Lucky day

“Are you going somewhere?" Callista yawned, rubbing her eyes as she settled into the couch.

“I have an interview," Valeria replied. “I told you I'd be getting a job soon." 

“An interview," Callista repeated. “Shouldn't you be feeling nervous? You look happy like you're assured of the job." 

Valeria laughed lightly. 

“Actually, I'm happy because I'd be meeting my husband today." 

Callista almost choked on her coffee.

“Already?" 

Valeria nodded. “We talked last night and arranged to meet later today." 

Callista smiled. “That's good. I hope you like him." 

“I will," Valeria replied quickly, too quickly.

She hurried up and left the house, after giving her friend a peck on the cheek.

***

By 6:40a.m, Valeria is standing in front of the only skyscraper in the city.

The morning sun casted warm glow on its glass, and it casted a light on her gray eyes.

“This is it," Valeria whispers, straightening her dress before walking in.

“Sofia Cliff?” The receptionist asked.

" Yes,” Valeria lied.

She knew her father and Mr Wilson would try to sabotage her chances of getting a job, so she had to change her name.

"Mr Crest will see you in this office now,” she said.

" This way,” another young corporately dressed lady gestured, leading the way.

The elevator opened on the thirty sixth floor and she followed the lady down the hallway.

They stopped in front of a double door made of oak, the lady tapped once and a deep voice answered.

" Enter,”

The lady turned to Valeria. " You can go in.”

Before Valeria could ask any question, the lady walked away, leaving her shaking.

She inhaled deeply and let herself in.

Her gaze settled on the black sleek name plate on the desk, with the name ‘IVAN CREST’.

She approached the desk where a young man dressed in a clean and shiny white shirt sat.

Air left her lungs when he looked up and met her gaze with a smile that could send a woman into cardiac arrest.

“You're here for the position of an executive assistant?" He asked, his green eyes narrowed as his smile broadened.

Valeria nodded nervously. “Yes, sir." 

“You're hired." 

“What?" Valeria's eyes widened. “No interview?" 

“Well, I'm in one of my good moods, so it's your lucky day." 

Valeria stood confused, as he reached for his phone and dialed a number.

The line connected. 

I'd like to make a reservation for two,” he said.

Valeria stared at him, not paying attention to his discussion on the phone. She wondered what could make him so happy.

She stared so hard that she didn't notice when he ended the call.

"So, walk me through my schedule for today," he gestured to the tablet in front of her.

Valeria snapped out of her shock.

" Oh, right,” she said, fumbling with the tablet.

He leaned back on his chair, his chest spread into an impossible sculpted shape she'd ever seen, his facial features looked like they were carved with precision.

“Uhm…you,” her voice trailed off, as she fought the urge to look into his eyes that stayed in her the whole time.  " You have a meeting with Vodkov International, this morning.”

He swirled slowly in his chair, his gaze not leaving her.

"At 12p.m, you have lunch with the C.E.O of Mictech—”

" Clear my schedule from 12p.m,” he cuts in.

Valeria paused. " I…should —" 

“I have a date with my wife later today, I want to spend the rest of the day preparing." 

Valeria nodded slowly. “Oh, okay." 

She was intrigued by his reaction, wondering if her mystery husband was this excited to meet her.

“Newly married, so…,” he added.

"Oh, I see,” Valeria realized, her eyes drifting to the shiny ring on his finger.

"I'm sure you understand the thrill, since you're newly married too,” he continued, looking at the shiny knock off ring she found in her bag.

"Of course,” she chuckled nervously.

The day went on with work, Ivan ended up doing more than he had planned for the day but still made time to be on his phone. This bought Valeria enough time to also be on the phone with her mystery husband.

“Sort this out," Ivan said, pointing at some old files stacked on his desk.

Before Valeria could ask further questions, he had already stepped out.

“Hey, Noona. How was your trip?" 

“It was hectic but I landed safe." 

“That's good to hear." 

“So…have you been able to meet with her?”

" I will, later today.”

" That's good. You shouldn't delay things.”

Ivan laughed. " Slow down Noona, let's take it slowly.”

“You can't blame me, Treasure. A Romano goes for what he wants, it's in the blood." 

Ivan chuckled. “I'll call you after I meet with her." 

The call ended and he stepped back into the office.

The day went on with the normal office activity, but Ivan wouldn't stop checking his watch. Neither did Valeria.

At 5p.m, he stood and reached for his jacket.

“Let's call it a day." 

Valeria was more than happy, since she gets the time to get ready before meeting with her mystery husband.

They stepped out of the office building together, with Valeria clutching tightly to her purse.

“Why don't you hop in, I'll drop you along the way," Ivan offered.

Without hesitation, Valeria climbed into the back of the car. This would help her get home faster.

The ride was quiet and tense, Ivan stayed on his phone and Valeria kept replying to the text of her mystery husband.

Valeria would have been relieved to know that her boss was heading to the direction of her house, but it unsettled her.

She thought about it. It wouldn't be nice if her boss finds out where she stayed, it was too soon.

The driver took another turn and entered Valeria's street, making it possible for her to see her house from where they were.

Just then, Valeria's phone buzzed and lit up with a message from her mystery husband.

Valeria almost choked. Her boss can't find out she's married to someone she has never met.

“Uhm, sir," she called softly. "It seems you're familiar with this side of town.”

Ivan chuckled nervously. He can't let his employee know he's meeting his wife for the first time, he'd look like a joker.

"Not really,” he replied. "I'm here to pick up something, then I'll head straight to my wife.”

Valeria nodded.

"How about you?" 

“Me? Oh, I want to stop by an old relative's place." 

He nodded. “I see," he replied, before turning his attention back to his phone.

Valeria's phone buzzed with another message.

Ivan suddenly turned to Valeria, worried that she might catch on. “Let me know when you reach your destination.”