Chapter 3 Explanations

VALERIE'S POV

"Explain this " I was told.

I opened my mouth. I could not say anything. What could I say? How could I explain the picture of me in lace and bunny ears that was sent to my boss, the billionaire CEO at 7:30 on New Years Eve?

"I..." My voice was shaking. "I did not mean to..."

"You did not mean to send me a say picture?" His voice was very calm which made it even worse.

"Is that what you are going to say?"

"It was not for you " I said quickly. "There was this website, I needed money. I was trying to..."

I could not finish. Saying it out loud was too hard; I was already too embarrassed.

Then I started crying.

Everything I had been holding inside. The fear, the desperation the feeling of being betrayed. It all came out in sobs. I fell to my knees on his carpet and my knees hurt from hitting the floor.

"My sister is dying " I said between sobs telling him everything that had happened that evening. I hoped he would feel sorry for me and forgive my mistake.

My nose was. My tears and makeup were all mixed together. I was a mess on his floor and I could not stop crying. "I am so sorry. I did not mean to. Please do not fire me. I know I am pathetic I know this is disgusting. Please... I was just trying to save my sister. Please."

There was silence.

I kept my head down looking at the carpet through my tears waiting for him to tell me to leave. Waiting for security to come and take me away.

Instead I heard him walking. He went to his desk. "What is the name of the hospital?"

I looked up confused. "What?"

"The hospital where your sister's. What is its name?"

"St. Michaels Medical Centre " I said automatically. "But I do not..."

He picked up his phone. Dialed a number. "I want to transfer fifty thousand dollars to St. Michaels Medical Centres account. Now."

My heart stopped.

"What... What did you just..." I started to say.

"Your sisters name " he said, looking at me with his eyes. "What is it?"

"Josette " I said, my brain trying to understand what was happening. "Josette Snow."

He spoke into the phone again. "In the name of Josette Snow. I want to know if the money was sent within five minutes."

He hung up the phone.

I was trying to understand what had just happened. "Did you just... Did you just pay for her surgery?"

"Half of it " he said, putting his phone on the desk. "The hospital needs fifty thousand dollars before they can do the surgery. The rest of the money is due in thirty days."

"I do not... I can not..." My voice was a whisper. "How can I ever pay you back?"

Something changed in his face. His jaw got tight. When he looked at me again his eyes were cold. "Do not think this is because I am being kind. This is not a gift, Ms. Snow."

The way he said my name made me feel scared.

"This is a loan " he said, walking around his desk to stand over me. ". I get to decide how you pay me back. You will pay me back every cent. With interest."

"I will work hours " I said quickly getting to my feet. My legs were shaking. "I will get a job I will do whatever it takes..."

"You already have a second job " he said, stopping me. "You are now my assistant. This job is not just during the day; it is all the time. When I call you answer. When I need you you come, no matter what time it is no matter what the reason is. You owe me now Ms. Snow and I do not forget when people owe me."

I stared at him trying to understand what he was saying. "Your... Personal assistant?"

"Is there a problem?" His voice was soft. It was also scary.

"No! No of course not. Thank you. Thank you much. I will do anything..."

"Good " he said, looking at his watch. "Your first job starts now. The office party is going on downstairs. You will go with me as my date."

My stomach felt sick. "Your date?"

"Is that a problem?"

The elevator ride down to the party felt like going to a place.

Daniel Knight stood still beside me with a face that was hard to read. I could not stop shaking. My dress was plain and cheap next to his tuxedo. My face was probably still red from crying.

"Try to smile " he said without looking at me. "You are supposed to be having fun."

The elevator doors. We walked into a beautiful winter wonderland. There were crystal lights, ice sculptures and champagne. Everyone was wearing clothes and suits.

They all turned to look at us as Daniel Knight walked in with me on his arm.

The music did not stop,. It seemed to get quieter. People stopped talking. I felt like everyone was looking at us.

"Mr. Knight!" Someone came over with a smile. "We did not think you would come!"

"I would not miss it " Daniel Knight said smoothly. "This is Valerie Snow, my date for tonight."

That made people look at me more.

Then Mr. Knight walked away to answer his phone leaving me alone in the crowd.

That is when I saw Liam.

He was standing near the champagne with a woman on his arm. His eyes got wide when he saw me and his mouth opened in surprise.

"Valerie?" he called out loud, for half the room to hear. "What are you doing here?"

Before I could answer another voice spoke up.

"Well well. Look who managed to get into the party.”