AUTHOR'S P.O.V
Valerie bit her lip nervously. So Skye had really done this to her, she thought helplessly. She glanced over to where Reed Lanchester and his assistant sat, going through files and looked away. She was nervous and uncomfortable.
"Valerie dear, don't you like the juice?" Raquel who sat beside her asked. Valerie blushed when she saw that Reed had paused to stare at her. She picked up the glass of orange juice a maid had served her and took a sip. Raquel smiled at her approvingly and she couldn't help but return the smile.
"Skye had called to inform me about your desire to visit. That's nice of you, Valerie."
Valerie nodded, praying her smile didn't appear forced. How could Skye do this to her?
*FLASHBACK*
"You know I've been thinking. What if you pay a visit to your fiancé in his home?" Skye asked later in the evening after the embarrassing episode with Acio in the kitchen. They were currently in Valerie's room.
Valerie shook her head, refusing. Skye flashed her an evil grin and her heart sank. She didn't do anything right?
"Too late, Val. I'd called Raquel to inform her of your visit. I told her you'd been dying to spend some quality time with your beau."
Valerie gaped at her. She didn't! You wouldn't dare!, she signed, irritated. Skye shrugged. "Reed Lanchester is hot and you obviously have a major crush on him anyway so -"
A pillow was hurled in Skye's direction cutting her off, hitting her squarely in the face. Skye gasped dramatically. "Oh you did not."
Picking up a pillow, she threw it at Valerie, who dodged. Soon, they were attacking each other with pillows just like they'd done in their childhood days.
"St-stop!... Enough!" Skye pleaded, panting. Valerie nodded and they collapsed on the huge bed in exhaustion.
"No use Val." Skye said, breathless. "Raquel said she's excited to have you and would be looking forward to your 'lovely visit'."
Valerie rolled her eyes. Skye smirked and Valerie became wary. "The best part is Reed is gonna be home!" Skye said giggling at Valerie's horrified expression just as a pillow caught her in the face.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
"You've come here hoping to spend time with him but look how busy he is!" Though her voice was full of reproach, Raquel's eyes held deep affection for her son.
Reed ignored her and she turned to Valerie with a sigh. "He's always like this - ignoring his mother. He thinks he's always right about everything. After marriage if you're given that same treatment, you have my permission to give him a slap or two."
Valerie's eyes widened in shock. There was no way in hell she was going to do that! Reed Lanchester had the overbearing aura of a ruthless king that made him unapproachable and dangerous. She was sure he wouldn't hurt her but she didn't possess the courage to do that.
Reed's assistant, Stephan, nearly choked on his drink in surprise. Slap his boss? He thought, bewildered. Seriously no one would be that dense to lay a hand on Reed Lanchester. He turned to look at his boss' emotionally uninformative sculptured profile and sighed. That person must've been seeking death for a long time.
