Chapter 146 Chapter 146
“You asked for it,” he smirked and claimed her lips.
The following day, Valerie had a scheduled meeting with Park Noah. She was supposed to interview him for Thorne and then write an article for their magazine. Since he was a popular singer, she was quite nervous. It was difficult to get an opportunity like this, so she prayed she wouldn’t mess up.
Last time, when she had interviewed Jackson Regal, she had gotten along with him so well, but she didn’t know what kind of person Noah was. Maybe he wasn’t as easy to talk to… She had prepared questions for the interview and done some research on his career as a singer, so she wouldn’t embarrass herself by accident.
Specifically for this occasion, she was wearing a cute dress and elegant pumps. Her black hair was braided and hung over her shoulder. Valerie had even put on some more makeup than usual… and her efforts weren’t lost on Maxwell. He’d been staring at her skeptically the whole time from his spot in the doorway. Leaning against it with crossed arms, his gaze darkened when she added some more lipstick.
“You don’t need to do that, you know? We’re not going on a date,” he complained.
“But I need to be pretty when I meet a famous person,” she retorted, glancing at her reflection in the mirror and fixing her eyeliner.
“I don’t think so.”
“You’ve been in an awful mood all morning,” she sighed. “It’s just one small interview. After thirty minutes, I will be done, and then we can still go on a date.”
“I’m going to accompany you,” he insisted. “You’re not meeting this guy on your own.”
Valerie put her eyeliner back into the box with her other makeup and turned around to him. “You act like he’s a serial killer or something. He’s just a singer, Maxwell.”
“So?”
Heaving a sigh, her shoulders slumped. “Alright, fine, you may accompany me. But only to the building, okay? The interview I want to do alone.”
“We’ll see about that,” he mumbled lowly as she passed him.
They left the house and drove to the address that Thorne had provided her with. Valerie wasn’t surprised to end up at a large corporate building with countless stories. It was located in the middle of New York in a rather popular area. She parked her car, entering the lobby with Maxwell in tow.
Valerie wasn’t sure why, but the demon had dressed up for today as well, wearing an elegant black shirt that suited him perfectly, along with black jeans. Of course, he also wore the beloved silver chain that she had gifted him, and with that, he garnered many curious looks from the employees.
They walked to the reception desk and she introduced herself, getting visitor passes for both of them. The security personnel let them inside without issues, and they entered one of the lifts to reach the floor where Noah’s office was.
She was very nervous at this point, constantly fidgeting with her purse. “Valerie, are you seriously nervous because of some dumb singer?” Maxwell growled, looking pissed. “He’s not worth the trouble.”
“I… I just… am scared to mess up.”
“You’re not messing up,” was all he said. He took her hand as he fell silent, and she knew that this was his way of offering comfort to her. Gazing at their intertwined fingers, a smile broke out on her lips. Maybe it wasn’t so bad to have him accompany her.
The lift reached its destination, and they exited it, walking down a long hallway until they came to stand in front of a door. It was Park Noah’s office. Valerie glanced at Maxwell.
“I’ll do the rest alone, alright?” she smiled. “Thank you for accompanying me.”
The demon was frozen like a statue and glared at the door, suspicion written all over his face. His gorgeous blue eyes became red. She sensed his irritation and wondered what was up all of a sudden.
“You’re not going into that room alone,” he hissed lowly, pulling her closer to him.
“Why? What is it?” she asked.
“Whoever is waiting for you inside is a demon,” he answered. “I’m sensing the aura of an incubus.”
Her jaw dropped. “What?” she gasped. “Didn’t Thorne know about this?”
“Probably not,” Maxwell muttered. “I’m guessing he’s never met him in person.”
His red eyes narrowed when he sent her a burning stare. “This kind of creature can be very alluring. He’s likely going to try something with you. Don’t listen to anything he says, okay?”
“I won’t,” she said, having changed her opinion about wanting to go alone. She held his hand tightly and was reluctant when she knocked on the door. Hearing a voice from inside telling her to enter, she opened the door and walked into Noah’s office with Maxwell.
Her eyes darted around restlessly until they fell on a man standing by the windows. He was very handsome, had silky golden hair, and green eyes that sparkled mischievously. “Good afternoon,” he said politely, his gaze lingering on the couple’s intertwined hands for a tad too long.
“Hello, Mr. Noah. I’m the journalist sent by Mr. Thorne,” Valerie explained briefly. Her heartbeats were faster than usual, her hands clammy. “Thank you for your invitation.”
His melodious laughter was a lullaby to her ears. She found herself drawn to him, liking the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “You don’t need to thank me, my dear. Please call me Noah, okay?” he said and winked at her.
Valerie went on to introduce them both to Noah, trying not to get distracted by him. He looked and acted like a regular human, and if Maxwell hadn’t warned her, she wouldn’t have seen through his flawless disguise. Valerie already felt the effect he had on her. The inexplicable attraction to him weirded her out.
Maxwell’s eye never left Noah. He followed his every movement when they sat down in the armchairs near the window. The way this creep stared at her irritated him. He’d give Nicholas Clarke a mouthful later for sending her here.
“Now, shall we start?” Noah smiled. “What would you like to know about me, dear?”