Chapter 1150

Skylar checked the time and agreed to Aiken's proposal. She had no other plans, so that afternoon she intended to visit Charles on set before seeing Simona.

Charles had been exceptionally busy lately, juggling television shows, movies, variety programs, and promotional work for other dramas. His visit to the airport that day had been a rare respite. Skylar had recently heard him speak in their group chat; his voice sounded hoarse, likely due to the seasonal change and fluctuating temperatures. Since she'd been drinking tea for her health, she decided to bring some for him, along with some medicine.

However, she didn't actually see Charles. Upon arriving on set, he was filming a scene with limited access—reportedly an intimate scene. After leaving the tea and medicine with Charles's assistant, Skylar went to a nearby mall. There, she purchased two bubble teas and a pair of new headphones before driving to the Parkinson Residence.

Simona was at home, diligently working on school assignments with tutors. With a heavy academic workload and Aiken's frequent work commitments, her emotional well-being had been somewhat neglected. Simona was delighted to see Skylar, exclaiming, "Skylar!" It had been a while; Simona had grown taller, but also seemed thinner.

"Check out the sound quality of these headphones," Skylar said, handing them to Simona.

Simona was thrilled. "They're for me? I saw these online and wanted them, but I've been too busy studying. This is perfect! You always know exactly what I like, Skylar!" She mused on how wonderful it would be to have Skylar as her sister-in-law, a true part of her family. Her brother, she thought, never seemed to understand what girls wanted.

Seeing Simona so happy, Skylar felt reassured. She'd actually consulted Caleb for advice; he'd offered suggestions, knowing Simona's preferences. They tested the headphones, listening to music together.

When dinnertime arrived, Aiken came home. He'd been making an effort to dine with Simona each evening, so her surprise was minimal.

"Aiken, Skylar gave me these headphones. I love them so much," Simona announced.

Aiken glanced at Skylar, his gaze lingering momentarily before he said, "Thank you."

"As long as Simona likes them, that's what matters," Skylar replied with a smile.

That evening, the Parkinson family's cook had prepared stew. The homemade broth filled the house with its delicious aroma when Skylar arrived. The numerous side dishes accompanying the stew made for an incredibly appetizing meal.

"I know Skylar loves stew, so I asked them to make it," Simona explained.

Aiken nodded. "The stew is really good."

Skylar knew Aiken enjoyed spicy food; he'd never avoided it during their previous meals together. The three of them ate heartily, nearly finishing all twelve side dishes.

After dinner, Skylar took a half-hour walk with Simona, chatting about typical girly topics. On her way home, Aiken called to thank her.

Skylar smiled. "Simona's like a little sister to me. There's no need to be so formal."

Aiken replied, "She was really happy today. Girls have a lot on their minds at her age, but it's hard for her to talk to me about those things. After you came, she seemed different. She's now singing and dancing happily in her room."

Skylar concluded, "I'll keep in touch with her often. If anything comes up, feel free to reach out to me directly."