Chapter 39: I know we still love each other
At 9 PM...
Valerie had just put Daniel to sleep, allowing her ti to work on her new novel. Occasionally, she responded to Hannah’s questions as she organized Daniel’s clothes in the closet.
"Daniel’s father is wealthy, handso, kind... if I were you, I’d definitely choose him over struggling in life as a writer. It’s so stressful," Hannah remarked while folding Daniel’s clothes.
"It’s not that simple, Hannah," replied Valerie.
"Everything becos easy if you give it a chance. Looking bad or having made mistakes doesn’t an one is always bad, right?"
"Hmm, you’re right."
"So, what are you waiting for? Don’t you want a better life, especially for Daniel?" Hannah asked, staring at Valerie, who looked casual in blue pajamas with her hair let loose.
"I’m considering it, but I need to think twice about going back to his father. It’s a big step, and I don’t want to rush the decision because I’m afraid it might lead to regrets or him regretting it... I’m worried I won’t be able to make him happy, and I won’t be able to truly forget his mistakes," said Valerie while opening the Microsoft Word application on the saved file. "Don’t talk to
after this; I need to focus. I have to finish this novel within 30 days," she continued, sighing with concentration on her laptop.
Hannah turned her face away, focusing again on folding clothes with a frown.
’If she goes back to Damian, Samuel won’t approach her again!’ she muttered inwardly, as if harboring jealousy.
The door opened.
Valerie quickly turned to see her younger sister, Leonne, entering.
"Leonne?"
"Soone is here, wants to et you," Leonne said sweetly, dressed in red star-patterned long pajamas.
"Who is it?" Valerie asked.
Instead of answering, Leonne laughed and ran out.
"Hey!" Valerie imdiately stood up. "Leonne!" She called out while walking out of the room but couldn’t find her.
She proceeded to the living room, finding no one but an open door, so she went outside.
"Damian..." she uttered upon seeing a man sitting on the terrace chair. ’I thought he wouldn’t co again,’ she thought.
Damian quickly stood up, approaching Valerie with a gaze hard to interpret. His eyes looked sad, his face flat, his hair slightly ssy, and he was still in a black suit, as if he had just returned from the office.
"Um..." Valerie suddenly felt nervous and averted her gaze. "Daniel is already asleep... you can’t play with him."
"I don’t want him," Damian murmured.
"What?"
"I ca for you," Damian said, making Valerie look at him again.
’He co for ? What does this an? Does it an he still hopes for , or maybe he’s clarifying that he’s not chasing
anymore?’ Valerie wondered in her mind, her heart suddenly pounding, her throat dry with nervousness, and her face unable to hide it.
Damian lowered his head, taking Valerie’s hand and examining her delicate fingers.
"Where’s your ring?" he asked.
Valerie quickly pulled her hand away. "I returned it to Samuel!"
Damian furrowed his brows. "Why?"
"I’m not ready to commit to him or anyone."
"Really?"
"Yeah... I just want to focus on myself and Daniel," explained Valerie, staring at Damian, who seed surprised. "Don’t think I ended my relationship with him because I want you... That’s not true at all. I just want to be alone, I want to sort out my feelings again... I’m not ready to think about love or relationships," she continued.
Damian remained silent, appearing anxious.
Valerie looked at Damian in amazent. ’What is he thinking? Doesn’t he like this news? But why doesn’t he say to stop pursuing ? Will my explanation make him chase after
again?’ she wondered in her mind.
"I don’t know what’s on your mind," Damian said, then turned away, avoiding Valerie’s gaze. "You should never flaunt your relationship if, in the end, you’re not together... You just frustrate ... Can’t stop wanting you," he continued with frustration, clenching his hands and quickly turning his gaze away from Valerie, as if avoiding emotions.
Valerie was puzzled, not understanding Damian’s words.
Damian walked to a short staircase and sat there, silent with a vacant look, as if pondering sothing.
Valerie approached, sitting next to him. "Sorry... I still don’t understand what you an?"
Damian remained silent.
"I’m very confused; I don’t want your father to keep thinking that I’ll hurt you again by letting you co here while I haven’t accepted you... I don’t want him to misunderstand ..."
Damian turned to her. "So, you lied just so I would stay away? Does that an soday you will accept ?" He wondered.
Valerie fell silent, biting her lower lip as if unable to answer.
Damian stared at Valerie’s face, instantly reminded of their sweet monts before his foolishness. He cupped her left cheek, caressing it while looking into her eyes.
"If only I could turn back ti, maybe the situation wouldn’t be like this now," he whispered.
Valerie sighed, Damian’s gaze piercing her, making her unable to speak.
"I love you so much... Maybe yesterday, I made the wrong decision... I always make mistakes... But this ti, I will be accountable for my mistake," Damian said.
"What decision is that?" Valerie whispered.
Damian remained silent, and instead, he kissed her lips. Valerie tried to push him away, but he embraced her, deepening their kiss until she couldn’t escape. It was gentle, fragrant, sweet, mixed with the longing that had accumulated for so long, making her unable to deny that the kiss was so enjoyable.
"Um..."
Damian ended the kiss, looking at Valerie who was breathless with moist lips.
"I know you still want ," he said with a teasing smile.
That smile made Valerie feel strange, disgusted even, and she was reminded of the image of being naked in the room with Clara.
"You’re audacious!" She imdiately pushed him, causing him to fall on the second step.
"Hey!" Damian quickly supported himself with his hands to avoid falling but laughed while looking at Valerie standing. "You made
dirty!"
"It’s your fault, you audacious!" Valerie grumbled.
Damian chuckled, then stood up and approached Valerie again with a smile.
"I don’t want you anymore!" Valerie exclaid.
"Only your lips say that," Damian replied calmly, then quickly kissed Valerie’s cheek.
Valerie backed away, avoiding it, but it was too late.
"I won’t make you uncomfortable; I also need to plan our future," Damian said, then sighed while looking toward the door. "It’s a sha I can’t see Daniel. I’ll co again when I have free ti..."
Valerie just remained silent, rubbing her lips.
"My lips haven’t touched anyone but you since Jerry’s wedding night. You don’t have to feel disgusted," Damian said with a warm smile. "Now, I’ll go... You’ll miss ," he continued.
"I won’t miss you!" Valerie hissed.
Damian just sneered, imdiately walking towards his car.
Valerie glanced at Damian, slowly away from her sight, and suddenly she felt like sothing was missing.
’I can’t deny that I’m glad you ca....but I also can’t accept you. I think I’m crazy!’ she thought angrily, imdiately went into the house..
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