Falling Red

5

♤ I have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon ♤

*unedited*

♦V E R O N I C A♦

I breathe the fresh air as I walk out of the hotel. This is what's called life. Have a job, earn well, be independent and fly free in the sky.

My neck is sore, hands are aching. It was so exhausting. I have never worked so much. I just want to go back and lie on my bed. I feel so tired yet excited. The day passes with lots of twists. Firstly, I wake up in the bed of an unknown person who turned out to be a gentleman. Secondly, at the first day in the hotel I was unexpectedly promoted to the post of Accounting Manager. When I ask for the reason, Manager Green replies that their Accounting Manager has left so they urgently need someone to look after the accounts and other than my experience of working, my qualification matches perfectly.

So over and all, the thing is I am going to manage the post for some time. I can't help but smile.

'You will have a great day today, Red.' The magnetic voice runs in my mind on its own. My lips stretch more to the end. Mr. Saviour is surely turned lucky for me.

I pull out my phone from my handbag and unlock the screen. My eyes turn wide at the notification. Oh, no, no, no. Mia is going to kill me. So many missed calls and messages! Why have I not noticed it before?

I skip everything and dialed her phone number. As the rings of her phone fall on my ears, I close my eyes and cross my fingers. Don't be angry. Don't be angry.

"Where the hell you are? Do I have to send a search party to know your whereabouts?" All my prayers go into gutter as soon as Mia picks up the call and shouts. "You got me so worried sick."

I roll my eyes heavenwards. "Mia there is no need to sarcastic. I am grown up woman not a child who needs a mother hen all the time."

"It will be better if you were a child," she contradicts immediately. I tell you, she always has an answer to my words. As if she the answers prepared in her mind and when the time comes, she just throws it on my face. "You need more care than a child. I thought something had happened to you."

In her words, I am a magnet who attracts trouble all by myself. C'mon, it is not my fault. I just wanted to do something that makes me happy but it always has an opposite result.

"Come soon. I will order something to celebrate your day."

"Thank you." I sigh, hanging my phone. I know what she is worried about.

Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been if I had not left that place. Most probably there would be another grave next to mom. My father wanted to use me for his business. I really think he has raised me till this date is only to sell me to get secure his position.

Not only him but my ex-boyfriend, Jake, too. He was someone whom I trusted other than my mother and told him all my secrets. In that whole place, he was the only person who makes me happy. But he cheated on me because he was frustrated that I do not let him have s*x with me. I mean, I agree that when two people feel for each other, they become more intimate but did he ever considered my condition back then?

From childhood, I saw my father torture my mother and eventually led her to death. He was the person whom she trusted upon and in return she got a cold burial ground. With Jake, I was trying to gather myself back and to tell the truth, I was going to give him my virg*nity to him that day but he chose a wh*re over me. Because of him, I became a joke in front of everyone's eye. My position was bad to start with but his action made it worse.

I still remember the comments and talks that others used to say behind my back. Worthless. Wh*re. Discarded piece.

Many a times, others try to force me but somehow I saved myself. The day I left that place, I promised myself to never return there ever again.

I am scared of being intimate to anyone. I do loved Jake but my fear was greater than my love for him. I think that's why I never able to reach upto that level. However I am thankful to him to show his true face before my feelings goes deep. Now, I do not have any guilt or burden on me. I left my past to control my present and secure my future. I will be a normal girl who does not need to fear that anyone would break into the room anytime. I will be a plain and simple girl with bright dreams for my future. Maybe in this journey I really get a prince charming, who hold me like a pearl in his palm.

It is time for me to live my life on my terms. There is no Romeo, no Jake and no mafia. I purse the pain in my heart and resolve my confidence.

When I reach to the apartment, Mia has already arranged everything for the small celebration. I drop my bag on the floor of the living room and totters to the table full of food. There is a red velvet cake, two large size pizza, two burgers and chilled beer. Ah, watching so many items lined up on the table, I do not realise until now that I had not taken my lunch. My stomach growls, making Mia laugh.

"And someone says, she is not a child," she comments, mockingly.

"Shut up." I immediately take a seat and position the knife over the cake. "Let's celebrate."

After the dinner, as soon as I saw my bed, I just throw my body on it and let the sweet dream of a gentleman with greenish blue eyes, takes over in my sleep.

~*~*~*~

The next morning, I just had a cup of coffes before running for the hotel. I arrive early in oder to finish the work but I still have to go through some files. Yesterday, these things were somewhat complicated for me to oversee the past few days accounting operations. It cannot be taken lightly. This hotel really has huge expanses from the knife to the magnificent chandelier.

"Veronica," Kelly knocks at the before peeking inside. She is the one who is guiding me from the last day and trust me, she is a great help. If it was not her, I think I would have spent my whole night here with these files. "Are you done with everything?"

At first, I thought Kelly would be some mature and stern woman but after meeting her, I get to know better. She is three year older than me and has been working here for four years. She is homogeneous and comfortable to work with. I like her.

"Oh, hey Kelly. Come in, please." I put the file in my hand down and smile at her. "No. There is still one left. Is there anything?"

"Boss wants you to take the revenue report to him."

I look at her and then at the last file that is still untouched on my desk. "Is it urgent? I mean, do I need to go at this moment." I massage my forehead. It starts to ache now. Working at high position is not a easy job. Forget it, working itself is not easy job. "Actually, I still had not gone through the revenue report. What if he asked me something?" Wouldn't I lose my job even before I make myself comfortable in this new office?

"Don't panic. Put Freya on the line and then negotiate the time suitable for you. Mr. Rio is not that dictator type. He is an easy going person. Moreover, you are new here, it will be fine," Kelly reassures but I cannot say that I feel better.

"Okay. Thank you. I will do that."

"I am going to pick my coffee. Do you need one?" Kelly asks before opening the door of my cabin.

I gratefully smile at her. If it were her then my days in the office are hard to imagine. "That will be great."

I quickly put Freya on the line. She is the secretary of Mr. Rio. Luckily, Mr. Rio has an urgent meeting so I have time till afternoon to present the file to him. I take a deep breath and push my spirit. C'mon, Veronica, you can do it.

It's time for my first face-to-face meeting with the owner and I feel a bit nervous. I have confidence in my work but still as a new employee there is still a sense of edginess.

I set my hair, run my fingers against my shirt and lastly adjust my skirt down. First impression in the last impression, I remain myself as I set myself in a presentable position. Good to go!

I knock the door before pushing the door slightly open. I glance inside but there is no one in the cabin. I momentarily feel confused but before I turn back, a voice falls into my ears. "Come in."

I do not know where it comes from? But I remind myself to not probe more than required. I slowly get inside and close the door behind me. "Good afternoon Mr. Rio. This is the revenue file that you have asked me to bring," I say in one breath as soon as I reach near his table.

"Put it on the desk."

This time I guessed the direction of the voice and raise my head. A sudden gasp escaped from my mouth as I stare at the person in front of me. What is he doing here? I question myself as soon as his familiar face appears in front of me. "You are the owner of the Paramount Group of Hotels?" As soon as I say, it appears to be unbelievable for my own ears. When I left his penthouse yesterday, I never imagined we will meet again. C'mon, in this whole world why he happens to be my boss?

He leans against the wall, his lips stretch in a smirk and he runs his tongue over his lower lips before he speaks, "It pleasure to meet you again, Red."

Fu*k! I am officially doomed! Why my life is so screwed?