Same flaming red hair and that radiant smile. Her cheeks had sunken though, he remembered how cherry tomatoes-like they were when he had seen her last.
The gorgeous white dress she wore accentuated her curves so perfectly as her body had changed in the past eight years, it had filled up in the right places.
And then her gorgeous mint-shaded eyes shifted and found his oceanic ones as she drew close.
A hint of a very forced smile slowly crept up on her painted lips. He did find a sudden glint of curiosity in her eyes though. Like most people did when they saw him.
They stopped a few feet away from Zyair and Doran made the introductions. His voice was an annoying hum in the back of Zyair’s head as his eyes kept glued on the lady who was casually holding his arm.
"Good evening, Mr. Zyair. It’s an honour to be here. Thank you for inviting us," she respectfully stated, keeping a tentative distance from him. Her husband must have informed her that he didn’t like physical contact with people, especially women.
"Good evening and likewise. Now that your husband will be working under me, it was only natural that we all get acquainted," Zyair raked his sleek ebony hair back and purposefully mentioned Doran being under him.
Skyla was a bit taken aback by his deep-guttural voice. It seemed familiar somehow and yet she highly doubted she had ever met this masked and yet elegant man before.
"I am sorry for the loss of your father. Please, accept my condolences," she spoke in a very soft tone and Zyair gently nodded at her.
He donned a sharp lavender-grey suit, which perfectly fitted every curvature of his toned muscles. Zyair was so much taller in person than he seemed on the TV. His left hand was in his pocket while the right one rested on his stomach.
Skyla noticed he had made no attempt to shake hands with them.
Zyair’s hand itched to reach out and shake her soft hands. He still remembered their touch.
Skyla awkwardly smiled staring at the most striking feature on his face that was his azure-shaded eyes. Like an open sea but calm, unlike her husband’s turbulent ones. The gaze had that intensity to it but a softness at the same time.
Zyair was not a puzzle, the man was a complete maze. There was this jittery feeling mingling with excitement that was bubbling inside of Skyla for she was a fan of his costumes and anime cosplays. But she didn’t dare say that in front of her husband.
"Thank you! For having us," Doran finally interrupted them and urged Skyla to move ahead.
"This way please," an attendant led them towards the special table that had been arranged for Doran, Skyla and Zyair only. Zyair had specifically asked for this arrangement.
Doran was content that Zyair was giving him so much attention. Not knowing the true purpose of this dinner and the man with the mask’s meticulous plans were light years ahead of him.
Like a doting husband, Doran took out the chair and helped Skyla settle in it. Zyair watched him in contempt, he bit his lip under the mask seeing his pretence. On purpose, Zyair had a seat exactly opposite Skyla. He wished to keep her innocent face in front of him.
Once everyone was settled the waiters handed them the menus. As Skyla lifted the menu her hand which was previously hidden in Doran’s arm became visible. There was a burn mark near the knuckle of her ring finger, exactly under where her wedding ring rested. It was a cigarette burn, Zyair knew because he had plenty himself.
His clasp tightened immensely as he tried to reel his emotions in and turned his stormy gaze towards the abominable man. He was busy reading the menu. Zyair wanted to pick up the glass and break it on his head.
His gaze went back to Skyla but his head remained towards Doran. He wanted to remain discreet and not startle her by acting like a creep. She tugged a stray lock of her gorgeous hair behind her ear as her eyes concentrated on selecting what she wanted to order.
Once the orders had been placed, Doran drew Zyair’s attention towards himself and began discussing new ideas with him. Zyair fully entertained him, offering him strategies and then skillfully manoeuvred the conversation towards an anime-related clothing line.
He sensed a subtle change in Skyla’s demeanour, she was listening very attentively.
"I think you should launch an anime-related clothing line of B-Couture," Zyair suggested.
Doran’s apprehensions were very much apparent on his face when the masked man spoke about anime. Having no clue of them, he was blank and a stuttering mess.
"You don’t watch anime, do you now?" Zyair enunciated, he was going to enjoy his misery.
"Not really, I am not fond of cartoons," he replied a bit annoyed. Zyair’s left brow cocked at the stupid answer and Skyla tightly bit her lower teeth, not wanting to laugh.
"They are not mere cartoons, they are art," Zyair tactfully answered and peeked at Skyla, she was beaming with excitement. He could sense she was dying to say something.
"What do you think? Mrs Blackthorn. Do you also consider anime to be mere cartoons?"
Skyla placed her arms on the table and stole a glance at her husband, he sat passively. Not revealing many emotions.
"I think anime is a whole culture, many universes and a vastness of emotions. I thoroughly enjoy watching it and as an avid fan wholeheartedly believe it has great potential when it comes to business," Zyair was thoroughly impressed by her answer, his eyes mellowed some more for this girl.
"You are a woman of culture I see and I agree with your opinion. That’s one of the most trending clothing lines we own right now at Kincaid International," Zyair informed them, his attention finally shifting to Doran.
"Your wife understands, I would have hoped you learnt something from her," Zyair taunted with a smile to lighten the blow to Doran’s fragile ego.
"Haw! She is a housewife, Mr. Zyair. What can she possibly know of the business world," Doran haughtily answered, the smile on his face had lessened and a vein in his jaw had begun to tick.
"A housewife you say? Let’s see," Zyair turned his attention towards Skyla, taking in her embarrassed face due to her husband’s heartless words. He was going to make a fool of him so he slowly asked.
"Can you kindly name some of the most sold costumes from the anime world and I will tell you how much profit renowned companies are making from simply selling those costumes."
Sitting back relaxedly, the enigma of a man patiently waited for her to answer, a satisfied smile was on his hidden lips.