CHAPTER 2

Valerie woke up and opened her eyes. "Where am I?" Valerie looked confused as she found herself in a large and grand room, holding her head, which still felt dizzy.

"Are you awake?" A heavy and hoarse voice made Valerie look at the cold man's face, who was seen coming out of one room with a towel and wet hair.

"Argh!" Valerie screamed and immediately pulled back the covers, making sure nothing untoward happened. Valerie breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he was still wearing his party clothes from last night.

"Don't worry, I didn't touch you at all." Arthur put on his new shirt—he had to leave for work this morning. For Valerie's sake, he chose to stay at Regan's house because it was impossible to bring her to his. Valerie remembered what happened to her last night, making her feel ashamed of herself.

"Thank you." That was all Valerie could say; she didn't know what else to say because she was the guilty one there.

"Get up and change your clothes." Regan's driver will take you home." Arthur didn't seem to care and went out first, leaving Valerie, who was still not fully awake.

Valerie finally arrived at her small rented house. She laid down on the mattress, which was only as big as her body. Valerie was very embarrassed when she remembered the events of the past few hours.

"Death to me, God, what if I get fired?" Valerie said in her heart:

***

Suddenly, Valerie's cell phone rang loudly, startling her, who was daydreaming about her fate. Valerie saw the name of her best friend, Clara, calling. Valerie forgot to tell Clara that the woman must be looking for her.

"Hello."

"Valerie, where were you last night?" Clara yelled at her, so Valerie had to put her phone down a little.

"I'm sorry, Clara. I went home first last night." Valerie lied again because there was no way she was telling me what happened last night.

"And what's wrong with you? Why aren't you in the office?" Clara was like a sister to Valerie.

Having a chatty friend like Clara made Valerie feel like there was still someone who cared about her in this world.

"I'm fine. It's just that because of the whiskey last night, I'm a little dizzy this morning."

"Have you taken any painkillers? I'm sorry for telling you so late. After work, I'll come to your apartment."

"Yes, thank you, Clara." Valerie exhaled loudly today, her mind raging with the fate of her job.

"Well, rest up and see you, Valerie."

"Bye Clara." Valerie turned off the phone and placed her cell phone on the nightstand.

She lay down and stared at the ceiling of her room. Imagining the face of the man, named Arthur, swirled around in Valerie's mind even though she could not meet him in person. But Arthur had kindly sent a servant to deliver clothes and food.

Before leaving, Valerie asked the servant what the name of the man with the cold blue eyes was. The waiter said that the man's name was Arthur Davidson, a beautiful name that matched his handsome face.

Valerie wondered what it would be like if she had a boyfriend as handsome as Arthur; just imagining it made her body run hot and cold. Arthur's piercing gaze and charm made Valerie fall in love, but she had to put her dreams to rest because there was no way an ordinary woman like her could be loved by a wealthy man like Arthur Davidson.

"You're going back to France already?" Regan looked at Arthur, who was sitting on the sofa not far from her desk.

"Yeah, I'll be back soon, but I have one favor to ask you." Arthur had been thinking about this for a while.

"What do you want from me? A car?" Regan took off he glasses to look seriously at he best friend.

"Give me one of your employees," Arthur said, casually picking up the tea cup and drinking it.

"Which one do you want? Of course, easy request." Regan couldn't help but grant he best friend's first wish.

"Valerie. I want her to be my secretary."

"Valerie is the woman who stayed at my house last night," Regan asked again to make sure she hadn't misheard Arthur's words.

"Yeah, that woman... Is it that hard to grant?"

"Of course not! It's just that why should Valerie be that woman? It's too simple... I can find you a hotter and equally beautiful woman." Regan wasn't sure he best friend would change he tastes.

"I don't want another woman! I just want Valerie to send her to my company at any cost." Arthur took another firm stance.

"Well, as soon as possible, I'll take care of Valerie's move to your office."

"Thank you." Arthur's lips, for the first time, uttered forbidden words like thank you." He had never done that in his life, but this was the first time, for the sake of having a woman named Valerie.

The next day, Valerie was ready in her simple office clothes. Dressed to the nines, she left for the office by bus. She traveled on foot to get to the bus stop, where the bus he often rode would pass.

After getting on the bus, Valerie immediately took a seat in one of the window seats. She put both handsets to her ears and played a playlist of slow songs while enjoying her journey to the office, which was something Valerie often did to accompany her.

She was just a poor Valerie, born to a mother who did not consider her existence. Valerie's mother was a famous model, and her face often graced fashion and adult magazines. Who doesn't know 'Veronica Jonson"? Yap, that fact is always kept secret by Valerie, although she can't hide that her face also has the same side as her mother's.

Valerie finally arrived at the big office where she had been working, and her mother still gave her money to make a living. But Valerie never wanted to use it.

His feet walked into the glass doors that swirled with all the great people who graced this great company. Valerie was lucky to be chosen to be a part of this. Valerie put her ID on the sensor that would detect her entry; she waited in front of the elevator with other employees. If you ask where Valerie works, as she is one of the product development employees, the products sold are interior products.

The elevator doors open. Valerie rushes to get in, her body getting pushed because of the many employees who also join. This is Valerie's fate; he always dreamed of being able to enter a special elevator for officials, where the elevator can only be filled with a maximum of 2–3 people.

Finally arriving at her office, Valerie placed his bag on his desk and started to turn on the computer, which was displaying the design of a new product.

"Valerie?" A woman approached Valerie.

''Yes." Valerie turned her chair and saw that Mr. Regan's secretary had come to see her. Valerie immediately stood up and slightly bowed her body to salute before looking back at the other person.

"Mr. Regan is calling for you to come as soon as possible, okay?"

"Yes, sir." Valerie bowed once again. After Mr. Regan's secretary left, Valerie tried to regulate her heartbeat because he was afraid that Mr. Regan would fire him.

"How is this? What should I do?" Valerie sat back down and tapped her fingers on the table.

After feeling calmer, Valerie walked to the room where the CEO was—the first time she was face-to-face with Mr. Regan.

"Come in."

"Sorry sir, I'm Valerie... Why did you call me?" Valerie sat down, not daring to look directly at her boss.

"Sit down, Valerie; I have something to say." Valerie sat on the chair opposite Mr. Regan, and immediately Valerie's hands trembled. Her was ready if he had to lose his job.

"The reason I called you here is that you will be transferred to another company." Mr. Regan's words made Valerie raise her head. She breathed a little relief that her was not fired, but why was he transferred?

"You will be transferred to a company in France."