Chapter 9

Valeria remembered that it had been a week since Sebastian said that he was busy and that he would talk to her about returning the dog next week. A few days back, she had already discussed with Lucy about getting a puppy, to which Lucy immediately agreed. There was a terrace at the attic that could serve as an open space for the puppy. Since Valeria had already made up her mind to adopt a pet dog, she was also determined to take good care of it. So long as the dog did not bark too loudly and disturb the neighbors, having a pet around could even keep Selena company whenever Valeria was busy. Valeria had been thinking about a lot of things over the past week. One thing among many was that Sebastian had gotten himself a girlfriend. Even if he did not, Valeria knew that there could never really be anything between them. She decided that from now on, she would just avoid having him as her doctor whenever she went to the hospital for follow-ups. Slate City was a big place, after all. There was no way they would keep running into each other. Lindsey noticed Valeria's frown and asked, "What's wrong, Valeria? Did something happen?" Valeria replied, "Are you free tomorrow? I want to get a puppy for Lenny from the pet fair." "Sure! I'll see you tomorrow morning." … The next morning, Lindsey drove Valeria to a pet shop. A chubby beige colored puppy started licking Valeria's fingers, its tiny eyes full of spirit. Valeria immediately bought it. When she brought it home, Selena was thrilled and held it cautiously in her arms. However, Valeria also noticed that beneath Selena's joyful expression was a faint trace of disappointment. The pet dog was not the stray that Selena had rescued. Some things just could not be replaced after all. Valeria brushed a strand of hair from Selena's forehead, suggesting, "Lenny, let's give it a name." Selena fell into thought for a while. … They went through many names and eventually settled on naming the puppy 'Pork Chop'. Pork Chop was very well-behaved and quickly adapted to its new home. Valeria had also bought some pet supplies. Pork Chop was an adorable little puppy. It liked to curl up on Valeria's slippers at night, causing her to always check the floor whenever she got out of bed, afraid that she might step on it. … Valeria did not hear from Sebastian for the entire week, save for one phone call she missed because she was busy. She eventually forgot about it over the course of her packed schedule—that was, until Wednesday. Lindsey was clutching her stomach when she came to Valeria for help. "Valeria, are you free at noon? I'm having a really bad period cramp today. "Could you do me a favor and help Ms. Lawson deliver lunch in my stead? She said to bring it to cardiology room number two in the outpatient wing of Gildrum Hospital. It's for her boyfriend." Valeria agreed to help after seeing just how pale Lindsey had become from the pain. Lindsey was Sabrina's assistant, so she often ran such errands. … Valeria later arrived at the outpatient wing of Gildrum Hospital at around 11:50 am. The door to room number two was wide open, revealing a few patients inside the room. She walked up to the entrance and planned to just drop off the lunch there. However, to her wildest surprise, Sabrina's boyfriend was Sebastian himself. Golden rays of sunlight spilled through the window onto his white coat. He was focused on typing in prescriptions on the keyboard while calmly giving instructions to the patient beside him. Valeria gripped the thermos tightly as she pursed her lips. She had just taken a step back to leave when Sebastian suddenly looked up, as if her every action was being put under the spotlight. She immediately froze mid-step. He frowned slightly and tapped the table with his finger. "Come in." The patient beside him left the room, leaving only Valeria and Sebastian within. Calming herself down, Valeria walked back inside the room one step at a time before putting down the thermos on the table. "This is from your girlfriend, Sabrina. She asked me to bring it to you. The Lawson family's housekeeper prepared it. Have it while it's warm." She spoke up like a robot reporting the completion of its task. Then, she prepared to leave as soon as she finished. A deep, cool voice stopped her. "From my girlfriend? Since when do I have one?" Valeria replied, "Ms. Lawson's my boss. Everyone at work knows that she's been dating someone recently." Then, she recalled the woman's voice she had heard on the phone a few nights back, wondering whether it was Sabrina herself. She continued, "Well, I shouldn't pry into other people's personal matters. I've delivered the lunch as instructed. I'll be going now if there's nothing else." She did not feel like arguing with Sebastian at that moment. As Valeria turned to leave, however, he suddenly grabbed her wrist. She could not react in time and stumbled right into his arms. At the very same time, one hand slid down to her waist, while the other hand tilted her chin up, his thumb pressing lightly on her soft lips. He whispered, "Ms. Neal, can you help me?" The rough texture on his thumb grazed her lips lightly. Valeria trembled slightly, her lashes fluttering. Sebastian saw someone walking through the door from the corner of his eye. He squinted as he tightened his grip on Valeria's waist. Surprised by how slender it was, he still pulled her forward, causing Valeria to fall straight into his lap. He then lowered his head and went in for a kiss. His kiss, however, landed on his own thumb. He did not directly kiss her, but the distance between them was still so close that it was almost nonexistent. Valeria was completely frozen. Her eyes were wide open as she stared at the face inches away from her own. Sebastian's handsome face was right in front of her, his nose brushing against hers. Their breaths were entangled in the same exact space. Her entire body was stilled as his overwhelming presence engulfed her. Valeria felt a buzz running through her mind, and she instinctively pushed Sebastian away, only for his hand on her waist to tighten up further. She was utterly confused. Suddenly, a woman's shriek rang out from the doorway. "What are you two doing?!" Valeria was snapped back to her senses, while the hand on her waist rose to the back of her head to press her into Sebastian's chest. Sebastian looked toward the door, responding, "Ms. Gardner, it's currently break time. What I do is none of your business." Ruby replied, "You rejected me because of her?! What does she have that I don't? Our families have known each other for years, you know? I'm just more suitable for you in any way, shape, or form!" Sebastian's long fingers traced the curve of Valeria's back. His dark eyes stared coldly at Ruby by the door as he replied emotionlessly, "Close the door, please. You're not welcome here." Ruby gritted her teeth as she glared at Valeria's back, as if trying to carve a hole through Valeria. Valeria slowly looked up and met Sebastian's deep eyes. His sharp gaze was noticeably filled with a look of amusement. Only then did she realize that he was just putting on a show for Ruby to get rid of a clingy pursuer. From Ruby's perspective, they must have looked like they were kissing. However, in reality, Sebastian did not touch Valeria's lips. Even so, they were still really close to each other. Their bodies were practically pressed together. Sebastian spoke, his voice low and alluring. "Ms. Neal, how long do you plan to sit on my lap?" He looked into the startled eyes of the woman in his arms, a faint yet meaningful smile on his face.