3 At Clare's

"What is it that troubles the nation's heartthrob?" the man asked in a teasing tone, nudging the troubled Lucian.

Although Lucian wanted to spend the week coped up in his room, the earlier incident made him too stressed. He badly needed a release, and therefore, he came to the club he frequented, inviting his friends along too.

Inside the VIP corner, his friends and their partners gathered. Loud music filled the surroundings, and everyone was intoxicated. The dancing went on the first floor.

Lucian grabbed on to glass of whiskey and enunciated, "Calculating the advantage and disadvantage she said."

Joseph raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Valerie, Valerie Davies," he uttered. Even pronouncing that name made him angry.

Thinking about how the dinner went made him drink down the entire glass of alcohol, barely bothered about the burning sensation in his neck. He was brimming with anger, recalling how it appeared as though he threw an immature tantrum the entire time, and Valerie conducted herself with poise.

How could they not expect him to react intensely after dropping the bomb on him?

"Now, what did she do to you?" Joseph was curious. The mention of Valerie made his other friends look at him as well.

Those prying eyes made Lucian slam his glass on the table and hiss.

"I don't even want to think about it. And what's with this slow song? Seriously ruins the mood! Have them play something fun."

His other friend, Ethan, rolled his eyes and said, "Yes, Young Master Gray. But shouldn't you be careful with the paparazzi around? You just got into a scandal the other day."

This made Lucian smirk, and leaning forward, he arrogantly expressed, "Do you know what this Young Master has? Money. More importantly, this handsome face. Do you think some news can ruin me?"

Ethan sighed. "You really need to suffer."

°°°

"Chairman, what was that about?" Valerie questioned. There was a hint of dissatisfaction in her voice.

Valerie got down from the car and stared at her father who was about to enter into the manor. The sound of her made the man look back, and he stepped towards her.

"Shouldn't you be overjoyed? After all, you have been obsessing over the boy for ages yet remained so cowardly. How pathetic!" he expressed.

Overjoyed? There was that, but…

Valerie clenched her hand into a tight fist and resolutely responded, "I do not want this."

He stared at her in a condescending light and taunted, "Want? Since when were given the right to think of your wants? Have you forgotten about how lowly you are? Do you think you are something because of that position you hold? Because you believe you achieved a lot due to those praises? Don't let those get to your head, Valerie Davies? That position of yours— I can take it away at the mere blink of your eye."

Extending his hand, he pressed on her shoulder and added, "You are nothing more than a puppet of mine. Be obedient if you don't want me to break you."

Valerie bit down on her lower lip and responded nothing as she watched the man step into his abode. Holding her rage in, she took in a deep breath and opened the door, getting into the car.

After ordering the driver to start the car, she pressed on her forehead.

°°°

The next morning Lucian woke up with a pounding headache. A groan escaped from his lips as he got up and checked the time on the clock. He ran his hand through his hair and checked his phone for messages.

That's when, a particular one fell into his eyes. The text was from Valerie Davies. He didn't even know he had her number saved on his phone.

He knitted his eyebrows upon reading the message.

"At Clare's. 9 PM."

There was nothing more in the text. Lucian felt dumbfounded by her attitude. Valerie did not even ask about his schedule or opinion. And he most definitely didn't want to ruin this day by having to meet her intolerable self.

"Can't. I am busy," he sent back.

Just as he was about to place his phone down, it vibrated, and the screen lit up, showing he received a message from Valerie.

"That was fast," he mumbled before skimming through the content that made the corner of his lips twitch.

"You aren't. I asked Mrs. Gray."

His mother surely must have asked his manager. Lucian was about to turn it down when he thought it would be better to talk to Valerie face to face. Hopefully, he could convince her to back down from this.

Knowing how his mother can be, Lucian prayed he wouldn't have to deal with the woman.

°°°

The restaurant manager and employees stared at Valerie in nervousness. Their backs were now soaked due to cold sweat. The tension in the air was thick as Valerie sternly gave the orders.

As much as they appreciated how generous Valerie was with the tip, that hardly covered the compensation needed for the mental damage she gave them.

Everyone was on pins and needles due to Valerie emphasizing on how it must be perfect.

Although she wasn't vocal about it, they knew that a mistake would cost their head.

That's why, they were really curious of this other person Valerie so highly valued.

"The tables are too dirty. Clean them at least thrice more," Valerie commanded. Then, staring at the floor with dissatisfaction, she added, "Clean the entire place thrice, and be quick about it."

"We understand, Ms. Davies," the manager said, almost in tears.

That's why, please leave.

However, he didn't have the courage to say those words out loud.

Valerie was sharp. The weak mental state of the manager made her frown and wonder whether she was right on selecting this place. They didn't feel too reliable to her.

Little did Valerie know, her presence was extremely intimidating. Therefore, hardly anyone would be at ease around her.

As Valerie was walking out of the restaurant, the managers and the employees let out a sigh of relief. The demoness was finally gone.

"Quick, quick, get on with your work."

The manager wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Valerie who stepped out had her phone ringing, and the emotions in her eyes fluctuated for a fraction of a second before going to back to being indifferent. She received the call.

"Valerie, are you really getting engaged to Lucian?" There was a hint of anxiety in the speaker's voice.

"Yes," Valerie curtly answered.

"But you can't do that. You know that he hates you. Do you really believe it is appropriate for you to force this on him?"

Valerie paused in her steps and stated, "Charlotte, do you think I care as long as he is mine?"

"Are you kidding me, Valerie? This is totally wrong! He won't accept you at all. In his eyes, you are the most vile woman. Let me tell you. He won't go through this."

"Why are you panicking then?" Valerie asked.

Charlotte let out a deep breath.

"You are too pathetic, Valerie. The man you love so deeply disdains you. You will never matter to him. Try all that you can, but his heart will never be yours."

Valerie's grip on her phone tightened.

"Grow up, Charlotte."

Saying that, Valerie hung up the call, not willing to deal with the nonsense.