MERRY CHRISTMAS

CHAPTER FIVE: MERRY CHRISTMAS

"No, why'd you ask that? "

Valerie stood in her tracks, glaring at Alex. She clicked her teeth and shook her head to say no, and she walked into her closet, to search for the document that contained Alex's money laundering summary. She opened the drawer where she kept the document and it wasn't there.

Panic rose in her heart as she tried to prevent herself from bursting into premium tears. She took out all the contents of the drawer and rummaged through the drawer.

"Where is it, " she whispered angrily as she moved to search her clothing section, throwing the clothes on the floor one by one and searching through them.

When she couldn't find it, she sat on the floor in frustration, her hands ran through her hair and she squeezed her face with her left hand.

Maybe Alex took it?

If he had taken it, he would have confronted her and threatened her to shut up.

Then, Who took it?

Just then she heard her room door open and close, she peeked in to see that Alex left the room. She ran to the door and opened it, she glanced around the hall searching for any trace of Alex.

She immediately closed the door and sprinted to where his drawer stood, she tried to open them and she found out that they were locked again.

Alex certainly took it, he was probably too embarrassed to confront her, and he could have threatened her but why didn't he do that?

She rushed back into the walk-in closet and this time she went to Alex's clothing section.

She found nothing.

Then she remembered Alex's study that he never allowed anyone in.

She was going to enter that study when the party was in full swing.

~

Valerie couldn't help but feel a wave of anticipation as she prepared for the Christmas party.

Valerie changed into a long, flowing black gown. The gown had detailed embroidery and a plunging neckline. She wore her hair in a sleek updo, highlighting her high cheekbones and slender neck. She put on light makeup, letting her natural beauty shine through. All eyes fell on her as she walked down the stairs. Fareeda immediately runs towards her

"My, my Valerie. You look stunning, " she whispered in her ear

"Thank you, Fareeda," she replied

"I have news for you after the party, it's great news, " Fareeda said, holding Valerie's hands to come down the last staircase effortlessly

"Really? "

Fareeda nodded, smiling, and then walked away to attend to the guests.

Valerie searched the room for Alex and she saw him at the far end of the large busy room, whispering in Mini's ears.

This was beyond embarrassing.

As Valerie mingled with the guests, a burst of excitement filled the air. The decorations hauled everyone to the romantic streets of Paris, and the music and laughter created a festive aura. Valerie couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for sneaking away from the celebration, but her decision to uncover the truth rowed her forward.

She waited for the perfect moment when the attention was focused on the lively dance floor and the enchanting decorations. Slipping away quietly, Valerie discreetly made her way towards the door leading to Alex's study. Her heart pounded in her chest as she reached for the doorknob, It was locked.

She expected this 100% and that was why she opened Alex's drawer earlier to take the key.

With a shaky breath, Valerie slowly turned the handle and entered the room.

"Here goes, " she whispered

The study was dimly lit, lined with shelves filled with books, and adorned with photographs from Alex's travels. As her eyes scanned the room, she noticed a desk positioned by the window. It felt as if a magnetic force drew her towards it.

Valerie moved towards the desk cautiously, her eyes scanning the papers and objects scattered across its surface. She found a locked drawer and her curiosity piqued. Carefully, she tried to find any clues that would lead her to the key, but her search proved fruitless. Frustration threatened to consume her as she pondered on what to do next.

What Valerie did not know was that Alex already knew that there was an intruder in his study. There was a sensor in his office, and as soon as anyone entered the room, an intruder alert would ring from his phone.

He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket while he and Mini were making out in the guests' bathroom. Cleaning his mouth, he shoves his hands in his pockets and brings his phone to his face.

"What's that? " Mini asked curiously

"Nothing, I'll be right back, " he replied.

Alex raced to his study, furious and eager to strangle the intruder to death. The lines on his forehead increased as his anger rose.

If that person discovers what he has been doing, he will not allow them to survive.

While all these drama was going on, Alan merely stayed in the corner and watched. He didn't come to LA to chat, if sending several emails, handwritten letters, and calls and even asking his manager to fly down to LA to have a meeting with Alex couldn't stop him, then he had to do whatever he could to stop Alex from stealing company funds while their parents don't find out what kind of beast they had raised in Alex.

In the last few months, a huge sum of 300 million USD had been withdrawn from company funds with no notes or statements of withdrawals. When he finally managed to crack who withdrew that amount of money, he bombarded Alex with emails, texts, and even threat messages, but to no avail.

He placed the wine glass on the table and followed Alan.

~

Just as Valerie was about to give up hope, her eyes landed on a framed photograph folded among the papers. It described a younger version of Alex standing in front of a famous Parisian landmark.

"Puta, " Valerie swore as she continued rummaging through his office. His drawers were fingerprint sensors and that made her realize that there was something big locked away in those drawers. *Puta means- Trollop

Valerie didn't hear the loud footsteps that echoed through the dark, empty hall.

And she couldn't hear the thoughts running through Alex's mind.

When Alex held the doorknob, Valerie's senses heightened.

"Shit! " she panicked as she looked around the office for where to hide. She immediately rushed under the desk and kept her fingers crossed.

She heard the door click open.

"Game over, "