Falling in Love : I love you, Today and Forever
Chapter 760: Pleasant company

Chapter 760: Pleasant company

Valerie drove steadily on the road as she approached the cafe Ian had informed her. Even though she was reluctant, her heart forced her to overcome her frenzied state and meet him. Unlike her friends whom she ignored, she could not bring herself to disregard Ian as well and she did not know why.

Valerie surprised even herself when she agreed to meet Ian. She had agreed to it the moment the man had suggested to meet. But she regretted it instantly once the call ended. She was in no mood to meet anyone. Her emotions were on a haywire and with her foul mood, she would only show her unpleasant self before others.

Her fingers had lingered on Ian’s number for a long time. She had all the intentions to call him and cancel the meeting. However, she eventually didn’t, forcing herself to arrive at the designated place.

Ian had arrived and was waiting for her. To her relief, none of her friends were around. Valerie was glad that they respected her wishes and had not forced their presence here. Otherwise, she was sure she’d have lost her cool.

Ian smiled widely when he noticed the Deputy approaching him, only for it to vanish the next instant when he saw her red eyes. He did not have to think twice to realize that she had cried.

Although Ian felt bad for her, he did not point it out loud, allowing the lady to have her moment. She was already depressed and vulnerable and anything he said could trigger her even more.

"Hello, Deputy. Welcome." Ian was gentle and accommodating and Valerie had no reason to show her dispirited self to him. So, she smiled back at him and took the seat opposite him.

"May I know why you’ve called me here, Doctor?" Valerie did not beat around the bush and came to the point directly.

"I will. I will. What’s the rush? Let us order something before we start talking."

Ian did not allow her to object and handed her the menu. "Order something please."

Valerie looked at him stunned and she sat frozen in her chair for a few seconds.

"Deputy, please," Ian stressed when he noticed her unmoving.

Sighing in defeat, she opened the menu and scanned through the items while Ian watched her from the corner of his eyes, his lips quirking up into a subtle smile.

Valerie could not decide what to order. Everything looked delicious. But she could not bring herself to eat or drink anything. Her terrible mood had killed her appetite.

"If you’re unable to decide, may I suggest something?" Ian suggested when he noticed her dilemma.

"The cafe is famous for its mini cheesecake and blueberry cake and if you wish to drink something, try their Pina Colada, non-alcoholic of course. I heard it tastes good. But if want something hot, I’m afraid I can’t help you with that." Ian suggested and Valerie was surprised to see the man suggest all sugary stuff.

"Well, I never expected you to have a sweet tooth. Surprising!" Valerie commented and Ian was relieved to see her mood turn for the better. She was even smiling while she surveyed the menu.

"Well, a man has his guilty pleasures and let’s just say eating exotic food is mine," Ian replied.

"I never expected you to be a foodie. This is interesting." Valerie felt her somber mood disappearing slowly and she realized how relieved and at ease she was in Ian’s presence. The light-hearted conversation was just to her liking and Valerie relaxed visibly.

"Who can say no to delicious food? Not I at least." He grinned back at her. "Have you decided Deputy?"

"Yes, I’ll have a mini blueberry cake."

"Good choice."

The waiter approached them when he realized that the couple was ready to place their orders.

"We’ll have one mini blueberry cake and one Earl Grey tea, please."

Ian and Valerie waited until the waiter was gone before they returned to their conversation.

"So, Doctor, why have you called me here?"

"Are you alright Deputy?" Ian’s expression turned solemn and he observed her closely. Immediately, her expression changed and she lowered her gaze as she tried to hide her sadness.

"May I ask what were you doing when I called you? Where were you, Deputy?" Ian was careful and gentle with her, not forcing her to say anything she did not want. He gave her the space she needed and respected her wishes while trying to help her relax her mind.

"Do I have to answer you?"

"No, not at all. It’s your wish. You have the say here." Ian declared his stance right away, showing her that he would do nothing to make her uncomfortable.

Valerie sighed and looked at her fingers. "I was in the car race track."

"Race track?’ Ian’s brows shot up in surprise. Her answer was unexpected.

"Yes." Valerie licked her lips and took a moment to collect her thoughts. "Every time I think about Dad or if I am furious and need a place to vent my anger, I race on the track. Alone." She clarified and Ian swallowed the question that was on the tip of his tongue. At least she was not harming anyone else in her rage.

"Since the day Dad left me, car racing has been my way of coping with frustration, anxiety and anger. It is a way for me to release my stress."

"And your friends do not know about it?" Ian questioned softly.

Valerie shook her head and raised her head to face him. "It is my sanctuary, the place where I can vent out my emotions without anyone seeing my vulnerable self, without judging me. I feel liberated, rejuvenated and myself every time I am there."

Ian nodded his head in understanding. He could more or less empathize with her for he too had been in her state a decade ago when Theo had brought him back after saving him from the kidnappers.

At first, it had been hard for him to deal with his emotions. But after he started training, he spent more hours in the gym and the punching bag had become his close friend over the days. It was his method of releasing his frustration.

The waiter arrived with their order and Ian moved back, allowing him to place the cake on the table.

"Try it, Deputy." He urged and Valerie picked up the spoon. But stopped when she realized that he had nothing to eat,

"What about you, Doctor? Are you not having it?"

"I have my Earl Grey tea." Ian picked up the cup of tea and beamed at her. "And I am not hungry. Moreover, you need it more than I do."

Valerie did not argue with him and took a bite of the delicacy before her. It was even more delicious than she had thought. "This tastes better than I assumed." She hummed in joy as she took another bite.

"I am glad you liked it, Deputy." Ian watched her eat the cake with relish and his heavy heart too settled down. He felt undeniably happy to see her smile and this thought surprised him. But he pushed it back and drank his tea silently.

A rare moment of tranquility fell over them. But neither of them despised it. The calmness, instead, pulled them closer and they felt emotionally attached.

"You know, Doctor, I have never lowered my guard down in front of others this quickly. You are a first." Valerie revealed. She had no worries that the man before her would betray her somehow. He did not seem like that, and he did not feel like that. Unknowingly, she had placed her trust in him long ago. It was just that she had never had the opportunity to understand it.

"Then, I am honored." Ian bowed his head slightly, making the lady laugh with his antics. But she stopped when she recalled why she was even here in the first place.

"Did you call me here to persuade me?"

"Persuade you?" Ian gave her a baffled look. "Why would I persuade you?"

"Since I hold Mr. Jonathan Carter responsible for my father’s death, although he was not."

"Deputy, you are right in your place to hold Grandpa responsible for your loss. As you said, he had a lot of opportunities to prevent the mishap from happening. He could have saved quite a few lives as well. But it didn’t happen. The situation was complicated and considering the old man’s character, I am sure he did his best to stop Jared and his men but failed at it."

Ian leaned back on his chair and held her gaze. "I’ll not speak for him, nor will I ask you to forgive him. No. You are right to blame him and it is up to you what you intend to do next. But I have just one thing to say. Do not lose yourself in your anger that you fail to distinguish right from wrong."

Although Ian did not say it explicitly, Valerie understood what he was referring to. She pursed her lips and dropped the spoon on the plate.

"Although the old Carter has committed mistakes, he also tried to repent. He was, however, outsmarted by Jared. Let me give you an example, Deputy." Ian pulled his sleeves up and leaned on the table.

"We open a hospital so that we can cure the patients. But if we are unable to cure him and he passes away, does that mean we killed him?"

Ian’s question got Valerie thinking. Although the analogy was not apt, she understood what he was trying to say.

"You are smart, Deputy. I’m sure you understood the meaning behind the words. I just do not want you to drown yourself in hatred towards a person who does not deserve it. You can be infuriated with him as long as you want. But do not loathe him. This is my only request."