Chapter 54
Valerie’s pov
He tucked his hands into his pocket and displayed a phone before my eyes. Should I believe this? Maybe if I tried to take it, he would say I have to fall in love with him again.
He wasn’t comfortable with my hesitation. “You think I’m bluffing ” he said calmly and shoved the phone into my hands. I switched it on and examined it. Wow, it wasn’t a joke after all. What came over him?
“Thank you, though why do you look like you’re sulking?” I commented with a teasing smile, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
He chuckled and shoved his hands back into his pocket. “I got you a phone so you won’t be lonely when I’m not around… I deserve a kiss for being such a gentleman” he analysed.
He couldn’t be serious. Will I kiss him? “The… food is getting cold and I’m starving” I said, trying to escape his demand. I began to walk to the table but he held my hands.
“A peck?” He requested.
I paused and slowly turned to him. A peck was better right? I should at least make him feel good for doing something nice for me. He positioned his cheek for the peck, tapping it to direct me. I drew closer slowly and made to peck him but he suddenly turned to face me and my lips landed on his lips instead. My eyes widened, he still made me kiss him.
I withdrew quickly and lowered my head shyly.
“That felt good” he commented smugly.
“Do you always have to get your way?” I muttered.
“I want to retain the feeling of your lips against mine, the beautiful sight of your flushed face and the sweet fragrance of your body so I can feel your presence even when I’m away” he explained walking to the table, he drew out a chair and gestured to me to sit.
He had been talking about being away since he came in here. “Are you going somewhere?” I asked taking my seat.
He walked over to the other side and sat, facing me.” I must go on an important trip”
He was leaving? I wouldn’t see him for days. That was good right? But I miss him already. I couldn’t understand what I felt around him, his voice made my ears tingle, his touch sent shivers down my spine. How could I be feeling this way about him?
“Are you thinking of how much you’ll miss me?” He teased lightly, dishing out the food .
“How long will you be away?”
“A few days” he replied immediately ” so I want you to call me whenever you miss me… That should be always ”
I stuffed a spoonful of food into my mouth. I wouldn’t want him to see how flushed I was.
We ate quietly for a while then he broke the silence. “How’s your bucket list coming up?”
Wait, was he serious about the bucket list idea? “Eerrm… ‘Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
“Come on now Val, I told you to write your bucket list and give it to me but you haven’t” he berated.
“Well, I didn’t think you were serious about that? ” I replied sheepishly.
“I won’t ask you again”
“Well can my sisters come sleepover, I feel bored” I quickly said
“That’s why you have a phone… Watch videos, play games, chat. That phone is your companion when I’m not around ” he replied with an irritated edge to his voice.
“I need a real person. I want to catch up on things happening, I…”
“You have Janet! ” He interrupted, his voice getting louder.
A period of silence fell between us while he ate on angrily without looking at me.
“If you can’t do the only thing I really want then why ask me to write a bucket list?” I said coldly and scooped some soup into my mouth.
“Don’t be ungrateful Valerie, I do everything thing for you, can’t you be satisfied?”
“who gets satisfied with being locked up somewhere, dancing to somebody’s whims?” I blurted.
He dropped his cutleries with a clatter and reclined on the chair “Do you hate being here with me so much?” He asked calmly.
” I just want to have my family around ” I replied similarly calmly.
” Fine then” he said curtly and walked out before I could ask what that meant. Did he mean I could have my sister’s sleep over or what? Why was he always getting angry? Even though I was beginning to feel comfortable, did he think I would be rejoicing with him for keeping me away from my family? Why couldn’t he understand that I don’t feel complete without them?
I rose up from the table. I had lost my appetite after such an annoying haggle. I walked over to my bed and collapsed on it, feeling despondent. Somehow, I felt guilt prick me for hurting Carson when he had come to me with such sweetness this morning. But that was unfair, he couldn’t expect me to love him and be okay with him while keeping me locked up in this mansion without a will of my own.
I wrapped myself in the duvet and sulked alone for a while until Janet came in and asked if I was done eating. “Take it all away” I answered despondently.
” Are you okay Valerie? ” She asked, sounding concerned “Did something go wrong between you and boss Carson? ” She added.
” Never mind Janet, I’m okay ” I replied, seeking to be left alone .
She excused herself then I heard slight noise of people packing up the table from my room. They were soon gone and my door clicked finally leaving me to the solitude of my thoughts.
I think I stayed in that position until I fell asleep again. I woke up at noon, feeling a sharp pain in my stomach. I winced in pain and sat up, placing my foot against the ground. I tried to stand but the room seemed to be spinning and my feet was unstable. I was weak and hungry. I called for Janet and she appeared almost immediately.
“You look stressed Valerie, would you like a bath ? ” She asked politely
” Yes please… And start my lunch now, I’m starving ” I answered, yawning faintly.
She walked into the bathroom to prepare my bath after which I immersed myself into the warm soothing bath, hoping it would drown my thoughts about Carson.
However when I came out of the bathroom, the first question I asked was “Has Carson left already?”