Fell Into His Love Trap (Skylar and Tobias)

The Ballad of 1978 was going to air the following day-on Boxing Day. Seated in their car, Skylar was browsing Twitter and keeping an eye on the box office sales, thinking about how it was an act of delusion to contest against the blockbusters.

She was sitting beside Tobias in the passenger seat. Out of habit, he placed his hand on her thigh and massaged it gently.

Skylar put her phone away. "I bought Mrs. Ford some gifts which I've placed in your trunk. Remember to bring them with you when you see her later in the afternoon."

Tobias was pleased with how Skylar had taken the initiative to prepare a gift for his family. She is so thoughtful.

He had wanted to bring Skylar home with him. He could not stand his family either. While he did not want to be troubled by his family, he did not want his business to affect Skylar either.

Sheldon brought Judy to the Ford residence. The others thought he had a new girlfriend.

Compared to the other girls Sheldon had fooled around with, Judy was a lot worse, for she appeared unconventional.

Upon seeing Judy, Tobias asked, "Have you given the other thing any thought? Let me know when you've decided, and I will do as you desire."

Judy tossed remnants of the walnut shell onto the coffee table and dusted her hands. "I've decided a long time ago, but I haven't been able to reach you. How do I even get into Ford Group? I can't even go through the front doors, much less meet the CEO. I'm sure my request is simple for you."

Tobias had an orange in his hand. He glanced down and smiled. "There are always ways to see me if that's what you want. Given how well things are going between you and my brother, I'm sure it will be easy to contact me through him."

Judy shrugged. "That's why I'm here. It's Christmas, and we're here eating your food. Your family has been staring at me and wondering if I'm Sheldon's girlfriend."

"I don't know anything about that. You can ask them. I have no interest in knowing about any of this."

י

Judy soon detected the smell of food from the dining area. It did not smell like regular home-cooked food. If not for Marcus, she would not have had the opportunity to mingle with the rich. Judy accepted an orange from Tobias and peeled it. The aroma of orange filled the air, and her hands were covered with its sticky juice.

She shared some with Tobias, who did not accept them, so she stuffed the slices into her mouth instead.

"I won't be staying for dinner. I can't stomach such expensive food. Say, should I accept the gift if I'm given one later?"

Tobias thought Judy was overly optimistic. His family was not in the habit of giving gifts. They never had, and they never will.

When they were poor, his relatives on his mother's side had wanted nothing more than for them to move far away, and it would only be the three of them celebrating Christmas together. They never had the chance to see each other, much less exchange gifts.

Even after they were doing better, they never kept the tradition.

"I can help you if you need money," he offered. "My family is rather stingy. Nobody will be giving any gifts."

Judy noticed that the rich woman Sheldon greeted as his mother had passed by three times. Two of those times their eyes met, but she had averted her gaze guiltily despite having no reason to feel that way.