Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
"W-What?"
Valerian could feel a flush darkening his cheeks. He knew this almost seemed like he was asking her to pander to his ego, but it wasn't that at all. He just wanted to know—-
"Why do you like me?"
Because it didn't make sense at all, why an angel like Poppy would be attracted to a jerk like him.
"W-Why wouldn't I?"
The tone of her voice had Valerian imagining her squirming as she spoke.
"You know how you look. Any girl would have a crush on you."
Valerian struggled not to feel disappointed by her answer.
"But...that was just the start, you know? You'll probably think I'm crazy, but...but...I love watching you work."
Her tone was a mixture of shyness and certainty.
"You were passionate about it. Competitive but not in an ugly way. And I...I know this may not be the time to speak about it," she said in a rush, "but I know how hard you've been working to turn things around. Heather told me you won't be exactly penniless even if your company went down, but it's because of the people who depend on you that you're not giving up. And that's what...that's w-what I really l-like about you."
Memories alone made it easy for Valerian to imagine Poppy blushing as she started to stammer.
"I k-know this may not mean anything, but I just want you to know...I believe in you. I know you can do this. I have complete faith in you."
The quiet conviction in her words was unmistakable, and it was this that had Valerian slowly squeezing his eyes shut.
Why, dammit?
Why was Poppy's trust in him absolute while his own girlfriend of eight years hadn't hesitated to throw him away at the first sign of trouble?
Why was Poppy still by his side when the rest of the world had already written him off?
It just didn't make fucking sense at all.
The cynic in him was convinced it was only a matter of time before Poppy revealed her true colors, and that she, too, would choose to leave him.
"Eight am tomorrow," he heard himself say.
But there was that other part of him...
"I don't understand..."
It was a part of him that Valerian didn't know existed until this moment.
"I can book you an 8AM flight tomorrow. Will you come to me?"
"Y-Yes."
"I'll see you then."
"O-Okay?"
Valerian hung up without saying goodbye.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
He couldn't believe how hard his heart was pounding, and all for a girl whom he had largely ignored for eight months.
I like her.
The words felt like they were about to burst from that secret part of him.
I like her.
If Camelia were still his girlfriend, Valerian's honor would have made sure this part of him remained buried deep in his subconscious.
I like her.
If Camelia were still his girlfriend, he would've spent the rest of his life never knowing that Poppy had stolen a piece of his heart...from the first time their eyes met.
Chapter Fourteen
POPPY HAD NEVER FELT so pampered in her life. Heather had arranged for Monty to drive her to the airport the next day, and his big, black, shiny limo had created quite the fuss in her working-class neighborhood.
Poppy, just like everyone else, had vague dreams of traveling. But these were also grounded in reality, with Poppy imagining that she would likely be in her sixties before she could afford to do so. That she would also fly economy was a given, but as God would have it, her first flight turned out to be a lot more magical than she allowed herself to ever dream of.
Valerian had arranged for her to fly in business class, and the perks that came with it had Poppy feeling like she was a child again. Her ideas about the dos and don'ts of flying proved outdated, and there was just so much to discover and enjoy.
For one thing, Poppy had thought Internet access was disabled when aboard a plane, but she was happy to be proven wrong.
Poppy: This is one of the most amazing experiences in my life. Thank you. I just feel guilty I'm having such a great time while you've been burning the midnight oil at both ends.
Valerian: You're already helping me with your messages. I wouldn't be inclined to take a break from work if not for them.
Poppy: Be prepared for a barrage of messages in that case, complete with an unnecessary number of exclamation points!!!
Valerian: You can type everything in uppercase if you wish. I'd still enjoy reading your messages.
Poppy: I never knew you were such a flirt!!!
Valerian: There's a lot of things you don't know about me.
Poppy: There are also plenty of things you don't know about me. You're not the only one who can be mysterious.
Valerian: You won't get any arguments from me about that.
Poppy: I feel like you're insulting me in a really clever way, but whatever. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.