Skylar was a little taken aback by the transformation after the stylist finished her hair and makeup. She wasn’t used to seeing herself in such a polished, glamorous light. The black dress, with its delicate cutout back, gave her an air of sophistication and elegance she hadn’t expected. It was simple, yet powerful, accentuating her figure in a way that made her feel both confident and slightly out of place at the same time. The reflection staring back at her in the mirror was almost unrecognizable; she hardly recognized the woman looking back at her.
When Paul saw her, his reaction was immediate and intense. He’d always known Skylar was beautiful, but this… this was something else. The simple gown had transformed her into an eye-catching vision, one that could stop people in their tracks. Her beauty was captivating, but Paul, being used to the high-society world, knew better than to let his gaze linger too long. He had a job to do, and besides, she wasn’t his. Still, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.
The drive to the auction house was uneventful, but as soon as they arrived, things took an unexpected turn. The security guard at the entrance took one look at their small, modest car and immediately began to act condescendingly, treating them like outsiders who didn’t belong. Skylar raised an eyebrow at the exchange. She wasn’t surprised by the guard’s arrogance; people like that were everywhere, looking down on others for no reason. The Williamses had made it a point to treat her the same way in the past.
But Paul wasn’t about to let the man’s attitude slide. His voice turned cold as he questioned the guard, making it clear that he wouldn’t tolerate this treatment. Skylar watched calmly, unimpressed. She was used to people judging her based on appearances, and while it irritated her, she had learned to brush it off over time. She wasn’t going to let a security guard or anyone else dictate her mood.
When the guard finally recognized Paul and realized who he was, his entire demeanor shifted. The apologies flowed quickly, and the man became overly polite. Skylar couldn’t help but smirk inwardly, amused at the sudden change. It was typical, the way people adjusted their attitudes based on status. It was a game, one that she had no interest in playing.
Once inside the auction house, Skylar finally met up with Joe. He looked as imposing as ever, dressed in a sharp, tailored suit that made him appear even taller and more aloof. The moment his eyes landed on her, however, she could see the brief flicker of surprise in his gaze. She didn’t know why, but something about the way he looked at her now seemed different. She had expected him to be cold and distant, as usual, but there was a subtle shift in the way he regarded her.
Skylar stood still as his gaze lingered on her. She could feel the weight of his attention, and it unnerved her slightly. His eyes, usually unreadable, seemed to soften ever so slightly as he took in her appearance. She was aware of how striking she looked in the dress, but his reaction was unexpected.
She didn’t let herself get lost in the moment, though. This wasn’t a time for distractions. As much as his gaze made her feel a little self-conscious, Skylar knew she had to focus. She wasn’t here to impress Joe, and she certainly wasn’t interested in playing into whatever game he was silently trying to play.
“What?” she asked, breaking the silence, her voice steady.
Joe blinked, as if snapping out of his thoughts, his gaze hardening once more. “Nothing,” he replied curtly. His face regained its usual stoic expression, but Skylar could still sense the lingering effect of his surprise. “Let’s go inside.”
Skylar nodded and followed him, her heels clicking softly against the floor. The night was just beginning, but she had a feeling it would be filled with more surprises.
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