While you were Sleeping

29. The Maya Princess

The next two days dragged by.

Valentina spent most of her time with Olivia, the journalist Mateo had introduced the week before. She was preparing to interview the celebrity chef of a new Michelin Star restaurant opening in the city. Opening night was expected to be a huge event, one that Valentina had been told she was 'lucky' to be attending.

Having a press pass was a new experience but skipping the 'red carpet' had been a welcomed bonus. Although Valentina had found a few aspects of her evening interesting, the black-tie event had been as pretentious as she expected. Watching Olivia, one of the company's most respected female journalists, mingle and rub shoulders with VIPs, quickly became tiresome. But Valentina had to admit, the woman knew how to work a room, easily inserting herself into conversations while dragging Valentina along with her and making introductions. When the VIPs realised who Valentina was, they were much more welcoming.

When Leon and Lucia arrived, the photographer asked Valentina to join them for a family photograph. Valentina had reluctantly agreed, not wanting to make a fuss. But this wasn't why she was here and it wasn't how she expected to spend her evening.

She thought she would learn something tonight. In her time with Eric, he had worked with her, he had taken time to explain everything and was open to questions. Olivia seemed more interested in parading her around, using her to force introductions.

When Lucia approached to say they were leaving, Valentina had sighed in relief. It had been a long day and she desperately wanted to go home. Olivia had been engrossed in a conversation with a TV personality and waved her off as she tried to say goodbye.

"I swear, Juls, today was one of the longest days of my life! Ooh!" Valentina groaned as she kicked off her heels.

"What was that?" Juliana laughed.

Valentina held her phone to her ear as she closed her bedroom door. "I just took off my shoes, my feet are so sore!" she moaned, collapsing onto her bed. "I should get overtime for events like that!"

"Attending a fancy restaurant, socialising with the rich and famous while enjoying Michelin star food and free alcohol? You're right, Val, that sounds awful!" she scoffed.

Valentina rolled her eyes. "I would have preferred to spend time with you!" she pouted. "I miss you."

Juliana laughed again. "Are you pouting?"

"No!" she lied, continuing to pout.

"I think you are!"

"Prove it!" The line went dead. "Juls?" Valentina held up her phone, looking at the dark screen before it lit up with an incoming facetime call. "Seriously?"

"Where's the pout?" Juliana asked, laughing.

"It's not funny!" Valentina covered her face, peeking through her fingers.

"Val... look at me, please?"

Valentina dropped her hand, to stare at the screen, she'd missed Juliana's beautiful face. Talking on the phone was not the same.

"You know I miss you too, right?"

Valentina's pout transformed into a smile. "You better!"

"So... I was wondering if you had any free time, in your very busy social calendar, for tomorrow night?"

"I'll have to check my diary," Valentina drolled, looking at her nails. "Why?"

"I was planning to go out tomorrow night but I need a driver, so, I immediately thought of you! Are you busy?" she teased.

"No! You can't afford me, get an Uber!"

"No, Val, an Uber won't work! I'm trying to impress someone and your car is very fancy."