by Richa Resa
"Who is Chelsea?" I asked him confusingly.
"That bitch of a secretary who tried to kiss me more like throwing herself on me and you just slapped a while back." He said looking away. So that was Chelsea. I was glad that she wasn’t here or I wouldn't have minded giving her one more slap. I wanted to be mad at Aiden for letting that bitch kiss him but he said that she tried to throw herself on him. It was also evident from the guilt lurking in his eyes and him looking away from me. I walked up to him and closed the space between us. In a swift movement, I placed my lips on his, taking away all worry and guilt he had. He responded to me within seconds. I was in love with him and I didn't want to lose him.
"You have nothing to worry about, Aiden. Just don't ever let it happen again. I swear you won't love it if I hit you and that other bitch too.” He laughed at it. “I’m letting my heart out in the open, Aiden. I’m falling in love with you and I don't want to lose you. So please don't try to hurt me. You have warmed my cold heart and made your place there so please don't break it by hurting me." I pleaded him looking straight into his eyes while letting my walls down and see me in the light of what I really felt. In a beat, I was embraced by Aiden's warm body with his lips capturing mine. This was love. This is what I wanted, what I needed from him.
"I love you, Valerie, and I won't ever hurt you. I will always love you." He said looking at me with those eyes filled with love. "Now can I have my panties back it feels awkward you know?" I asked feeling my cheeks burn and that was a first after so many years. I was embarrassed about something after so long. He took them out and wiggled them in front of me.
"These?" he asked with a smirk on his face.
"Yes," I answered trying my best to grab them but he raised them up making it unable for me to reach them.
"You can have these back only when I'm done with you." He tucked them into his pocket in a swift movement just before pushing me back to his desk. He kissed me once again and brushed his hand over my breast making me gasp. He squeezed them making them affected by his touch.
"As much as I want to do it here Val I won't. I want to make love to you for long hours and this is not the place for it. But that doesn't mean I’m letting you go right now." His words made me grow wet. He had this big effect on me. I looked at him with confusion. We were not doing things here, not back at my house and he wasn't even letting me go. Where was he going with this? As seeing me confused he smirked wide.
"My penthouse is now fully renovated, Val, and I’m going to make you freaking scream my name at the top of your lungs till I can. Are you up for it babe?" He teased, smirking. I had waited for his house for being renovated because it had a great view and now I wanted to make love to him on the top floor of his building.
"Are you?" I flirted back, letting a smirk slip on my lips.
"I’m always ready and hard for you babe." He told taking my wrist and making us walk outside his office. The place where the bitch Chelsea sat was empty.
"She is fired right?" I asked him as we made ours to the elevator.
"Yes, I need to look for a new one and I guess a male this time. I don't think I will be able to deal with the same situation next time." He said nonchalantly as we entered inside.
"Give Maya a raise for me, could you? She was very nice and friendly and she was helpful too." I genuinely liked that girl.
"Ready to scream my name baby?" He asked me with a smirk.
"Hmm, you think you can keep up with me?" I teased him only to have him kiss the hell out of me in front of a good audience outside the elevator.
As he promised Aiden did make me scream his name at the top of my lungs. I had fallen in love with the right person and I was glad about it because he made me alive more than anyone. More than that asshole of Drew who I saw today. I prayed to never see him ever again.
Chapter 8
Valerie
Mornings are usually the best. My phone flashed its neon light informing I have a message.
Morning sweetheart ;) - Aiden
Last afternoon with Aiden was really something to remember. He had shown me what heaven felt like. He had really made me scream till my throat ran sore and teased me enough to make me turn to a shade of red. He had made me feel special like no one else had. His penthouse was set much to my taste. I would have stayed there all night with Aiden but I had to go back home. I was quite sure that dad might have got the memo about how things were going because I had reached home just at the time of dinner with messed up hair, wrinkled clothes and reeking of sweat and sex. I had rushed down to the bathroom as fast as I could and had a quick shower to get rid of the stench and look presentable in front of dad.
That dinner was one of the most awkward dinners in my life till now. He enquired about the weather and asked if everything was fine now. I had basically opted for yes, no and nodding for answering his questions which were a few. The worst part was when we were going to sleep and he had told me to cover up the hickeys on my neck. In that very moment, I had turned red like a tomato and wished for the ground to swallow me in. I had rushed back to my room as if there was a dangerous Chihuahua behind me and locked myself in my room in all this embarrassment. I had heard my dad laughing at this. Being an adult living with your parents and having an encounter like this was the worst. After a late-night conversation with Aiden about what had happened, I had gone to sleep to wake up early and that too in a good mood which is something unique.
Morning sexy ;)
I quickly messaged and got out to have a morning run to burn off the extra calories that I had truly gained from eating excess food that dad cooks. Since my dad had come into my life, things have changed for good. I have realized real love and happiness. Plugging in my headphones I walked in the morning to get my body shaped. As music blasted in my ears and wind kissed my cheeks I felt elevated from the happiness bursting inside of me. I smiled at strangers, brought flowers and for the first time I didn't hate anything. I understood what it was like to be in real love. Everything seemed happy and lively.
I never wanted to lose this feeling ever. I didn’t want to lose Aiden. Even my dad, I didn't want to lose him too. Reaching back home I was delighted to find the home filled with the sweet smell of pancakes. I made my way to the kitchen where my dad was cooking chocolate chip pancakes.
"Could my day get any better?" I asked my dad sitting on one of the stools.
"That's for you to know and stop right there," Dad said to me catching me trying to steal a pancake straight away.
"Have a bath and then come back to have your breakfast." He said sternly and it felt good.
"Yes boss,” I said standing and saluting him with a wide smile plastered on my face. I quickly ran and had a quick shower. I really didn't want to miss the pancakes to be eaten away while they were still warm. I was just getting out of the room when I caught my reflection in the mirror. I instantly pulled my hair out from the bun and let them fall because the love bites still existed. My workout clothes were truly able to hide the hickeys but my office attire wasn't able to. I really didn't want something like that to be seen by my dad again or anyone else. I was able to dig into the pancakes right in time while they were warm. I felt like I was on cloud nine from the heavenly taste. My dad laughed at me at the way I was eating my food.
"Easy dear, the pancakes aren't running away. Why are you always in a hurry?" he asked making me laugh. Before I could say something to him the bell rang making me forget what I was about to say. My heart fastened at the thought of Aiden being here. Don't get me wrong I love him but I want him to meet my dad under good circumstances.
"You expecting someone?" Dad asked flipping a pancake. I shook my head in denial. Stuffing my mouth with a piece of pancake I made way to look who was there on the door. I opened the door and breathed a sigh of relief. It was Carmen, not Aiden.
"Hello Miss Carmen, Good morning!" I said cheerfully. Carmen was my neighbour in her late 30's, divorced, sweet, loving and more like a mother to me. She had been here for long
and had always loved to help me out with things. She treated me like her own child at times. Maybe it was the fact that she couldn't have children made her so sweet and loving. She had motherly qualities in her and treated me like her own child. It was sad that God hadn’t given her any children. She might have just returned today I guess, as she had gone on a cruise ship for a vacation. She was like a mother to me because of her loving nature and also because of the fact that she had taught me to cook tasty food.
"Hello dear." She greeted, grabbing me in a warm hug.
"It is so nice to be back." She said with relief.
"How have you been?" I asked her.
"Fine, thank you. I missed you a lot." She said holding me in a warm hug and tightly, a bit too tight I might add.
"Who is it, Val?" Dad asked me while coming to the door himself. I felt Carmen's hold lighten letting me feel a little better.
"Who is that? Is it a kidnapper? Do you need me to call the police?" Carmen questioned me in a whisper hastily. She was funny. A bubble of laughter erupted out of my mouth at her words. Untangling myself from her I waited for my dad to come to the door.
"Carmen this is my dad, not a kidnapper," I told with a genuine smile on my face.
"Dad this is, Carmen, a neighbour of mine but more of my guardian and motherly figure to me." I tried to keep the word mother figure low. I know that he still hadn't stopped loving mom. It was hard for him because the pain of forcing her to the verge of death still hurt him. I had tried to keep Mom out of conversations usually because every time I mentioned about her, his face would go solemn.
"Hi, I’m Bryan, Valerie's father. It's nice to meet you." Dad said giving away his hand for a shake. A blush crept on her face as she shook dad's hand. It was really amazing to see it, a strong, independent woman like her to blush. As I looked at my dad I could see him looking at her with a very small bit of slight taint of redness on his cheeks. As they stood there I somehow felt like a third wheel until a burning smell invaded my nostrils. Burning!! Something was burning.
"Something is burning!" Carmen shouted coming out of her daze bringing my dad out of it too. My dad's eyes widened and he frantically ran inside.
"My pancakes!" Dad shouted rushing to the kitchen with me and Carmen just in tow.
I rushed towards opening the windows to get the burnt smell out while Carmen did the same. Looking at the burnt and deformed pancake that dad was holding we all burst into laughter. After that, we all enjoyed the breakfast together. Carmen joined us and it was really nice. I don't know why but I felt that this place was complete as a home. At times, I found Carmen staring at my dad or the other way around. I knew it had been long since mom was gone. From what dad had told me, he hadn't been with anyone after a year of mom's death. Carmen and Dad were similar by nature. I guess they both couldn't have children and had broken hearts too. I could see myself playing the matchmaker. I left both of them behind by rushing out of there saying I was hell late which I was not at all. I hoped everything went well between them.
Hailing a cab, I made way to my office while humming the song on the radio. My phone rang just in time while I was exiting the cab. The name Aiden flashed on the phone making my heart flutter while a wide smile graced my lips.
"Hello, sexy," I said huskily.
"Mmh, Sexy I like that word but I bet it suits better on you babes." he said teasingly.
"You know what? You are right. Sexy suits me while boredom suits you." I said laughing while getting into the empty elevator.
"Boredom, that wasn't what you were screaming from the penthouse yesterday huh? Want me to remind you of that once again by dragging you right now to my penthouse? What do you say, sweetheart? You, me and bed and our little own world?" I could imagine him smirking while I blushed.
"You are a lot to handle, Aiden. I’ll be seeing you in the evening for our date. Now I got to go." I told him. His last words had me stirred and I might just take up his offer on reminding him of what we did yesterday
"See you later and do me a favour, Val," He said in a husky voice making me shiver.
"Yeah," I tried to sound normal while I wasn't at all because that man made me want to lose control.
"Wear something you won’t mind getting rid of." He said seducing. I bet he knew what he was doing to me.
"And dream of me through the day Val. I want you hot, bothered, frustrated and aching for me babe," he added before ending up the call. Damn, him for doing this to me. I still couldn't stop smiling about the fact that he and I were together and purely in love.
"Hey Mel, how is your day?" I asked catching her off guard as she was managing files. She jumped up in surprise and looked at me with shock. It felt like she was zoning out. I snapped my finger in front of her with a smile was plastered over my face.
"Hey," I tried to get her attention.
"You are being nice." She told me looking at me.
"Ain't I always nice?" I questioned with a raised a brow.
"Hmm, you are straight to the point usually. Not at all friendly. You are always like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Giving me vibes like you don’t like me at all and showing like you are just bearing me." She said with a childlike face and slapping her hands over her mouth as the words was out. I could see the hesitance in her eyes and even a bit of fear too. Was I that much of a bitch? Mel had been with me so long and it really hurt me to know that I held such a bad behaviour towards her.
"I’m so sorry Val. Please--" before she could say anymore I held up my finger. I had to make things right with her.
"Forgive me, Mel.” I paused.
“I need to apologize to you. I’m sorry for being such an undeserving boss. Thank you very much for bearing with me at all times. Thanks a lot for being my assistant even in worst times. So, from now on, I promise to not to be an ass of a boss and be friendly with you. Moreover, what do you think about lunch together this afternoon? My treat," I asked innocently. Mel was actually nice and she deserved respect. She stood stunned for a minute and a small smile grazed her lips.
"I would like that." She said cheerfully.
"Val, I want to ask something?” She stopped me mid-step. “What happened to you? You are happy these days. Don't get me wrong for asking this. I just want to know who to run to when your mood is bad so that someone could make you happy." She told me.
"Hmm actually a lot happened but to conclude in one I found love and family," I said remembering my dad, Carmen, and Aiden. That made Mel understand and we happily got back into our work. Mel and I went to a deli down the street and had a good bonding time. There was a lot about Mel I didn't know about other than her name.
As five PM approached, I got a call from Mel telling me that Laura wants to see me with her fiancé. She was coming to my office and that little news had been running havoc. I swear she read too much of those magazines. I wasn’t fazed by the fact that she was coming because I was confident at my work and that's all that I needed to stay sane.
"They are here." Mel whisper-yelled, poking her head through the door for a minute. I straightened my dress and awaited the happy couple who wanted a grand wedding. Wedding- a word I hated but now stirred something in me. I wanted a wedding. A happily ever after. I wanted things I once despised just because now I had found love. I had Aiden and my father.
The knock on the door drew me out of my thoughts.
"Come in," I said trying to get my head into work and being confident in what I do.
A happy Laura enters the office with a glow on her face. She looked happy, a lot happy, as a bride is supposed to be. I smiled at seeing her happy. I don't know why but I felt happy seeing others happy. A man entered following her and seeing that face my world stood still.
It was the face I wanted to forget. He was a memory of the past that I wanted to erase. I was stunned and it took a lot of me to stand still. He was looking at Laura as if his world revolved around her like she was the centre of his world like once I was. He looked adoringly at Laura. I wi
shed to feel pain, jealousy and a lot after seeing him again but I didn't know why those never came. It shocked me but it didn't break my world down.
"Drew, stop looking at me." Laura laughed at him. The voice of his laughter filled my ears and I waited for a painful experience. But all I felt was a little pinch to my heart, that's all. Laura pulled him all the way inside towards my table. Her eyes were sparkling with happiness as she came towards me. In that moment I saw him looking at me. He stood there stunned for a moment. His grey eyes connected with mine and that familiar feeling of being lost had me stuck in the moment. His grey eyes raked over my body and face and it made me burn. I was burning, not with desire but with anger and disgust. He was undressing me with his eyes as he held the hand of his fiancé. His lips twitched into a smirk making me want to slap him but there was something deep inside of me that was calling to him. The love I buried deep inside for him was resurfacing and I hated every part of it. This was the man who made me a bitch. This was the man who broke me, who left me and that too bitter.
"Hey Val, this is my fiancé Drew Christos, the one who waited for me while I slept in deep sleep," Laura let me know while looking at me with those happy eyes. I saw the smile on Drew's face slipping away. I wanted to laugh at the way fate had written down our lives, laugh at how much was hidden from Laura and laugh at my own fate. When everything in my life was at the peak of happiness and love, fate had to take it away by bringing in the guy who broke my heart leaving me hurt and in pain.
I hoped I would be able to bear this meeting with him without trying to kill him or beat him. God save me from bearing this torture. The only thought keeping me sane right now were the thoughts of Aiden.
Oh God! just save me from this.
Chapter 9
Valerie
Drew sat in front of me with Laura beside him. She looked excited and happy like every other bride to be. However, it was a shame that she was marrying a douche like him. Drew, on the other hand, had the guts to stare at me straight into the eyes. I felt uncomfortable under Drew’s gaze, not because we were lovers in the past but it looked like he was practically undressing me under his gaze. I wanted to kill him and bury six feet under my grandma's grave so that she could haunt him. As I composed myself, I directed all of my attention towards Laura, I knew it would eventually piss Drew off.