Chapter 570: Concerned friend

Aria did not even care about the other people in the office before she ran after the nurse while Preston followed her closely. He did not know why but he wanted to be close to Aria at that moment. It was as though his heart would only be calm in her presence and his turmoil would end on seeing her pretty face.

Valerie smiled at seeing her colleague and friend running behind Aria with a lovestruck gaze while the girl in question had no idea about it. She could not help but wonder if liking someone seriously changed people to that extent or was it all within them and only gushed out when they found the person they desired to be with.

"I wonder how I would be when I fall in love." She mused out loud, gaining Ivy's attention on her.

"I am sorry. Did you say something, Valerie?" Ivy lowered her phone and stared at the woman, who seemed to snap out of her thoughts after listening to her voice.

"What?" Valerie gave her a confused look, and Ivy let out a giggle.

"I thought you spoke something."

"Did that come out loud?"

"I guess so. But I did not hear a word. Anyway, how has work been?"

"Kinda stressful, especially after the blockbuster news yesterday night." Valerie sighed and took one of the chairs in front of Ian's desk while Ivy occupied the other.

Ivy's smile widened at her words and she bit her lip, wondering if she should tell her the truth. Eventually, she settled to do it, especially when Valerie would soon be finding out everything about them as well as their plans. 

"I think I would be guilty of it then." Ivy sighed, and Valerie narrowed her gaze in wonder, urging her silently to continue. "It was my agency that released the news and I am in that team. So, more or less I am responsible for your stress."

"I should have thought so. Only you are capable of giving me headaches." Valerie complained but her tone gave away her state of mind. She was far from complaining about it.

"Can't help it. We are more resourceful than you guys are. We need to grab the opportunity before anyone else does. After it is business even though we are revealing the truth to the public." Ivy shrugged as though it was not a big deal, and Valerie nodded immediately.

"Can't deny that. It is always early bird catches the worm. By the way, when did you collect all this information? It sure seems that you have been into this for a long time to have collected such abundant pieces of evidence." Valerie probed, her curiosity now piqued.

"Let's just say I have a courageous friend who did the job for us. You would be meeting them tonight, and I am sure you would be surprised to find out who it is." Ivy said, not so mysteriously and Valerie had to tilt her head to show her bewilderment.

"Is it someone I know?" Valerie questioned, already having a hunch about who Ivy was talking. 'Who else could it be other than Maggie?' She wondered, her eyes quivering in perplexity. 'How does Maggie know Ivy? Is Maggie staying with Aria and Ivy right now?'

A lot of questions popped up in Valerie's mind as she waited for Ivy's response.

"Maybe." Ivy just shrugged, keeping the suspense continued.

"How do you know her?" Valerie could not stop herself now and her eyes widened in shock.

"She is a friend of mine and Aria's."

"Is she staying with you?"

"You can say that." Ivy mused.

"Why didn't she tell me where she was staying? I was worried for her."

"That, I do not know. You will have to ask her yourself."

"Wow," Valerie mumbled, still reeling in shock. "This sure is a terrific surprise. I now realize how you know a lot of secrets, a lot more than I do." 

Ivy just smiled at her, allowing her to have the say her. She was glad that Valerie was not blaming her or her group for what they had done, neither had she chastised Maggie for helping them instead of the Intelligence for which she once worked and was still working in secret.

"I wonder how Ryder would take it. He has been going crazy since she disappeared."

"Ryder? Is he the one Maggie likes?" Ivy raised her brows playfully and Valerie nodded. "Ahh, nevertheless, Maggie kept mumbling about some man whose name she never took before us. So, there is a Ryder in her life. And from your previous words, I presume he too has the same feelings as hers. This is interesting." 

Ivy commented more to herself than to Valerie. "Tonight, the lovers will me and boi, what a meet it would be. I will bring out my popcorn and cola."

Valerie chuckled at her words and shook her head. "I wonder if it will be more explosive than the news your agency released yesterday."

"Hmm, I wonder too. Ahh, young love." Ivy sighed and once again, Valerie chuckled.

"You speak as though you have either been love forever or you are yet to find a man to your liking."

"Neither." Ivy did not mind speaking about her love life to Valerie. "It's been only weeks since I started a relationship and my man loves me."

"What about you? Do you love him too?"

"Yes, I do. But please do not tell him once you meet him. He is already in another galaxy, I do not want him to have his head high even more. I am yet to confess to him."

"Is it someone I know?"

"I think so. It's Joshua Martin."

"No wonder. From your words, I assume that I will be meeting him tonight."

"There are chances of it happening. But I am not sure. Joshua is injured currently and that stubborn man refuses to recuperate. If he finds out what is happening tonight, he will come flying over to attend the meeting. It's like where there is drama and action, there is Joshua."

Valerie burst out laughing at her words. "You both make an interesting couple. What about Aria? Does she have someone in her life too?" She inquired, hoping against hope for her answer to be negative. She wanted her friend to get his first love.

Preston had not once been in any relationship, and Aria was the first girl who had caught his eye. And Valerie wished for him to get what he desired.

"Yes, she has a boyfriend too." As soon as Ivy revealed, Valerie's heart dropped, and she suddenly felt too bad for the man who right now had no idea about him. "And it is his house we are going to tonight."