CHAPTER 5

Valentina's glowing blue eyes remained fixed on the gold piece embedded in the table. Its rich, gleaming surface seemed almost alive under the soft light, and her mind raced at the sheer value of what she was looking at.

"How could something like this just sit here, untouched?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

"This could easily be worth a million dollars… maybe even two."

At that moment Cecilia smiled gently, her tone calm but carrying a hint of pride.

"It's a traditional item," she explained. "It's been in our family for decades. We don't touch it. It's more than just gold—it's history."

Valentina nodded slowly, still absorbing the weight of Cecilia's words. Her gaze lingered on the gold for a moment longer before she stepped back, the awe in her expression giving way to quiet acceptance.

Just then, Benjamin entered the room, his footsteps steady and deliberate.

"Valentina," he said, his voice warm but direct. "Your room has been prepared. You should go change and get ready to eat."

Valentina gave a small nod, following Benjamin's lead as Cecilia trailed behind. When they exited the room, Cecilia glanced around briefly, a knowing smile tugging at her lips.

'If only Valentina knew the entire room was made of gold,' she thought, the secret resting safely with her for now.

They made their way to the living room, where Valentina finally settled into a seat. Moments later, the maids brought out the food, setting it carefully on the table in front of her. The aroma hit her immediately, warm and familiar, and her eyes widened as she realized what it was.

It was her favorite meal.

Immediately She looked up, her voice tinged with surprise.

"How… how did you know this is my favorite?"

At that moment Raymond leaned forward slightly, a small smile playing on his lips.

"We were told," he said simply.

The dining room was filled with the soft clinking of silverware and the quiet hum of conversation, but Valentina sat still, her glowing blue eyes fixed on the spoon in front of her. Her hand trembled slightly as she tried to lift it, only to set it back down. She couldn't explain it—maybe it was the overwhelming kindness from Raymond's family, or the growing thought in her mind that she didn't deserve any of this.

Noticing her hesitation, Raymond stood up from his seat without a word, walked over to her, and gently took the spoon from her hand. His movements were calm and deliberate as he began feeding her himself. Each gesture carried a quiet tenderness, and Valentina couldn't bring herself to stop him.

When they were done, Raymond rose again and gestured for her to follow. "Come," he said softly. "Let me show you your main room."

Valentina followed him up the grand staircase, her heart heavy with a mix of gratitude and disbelief. When he opened the door, she froze. The room was painted a soft cyan—a color so familiar, it felt like stepping into a piece of her own mind.

Her eyes widened as she stepped inside.

"This… this is my favorite color," she whispered, running her fingers along the edge of the bed frame. "How did you know?"

Raymond leaned against the doorway, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"We were told," he said casually.

But Valentina wasn't convinced. She turned to him, narrowing her eyes.

"No way. My family wouldn't be generous enough to tell you all of this. How do you know all my favorite things?"

Raymond's smile faltered slightly, and he rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes glinting with a playful glimmer. "I guessed," he admitted. "My mom, actually. She's the one who guessed the color."

Valentina blinked, her surprise evident.

"Your mom guessed my favorite color?"

Raymond nodded.

"She has a knack for these things."

Valentina looked around the room again, her fingers brushing over the delicate curtains and the intricately designed furniture. The thoughtfulness behind it all left her speechless.

After a moment, she turned back to Raymond.

"I want to see your room," she said suddenly.

Without hesitation, Raymond led her down the hall to another room. When he opened the door, Valentina's breath hitched. His room was painted the same cyan color as hers.

She turned to him, her glowing blue eyes filled with surprise. "Your room too?"

Raymond shrugged, his smile softening.

"I figured we might share the same room one day if you agree. So, I had it repainted."

Valentina stared at him, her emotions swirling in a way she couldn't quite describe. Finally, she smiled faintly, a glimmer of warmth breaking through the heaviness in her chest.

She looked at Raymond, her tone light but firm. "It's time to cut your hair and beard."

Valentina guided Raymond into the spacious bathroom, her hands surprisingly steady as she adjusted the chair in front of the mirror. She picked up the scissors and comb, her glowing blue eyes narrowing slightly in concentration as she ran her fingers through his long, tangled hair.

"Let's start with the hair," she said softly, her voice steady but laced with a hint of nervousness.

Raymond leaned back, his posture relaxed as if he had done this a hundred times before.

"Do your worst," he joked lightly, earning a small chuckle from Valentina.

As she carefully cut his hair, Valentina couldn't help but ask, "How do you even go to work looking like this?"

Raymond smirked, his red-rimmed eyes meeting hers in the mirror. "I'm the CEO," he said casually. "My parents own 90 percent of the shares. Who dares ask me about how I look?"

Valentina laughed at that, shaking her head in disbelief.

"You're unbelievable."

She continued snipping away until his hair was a manageable length, brushing just below his neck. Then, she turned her attention to his beard, carefully trimming it away until there was nothing left but smooth skin.

As the task kept her hands busy, her mind wandered. "What's the net worth of your company?" she asked, her tone curious but light.

"Fifty million dollars," Raymond replied, his voice as calm as ever.

Upon hearing what Raymond just said Valentina paused mid-snip, her hand hovering in the air.

Raymond noticed and quickly added, "We're planning an expansion soon. If everything goes well, we could be worth up to a hundred million dollars by the end of the year."

But Valentina shook her head, cutting him off gently. "That's not what I meant," she said softly. She set the scissors down, her hands suddenly feeling heavy.

"I stopped because… I don't deserve you."

Her words hung in the air, quiet but heavy with emotion. "You don't have to worry about me," she continued, her voice trembling slightly. "If you want to marry someone else, I don't mind. I just… I just want you to feel loved."

Raymond turned to her, his gaze steady and unreadable. "What's the meaning of love if it's not caring for someone without expecting anything in return?" he asked, his voice quiet but firm.

Valentina looked at him, her glowing blue eyes searching his face for something she couldn't quite name. She didn't know how to respond. The sincerity in his words left her feeling raw, exposed in a way she wasn't used to.

"I… I don't know," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. She handed him the scissors. "You can finish the rest."

Raymond didn't argue. He took the scissors and trimmed the remaining uneven strands of his hair until it reached just below his neck. His beard was entirely gone now, leaving his face clean and defined.

When he finished, he stepped into the shower, the sound of running water filling the quiet bathroom. Valentina leaned against the counter, her thoughts swirling as she waited for him to come out.

Not long after Raymond stepped out of his room, his fresh appearance almost unrecognizable from the man he had been just hours ago.

His neatly trimmed hair framed his face perfectly, and without the thick beard, his sharp jawline and piercing eyes were more pronounced. He crossed the hall to Valentina's room and gently knocked before stepping inside.

Valentina, sitting on the edge of her bed, turned at the sound of the door opening. Her glowing blue eyes widened as she took in the man standing before her. For a moment, she couldn't speak. This was Raymond—but not the one she thought she knew.

"You…" she finally managed, her voice filled with surprise.

"You look… incredible."

Raymond gave a small smile, his eyes warm but quietly observing her reaction.

However Valentina hesitated, her hands twitching slightly as if she wanted to move toward him. She felt an overwhelming urge to hug him, to close the distance between them, but her insecurities held her back. Instead, she masked the moment with humor.

"You're definitely a woman magnet now," she said with a nervous laugh. "Maybe I should've just let you keep the beard to save myself the trouble."

At that moment Raymond stepped closer to her, his movements slow but deliberate. The playful glint in his eyes shifted to something deeper, something that made Valentina's heart race. His gaze seemed to glow with an intensity that caught her off guard.

Instinctively, Valentina stepped backward, her breath hitching as she tried to process the sudden change in his demeanor.

His presence was magnetic, overwhelming in a way she hadn't expected. She kept moving back until her foot slipped on the edge of the rug.

Immediately She let out a small gasp as she lost her balance, but before she could fall, Raymond's hands shot out, steadying her. His grip was firm, his touch protective as he pulled her back upright.

"Be careful," he said softly, his voice calm but filled with concern.

Valentina's cheeks flushed, her glowing eyes darting away from his as she nodded.

Then Raymond released her, stepping back just enough to give her space. He smiled gently, his tone lightening as he said, "How about we change your looks too?"