❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 22

Valerie POV

Charles was rushing off, not considering to look back.
He was hurt.
Why was he making things complicated? I was just trying to live on and start something new. With my job and maybe even my relationship to men.
But Charles was still holding on.
And it wasn't even his business to care about.
Wasn't he able to understand that we just couldn't move on like nothing happened?

I thought about it for another moment.
Our night together flashed before my eyes and left me unfocused for a moment. I felt his soft kisses burn down my body, leaving me shivering and longing for more.
I could feel his body heat clinging to mine and his warm breathing against my neck slowly fading as I watched him leave the office.

And then something occurred to me what I didn't think about it after we slept with each other.
In our past relationship, I always said I'm not ready. I have never went this far. Not with him.
... Or anybody else.

And on that evening, we weren't even together. Not really. We had to play it on front of my parents. And I wanted it to be true for the while it lasted.
I let it happen because I wanted it. Because it felt right in that moment. It felt right with him.

And he treated me like I was a rare treasure.
So careful.. and loving.
And my stomach got all warm again when I thought about it.
But we simply couldn't.

I pushed all my thoughts away and laid my eyes on work again. Since I had an important presentation tomorrow about some design ideas.
It would be my first chance since I started to work here to show my capabilities.
I raised my head as the office door opened again.

Where are we, at a train station?

Everyone walked in like we were some petrol center.
But as I saw the dark haired security guard entering, my face expression rested and I looked in his direction to make eye contact. He seemed pretty lost between all those desks.

»Hey,«, he began as he reached my work place. I greeted him back.
He put on a confused look and turned his head back to the glass door, gesturing with one hand to it.
»Do you know Charles Leclerc in any way?«, he asked.
I felt overwhelmed with that question.
What should I have answered?
»We.. know each other through my brother.. I guess.«, I said hesitantly. I hated it when I had to lie. I was so bad at it. But Raphael didn't seem to notice.
»Because he just walked out of here and I watched him talk to you from the hall.«, he continued.
»Yeah he asked me something about the new Ferrai-shirts. Nothing much.«
»You sure?« Raphael raised an eyebrow. »The way he left looked like you had an argument or something.«

Why are you asking so much Raphael

»Yeah well we had some disagreements but nothing worth talking about.«
»But he seemed pretty angr-«
»Raphael, what are you even doing here? What can I do for you?« I changed the subject quickly before he swoop go any deeper.

He seemed confused with my sudden change of occasion. He raised an eyebrow, scratched his head with one finger and looked around like he had to think about what he actually wanted here.
»Yeahhh..«, he began still looking somewhere else. »I guess I just wanted to see you.«, he finally said as he met my eyes.
I didn't know how to react to his confession so I just put on a little smile. »That's sweet.«
We stayed like that for a couple of moments.
»I guess I should head back to work.«, Raphael mentioned and turned his hands in the doors direction. I nodded.
»We still meet up later?«, he reassured himself while walking out, keeping his head turned to me.
»Yeah sure.«, I answered and watched him leave.
My smile faded as soon as he wasn't in sight anymore. I just couldn't help but picture Charles walking out instead of him. Like he did several minutes ago.
But then I shook my head to get it off the door.
This with Raphael was something good. It was easy. And exciting.