About thirty minutes later,
Both Julian and Nathan lie sprawled out on the sofa, exhausted.
Julian lets out a dramatic sigh: "I can't believe I survived that."
Nathan's face is expressionless, eyes glazed over: "I think I just blacked out halfway... Did she even breathe?"
Skylar, meanwhile, is panting like she just finished a marathon. Her voice is hoarse: "N-No more... I can't talk anymore. Just come eat dinner already!"
She turns to Julian and says: "As for you, Ice Prince, I brought that little foldable chair and table with me. I'll set it up for you to eat."
She pulls out a small collapsible table and chair from the side and sets them down with precision.
In her mind, she mutters: I can't believe this ridiculous little table and chair are actually useful right now… I owe Hoan Hoan a mango cream cake for this.
Skylar then turns to Nathan and smiles: "And you, sit here and eat with me. The room's a bit cramped, so bear with it, okay?"
Nathan quickly waves his hands: "No need! I'm fine!"
Julian shoots up from the sofa, clearly outraged: "Huh?! Why do I have to sit down there?!"
Skylar completely ignores his outburst. With a smile that's obviously forced and eyes twinkling with eerie sweetness, she coos: "You're really not going to sit?"
Goosebumps erupt all over Nathan's arms. He laughs awkwardly. "Okay... I'll do whatever you say... So please get rid of that face. I'm scared."
Skylar laughs and nods: "Sure... I'll put this face away."
"Thank you…"
Julian looks at the scene in front of him with rising frustration and yells: "HEY!!!"
Skylar winces at the screech. She whips her head around and glares: "Resistance is futile. Sit down!"
Julian shivers at the commanding tone and expression. He obediently lowers himself onto the tiny foldable chair in silence, like a punished puppy.
He glares at Nathan with all the wrath he can muster. Nathan shrinks slightly under the intensity.
About fifteen minutes pass.
Nathan and Skylar finish eating.
Skylar glances down at Julian with a mischievous smile: "Dear Young Master… Have you finished your meal yet?"
Julian looks up with gleaming eyes: "Not yet... Come down here and feed me. It'll go faster that way."
Skylar freezes for ten seconds.
Nathan buries his face in the table, holding back laughter.
Is he trying to copy what I did with Hoan Hoan? – Skylar wonders.
Seeing no reaction, Julian's smugness quickly fades: "What's with the silence from both of you?"
"Nothing... Pfft!" Skylar and Nathan reply in unison.
Skylar composes herself, picks up a pair of chopsticks, and her eyes glint with mischief. Her mouth curves up into a devilish smile: "Well then... If you want me to feed you, I accept. But there's just one thing…"
Julian blurts out: "What the heck?! I was joking! You thought I was serious?!"
"Of course," Skylar nods solemnly.
Then she waves at Nathan: "Nathan..."
Nathan senses danger but leans in: "What?"
Skylar grins slyly and cups one hand near her mouth: "Here's what we're going to do... You'll do this part…"
After some conspiring, both of their eyes gleam with anticipation as they look at Julian. Like two beasts eyeing their prey.
Skylar pulls out her phone and hands it to Nathan, her eyes brimming with trust: "Film this for me. Make sure you capture the moment I feed our Young Master."
Nathan still looks a little skeptical: "Aren't you afraid he'll cut your paycheck in half if he finds out?"
"I'm not scared!"
"If you're not scared... then I shouldn't be either! Let me show you the power of the captain of the Young Master's bodyguards!"
"That's the spirit!" Skylar cheers.
Nathan turns on the camera and carefully adjusts the angle to make Julian look as baby-faced as possible. It's also perfect blackmail material.
Skylar beams. Holding out a spoonful of food, she tilts her head and says in a syrupy voice as if coaxing a toddler: "Here you go, Young Master... Open up!"
Julian's face drains of color. He waves his hands in panic, his body stiff like a statue: "No! No, I don't need that anymore! I can eat on my own!"
"There's no need to be shy. Just imagine yourself as a child again," Skylar says gleefully.
"A... child?" Julian echoes.
"Yup! Just a child!" Skylar says, bouncing with energy.
At those words, Julian's face darkens. In his mind, memories flicker like an old video reel: a sparkling room, a little boy, and a stern father towering over him...
Why... Why am I thinking about him again? Damn it! – Julian lowers his head. His father's voice echoes in his skull.
Seeing his reaction, Skylar grows worried. She reaches out her hand, trying to smile: "A-Are you okay?"
Suddenly, Julian shoots to his feet, eyes blazing with anger. Sweat pours down his temples. He pushes her aside and shouts: "DON'T SAY THAT WORD AGAIN!"
Skylar falls to the floor, shocked. Her expression is fearful. She gets up slowly, brushing herself off, voice trembling with remorse: "S-Sorry... I didn't mean to…"
Julian freezes. He looks at Skylar, panic written all over his face: "I-I didn't mean to either…"
He stumbles backward, step by step, then bolts out of the room.
SLAM!
The door slams shut behind him.
The room falls eerily quiet, as if all the air has been sucked out.
Skylar moves to chase after him, but Nathan grabs her shoulder and shakes his head: "Let him be. And... don't ever mention the word 'child' or anything like that in front of him. Not unless he says it first. Just... don't."
Skylar bites her lip, holding back tears. She brushes off Nathan's hand and says firmly: "Let me go. I'm the one who made him like this. At worst…"
"At worst what?" Nathan asks.
"We'll figure it out when we get there," Skylar replies.