CHAPTER THREE: THE MORNING AFTER AND MORE

LIORAÉ

My legs ache, but there is pleasure swirling on the inside of me. When my eyes flutter open the next morning, this strange man is sleeping beside me, eyes closed firmly and hair scattered over the pillow. Looking too ethereal to be on earth. I wanted to run my fingers over his jawline.

I stared at him for a moment; I had always thought Evan’s looks were to die for, but this gentleman was on another level. Maybe I was being biased because of how gentle he had been with me last night, asking over and over again if I wanted this because he did anything. 

I stopped staring and slipped back into the silky bronze gold dress I had walked in here with. I tamed my hair in the mirror and rushed out of the hotel room before he could wake up, leaving only a note of thanks. 

“One night is enough!” 

I murmured when my mind began to imagine scenarios of us sitting at a bar and sipping wine while talking about everything we wanted ourselves to be. 

The rest of the weekend passed in a blur; I had refused to mourn the death of my three-year relationship with Evan, and he did not even bother to apologise. 

My mom and sister were the only people pressed about everything. “Evan is such a good man; do not let him go.” “Who else is going to marry you?” “Are you going to end up marrying a poor man like me?” 

I had known for a long time that they only saw me as their way out of poverty, and when Evan, a manager at the Vale co-operative, took a liking to me, they thought we had hit the jackpot. 

“Where do you think you are going?” 

“It’s Monday morning,” I replied, not sparing a glance at my mom, who sat on my bed watching me as I applied the minimal makeup in the mirror. 

“But you do not have a job.” 

“I got one.” 

The message had come last night; I was to resume for a new role as the assistant to the CEO of the Vale corporation tomorrow. Evan had said he was going to get me a job, and even though we were no longer together, I still needed the job, so I was going to take it no matter what. 

“Was it Evan who…?” 

“Mom, please do not mention him.” My eyes squeezed shut as my finger coiled tightly around the mascara tube. 

“I know you are angry at what happened, but Evan is going to…” 

“MOM!” I screamed, startling both of us. I dropped the tube on the table and turned to her. “Please” 

“Do you intend to end in poverty? This is for your good. Whatever it is, I am so sure it is just a misunderstanding.” 

I bit the inside of my cheeks. Would she tell me to leave him if I told her the truth? Would she take my side and not the side of money for once? 

“I would work for anything I need.” She laughed long and hard as if I was crazy for thinking work was going to give me money. “I got a job,” I added, my voice tight as my head raised. 

“You think whatever measly salary they would give you would suffice? “Don’t be delusional,” she spat out as she shuffled to her feet. 

“I will invite Evan over for dinner, and you will be home to make up with him.” She turned and marched out before I could even say anything. 

“The CEO’s office is just this way.” The door opened, and I was led inside. The cologne from Friday night hits my nose, and when I look up, I am met with familiar grey eyes staring at me. 

“Mr Vale?” the man who had been leading me from the lobby called. His eyes snapped from me to Henry. “This is Ms Lioraé Alcott, your new assistant.” He pointed from him to me. 

I opened my mouth, but words failed to form. I swallowed the knot that seemed to stay put in my throat no matter how hard I tried to swallow.

“I will leave you two to get acquainted, and then you can speak with the last assistant for a handover.” Henry turned on his heels, leaving me standing in the middle of the room. 

Mr Vale held my eyes, and I began to pray to all the gods out there that he had a really bad memory, or I was certainly unrecognisable from last night. 

“Ms Lioraé Alcott?” He said it as if he was testing the name out and then tilted his head. 

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr Vale. I hope we get along.” 

A teasing smile climbed his lips as his eyebrows furrowed, and he stood up. Even though the aircon was on full blast, I felt my palm slip on the leather bag I clutched in front of me, and my armpits dripped into my shirt. 

“We already got along quite well.” He pushed the chair back, spinning endlessly behind him as he moved from behind the table. He walked to me, holding my gaze and stopping just in front of me. 

“Don’t you think so?” he asked, hands stretched out to me. 

“I…I…do not know what you are talking about, sir,” I managed to blurt out without stuttering too much. 

“You couldn’t have possibly forgotten me already.” He takes a step forward, and his breath fans my cheek with how close he has gotten. 

I inhaled sharply and took a step back, still holding his gaze with my head held high. 

“It was one night,” I remarked and clutched the handle of my bag, afraid my knuckles were going to snap. “A night we both promised never to speak about again,” I add, and his eyes flicker. 

“That only stood if we did not run into each other like…” He invaded my space again, this time with a hand on my waist as his finger traced the outline of my face. I try to stand straight, but my toes curl in my stomach, and my heart rams against my chest. 

“But now that fate has brought us together, we have to,” he finished as his finger lingered at the base of my lips gently. 

“Mr Vale, this is inappropriate; I am your assistant.” My chest was rising and falling too rapidly as I tried to act as if his actions did not affect me. 

“Call me Soren.” 

“Mr Vale, I can’t…” His grip on my waist tightened, and a gasp escaped my lips, and he smirked in response. 

“It’s an order,” he finished, and I shook my head. A knock on the door startled me as I jumped into his hands, but his hand already on my waist made me stay grounded. 

He looked at me, grey eyes unravelling me gently. “Ms Alcott will be out shortly.” His voice was loud enough, and his footsteps retreated. 

“Why don’t we talk about this over dinner? ... later tonight?” He asked, and before I opened my mouth to refuse, he finished. 

“It’s an order.”