Chapter 12
Valerie’s POV
I deleted the text and headed into my room. For reasons unknown to me, I didn’t want to tell Claire about it.
Who could have sent this mysterious text? It can’t be Damian. This text is too creepy to come from him. Damian is a cool guy.
But even as I was packing my clothes, I couldn’t get that text out of my mind. I was scared but I have to be strong. I can handle this by myself.
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Claire’s POV
As Valerie left her phone on the cushion, something prompted me to go through her phone. I checked her text messages and saw one from Damian.
He invited her to meet him at a hotel by 8 pm. For what exactly?
What does he still want to do with her? I have to protect Valerie from this guy. I have a feeling that he is a playboy.
Damian’s POV
These past few days have been horrible. I can’t even concentrate at work. I keep picturing Valerie’s smile and her blue eyes. Her fresh rosy scent still filled my nostrils.
I have missed Valerie so much. But she has been avoiding me. I even had to text her this morning. I just hope she will show up.
I didn’t go to work today so I just lay on my bed, reminiscing about the past few days and imagining how the future will look like.
My phone beeped. I have a message from someone. I reached out for my phone almost immediately hoping it would be Valerie.
Hopefully, it was her. But I didn’t get the response I was longing for.
“Damian, I’ll not be coming to see you because it is of no use. I have made up my mind and I want you to be happy with Jade. She is your girlfriend, so get married to her and be happy.”
I called her immediately after reading the text but the line was busy. I have never been so confused in my whole life. I don’t want to lose Valerie. I texted again, pleading with her to give me a chance.
“Valerie, please just one chance. Allow me to explain myself to you. I have missed you Valerie.”
After what seemed like forever, I got another text which made me leap with joy.
“Okay, Damian. If you insist. I will give you another chance. Let us meet by 9pm at Kingston Hotels.”
I felt alive again. Finally, she agreed.
I began to look forward to our meeting. The time was 3 pm. I just wished I could make the time go faster.
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Valerie’s POV
After packing my clothes and getting ready, I came to the sitting room. I was really looking forward to this mini vacation with Claire. It would be a break from work, family and everything else.
Claire was sleeping when I came to the sitting room. I smiled. She must have slept off while waiting for me. Claire was like a big sister to me. We have been friends for seven years now. We met in college and since then, we have been inseparable.
“Wakey wakey, I’m ready. We can leave now.”
“Oh, that took quite some time.” She said as she rubbed her eyes.
“Have you seen my phone? I’m not sure if I left it here or if I took it to the room.” I said as I headed for the room.
“Your phone is here. Let’s move.” Claire said as she handed my phone to me. I locked the doors and soon we were in the car heading to Claire’s place.
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Valerie’s POV
When we got to Claire’s place, she took me to the guest room. Her house was quite big and very beautiful. Since she got her new house two months ago, I have not slept over.
Claire owns a boutique. She is a very successful business woman and I love her resilience. Over time, she has always been there to assist me and keep me company.
While I settled down to unpack my clothes and hang them, Claire set to cook lunch.
In less than an hour, we had lunch and we began to make plans for the evening.
“I suggest we go to the Spar. It’s been a while since we did girlie stuff. What do you say?” I suggested with a giggle.
“Nah, we are going to the club. We need to have some fun. Let’s go and party. We need to rock, smoke and have some alcohol to ease off all this stress. This is a much better suggestion.” Clare said with a wink.
I was about to object to clubbing when she intercepted me.
“And don’t even think of saying No. You are coming with me. Don’t be boring. Or do you have any other engagement that I don’t know of?
I remembered that Damian said he wanted to see me by 8 pm which I haven’t consented to. I have not replied to that text yet. So I’ll probably see him some other time.
“Okay, we’ll go clubbing.”
“Great! We leave by 8 pm. So get ready” Claire finalised.
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Valerie’s POV
We got to the club by 8:30 pm. I can’t even remember the last time I was in a club. Claire took my phone from me saying it’s safer in her hands. The loud music blared in my eardrums but I didn’t mind.
Before I knew it, I had drunk two glasses of alcohol. Claire and I were still seated with other people at a table. We were competing to know who could drink more.
“Bottoms up!” We chorused and clapped whenever it reached one person’s turn.
In less than two hours, my head felt very light and I began to speak incoherently. I wasn’t even sure of what I was saying or who was talking to me.
“Smoke?” the guy seated next to me asked as he passed a stick of cigarettes to me. I simply shrugged and rejected it. He passed it to Claire which she accepted.
She took the lighter and the smoke filled my nostrils at once. I shrinked my nose in disgust. Claire smiled and I wondered why people enjoyed smoking.
Next thing, Claire dragged me up for us to dance. I staggered to the dance floor.
We began to twirl and shake to the rhythm of the music. We danced till we were tired. This is real fun!
I just wished I could do this everyday. When I got tired of dancing, I took a seat at my previous position. The time was past 1 am. I dozed off afterwards.
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Damian’s POV (Earlier that night)
When I got to Kingston Hotels, I reserved a table for Valerie and I. Kingston hotel was located at the beach side. Our table faced the window and the sea view was fascinating. I knew Valerie would love it.
The time was 9:10 pm. I was waiting for Valerie’s arrival. I called her but she didn’t pick up. I felt that she must be on her way.
I got busy with my phone as the time ticked. It was 9:40 pm now and I am now very worried. I called her again but her phone was switched off this time around.
I decided to go over to her place and pick her up.
I went down to the garage, started my car engine and zoomed off. I got to her place and something felt odd. There was no light. Her house was locked.
I didn’t bother knocking as I saw the lock outside. I dialled her phone again but it was still switched off. Various possibilities began to rush in and out of my mind.
Maybe she dressed up, and left her house to start coming, but why is her phone off? Could she have been kidnapped? Or maybe she wasn’t sure of the direction and got lost?
I was worried sick about Valerie. The worst part was that my questions had no answer.
I knocked again until I heard a sound at the door. But it wasn’t her door. Her next door neighbour came out.
“Hello, Good evening. If Valerie is who you are looking for, she left in the afternoon with her friend. And from the bags they carried, it seemed she would stay there for a while. I suggest you call her and confirm.” the neighbour informed me.
“Alright, Thank you very much.”
Bags? Val. didn’t mention that she was going to travel. Where did she travel to? And since she would be travelling, why did she agree to meet with me this evening?
It all became clear to me. I have been played. Valerie just deceived me. Is this her own petty way of revenge? I clenched my fist in rage as I stormed out of her house.