Trouble in Paradise.

2. Lonely Night.

Chapter 2: Lonely Night.

"These came in for you." Naya says, walking into my office with a bouquet of white roses in her hand.

"Is there a card?" I ask her.

"Yes." She says, handing me the card after she places the bouquet on my table.

I open the card and I read it.

"Happy Birthday Valarie. I love you."

Smiling at the letter, I place it down on my desk.

"Who are they from?" She asks me.

"Andrè. Now, send Mrs. Lopez in." I tell her and she walks out of my office.

Seconds later, Mrs. Lopez walks in.

She looks broken.

She slowly sits across from me and takes her gloves and sunglasses off. Her puffy eyes and red nose signify that she has been crying.

"Good morning, Mrs. Lopez." I say, smiling at her.

"Morning, Valarie." She replies. "I asked for this meeting so that we can go over some things." She says and I nod, listening to her.

"My husband's funeral will be in a week's time and I want you to give a eulogy." She tells me.

"Um...sure. I'll do it, your husband was a very dear friend of mine and the company. So, yes I will be honored to say a few words." I tell her.

She smiles at me before she breaks down in tears. I hand her a tissue and she wipes her nose with it.

It's so hard to see her this way.

This shit sucks.

"I'm sorry. You probably don't need this, especially not on your birthday." She says and I shake my head.

"It doesn't matter. Today is just a regular Tuesday to me." I tell her.

"I'll be on my way now." She says, standing up from the chair. I stand up from my chair and I walk over to her before I give her a warm hug.

"Everything is going to be fine. I'm here if you need anything." I tell her, rubbing her back.

"Thank you, Valarie." She tells me, pulling away. She puts her sunglasses back on before she walks out of my office.

***

It's lunch time now and I am starving. My staff just sang me the happy birthday song and I've never felt more awkward. I just stood there and didn't know what to do with my hands.

I'm currently at the restaurant across my office. I just ordered a Caesar salad and Naya is sitting across from me, sipping a margarita at one in the afternoon.

"I know that face." Naya says, staring at me.

"What face?" I ask her.

"What are you thinking about?" She asks me, folding her arms.

"Nothing. Look, I'm hungry okay. I just wanna eat and go home." I tell her, truthfully.

"Mhm." He hums, before she brings the straw to her lips again.

"Stop staring at me like that, for real." I tell her.

"What? I'm not doing anything." She says, chuckling.

"So, how is Logan?" I ask her.

"He's good. But very busy. We barely spend time together." She says, swirling her straw in her drink.

Logan is Naya's boyfriend. He is a professional boxer. He is away most of the time and it really takes a toll on Naya because she gets lonely.

"He has to work, you know this." I tell her.