Chapter 47
Valerie’s POV
Resisting the urge to call Damian, I dropped my phone and went to the kitchen to make some snacks. Coming back thirty minutes later, I got four missed calls from a strange number. It might be Damian, and I’m still not sure if I want to speak to him now.
Well, let me just try. I dialled the number and it was a feminine voice.
“Hey, Valerie. It’s been a while.” The voice said. I was trying to remember where I picked this voice from.
“You sound familiar. Could it be…Jade?” I exclaimed with a gasp.
“Correct guess. You have always been smart, Val.” She said happily. It didn’t sound like Jade. The Jade I knew always had a steel tone in her voice, laced with sarcasm. How come she was sounding so calm, and cheerful.
“How have you been, Val? You must be surprised that I called you.” She said.
“Why are you calling me? What do you want rom me this time around?” I ranted.
“Hey, can you just calm down? You sound like you’re going to hit me if I were there with you. I mean no harm.” Jade explained.
“I don’t want to have anything to do with you. Don’t you understand? Can’t you just leave me alone?” I was having a pleasant day before getting the text from Damian and now a call from Jade. How bad can this day get?
“Valerie, I understand why you hate me so much. It’s fine for you to do so. But I have information which I think you’d love to hear…” she said but I cut her in.
“I’m not interested in hearing whatever you have to say. You have nothing of interest to offer me now.” I declared.
“Alright, if you say so. But I thought you might want to know more about your friend Claire.” she whispered.
I stopped for a moment, allowing what she just said to sink.
“Jade, what do you mean? How do you know Claire?” I questioned.
“I just wanted to tell you not to trust her. She doesn’t mean well for you neither does she want you to be with Damian.” She said and I could sense the panic from her voice.
“I know about that. We are no longer friends. Answer me! How do you know Claire?” I yelled.
“Stop yelling at me! I know that you are upset but can you just calm down? You are too rash and you love to act on impulse. You don’t think and reason out some issues before you act. You behave like a kid for crying out loud!” She yelled back, and I remained quiet, knowing fully well that she was right.
“Valerie, you are weak. Almost too weak for my liking. You would rather sit back and allow people to toy with your emotions that to fight for who you love.” She said.
“Are you talking about Damian? I thought you loved him. You wanted him. Are you advising me to fight for him now?” I queried.
“I loved Damian a long time ago, but after the last issue I had with him before travelling to the U. K, I don’t feel anything for him anymore. I have been busy with work, not even having time for myself. Anyways that was before the tragedy occured.” She said sadly.
“If that is the case, then why did you come back? Why were you trying to bring conflicts between Damian and I?” I asked.
“That is exactly why I’m calling you. It was because of your friend, Claire. She blackmailed me.” She announced.
“Claire? Blackmail? I’m not surprised but how did she do that? Do you know her from somewhere?”
“I don’t know how she found me. It all started after your parents announced the contract marriage stuff. I never knew about it because I have not been in touch with Damian for weeks. A strange number called me and it was Claire. She threatened me, saying that she had access to my nude pictures. I don’t even know how she got them. The only guy I sent those pictures to, was my colleague. We had a fling one night and he took photos of me.”
“At first, I thought that Claire was kidding until she sent the photos and videos to my mail, threatening to post it if I don’t comply. When I asked what she wanted, she ordered me to return back to Los Angeles and stop the wedding at all cost. She further gave me your home and office address, giving me specific information about you. That was how I found you.”
“I’m sorry for what I put you through but it wasn’t my fault. I had to protect my reputation. At the end of the day, I got tired of her manipulations. When I told her, she reminded me of her threats but I didn’t mind. I simply told her that I was no longer interested. The next day, my pictures were everywhere. My career was doomed because of her. I had to leave the city afterwards. I’m in a different location now. I’m deeply sorry, Valerie.” She said in between sobs.
I was touched. My mouth was open but it could not produce any sound. Drops of tears streamed dow my cheeks, chasing after each other.
“Jade…why didn’t you say anything? I could have helped you. We could have helped you. You should have told Damian, at least he would understand.” I whispered.
“You don’t understand. Claire was watching my every move. I had no chance to tell you not Damian because you would not have listened. You would not have believed me and Damian would have thought it was a lie too. That was why I sent that text message to you, the one that talked about enemies in your territory. I tried to warn you through that text but you didn’t get the message.” She continued, her voice shaking from the sobs.
“It’s alright, Jade. Now I understand why you did everything back then and it’s not your fault. Stop blaming yourself. At the end of the day, she got what she wanted but at least, you are free from her blackmail. You’ll pass this phase, I assure you.” I said.
Claire is such a devil. How could she go to this extent just to separate Damian and I? I never knew her to be this desperate. Now, she thinks that she has succeeded. As I remember the recent events between Damian and I, my chest becomes tight.
“Val, are you still there? I know you must be upset but don’t do anything rash. Ignore Claire as much as you can but don’t allow her to come in between you and Damian. I’m rooting for you both.”
“She already has. Damian cheated on me with her. I caught them in bed some days ago.” I said sullenly.
“Damian? Cheat? Damian might be every other thing but a cheat is what he is not. If Damian loves you, he won’t want to hurt you. When you confronted him, did he admit to it?”
“I didn’t confront him. I just left.” I blurted out.
“You ran, like you always do. This is why I said that you are weak. How can you abandon your love in such manner? What if he has something different from what you saw? You should have asked him first just to confirm. Oh, Valerie.”
She was right. I was just clouded by my emotions and I didn’t even have time to think. I must speak to Damian right away.
“Alright, Jade. Thank you very much for this information. I’m really grateful for revealing this. I’m indebted to you. We’ll talk some other time. Take good care of yourself.” I said, ending the call.
***********
Damian’s POV
I pace outside Valerie’s apartment, my heart racing with anxiety. I’ve been trying to contact her for days, but she’s ignored my calls and messages.
I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
Silence.
I knock again, this time more insistent. Still, the silence remained. I took in a deep breath in defeat not knowing the next thing to do. My phone rang and it was Valerie’s mother. A glimmer of hope! At least, she might tell me where Valerie is.
“Hello Mum. How have you been?” I started cheerfully, hoping she doesn’t notice the anxiety in my voice.
“I’m fine but why did you hurt Valerie? She even had to run away from you.” she said furiously.
“Mum, I can explain. Please hear me out, it’s not what you think.” I said, hoping that her anger would subside.
“I’m all ears and you’ve got to be fast. I don’t have all day.” She said grumpily.
“I was set-up and I know who is responsible for that. It is her friend, Claire.