8. Talent Hunt

“Mom! Mom!!. Where are you?” Skylar shouted, getting out of her car which was safely parked in front of her mom's flower shop. She opened the door and was surprised to see her mom behind the counter.

Mrs Evans stared at her daughter, her eyes threatening to come out of their socket “ Skylar honey. What are you doing here on a Tuesday morning? Are you not going to work?” Mrs Evans questioned, coming around to hug her.

Skylar pulled out of her mom's hug as she went to sit on the couch “ No Mom. I called in sick today”

“What? What's wrong with you? Is it anything I should be worried about? ”Mrs Evans asked, raising her eyebrow at her daughter.

“No, I'm okay. I just don't feel like going to work today. Moreover, I have something to do around this neighborhood” Skylar replied as she crossed her legs on the couch sulking.

Mrs Evans raised her eyes staring at her daughter who she knows that something is not alright with her though, she's not saying anything.

“Skylar Anna Evans” Mrs Evans called out to her daughter who raised her eyes startled. It has been a while since she heard her middle name since the death of her grandmother who has always referred to her by that name.

“Yes Mom,” Skylar answered back as she pulled out from the thoughts of her grandmother, “ Anything?”

“What are you not telling me?”Mrs Evans asked again walking closer to her

“Fine. Do you want to know what happened?

“Sure darling. I want to, that's why I'm asking” Mrs Evans replied as she sat on the couch opposite her daughter.

“Mom I feel worthless. Every time, I feel like he's warming up to me. He does something to show me he's not interested in me ” Skylar laments frustrated as she gazes at her mother, her eyes glinting with unshed tears.

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“Who are we talking about here? Vino?” Mrs Evans questioned gently.

“Yes Mom. Yesterday, he asked me to clean his office. Can you imagine? Who does that to someone you loved? And now my body just won't stop hurting me”

“Are you going to judge him on the basis of that? Moreover, I don't see anything bad in cleaning. You know I've always told you to clean your room a few time and _______”

“Mom!!” Skylar screamed, sad at her mom “ Are you pacifying me or adding to my troubles?” Skylar huffs at her mother. She stood up to take a drink from her mom's office while Mrs Evans smiled at her retreating back.

Mrs Evans has stood up and went back to the counter to sort out some documents since her secretary won't be coming in today. She was in the middle of opening the drawer when the door suddenly ding and a tall, young man walked in holding a banquet of flowers, looking quite lost.

“Hello! Can I help you?” Mrs Evans asked the young man who was so handsome.

“Hello. Are you Mrs Daisy Evans?” The young man asked as a flicker of recognition passed through his face. Mrs Evans nodded in response. She searched her brain for where she could have met him knowing that she could never forget such a handsome face.

“Nice to meet you, Mrs Evans. I'm _____”

“Vino!” Skylar exclaimed startled, the bottle of juice came craving down on the floor causing her mom and Vino to jump at the noise.

“I'm sorry. I mean Mr Thompson ” Skylar corrected herself as soon as she saw the shock on his face.

“Miss Evans” Vino acknowledged her blankly before turning to look at her Mom “ This is for you, Mrs Evans ” Vino smiled, he thrust the flowers at Skylar's mom who collected it and smiled her thanks.

“Wow! Middlemist red. This is so beautiful, thank you. I've always been wanting to get my hands on them but they are rare” Mrs Evans exclaimed awed. She couldn't stop giggling like a young school girl.

“I'm glad you liked them. My mom runs a garden. I picked them up from there” Vino explained with a smile on his face.

“ Really!! Then I can't wait to see your mom's garden. If she has got flowers like this_____”

“Mom!!” Skylar huff annoyed as she walked to the couch. She couldn't believe her mom was embarrassing herself by giggling. Though she does not blame her, Vino sure knows how to work his charm on people.

Vino straightened. He strolled over to where Skylar was seated preoccupied in her thoughts. He couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. After getting to the office that morning, only to find out that Skylar has called in sick. His conscience won't stop pestering him, blaming him for her sickness. He has immediately dropped everything and came running over only to find out that she was hale and hearty.

“I see, you could still drink a glass of juice when you are sick ” Vino remarks sarcastically. He sat down on the couch opposite her, raising his eyebrow at her while he crossed his legs.

Skylar stared at him a bit longer before averting her gaze. To think she misses him after everything he has put her through yesterday.

“Who told you I was sick? ” Skylar questioned him. She brought her drink to her lips and sucked on it slowly causing Vino to squirm on his seat.

Vino swallows nervously and turns to look away from her lips `` Then why are you not in the office?” Vino smoothes out his shirt. He picked up his phone, anything to keep his mind off Skylar's lips. It's taking all of his willpower not to succumb to the temptation of her sexy lips. Moreover, her mom is watching them like a chaperone.

“I'm in the office!” Skylar replied shrugging

“In your mom's office?” Vino questions her with a shock expression on his face “ I'm not sure you know what I'm talking about Miss Evans? ”

“I do know, Mr Thompson. Moreover, I'm working from home today. If you would excuse me, I have to work on project Y.T. A'' Skylar replied as she stood up about to walk away. Vino's curious voice stopped her as she turned to look at him.

“I'm sorry I'm lost, Miss Evans. What does Y.T.A stand for?” Vino asked her with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

“Young, Talented Artist” Skylar replied.

Vino smiled showing his perfect groomed white teeth “ That's why I'm here. Let's go together” Vino stood up and followed her out of the door after saying goodbye to her mom.

“Okay. Thank you for the flowers" Skylar's mom replied smiling as she waves them off. She stood smiling at the counter before turning to walk back into her office.

“Why are you really here, Mr. Thompson?” Skylar asked Vino, immediately she was safely in the comfort of his car.

Vino turned to look at her shocked. He pulled out of her mom's driveway “ But I told you, I'm here for the Y.T. A or whatever you call it”

“ Are you sure that's all?” Skylar asked again just to be sure. She doesn't want to get her hope up, maybe he's here to see her because he's guilty of over_ working her yesterday.

“Yes. What else do you think I will be here for, if not work_ related? Miss Evans, I don't waste my time on something that is not productive. If you don't mind, I will like to get on with our schedule for today ” With that the conversation in the car came to an end. Skylar turned to look out of the window trying to force back tears that were making her eyes shine. She wouldn't deny that Vino's words had hurt her badly.

Immediately, Vino pulled the car into the Community Art Centre, Skylar made a dive for the door. She doesn't want to be in his presence any longer. The things he made her feel are threatening to come out. She doesn't want to give him that satisfaction.

Vino sat gasping at Skylar's retreating back. What could he have done to make want to distance herself from him?. Shrugging, Vino shut the engine and walked into the art center where he met Skylar in conversation with an elderly woman. She paused when she saw him approaching, the smile draining immediately from her face.

“Uhmm_ Mrs Jones, this is my boss Mr Thompson. Mr Thompson, Mrs Jones, she is the manager of the Community Art Centre”

“Nice to meet you, Mr Thompson. Miss Evans has explained the purpose of your visit here. I'm glad to be of help to you” Mrs Jones replied as she immediately took them round the different artifacts that were displayed there. Skylar jot down the names of some of the artists she would like to contact later.

Vino followed them closely while glancing around the art center, he stopped abruptly on his track as a rarest painting caught his eyes. He strolled slowly to the painting and ran his hands through the delicate face in the canvas. Mesmerised by the features of the woman he could never have.

“I see you've met our most priced artwork, Mr Thompson? But come to think of it, Miss Evans. This lady in the painting sure does look like you” Mrs Jones remarked. She has often wondered who the person in the painting was since it was a live painting.

Skylar nodded as she slowly made her way to the painting. Her heartbeat escalated in her chest as she ran her hands through the delicate features of her face bringing back memories as she gazed into it. She glanced at the name of the artist and gasped loudly.

“Leon is a very fine artist. I will like to recommend him to you, Mr Thompson ” Mrs Jones continued excitedly oblivion to the escalating heart beat of her companion or the frowns etched on Mr Thompson's brows.

Skylar forces her face away from the painting. She turned to smile at Vino who only glared at her in response. She smiled at Mrs Jones who was watching, trying to hide the curiosity in her eyes “ Are these all the artworks in your possession? ” Skylar asked her, trying to get her mind off what just transpired between Vino and her.

“No, there are still a few more Miss Evans. If you would come with me, I'll show them to you ” Mrs Jones replied looking at Skylar.

“I'll like to come with_____”

“No. Thank you Mrs Jones, this will do for now. If you will excuse us, I'll like a word with my assistant ”Vino immediately jumped into the conversation cutting Skylar off.

Mrs Jones smiled at them before turning to walk back into her office while Vino practically dragged Skylar all the way to his car.

“Let go of me. You're hurting me, Mr Thompson ” Skylar screamed trying to free her hands from his powerful grip.

Vino pretended not to hear her as he dragged her to his car “ What was the meaning of that inside there?” Vino shouted at her. He let go of her, waiting for her response.

“Meaning of what? ” Skylar glared at him as she tried to massage her wrist.

“ Who was that guy and what were you doing in the painting? Do you now go about sleeping with random guys?” Vino asked her. The line of his mouth tightened a fraction more in anger.

“I'm sorry Mr Thompson but I don't mix my private life with business ” Skylar replied, sending him a piercing glare from anger.

“Meaning?” Vino asked her shocked that she was not afraid of him one bit.

Meaning that it's none of your business Mr Thompson ” Skylar replied angrily. She storms off into the art center leaving Vino to sulk behind.

“What the fuck?” Vino swore in anger. He kicked his car tyre as he stared at Skylarks back, contemplating whether to go after her or not.

He shrugged and got into his car. He pulled out of the driveway. His muscles became more pronounced due to his powerful grip on the steering.

“Should he suck it up and ask her out? How can he tell her that he was jealous of another man's hands on her body?” Vino wondered endlessly to himself.

“Fuck Vino! You've got it bad for her” Vino swore to himself. He maneuvered the car into Camille's driveway and shut the engine, preparing to let his frustration on her as he fuck her.