Chapter 19: Skylar

Cole called me, saying that he will be home soon. I like the fact that he is removing time from his busy schedule for me. But, I also do not want him to allow his work to suffer because of him. He also told me that it was safe for me to go back to my place. I really like staying with Cole, but I love having my own space.

Once I am done with work, I go to my place and just gather a few things that I will require at Cole's place. I hear my cell phone ring and see that it's my mom.

"Hi, mom. How are you?"

"I am fine, sweety. Where have you been? You haven't called me in three days. I was starting to worry."

"Mom, I was just a little busy with things. What are you and dad up to?"

"Nothing much, just preparing for dinner. What about you? Did you have something to eat?"

"No, mom. I am going out with someone."

"Who are you going out with? It is dangerous going out so late at night."

"Mom, I am going out with my boyfriend."

"You have a boyfriend? Why am I only hearing about this now?"

"Mom, because I knew you would react like this. He is a great guy, mom. His name is Cole. He is a businessman, and he takes good care of me."

"You are so smitten by this man Skylar. Just take care and do not get married soon. Also, Henry had come by yesterday. Call him. You promised you would talk to him."

I huff, annoyed. I just told her that I have a boyfriend, and she still wants me to call Henry.

"MOM, I AM DATING SOMEONE. I DO NOT LIKE THAT YOU ARE LEADING HENRY ON. I WILL NOT CALL HIM. END OF DISCUSSION."

I hate shouting at her. But I get frustrated with her constant need to control my life.

"Look, mom, I am sorry I shouted. But I am serious about Cole. We are even talking about a future together. So I am not calling Henry."

"Skylar, what can you have in common with a businessman? You have known Henry for a long time. He is good for you. Businessmen just want to charm you into having sex. Use your brains and call Henry."

"MOM, FOR THE LAST TIME, I WILL NOT CALL HENRY UP. SO DROP IT. I HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. BYE."

My mom really knows how to get on my nerves. She just wants me back in Texas so that she can control my life. I love my life here. I love Cole. I am not giving that up for my mom's tantrums.

I start packing my essentials and then take a cab to Cole's loft. When I enter, he is not home. So, I start preparing dinner. My conversation with my mom is still fresh in my mind. Before I am aware, I feel a hand wiping away the tears I did not know were falling.

"Why are you crying, beautiful?" I can recognize that voice anywhere. I hug him and let my tears fall. I feel Cole tense, and he hugs me tighter. I love the feeling of being in his arms. His hugs calm me.

"Baby, please tell me what happened? I am getting worried." I hear him say. He leads me to the couch and makes me sit down. He hands me a glass of water and says, "Baby, please share. I will not judge you. I promise."

I sniff and say between my hiccups, "My mom called me today. I told her about you. She still wants me to call Henry. She is leading him on. I hate her for doing that. She went behind my back and did it. I hate Henry. I do not want him near me ever. Not after what he did."

"Baby, please continue. I am not able to understand."

"Cole, what I am going to tell you will change our relationship."

I feel him tense up beside me. I start my story "I met Henry when I was interning with a small Diner in Texas. It was shortly after the demise of my sister. He was a regular customer there. We ended up spending a lot of time together, and eventually, he asked me out, to which I agreed. After a year, he proposed to me. I was beyond excited to be with him. Then he went on a camping trip with his friends. Upon return, he was not the same Henry I had known in the past year. I was excited to share the news of my pregnancy with him.

But he started ignoring me. Whenever I asked him to spend time with me, he would say that he had work. I somehow got that because he was just starting his business. But then I happened to be with one of my friends. She told me that she had seen Henry with some girl who looked like she had a lot of money, and they were having dinner at the most expensive restaurant in Texas. That's when I started putting pieces together. By that time, I was almost in the third month of the pregnancy. I went to his place unannounced, and when he opened the door, he was not happy.

I told him the news about being pregnant, but he just ignored it and told me to drop the baby. We had a very heated argument. I threw his ring on his face and left by the end of the argument. When I was getting down the stairs, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see his fiance, who was smirking at me. She just pushed me and said that she had made it easier for Henry. He needs his mate and not some random chick he slept with. I didn't understand the word mate, but I guess she meant love."

"So, you have a kid?" Cole asks me.

"No, I lost my child three months into my pregnancy due to the fall from the staircase. But that is not all Cole." My voice bearly a whisper.

"What is it, Skylar?" I hear his worried voice.

"I….I…I can not bear kids, Cole. After the accident, the doctor told me that I will never be able to have kids."

That is when my dam broke. I started crying. I felt Cole move. I thought even he was going to abandoned me, but instead, I felt him hug me into him. He rocked me back and forth and cooed in my ears. When I had calmed down enough, I looked at him and said, "Cole, will you not say anything? If you are going to reject me as your girlfriend, please do it now. I will take my things and leave."

"Are you mad? Skylar, I can never be mad at you. Your ex-fiance was stupid to give you up for a random chick. I would never leave you. I do not care if you are able to bear kids or not, Skylar. Even if it is just us for our entire lives, I will be happy and content."

I search his face for truth, and I find that he is, in fact, telling me the truth only. I hug him, and we kiss. Our kiss is full of passion. He scoops me up and says, "Baby, I know you said that you want to wait, but I can not control myself."

"Cole, I need you too." Is all I say.

The night turned out to be amazing. We slept after having sex at least four times. Cole put my heart back together.

The next morning, I wake up feeling sore. Before leaving, Cole kisses me goodbye and says, "Do you want to move in with me?"

I look at him and say, "Cole, I would love to."

He bends down to kiss me and then leaves for work. I start getting dressed for my classes when I hear my phone ring. I see an unknown number calling and pick it up.

"Hello, who is this?"

"Hello, Skylar? This is Henry."

I freeze. What does he want?

"What do you want, Henry? Why are you calling me?"

"Skylar, that is not the way to greet people. You know your mother would be upset. Anyways, your mother said that you would call, but when you didn't, I took it upon myself to call you. I guess you want me to beg you to take me back. That is why you are playing hard to get."

"Listen here, Henry, I have a boyfriend. I am not interested in you. It was wrong of my mother to lead you on. Now, I have to get to class."

"Skylar, are you serious with this guy? I mean, come on, who would want a defective piece like you? I am willing to make things work even when I know that you are defective. This guy will leave you once he knows the truth."

"Actually, Henry, this guy is a man. He knows everything. I have told him EVERYTHING. He still wants me, and we are pretty serious. So DO NOT CALL again. If you do, I will tell my boyfriend to deal with you in his own way. Good Bye Henry. DIE IN HELL."

I let out a sob. Yesterday my mom and now Henry. Why does my life have to be so difficult?

I just have my evening with Cole to look forward to. I have made up my mind to move in with him.