Chapter 10

Laura's POV.

Last night, I had to run away from Lucas to save myself from embarrassment. After everything that played out in front of us.

I had no other option than to remain in the lobby until late at night when I knew he must have probably slept off, that was when I came back into the room. 

I realized he had occupied the couch already, so I had to sleep on the bed. This afternoon I told myself that I didn't care about him, repeated it in my head like something that I could easily turn into the truth no matter how many times I said it to myself.

Lucas told me to accompany him because he needed to be at a restaurant where his presence was needed. As soon as we stepped inside, the soft lights and the quiet music welcomed me.

People were actually dressed like they had nothing to worry about. Then, I felt out of place, even in the dress I wore that I spent hours trying to pick what would suit the occasion.

“You don't know anyone here, Laura. All you have to do is stay close by and don't make me look for you.” he said, not even looking at me.

“I'm not a child anymore. So you don't have to reprimand me.” I muttered, trying to hide my anger towards him so people wouldn't notice.

I was really an expert when it came to creating a scene. So if I didn't try to control myself I might end up doing one when my intentions weren't to create a scene.

“You are actually worse than a child,” he replied.

I glared at him intensely, but before I could say anything to him, he had already moved forward, greeting people and shaking hands with them.

I just took a step behind, pretending I wasn't watching him. I also pretended I didn't notice how people looked at him, especially women.

I wouldn't deny the fact that he was very handsome and attractive so he was probably the type of man that could get any woman's attention. 

“Lucas.” I heard a feminine voice call out to him.

The voice came from behind me. I didn't need to turn to know that the voice belonged to a very beautiful woman, I mean a pretty face and a pretty voice. 

I was definitely right with my thoughts because the woman stepped into view like she was the main character if my life was a story.

She was a tall woman. I noticed how confident she looked and how her dress hugged her curves in a way mine suddenly felt like it didn't.

She smiled at him in a very seductive way like she already understood exactly who she was and what effect she had on Lucas, not exactly because I wasn't sure about that.

“Valeria.” Lucas said.

So that was her name. Valeria. She stepped closer to Lucas without any hesitation, she placed her hand on his arm, then she leaned in and kissed both of his cheeks.

I felt a different kind of way when I saw her do that. I couldn't even stop the feeling.

“It's been a very long time since I saw you.* Valeria said.

“For me it hasn't been long enough.” Lucas replied.

Something twisted sharply in my chest. I just folded my hands across my chest as I looked away, pretending I wasn't listening, even though I heard every word.

“I can see another beautiful lady here. Aren't you going to introduce me to her?” she said, her eyes glancing towards me.

Lucas looked at me, then he said. “This is Laura.”

That was the only way he could introduce me to Valeria. I was literally amazed but there was nothing else that could be done about it.

Valeria smiled at me. “It’s nice to meet you, Laura.”

“Same here, Valeria.” I said, forcing myself to smile back at her.

“I’m actually his overworked and underpaid secretary.” I added. 

Lucas gaze flickered back to me, something unreadable passing through his eyes as Valeria chuckled softly.

“I’m sure he makes you work so hard.” 

“Oh, you have enough idea.” I muttered.

Lucas didn't say anything, and somehow that made it worse. It felt as though I was just blabbering and not saying the truth when I knew it was the opposite.

“If you can excuse us Laura. I really want to speak to Lucas without any interruptions.” Valeria said.

To me. I felt like it was so rude and inconsiderate of her to say such words to me but who was I actually speak when Lucas didn't have a problem with what she said. 

“Sure. I'll leave you two alone to enjoy yourselves.” I said, taking three steps back.

After I shifted away from them. They were conversing too easily like I wasn't even to be seen on sight.

I began to glance around the restaurant, trying to distract myself but my ears betrayed me. 

Because I could hear valeria's laughter, like she was enjoying every conversation with Lucas and he was also responding to her.

He was more engaged in the conversation with her and more present than he has ever been with me.

I actually bit my lower lip because I needed to remind myself that I didn't care. I repeated it again and again in my head but no matter how many times I did that, it still felt weaker this time around.

“Hi miss, would you like a drink?” A waiter asked, appearing beside me.

“Yes I would love to have a drink. Please give me something strong.” I said instantly.

I noticed Lucas eyes searching for me. When he saw me, he quickly glanced back at valeria.

I just ignored all of it. I was a little bit close to them so I could hear their conversations, valeria leaned in closer to Lucas, this time around her hands were resting on his chest.

“I cannot still forget about the fact that you disappeared on me.” she said.

“I didn't disappear because I wanted to. I disappeared because I had lots of work to do. You know I'm a businessman so disappearing shouldn't come as a surprise to you.” he replied.

“You always say that.”

“And it's always true.”

“Here is your drink miss.” the waiter said, handing the drink over to me as he left. 

I looked away from them, my fingers tightening around the class the waiter handed over to me. Why the heck was she still touching him so intimately?

And worst part of all was he was letting her the wall of that. But then the worser part of it all was I noticed everything when I wasn't supposed to.

I took a sip of the drink, it actually burned my throat. This was actually very stupid of me because I wasn't meant to feel anything. 

Lucas was my boss. He was nothing more to me.

“Laura.” I heard my name. I looked up at Lucas.

“What?” I said.

“You are quiet.” he said and I chuckled at his words.

“I thought you preferred it that way.”

“Not always.”

“I didn't realize you actually brought a company with you. If you were coming to my city, you could have easily put a call through me and I would have been here for you instead of bringing your secretary with you. Laura looks like she doesn't even want to be here.” Valeria said. 

I could sense a little bit of jealousy in her tone which was quite surprising to me, because I felt I didn't stand a chance against what she shared with Lucas for him to be so concentrated on her. 

“I didn't bring any company.” Lucas replied.

“What?!” I exclaimed. “Excuse me?” at first I thought my voice was loud enough for them to hear me but then it was only in my thoughts I screamed so loudly. 

“I'm actually here for work with him. There's nothing more than that.” I said quickly.

“Of course you are here for work.” Valeria answered, smiling at me.

I took a sip of my drink but this time I run I was a little bit slower. I was trying to control myself, because I knew that this wasn't jealousy. It just couldn't be.

I didn't have the right to be jealous of Lucas speaking to another woman. I didn't even want the right to feel so.

“Laura.” Valeria said, suddenly pulling me back in into their conversation.

“Yes?”

“Do you travel with him often?”

“No I don't.”

“Is this your first time?” 

“Unfortunately for me, it is.” I said as she laughed it off.

“I’m very surprised.” she continued. “He usually keeps things very professional.”

“Trust me Valeria. He still does.”

Valeria leaned in closer again to Lucas. This time around she deliberately dropped her voice on purpose, almost as though the words she wanted to say to him. She didn't want me to hear them but I heard them anyways. 

“I missed you.” she said.

I felt uncomfortable at the spot. So, I dropped my glass on the table before I could crush it in my hand. I felt like I needed air.

“I”ll be right back.” I said quickly, already stepping away before any of them could respond to me.

I walked far away from them until I could finally breathe without feeling like someone was pressing my chest. 

What the heck was wrong with me? I pressed my hand on the wall, staring at nothing.

Why did it bother me so much? Why did valeria bother me alongside with Lucas?

“You left.” Lucas voice came from behind. I closed my eyes briefly, before turning to face him.

“I needed air.” I said.

“You’ve already had it.”

“It's not enough air for me. I want more.” I replied as he stared deeply into my eyes.

“You are bothered, Laura.”

“I'm definitely not.”

“Laura.”

“I said I'm not.” I yelled. “You can do whatever you want. Talk to whoever you want it is none of my business.”

“Isn’t it truly none of your business?”

“Yes. It isn't my business. I don't jet jealous, if that is what you're thinking.”

“Lucas you just left me without saying a word.” Valeria said, walking towards Lucas as he turned to face her.

“I'm sorry valeria. I just came to check up on my secretary because she gets jealous easily.” Lucas said as his gaze settled back on me.