"Amore!" Warren yelled, wanting to chase after Skylar, but he was quickly enveloped in a hug by Nanny Grace, who had been watching from afar.
"Let me talk to her, please," Warren begged, a tear slipping down his cheek.
"Calm down, honey. Just give her some space," Nanny Grace whispered, hugging him tighter.
"No, I need her to listen to me. I can't stand her being upset with me!" Warren cried harder.
No one would believe Warren was shedding tears, especially for a teenage girl, but he was so deeply in love with Skylar that it didn't matter. He was hurting, terrified that Skylar would leave him like she had before. Giving her space felt impossible, but he knew she needed it, and he realized he was wrong. So, he gave up and cried like a child in his nanny's arms.
•••••••••• Later That Night ••••••••
After making sure Warren was tucked in, Nanny Grace walked to Skylar's room and knocked lightly on the brown vintage door. When there was no answer, she entered.
The sight of Skylar broke Nanny Grace's heart.
"Everything seemed fine just this morning," she sighed as she sat a few inches away from Skylar.
Skylar was sitting on her bed, her back against the headboard, holding her medium-sized brown bear. Her damp hair framed her face, giving her an eerie, horror-like vibe. Her lips were red and swollen from constant biting. She had clearly just taken a shower, dressed in red PJ bottoms and a matching short-sleeve button-up shirt. They were almost identical to Warren's, except his were long pants.
"Darling," Nanny Grace called gently.
Skylar slowly looked up. Her eyes were red and puffy, but she hadn't cried.
"You need to talk to Warren. It's—"
"I don't want to," Skylar interrupted, her voice sharp.
"You don't want to? How do you expect your marriage to work then?" Nanny Grace scolded.
"It's not a marriage, it's a contract! And I hate myself for agreeing to it. I've destroyed his life!" Skylar shouted, tears finally slipping down her face.
This was exactly how Skylar felt. She saw how Warren dealt with her outbursts, her tantrums, her childishness, and her psychotic behavior. She felt like she wasn't enough. She thought she had ruined Warren's life and taken away his chance to live a normal life with a normal girl.
"You are Warren's life, Skylar. He would be miserable without you... and so would you," Nanny Grace explained softly.
"You and I both know how you feel about Warren."
"H... how do you know?" Skylar asked, surprised.
"I'm aging, not blind," Nanny Grace chuckled. "Give Warren and yourself a chance."
Skylar hesitated but finally nodded.
∞∞∞∞∞
Meanwhile, things were going smoothly for Raymond and Alice. They were in the large hall of the resort, playing a couples' game. Everything was fine until it was time for the couples' dance. Though Alice resisted at first, she found herself swaying softly to the music, her hands on Raymond's shoulders and his hands on her lower back.
After a smooth twirl, Raymond's hands accidentally landed on Alice's waist, and both froze.
'Be... bells. Are those... bells?' Raymond wondered internally as he looked up at Alice, who quickly ran off. Raymond immediately chased after her and caught her in one of the hotel corridors.
Taking the lead, Raymond pulled Alice into their shared room, slamming the door shut as Alice lowered her gaze.
"Vanilla," Raymond called softly, his voice gentle. Alice slowly lifted her head, her eyes already shimmering with tears.
"What are those?" Raymond asked, his gaze soft but intense.
Alice's tears fell freely now.
"Don't, please," Raymond mumbled, wiping her tears away, but more quickly followed.
"I'm sorry I hid it. I was just... scared. I thought..." Alice paused, backing away from Raymond as she slowly lifted her shirt, revealing a beautiful golden waist chain. It was different, adorned with tiny bells visible through glass-like holders. The chain shimmered against her pale skin, and the gold and rainbow designs highlighted her beauty. It looked almost like an anklet, but it was on her waist.
"You... you hid this?"
"I know. I was scared. I thought you'd leave, like my exes did, if you found out..." Alice trailed off, but she was cut short when Raymond pulled her close, holding her waist tightly.
"I love it, Vanilla," Raymond whispered, his eyes locked with hers as she looked up, her eyes glistening.
∞∞∞∞∞
The Next Morning - Kruz Mansion
"I love you too, Lucy," Flame confessed, moving closer to Lucy and capturing her lips in a soft kiss.
∞∞∞∞∞
"Lucy, wake up!" Mrs. Kruz yelled, shoving Lucy off the bed.
"Ahh... Mom, we were just about to kiss!" Lucy whined, rubbing her eyes.
"Go take your bath, idiot," Mrs. Kruz snapped, walking out of the room.
"Soon, real soon, I'll taste those lips," Lucy muttered with a crazy smile.
"Lucy!" Mrs. Kruz yelled.
"In the bathroom!" Lucy yelled back, rushing into the bathroom.
∞∞∞∞∞
WS Mansion
Warren walked out of his room and stood in front of Skylar's door. He was dressed in orange joggers, a matching hoodie with white imprints, and white Adidas sneakers. His hair was in its messy, bedhead state, making him look effortlessly hot. He knew he wouldn't get a goodbye hug today, so he carefully placed a small note, a red rose, and a cup of grape-flavored bubble tea in front of her door.
With a heavy sigh, Warren walked out of the mansion, his hands tucked into his pockets. He knew today wasn't going to be a good one.
As Warren left the mansion, Skylar slowly opened her door. From where she stood, she could see Warren walking away. She looked down at the items he left for her—first the blood-red rose, then the bubble tea, and finally the heart-shaped letter.
A wide grin spread across Skylar's face as she read the note.
---
Good Morning, Mio Amore
I'm sorry, Doll. Please forgive me and let me explain. The only one I want and need is you, love.
Mr. B
---
Skylar walked back into her room and placed the letter and rose in her favorite drawer, the one with her sketchbook and a small razor-like knife.
She waddled downstairs in her big bear tracksuit, sipping her bubble tea. Settling onto the couch, she decided to call Alice, who picked up after a few rings.
••••••••••••••••••••
"Do you know what just happened in my life?" Alice yelled.
"Good morning to you too, Alice. And no, I don't know," Skylar muttered.
"I would be your future sister-in-law! Raymond found out and loved it! We hugged, then kissed... it was a wet—"
"Okay, I get it," Skylar cut in, rolling her eyes.
"Sky?"
"Huh?"
"What's up?"
"I had a fight with Warren."
"Huh? "
"I reacted way too much, and I hurt him. I want to apologize, but I don't know how," Skylar sighed.
"How about a surprise?"
"Yeah, I thought about making his favorite dishes."
"You want to cook?" Alice asked, making gagging sounds.
"Hey, I cook way better than your sorry ass!" Skylar yelled.
"I know. Just wanted the crazy Sky back," Alice grinned.
"Thanks, Alice."
"Don't flatter me, Sky. I've got ya," Alice replied with a smile.