Valarie trotted into the office. She was in quite a good mood. Jake had taken her for coffee before dropping her off for work and that set things off on the right page. Her mind clicked over the events of last night and she smiled for they had spent the entire night bonding. She knocked on the door twice before entering Dimitri's office. His eyes rose to meet hers and he narrowed them on her.

"Good morning" Valarie greeted in an upbeat voice.

Dimitri raised an eyebrow " Morning."

He observed her features and frowned. He was still upset from the scene he had witnessed a few minutes ago.

"What?" Valarie raised her eyebrow.

"The last time we met we weren't on good terms. Your mood was...different."

She tried to erase the memory "Well, moods change."

"Hmm I see. I wonder what could be the cause of that."

"Perhaps another guy who is nothing like you. Anyway, that's none of your business so can we just get on with this already?"

Dimitri raised his brows and reclined in her chair. He interlocked his fingers and stared intently at her.

Valarie exhaled. "Okay so since I told you that I wasn't going to make designs anymore, what is my new job? "

"I already made myself clear. There is no new job. You will continue to make designs."

"Ughh this isn't fair!" Valarie stopped her foot.

"It isn't? I think it's very fair that I'm allowing you to continue to do the thing that you do best."

"You and I both know why I don't want to continue."

"I would have considered it if you still seemed really affected but I think you might be over that by now. After all, you appeared really high spirited when you arrived this morning and I think you found someone to take your mind off all that has happened so I don't see the point claiming that the incident still affects you."

Valarie paused and narrowed her eyes on him. "What are you talking about?"

"The same guy that dropped you off this morning seemed to make you forget."

"Wait what? You were watching me?"

"Not exactly. I just happened to be looking out my window the same time and I saw."

"Well that's none of your business first of all. And it's not my fault that he happened to be the only person who have managed to make me smile these last few days."

Dimitri rolled his eyes. "'Whatever. Get back to making designs. I am busy."

Valarie coughed out a dry laugh and shook her head. "And you wonder what drew me to that other guy." She rolled her eyes and stormed out.

Dimitri ran his hand through his hair and sighed. He still had no idea why this affected him so. He had honestly planned on setting things off on a better foot with her but his ego surely fired his tongue. Curiosity rapidly consumed him and his mind ticked continuously. A sudden realization caused him to ponder on a memory. Could this have been the same guy who had answered Valarie's phone the same night she went missing? The thought only made him feel worse. She hadn't really given much of a clue that she was seeing anyone. An uneasy feeling built in his chest and a strange discovery was made. The more of Valarie he lost, the more of her he wanted.

Like any other day, Valarie and Kyle were destined to collide. She literally walked right into his arms.

"Ahh Valarie" Kyle embraced her into a hug.

"Well somebody missed me" Valarie joked.

"'Oh girl you know I miss you after a second of being away."

"Aww" Valarie pinched his nose.

"Sooo.... What have you been up to last night? I called and that guy answered your phone again. He said that you were washing the dishes."

Valarie blushed "He came over for dinner."

"And???" Kyle pressed for more information."

"And...we just talked. Told each other about part of our life story and stuff."

"So do you guys like have a thing or something now?"

"Naw we are just friends. I think Dimitri saw him drop me off this morning though. When I went to his office he seemed a little.... Weird."

Kyle furrowed his brow "Weird?"

"Yeah he Kind of.....I don't know how to explain it."

"Kind of?"

"I don't know. Haha. Maybe I am just over thinking things. Give me a little time to get my explanation together."

"Haha okay but as soon as you figure it out, fill me in."

"I will don't worry."

Kyle's eyes averted to Valarie's lips. Valarie narrowed her eyes on him.

"What?"

"What shade of lipstick is on you?"

"Crimson red. Why?"

"I don't like this shade on you."

"What? You gotta be kidding me right? Dude you are the one that convinced me to buy it in the first place."

"Well I change my mind." Before Valarie could blink, Kyle passed his thumb finger across her lips and smudged the lipstick onto her cheek."

"Heyyyyy" Valarie protested.

"Oooops. I think somebody gotta go clean their face. Now get." Kyle pushed Valarie towards the washroom. Just as she was at the door, he pulled her sketchbook away.

"You don't wanna be getting this wet. Now get that gross red off your face."

"Oh my God you are so mean!"

"Why thank you." Kyle bowed.

Valarie shook her head and disappeared into the washroom. Kyle waited a few seconds to make sure that she was gone then proceeded with his master plan. Kyle ran over to the photocopying machine and started copying the recent designs Valarie had created.

"Come on, come on, come on. Copy, copy, copy" he coached the machine.

Valarie was finished by then and was confused to not find Kyle waiting outside for her. She started to walk down the hall in search of him.

"Kyle!" she called.

"Oh shit! No just one more to go." Kyle hurriedly flipped the page and copied the last design. As soon as it was finished, it took the sketchbook out and tucked it under his arm. At the same time Valarie emerged from the corner.

"Hey there you are. What are you doing?"

"Oh girllll....Those noobs down at fashion were having trouble with the photocopying machine again and they called for me head." He shook his head. "I don't know what they are going to do without me."

He walked away from the copier so that she wouldn't see the copies in the tray.

"Okay so I took the red off. Better now?"

"Kyle observed her. "Ehh I'm kind of missing the red now."

"Omg! Kyle you are the worse ever. I'm not putting it back on."

Valarie snatched her sketchbook and puffed up her cheeks. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have designs to go make."

Kyle chuckled. "You know you love me."

"No I don't" Valarie laughed and stormed off.

As soon as she was out of sight, Kyle grabbed up the designs from the tray. He breathed a sigh of relief. That had been one of the most difficult things he had ever done. He walked briskly towards Fashion where Ashley was waiting impatiently. As soon as she spotted him, she jumped off her chair and ran towards him.

"Oh my God did you get it?"

"Shhh" Kyle looked nervously over his shoulder and tried to quiet her. He pulled the copies from behind hi back and showed them to her. Ashley's jaw dropped as her eyes explored in awe.

"Wow these are amazing!"

"Well that's totally obvious. Does she ever create anything less?"

"How did you get these?" Ashley questioned.

"That's not important. Now before she comes trotting in here and catch us, would you please just take these and do what you gotta do with them. Just please don't get caught. You will ruin the plan."

"Oh haha. You don't have to worry. You'll get your Valarie pay back time soon enough" Ashley smiled wickedly.

The rest of the day felt like an adult version of hide and seek. Valarie avoided Dimitri, Kyle avoided Valarie and Ashley pretty much avoided everyone.

Jake had called Valrie about lunch time when he realized that his checkbook was missing. He had forgotten it at her apartment last night and she loaned him her keys so that he could pick it up. He trotted up the stairs to her apartment and paused in his tracks. A man, dressed sharply in a typical black suit and white shirt was sticking a white piece of paper onto her door.

"Can I help you?" Jake's question startled the man and he jumped back.

He immediately tried to morph his petrified face into a serious one.

"Good afternoon and who are you may I ask?"

"I think I should be the one asking that question since you are the one that is standing at my door."

An obvious look of confusion possessed his face. "What do you mean at your door? Isn't this Ms. Valarie's place?"

"We share the apartment." Jake replied know very well that wasn't the case.

"Oh I was unaware of that."

"Well now you are fully aware. So I ask, who are you?"

"My name is John Paul. I am one of Valarie's loan officer."

Jake furrowed his brows "Wait did you say loans officer?"

"Yes. This is just a reminder that her deadline to pay off her debts is close and the bank might resort to some drastic measures if she doesn't comply with the agreement."

"What debts? How much does she have to pay?"

"I'm afraid that I am not able to disclose that information. Please do tell her that I was here."

John walked away from the door and started walking down the stairs. "Have a nice day Mr? I didn't get your name."

"Jake."

John nodded and continued walking down the stairs. Before he was even out of sight, Jake ran up to the door to read the notice. It sounded more like a death note than a reminder. The thought irked him. Even though he had recently met her, he wondered why she hadn't told him about it. They shared so much last night yet she made no mention of it. He knew very well that it was not his business but he was sure that he would not let it rest without his input. Jake took out his phone and dialed his friend. As soon as he answered, he cut right to the chase.

"Meet me at The Cafe in twenty minutes. It's concerning loan affairs." With that, he hurried in to get his bankbook then went straight to his car.

***

Valarie had just settled in her sofa. She sipped on coffee while checking her emails. In the midst of her junk mail, an email from her bank stood out. She rolled her eyes. "These people don't have the slightest bit of patience" she mumbled as she clicked to open it. Her eyes scanned over the email and she frowned.

"What? Is this a joke? Because I'm pretty sure I haven't cleared off that loan just yet. Something is definitely wrong here. There is no way that I'm cleared of my debts."