(28)

Third Person's POV

❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌

"And I hoped that this week, everyone will cooperate to promote a healthy environment. Thank you" And with that, Valarie's speech ended, and with the applause from the crowd, she stepped down the stage. After getting a kiss on the cheek from Vaughn, she went to take her seat back at the V.I.P section.

"You were amazing"

"That was a great speech" People complimented her along the way. And she, not forgetting to say her thanks. As she settled down, her eyes glued on the announcer.

"Now, presenting our main sponsors for this project" Everyone's eyes focused on the big screen, as they showed the companies and people that invest in this project.

"Our major sponsorship will be giving a few words, and will officiate the 'Glam Green' project" Valarie went through the itinerary of the day and look at the name of the major sponsorship.

"H. One?" Valarie thought to herself. She never heard of this person before. Is it a he, or she?

"Introducing our major sponsorship and one of the top models in the industry, H. One! Also known as, Mr. Hyungwon Chae!" Valarie's body tense up at that name, feeling her heartbeat race, and clearly Rae noticed that. Valarie's eyes darted up and she felt like everything around her faded and she couldn't see, or hear anything else, other than him. A million thoughts were running through her head, but she simply couldn't calm herself at the moment.

"I have to thank Mr. Nino Vaughn, for giving me this opportunity to prove myself worthy, by giving back to the community..." Valarie zoned out, when his eyes shifted towards her and her brain couldn't process anymore. Rae looked towards Valarie to see her face is as hard as stone, emotionless and frozen in spot.

"Valarie" Rae whispered. No response. Seriously? What kind of powers does this man have on her? It's been years, and she's still not over him. Rae shake her head slightly, before reaching out her hand and touching Valarie's hand. Valarie snapped out of her trance, looking over towards Rae.

"I have to go, Rae" Valarie stated. Rae didn't even have time to respond when Valarie already stood up.

"And to Ms. De'Casper" Valarie froze, hearing her name being called out. Crap! She mentally cursed! She slowly turn to face the stage, looking at him.

"I'm glad to be cooperating with you for this project. And hopefully, many more events together in the near future. Cheers!" Hyungwon put up his glass of champagne towards the audience and Valarie grabbed hers and put it up as well, forcing a smile, as the crowd started applauding. Hyungwon just simply smirked at her, while she clearly had the daggers for him.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Uggh!!!" Valarie yelled out in frustration, as she threw things towards the window.

"Hey! Hey! Calm down!" Rae stated.

"What the hell is that man doing here?!" Valarie grunted out, breathing heavily as tears pricked her eyes.

"I hate that man!" Valarie groaned out.

"I can tell you detest him! But enough is enough!" Rae grabbed the tissue box from her hands that she was ready to throw.

"Val, look at me!" Rae gripped her arms and made Valarie faced her.

"You're hurt. I understand"

"Why do I feel like he's laughing at my face? I feel like he is saying that he won. That he managed to beat me down" Valarie's tears pooled.

"No, Val. You didn't do anything wrong. There's no reason for you to show your anger. You made it this far, because you were determined"

"Don't lose focus on your goal now. Don't let him win" Rae stated, making Valarie to take a deep breath in and glance around at the mess she made.

"I'm such a monster"

"But he's a worse monster than you" Rae stated. Valarie felt worn out, she went to lie down on the bed, feeling tired.

"You're right, I should focus on the goal" Valarie placed her head against her palms.

"I just want justice" Valarie murmured, defeatedly.

"And you will get it. We will find out who killed your father"

~~~~~~~~~~FLASHBACK TWO YEARS AGO

Valarie's eyes was clouded with tears, she looked down at her bare hands, seeing her tears dropping on them. Rae reached over and wrapped an arm around Valarie's waist. Rae's eyes narrowed on the Chae family. They look like they didn't even care! Do these people have no feelings? Rae watched as they lowered down the coffin and Valarie's sobs became louder, seeing the dirt being thrown onto the coffin and completely covering it.

"He's gone. He's really gone" Valarie cried harder onto Rae's shoulder. The Chae family approached Valarie and Rae eyed them warily, before giving them space to talk.

"Valarie, our condolences to you from the Chae family" Mr. Chae said, not attempting to give any other words, or actions of comfort.

"Thank you, Mr. Chae" Valarie said, her voice shaky and cracking. Hyungwon's parents left and Valarie was left alone with Hyungwon.

"My condolences to you" Hyungwon said, coldly. He turn around and went to leave, when Valarie reach over and grabbed his coat.

"Mr. Chae, if you aren't too cruel, please, can you accompany me for the day?" Valarie asked, through her tears. Please, just this once, I need comfort from you, just to pull through the day.

"I'm sorry, Ms. De'Casper. Our ties are severed from now on. I clearly told you, I wouldn't want anything to do with you anymore"

"But, ple-"

"Hyungwon, come now" Valarie was cut off by his mother calling for him. His mother had her eyes narrowed on Valarie, clearly disgust is apparent in her eyes for her.

"Hyungwon, from now on, you should carefully pick who you befriend. You shouldn't pick someone with no status, or class" Mrs. Chae's tone of voice sounded so sweet, but the venom in her words is too painful. Valarie went silent hearing that. She felt like her heart was cut up to pieces. This was karma, she understood now. This was how she used to look down upon people who were poor, or didn't have any status. Valarie let the tears drop, she was frozen in spot, unable to feel anything, but letting the tears drop.

"Mother. Stop being so cruel. She just lost her only family" Hyungwon wouldn't mind comforting her, but he didn't want to give her hope. That's the last thing she needed from him, to be hurt by him.

"Maybe she should know her place"

"What if father heard you?" Hyungwon asked.

"Your father despise them more than I do. I don't care if he heard me" Hyungwon look out the window to where Valarie was standing. He didn't feel any remorse, or guilt. Valarie is not the first person he broke, and clearly, she won't be the last. Hyungwon look towards the front, as the car started driving away.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Those people are cruel. They live in their own world, being surrounded by wealth and luxury" Valarie commented, glaring at him from far away.

"That was how I lived. I can't believe how blind I was" Valarie look down at her fingers.

"You still act like a princess, Val" Rae chuckled. Val look at herself at the current situation, sitting in the comfortable leather seat, the fan directly at her, someone doing her makeup and sipping on expensive tea and looking like a million bucks.

"Uhm... that's enough. Thank you" Valarie thanked the makeup artist, feeling embarrassed, knowing that Rae was correct.

"Don't worry, Val. You've changed for the better, I believe" Rae stated, putting a hand on Val's shoulders.

"Now go and stunned him" Rae gave her motivation.

"You're the best, Rae" Val said, gripping Rae's hand back and smirking at her reflection in the mirror.

xxxxxxxxxx