Chapter 12

VALERIA

I was too stunned to speak as silence hung in the air like a hot iron curtain enveloping us, stealing my breath away.

How could this be?! Why was Reese here?!

After our encounter at the office, I wasn't expecting to run into him too soon.

Damn it! I wasn't ready at all.

My heart raced with a million questions.

What the hell do I do? If I left now, he would suspect that I was hiding something up my sleeves, and I didn't want that at all. That could jeopardize my plans even before I set them in motion. And besides, I really needed this property.

His widened eyes were searing as they bore into mine.

He was as confused and shocked as I was.

Nevertheless, the business must go on. I came here with one goal in mind—to purchase the property, and that was that.

I cleared my throat weakly as I prepared to take my seat across from him.

I was still dazed by this unplanned encounter as several thoughts swirled through my mind that I didn't notice I put the wrong foot forward. My heels cau