Their Meeting

Valerie was led to the table reserved under the name of the Chairman, Arnold Davies. Arnold Davies, her father, was already present there, carrying a conversation with the couple, Jonathan and Alicia Gray.

Arnold had a stern expression, and the wrinkles on his face as a sign of his age intensified that, making him look naturally domineering. Of course, the fact that he rarely smiled contributed to that as well.

According to the others, Valerie inherited her father's momentum, having the ability to make the air tense simply by her arrival. Such gossips never held a candle to Valerie.

Jonathan and Alicia, the loving couple, had an amiable smile on their faces. Unlike Arnold, they seemed to be enjoying the conversation although Valerie would prefer to believe the case was the opposite. This was merely a front.

"Greetings, Chairman Davies, Mr. And Mrs. Gray. I apologize for being late," Valerie expressed, "work kept me occupied."

There was a hint of dissatisfaction in Arnold's eyes. Valerie knew he hated it when the other party arrived later than him. According to him, that made him feel undervalued.

However, because of the couple's presence, he held himself back from reprimanding her.

Alicia smiled and waved it off, saying, "Valerie dear, it's fine. It must've been troubling for you to come here on a busy schedule. Sorry for the hassle."

"You are being too polite, Mrs. Gray. I appreciate being invited," she expressed.

Valerie then pulled the chair and sat down beside her father.

"Dear, how many do I have to ask you to call me Alicia? Mrs. Gray feels too distant. I watched you grow up after all," Alicia said.

Valerie felt troubled at that for she didn't want to refuse Alicia directly. Therefore, she replied, "I will keep that in mind."

"Congratulations about signing a successful contract with Pearl and the expansion to Country L. Every year, you're bringing Sunrise to new heights. Very impressive, Valerie," Jonathan complimented.

"It is nothing much compared to what you have achieved, Mr. Gray."

"This child, you are too modest. Mr. Davies must be really proud of you. Isn't it?" Alicia enunciated.

"She still has a lot to learn," Arnold responded.

And this wasn't him showing modesty but his disappointment towards Valerie.

Instead of being awkward, Alicia laughed and commented, "I will be at a loss if you say that, Mr. Davies. I would be more than glad if my son was even a quarter as responsible as Valerie."

Following that, she sighed and continued, "That bastard— excuse my vulgar language— knows how to waste money and flirt around with women. This—"

Before she could carry on, a voice interrupted her, "Are you insulting me again, Mom?"

That deep, husky voice holding a hint of humor made Valerie's heart flutter, and she held herself back from glancing at him. How long had it been since she heard his voice in real life?

This made Alicia face Lucian and reprimand, "You incompetent son, I will praise you if there is anything good to say about you."

Lucian's eyes then fell on Valerie, and the corner of his lips twitched. She had that apathetic expression as always. Her brown hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and she was dressed in a simple yet elegant black suit.

Lucian recalled the last meeting between them that only left him in an unpleasant mood, and that alone made him think of ideas which will help him get away from here as soon as possible.

Treating himself as the mature one, he wore a friendly expression and extended his hand while saying, "Nice to meet you after so long, Ms. Valerie."

Valerie turned to face him. Her brown eyes stared at his indifferently before moving on to his forwarded hand. However, instead of shaking his hand, she nodded and expressed, "A pleasure meeting you as well."

With that, she looked the other way.

Lucian forced a smile through his gritted teeth and pulled his hand back. What was he expecting? The egoistic Valerie who considered him to be beneath her would never shake his hand.

'This insufferable woman.'

Alicia noticed the obvious signs of awkwardness in the air and said in order to ease the surroundings: "Let's place the order now."

°°°

Valerie raised wine glass to take a sip when Alicia announced, "Then, the engagement will be held in two week's time."

That made Valerie pause her motion and question, "An engagement?"

Lucian appeared as confused as her. How did the matter of engagement come up suddenly? Between whom was this engagement.

Alicia chuckled and expressed, "Oh! I forgot that you both haven't been informed yet. Of course, it's an engagement between you two."

Lucian froze for a second before voicing out with pure disbelief in his tone: "You don't happen to mean her and me, right?"

He stared at his mother with hope that the answer would be in negative.

However, Alicia smiled and responded, "Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? The two of you would look lovely together."

Lucian stared at his mother as if she had lost it. Doesn't she know better than everyone else how he can't even tolerate breathing in the same room as Valerie?

Never in his wildest dreams did he think one day his mother would match up Valerie and him. The mere thought of it sounded absurd to him.

His mother's smiling face made him slam his palms on the table in anger and say, "Lovely together? That's utter bulls—"

"Now, Lucian, mind your language. Aren't you a public figure? Oh dear! You call yourself passionate yet you can't maintain your image."

Holding his urge to roll his eyes at Alicia's dramatic attitude, he sat down on the chair and glanced at Valerie. Valerie's concentration was on the wine glass in her hand while she seemed to be pondering solemnly on a matter.

"Ms. Valerie, what are you thinking about so deeply right now?"

Was she not going to protest against this? He knew very well how she disdained him. That's why, having her silent didn't sit well with him.

She raised her head and said, "Calculating."

"What?"

"The advantages and disadvantages," she expressed.