Chapter Twenty Four

Everything had been going on pretty well for me and I was grateful for that. The bar was giving me good morning even though I noticed vale was beginning to act strange.


My job was not that bad, my colleagues were nice as well and the work was lesser these days.

Rosie and I had lunch on several occasions most times we would lose track of time because we were so engrossed in our lists.


I was so tired after working at the office, but I still had no singing session today but I just wanted to chill out and relax.
I got in a taxi and went to the bar, which seemed to be the only place that came to my mind at the moment.


I took a seat at the far end of the bar, it was quite hidden though and the light there was not so much.

My phone was buzzing and I took it out of my bag to answer it. It was Laurie.


"Hey Laurie"

"Hey, bestie... where are you?"

"I'm at fishies bar."

"With who?"

"I'm alone"

"That's boring. I'll join you soon and spice up the night for you"


"I'll be waiting" and the line went off.

I ordered for a drink and I sipped on my drinks as o sat calmly accessing the place and the people.


It was funny how I'd become a little bit popular around here. And so this was the perfect spot, someplace in where I could hide.


A man walked into the bar and I recognized him immediately. It was the mystery man. He didn't notice me and that hurt but I didn't blame him. The poor lighting at this end made that impossible.

I didn't want him to disappear from me again like he always does and so I placed my eyes on him.

After considering it for a long, I summoned up the courage to approach him first.

"What had come over you?" I asked myself

But that didn't stop me from going further. And before I could change my mind I was already seated in front of him.

I honestly wasn't always so brave. I considered myself to be a chicken most times, but today I was really not a chicken.


"Hi," I said


I was not so sure I did the right thing at this point. I was scared that he'd embarrass me by walking away but he responded.



"Hi," he said calmly.


"I'm Arya and what's your name?"

"Do you go around asking every Tom dock and Harry for their names?"

And it was at this moment I realized I'd been stupid.

"What were you thinking walking up to a guy?" I asked myself.


"I'm sorry if I bothered you. I'm really sorry" I apologized and left the table back to my seat.

I hoped no one saw what had just happened. I didn't feel like staying anymore. The bar suddenly felt so small. I had never been embarrassed in my entire life in this manner.


I paid for my drink and left the bar immediately with my head down of course because I was really embarrassed. I don't know when I bumped into someone. I looked up and there was Vale.


"You okay Arya?"

"I'm good. I just want to be out of here"

"Did that man do anything to you?" Vale asked and I was shocked and embarrassed that he might have had noticed what happened in there.


"No he didn't.... let's get out of here"


"Are you sure?"


"Yes I am .... "

Vale and I went somewhere else and then he got me ice cream while we talked about business.

"How's work?" He asked


"Work is great and I have you to thank for that"

"That's great


"I saw the way you wee looking at him. I'd there something is should know? Is he the reason you do not notice I have feelings for you?"

"What are you talking off?"

"That man at the bar"

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

And before I could say anything else, he crushed his lips on mine.
I pushed him away. I was so furious at what he had done. We had spoken about this and he had promised me he was not expecting anything in return. I was too blind not to have noticed it.

"What are you trying to do Vale?"

"I don't know what came over me. But I can't help it anymore. I love you, Arya. I can't stop thinking of you"


"You promised me this would not happen. We are just business partners. Feelings will mess everything up"

"I don't care. I can't do without you Arya, please allow me to show you how much I care about you ". He said as he came closer to me.

I was so scared that he'll take advantage of the advantage of the closeness and repeat what he did earlier. So I moved back l, he grabbed my hand and his grip was so tight.


"Let me go Vale" but he wouldn't let me go.
And before I knew it his hand landed on my face and I lost my balance and fell to the floor.


"You are hurting me Vale"


"You are a whore. You choose a stranger over someone you know"

He pulled me up forcefully and held my face with one of his hands while his other hand held my arm tight.
I kept on struggling till I pulled my hands out of his grip and then I ran away. He was chasing beside me.


I was so scared. I thought vale was different. I thought he had my best interest at heart but I was angry.

I got in a taxi quickly. Laurie had warned me about Vale but I hadn't listened to him now I was beginning to know why.


I felt really stupid for not seeing this part of him. He was no different from Mr. Edwards, they were all the same.

I got home and went into the bathroom. I turned on the shower and I cried my eyes out.

It was so unfair how things always went sour for me. I had no idea how long I spent in there but I was so exhausted.