Valarie lied in bed with her palms over her face as the memory of last night played like a movie in her head. Had she really technically agreed to giving Dimitri a chance? Was it her failed attempts of getting him to settle in with previous women downing on her? Perhaps she felt like more success would come out of it if she had experienced his ways with women first hand. Nonetheless, she was sure that is was going to be a gamble.

She had arranged to meet Kyle and Jake for breakfast that morning. Valarie rolled out of bed sluggishly and headed to the shower. The feel of the water running down her skin reminded her of Dimitri in the pool with her. She traced her finger over her lips as she remembered the way his felt on hers. Valarie scolded herself and tried to erase her thoughts. Though she had agreed to try, she still wasn't a huge fan of him. She didn't exactly trust him yet. The memory of his dark side was still clear in her head so his recent change in demeanour didn't quite convince her yet.

Her mind played it over in her head. She didn't exactly agree to being with him. It was just a small step beyond a normal co-worker relationship. She smacked herself to escape from her thoughts once more and headed to the bedroom to get ready. Today was a lazy day indeed, her outfit mirrored it. Her hair tied into a messy bun, her dress slightly crumpled and a mere hint of eyeliner.

Jake picked her up at her apartment and they both headed to the café where Kyle was already awaiting them.

"Hey girlfriend!" Kyle greeted as Valarie approached the table he had booked.

"Good morning design stealer" Valarie teased.

"Damn you aren't going to let go of this soon now aren't you?"

"Nope. Don't count on it."

The guys greeted with a simple nod of their heads.

"I already ordered for you both. You know how quickly things get crazy in here on a morning and I didn't want to have to bitch slap somebody if I had to wait too long for my coffee and scrambled eggs."

"Haha I hope you ordered the same for me. I love scrambled eggs" Jake said while taking his seat.

"You know I did" Kyle smiled. "So...since we don't have much time to eat because work calls, we should get right to it. I think Valarie has news for us."

Valarie furrowed her brows and smiled. "What? No I don't.

"I think you do" Jake teased.

"Yes, yes. Need I remind you of your date with the devil last night?" Kyle inputted.

"It wasn't a date. We just ...hung out."

"Whatever you want to call it haha. So how did your hang out go?"

"It was okay..."

"Just okay? Details, details!" Kyle pushed.

"Well...he carried me to his house."

"His house? The house where his parents stay?"

"No, his house, house."

"Wait he has a house of his own?"

"Yes apparently. I had no idea."

"So the man is a man" Jake smiled.

A small smile played across her face and she shook her head.

"He designed it when he was a teen and his father gave him the live house as a gift for his birthday."

"Ahh so he took you to his house eh?" Kyle asked.

"It's not a big deal. We just had dinner there."

"Dinner...at his 'house'" Kyle teased.

"Ugh Kyle!"

"Haha. Okay, okay I'll stop. So what happened between you guys."

"Well we just talked a bit. I'm not sure what spell he has me under though. I know inside I still despise him yet some lose screw is causing me to consider him just a little. He has a serious problem settling down with other women for some reason and now his claim is that it's because those other women aren't me. It doesn't make sense though. I am no match for-"

"Valarie don't even go there. It's the other way around. Those other women aren't a match for you."

"I agree with Kyle. Most of them are just gold diggers. They may be beautiful outside but their hearts are rotting corpses.

"I just don't get his sudden interest in me."

"It may seem sudden to you because you haven't noticed it before but I'm telling you that his interest in you is nothing new. He just pretended that he wasn't. I've seen the way he looked at you at the office. It's unlike the way he looks at other women."

"To add to Kyle's point, do you not remember the way he reacted when he saw both of us together? The guy would put a spear through my heart if he had one at the time. I think you should definitely try a shot at him but just be cautious."

Valarie ran her hands through her hair. "I don't know; it just seems wrong. I mean he's my boss's son. I don't think it's the most ethical thing to –"

"Valarie!" both guys called simultaneously.

She chuckled "Okay, okay. I'll try not to over think too much. I'm just telling you guys that if he only plays with me, the guy will lose his baby maker."

"Haha we'll definitely help you with that task. I have a tool kit in my trunk."

"Good!" she smiled.

They gobbled down their breakfast in between chatter. Jake dropped them both off at work before leaving for work himself.

Valarie and Kyle parted ways on the top floor. He headed off to the design room where Valarie went to pay Dimitri a visit.

As soon as she entered the office, the pleasantry wiped off her face. Dimitri had already occupied himself with 'work'. A swimsuit model stood with parted legs in front of him. He sat reclined on his chair, looking at her. He swiped his hand across and the model walked to stand at the side with four other models. The last model now took her place in front of him. She slowly removed her robe revealed a black two-piece suit. Dimitri scanned her from head to toe.

Valarie propped herself against the door and tensed. The spark in his eyes made all the doubts she ever had come flooding in again. She found herself matching her up with each of the models and she concluded that she was no match.

Dimitri waved his hand again when he was finished.

"Okay all of you can leave except number three."

She stepped aside from the door to allow the four other models to leave. Number three glanced back at her and smirked before walking towards Dimitri's desk. He pulled out a contract and slid it across the table towards her.

"'Okay I've decided to let you stay with us for a year. Depending on how things go by then, I'll decide if I'll extend it or not. You can start from today. I believe my father have already given you a tour of the place so if you just sign here, you can find your way to where you need to be."

The model bent over the table exaggeratedly to sign the contract.

"I won't let you down" she said before turning on the balls of her feet and modelling her way out, not forgetting to glance at Valarie."

Valarie stood in dead silence against the wall. After the model left, Dimitri finally paid her undivided attention. His eyes fell on her and a small smile played across his face.

"Good morning" he greeted but she was too caught up in her thoughts to respond.

He furrowed his brows "What's wrong?"

She clenched her teeth to hold her tongue from striking.

Three knocks on the door was heard and another model came barging in.

"Good morning. Jasmine Lane. I believe we have an appointment this morning concerning the one-year contract that you are offering."

Valarie could only look at the woman for a second. She was even more beautiful than the others. She smiled at her faintly then walked swiftly to Dimitri's desk and dropped her folder on it without looking at him. With that she harboured a straight face and left them to their business.

"Maybe an attempt to give Dimitri a chance was a bad idea after all" she thought.

His job allowed him to be around women all the time and maybe he wouldn't be able to stop himself from jumping around. She needed a distraction. An escape from the thoughts that were dragging her down a dark path. Perhaps a trip to Nikolai's office would help.

"Valarie!" he greeted as she entered.

"Good morning" she smiled.

"I have been wanting to see you but since that last show I have been so busy. Do you know how many people have been at me to get a hold of your designs? The orders are countless. Some of the other companies are even trying to steal you from me."

"Haha well you don't have to worry about that. I'm not going anywhere."

"Good because you can leave anytime and someone else would pick you up. I can't imagine not having you around. "

She smiled and took a seat opposite to him.

"Something have been on my mind though."

"What is it?" she questioned.

"Why haven't you said anything about it before? Especially when Ashley pulled her stunt, why didn't you tell me about it? I would have dealt with that a long time ago."

"Well...you had put Dimitri in charge of that department so I thought that it should be his responsibility to handle the situation. When I saw that he did nothing about it at first, I thought that maybe it would be for the best to keep the event drama free. I waited around because I was curious to see if he would let it happen a second time. "

"I am very disappointed that he hadn't dealt with this earlier and practically made that shameless girl fool us all but I am pleased that he came to his senses. Valarie you are remarkable and I'm not only referring to your talent in fashion. Regardless of the task that is thrown at you, you always deliver nothing but excellence."

"Not every task" she snorted.

"What do you mean? What have you not succeeded at?"

"Getting your son to tie the knot. I can barely get him to stay put."

"Ahh he's a tough one isn't he? Well he has changed quite a bit from since you started. Before you were in the picture, he just about had a different woman every time I saw him. He still hasn't managed to settle with one yet but he really has toned down his 'hopping'."

"I'm not sure what else to do than to let him find the one that would make him stop looking."

"Maybe you're trying too hard or looking too far" Nikolai suggested.

"Wait what?" Valarie looked at him confusingly

He smiled politely. "Nothing, it's just that sometimes the answer could be right in front of you."

She narrowed her eyes on him and cleared her throat.

"Um...yes yes. I'm sure someone will walk right into his arms."

"Mmmhmm. I'm pretty sure that someone close is right for him. I just hope that his eyes are not clouded and he doesn't disappoint me yet again."

"Well, we'll see how it goes. Can I ask something though?"

"Yes of course. Ask."

"What type of woman would you qualify as ideal for your son?"

"To be honest with you, any woman who can get him to settle down would have my blessings but on behalf of my wife, she must be respectful, caring, excellent personality. She must not be solely attracted to his wealth or position but to him as a person. I know my son may seem a ravaged soul but he isn't all that he seems. His crude attitude at times is a cover for the person he really is. Under all that junk, he's my boy. My wife won't have someone tie the knot with him if she isn't able to claw under his cover, get under his skin and to his heart."

Valarie didn't know how to respond so she just nodded.

"Don't worry yourself too much Valarie. I'm sure you'll help him figure it out. Again I thank you for your continued interest in my concerns for him. I know that both of you had a rough start from the start. Cat and dog as I described it to my wife."

"Haha yes he really picked on my nerves I'll admit. He still does at times but I've learnt to manage."

"Good. I'm happy that you both can find a way to get along."

"Well I would rather be playing with my yarn than fighting with a dog" Valarie joked.

"Haha. Ahh yes you never cease to make me smile. Now tell me Valarie, how am I supposed to deal with all this work I have on my hand because of you now?"

"Well I was going to tell you something but I better not make your cooping strategy more difficult."

"What were you going to say?"

"I completed more designs...A lot more" she said, squinting her eyes in caution.

"Ahh! This girl is trying to kill me" Nikolai chuckled.

"I can put them in the trash if you want."

"No dear! Don't be silly. I am just playing with you. I couldn't be happier with the boost you have given this company with your work and I'm excited to show my clients the new designs you have come up with."

He propped his chin with his hand. "Valarie, how could I ever reward you for this?"

"Hmm...by never firing me" she suggested.

"Haha. That is more a gift for me than you, asking me that."

"Don't worry sir, you repay me enough. I'll be sure to help you hold things down the busier it gets."

"Thank you Valarie. I really appreciate it."

The door clicked and halted their conversation. Valarie spun round to see exactly the person she didn't want to see. Dimitri walked in and stood in the doorway with his hands in his pockets.

"Speak of the Devil and he shall arrive" Nikolai joked.

Dimitri raised his eyebrows "So you guys have been talking about me?"

"Maybe. What would you think the conversation would be about?" his father questioned.

"I don't know. The topics concerning me are endless. Tell me Valarie, what were you guys talking about?"

Valarie glared at him and forced herself to speak. "The last fashion show and the success that followed."

She immediately turned away from him to look at Nikolai once more. Nikolai smiled. He could sense the tension between the two.

"Perhaps I could join in on this conversation with you two" Dimitri suggested.

"Perhaps not. I was just about to leave."

Valarie got up from her seat with hot feet. "Sir if you will excuse me, I'll like to tend to those new designs I was telling you about."

Nikolai looked at her in confusion for a brief moment and attempted to wipe the smile from his face.

"Okay dear. I'll catch up with you later."

Valarie smiled at him then turned to exit the room. Dimitri still stood tall in the doorway. She looked up at him and narrowed her eyes.

"Excuse me" she said.

Dimitri stood in confusion for a brief moment before stepping aside. Valarie gave him a final glare before walking out. He stood immovably as she passed by then turned to look at his father.

"Um what just happened?" he asked him.

Nikolai leaned forward and interlocked his fingers that rested in front of him on his desk.

"I don't know but you better go find out" he said, still trying to suppress his smile.

Dimitri stormed out of his office behind her. His giant steps allowed him to catch up to her before she stepped into the elevator. His hand grabbed her arm firmly from behind.

"Valarie wait" he stopped her.

He spun around. "Wait for what?"

"What is it? Why are you acting this way?"

She folded her arms and rolled her neck. "Acting what way?"

Dimitri raised an eyebrow and stood back to observe her features.

"Seriously? You are asking that? You came into my office this morning and said nothing. Then you practically flung your folder on my desk and stormed out. Now you gathered an excuse to leave my father's office when I came in and you're snapping at me."

She placed one hand on her hips and stared at him with raised eyebrows. "Are you done?" she questioned.

"'No, I'm not."

"Well I am."

Valarie turned around and took a leap forward into the elevator. Dimitri leaped in behind her. She rolled her eyes and grunted as he door closed with them both inside.

"Why are you avoiding me?"

"Avoiding you? Honey I'm just giving you space to go be with your women."

"What?" he looked at her confusingly.

"What are you talking about?"

"I saw you in there drooling at all those women's bodies. They are fine models so you can have your pick."

"Wait are you referring to the audition I had earlier. The one that just involved me simply choosing a model to represent our swimsuit line. The one that simply involved me doing my job?"

"Whatever you want to call it" Valarie responded.

The elevator door pinged open and she walked out. Dimitri followed behind her.

"Valarie are you seriously mad at me for that?"

"Mad? Oh of course not. Who said that I was mad?"

"Well if this version of you doesn't entail you being mad then I don't know what to call it but something is up."

She continued walking to his office in silence. He closed the door behind them after entering.

"Valarie just talk to me. Tell me what's wrong."

"If you want to toy with your women be my guest. Go have fun. Go date your pretty, tall, sexy, perfect model girls like you used to. I'm no match for your shiny trophies, hot, smoking women okay? So there is no need to flatter me with your silly dinner and all that fake stuff you said last night."

He stood dumbfounded for a while.

"Wait, wait, wait. Are you jealous of those models I was looking at earlier? And do you think I wanted more to do with them than just business?"

"Me? Jealous? Pfft! No way. I never get jealous. I just get a little worked up when people I don't trust do something that makes me doubt them."

"Valarie I was just doing my job! I simply looked at the swimsuits, some of which you designed by the way and ordered them to leave as soon as I did. I want nothing more to do with them."

"Well I don't know that. A serial killer never really admits that he's a serial killer now does he?"

Dimitri ran his hand through his head in frustration.

"Valarie you keep highlighting the beauty of those women. Have you not looked in the mirror lately? Every time we go out and you wear one of your dresses, I can't take my eyes off you. You are here today in a crinkled dress and messu hair and I still can't take my eyes off you. Those models are just that, a beautiful shell. But you? Your beauty doesn't stop on the outside. It renders in."

"Yes flatter me again. You trained yourself well. I see why you easily sweep women off their feet and into your arms but I'm not so hasty to be fooled."

"Valarie come on! If you were those women to me, believe me, I would treat you as such. In fact, we would not even be having this conversation right now. I wouldn't give a shit what you thought about me. I wouldn't try to convince you that you are wrong. But here I am. I told you before that I am not much of a talker and you are making me talk so much and it's starting to piss me off."

"Well piss off all you want. Men like you can't change your ways. Not for you, not for your father not for-"

"F*ck!"

He had enough of her chatter. Dimitri crushed his lips onto hers and pulled her tightly onto him. He squeezed her in his arms and cupped her butt in both hands. He pressed his lips so hard against hers that she grunted in pain.

Dimitri pulled away and peered at her with darkened eyes.

"Don't make me mad" he warned her.

"We spoke about this before. I wouldn't waste my time to convince you with lies if didn't mean all the things I said. Funny that you got jealous over girls that you have more claim over. You should exercise authority over me the next time another woman makes you feel threatened."

Valarie rolled her eyes "I wasn't jealous okay?"

"'Yes, yes. Whatever you say. Actions speak louder than words. "

He brushed the back of his palm over her cheek. Valarie squirmed and pushed it away.

"Now if you will excuse me, I have work to do."

"Oh no you don't. Not until we work this out."

"There is nothing to work out."

"Last night, you said that you will go out again with me tonight. Say you still will."

She made an attempt to walk off but he held her by the arm once more.

"Say it" he pushed. "'I won't let go of you until you do."

Valarie grunted. She didn't have the energy to fight.

"Fine" she said. "I'll go."

"Good. Tonight I'll show you how beautiful you are."

With that, he released her form his grip. She took one last look at him before turning to walk out the door.

Dimitri stood in amusement as she walked out. Had she really just flipped out because of his innocent interaction with the models? A smile played across his face as he pondered on the thought.

***

Hey guys! I just wanted to thank all of you for the support and for reading my story. I really appreciate it! Thank you also for those of you who have followed me. I will follow you back! :3

I promise that I will reply to all of your comments and messages. Bare with me, my internet is a nightmare! :( Also, I promise that I will get to all those book read requests soon. I haven't ignored you guys. The timing is just a little tough lately. Soon I shall binge read them all! :D

Love you guys <3