked so completely worn out, as if just talking to him had drained her of all her energy. “So fucking polite.
Damn you
. If this is what you want, who am I to stand in your fucking way?”

Cian advanced on her with quick long strides and kept going even when she retreated, her arms still full of the yellow roses. Her back hit the wall, stopping her retreat.

“Damn you.” He grabbed her shoulders and covered her mouth with his. The kiss was angry and brutal, violence simmering just beneath it.

Skye held on to all her control to keep from responding. When he pulled back, there was a hope in his eyes, a hope that faded when he saw she hadn’t changed her mind. Pain replaced it and her heart ached even more so.

Cian pulled back in resignation. “I hope you are happy with the decision you made, Skye. Goodbye.”

Then he was gone, the door closing quietly behind him. It was worse, so much worse than if he had slammed the door on his way out.

“Oh, god, oh god.” Her breath hitched as the enormity of what she had done hit her all at once, blowing her numbness to pieces. Her legs like jelly, she slid bonelessly to the ground. The tears came then, huge racking sobs that caused her body to shake. A wail ripped out of her, a deep abyss of pain yawning at her feet.

Skye hugged the roses to her and finally let go, hope dying a slow painful death inside of her just as surely as the flowers were doomed to die.