Chapter 20: The Agreement

Natasha's POV

"I'm asking you a few years, Natasha."

Years.

I have years for me to complete my mission and can finally go home.

My father didn't set a certain time for me to do my mission and I guess this will be fine?

I have to admit that Valerian is hard to kill and he's giving me the opportunity to do it effortlessly. He's literally handing me my success.

"A few years? 3 or 5 years?" I asked.

"That works," he responded. "Just give me time."

"What guarantee you're going to do what you said?" I questioned.

I shouldn't just believe and trust Valerian easily. He showed me what he's capable of doing and he's really good at deceiving.

I should know that.

"You have my words," he replied. "And I'm doing this for Elyse."

I still have doubt about what he wants but hearing the name of Elyse, I know he's serious about it and truthful.

I may not know a lot about them as siblings but I can tell that Valerian really loves his sister. I mean, for him to do something like this. The willingness to give up his life for something that can give his sister happiness.

"3 to 5 years. And after that, I will have my way to your death," I clarified.

Valerian nodded.

"And that means, you only have 3 to 5 years to live," I added.

Valerian nodded once again. "I've seen and experienced enough with life. I already came to terms with it."

"It's a deal then," I said as I stood up from my chair and walked in his direction.

I offered my hand.

He stood up and looked at me. "It's a deal," he repeated my words and accepted my hand.

Valerian and I shook hands and as we do so, I can't help but notice something.

My heartbeat goes normal and at peace and I also feel at ease all of the sudden.

I creased my forehead.

What is that?

When I let go of Valerian's hand, it went back to what I'm feeling before we shook hands.

My heart is beating fast in my chest and I feel so tense.

What?

"What is it?" Valerian asked as he creased his forehead at me when I quickly grabbed his hand again.

And suddenly, I feel at ease again.

It's because of his touch!

It is the reason why.

It's crazy how the connection makes me feel.

"What's the matter?" I heard Valerian ask again.

I cleared my throat and looked at him. "Do you feel that too?"

He nodded. "I feel it whenever you're close."

Fuck.

Now, I can't really deny that we're mates.

Unusual things like this that are happening are indications of us being mates.

We had touched each other physically before too but I guess I only feel at ease by his touch if the interaction is not because of violence or anything like that.

I let go of Valerian when I noticed that I'd been holding his hand for too long.

What am I thinking?

But I can deny that feeling at peace is really good and I can literally feel that by just a single touch.

"I'm leaving," Valerian announced as he stood up and walked passed by me.

My ears are perked by what he just said.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Work," he casually replied.

I cleared my throat and sucked on my lower lip.

"Can I go with you?" I asked.

Valerian turned to face me.

His gaze went from my face down to my body.

"No," he firmly said.

I groaned. "Come on."

What is wrong with him?

Am I not allowed to go with him too? I've been to his office before and it's really beautiful in there. I can't stay in his house doing nothing anymore. I already told him that.

"Remember the last time you did when I brought you with me, Natasha?"

I averted my gaze.

Right.

I told him I'm going to the bathroom but ended up in some place searching for something-something I could use to kill him.

But we have already made a deal. I'm not going to do anything and try my luck into killing him anymore.

I guess I just have to be a good mate for now. That's what I have to do.

"I'm not doing anything anymore, I swear," I told him.

Valerian shook his head. "You're good at disobeying me."

Valerian turned his back on me again and started walking towards the door.

My nose flared up.

I can't stay here anymore! I will literally go crazy.

The silence and everything will make me crazy.

I'm used to the loud noises back in our town and Sayna who is always talking every minute.

I hate feeling lonely in this empty mansion of Valerian.

And besides, Elyse made me look so good by dressing me up and doing my make-up. I also feel good.

It would be such a shame if I would just stay in my room and do literally nothing but lay down on my bed and stare at the ceiling.

I quickly followed Valerian.

"Shit," I cursed under my breath when I saw him getting inside his car that is parked right outside of his house.

I ran towards his car and tried to open the door of the shotgun seat.

I blew a breath of relief when it was unlocked and it opened.

I quickly entered inside.

"You're really one hell of a stubborn woman," Valerian Fenrir whispered but I managed to hear it.

I just didn't say anything as I make myself comfortable on the seat.

I'm already here.

What is he going to do? Carry me out?

I doubt he will do that.

"You can't go anywhere this time, Natasha," Valerian said as he revved up the car.

I heaved a sigh and finally breathe when his car roared.

"Yeah," I replied.

"I'm not playing around with you, Natasha. I meant it this time-"

"I already told you. I won't go anywhere, I swear." I cut him off.

"I'm not-"

"Punish me when I disobey you." I cut him off again.

Valerian stopped and looked at me.

He looked at my face and then his gaze fell down on my neck and then my chest.

I swallowed hard.

Fuck.

I suddenly remembered the kiss.

We didn't talk about it again and I'm thankful because I wouldn't know what to say or do if any of us bring that up.

I saw how Valerian's jaw tensed but he quickly averted his gaze.

"You better behave this time," he whispered before driving off.

~*~

The moment I entered Valerian's office, I was in total awe. Still.

I know, I've already been here but it's just so beautiful here, and the view behind his desk-- the view outside is breathtaking. It's just clouds and other tall buildings but I can't help but still admire it. I can really feel the city life by just looking at it.

"You'll get bored here."

I suddenly heard Valerian speak but I didn't hear what he said because I'm behind him busy looking outside from the huge glass window in his office while he was on his seat working on something I don't know. And we're kinda far away.

His entire office is no joke. It's really huge.

I satisfied my eyes with everything I see outside first before turning my back and walking in his direction.

I sat on the chair in front of him.

"Did you say something?" I asked.

Valerian stopped typing on his laptop and leaned on the table.

"Why do you want to come here?" he asked.

I drew a breath. "Are you still doubting me? I told you I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going to try and look for a poisonous plant to poison you again."

"Natasha," he called, voice full of authority.

I sucked on my lower lip.

Valerian blew a breath. "You will get bored here."

I shook my head. "This is better than being alone in your house."

Valerian went back to work.

It's kinda odd seeing him like this. You know, being just a normal person, working. He looks like a human and not a vampire whose eyes can turn red.

"Does Elyse go here?" I asked.

Valerian nodded.

"Really?"

Valerian looked up. "Yes, she does visit here sometimes. Why Natasha?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Nothing."

"You can't tell her about what we talked about," he said.

"Of course, I'm not going to tell me," I replied.

Valerian stopped typing on his laptop and focused his whole attention on me.

"Even when the day you execute me, she can't know the truth," he noted. "She will surely get hurt."

"She'll know your dead."

He nodded. "Tell her a different reason why."

I nodded back at him.

I sighed inwardly.

I can't believe I can finally do my mission and succeed. I just really have to wait.

Just wait.

I will finally go home after that. I just have to have patience. That's all it gets.

Patience.

We suddenly heard several knocks on the door.

"Come in," Valerian said.

The door opened revealing a petite woman with a really pretty face and long hair.

She walked towards us and stopped in front of Valerian.

"You have a meeting in 5 minutes, sir," she informed Valerian.

She must be Valerian's secretary.

Now that this woman is just in front of me and I can see her face clearly, I can really say that she's so pretty. She was pretty from distance but she's prettier when you get to see her near.

I stood up from the chair and walked towards Valerian.

I stopped at his side.

Valerian looked up at me with confusion on his face. but I didn't mind him.

I placed my hand on Valerian's shoulder and slightly leaned on him.

And just like that, I feel at ease again.

I smiled at the woman, but she rolled her eyes at me, to my surprise.

Little attitude, huh.

I continued looking at her until our eyes met.

Oh. . .

Seems like someone is crushing on her boss.

I broke off our eye contact, and she quickly averted her gaze.

I heard Valerian clear his throat.

"I'll be there," he told her.

The woman nodded and smiled at him.

I don't know if Valerian already read her mind before, but if he did, then he knew that she has a crush on him. I know that because I just did. I just read her mind.

"Is there something else?" Valerian asked.

The woman cleared her throat and quickly shook her head. "That's all, sir. Excuse me."

She turned her back on us and walked towards the door.

When she was finally out of Valerian's office, that's when I realized that I and Valerian are so close to each other.

I didn't even notice that his hand was already on my waist.