Chapter 13

HAILEY

“Do you see me as some kind of plaything you can test out?” Hailey’s voice echoed through the room. “I’m not just another one of your casual flings!”

“I’m a person, not some game for you to play! The nerve you have to even consider treating me like a disposable object! You’re nothing but a heartless jerk,” Hailey seethed.

Valerian rose from his seat abruptly, exiting the room. She didn’t catch sight of him for the remainder of the evening.

When morning dawned, he was still absent. She completed her packing, ate a quiet breakfast, and grabbed her luggage when it was time to leave. Descending the stairs, she noticed a car waiting for her.

She slid into the vehicle, surprised to find Valerian seated across from her.

He didn’t acknowledge her presence or utter a word. He was engrossed in the documents he held.

She remained silent as well, and they journeyed to the airport in a tense quiet. Upon arrival, they boarded the jet.

Neither of them spoke, and Hailey chose to sleep, exhaustion weighing heavily on her.

She was roused from her slumber by the flight attendant instructing her to fasten her seatbelt for landing. She complied, and once they touched down, she and Valerian were escorted to a car. They dropped her off first.

Entering her apartment felt strange. She found herself yearning for the Maldives.

After setting down her luggage, she changed into her pajamas. It was eight o’clock in the evening, and she headed straight for bed. She tossed and turned, her mind replaying the recent events.

The thought of Valerian viewing her as cheap infuriated her. All because she was friendly towards men.

The irony was that he was the one with a promiscuous reputation, not her. She had hardly been in any relationships. What baffled her most was his lack of apology, his choice to ignore her as if she was to blame.

By Monday morning, her anger hadn’t subsided. She decided to skip work. ~Screw it~, she thought.

Hailey turned off her phone, indifferent to the possibility of losing her job. Monday’s absence led to her skipping work on Tuesday as well.

When she finally turned on her phone, she noticed a slew of missed calls. Likely voicemails informing her of her termination.

She continued her work hiatus on Wednesday, spending the day in front of the television.

When her doorbell rang, she chose to ignore it. Whoever was at her door could go to hell.

The next day, she slept through entirely.

“Hailey?”

She woke with a start, stifling a scream when she saw Valerian in her doorway. How had he gotten into her apartment?

Anticipating her question, Valerian said, “I broke down your door. I’ll have it repaired.” She was speechless.

VALERIAN

Valerian had forced his way into her apartment. He was worried something had happened to her.

Four days had passed without a word from her, and she wasn’t answering her phone. He had tried visiting earlier in the week, but she hadn’t answered the door.

He made his way through her living room and into her bedroom. The room was in disarray. Papers and clothes were strewn about.

The windows were shut tight, and he found her sprawled on her bed, which heightened his concern.

“Hailey?” he called out.

She stirred slightly. He could tell he had startled her as she looked ready to scream. Then recognition dawned on her.

Her face was a mask of confusion—after all, his appearance was unexpected.

He took in her disheveled appearance. Her hair was unkempt, and dark circles marred her eyes.

Valerian approached her bed, and she remained silent.

“Why haven’t you been at work?” he asked.

She stared at him. “Really? You came all this way to fire me, you jerk.”

His surprise was evident. She looked ready to spit fire.

“No, Hailey. I was genuinely worried about you.”

“Well, you’ve found me, Sir. Now you can fire me and be on your way.”

He looked at her, feeling a wave of exasperation. “I didn’t come here to fire you. You can mope and cry all you want, but I expect to see you at work on Monday!”

With that, he turned on his heel and left.