Page 11 of Her Alien Owner
Her eyes widen. “TheValen? As in mysterious-billionaire-Valen?”
I nod.
“Wow. Didn’t see that coming.” She tilts her head. “Why you?”
“Beats me.” I shrug. “He seemed... interested at the party. But there’s something about him, Kaitlyn. He’s kind but... there are so many rumors.”
She crosses her arms and leans back. “Like what?”
“War profiteer, shady investments. Stuff like that.”
Kaitlyn whistles low. “Sounds like a soap opera villain.”
“Exactly! And yet... he was kind to me when I almost made a fool of myself.”
“He probably wants to make sure his expensive rugs stay clean,” she says with a smirk.
“Maybe,” I admit, unable to help smiling back.
“But seriously,” she continues, her tone softening, “what do you think?”
“I think I’m desperate enough to consider it.” The words taste bitter in my mouth.
She reaches out and squeezes my hand. “Look, Ariana, I get it. Bills don’t pay themselves. But this guy... he sounds dangerous.”
“I know,” I sigh. “But what choice do I have?”
“There are always choices,” she says firmly. “Just be careful, okay? Don’t let his money or those smoldering eyes blind you.”
“You think his eyes smolder?” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.
“Oh please,” she laughs. “Even from afar he’s got that brooding thing going on.”
I laugh too, feeling some of the tension ease out of my shoulders.
“But seriously,” she says again, more quietly this time, “keep your guard up.”
“I will,” I promise.
We sit there for a while longer, chatting about safer topics—her latest kitchen disaster and my attempts at knitting—until it’s time for me to head back to my tiny apartment and face the decision waiting for me.
As I walk home through the dimly lit streets of Armstrong, Kaitlyn’s words echo in my mind: keep your guard up. But as much as I try to steel myself against whatever dangers Valen might pose, there’s no denying the magnetic pull he has on me—a pull that feels almost... inevitable.
The phone feels heavy in my hand as I dial the number for Valen's estate. My heart races with each ring, and I'm almost relieved when a butler answers, his voice smooth and detached.
“Valen’s residence. How may I assist you?”
“Hi, this is Ariana. I’ve decided to accept the job offer,” I say, my voice steady despite the whirlwind inside me.
“Very well, Miss Ariana. Please pack your belongings and be here at dawn. You’ll start immediately.”
“Dawn?” I echo, a bit thrown off by the abruptness.
“Yes, ma’am. Is that acceptable?”
“Uh, yes. Of course.”
“Excellent. We’ll see you then.” He hangs up without another word.