Chapter 13- The Boathouse

When Skye arrived for breakfast a few days later, only Edward, AJ, and Ned were seated.

"I still can't believe Carly hasn't picked up Michael yet," AJ said.

"Don't complain AJ," Edward said. "He's back with the bosom of the family."

"Oh, I'm not complaining. I'm just wondering who this new man is that she has suddenly decided to let me be part of Michael's life."

Skye walked over and sat beside Edward. "You never did answer my question."

Edward poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her.

"How much of the fortune is mine exactly?" Skye asked and took a sip of her tea.

AJ rolled his eyes. "Don't you think you've beaten this thing to death already?"

Edward grinned. "Well, I don't think Skye's out of line at all. How much do you want?"

Ned shook his head. "You realize he's using you? The charming relic that he is. He's just trying to punish AJ and me."

Skye smiled at him. "Yes, thanks for the insight, Fred."

"Ned."

Skye shrugged. "There's a difference?" She turned back to Edward. "Now, why don't we start with what you people are all worth? I'm sure that'll be very simple to calculate the percentage of whatever that is plus interest" She patted her chest. "For reparations."

Ned gawked at her. "Reparations? For what?"

Edward wrapped his arm around Skye. "For being raised outside of the bosom of the family. What else?"

AJ looked up at the ceiling.

"Let's see," Edward said. "You've done magazine work. And you have public relations experience. Why you'd be a fine asset to ELQ. That's more than I could say for these two reprobates." He pointed to Ned and AJ. You see, Ned here has abandoned the family. He's too busy talking that noise he calls music."

Ned grinned. "Beats working for you."

"And AJ," Edward continued. "He's an incurable dilettante." He scooped some Jello onto his plate and scooted his chair even closer to Skye and handed her a spoon so they could share the Jello. "But you my dear, you'll have plenty of influence at ELQ, believe me."

FargateFargateFargate

"Hello, Vicki." Rae walked into her office.

Vicki smiled and hugged her. "Hi Rae. I feel like I haven't seen you in a long time."

Rae sighed. "I'm sorry, I've just had a lot on my plate."

"Well, that's understandable."

"I'd love to get together for coffee sometime," Rae said. "But I'm actually looking for Skye. I wouldn't normally come to her work like this, but I really need to talk to her. Has she started her shift yet?"

Vicki frowned. "Funny you should ask. I just got off the phone with her. She quit."

Rae's eyes grew wide. "She quit?"

"Yes. I was a bit taken back. She didn't even give two weeks notice, she quit just five minutes before her shift was supposed to start. She must have other work lined up."

Rae groaned. "I have a feeling I know what that other work is."

"How are you two getting along since you found each other?"

"We were starting to get along a lot better and she even moved in with me. But she got very angry with me the other night, which I don't blame her for, and she decided to live with her father. Since then, she won't return any of my calls."

"She has always been very stubborn, that's for sure."

"I'm not giving up on her though. I never will."

FargateFargateFargate

Skye's first day at ELQ was interesting. She didn't have a lot of work to do, Edward mostly showed her around, gave her an office, and introduced her as the future CEO to everyone. He informed her that the whole family would be attending a charity benefit that ELQ was sponsoring the next day and that included her. Ned and AJ gave her the silent treatment when she got home, but she managed to get a hold of AJ's cell phone so she could snag Carly's phone number.

She felt bad ignoring Jax's call, but with all honesty he deserved better than her. As much as she really wanted to continue dating him, she wanted this to unfold with Lorenzo so that the attention wasn't always on Emily. Rae called her a couple times again and Alan said she called the house, but she just couldn't deal with that right now.

Lorenzo had dinner ready at their house that night. He was at least good looking, though she couldn't stop thinking about Jax. She was on a mission though and when they finally kissed, she snapped a selfie of them.

When she got home, she laid down on her bed and sent the photo via text to Carly. This was fun.

Ding.

She was expecting it to be Carly right away, instead it was a Llanview number.

Skye, it's Rae. I'm texting from John's phone. I know you're angry at me and I don't blame you. I'm so sorry for the things I said. I'm sorry for everything. The last thing I want to do is hurt you or make this harder for you. I want you to know that I'm not going anywhere. I'm here when you're ready to talk.

Tears sprang to Skye's eyes as she stared at the text. She started to type something back, then erased it. Then she clicked on Rae's text and deleted it from her phone.

Ding.

This time, it was Carly to text her.

You were warned. Better watch your back.

FargateFargateFargate

Everyone in the Quartermaine household hustled to get ready for the benefit, including Lila. Michael, who had been there almost all week, would be staying with Big Alice while they were out. Skye received a text from Jax saying he hoped to see her at the benefit. But just as everyone was heading out and she grabbed her coat, she received a text from Lorenzo.

Hello, beautiful. Meet me at the Quartermaine boathouse while everyone else is at the benefit.

Skye stared at the text for a few minutes. Grandfather was expecting her to attend. Everyone was. Perhaps she could just steal a few minutes with Lorenzo to keep up the act.

"Uh, AJ…" She caught him just as he was leaving.

"Yeah?"

"I forgot a necklace I wanted to wear. I'll meet you guys there."

Skye watched as they all left and buttoned up her coat. It was very nippy out being the end of February. There was only a light layer of snow and the water looked like it had only a little slush over it. She read over the text again. She liked being called beautiful. She wasn't so sure if that was true though, but it was nice of Lorenzo to call her that. It also gave her a thrill to be sneaking around and no one knew it. These things almost gave her a sense of control or power over her life no matter how artificial it was, since she felt she had no control over anything most of her life. She just want—

Suddenly, a gloved hand covered her mouth. She screamed into and struggled as the person dragged her towards the boathouse. The person opened the door and pushed her inside to the floor, slamming the door shut before Skye could identify them.

"Help! Help!" Skye shouted and jumped to her feet. "Who are you?" Skye pounded her fist on the locked door. "Why are you doing this? This isn't funny! Damn you! I know you're still there. Open this door right now or you're going to be very sorry!" Skye stepped back and set her hands on her hips. "Do you know who I am? I'm a Quartermaine and a Chandler. My family practically owns this country. And I'm very good friends with Jasper Jacks, he owns the rest practically." She wrapped her arms around herself and kept her hands in her sleeves to keep warm. "So, you're going to be in more trouble than you ever bargained for, whoever you are. Do you hear me? Let me out!"