A Simple Mistake
1299 Words
Ian Wolf's POV
Veronica stays silent for a few seconds as she looks at me. While I gave her a cold stare and raised an eyebrow.
"Speak up or get out."
I see her tremble slightly before taking a deep breath.
"You know we still have things to talk about."
"Seriously? At this stage, you want to talk about what happened?"
She took a seat in front of my desk and ran her hands over the short red dress she's wearing. Her dark eyes plead for pity.
"I know I hurt you a lot."
"Tell me something I don't know. By the way, Fernando told me you want to go get your stuff from the apartment."
"They're mine."
"But I gave them to you," I replied. "Besides, there's nothing left in that apartment. A week ago, I was given the keys to the house. You know, the one I had built for us."
I can't hide the bitterness in my tone.
"God, Ian, are you going to condemn me for a simple mistake?"
"A simple mistake," I repeat.
She really believes that what she did was just a simple mistake.
"Your ability to label what you did lightly surprises me. Choosing the wrong color for a wall is a mistake. I found you having s*x with another man, Veronica. On our wedding day."
She shrinks in her chair.
"I know, and it only happened that one time."
I laugh.
"Don't make me look like a fool. Tell me something, who was the man you were with that day in the church?"
"That’s not important. You're what matters to me."
"Is that so?" I pointed to my face. "Tell me, Veronica, would you really be with me looking like this?"
"That can be fixed," she smiles slightly, "you have money, and surgery could..."
"I'm not interested in doing any of what you're saying."
"Now you're being stubborn,” she replied.
"If you're done with whatever you want to say, it's better that you leave."
“I won't lose you over my stupid mistake. I still love you.” She tilts her head as tears stream down her cheek.
I grit my teeth when I feel my walls crumbling.
"We had planned a life, Ian. A perfect life for both of us,” she said.
I cleared my throat. "You said it, we had. Now there's nothing we can do to turn back time and prevent your actions from having these consequences."
She looks at me in disbelief. "Are you accusing me of your accident?"
"No, I'm the only one to blame for believing you and letting you make a fool of me."
"If I could turn back time, I would," she whispers, "for us."
The door opens, and Fernando enters with a smile that fades when he sees Veronica.
"I'm sorry for entering without knocking, but your assistant isn't at her post..."
Damn Monica!
"Come in, Fernando. Veronica was just leaving."
"Ian."
Seeing that I won't say anything more, she grabs her bag.
She takes a few steps forward and stops to look at me.
"Don't think I'm giving up. And even though you deny it, I know you still feel something for me."
She looks at my friend. "Fernando," she nods before leaving.
When she's gone, Fernando closes the door behind him, and I curse at length.
"What did that damn woman want?"
I shook my head. "Forget it."
"Ian."
Fernando takes a seat in the chair Veronica occupied moments ago.
"You're not thinking of getting back with that woman, are you?"
I shook my head. "Even though I still have feelings for Veronica, I can't, something just broke that day."
He seems relieved at my answer. "I understand."
"What's so important?"
"We have a contract with the Lous Vuitton group for three more years."
"That's great, we've snatched a good opportunity from Williams."
He nods. "The man surely isn't happy to have lost to Wolf Diamond."
"That's how it is, if he wants to be the best, he has to compete with the best."
I lean back in my chair. "Speaking of the best, have you thought about what I told you? About the surrogate mother."
I nodded. "In fact, I'm working on it. But it's a secret for now."
"Are you really considering it?"
I nodded again. "Not only am I considering it, I'm working on getting the perfect candidate to accept."
He looks at me.
"Are you kidding me?"
"Not at all, in fact, if all goes well, the candidate will walk through that door soon and accept my proposal."
"Can I know who the lucky one is?" he asks sarcastically.
"Not yet. You still can't."
"And you know your mother will be furious."
"Mom will have to accept my decision and my methods."
"I want to be a fly on the wall when you tell Selene."
I've known Fernando since university. And more than once, he's been taken in by my mother, who adores him. She really is a kind woman. But also firm in her convictions, and Fernando isn't wrong when he says that my mother will be furious.
Now I'm just focused on the outcome, the process... Well, we'll see along the way.
The phone in my office rings, and I pick it up.
"Mr. Wolf..."
"Well, it seems you've returned to your post, from which I clearly told you not to leave unless it was an emergency."
"I'm sorry... It was a female emergency."
"I don't want to know more."
She clears her throat. "Mr. Saenz is on the line."
"Patch him through."
Fernando looks at me with curiosity, but I shake my head.
"Mr. Wolf, I've done the homework."
"That's efficiency."
"You know how I am," David boasts.
To the point.
"The building you asked me to investigate is mortgaged, and the bank will soon take possession of it... if you want my frank opinion, the place isn't worth it. The area is working-class, and the economic level of these..."
"I'm not asking about their economic level, David. Cut the unsolicited advice," I interrupt. "My lawyer will get in touch with you, and I want them to pay off the mortgage."
"Do you really plan to buy a rundown building?"
"I remind you that I pay you to work, not to be my advisor."
"Yes, sir."
"I want to assign the property to Wolf Diamond Trading."
"Anything else?"
I smile with satisfaction.
"I want you to work with the lawyer and get an eviction order as soon as possible."
With that, I hang up and look at my friend, who is clearly curious about my actions.
"What are you planning now?"
I scoff and shake my head. "You know I'm an expert at getting what I want."
"I'm aware of that. I've seen you make the best deals since you took over the company."
"If there's no way, I make one, and that's what I'm doing."
"I get scared when you get enigmatic and philosophical."
"Just be content knowing that I just bought an apartment complex."
"Is the location good?”
"No, to be honest, it's a dump, but it's important to me."
"For you?"
"That's right. Let's just say that with this, I'll be one step closer to achieving my goal. By the way, do you know the director of FAFSA here in Seattle?"
"Yes, he's a family friend."
"I'd like to talk to him and give him the details of someone who hasn't paid their loans."
"Ian. You know what they'll do to them," he says, concerned. "Do you want their wages garnished?"
I tilt my head as if considering the matter.
"It's possible, but it all depends on how my plans unfold."
"I don't know what you're up to, but I need context."
"Soon, dear friend, very soon."
- Writer
