Never in my life had I expected such a thing

Never in my life had I expected such a thing
Chapter 34~ Valerie's POV

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The moment Richard reached my house, he turned off his car's engine and the quietude of the night wore on us as the dim sound of cricket was audible despite sitting in the car.

"Valerie, can I take you on a date," He said with firmness and determination visible on his face.

This felt funny to me as I couldn't hold in my heard laughter.

"What have I said that felt so funny to you?" He asked.

"Hold on, is that how you ask a girl out on a date, Richard, what has happened to your flirtatious words on women," I said with my laughter still ongoing.

"I guess, life did, I just don't have the strength for back and forth anymore, if I like you or just want sex I'd rather let you know than tell unnecessary lies," He uttered.

"OMG, Richard, So much changes in you all at once," I teased.

"Come on Valerie, Don't mock me, I'm only trying to be a decent man, hoeing around back in college, taught me self-worth," He explained.

"Mmm-mmm, I can see that, "I chimed in.

To be honest, I love the change I saw in Richard because when we were still in school studying, He was a man-whore and I hated everything about him then but seeing this now, I believe even the devil can repent.

"Anyways," I continued.

"Tonight, I can't but I will let you know once I am chanced," I stated, attempting to be dismissive towards him.

"Are you saying no to me Valerie, I apologized already for not contacting you," He inquired.

"Or is it because of how I acted towards you at prom night back then," He proceeded.

With a scoff, I said, "I don't even remember that until now you mentioned it, I know you were an asshole but I am not dumb to take it out on you now, I'm handing a lot of authors' manuscripts at my hands due to our new recruitment policy and I don't toy with my work, that's the only sincere reason for turning down your offer now but we would still do it some other time," 

"Oh I see, it's alright then," He agreed.

"Do you want to come inside, Annabelle might be inside not sure though," I offered to him.

"No maybe after you grant me a date with you then I won't turn down any offer you bring to me," He said.

"Touche, I guess it's a win-win for us," I smiled at him.

"Alright, take care of yourself, and thank you for the drive," I appreciated as I took my leave out of his car.

And so, he zoomed off instantly.

Nearing my entrance door, before I could knock on it for Mom to open the door for me.

I swiftly saw the door open, lo and behold, it was none other than the bitchy- behavior human, Annabelle Smith.

"Was that Dante,?" She questioned as she wore a teasing look on her face.

I frowned at her, not giving her a response as I walked my way into my apartment.

"Come on, Valerie I already apologized for going for too long," She said, following my steps to the sitting room.

"Did you?" I asked as Mom walked up to where we were.

"Why are you angry at Annabelle?" My mother chimed in.

"Yes, Anna tell her what you did and why you started hiding things from me, your best friend," I added, making her answer the query from my mother.

"Mrs Skye,...." She began.

But mom was quipped as Anna doesn't call her Mrs. Skye but Mary.

"Geez, Anna you did something really bad for you not to call me Mary," My mother said, with a slight tease laced under her voice.

"Yes, Mary, I hid the fact that I was traveling out of Seattle and I also hid the day I was returning, and not being there for her when she needed me the most," Annabelle confessed.

"You didn't add, your awareness of Richard, moving to Seattle for a year now, and kept quiet about it," I articulated.

Then she suddenly rolled her eyes out of shock, "How did you know that?" She asked.

"Well a little spy, named Richard told me, how could you Annabelle and you know keeping secrets is one of our "Don't's" in this friendship," I shouted.

"I am sorry Valerie, I didn't want to hurt your feelings, because he was an asshole to you back in school, and I couldn't watch you fall into trauma because of an unimportant person," She expressed.

"Do you think I am weak now? You know I'm not Anna, I felt hurt by your action," I mouthed with the hurt clearly shown on my face.

"Now, now, Valerie, please forgive her, she meant well," My mother begged on Anna's behalf.

I was hurt, I won't deny it but I felt more relaxed because I was able to lash out my anger to her.

"I have forgiven her ma, she shouldn't act in a bitchy way, it's hurts because I love her," I announced.

"Aww, I love you," Anna responded as a bright smile appeared on her face.

"Come on girls, let's have dinner and we will talk about the rest at the dining table," My mother finally said.

"Alright ma, I'd go change now," I replied to her instructions.

So I left the sitting room and headed to my room to unwind.

Some minutes later, I returned to the sitting room and walked my way to the dinner table.

"This is nice," I admired.

"I made it, you know," Anna bragged.

"Oh did you?" I joked.

"I just want to rest my head, work was hectic today," I uttered.

And so, I dived into my meal and ate it till It remained nothing on my plate.

"So fast," My mom said.

"Yes Mom, I rushed my food, I'm sleepy," I responded to her as I gulped the glass of water I held in my hands.

The moment I was done with it, I gently shifted my chair back paving the way for me to leave.

"I'm going to bed, goodnight," I stated.

"Are we not catching up?" Anna asked with food in her mouth.

"Sure we would but not tonight, since you are staying here for some time, we have a lot of time to talk about everything," I assured her.

"Okay then, good night," She finally agreed.

With that, I walked my way out of the dining room to my room and instantly threw myself on the bed as I made my way into the dream world.

Two days later, I arrived at the office, and instantly I remembered, the file I was supposed to give Dante.

So I searched for it on my working table and eventually, I found it.

"There you are," I uttered as I took it away from its hiding place.

So, I left my office and I headed to Dante.

Reaching there, I opened his office door. And behold, I saw a thing of shock.

A woman sitting gracefully on Dante's lap. I was stunned at what I saw, I would be sincere.

But I ignored what I saw and composed myself to order.

"Good morning, Mr Dante here is the file on the summaries you requested for earlier this week and I apologize for barging in, please do excuse me," I said with visible tears held in my eyes.

Then, I left his office.

Gosh, I felt like I was played, never in my life did I expect to see such a thing from a person who claims to love me.

With that, I held my grip on my emotions as I slowly but steadily made my way back to my office.