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,” he explained with a grin that made me cringe.
• “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.