Chapter 5: She is back!

**Valerie**

 

Today I was wearing a low-cut U-neckline dress, and he kept looking at me like I was some meal.

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. “No,” I replied, a bit nervous. 

His shameless staring made me despise myself even more.

How did I fall for a guy like this?

Adam seemed to have noticed the awkwardness. “You don't have to be shy around me. You're my new secretary.”

“I thought you already have a secre…” I tried to remind him, but he cut me off. 

“Nonsense!” 

He immediately rose to his feet. “Follow me.”

He headed outside his office to the secretary's office, and I followed him closely behind. 

“Pack your things and go to the finance department. That's where you'll be working for now,” he ordered the woman, who was seated at the secretary's desk. 

She seemed to be in her late forties.

"But, sir, it was…” She started. 

“Amelia, I don't want to hear anything,” he interrupted with a harsh tone. “Just pack your things and leave.”

Amelia glared at me, her jaw clenching visibly, before she stood up and began packing. 

I averted my gaze from her quickly, feeling a pang of guilt prick me.

At least she wasn't getting fired, just transferred, I consoled myself. 

Just then, Adam's phone rang. 

After swiping, he placed the device in his ear, his brows furrowing almost immediately. “The secret fund?”

Followed by a pause…

“Sure, I understand.”

I scoffed internally, in his wildest dreams… 

They'll never be able to find it. The only thing that I am proud of from my past life is this secret fund.

After the call ended, he shoved the phone into his pocket. 

“Amelia, brief Valerie here on her new duties. I have some things to take care of,” he instructed, his words rushed.

“Yes, sir,” she replied, and then he hurried off.

After Adam left, Amelia turned to me. With a scowl plastered on her face, she explained everything to me and then left me with a warning.

“You’re not special. You'll just be on the list of the numerous girls that he has used and tossed.” A smirk stretched across her face, “And I'll be here when that happens.”

With that, she stormed out of the office. 

One of the numerous girls, huh? I wonder if Karen knows.

After spending thirty minutes settling into the office, I tried to focus on my work amid the buzz about the city's wealthiest bachelor.

Their gossip, though whispered, was impossible to miss. Every time I stepped out, there was chatter about a certain Lucas Stone.

I'd just emerged again when I overheard, "He's coming here today!"

"Oh my…” Another colleague squealed. “I can't believe I'll finally see him in person. I've heard he's fucking wealthy, and he's gorgeous too!” 

I had been this infatuated with Adam, obviously not the part of him being rich, because he wasn't.

But look where it got me…

It made me too blind and stupid to notice the signs. 

My ringtone interrupted my thoughts.

“Hello?” I answered.

"Val, Mr. Stone will be here soon,” Adam’s voice boomed from the receiver.

I rolled my eyes. “Val”? He'd given me a nickname already?

“Please keep him entertained until I arrive. He's a very important guest."

"Yes, of course," I replied curtly.

“Great.”

Once the call ended, I shrugged and swiped through my phone.

What was the fuss about this Lucas guy anyway?

Well, since I was stuck with entertaining him, I might as well check him up on the net.

The first picture on his page made my jaw drop!

Lucas Stone was… 

He was the man that I had a one night stand with??!

Oh my goodness! 

My mind replayed the events of that night and then the awkward morning after, and I bit my lips in regret.

Maybe I shouldn't have picked up his call.

Maybe… Maybe I… I tapped my forehead and kicked the air in frustration. 

What should I do now? 

It really wasn't my place to say anything to his wife in the first place.

Ugh…

Fifteen minutes later, I found myself still scrolling through his pictures and reading the comments.

“Omggggg…. He's so hottt!” user 356434 wrote.

I scoffed internally. He isn't even all that…

Okay, maybe he is, but that's besides the point.

“How can one person have it all?! Lucas Stone is definitely New York’s most eligible bachelor,” another user commented. 

I rolled my eyes and leaned back in my chair, mentally tired of how he was constantly idolized. Then I sat up almost immediately.

Wait, what?!

Eligible bachelor?

Maybe that's just an old comment. He's definitely married now.

My fingers moved on my screen swiftly, scrolling down to the date of the comment, and it was just yesterday. 

Oh my goodness, Ash! You've fucked up big time!!

So who on earth did I talk to over the phone? 

Suddenly, I heard a voice say, “Mr. Stone, this way, please.”

And when I looked up, I felt a knot form in my stomach as I watched Lucas approach my office. His presence filled the area, drawing every eye towards him.

As he entered the office, my heart skipped a beat. He looked even more striking than I remembered—confident, commanding, and undeniably attractive.

Standing up, I smoothed my dress and forced a smile, knowing fully well that it looked strained and unnatural.

 

"Good day, Mr. Stone," I greeted, my voice steady despite my racing heart.