Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Ding!

Val had just ordered pepperoni not longer than 12 minutes when she heard the doorbell ring. She had just taken a bath and was applying her skin care.

Her figure stood in a white bathrobe and towel wrapped about her head in the bathroom.

" That's fast..." She wasn't expecting the delivery until in another 15 to 20 minutes. Not that Val had a problem with how fast this was, not at all. She even thought that perhaps it was a new feature.

' Fast delivery finally being put in practice...'

Val put down the cosmetics, checked herself one last time in the vanity mirror before leaving the bathroom to get the door.

" That was quite fa-" However, Val froze on her speech when she saw who it was and just stared in a daze at his figure with her mouth agape.

" Hahaha! You must really not have been expecting me" Bob chuckled sweetly as he stood by the door in casual clothing.

Contrary to his words, his sweet scent brought Val out of her daze as it struck a memory. Val would always recognize that cologne of his anywhere.

" Wh-wha!" Val was unable to make a word as she just open and closed her mouth in an inaudible mutter.

" Can I come in?" Bob asked with a bitter smile.

It took Val a while to register his words.

" I'm sorry" She shook her head. " Ah, Yes" She stood aside and gestured for Bob to come in.

" Thanks " Bob nodded and stepped in.

" I didn't know this place was this nice" Bob said looking around the living room. It had a slightly dim but comfy setting with technical modern design.

" Well, yes it is... I still have you to thank for it. Thank you" Val said expressing a formal thank you to him in person. She found it hard to speak properly to him as she still wasn't over the surprise.

Val didn't realize she wasn't well dressed as she would like to be at the moment as only one thing bothered her. Did he just show up at her apartment like this? she still found it hard to believe.

" Bob, what are you doing here? that too this late in the night?" Val couldn't help but ask, her voice a little shaky.

Bob turned around to face Val and chortled slightly as he said. " I came to have a talk is all. Since we can't talk about it on phone"

Val was slightly taken aback, but understanding what he implied, she caught hold of herself and acted right.

" Please" She gestured that they sit and talk. Bob nodded and approached the sofa.

Once they settled, Bob looked Val up and down. In the tight bathrobe that left her delicious figure in imagination, Val was simply eye-catching. Her skin glossed and her face had a subtle glow that added an allure to her appearance. Her neck was slightly moist, and Bob could tell she was the same all the way down to her toe, making her body appear soft and slightly plump. Her legs were clean, long, straight, and gleamed sexily under the dim lighting. She could only be described in one word,

" Gorgeous! I should see you more in the night" Bob commented with a flashy grin and stared at her in awe.

Val hid her glee and just smiled gently, though the healthy blush on her face betrayed her. She didn't find it awkward that he admired her look at all, after all, she's a mature woman with a mind of her own. At this moment, she was glad she put on the bathrobe.

" I never thought you'd look even better outside those suits as well" Val pointed at his choice of dress.

" Haha! of course." Bob laughed. " I must admit, Val, besides your beauty, your wits always gets me"

" Hehe" Val giggled slightly.

" Val, First I want to say that I've recently been feeling really bad for dragging you into all of my thing despite the emotions you're going through. I know you're doing quite well, but I just thought to check... if by any chance this is harming you in any way, please, don't hesitate to tell me. I will certainly respect your decision and regardless, my promise to you will still stand no matter what"

Val was speechless for a while as she just stared at Bob in thought of what to say. It was true everything he said, but still she felt it would be unfair to just bail out like this. Call it overcommitment issue or whatever, her persona just wouldn't let her,

" No, not really, I'm fine. It's hard sometimes, but, it's not like I can't handle it" Val dismissed hastily as though waiting any longer would make her words less authentic.

" Thanks alot for all the care, Bob. You warm my heart" she added with a smile.

Bob was slightly taken aback. His face beamed into a genuine smile shortly after. " I'm just looking out for you. it's nothing. I know how it feels after all" Bob scratched his neck.

" Yeah right. You're the one going through the most though. How have you been holding up with everything that's been going on around you?" Val asked with a genuine show of concern.

" Well... I wouldn't say it's not emotionally draining, but, I'll be fine" He shrugged. Val could tell he wasn't being totally honest, but she decided to not pry deeper.

" The trial is on the 1st, and Attorney Chris and I plan to force an adjournment " Bob stated.

" What!? why?" Val was shocked. She knew about the trial date as Attorney Chris had informed her just days ago, however, she knew nothing about the latter part.

" Well... it's not certain yet. But we believe it's necessary since we'll be needing witnesses which we currently don't have much of at this point."

Val frowned and darted her eyes about in thought to his words.

" What about Mark? You said you could use him"

" Val, you and I both know that scum of a man is worthless. The fact that he hadn't confronted you speaks volume of what's going on. He probably must have been bought out by Courtney. It's better to not bother with him at all for real" Bob projected calmly.

Val thought Bob was right. Mark was a total jerk after all, there's no telling he wouldn't betray them if they'd try to use him to expose Courtney.

" So it's a gamble?" Val muttered out loud in a daze.

Bob pursed his lips " There's not much choice. I have to risk it."

" I just hope Courtney doesn't have anything up her sleeve. Seriously I don't know how and what she plans to use against me. Probably some minor arguments and instances where I was wrong in the past?"

' And of course, you.' Bob thought to himself as he looked at Val. He knew she wouldn't betray him in any way, well, he trusted that she wouldn't. But He couldn't tell what Courtney could do.

Of course, she must have figured that something had happened between him and Val.

' Good thing I hired those bodyguards to watch over her from behind the scenes...' He was slightly relieved only after this.

" Haah!" Val sighed having giving thought to Bob's words but still with nothing to say.

" Haha! are you worried for me Val?" Bob chuckled.

Val peered a gaze at him and said. " I just think it's quite unfair that she'd do this to you. Despite being the one at fault in all of this..."

" Life darling, is unfair" Bob shook his head.

Val pursed her lips having nothing to add to Bob's words. The two remained silent and the atmosphere became awkward.

Bob couldn't get his eyes off those legs of hers for a reason despite how much he tried. It was weird being alone with someone whom he'd been with before in bed, and still sort of desired and not feel any urge. He could still remember how soft that body of hers felt in his embrace and how tender she was.

' It's supposed to be a one time thing!' Bob screamed internally. He was not emotionally balanced and certainly wasn't in the best state of mind.

" Well... I guess I should leave now." He looked at the time on his wristwatch and said with a heavy exhale as he stood.

Val was suddenly jolted out of her thoughts and she stood abruptly as well. " Oh, well... " She was clearly disappointed.

Bob missed this and took it as a sign to leave.

" Will see you soon, then" He bid Val a goodbye.

" Yeah" Val rubbed her arms and responded in a low tone.

Bob walked towards the doorway and swiftly left.

Val could still hear the sound of his boots clicking on the hallway and she felt the urge to run after him and call him back to stay the night with her for whatever reason.

She wanted him to bed her and fuck her sorrows out like he did last time. She wanted to tell him about the pregnancy as well while they made love. She wanted all of this, really she did!

But sadly, she knew what had happened between them was only supposed to be a one time thing. And probably would never happen again...

Val fell in the sofa and covered her face with her palms.

Few minutes later.

Ding!

The delivery guy arrived. Val suddenly felt a huge hunger pang hit her. It wasn't until now after Bob had left that she remembered how hungry she still was.