An uninvited guest

Valerie had expected to see Max the next day but was disappointed. Disappointment wasn't actually the word to cut it but she had been expecting him, so...

Their love story ended in tragedy because of her own selfish motives and she didn't bother to clear up the misunderstandings that had risen in the process, so she could never blame him for hating her, or for giving her eyes that could slaughter.

She sighed.

"Miss, there's been no sign of people watching us lately." Frankie reported and Valerie nodded, her gaze on the magazine in her hands.

It was good that they had come to their senses but how long did she plan to stay on her little vacation? Two weeks? Three weeks? If she stayed away any longer, it would only give her uncle more leverage.

"Frankie, prepare the tickets, we'll leave soon." She said,

"How soon?" Frankie asked and Valerie paused, she pushed down her sunglasses and glanced at her with a smirk.

"In two days."

Frankie nodded and went on her way. Valerie returned to her magazine but something felt strange. It was as if there was a presence behind her and she called,

"Frankie, aren't you going?" There was no response and she looked up.

She put down the magazine and got up from her chair. Someone was in her room. She walked out of the balcony, into the room, on full alert, and called out,

"Who is it?"

"Sharp senses, as always." She turned to see Max sitting with his legs crossed in front of her dressing day. "Though, I can't say the same for that assistant of yours."

Seeing it was Max, Valerie actually felt relieved. It was better than having some weirdo in her room.

"How did you get in here?" She asked, brushing her fingers through her hair and he stared at her. "What? What are you staring at?"

The corner of his lips suddenly curled up and he said,

"I'm just surprised to see how confident you look while wearing 'my' bracelet." He said and she looked at the bracelet dangling in her wrist. "Did you really think I'd let you have that for free?"

"I told you to name your price." Valerie stated and folded her arms.

"And when I didn't, you decided to steal it from me. You stooped too low if you ask me."

Valerie fell silent. This guy... What did he want from her? She sighed.

"Seeing as you have come so far, can I assume there's something else you want from me?"

"I think I made myself clear when I said I wanted to make your life hell."

"Your exact words were 'suffer' but whatever, let's hear it." She sat on her bed and crossed her legs. "What does Mr Oh-so-arrogant want from me? How is he going to make me suffer? Will he cuff my wrists, and take me to the police?" She showed her wrists, actively provoking him.

She tilted her head and dropped her hands.

"Or will he spread the news that I stole the item he bought from an auction house? Well, if it's the latter, I'd advise you to make the story extra juicy because there's already a lot going on about me. I fear your news will be overshadowed."

She nonchalantly said, and her smile fell, replaced with an irritated glare.

"Oh yes, you must already know that, given that you collaborated with the people who spread those rumors." Her eyes glowed red as she glared lazily at him. "Am I right, Max?"

"You already know that is the case, yet you let me be in your room, alone. You're not afraid, I see." He said and got up. He approached her and stood before her, looking irritated. "You still look so calm, knowing your situation. It's one of the things I find most annoying about you."

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you." Valerie said, "It's going to take more than that to get me to cry."

Max gazed into Valerie's eyes, no words to express the mixed emotions he felt as he stared at the eyes he once thought were the most beautiful in the world.

"Tsk."

He clicked his tongue and held her chin.

"Drop that mask you're wearing and maybe then, no, only then... I might help you." He said.

"What are you talking about?" She slapped his hand away. "Did I ever ask you for your help?"

"Hah, you don't need my help?" He asked, in disbelief but also amusement. "You realize you can't do anything on your own, Miss Arrogant. Your reputation is ruined. You have no friends but many enemies. No one is on your side." He leaned in and whispered. "Do you think you can fight this fight alone?"

Valerie suddenly got up and lightly pushed him aside to walk away.

"Just mind your business." She said, "Why would I take the hand of my enemy's friend?"

"If you do, I'll be yours." He said. The words sounded so simple coming from his mouth that Valerie squinted her eyes in suspicion. "After all, the only reason I went to his side was because I thought it would be nice to see you suffer."

"And now?" Valerie folded her arms. "What's changed?"

"Nothing's changed. It's just not the same when it isn't I who's making you suffer." He said, got closer, and whispered in her ear, "Just like how I manipulated the votes, a year ago, to avoid you from taking the head position in Ross Corp."

As soon as he said this, Valerie's eyes widened and she looked at him in disbelief. The look of disbelief on her face was what Max wanted to see.

Valerie clenched her fists.

'He... He was the one behind it? I thought it was my uncle.'

She watched his smirk. He didn't look like he was bluffing. If he was indeed the one behind it then that means he had some sort of power in the company that could destroy her completely.

'This man is dangerous.'