Chapter 3: Strangers.
"We can't do that." I say, slamming my hand on my table.
"Ma'am, if we don't tear the first two levels down the building is going to collapse in three years tops." Greg, the head of the engineering department, tells me.
"I can't do that. I've put too much money in this building to sink another three million dollars in it. The answer is no." I tell him, leaning in my seat.
"I understand that you're very upset. Maybe it might be that time of the month but-" He says and I scoff.
"I'll have you know that I don't have to be on my period to be irritated by your disgusting behavior. And your sexism isn't helping. You're not getting three million, get out of my office." I say cutting him off.
He gets up and leaves my office.
Fucking dick.
"What just happened in here? I saw Greg Manilow leaving your office looking pissed off." Naya says as she walks into my office. She is wearing a tight black gown and I have to say, she looks so good.
"Greg was being a dick, so I refused to give him any more of my money." I say, shrugging.
"I know he can be stupid at times, but you have to look past his behavior. This project is already six months overdue. Just let them do what they think is best. They're the professionals." She tells me.
"It's my money, my company. I decided what's best." I retort. "I don't even want to have this conversation right now, I have other things on my mind." I tell her.
"What else could be bothering you today?" Naya asks me, rolling her eyes.
"Aaron Wang wants to meet up again." I tell her and she opens her mouth in shock. She sits on the chair across from me.
"No way. I thought that dinner you guys had in Paris was a one time thing?" She asks me.
"It was, but now he wants to go on an actual date. I don't want the blogs getting wind of that, but that won't be possible since the paps follow me everywhere." I say, running my finger through my brown curls.
"Screw them. Who gives a fuck? The pictures they take of you are literally paying their bills. Let them take pictures." She says, folding her arms.
"But I feel bad. Like, I'm cheating on Andrè." I tell her.
"I thought you guys weren't exclusive." She says, raising an eyebrow at me.
"We aren't." I reply.
"Then go on this date and enjoy yourself. Aaron Wang is every girl's dream guy right now. He is rich, polite and my God...that body." She says, biting her lip.
"You're something else." I tell her, laughing.
***
Fastening my white corset, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. The white dress I have on is very short. I pair it with white knee-high boots. I grab my purse before I head out the door.
Andrè is standing outside the door and I walk past him, not saying a word. He doesn't try talking to me, he knows where I'm going tonight and he's been giving me the silent treatment. We are not a couple, so I don't know why his little feelings are hurt. He closes the door after I get in and gets in the driver seat.
Thirty minutes later, he parks the car in front of the restaurant. I get out of the car before he can open the door for me.
"You have the night off." I tell him before I walk into the restaurant.
I'm surprised to see that no one is here. There's a table in the middle of the restaurant with a candle on it. Aaron comes out of nowhere with a white rose in his hand. He walks over to me with a smile on his face.
"Did you like the flowers I sent you yesterday?" He asks me.
"That was you?" I ask him, totally surprised.
"Yeah. Are you seeing anyone else?" He asks me.
"No." I lie.
"Good, 'cause I want you all to myself." He says before he hands me the rose.
"Thank you." I tell him, collecting it.
"Shall we?" He asks, taking my hand in his as he points towards the table.
"We shall." I reply, walking with him to the table.
It's only twenty minutes into dinner and I'm already drunk.
Like plastered.
That's what happens when you're a lightweight like me and you down three glasses of tequila.
"This ice cream is really good." I tell Aaron, licking the spoon in my hand.
He coughs and adjusts in his seat.
"Um, do you have work tomorrow?" He asks me.
"No, but we can get to work tonight." I say, licking my lips.
"You're drunk, Valarie. You don't mean that." Aaron says, laughing.
"I'm hot." I say, trying to take my dress off.
"Let's get you home." Aaron says, laughing.
"I don't wanna go home." I say, giggling.
"You're cute. Now, come on." He says standing up.
"I don't wanna go." I drag, stretching in my seat.
Aaron picks me up from the chair bridal style and leads me towards the back exit of the restaurant.
"Leaving so soon?" His driver asks as he carries me into the car.
"Yeah." He replies.
The car starts moving and I snuggle into his broad chest, falling asleep.
***
Ugh.
My head.
I roll around in the bed, but a body stops me.
Huh?
Who is beside me?
I turn around and I see Aaron.
Immediately, everything that happened last night starts replaying in my head.
I need to stop getting shit-faced.
"Good morning, beautiful." Aaron says, his shirtless torso meeting my gaze.
I let out a tired groan before I sit up.
"I made you breakfast, come on." Aaron tells me, getting up from the bed, holding his hand out for me. I take his hand and get up.
I'm just realizing that I am in Aaron's shirt. It's too big for me, but I love it.
He leads me to the kitchen where the most amazing smell is coming from.
"Did you make waffles?" I ask him, walking towards the island.
"Sure did. It's my grandmother's recipe." He reveals.
Placing three waffles on my plate, I grab a spoonful of the fruit salad that's inside a bowl before I sit on the barstool beside the island.
"These are really good." I tell him.
"I know." He says, cockily.
I just roll my eyes at him and continue eating.
"So, are you going to the office later today?" He asks me and I nod.
"I have three meetings at noon." I tell him.
"Well, it's twelve thirty. So, you better get moving." He tells me and I stop eating.
"What?" I exclaim. "Why didn't you say something? Why did you let me sleep for so long?" I yell, climbing off the stool.
"You needed it. You didn't want to attend the meeting with a hangover, did you?" He asks, staring at me.
"You're right." I tell him. "But I still have to go." I say as the doorbell rings.
Aaron gets the door and I walk to his room. I pick up my shoes and dress. I grab my purse and leave his room. Walking down the hallway, I hear Aaron speaking to someone. The person starts talking and I immediately know it's a man. His deep voice echoes around the house as his laughter booms.
"Um, Aaron you're my ride." I say, walking into the living room.
I freeze in place when I see who Aaron is talking to.
It's Zachary.
He looks more muscular than the last time I saw him. He still has that lanky build, but he bulked up. He is dressed in gray sweats and a white hoodie. His signature black curly hair sits on his head, pressed down by a white baseball cap. He has a beard now. Well, more of a stubble, but it suits him.
How do they know each other?
"Yeah, I know." Aaron says, smiling at me.
I just stare at Zachary as his intense gaze burns holes in my skin. His sea blue eyes, glaring at me.
He looks angry.
Why is he angry?
I haven't seen him in five years and I owe him nothing.
"Oh, how rude of me. Valarie, this is Zachary Henderson." He says, introducing me to Zachary as if we weren't well acquainted.
"Actually-" Zachary says, but I cut him off.
"Nice to meet you." I say, acting like I've never met him before.
"I would love to stay and chat with you, Zach. But I gotta get my woman home." Aaron tells him.
"Uh, yeah. I'll...stop by later." Zachary says, still staring at me.
He turns around and walks out the door.
"You ready?" Aaron asks and I nod.
"The car's already running downstairs. I need to take a leak then we'll go." He tells me before he heads to the bathroom.
What just happened?