Chapter 9 Valeria remembered that it had been a week since Sebastian said that he was busy and that he would talk to her about returning the dog next week . A few days back , she had already discussed with Lucy about getting a puppy , to which Lucy immediately agreed . There was a terrace at the attic that could serve as an open space for the puppy. Since Valeria had already made up her mind to adopt a pet dog , she was also determined to take good care of it . So long as the dog did not bark too loudly and disturb the neighbors , having a pet around could even keep Selena company whenever Valeria was busy . Valeria had been thinking about a lot of things over the past week . One thing among many was that Sebastian had gotten himself a girlfriend . Even if he did not , Valeria knew that there could never really be anything between them . She decided that from now on , she would just avoid having him as her doctor whenever she went to the hospital for follow - ups . Slate City was a big place , after all . There was no way they would keep running into each other . Lindsey noticed Valeria's frown and asked , " What's wrong , Valeria ? Did something happen ? " Valeria replied , " Are you free tomorrow ? I want to get a puppy for Lenny from the pet fair ." " Sure ! I'll see you tomorrow morning . " The next morning , Lindsey drove Valeria to a pet shop . A chubby beige colored puppy started licking Valeria's fingers , its tiny eyes full of spirit . Valeria immediately bought it . When she brought it home , Selena was thrilled and held it cautiously in her arms . However , Valeria also noticed that beneath Selena's joyful expression was a faint trace of disappointment . The pet dog was not the stray that Selena had rescued . Some things just could not be replaced after all . Valeria brushed a strand of hair from Selena's forehead , suggesting , " Lenny , let's give it a name . " Selena fell into thought for a while . They went through many names and eventually settled on naming the puppy ' Pork Chop ' . Pork Chop was very well - behaved and quickly adapted to its new home . Chapter 9 Valeria had also bought some pet supplies . Pork Chop was an adorable little puppy . It liked to curl up on Valeria's slippers at night , causing her to always check the floor whenever she got out of bed , afraid that she might step on it . Valeria did not hear from Sebastian for the entire week , save for one phone call she missed because she was busy . She eventually forgot about it over the course of her packed schedule - that was , until Wednesday . Lindsey was clutching her stomach when she came to Valeria for help . " Valeria , are you free at noon ? I'm having a really bad period cramp today . " Could you do me a favor and help Ms. Lawson deliver lunch in my stead ? She said to bring it to cardiology room number two in the outpatient wing of Gildrum Hospital . It's for her boyfriend . " Valeria agreed to help after seeing just how pale Lindsey had become from the pain . Lindsey was Sabrina's assistant , so she often ran such errands . Valeria later arrived at the outpatient wing of Gildrum Hospital at around 11:50 am . The door to room number two was wide open , revealing a few patients inside the room . She walked up to the entrance and planned to just drop off the lunch there . However , to her wildest surprise , Sabrina's boyfriend was Sebastian himself . Golden rays of sunlight spilled through the window onto his white coat . He was focused on typing in prescriptions on the keyboard while calmly giving instructions to the patient beside him . Valeria gripped the thermos tightly as she pursed her lips . She had just taken a step back to leave when Sebastian suddenly looked up , as if her every action was being put under the spotlight . She immediately froze mid - step . He frowned slightly and tapped the table with his finger . " Come in . " The patient beside him left the room , leaving only Valeria and Sebastian within . Calming herself down , Valeria walked back inside the room one step at a time before putting down the thermos on the table . " This is from your girlfriend , Sabrina . She asked me to bring it to you . The Lawson family's housekeeper prepared it . Have it while it's warm . " She spoke up like a robot reporting the completion of its task . Then , she prepared to leave as soon as she finished . A deep , cool voice stopped her . " From my girlfriend ? Since when do I have one ? " Valeria replied , " Ms. Lawson's my boss . Everyone at work knows that she's been dating someone recently . " Chapter 3/4 Then , she recalled the woman's voice she had heard on the phone a few nights back , wondering whether it was Sabrina herself . She continued , " Well , I shouldn't pry into other people's personal matters . I've delivered the lunch as instructed . I'll be going now if there's nothing else . " She did not feel like arguing with Sebastian at that moment . As Valeria turned to leave , however , he suddenly grabbed her wrist . She could not react in time and stumbled right into his arms . At the very same time , one hand slid down to her waist , while the other hand tilted her chin up , his thumb pressing lightly on her soft lips . He whispered , " Ms. Neal , can you help me ? " The rough texture on his thumb grazed her lips lightly . Valeria trembled slightly , her lashes fluttering . Sebastian saw someone walking through the door from the corner of his eye . He squinted as he tightened his grip on Valeria's waist . Surprised by how slender it was , he still pulled her forward , causing Valeria to fall straight into his lap . He then lowered his head and went in for a kiss . His kiss , however , landed on his own thumb . He did not directly kiss her , but the distance between them was still so close that it was almost nonexistent . Valeria was completely frozen . Her eyes were wide open as she stared at the face inches away from her own . Sebastian's handsome face was right in front of her , his nose brushing against hers . Their breaths were entangled in the same exact space . Her entire body was stilled as his overwhelming presence engulfed her . Valeria felt a buzz running through her mind , and she instinctively pushed Sebastian away , only for his hand on her waist to tighten up further . She was utterly confused . Suddenly , a woman's shriek rang out from the doorway . " What are you two doing ?! " Valeria was snapped back to her senses , while the hand on her waist rose to the back of her head to press her into Sebastian's chest . Sebastian looked toward the door , responding , " Ms. Gardner , it's currently break time . What I do is none of your business . " Ruby replied , " You rejected me because of her ?! What does she have that I don't ? Our families have known each other for years , you know ? I'm just more suitable for you in any way , shape , or form ! " Sebastian's long fingers traced the curve of Valeria's back . His dark eyes stared coldly at Ruby by Chapter 9 the door as he replied emotionlessly , " Close the door , please . You're not welcome here . " Ruby gritted her teeth as she glared at Valeria's back , as if trying to carve a hole through Valeria . Valeria slowly looked up and met Sebastian's deep eyes . His sharp gaze was noticeably filled with a look of amusement . Only then did she realize that he was just putting on a show for Ruby to get rid of a clingy pursuer . From Ruby's perspective , they must have looked like they were kissing . However , in reality , Sebastian did not touch Valeria's lips . Even so , they were still really close to each other . Their bodies were practically pressed together . Sebastian spoke , his voice low and alluring . " Ms. Neal , how long do you plan to sit on my lap ? " He looked into the startled eyes of the woman in his arms , a faint yet meaningful smile on his face .