Chapter 3
Valerie Masterson
All night, I’ve had the most gorgeous man looking at me.
He seems to check off every box I could imagine.
I try to ignore the loud music and the sound of clinking glasses nearby.
My gaze travels from his stunning blue eyes, blonde hair, broad shoulders, and muscular frame.
All of which looks like he could pick me up and carry me anywhere.
Perhaps I’m letting his looks stir my libido into overdrive due to my lack of sexual activity.
I need to be rational about this. Let’s face it, there haven’t been stimulating conversations all night when we’ve spoken to each other.
But we’re in a club after all and haven’t been closer than a few feet away from each other.
I think to myself, is he the one I want to go home with?
Do I want to start a relationship with some random stranger? Are my expectations of men too high?
The music changes to a slow melody, and he finally asks me to dance.
He escorts me to the dance floor and pulls me close.
Suddenly, alarm bells go off in my head.
What is that smell? Is that cigarette smell being covered up by something else?
Oh my gosh, it’s worse. He’s trying to cover the gross smoke smell with bad cologne. It’s so strong I can taste it.
Why didn’t I smell this earlier? Must have been too many other colognes and perfumes masking his stench. Oh God, I vomited in my mouth a little. When he sings along to the song, I close my eyes. Not because his voice is hypnotic.
No, it’s because I can’t cover my ears to the ear-piercing sound coming out of his mouth.
My body yells retreat. I stayed long enough for the song to end.
Not because I’m being polite, but because he has me in a bear hug that is downright crushing.
I have to think of a tactful way of telling him I have to go.
A familiar voice shouts out. “Valerie, it’s time to go. Our car is here.” Thank God, I’m being rescued. His arms loosen around me and his eyes meet mine.
“You have to leave?”
“Yeah, sorry, I do.” I shimmy out of his arms and put out my hand like we’re ending a business deal.
“Oh…” The disappointed expression on his face tells me everything. “…can I see you again?”
“I’m not sure. I have a business trip coming up this week and it’s going to take me out of town for weeks.” Which is a bald-faced lie.
“Can I have your number?”
My name is called from the crowd again. “It was nice to meet you. Sorry, I have to run.” I turn and book it off the dance floor as fast as my legs will carry me .
“Valerie, sorry to cut the evening short.”
“No worries, you did me a favor,” I say as Liv hands me my clutch bag.
We make our way through a throng of people in the club.
We step outside where a car is waiting for us.
There’s a crisp chill in the San Francisco air that makes me shiver.
I long for a scarf to wrap around my neck. I rub my hand up and down my arms.
We open the door and sit in the backseat of the self-driving car service. It beats walking or driving ourselves. Some people freak out about driverless cars. I prefer them over having conversations with drivers I don’t know. Plus, I don’t have to deal with parking.
The car pulls up in front of our apartment.
It’s a cozy, modest apartment in the heart of San Francisco, and I love it.
It’s within walking distance of a park where I enjoy relaxing and people watching, and just a few short blocks away from Haight Street.
Somewhere I can find a quick coffee, or a store filled with vintage clothes from every era.
The city has so much to offer. I’m always discovering unfamiliar places to explore. It’s a wonderful place to live.
I say goodnight to my neighbor Liv, unlock my front door, flip the light switch on, and walk up a flight of stairs.
Once I get to the landing, I slip off my heels.
Whisker-loo, my tabby cat, rubs her head on my legs letting me know she’s hungry.
Although I’m exhausted, I take care of Whisker-loo and pour food into her bowl.
I scratch the top of her head, and she purrs; now I can head to bed.
The morning will come in no time, and I’ll have to start my busy schedule all over again.
After taking off my dress, I slipped into my pajamas.
I glance at the clock and pull the covers back.
It’s already past midnight, reminding me how quickly the evening slipped away.
Despite the late hour, the comforting warmth of my bed seems to promise a restful night’s sleep.
I take a deep breath and exhale. I close my eyes and drift off to sleep, feeling content knowing Whisker- loo is taken care of as she lies at my feet.
The next day, I’m woken up by my kitten standing on my chest. She rhythmically presses her paws into my skin.
I open my eyes and look at her. She gazes into mine and purrs softly.
I stroke her fur and smile. “Okay, okay. I know you feel it’s your job to wake me up before my alarm goes off.
But I would have woken up on time.” I pick her up and place her aside, so I can get up and start my day.
I grab my work clothes then take a quick shower.
Once I’m done, I wrap a towel around my dark auburn tresses.
I look at my reflection and scowl at myself.
Another night that I’ve left makeup on my face.
I sigh in frustration and grab my makeup remover.
I scrub my face clean and pat it dry. After I brush my teeth, I dress for success, just like my mother said, right down to the four-inch heels that accentuate my calves.
I open the app on my phone to call for a car service to pick me up.
The estimated time of arrival is twenty-two minutes.
It leaves me plenty of time for cereal, a cup of coffee and to feed Whisker-loo properly.
My phone pings with multiple incoming messages.
My day begins filled with high-stake negotiations and nights spent attending glamorous events.
Staying busy provides a welcome distraction, allowing me to momentarily sidestep the reality of being single and feeling a hint of loneliness.
Many people enjoy being single; the idea of having no ties or responsibilities and the freedom to leave at a moment’s notice seems liberating.
But I’m not one of them. At twenty-eight, I’ve accomplished so much in my life.
The only thing I haven’t found time for is marriage and having children.
Now with my best friend Layla Matthews set to get married soon, I kind of regret the number of hours worked, and not being available for a serious and meaningful relationship.
Who knows, maybe I’ll find “ the one” when I least expect it.
I grab my handbag and keys and head downstairs to catch my ride to work.
As I travel in the car, my mind starts to wander.
How many precious moments of love have slipped through my fingers?
Am I so desperate for love that I would rekindle a previously broken relationship?
Before I can contemplate the men that have come and gone in my life, the car pulls up to the curb of my building.
I step out of the car and look up at the Salesforce Tower across the street from my work.
It’s a beautiful building, known as the tallest skyscraper in San Francisco.
With sixty-one floors of glass and steel, it can be seen in almost any location in town.
I glance at my watch and make my way indoors.
I press the button for the elevator and take a sip of my coffee.
Other workers gather around me, waiting for their turn to ride the elevator.
Once the doors open, everyone makes their way inside filling the car.
As I announce my floor, a wave of agreement ripples through the elevator.
The closest person to the buttons jumps into action, pressing each floor in quick succession, and together we ascend, anticipation builds with every stop we make.
As each person departs, they wish everyone a good day.
Once I exit off my floor, I repeat the well wishes to the remaining people standing in the elevator. I open the glass doors to Phoenix Construction and see Devin sitting at the receptionist’s desk who greets me with a smile.
“Good morning, Valerie.”
“Morning, Devin. Do I have any…” Before I can finish my sentence, he hands me a stack of mail and messages. “Thank you. Have I told you lately you’re amazing?”
“No, but you don’t have to. I know you appreciate my work.”
“Do you want to have lunch today?”
“Sorry, no can do.”
“Are you busy? ”
“No, you have a meeting with the CEO this morning.”
“I don’t recall having an appointment. Did it get added to my schedule?”
“Yup, by the man himself. He called me and said to clear your schedule.”
“Oh, okay. Thank you for letting me know.” I nodded and turned to go down the hallway to my office.
My mind was spinning with anxiety. Is he unhappy with my work?
Is he planning to let me go? The only thing I can do now is ensure my tasks are completed and my work is impeccable.
I turn on my computer and wait for it to warm up so I can log in.
I glance around the room at the photos of the buildings we’ve constructed, and some of me cutting ribbons at opening ceremonies.
A lump settles in my throat and I hold back tears thinking of what’s to come.
As the property acquisition manager of Phoenix Construction, I’ve immersed myself in all aspects of real estate, from assessing land potential to skillfully negotiating and securing properties.
Each step of the journey has been an exciting challenge!
I am willing to take on any job, no matter the size.
As I lift my gaze from my hands back to the screen, the cursor blinks expectantly, eager for me to finally sign in.
I rub my hands together before I type my credentials and wait for my home screen to pop up.
A photo of me with my best friends on a cruise to Mexico sits on my desk.
With a heavy sigh, I click open my calendar, eager to uncover the time for my upcoming meeting.
My eyes scan the entries, searching for the elusive moment when I’ll need to be in the spotlight.
Nine thirty is my scheduled meeting. Okay, I need to make a quick phone call or two, then I’ll be mentally ready for whatever is in store for me.
I set an alarm on my phone for nine-fifteen so I can run to the bathroom then grab another cup of coffee before I head into the conference room.
I need to keep it together, work diligently, and not get inside my head and worry.
Before I knew it, my alarm went off. I rush to the restroom and then stop at the break room for some freshly brewed coffee. With my coffee mug in hand, I grab a pen and a pad of paper from my office before heading to the conference room. I take a deep breath and pull the door open.
Gathered around the impressive long, oval mahogany table, I find our dynamic CEO, Mr. Steven Graves, at the helm.
His presence commands attention, setting the stage for an engaging discussion ahead.
He sits along with the remaining upper management at the table that seats ten people comfortably.
I nodded my head to acknowledge their presence.
I pull out a chair to take a seat at the opposite side of the long table.
“Valerie, please sit closer.”
“Yes, sir.” I walk further into the room and take a seat across from the CEO. The black leather seat is cold against my skin.
“Let me begin by telling you that I think the world of you, Valerie.”
“Thank you, Mr. Graves.”
“The last thing I want is for you to become bored with your job.”
“That would never happen, sir.”
“I’m glad you feel that way. However, I’ve been thinking about expanding our operation.” I listen to him closely, as this doesn’t sound like he’s going to fire me.
“Well, times are changing, and we’d like to develop property in another state.” I nodded my head and continued to be intrigued by his words. “That’s where you come in.”
“How so, sir.”
“There’s a small town in Texas called Skybrook, where we would like you to travel and survey several properties.
We’re excited to embark on an unforgettable journey by creating a stunning hotel and an exquisite golf course!
Could you head over there and dive into some thorough research for us? I need your insights!”
“You mean, I need to evaluate the economic growth and any potential impact on wildlife?”
“Precisely! And if all goes well, we’d like to open a small satellite office. Are you interested in going?”
“Yes, sir. I’m honored that you want me to take on the project.”
“Wonderful. Just one more thing.” I waited with bated breath for his next statement. “I’d like to send Devin with you. He seems to be catching on and this would be a great time for him to learn the ropes.”