Surprise!!!

*Chapter twelve*

Third Person's POV

"Dad...sshh" Skylar gestured to her father,her ebony dark hair held together, divulging her green eyes. She stood on her toes,sparing glances at her almost burnt eggs. "You won't ruin my surprise" She continued threateningly,after failed attempt on preparing scrambled egg tacos and finally getting the hang of it. Asher watched his little princess,she had said she didn't need any help but still dragged him all the way down to the kitchen. He didn't say it much but it was a good thing Natalie was here. Skylar was happy and so was he. She hadn't noticed any thing different in Natalie, maybe she did but just loved her mother way too much.

"Dad... Would mum like this or that?" Skylar questioned tugging Asher's hand.

"You know she would like anything as long as you made it" Asher chimed to his little princess. He had a lot on his mind. From the business affairs all the way down. But amidst it all, Skylar's stable health was most of his priority,considering her contingent heart conditions. She was still a very cheerful and happy child.

It was so early in the morning and Skylar as usual was up with an amazing surprise for Natalie. One she never made a pass at through out this weekend. She had even involved the house chef Vicky into her little fiasco. The poor thing could do nothing but pledge her undying support, displaying her pearly white teeth which for a middle aged lady was rather fashionable.

Asher gave a heartwarming hug to his daughter,leaving her to indulging hands of the kitchen.

She was happy. That's all that mattered to him.

He finished up some paperwork he had tend to through out the night. Spending the night yet again in his office, something he had done for a year now.

He wasn't complaining. For the time he had been with Natalie,the new Natalie. He could say he knew her well enough. Her eyes gave it all away. She could be a daredevil but notably reticent at the same time. Ever since from Asia,He had given Natalie her space. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable neither did he want to arouse Skylar's curiosity and that of the employees at home.

So Natalie and he still shared a room. She didn't complain and wouldn't but he felt obliged to stay away burying his head in his office affairs.

He stretched out his arms, giving it a little massage as it ached all over.

Certainly a hot shower was needed to ease up the cramped up bones. He made his way to his room. Natalie was already up and out.

'Maybe she'd gone downstairs.' He thought dismantling his clothes, exposing his bare chest and abs all the was down, slipping into the hot shower.

Days like this, his mind would wander far around. He closed his eyes, getting lost in the welcoming claws of the steamy heat. He thought a lot, his mind finally resting on Skylar.

The past year, no doubt has been the happiest for her. Back in Asia,she had just one attack...it wasn't severe,the doctor had advised that whatever we had been doing so far had a positive effect in her condition. It would have been a good news under different circumstances, one not involving Asher to deliver the sad news of Natalie's passing to her.

It hurt him and he knew better than anyone it will only get much worse.

His bent time to tell Skylar the disheartening news was slowly elapsing. Even after so much time has passed, he still didn't know what to tell his princess.

She was his life and heaven's knows his fate if anything happened to her.

Now his mind drifted slowly to Natalie. They all had no idea what their end would be after this whole pretense was over. Even so he wished her nothing but happiness.

He didn't blame her for anything definitely not Natalie's death. Maybe at first he did. But she wasn't at fault,she was a victim and also lost a child. The real villain was that bastard,Dave fucking Anderson.

Asher cursed.

Dave was his wife's murderer. He was responsible for the difficult situation he found himself. Dave was guilty and he wouldn't be spared not by Natalie nor him. This had became personal to Asher.

Asher stopped the shower,catching a breath. His eyes shut against the wall. Suddenly, he could feel a presence behind him,at the other side of the bathtub. His eyes lit up when he saw her.

Hell was he surprised.

It was Natalie. She was here about to take a bath. Obviously she hadn't seen him.

Asher was shocked. He couldn't move nor speak a word.He indubitably had no idea what took over him. He was glued to his feet watching her intently.

She had already poured in her soap and had begun to untie her robe.

He quickly understood what's was about to unfold before him.

"Natalie" His words filtered to her ears, his voice sounding so timorous as if trying to reprove.

On an impulse she turned around, clutching tightly herself. She gazed into the shower....It was Asher.

It was him.

She could feel a certain nerves rising,anxiety and nervousness clouded her. "I'm really sorry...I didn't know you were in there" Without wasting any more time, she scurried away,leaving Asher stunned with some emotions rushing through his mind...That was doubtlessly beguiling.

Natalie raced off to Skylar's room,clutching tightly her robe.

'What just happened?' It was improbable.

Her body indeed was firm but her mind dazzled by what took place minutes ago. She tried calming herself down,moving to the bathroom.

***

"Mummy.... hurry." Skylar demanded,pursuing Natalie down the stairs clasping her tiny little hands over Natalie's. The breakfast surprise was definitely not enough for the little one. She led Natalie all the way to the balcony, were she showed Natalie her school project on painting a family.

"It's lovely" Natalie hummed, biting back the sting of tears eager to display.

"You love it right" Skylar emerald green eyes beaming proudly, emanating a unique self accomplishment.

"Yes I love it my little angel" Pulling Skylar in for a cradling hug. "Next time I'll paint with you"

"Seriously mum,you know how to paint...?" Skylar was shooting Natalie with a scrupulous look.

"Yes I do...you know when I was about your age my dad taught me a-"

"Seriously mum,you hate painting" Skylar giggled.

"I do and-" She stopped on her words. She knew she had said too much. Natalie hated painting, she gazed at the inquisitive little one whose eyes never wavered from her. She brushed it off with another hug,hoping she wouldn't prod any further. Just in time,her phone rang.

'Dave'

As soon as she identified the caller,her gentle motherly warmth was quickly replaced with a cold hateful aura.

"Hello" She said,moving away from her little angel.

"It's Dave" He said so informal and irksome.

"I know" He apparently continued, not noticing the hostility behind her words.

"I've sent you an email of the Resort"

"Alright...I see to it later" From the background of the phone, Natalie could feel the presence of someone else.

Obviously she was there. Emma Brooke.

"We'll go over it tomorrow" She say,disconnecting.

Asher was now downstairs. Natalie undoubtedly had something to say,but retracting her legs when the thought of what happened hours ago,flushed through my mind. She paused, his eyes now on hers. He strode over."That's was Dave right" He gave a mild laugh without showing any evidence of whatsoever occurred behind the enclosed walls of the bathroom.

His phone vibrated, he looked down on it and then back to Natalie.

"He's in town"

Natalie eyes twinkled at Asher's words, everything was now in motion. She had received a wonderful news from her insideman at Krystal Corp. and now,the other was in town.

Her lips worn an amusing smile. Natalie could finally begin the next phase. Dave and Emma had come a long way together, but now it was time to put an end to it. Considering their entire deeds together, it won't be easy but It was necessary for the plan in motion or maybe deep within Natalie just wanted her to taste the awful feeling of been used and discarded like trash.

Well she will now.

This was the only way and Natalie knew she had to act fast,the business deal will soon come to an end,but before that,It was mandatory she was a part of Krystal Corp.

And Emma fortunately needs to be out.

The tucking hands of Skylar brought her back from her very own world.

She looked down at the little angel,who worn a smile which was heartening. This could wait till tomorrow.

Right now, Skylar was more important. Yes she was. After all this time,Natalie could agree that she had a bond with Skylar which was beyond her hatred and pain.

She was an angel and no one could resist her charm and innocence.

Three years had seemed long enough but Natalie knew best how time fled. She carried little Sky into her arms.

Even after all is done,Skylar would suffer more. It was unavoidable,and just as she promised Natalie, she intended to make the remaining time left a happy memory for her angel.

They went out to the balcony, no matter how she tried,she couldn't help but let her thoughts roam around. She had to reclaim everything that was stolen from her,including Krystal Corp but she fear that in doing that she may have to drag her father's company down the mud. Yes she would.

She'll have to destroy and break down it's standing,render it nothing but a face from the past. And this would all be possible due to her beloved husband illegal shenanigans he had rugged the Company with.

Soon,a heavy storm would help stake it holes into Krystal Corp and she'll be right here. Waiting for intended moment to swing into action.

And then she'll have the best seat in the house when everything Dave Anderson and Emma Brooke claim to have worked for,crumble to her feet.

Only then they'll know...Karma had come knocking.