Chapter 1701: Chapter 1701

Chapter 1701

Skyler’s train of thought was yanked back to reality when her phone’s ringtone pierced the silence. She fumbled for the device and answered the call. It was Tina on the line, “Skyler, can you swing by the office?”

“Sure thing.” Skyler replied.

After hanging up, she quickly got herself together and hurried off to the game development studio.

They needed her input on the final touches of the video game’s theme song-a project that Zavier and his team were personally developing. He was fully invested in it.

Zavier’s presence at the studio didn’t deter Skyler from getting into her work groove. The morning turned into a blur of busyness, but the results were fantastic, and the mood among the team was jubilant.

At lunchtime, Tina suggested they all head out for a celebratory feast.

Skyler felt like her head was filled with lead, too drained to entertain the idea, “I think I’ll pass.”e2

Zavier noticed her pallor, “You feeling okay?”

She shook her head, trying to downplay her fatigue, “I’m fine.”

But Zavier wasn’t buying it. He reached out, pressing his hand against her forehead, “You’re burning up. Have you lost your marbles?”

Skyler felt unjustly scolded and a wave of self-pity washed over her, “Why are you being so rough on me?”

“Just come with me,” Zavier commanded.

“Where are we heading?” Skyler asked, confusion lacing her voice.

“To the clinic.”

The chill in the air had done her no favors. After pushing through a morning’s work with a fever, it had only gotten worse.

Skyler’s consciousness wavered, a nagging voice at the edge of her awareness chiding her, “You got sick and didn’t even mention it, serves you right to suffer.”

She tried to block out the annoying voice and slipped back into sleep. When she next opened her eyes, Zavier was there, looking about as pleasant as a storm cloud.

“Feeling any better?” he grumbled as she regained consciousness.

She shook her head in response.

“Your health is your capital. Don’t gamble with it,” Zavier lectured.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Skyler retorted.

“Don’t bother going back to the dorm today. You’re coming to my place. Mary will look after you.”

“No fuss needed. I’m alright now.”

“That wasn’t a suggestion. It was a notification,” Zavier stated flatly.

Skyler, fueled by a sudden surge of defiance, snapped back, “I said NO!”

“Suit yourself,” Zavier shot back before storming off.

Skyler discharged herself and took a bus back to her dorm. Life went on.

A week flew by, and Skyler dedicated her time to composing music for lyrics that Carter had given her. After wrapping up at Carter’s music studio, she bumped into Zavier, whom she hadn’t seen for days. She tried to pretend she hadn’t noticed him, but he called out to her, “Skyler.”

She turned around, “What’s up?”

“I need a favor,” Zavier said, his tone surprisingly amiable.

Skyler eyed him warily, “What is it?”

“Get in the car first.”

Looking around, Skyler hesitated but eventually got into his car, and Zavier drove in the direction of the campus.

“Are we heading to the school?” she asked.

“A couple of my close buddies heard about my engagement and they’ve been dying to meet you. They’ve been bugging me about it, and I can’t put them off any longer. So, I need your help.”

“You mean Garrett and his crew?” Skyler asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.

She didn’t have the fondest memories of Garrett and his posse. They were the kind of guys who thrived on creating trouble, strutting around the campus like they owned the place..