Falling Red

14

♤ Do not tell someone about your good side to make them stay. Tell them your worst side and see who stays ♤

*unedited*

♦ V E R O N I C A ♦

The room allotted to me was quite generous. It is more spacious and more beautiful than the places I ever lived in. In spite of begin the daughter of the leader, Mom and me were never allowed in the main house. We were always sidelined to a small cottage far away from luxuries.

But I had not unpacked my bags because I know I am not going to live here for long. However, even after spending a day here in the house, I still was not able to meet Mia's new 'boyfriend'. I just know his name is Hardin and for some reason I feel I had heard this name before. I just cannot recall it.

At dinner, Mia walks in with a man. I put my fork down and squint my eyes. If I remember correctly, I had seen him before. "You?"

"Veronica, this is Hardin," Mia chimes and then turns her face at Hardin. "Hardin, this is Veronica."

Hardin smiles at me. "We meet again."

I still do not know what to say to him but Mia perks her brow, "You both know each other?"

"I bumped into him at the first day of my job," I explain, flatly. "However, I really did not expect that you guys will be dating."

"I too really did not expect to see you here."Hardin laughs. "The world is small, isn't it?"

"Very small." I gesture at the seat, "Want to join for dinner?"

"No, Veronica." Mia shakes her head and looks up at Hardin. Her eyes brighten up. "Hardin wants to take me out. I just want to introduce you two so I pull him here with me."

"Oh, a date?" My lips crock up.

"No!" Mia hurriedly shushes me throwing a sweet glare in my way. "It is a simple dinner."

Hardin and I look at each other and then break into laughter. I bob my head up and down, "I understand. A simple dinner."

"You—" Her face flushes red. She looks cute when she appears lost in words—specially against me. Hah, I shut her up! She does not say anything more and drags Hardin with her.

After finishing my dinner, I walk out on the back side of the mansion. The mild cold breeze of the night brushes my skin, making me shiver. I slowly walk into the garden in silence. Here the guards are less on patrol so the place is shrouded in silence. The lights outside is dim and low. I sit beside the pool with my toes in water and look up at the dark sky. Tonight the sky is clear and devoid of clouds. The stars are twinkling. My heart fills with complex emotion.

I do not know if you are watching me, Mom. I do not know if you feel happy after seeing me like this. I ran away from that place as I promised. I got a job in a top class hotel and currently hiding from your husband. If everything goes in the right direction then I hope to visit you soon.

It has been time since I went to visit Mom's grave. She must be lonely. I breathe in the fresh air when I feel someone's eyes on me. I turn around but could not find anyone. I wrap my hands around me and close my eyes. Though the feeling of being stared at is still nagging inside my head but I decide to ignore it. The person does not have any harmful intention towards me so be it.

*~*~*

The next day, I deliberately leave the mansion early for the hotel. However, I soon regret not taking a cab, in order to save some money; because I again run into someone I do not want to—a lackey of Jake. I look around but this part of city has less or nearly no public transport. I hide behind the building and my eyes trail off to the sight of a man lurking in one of the alley in front of me.

He is covered in blood and looks beaten to the extent that he cannot maintain his posture in the air. He is rolled over the hard floor. His clothes are slashed from many places and the bruises are open to everyone's eyes. I retreat my eyes from the sight, shut my eyes and grit my teeth. I do not care if he dies or not. I still remember how he used to taunt me after Jake cheated on me. But why they all are here in this city? F*ck, an unlucky day!

My heart stops pumping for a second before it pounds hard against my chest. I do not know whether my father got my location or bumping on this people again and again is only a coincidence. I keep my face down, take a one-eighty-degree turn and slip away from the place. I will take any other route than facing these people.

*~*~*

It is noon and the meeting room is filled with people. This is my first official meeting with everyone. However, if Kelly had not dragged me here, I really did not have any idea of this bimonthly meeting. The purpose of this meeting to look over the statistics of the finance in every two months, and plan efficiently for the future.

My phone vibrates. I shoot a quick glance at everyone only to find others busy in the presentation. I slide the lock of my phone under the table. A notification of a text message flashes on the screen but the owner of the message makes me raise my brows up.

Cranky Boss: Come to my office.

Alex is so moody and cranky that I find this name is best for him.

I swiftly type a reply: Now?

It does not take a minute when my phone vibrates again. I clutch my phone hard and click the message open while keeping my expression as neutral as I can.

Cranky Boss: Yes, now.

I rest an elbow against the table and rub my temple. What got into his a*s now? However, I still hope that he will understand that I am not free at this moment so I move my fingers again: Is there anything important? If not can I come a bit later?

However, this time the reply comes in time shorter than the previous. Is he sitting with his phone in his hands? Does he not have any other work?

Cranky Boss: Try it and see if I do not fire you out.

I suck a deep breath, press my lips hard and force my fingers against the keypad with a force as if I throttle him: I cannot. I am sitting with Manager Green and others in a meeting.

How can he be so unreasonable and petty? I am working for his own hotel not for his rival's so that he keeps distracting me again and again. At least it will not look good to leave a meeting in middle when I am the most unsuitable and inexperienced person in the room. People do not say anything but their eyes cannot hide the contempt. Nor I can expect everyone to have a good opinion for me.

Cranky Boss: NOW.

I cough while Kelly gives me an amusing look as if she has caught me red handed. Oh, please, it is not like I was having a private chat with my boyfriend. It is their cranky boss.

I excuse myself from the meeting and then slip in the elevator. When I reach there, Freya is not in her seat so I directly walk towards Alex's cabin.