Unbroken by Secrets

chapter four- the ring And the truth

Mr. Rayner was lounging comfortably on the couch, his legs crossed as he skimmed through the news headlines on his tablet. His reading glasses rested precariously on the bridge of his nose. A glass of chilled orange juice sat beside him, half-empty, condensation dripping down the sides. The house was peaceful, quiet—until the sound of the front door creaking open broke the silence. He glanced up, catching sight of Xavier walking in, his expression determined, but with a hint of nervousness.

“Good afternoon, sir,” Xavier greeted, bowing his head slightly in respect, his hands clasped in front of him.

Mr. Rayner, never one to skip on manners, gave a slight nod, adjusting his spectacles. “Good afternoon,” he replied. His eyes lingered on Xavier for a moment before he asked, “Who are you looking for, young man?”

“I’m here to see Skylar, sir. Is she in?”

Mr. Rayner’s brow furrowed slightly before softening again. “Yes, I believe she’s upstairs in her bedroom,” he said, gesturing vaguely towards the staircase.

“I’ll wait for her, sir,” Xavier said, standing awkwardly by the couch.

Mr. Rayner raised an eyebrow. “Will you stand and wait for her?” His voice was firm but not unkind. “Please, sit down,” he added, motioning towards the empty couch opposite him.

Xavier hesitated before taking a seat, the tension in his body clear as he settled into the cushions. “Thank you, sir.”

Mr. Rayner regarded the young man for a long moment, taking in the way he seemed to fidget slightly. He had seen Xavier around frequently, always with Skylar, and his presence had not gone unnoticed. There was something serious about him today, though. A different kind of energy.

“What can I get you?” Mr. Rayner asked, his tone casual, though his eyes remained sharp.

“I’m fine, sir. I just came to see Skylar.”

“If you say so,” Mr. Rayner said, leaning back in his seat, still observing Xavier. “Son, I’ve been seeing you around here often, and not just once or twice. So, I have to ask—what exactly is going on between you and my daughter?”

Xavier stiffened slightly. He hadn’t expected the question so soon, but he knew it was inevitable. He gathered his thoughts, taking a deep breath. “Skylar and I… we’re friends, sir.”

“Friends?” Mr. Rayner repeated, his voice taking on a slightly amused tone. He sat forward, placing his tablet on the coffee table and removing his glasses. “Do you think that’s the right word to use?”

Xavier’s brow furrowed in confusion. “I don’t understand, sir.”

Mr. Rayner chuckled softly. “You’re Skylar’s friend, and yet you bought that Maybach for her? You’re Skylar’s friend, and you call her every night? You’re Skylar’s friend, and you take her out on private dates?” His voice was calm but pointed. “Come on, young man…”

“Xavier, sir. My name is Xavier,” he interrupted quickly, sensing Mr. Rayner’s knowing look.

Mr. Rayner’s smile widened, his eyes gleaming. “Come on, Xavier. We’re both adults, and so are you and Skylar. I know what’s going on in your head. So, tell me the truth—what do you really want?”

Xavier swallowed, feeling his heart race. This was the moment of truth. He couldn’t back out now. “The truth is… I love Skylar, sir. I want to make her my wife—my life partner and my friend, too. But she’s not giving me the response I need.” His words came out sincere, almost desperate, but they seemed to strike a chord with Mr. Rayner, who smiled thoughtfully.

“Xavier, women are very easy to love,” Mr. Rayner began, his voice taking on a softer tone. “And they can be emotional, too. Skylar, my daughter, is a very special girl. She might act tough, but deep down, she’s not. Her actions speak louder than her words. She loves you, too, even if she hasn’t said it.”

A wave of relief washed over Xavier, his tense shoulders relaxing slightly. “I’m happy to hear that, sir. And I’m grateful that you’ve accepted us.”

“As long as you don’t break her heart, it’s fine with me,” Mr. Rayner warned, his tone turning serious once more.

“I won’t, sir,” Xavier said firmly, looking the older man in the eye.

Just then, the sound of light footsteps coming down the stairs caught both their attention. Skylar appeared at the bottom, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, her casual outfit giving her an effortless beauty. She smiled when she saw her father but frowned when she noticed Xavier sitting with him.

“Dad, I thought you were going out today?” she asked, walking over to him and casually picking up his glass of juice, taking a small sip before handing it back.

Mr. Rayner chuckled. “I changed my mind. Decided to stay and rest.” He paused, then added with a smirk, “By the way, your husband is here to see you.”

Skylar blinked, confused. “Husband?” She turned, following her father’s gaze until her eyes landed on Xavier, who was sitting with an awkward smile plastered across his face. “Oh…” she muttered, realizing what her father meant. “I didn’t know you were coming,” she said, sitting down opposite Xavier, her arms crossing over her chest.

“I didn’t think I needed an invitation,” Xavier teased, trying to lighten the mood.

“Oh, I see!” Skylar’s eyes narrowed playfully, but there was a lingering edge of curiosity. “What were you and my father talking about?”

“Nothing much. Just… my intentions,” Xavier said, his voice soft but steady.

Skylar raised an eyebrow. “I wonder what that means.”

“You’ll find out soon enough.” He leaned forward slightly, his eyes softening as he looked at her. “It’s Valentine’s Day, Skylar.”

“So? What happens on Valentine’s?” she replied, her tone more teasing than curious.

“I want to take you out. Let’s enjoy the day together.”

Skylar hesitated, her gaze falling to the floor. “Have fun and stand the chance of getting insulted by your friends?” She shook her head. “Come on, Xavier, your friends don’t like me.”

“That’s not true,” Xavier said firmly. “And besides, you’re not dating my friends. You’re with me, and they’re not coming today.”

Skylar sighed, her voice quieter now. “It’s not that simple. I just don’t like being around them, especially Vermon. He’s…”

“Vermon’s nice, Skylar,” Xavier cut in, though his voice lacked conviction.

Skylar looked him in the eye. “You know how ‘nice’ he is.”

Xavier stood up, brushing off her comment. “Just get ready. I’ll pick you up later.” He checked his watch and sighed. “I have a meeting now. It’s important.”

Skylar looked away. “Okay.”

Xavier bent down, wrapping his arms around her in a warm embrace. “I’ll see you soon. Goodbye.”

Skylar didn’t respond as she watched him leave, her mind swirling with thoughts she wasn’t ready to confront yet.

---

Later that evening, at Heaven’s Dove Lounge

Xavier drove them to Heaven’s Dove Lounge, a rooftop restaurant with a breathtaking view of the city’s skyline. The setting sun cast a golden glow across the landscape, turning the atmosphere romantic and serene. The soft hum of quiet chatter and ambient music filled the air as they stepped inside.

“Welcome,” Xavier said, pulling out a chair for Skylar. She smiled, sitting down gracefully.

“Thank you,” she replied, placing her handbag on the empty seat beside her. “This place is beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Xavier said, sitting across from her. “I ordered your favorite dishes already. Let’s just enjoy tonight.”

The meal was a perfect blend of Skylar’s favorite delicacies, and while they ate, the tension that had lingered between them earlier seemed to melt away. They laughed, drank wine, and for a while, it felt like nothing in the world could come between them.

After dinner, Xavier stood up, excusing himself. “I’ll be right back,” he said, leaving Skylar alone at the table, sipping her wine.

Suddenly, the soft background music faded, and the disc jockey’s voice filled the room. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We have a special moment tonight.”

Skylar’s heart skipped a beat as she saw Xavier walk to the center of the room, a microphone in his hand. He turned to face the crowd, his voice steady but full of emotion.

“Love is a beautiful thing,” he began, his eyes locking with Skylar’s. “It’s something that gives hope to the hopeless, life to the dead, and joy to the most bitter person. You don’t need to know someone for years to realize they complete you, and I can say that about Skylar. My fiancée.”

The crowd gasped, their attention fully on Xavier now. Skylar’s hand flew to her mouth, her heart pounding in her chest.

“I’ve found a queen, a business partner, a wife, a mother, an adviser, and a friend. Many say I’m out of my mind for falling in love with a celebrity model—a woman of trending fashion—but I say I’m privileged to have her in my life.” Xavier's voice softened as he looked directly into Skylar’s eyes. “Right now, in front of all these people, I want to ask the most important question of my life.”

The room seemed to still. The clinking of glasses, the murmured conversations—all of it ceased as the spotlight shifted entirely to the couple. Skylar sat frozen, her heart beating faster than ever as Xavier began walking toward her, every step measured, deliberate.

He knelt before her on one knee, pulling a small velvet box from his breast pocket. The collective breath of the crowd seemed to hang in the air as he opened it, revealing a stunning diamond ring that sparkled even in the dim lighting of the lounge.

“Skylar,” Xavier’s voice cracked slightly, but his resolve remained steady, “will you marry me? Walk down the aisle with me. Make me a complete man. Let’s spend our lives together.”

Skylar’s eyes brimmed with tears as she looked down at the man kneeling in front of her. Her thoughts raced, memories of their shared moments flashing through her mind—how he had always been there for her, understanding her in ways no one else did, loving her despite her complexities and secrets. The world around her blurred for a moment, all of the people watching fading away, leaving just the two of them in their little bubble of love.

“I will,” she whispered, her voice shaky with emotion.

Xavier’s face lit up with the most genuine smile she had ever seen. He slipped the ring onto her finger, and the moment their skin touched, a rush of warmth flooded her body. The room erupted in applause, people cheering and clapping, some wiping away tears as they watched the scene unfold.

Without hesitation, Xavier stood, pulling Skylar into his arms, and they shared a deep, passionate kiss. It was the kind of kiss that held promises of a future filled with love, trust, and shared dreams. For a moment, time stood still, and all that mattered was the connection between them.

When they finally pulled apart, Skylar laughed softly, wiping at her tear-streaked cheeks. “I can’t believe you did that,” she murmured, her voice filled with awe. “I thought you were insane for a second.”

“Love can make you mad,” Xavier teased, holding her hand tightly in his as they returned to their seats. “But I had to do it. I had to make sure the whole world knew how much you mean to me.”

Skylar couldn’t stop admiring the ring on her finger, the symbol of everything that had just happened. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, still overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment. “But didn’t you feel embarrassed, making such a scene?”

“No,” Xavier said confidently. “The only thing that mattered was that you said yes. Nothing else matters.”

Skylar leaned back in her chair, her emotions settling as the reality of what had just happened began to sink in. She was engaged. Engaged to a man who loved her beyond reason. But with that joy came a pang of doubt that she couldn’t quite shake.

“Do you think your parents will accept me?” she asked softly, her voice hesitant.

Xavier frowned, clearly not expecting the question. “Why wouldn’t they?”

“Because of my career,” Skylar admitted, looking away. “Your parents might not approve of you marrying a model. They probably assume I take nude photos or that I’m not… respectable.”

Xavier’s grip on her hand tightened. “Do you take nude photos?” he asked, his tone calm but serious.

“No, I don’t,” Skylar said quickly, her voice firm. “But it doesn’t matter what the truth is if they’ve already made up their minds.”

Xavier’s gaze softened. “Skylar, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks—my parents included. This is my life, my marriage. You’re going to be my wife, not theirs. Don’t let other people’s opinions cloud our happiness.”

Skylar smiled, though the worry still lingered in the back of her mind. “I just don’t want to be the cause of any trouble between you and your family.”

“You won’t be,” Xavier reassured her. “In fact, I want you to meet them. We’ll be traveling on Monday to visit them.”

Skylar raised an eyebrow, a mixture of excitement and nerves bubbling up inside her. “Okay… I’m in,” she said, though she couldn’t help but wonder what kind of reception she would get.

Xavier leaned in closer, his voice lowering slightly. “There’s something else I want to ask you,” he said, his expression more serious now. “Have you… been intimate with anyone before?”

Skylar blinked at the unexpected question. She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Yes… Jason. We shared a lot of things in common. He was my first love,” she admitted, her voice soft, tinged with lingering emotions. “Jason is a good man, kind and homely. I would have given up anything for him.”

Xavier didn’t react immediately. He simply nodded, his gaze understanding, even as Skylar’s eyes filled with tears at the memory.

“Don’t cry,” Xavier said gently, reaching out to wipe away her tears.

“I’m sorry for bringing it up,” Skylar said, sniffling. “I didn’t mean to… bore you with that.”

“You’re not boring me,” Xavier reassured her. “Our first loves are important. I get it.”

Skylar smiled weakly, her heart feeling lighter at his words. “Thank you.”

“Come on,” Xavier said, standing up and holding out his hand. “Let’s go home.”

Skylar took his hand, following him out of the lounge, the weight of the evening settling around them as they walked to the car.

---

Later that night, at the Rayner household

Skylar arrived home feeling lighter than she had in weeks. The engagement had filled her with a sense of certainty and excitement she hadn’t realized she needed. She walked into the living room, where her father and brothers were sitting, watching a late-night news program.

“Good evening, Dad,” she greeted, a wide smile on her face as she plopped down beside him on the couch.

Mr. Rayner immediately noticed the glint of happiness in her eyes, the way she was almost glowing. “Sweetheart, you look excited,” he said, sitting up. “What’s going on?”

Skylar grinned, holding up her left hand for them to see. The diamond ring sparkled under the dim living room lights. “Xavier proposed to me today, and I said yes. I’m getting married!”

Her brothers, Owen and Hasil, practically jumped up from their seats in excitement. “Oh my God! That’s huge! Congratulations!” Owen exclaimed, rushing over to give her a hug.

Hasil followed, grinning from ear to ear. “That’s amazing news, sis! Congratulations! You have our full blessings.”

Skylar hugged them both, laughing as the reality of her engagement sank in even more. “Thank you, guys. I’m traveling with Xavier to meet his parents on Monday.”

“That’s great,” Mr. Rayner said, his deep voice filled with pride. “You have our full support. We’re happy for you.”

Skylar leaned over to kiss her father’s cheek. “Thank you, Dad.”

After a few more minutes of chatting, Skylar finally excused herself, feeling the exhaustion of the day catching up to her. “I think I’ll head to bed. Goodnight, everyone.”

“Goodnight, sweetheart,” her father called after her as she ascended the stairs, a wide smile still lingering on his face.

As Skylar lay in bed that night, her hand resting on the soft fabric of her blanket, her thumb gently caressing the ring on her finger, she couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The road ahead wasn’t entirely clear, but one thing was certain—her life was about to change forever.