The Daughter He Doesn’t Deserve 

“What?” Elena screeched, causing several heads to look into the office. “You didn’t call him?”

Valeria winced as the chatter in the office came to an awkward halt. A few employees exchanged annoyed glances, and someone muttered something under their breath.

“Elena,” Valeria hissed under her breath. “Lower your voice.”

But Elena wasn’t done. “No, seriously, why? Why would you not call him? You had one job!”

Valeria stood abruptly from her desk, offering a polite smile to the few lingering stares before she pulled her office blinds shut. She closed her door and turned to face her friend.

“Elena,” she said, her voice low and laced with frustration. “I didn’t call because I don’t know what I’d even say. I don’t want to come off like… like I’m chasing him.”

Elena let out a dramatic groan and flopped into the armchair opposite Valeria’s desk. “Oh my God, Val. He gave you his number. You don’t give someone your number for fun. He wants you to call.”

Valeria crossed her arms. “You don’t know that.”

Elena narrowed her eyes. “You’re unbelievable. I should’ve just texted him myself and said, ‘Hey, this is Valeria. I’m too scared to make the first move.’”

Before Valeria could bite back a sarcastic response, a soft knock sounded at the door. It creaked open a moment later to reveal Mia, Valeria’s assistant, a twenty two year old, nervous, petite girl, holding a clipboard in one hand and a bouquet of stunning red and white roses in the other.

“Um… Ms. Valeria,” Mia said, wide-eyed. “There’s an order of flowers here for you.”

Valeria blinked. “Flowers?”

Elena practically shot out of her seat. “Oooh, someone’s got a secret admirer.”

Valeria ignored her, stepping toward Mia. “Who are they from?”

Mia hesitated, then stepped fully into the office and handed her the bouquet. “There’s no name on the card, ma’am. Just… a letter.” She glanced nervously at Elena, clearly unsure if she was interrupting something major. Then, she hurriedly left the office, closing the door behind her. 

Elena clapped her hands together. “Open it! Open it now. I want to read it. Maybe it’s a proposal. Maybe it’s a…”

“Calm down,” Valeria muttered, carefully opening the sealed envelope tucked within the bouquet. She unfolded the note and stared at the beautiful writing. 

“Pick up your phone”.

She froze.

Elena’s eyes widened. “Wait, what does it say? Don’t just stare at it like it’s cursed, what does it say?”

Before Valeria could respond, her phone buzzed on her desk. The name was hidden, just a number. But she knew. 

Her heart skipped. 

Elena gasped. “Is that him?”

Valeria didn’t answer. Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up the phone and pressed it to her ear.

“Hello?” her voice came out calm. 

There was a pause on the other end. Then a deep voice called out. 

“Valeria.”

Her knees nearly buckled. She closed her eyes and whispered. “Oh…Mr. Lockwood. Hi.” She tried to remain as professional as she could, anything to slow her racing heart.

Elena rolled her eyes so hard it looked like it hurt.

A quiet laugh came from the phone. “You can drop the ‘Mr Lockwood’ part,” he said, voice laced with amusement. “Just Damien is fine.”

Valeria let out a breathy laugh. “Okay then… Damien”

He let out another chuckle. “I was expecting your call.”

Valeria’s fingers toyed with the edge of the flower wrapping. “Yes… about that. I was actually very….very busy.”

Elena let out a very loud, very fake cough. “Liar,” she whispered behind her hand with a grin.

Valeria turned and whispered sharply, “Shhh!”

“Is someone with you?” Damien asked.

Valeria sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Just a very persistent best friend.”

“Good,” he said smoothly. “She clearly knows what she’s doing. Tell her she’s invited next time too.”

Valeria’s brows shot up. “Next time?”

“That is, if you’re free for dinner tonight.”

Elena was already mouthing say yes, say yes with wide, desperate eyes.

Valeria smiled, biting her lip, heart fluttering. “I think I……”

Suddenly, voices outside her office cut through the moment. The hallway erupted with hurried footsteps and raised voices. Valeria paused, her phone still to her ear, her brows furrowing. 

“What the hell is that?” Elena whispered, startled by the commotion. 

Valeria slowly lowered the phone. Her eyes locked with Elena’s, both of them going completely still as the footsteps grew louder…closer.

And then….

BAM!

The office door slammed open with a violent force that rattled the windows. Papers flew off Valeria’s desk.

Elena shot to her feet. And there he was.

Ares Langford.

He stood tall and imposing dressed in a grey suit. His hair slicked back perfectly. 

Valeria's breath caught in her throat. “Ares?” she said, stunned. “What are you doing here?”

Ares stepped in, his voice low. “No, I should be the one asking questions. When did you start lying to me?”

The accusation hit like a slap. Valeria’s mouth opened, but no words came out.

On the phone, Damien’s voice was still coming through. “Valeria? Valeria? Are you there?”

Ares turned his head slightly, his lip curlingbinti something that looked like a forced smile. Then he gave a cold, bitter laugh. “That voice… oh, I’d recognize it anywhere.” His gaze darkened. “So now you’re screwing Damien Lockwood?”

Valeria flinched. “It’s none of your business.”

She quickly brought the phone back up. “Damien, I….I’ll call you back later.” And she hung up before he could protest.

Ares clapped mockingly. “Wow. Well played.” He took a step forward, his presence sucking all the air out of the room. “I always knew you were just a pretty little slut with no ambition”

“Ares,” Valeria said, her voice trembling, but it wasn’t because of fear anymore. It was rage. 

“That’s why I left,” he went on, his voice loud. “That’s why I married Celeste. Because you….” he pointed at her like she was discarded rag “you were always weak. Useless. Couldn’t even be a wife, let alone anything else.”

“That’s enough,” Elena cut in, stepping between them. “If you don’t have anything decent to say, then get the hell out.”

Ares turned to her, his eyes roaming her figure. “Who the hell are you to speak?”

“She’s my friend,” Valeria said, her voice confident now. “And she’s right. Get out.”

But Ares didn’t back down. His eyes darkened at Vakeria's words. “She should leave. This is between you and me.”

“No,” Elena snapped. “Whatever you want to say, say it in front of both of us.”

“Elena, please,” Valeria whispered, reaching for her friend’s arm. “Just go….”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Elena said firmly. “Not this time. He doesn’t get to tear you down and walk away like nothing happened.”

Ares let out a slow, cruel smile. “Alright. You want the truth, both of you?”

He turned to Valeria, his eyes burning with intensity. "You really think you can shut me out?” he hissed. “That I wouldn’t find out eventually”

Valeria’s straighted herself, her hand tightening around the phone in her palm. 

“I have one question for you, Valeria.” He stepped closer, his face now masked with anger. “Where the hell is my daughter?”