Chapter 158
Gloria noticed the subtle exchange of glances between Skylar and Joe. She could sense something was different between them.
When Gloria realized how late it was, she gently urged them, “It’s getting late. You two should go upstairs and get some rest. I’m feeling a bit tired myself.”
Earlier, when Gloria tried on the clothes Skylar had bought her, Edgar had commented that it seemed like Skylar and Joe were developing feelings for each other. At first, Gloria had her doubts, but seeing the way Joe looked at Skylar now, there was something undeniably affectionate in his gaze.
Gloria, always perceptive, couldn’t ignore the traces of affection she saw in Joe’s eyes. Sharing a bed at their age was bound to create a certain closeness. Would their connection remain strictly platonic?
It was a time when emotions and desires could heighten, and Gloria wondered if it would be a waste for nothing to happen between them after spending the night together.
Once Skylar and Joe went upstairs, Skylar took her usual shower first. Afterward, Joe went in for his turn. The air between them was still awkward, but they had gotten used to it over time.
Skylar lay in bed and checked her Amazon store, as she did every night. She’d been receiving a steady stream of orders recently, probably due to the positive word-of-mouth her store had gained.
Her sales were making thousands of dollars a day. She began to think about making a down payment on a house soon. Then, Janine and her brothers could move in, and they could live together under one roof—sharing meals, waiting for her brothers to start their own families. The thought made her heart feel warm with happiness.
Joe emerged from the bathroom and saw Skylar smiling, clearly happy about something. He raised an eyebrow, curious.
“Feeling happy?” Joe asked.
Skylar nodded, her eyes sparkling. She showed him her phone screen. “This is my online store. It’s been making me thousands recently.”
She paused for a moment before adding, “Soon, I’ll be able to sell some of the genuine antiques I bought. I can help prevent so many people from getting cheated by counterfeit items.”
Joe smiled softly, his expression softening as he saw her excitement. “That’s great. Congratulations.”
Her happiness seemed to rub off on him. In his loungewear and with his hair still slightly damp from the shower, he looked less stern and more relaxed, almost youthful in his demeanor.
Skylar, feeling more at ease, said, “You’ve been so busy lately, and I haven’t had the chance to treat you to a proper meal. When you have time, let me know two hours in advance, and I’ll prepare something special for you at home.”
She almost forgot about it until she thought of paying the down payment for the house. The memory of depositing millions into her bank account came to mind.
“Tomorrow night then?” Joe asked as he settled into bed.
“I’m going to my mom’s place tomorrow. We’ve planned to have dinner at a hotel, so I’m really sorry. How about the night after tomorrow?” Skylar replied.
Joe didn’t hesitate. “Sure. You rarely talk about your family. Do you mind telling me more about them?”
Joe was curious—he wanted to know about Skylar’s family, not about the troubles she had with the Williams family, but about her upbringing with Janine and her brothers.
Skylar paused for a moment, then began, “I have two older brothers. Steven is my eldest, and Charles is my second brother. My younger brother, Harvey, is preparing for his college entrance exams.”
She smiled softly, the serenity of the moment making her feel at ease as she spoke about her family.
“They’re the best family anyone could ask for. My mom never used physical punishment, even when I was a naughty child. My brothers absolutely doted on me. We may not have had a father figure, but love was never lacking. My eldest brother has always been fiercely protective.”
Skylar’s heart felt truly calm as she shared these memories with Joe. In truth, her family was quite ordinary, but they meant everything to her. It felt good to speak about them with such ease, something she hadn’t done in a long time.