22

The cab weaved through the bustling city streets, its headlights cutting through the early morning haze. Valeria sat in the backseat, her hands resting over her stomach as she gazed out the window, watching the city she was about to leave behind.  

‘Finally I will be out soon. Away from all of this mess.’ Beside her, Bella fidgeted with her phone before turning to Valeria with a playful huff. "Are you sure you’re ready for this?" she asked, concern laced in her voice.  

Valeria offered a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "I have to be." Bella sighed dramatically, crossing her arms. "I still don’t like the idea of you going there alone. What if your boss is some grumpy old man who overworks his employees?"  

A soft chuckle escaped Valeria’s lips. "Then I guess I’ll have to charm my way through the job. Haha, i wish you knew what kind of person Adrian Reed is. Would have been easier to do the things and to decide easily.”

The cab pulled up to the airport entrance, and the driver announced their arrival. Bella was the first to step out, helping Valeria with her bag before turning to face her with a mock frown.  

"This is where I start my dramatic farewell," Bella teased, through her eyes shimmered with unshed emotion. Valeria laughed, shaking her head. "Please don’t cry. You’ll make me cry, and then I’ll board the plane looking like a mess."  

Bella sniffled exaggeratedly before pulling Valeria into a tight hug. "You better text me the moment you land. I don’t care if it’s in the middle of the night, or if you’re exhausted—just let me know you’re safe. And go for your monthly check ups too, right? I am sure the company will handle the medical cost. Don’t be stingy on this matter, alright?”

Valeria nodded against her shoulder, hugging her friend just as tightly. "I will. Thank you, Bella. For everything." Bella pulled back, blinking away her tears with a forced smirk. "Go before I drag you back home." With one last smile, Valeria picked up her bag and turned toward the entrance. She took a deep breath and stepped forward.

A few hours later. Valeria fastened her seatbelt as the plane taxied down the runway, her fingers absentmindedly tracing small circles over her stomach. The low hum of the aircraft filled the cabin, and as the city lights blurred beneath her, she exhaled a shaky breath. “New York. The city of dreams.”

“A city of opportunities, a fresh start far away from Markus, from his cold glares and his indifference. But would it truly be easier for me? Would I really find peace in a place where no one knows me? I wish Bella was here with me.”

She glanced around the dimly lit cabin, other passengers either scrolling through their phones or settling in for the long flight. Valeria leaned her head back against the seat, her mind swirling with uncertainty.

“Could I raise my child alone? Goodness! Am I even doing the right thing? Will I be able to build a new life in a foreign city, where everything is unfamiliar?” She pressed a protective hand against her belly, whispering softly, "I promise I'll do my best for you, little one. Mommy will do everything to keep you safe.”

The feeling of exhaustion pressed down on her. Between the stress of the divorce, leaving behind the only life she had known, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead, she felt drained. 

‘Let’s take a nap, baby.’ Closing her eyes, she willed herself to sleep, knowing that when she woke up, she’d be thousands of miles away from her Markus. 

A few hours later.

Valeria stepped out of the cab, the crisp New York air brushing against her skin as she took in the sight of the townhouse before her. It was modest but elegant, with large windows and a small garden by the entrance. 

‘Goodness! This is so grand.’ The street was quieter than she expected for a city as lively as New York, and for a brief moment, she felt relief wash over her.

A man in a dark suit stood near the door, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. As soon as she approached, he straightened, offering a polite nod.

"You must be Miss Valeria," he said in a professional tone. "Mr. Adrian Reed sent me with your house keys. My name is Nathan. I will be at your beck and call for your needs.”

Valeria blinked, momentarily caught off guard. A house? She had expected a small apartment at best, but Adrian had arranged something much more comfortable. "He... sent a house?" she asked hesitantly, shifting her bag over her shoulder.

Nathan handed her a set of keys. "Yes, ma’am. Mr. Reed believes that a stable home is essential for his employees, especially considering your circumstances."

Her stomach twisted at his words. ‘Did Adrian know?’ She brushed the thought aside quickly. There was no way. "Thank you," she murmured, taking the keys.

Nathan stepped aside, motioning toward the door. "Would you like me to show you around?" She hesitated, then shook her head. "No, it's alright. I’d like to settle in alone."

"Understood." Nathan gave her a final nod before stepping back. "If you need anything, my number is on the card inside. Welcome to New York, Miss Valeria."

With that, he turned and walked a bit away to give her way, leaving her standing in front of the door. She inhaled deeply, steeling herself, before slipping the key into the lock and turning it. The door clicked open, revealing a warmly lit interior.

As she stepped inside, she let the door shut behind her and took in the space—a cozy living room with neutral tones, a fully furnished kitchen, and a staircase leading to the upper floor.

Dropping her bag to the floor, she walked to the nearest sofa and sat down heavily, exhaling. Her hand instinctively moved to her belly as she whispered, "Looks like we have a home, baby." For the first time in a long while, she felt a sliver of a future and a hopeful time.

As Valeria sat on the sofa, running her fingers absentmindedly over the soft fabric, she heard the sound of wheels rolling against the wooden floor. She turned to see Nathan effortlessly dragging her suitcase inside, placing it neatly beside the staircase.

"You didn’t have to—" she began, but he was already moving toward the small table near the kitchen, picking up the landline. She frowned. "What are you doing?"

Nathan pressed a few buttons with a calm, practiced ease. "Ordering food." He glanced at her briefly before continuing. "Mr. Reed instructed me to make sure you have everything you need. That includes a proper meal before I leave."

Valeria’s lips parted in surprise. "That’s really not necessary, I—" She was unable to understand the presence of a personal bodyguard and a butler. It was something unusual doing for an ordinary employee.

"It is," Nathan cut in smoothly, his tone professional but firm. "You just got off a long flight. You need to eat, and I doubt you’ll cook tonight."

She wanted to protest, but truthfully, she hadn’t even thought about food. Between the exhaustion of travel and the weight of her emotions, she barely had the energy to stand, let alone cook.

Still, something about Adrian’s involvement made her uneasy. "Why is he going through so much trouble for me?" she asked, watching Nathan carefully.

Nathan finished placing the order before setting the phone down and looking at her. "Mr. Reed values loyalty. And when he hires someone, he makes sure they’re taken care of."

His answer was simple, but it didn’t fully satisfy her. Before she could press further, Nathan checked his watch. "Your dinner will be here in about thirty minutes. If you need anything else, my number is on the card inside the kitchen drawer." He took a step back, preparing to leave. "Get some rest, Miss Valeria."

She hesitated before nodding. "Thank you, Nathan." He gave a polite nod before heading toward the door, leaving her alone in the house once more. As silence settled in, she leaned back into the sofa, exhaling. “Adrian Reed… just what kind of man are you?”

As the door clicked shut behind Nathan, Valeria let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. The weight of exhaustion still clung to her, but now that she was alone, a different kind of unease settled in.

Her gaze drifted around the spacious house—far too large for just one person. ‘Everything here is so expensive.’ The open floor plan, the elegant yet modern decor, the high ceilings with warm golden lights—it was all luxurious, almost intimidating. The plush ivory couch she sat on alone must have cost more than what she had in her bank account.

She pushed herself up and wandered to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the dimly lit street outside. The neighborhood was pristine, quiet, the kind of place where only the wealthy resided. Valeria swallowed, her fingers grazing the smooth glass. ‘How much does this place cost? And why the heck it is allotted to me?’ 

She turned away, walking slowly through the house. The kitchen was fully equipped with top-of-the-line appliances, the marble countertops gleaming under the soft lights. A staircase led to what she assumed were the bedrooms, and even without stepping inside, she knew they would be equally extravagant.

She stopped near the dining table, pressing her lips together. ‘Why is Adrian Reed bestowing so much on me?’

The man hadn’t even met her in person yet. And still, he had given her a job, provided her with a house—an expensive one at that—without asking for anything in return. It didn’t make sense. Valeria had learned the hard way that nothing in life came for free.

Her hand instinctively went to her stomach. The only thing she had left to protect was her child. She had no more space for blind trust. ‘Is Adrian simply generous? Or is there something more to this kindness? What does he want from me?’ 

A soft chime rang through the house, snapping her from her thoughts. ‘The food delivery.’ She let out a slow breath, shaking off the uneasy feeling, and walked toward the door. ‘First, I will eat. Then,  figure out exactly what I’ve gotten myself into.’