"Well I should probably introduce myself once more by saying this time that I would prefer for you to call me 'Chevy' " Mr. Chevalier said smiling at Jake.

"Chevy. I can get used to that" Jake chuckled. "It's nice to meet your sir".

"Welcome son. So you said the you are good friends with Ms. Valaire? How did you meet her?"

Jake paused to look at Valarie for a second before looking back at Mr. Chevalier.

"It's actually kind of funny how we met. On the night of the last fashion show, the atmosphere got a bit overwhelming for her so she stepped out for some fresh air. I almost ran her over with my car..." He paused for a second and turned to look right ahead, peering into Dimitri's eyes "And she ran straight into my arms..."

Dimitri tensed and glared at him. Everything was starting to piece together. This was surely the man who had answered Valarie's phone when he had called that night.

Jake smirked and continued "We sort of just kicked off as friends from then."

Valarie glanced up at Dimitri and almost snorted when she saw his face. He still hadn't taken his eyes off of Jake and looked like a predator about to pounce on its prey. She bit down on her lips and tried to suppress her smile. Mr. Chevalier continued talking.

"Ahh I see. Since you mentioned the show, why not we talk about it? Nikolai I must say, you really impressed me that night. Especially with the surprise with Ms. Ashley at the end. Fantastic designs!"

Ashley grinned. "Thank you sir!"

Valarie rolled her eyes and glared at her.

"Thank you for the credit but I must say that Ashley's show at the end came to me as a surprise. I had no idea that she was so talented" Nikolai spoke.

"Yes me either. I had no idea" Valarie inputted with a dry tone.

"Haha. I guess she surprised us all. She hid her talent all this time from us to pull off a great show."

"Yes! What can I say? I'm the queen of surprises" Ashley said, twirling a strand of hair around her index finger.

"I am sure that you are" Ms. Osbourne spoke with sarcasm laced in her voice. She then smiled as distraction from her tone.

Valarie smirked and continued looking as Ashley.

Mrs. Chevalier spoke to Ashley next. "What was your source of inspiration for those pieces? What is your driving force to design."

Ashley blinked rapidly "Um...My source of inspiration you say?"

"Yes, your source of inspiration" Valarie gladly reminded her.

"Um well...When I work, I uh. I don't know. My pure talent just comes out and everything just sort of happens..."

Valarie snorted then quickly morphed it into a cough when everyone looked at her. "Um...sorry. There was a dry spot in my throat."

Jake tried to suppress his smile. "'You should drink some water."

"Yes drink some water" Nikolai agreed.

She took a sit of the water next to her and gave them a reassuring smile . "All good now."

As soon as Ashley was about to continue speaking, Jake sliced through her first word. "Did you know that Valarie designs also?" Jake asked the Chevys'.

"Oh really?" Mr. Chevy questioned.

Valarie pinched Jake on his leg in secret as a signal to not progress further with the topic.

"Oh yes. She is a designer by heart. I'm pretty sure that you will love her designs."

"Ahh! I would love to see some of your designs Valarie."

"You can. Just look at her dress. She designed it" Jake informed.

"Marvelous!" Chevy exclaimed. "When I expressed how much I loved your dress earlier, why didn't you say that you designed it?"

Valarie blushed and shrugged her shoulders slightly.

"She's a living form of modesty" Mrs. Osbourne inputted.

"Haha I see. Well i will be looking forward to seeing some of your designs in the next show."

"I have great things planned for the next show!" Ashley diverted the attention back to herself.

"I'm sure you do" Dimitri spoke for the first time since Jake had arrived. His eyes peered down at Ashley with excitement. Little did she know that he had plans himself.

Valarie looked at him and rolled her eyes. To think that he was still hanging on to the lie that Ashley had created sickened her. Jake noticed her change in demeanor and held her hand as support.

Soon the conversation led deep into business with Nikolai and Chevy in the lead. The entire time Dimitri kept his eyes focused on her and occasionally on Jake. The effect she had triggered on him in the lobby was still full fledged and showed no signs of dying down. Dimitri bit down on his lips, gritted his teeth and clenched his fist in an attempt to contain himself.

"Excuse me" Valarie raised her hand for attention. "I noticed that there was an art gallery out front when I was walking. Would you mind if I go take a look while you gentlemen discuss business?"

"Ahh yes dear. Sure you can. You can show your friend around as well if he would like" Chevy smiled at her.

"Yes! I am quite a fan of art. I'll go with you Val" Jake said in excitement.

"Dimitri, maybe you and Ashley would like to see his collection as well. You all can go" Nikolai suggested.

Valarie grunted softly and rose from her seat before Ashley had time to agree. She held one of Jake's hand and led him off to the gallery. Dimitri and Ashley followed slowly behind. When they were out of his parent's sight, she made an attempt to hold his hand and he swiftly pulled his hand away.

"Don't you dare" he gave warning without even looking at her.

"Whatever" she scowled and stormed off.

Jake glanced over his shoulder and noticed Dimitri coming from behind. He quickly placed his hands around Valarie's waist and pulled her closer to him. Valarie leaned her head onto his arm. She had forgotten how it felt to snuggle in a man's arms and though she knew that Jake was nothing more than a friend, she enjoyed to comfort that he gave.

Dimitri tensed as he saw the sight. He cleared his throat and came to a stop at Valarie' side. Jake smiled as their eyes made four.

"So, you're the asshole that continued the lie?"

"And you're the asshole that has no place here" Dimitri responded.

Jake chuckled. "What? Am I taking something that's yours?" he questioned.

"Wait what?" Valarie raised her head. "I'm not his."

Jake smiled and winked at her.

"Yes she is not." Dimitri agreed.

"Good, because I won't let you have her."

"You don't have control over that" Dimitri shot back.

"And you have less control. Seems like all you have been doing lately is pushing her away. If you don't want her, I'll gladly pick up the treasure." He held onto Valarie's arm. "Come on Val." He pulled her across to the next side of the room.

"I'll see you at the show" he told Dimitri before walking off.

Dimitri stood with fisted hands in his pockets. He should have been the one escorting Valarie around. The moment only made him realise how much he wanted to be back on good terms with her and that only sparked his determination to make his plan work out.

***

Jake had convinced Valarie to spend the night at his house. She sprawled out on the couch in the living room and grunted. "My feet are killing me!"

"Haha. Lie down, put your feet up and relax yourself" Jake instructed as he took his Jacket off. "And I need to go pee." He pressed the button on the phone on the table to read out voice messages as he walked off the the bathroom. "Listen out for  all the messages in case I miss one. Sometimes I don't hear so good from the bathroom."

Valarie passively listened to the messages until a particular one got her on the alert.

"Hey Jake, it's Dean. I was just calling to let you know that I took care of the thing you told me to concerning Ms. Valarie. I wired the money across to her account. The loan is cleared. Give me a call when you get this."

Valarie sat with parted lips next to the phone. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. She spun around to find Jake standing behind her. He stuttered for a moment before speaking.

"Crap! You weren't supposed to hear that."

"It was you?" Valarie jumped to her feet and walked towards him.

"Ughh...yeah....." Jake squinted his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Why???? Why would you do that? How did you even know about it?"

"Ahh. The other day when I went to pick up my stuff at your apartment, I met a loan officer there. He had put a warning notice on your door concerning the loan's payment. So I ripped it down and made arrangements to have it paid for you."

"Why would you do that?"

"Why not? Valarie you are one of the sweetest persons that I have ever met. You have been double crossed and trampled on by a lot of people. I care about you a lot....and i'm filthy rich so I couldn't imagine doing anything else."

"Aww Jake. That was extremely thoughtful of you. Thank you so much. When I make up the money, I promise I will pay you back. "

"'Pay me back? Don't be silly."

"Hey! I'm not going to let you just-"

"Shhh" he placed his index finger over her lips to hush her. "I said no pay backs. You owe me nothing. Now sit your butt back down on that couch and let's talk about that look Dimitri had on his face the whole night."

Valarie pulled him into a tight hug and thanked him once more. She still could not believe that he had done that but she was most grateful. She then took a step back and plastered a mischievous grin on her face. "Now let's talk Dimitri and Ashley!"

>>>

Hey guys. So this is a bit of  short chapter but I just wanted to close off the dinner night conversation. Look out for the next chapter. It's going to be the fashion show. Ashley's going down! Mohohaha

Sorry if I have not yet replied to your comments.  I have the worse internet in the world right now and most comments aren't loading :(... I'll reply to each of them soon, I promise! XX