Mr. Valentine's Heart

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Cherish has been gone for a while now, and I'm sitting in my office with Jamichael and Roman. Everyone is quiet, lost in their own thoughts, I'm sure. I keep replaying everything in my mind. I can't believe I actually had my fated mate in front of me after all these years. I never thought I'd see her again. “Well?” My body jolts, having been lost in thoughts.

I focus on the present and see everyone looking at me. I clear my throat and shift in my seat. “What do you mean?” Jamichael sits back with a look of disbelief on his face.

“Your fated mate was just here, the woman who left you ten years ago. Not only did you act like that has never happened, but you asked her to be your personal assistant. I'm just trying to find out what I'm missing.”

“Uh, did I get fired?” I chuckle and shake my head.

“You didn't get fired, Roman. I actually need you to train Cherish, uh, Cherise. Her working as my personal assistant will allow me to be closer to her and get to know her again.”

“How long should I take to train her?”

“I'm not sure. I guess we can see how she takes to the position. At some point, I do want her to be doing the job alone so we-”

“WHAT THE f***k ARE WE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW?!” Jamichael is sitting forward in his chair and looking between Roman and me. I don't understand the anger he's throwing out at me. “Can I just remind everyone that she's been gone for TEN years?! She basically gave you a ‘Dear John’ letter, and you two are sitting here discussing things as if she had just gone to the store for a few hours.”

He has a point. I’m ecstatic that our mate is back, but what's the plan? She doesn't seem to remember us or herself. I can't sense Aphrodite at all. Are we, maybe, barking up the wrong tree?

Eros, please have a little faith in me. This will all work out. Eros shakes his head and retreats to the back of my mind. I understand he's worried and even understand where Jamichael is coming from, but this is happening.

“I get that you're worried, brother, I do. I just need you to trust me. The fact that she doesn't remember anything says something. Eros says that she can't sense Aphrodite, so what's that about? Where has she been? What has she been doing?” I push my chair back and stand behind my desk. I start to pace back and forth. “I'm struggling with my magic right now. I wasn't meant to take over without my mate by my side. If there's a chance to make things better, I have to take that chance. Valentine's Day is coming, and that is a day that drains my magic the most. If I can have my fated by my side for that day, it would help me immensely. I need to do this; I need to try.” I sigh and turn to my guests. I place my hands on my desk and lean forward. “We have to keep this to ourselves. I don't want anyone to know about her being here. Let me figure her out and figure out where we stand. This stays between us.” Roman nods eagerly, while Jamichael is a bit more reluctant.

“You're my Alpha and my best friend. I will support you, but I will also keep an eye out. I won't allow anyone to hurt you.”

“I understand and I appreciate you for that.” He nods and stands.

“I think I will leave you to it. You have a lot to get ready for.” I watch Jamichael walk out of my office, closing the door behind him. I turn to Roman so we can get prepared for my new assistant.

~Jamichael~

I sit in my office, mulling over everything that's happened today. I know I was eager to tell Caleb about Cherish being back, but as his best friend, that was my job. I didn't expect him to approach her at all; if he did, I didn't expect him to do as if nothing had happened. He's acting like he hasn't been miserable for the past ten years. I can't allow my friend to get caught up and get hurt again. We barely pulled him out of it last time, so I'm sure he wouldn't survive it again.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and twirl it in my hands. I know what I want to do, but I'm not sure if I should or not. I technically wouldn't violate Caleb's order, but it could get tricky. Someone needs to watch Cherish to see what she does and who she socializes with. I guess I will have to be the one to do it.

I pull her file and jot down the address she has listed. I will have to find the time between the duties here and on packlands. I want to make sure my best friend is safe, even if that means I have to watch her myself.

I walk out of my office, closing the door behind me. I made sure to slip the piece of paper into my pocket. “I'm gone for the day. Call me if anything major pops up,” I say to no one in particular. I jump into the elevator without waiting for a response. I think it's time to check out my former Luna and see what she's really up to.

~Cherise~

What a crazy day! I went into the office to turn in my most recent reports and ended up with a new job offer. I can't believe I met the company's CEO. I’m not even a real employee, and he's personally asked me to be his right hand.

I couldn’t believe that I had accepted the job offer. It didn't hit me until I actually got into the share ride to go home. It's almost as if something came over me, and I couldn't control myself or my feelings.

On the way home, I stopped by a clothing store to get a few outfits for my new job. I had to change my style. My work days would no longer consist of spending time pleasing myself. How amusing is that? My job consists of pleasing myself using different devices.

I have a more serious job now and needed to look the part. I only got a few pieces because I didn't want to spend too much money. I guess I will get more when I get my first check.

My mind has been running the entire day, thinking about the CEO. There's something so familiar about him. I know it's crazy because I've never met him before or even been to this city before. When he grabbed my hand, my knees got weak. Something in me wants to know more about him in an intimate way. The other part is warning me that he's my boss and this has no legs. Not our boss.

I sit up on the couch and look around the room. I swear I just heard someone. I have a small television, but it's off. I check the door, and it's locked, as I left it when I got home. There's no one here with me, but I swear I heard someone. I cautiously sit down, looking around the room. Maybe I just need some rest.