Penelope was evidently still living in the past, dreaming that her children would pave the way for her success.
After three rounds of drinks, Tobias excused himself and Skylar, unwilling to linger.
After the two of them had left, Zelda sniggered, remarking, “I keep seeing that girl featured on the entertainment news lately. She’s thinner than she appears on television and very pretty indeed. I never thought I’d finally get to meet a woman with enough charm to melt Mr. Ford’s heart of stone. She has a bright future ahead of her.”
Jovially, Brayden retorted, “Would she be able to capture Tobias’ heart if she wasn’t pretty? Off the top of my head, theirs is the most stable relationship that Tobias has had thus far.”
Zelda grinned. “Men are all the same. They’ll always fall for youth and beauty. Old women like us spend every waking moment on skincare, but a smooth, pretty face like that instantly throws us out of the running. She’s got such an alluring scent, too.”
Sensing that the conversation was verging on dangerous territory, Brayden hastily volunteered, “Well, in my heart, my wife is the most beautiful woman of all. No one else even comes close.”
Zelda bestowed a gracious smile on him. “I’m glad you know that.”
As the car sped past a cafe Skylar frequented, Tobias’ earlier words sprung unbidden to mind, in which he’d persuaded her to give up on eating food from common places.
Skylar felt foolish. She had naturally wanted to share the things she loved with Tobias.
However, she wondered if he would think it immature or naive of her. Even worse, he might despise her as someone who had no taste or sophistication.
Tobias’ daily lifestyle consisted of golf, fine dining, toting designer goods, and wearing bespoke clothing. He was not a part of high society – he luxuriated in it.
Skylar, however, consistently felt like an imposter amidst these gorgeous trappings. Her constant unease made her feel a sense of suffocation.
Instead of heading straight home, Skylar ordered the chauffeur to make a detour to the cinema. Even if Tobias was reluctant, she was determined to have him watch her latest film, Virgo.
She’d bought tickets to the midnight screening. Lit only by the dim glow of the aisle lamps, she was virtually unrecognizable in the darkness of the cinema.
Amused, Skylar couldn’t decide if she should be flattered to receive such a double-edged compliment.
She turned her attention to Tobias. Throughout the movie, however, his face remained utterly expressionless. At the climax of the film, even she could not resist dabbing at her moist eyes.
Tobias, on the other hand, looked completely unmoved. A casual observer would not have guessed that he was watching the same movie as Skylar.
After the lights came on, both Skylar and Tobias stayed to watch the credits roll as the cinema gradually emptied. Witnessing her name on the big screen, Skylar felt a renewed sense of accomplishment rise within her.
Turning to Tobias, she exclaimed gleefully, “Do you think I’ll get an award for this?”
Patiently, Tobias replied, “Sure.”
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