Chasing After Her

Chapter Six

Valerie’s POV

I shut my eyes tight tilting my head to kiss him, that was when I snapped back to my senses. My lips were just inches away.

“Ethan! Have you no shame?” I snapped, shoving his chest lightly.

For a moment back there, I almost allowed him to kiss me. Gosh!

“What do you think you’re doing? What is the meaning of this? What if someone sees us?” I questioned, annoyance evident on my face.

He didn’t flinch, didn’t even blink for a second.

“Oh Valerie, It is quite funny how you think I care about what the so-called ‘people’ will say when they see us.” Ethan retorted.

I took a step back, heart pounding, emotions mixing like there was a storm within. My breath had become uneven too. Anger and confusion loomed.

The ache in my chest was something i hated to admit— longing.

“What do you want from me, Ethan?” I asked, My voice, louder than earlier.

“Us. I want us back, Valerie. I want my children. Both my children, I want them with me. I miss you so much and I want to create this family bond but I can not make that happen if you keep yourself and Maya distant from me. Roco and I need both you and Maya in our lives.” Ethan’s voice resounded, Calm yet precise.

I swallowed hard before clearing my throat. My fears were beginning to catch up on me and I didn’t come prepared but then, I just had to put Ethan in his place. “I’m sorry. You can’t eat your cake and have it, Ethan. The whole world does not revolve around your fingers.”

He stepped back a little, swiping his hair to the other side, making it look a little bit messy. He was handsome as usual. I couldn’t believe it; Before me was the man of my dreams. One whom I loved so much with all I had but he never loved me back or maybe he did, The lie I always consoled myself with all these years.

“Listen to me Valerie, What I said, wasn’t a suggestion or anything.” He said and paused, taking a few steps forward, and peering into my face. His breathing was heavy on me and I was quivering but I did my best to squelch it. “It is a command.”

A command? And back there, I thought he had changed for the better. But, I was wrong. The bastard never changed. Not even one bit. He remained arrogant and full of ego.

“I have been searching everywhere for you and now that nature has brought you back to me, I am not letting you slip off my finger. Not even by chance. So you will do exactly as I say. You will move in with me here in New York. I want to start a family Valerie. I want you in my life. I want to be with Maya and I am sure you want to have some time with Roco as well.”

I sighed and turned to take my leave. His entire attitude was pathetic and annoying. “I wasn’t done talking to you Valerie.” He grabbed my arm firmly, restricting me from moving away from him.

“How dare you touch me?” I glared at him, my eyes filled with hate and rage.“Hello, Miss Woods, I see you have already met with one of our top investors. It is a good thing that like minds are rubbing off. That was part of the goals of this event. Bringing young investors from both far and wide and getting them connected.” Said a man who looked like he was in his late fifties.

“And you know me how?” I investigated.

He chuckled, “Please come with me. Mr Darwin, If you don’t mind, we beg to be excused.”

I walked behind him, uncertain about where he was taking me to. We had already walked out of the party hall and it seemed like we were heading to a building which was beside the party center.

“Sir, Where exactly are we heading to? You took me outside the party and my daughter was in there. She will begin searching for me anytime soon so I don’t think I can go any further with you. I have to get back to the party and search for my daughter to make sure she is doing alright.”

“My bad. I took you out of the party ground because I felt that the discussion demanded quiet and privacy.” The man said, still heading towards the building.

“This the farthest I can go,” I called out to him.

He responded to my voice by turning back. “I want your company to be in charge of the current research.”

“What research?” My brows arched inwards, expressing my interest.

“Well, I am sure you heard about the new development brought out by the newly elected government officials. They need a trusted company with many years of experience to handle this deal. DPAG is there but then, DPAG is handling my project and I want all of their attention channeled to my job. And that leaves me with you.”

“What do you think about that? This is a very handsome deal and if you also think about the pay, I mean it is more than worth it.” Said the old man

“Sir….” “

“Save it. Sleep over it before you get back to me. I have no tolerance for mistakes or pleading for a second chance.”

I watched him walk away like we hadn’t come all the way here together. He seemed a little bit angry. I should have expected that. He must have picked up my body language already and he knew that I was about to turn down the deal.

The deal would make me stay back in New York. It would be either I stay or come down here almost all the time for inspection. That would give Ethan more avenues to communicate with me and I didn't want that. All I wanted was for the bastard to find his way out of my life for good.

Arriving back at the event, I found him playing with Maya and Roco. I felt a hard bang on my chest. Maya looked so happy with him. Earlier she had wished for a daddy, now her wish had become her reality but she didn’t even know it.

How long am I going to keep the secret from her? Mostly now that Ethan knows about her.

“Mummy,” Maya called out, running into me. She gave me a warm reassuring look before running off to go play with Roco and the other kids.

“How long do you intend to separate both twins? How long do you intend to keep a father away from his daughter all for your selfish interests?” Ethan said coldly, his words sharp and direct.

I held back my tears, trying not to become emotional and vulnerable to his words.

“Why don’t you try to make things right? Why are you always like this? You find it hard to consider others feelings and it's poor.” I said, looking into his eyes.

His once cold eyes gradually softened. I could feel his empathy. It was written in his eyes. He parted his lips but paused. Maybe he wanted to apologize but was so full of pride so I gave him some time to digest his feelings and do the right thing,

“Valerie, I've been saying this to you ever since we met this night. I want you back in my life. I want us to build this family together.”

I let out a soft smile, His words made my heart tender. “Because I want you so badly in my life, I have a proposal for you.” He paused.

I wasn’t sure of what to expect from his proposal. Was he going to propose to me, Like asking me to become his wife? That would be too sudden but then, it would confirm that he is actually in love with me and I have not been lying to myself all these years.

Who am I kidding? I still have f*****g feelings for this man. I never moved on. Raw, buried deep but never gone. That explains why my heart kept on racing.

“Go on,” I said, my heart pounding with tension.

“Valerie Woods, Will you…” He paused, eyes shifted behind me. I turned,

There was blood on the floor. And in the blood lies Maya's little doll.

My heart sank into my stomach…My daughter!