Chapter three

Skyler :~

The morning light slipped through the thin curtains of my small bedroom, landing across my face. I rolled over with a groan, pulling the blanket higher. My head wasn’t aching, but my chest was heavy.

I couldn’t stop thinking about last night.

The party. The people staring. The whispers about me. And most of all—him.

Neil Kingsley.

I clenched my teeth just remembering his face. That sharp, cold expression. Those dark eyes that looked at me like I was dirt on his shoes. His voice, low and cutting, as if every word was meant to stab.

“People like you shouldn’t be here.”

It replayed in my head again and again. I had faced insults before. Growing up poor meant getting judged all the time. But something about the way he said it felt worse. Like I didn’t deserve to breathe the same air as him.

I sat up slowly, rubbing my face. The room was quiet, too quiet. My parents had already gone to the shop. That meant I had a few hours before I had to join them. A few hours to think, though I didn’t really want to.

My phone buzzed on the table. A message from Sam.

Sam: Wake up, lazy. Meet me at the café? I’ll treat you breakfast.

I almost smiled. Sam always knew when to pull me out of my thoughts. I quickly replied.

Me: Okay. 10 minutes.

I washed my face, changed into clean jeans and a plain hoodie, then left the apartment. The street outside was noisy, filled with honking cars and vendors calling out their goods. It felt normal, safe, unlike last night’s glittering chaos.

By the time I reached the café, Sam was already there, waving at me with his usual grin.

“Sky!” he called out, patting the chair beside him.

I sat down, and a waiter came over immediately. Sam ordered a table full of food, way more than two people could eat. I only asked for coffee.

“So,” Sam leaned forward, eyes sparkling. “How was the party? Fun?”

I gave him a flat look. “Fun? Are you kidding me?”

He blinked. “What? You didn’t enjoy?”

“Enjoy?” I scoffed. “Sam, I humiliated myself. I spilled soda all over someone’s suit. And not just anyone—Neil Kingsley. Your oh-so-important friend.”

Sam’s grin faded. “Oh. That’s what happened.”

“You knew him?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“Of course,” Sam said casually. “Our families have known each other forever. He’s… well, you know who he is. The big CEO. Everyone respects him.”

“Respects him?” I repeated bitterly. “More like worships him. But he’s not some god, Sam. He’s… he’s arrogant. Rude. Self-centered.”

Sam raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like you really hated him.”

“Hated?” I leaned back, crossing my arms. “That’s too soft. He looked at me like I was trash. Just because I made a mistake. Just because I’m not rich like him.”

Sam chuckled lightly. “That’s just Neil. He’s always been like that. Cold. Serious. He doesn’t let people close.”

“That’s not an excuse,” I snapped. “He insulted me. In front of everyone. Do you know what he said? ‘People like you shouldn’t be here.’”

Sam’s expression softened. “Sky…”

I shook my head. “I’ve heard things like that before. From others. But for some reason, coming from him, it felt worse. Maybe because he said it like it was fact. Like it was written in stone.”

The waiter brought our food. Plates of pancakes, eggs, and toast covered the table. The smell should have made me hungry, but my stomach twisted instead.

Sam poured syrup onto his pancakes, watching me carefully. “I get it, okay? Neil isn’t easy. But maybe… he didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”

I laughed bitterly. “Oh, so I should excuse him? Because he’s rich? Because he’s powerful? No thanks.”

Sam sighed. “You always judge people too quickly.”

“Judge?” I shot back. “He judged me the second he saw me. He didn’t even try to know who I was. Just one look, and I was already beneath him.”

Sam stayed quiet for a moment, chewing thoughtfully. Then he said, “You know, Neil’s not exactly happy either.”

That caught me off guard. “What do you mean?”

“He works all the time. Day and night. He doesn’t have friends. He barely talks to anyone. His life looks perfect, but I think he’s… lonely.”

I frowned. Lonely? Neil Kingsley? That sounded impossible. A man like him didn’t need anyone. He had money, power, respect. People lined up to please him.

“Lonely or not,” I muttered, stirring my coffee, “he’s still a jerk.”

Sam laughed softly. “You’re stubborn.”

“Or maybe I just don’t like being treated like garbage.”

Sam leaned back, shaking his head with a smile. “Fine, fine. Hate him all you want. But just remember—you and Neil might be seeing more of each other.”

I froze. “What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “Our families… they have connections. Business stuff. You’ll probably run into him again.”

I groaned, dropping my face into my hands. “That’s the last thing I need.”

Sam chuckled. “Relax, Sky. Who knows? Maybe you’ll get used to him.”

“Never,” I muttered into my hands. “Never.”

But deep inside, a tiny voice whispered something I didn’t want to hear. Why are you still thinking about him, then?

I pushed it away. No. I wasn’t going to waste my time thinking about Neil Kingsley.

Still, when I walked home later, his face came back to me. Those cold eyes. That sharp voice. The way he looked at me like I was nothing.

I hated him.

So why couldn’t I stop remembering?

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