Chapter 89 Chasing Shadows
CHAPTER EIGHTY NINE
Stefan’s POV~
The ballroom was noisy with music and people talking, the chandeliers above them casting a gentle light on everyone in their fancy suits and dresses. I danced with Natasha while trying to keep my steps light and smile polite enough for an industry ball. She was dressed in a red cocktail dress, and she made light conversation about a client we had recently signed at Helix. “Now they’re pushing for faster delivery,” she said, her voice clear over the slow music. “I told them we’d prioritize them next quarter.”
“Good call,” I replied, nodding as we turned on the dance floor. “That account’s worth the effort.” But my mind wasn’t with her fully. It kept returning to Valenticia, every time she rejected my invitations, coffee at her apartment, dinner out somewhere, a chance to talk over a beer like we used to. Her no’s were cutting, and they hurt more than I wanted to acknowledge.
Then I caught sight of her from the corner of my eye, across the room. Valenticia was at a window by herself, in a simple black dress and looking pale and cross." My heart skipped a beat. Fine, but I hadn’t even realized she was here tonight; she never came to these things. She turned, barging toward the exit through the crowd. Something was wrong.
“Natasha, I’m sorry, just give me a second,” I interrupted, halting in my steps. She raised her brows in surprise but nodded, releasing my hand. “Everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, just check something,” I mumbled, walking away. I dodged drink trays and laughter, weaving my way between people who were dressed in suits. I felt my chest contract and tighten as I walked. I had to catch up with her, talk to her, and find out what was so hurt about her. Perhaps this was my opportunity to voice what I’d been keeping inside — how I missed her, how sorry I was for letting us end.
But before I could get to the door, a heavy hand fell upon my shoulder. “Stefan! Just the man I needed.” It was Roger, an investor from one of our largest partner firms, who was flush with wine and excitement. “Got a minute? Helix can’t wait for this merger thesis; this will propel it to the next level any day.”
I glanced at the exit. Valenticia had practically disappeared, her form sliding through the crowd. “Roger, can it hold off? I’m trying to do something,” I said, helping my voice sound even.
He laughed, not letting go. “Middle of something? I mean, look, this is five minutes of your time. You would never want to miss this pitch — twenty percent growth, minimum. Let’s have a drink and compare numbers.’
I felt frustrated as I wanted to push past him, but Roger’s bank had underwritten half of our expansion last year. Ignoring him could cost us. “Fine, five minutes,” I said. “Walk me through it.”
He got into his pitch, speaking quickly about market shares and recent tech acquisitions. “We’re a team, Stefan, combining our resources, we are unstoppable. I have projections right here,” he said, pulling out his phone and scrolling through charts. “Check this out — ten million in profit by next year if we line up now.”
“That sounds good,” I said, nodding, but my mind was elsewhere. Why was Valenticia here? Why did she act so huffy? Had she seen me with Natasha? The idea hit hard. Maybe that’s what upset her. I wanted to tell her that Natasha was a partner, a friend and nothing else. Or was she? I’d been questioning recently whether it made sense to settle down with her. She was solid, intelligent and good for business. But each time I tried, Valenticia’s face returned to my mind, the laugh she shared with me years ago and the faith she still had when we were hiding from Gregor’s drones.
Roger kept talking, oblivious to my mood. We could use your crew early next month. Can you visit our analysts? Say, Tuesday?”
“Tuesday is fine,” I murmured, not really hearing. The door was empty now. Valenticia was gone. I lost my opportunity while I was standing here having shop talk. “Send me the details, Roger. I’ll review with my team.”
He laughed, slapping my back once more. “That’s my guy. Knew I could count on you. Let’s go get that drink now and keep the vibe.”
“No drink tonight,” I said, backing off. “Got an early morning. I’ll follow up, promise.” Before he could argue, I cut a corner and made my way to the dance floor in search of Natasha. I should’ve run faster, should not have listened to Roger. What was she feeling? Was it about me?
Natasha was standing by a table speaking to a customer. She waved me over. “Thought you stood me up,” she teased, passing over a glass of water. “Everything good?”
“Yup, just delayed,” I replied, taking the glass. “Investor talk. You know how it goes.”
She nodded, sipping her drink. “Roger’s pushy. Good pitch, though?”
“Cool,” I said, though my voice sounded flat even to me. Natasha did not appear to notice and turned back to the client with a smile.
Life after Valencia had been all work. Helix’s rise was rapid, bringing more contracts, larger offices, and greater numbers of staff. I had meetings for days, signing deals, shaking hands. It paid off. Profits were climbing, and the board loved me. But some nights were different. The contract marriage started as a plan to keep us safe during the Galden mess—fake vows, shared risks. But it turned real for me. Late nights in safehouses, her planning beside me, her hand brushing mine when we laughed. I fell for her, even if I never said it out loud. When it ended, I agreed to give her space, thinking it was best. Now, I wasn’t so sure.
And Natasha was there for all of it. She joined Helix immediately after and went on to successfully close large deals with a cool head. We were collaborative, attended dinner with clients, late-night strategy calls. What she did was make it easy, and people took notice. At parties, we were known as a power couple. We’d been teased by friends that we were a good match. It began to seem natural that I should marry her. She was the kind of life I wanted to build a stable, predictable, and good company. But watching Valenticia come out tonight, running like that, loosened something. Did I want stable? Or did I want her, wreckage and all?
“Stefan, you in there?” Natasha’s voice snapped me back. She was watching me now, with an eyebrow up. “Client’s asking about the new sensor line. Want to take it?”
“Yup, sorry,” I said to the client. “Sensors launch next quarter. Now we’re conducting durability tests, and the results are very good.” I recited the information, but my heart wasn’t in it. The client, who looked pleased, nodded and walked away. Natasha was nearby, and her hand lay on my arm as it always did of late.
“Rough night?” she asked quietly. “You seem off.”
“Just tired,” I said, lying and smiling hard. “Long week. Let’s wrap up soon.”
She nodded, not pushing. “Sure. Another hour, then we’re gone.”