Chapter 1003
The more women Charles met, the more he realized finding a truly trustworthy marriage partner was nearly impossible. People seemed too focused on self-gain these days. Skylar had previously discussed his views on relationships and marriage, believing him overly rigid and categorical. He likely hadn't met the right person yet; once he did, he'd probably regret his current perspective.
Their conversation ended when Joe emerged from the shower. Skylar, feeling sticky and uncomfortable from the heat, showered herself. Mid-shower, she heard a knock, followed by Joe answering the door and muffled voices. The running water obscured most of the conversation. By the time she finished, Joe was dressed in a T-shirt and pants.
Surprised, Skylar asked, "Are you going out?" She'd expected him to be exhausted after a long day.
"Yeah, some old classmates are visiting Fachington. I'm going to meet up with them," Joe replied, adjusting his clothes.
Skylar nodded, brushing her hair. She assumed he wouldn't return tonight; such reunions often lasted until dawn. Once dry, she called Natalie.
Natalie reported a busy day filming with Mr. Powell, working from morning till night without a proper lunch, only managing a few bites of salad for dinner. "Both of us are dead tired," she sighed. "Working life is tough."
Skylar chuckled. "You really care about Mr. Powell, don't you?" Natalie's recent conversations centered on Austin, prompting Skylar to wonder about the nature of her admiration.
"Of course I do!" Natalie replied. "Haven't I told you how dedicated he is? Someone with his status doesn't need to work so hard. He could easily take time for meals, but he avoids holding up the crew or inconveniencing the director."
"Mr. Powell is definitely dedicated," Skylar agreed.
"Exactly! I need to be just as dedicated as his assistant. Even exhausted, I push through. Thankfully, the shoot's almost done—less than a month left, and I'll be back in Jipsburg. By the way, when are you and Joe heading back?"
"In about five days," Skylar replied.
Natalie quickly added, "Let's meet up before you leave."
"Sure. It's getting late. Get some rest," Skylar yawned.
"Goodnight."
As Skylar prepared for sleep, her phone buzzed twice with WhatsApp messages from Vera. Her recent behavior had been increasingly irritating. The messages were two photos. The first showed Vera in the passenger seat of a car, with Joe in the back. The second depicted them in a dimly lit bar, holding drinks. Joe's expression was difficult to discern in the low light, but Vera was clearly smiling.
Vera's striking beauty was captivating, even more so in the intimate setting. Skylar, herself a woman, understood its allure. No wonder men were captivated. Without hesitation, Skylar forwarded the photo of Joe to him.