The Forgotten Valentine Part 1

It's been eight years since Elena and Sebastian's love story unfolded. Both of them now lead hectic lives as CEOs of their respective conglomerates, neither stopping for a breather at all. However, this busy lifestyle has caused both of them to lose sight of one another and the intimacy is now non-existent.

Valentine's Day should be spent with a loved one, as they’ve always done over the years. But what happens when the day slips their minds and they choose to spend it with another person?

*** A lighthearted and free special Valentine's Day episode ***

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Elena

If anyone told me eight years ago that I would be the owner of three literary houses, I would have told them to sod off. And if they told me that I will end up as a wife to Sebastian Dumont, I would have had them locked up.

Now I couldn’t be happier being both.

Sitting in my quant office, I feel nothing but content while a smile slips onto my face. Is this really what they call a happily ever after?

Yes, we argue like any other couple, but it never lasts longer than a few hours. He annoys me and I annoy him even more with my bratty ways, but our love still stands strong.

Not to mention the two scamps running around our home. Morgan and Aaron are a whirlwind all on their own, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

But besides my family, my work constantly keeps me busy since I am the in-house editor for the London branch of my literary house. Pouring over manuscripts until my eyes go squint, constant business meetings with authors, planning signings and being on the lookout for new talent.

I see why Sebastian always returns home feeling drained. Not that what I do holds a candle to his CEO role; I’m sure he suffers from this a lot more than I do.

A knock at my office door and my head whip up to see my lovely PA, Jess.

“Ma’am, your 3 o’clock is here,” she says with a smile and pushes up her spectacles. I give her a nod and she opens the door wider to reveal my next appointment.

It goes on and on until at least 6:30 pm every day and by the time I get home, I am too exhausted to do anything.

The life of an heiress, mother, wife and literary agent, eh?

When I pulled up outside my home that evening, I let out a sigh at the dark interior. It means my children have yet again gone to bed without me saying goodnight to them. Not only that, but I don’t see Sebastian’s Phantom either.

They went to bed without saying goodnight to either of us.

Guilt grips my heart yet again. When I was younger, I yearned for any sort of affection from my own parents, especially from my mother. Now it feels like I have become somewhat of an absent mother myself.

Don’t even get me started on the fact that I barely even see my husband anymore. When I wake up during the night, he’s there holding me and yet when I wake up the following morning, he’s left.

I don’t remember the last time we kissed, much less made love. I don’t recall the last time he’s touched me…or told me he loved me.

Ugh, how did we become such a generic couple? From our whirlwind romance to this… it seems almost criminal to let our love pass us by.

But who am I to tell Sebastian that he needs to make time for me? Yes, I am his wife and I have every right to request it, however, I know how busy he is with his companies.

Why would I want to sit in a restaurant with him knowing all he’ll be doing is looking at his phone the entire time?

And before you ask… yes, that has happened. Three times already.

Life seems to pass us by lately, and I know something has to be done about it before we lose the love people literally tried to kill me over.

—

I step out into the chilly February weather and hug my coat tightly to my body. Seems like today will be another gloomy day, and somehow I’m not even talking about the weather alone.

Before I even reach my office, my cell phone starts ringing nonstop. Gosh, on some days I just want to take the bloody thing and chuck it against the wall. But I know I can’t do that… I have people who depend on me.

“Mrs Dumont?” The voice of Jess came at my office door. I had just gotten off a video conference with two of my top authors, and we’re in talks to do a nationwide tour of their collaborative books.

“Yes, love, how can I help?” I ask, looking up from my laptop screen.

“Switch Literary House has just called with a possible changeover of three of their authors. Their CEO would like to meet with you tomorrow to discuss it.” She says, biting the back of her pen as she does so.

SLH?! I’ve been trying to contact their CEO for the last six months! The woman is an enigma and the type who will ignore potential talent until she sees over a million in profit. Calling her a snob just isn’t enough; the woman is a literal dragon.

She’s also the CEO of the top literary house in the UK; authors make it or break it under her thumb.

“Yes! Please arrange it ASAP,” I exclaim, feeling a bit of excitement return to my exhausted body. This is huge! Incredibly huge! We could possibly gain a few talented authors out of this!

However, I see Jess squirm at my words. “Are you sure, Ma’am? She wants to meet at 7 pm tomorrow evening at The Spiral.”

“Okay set it up; this can be huge for us!” I say, hoping she could see my excitement, but she only gives a slight nod and smile before turning to walk away.

I call her back. “Is something wrong with tomorrow?”

She blinks and shakes her head. “Not at all, Ma’am. It’s just, I thought you might already have plans for tomorrow, is all. I will arrange this immediately.” She says, then scurries out of my office.

The perpetual frown at her odd behaviour lingers long after she’s left my office, but is forgotten by noon.

Although I still wonder why she confirmed twice if tomorrow evening would be fine. As far as I know. I have zero plans for tomorrow evening at all.

Oh, well; this could be good for the company. I better do some research on the authors under SLH; hopefully, there are a few diamonds in the rough.