Sky had expected him to say as a friend as they always spend time together. Thinking only he did his job, she sighed inwardly. Feeling relaxed after a few deep breaths, Sky soon reached the restaurant and saw them grilling.
Both saw they had just started grilling. Arlo gave her hot soup first and made her sit. "Drink while it's hot."
Sky nodded and sipped. The soup was from the chef and grilling was doing by travel bloggers.
Arlo took a few skewers and grilled from opposite end quietly without talking to them. By the time he finished, all the skewers were done.
All returned to the table, Arlo sat next to Sky and unskewed few to Sky. The manager gave beers to others and mocktails to Sky and Arlo as per their request.
Jane who was sitting opposite Sky spoke, "Sky! Don't your secretary takes care of you well?"
Sky gave a faint smile and glanced at Arlo before repeating his statement, "Isn't it the work of a secretary?"
Arlo paused. He knew she repeated his sentence but he felt suffocating hearing it. Saying it as secretary was not her style if they aren't in the official work. She would either say yes or brush it off. why did she repeat what I said?
Jane continued, "Get me a charming and caring secretary too."
Sky smiled and responded nonchalantly, "I know only one, Why don't you ask him?"
Arlo furrowed his brows and clenched his left fist tighter. He drowned his mocktail.
Jane again asked, "Will he come?"
Sky poured mocktail to Arlo's glass as she replied, "I don't think so. You can try your luck."
Sky had offered many proposals from the past seven months and he never agreed so she thought he may not agree for this too.
Arlo's brows started to relax after hearing 'I don't think so'.
Sky who was sitting next to him didn't notice any changes but Jane asked it to check his reaction but not Sky's reply.
His minute changes caught by her and a smile appeared on her face. "Leave! If I take him, Who will take care of you? Can you at least leave your work attitude and be Sky who we met first?"
Sky smiled warmly, "Sure!"
Then they spoke about the different outing and Sky asked about different places and ideal times to visit them.
Arlo didn't speak the whole time. He heard them talking and helped Sky whenever she was trying to take anything from the table.
By the time they finished, it was seven in the evening. Sky sent one after the other and Jane was last.
"Can we talk?" Jane asked Sky and looked at the Manager.
Sky noticed and signaled him to leave. "Yes!"
The smile on Jane's face widened, "It may be because I meet many people, I understand them easily. I am sure you are Sky Harley. Isn't it?"
Sky didn't give any reaction, Arlo who was seeing his mobile looked at Jane.
Jane continued, "You don't have to lie to me! And I will not tell anybody about it. So don't worry. Why I said this is because while trying to be aloof and serious, don't lose yourself. Be you! Just like how you enjoyed dinner with us. Just like how you danced with us. That's the real you."
By the end, Jane had held her hand and cupped her face with the other hand. Seeing Jane's sincerity, Sky's smile widened and nodded. "That is just a part of me."
"One more thing..." She pondered as they weren't that close and met only a few times, "Every girl meets a gentleman in her life, who is polite and gentle to her. But he will be violent to others who try to hurt her. When you get such a man, don't let him go. Hold on to him."
Arlo's lips twitched. He clearly understood she was telling about him. Sky didn't know how to react. She couldn't understand why Jane and Thomson said it.
'Is it because I'm at marriageable age according to society?'
"Okay! If I get such a man, I will not let him go." Sky managed to reply.
Jane nodded, "If you need any help anytime, give me a call. Take care."
"Jane!" Sky called before she turned, "Why aren't you guys saying anything about the resort?"
Jane chuckled, "I will review it tomorrow. The blog will take time. By the way who planned this?"
Getting no proper response, Sky pouted and plainly responded, "Team!"
"Sky!" Arlo said when he heard the word 'Team'
Sky shot him daggers before turning to Jane. "How can I do alone? It was a complete team effort."
"Agreeing to whatever you say is not a team effort." Arlo said and went towards Sky's car.
"Duffer!" Sky said looking at him. Jane chortled, "Is he really your secretary?"
Sky played with the pockets and said, "I doubt too. During work, Yes! he is a secretary."
"Anyway, you planned everything?" Jane asked again.
Sky looked at her and contemplated, "I would like to keep many things off media. So I hope this information stays with you."
Sky lightly briefed about the resort project after knowing she won't blog them or write in a review.
Jane was visibly surprised and impressed. "You are creative, imaginative, attentive... I have many more words to say but they are still not enough. Can I kidnap you?"
Sky chuckled, "It's a little difficult." Jane smiled and hugged her, "I hope to see you soon then."
"Same here." Sky replied and see her off. The black car left, her car stopped in front of her with a jerk.
Sky turned to the manager who came towards her. "You can leave. Make sure everything in place."
Sky hopped on the shotgun seat and left with a car following them behind. She had sent the sunset picture to Jai and Loran hence they made a video call.
"Wow! Four together. Can this mobile suck me in there?" Sky whined looking at the Barton parents and brothers.
Sky spoke for half an hour and it was super torture to Arlo other than the time she smiled and giggled with them.
"See you all next week, (a few flying kisses) Sweet dreams." Sky hung up with a bright smile on her lips.
Sky drank some water and saw Arlo rubbing his temples. "What's wrong? I will drive if you are tired." Sky asked.
Arlo wasn't tired but he stopped, "Thank you Ms.Sky."
Sky thought he must be sleepy or tired and drove from there. "You can rest!"
Arlo hummed and turned towards her resting his head backside. Sky initially thought he was sleeping but she could feel his gaze and glanced at him, "What's wrong?"
"Am I only your secretary?" Arlo asked earnestly.