Why?

In his office, Veronica had sat herself on Roland's lap and leaned into Roland, their foreheads touching. She withdrew for a second before their lips met. Not in any way that could be brushed off as just being friends, but in a hot, fiery, passionate way. For that brief moment, Roland seemed unable to think straight.

Seemingly after she'd had her fill, Veronica jumped up from her lap and smiled brightly at the dazed Roland.

"Ahem— Um, what was that for?" Roland said. As he spoke, he stared into Veronica's eyes, unable to look away, as if held prisoner by them.

"Just because," she answered.

Having returned to his sense, annoyance surfaced on Roland's face. "What were you thinking? The walls of this office are just glass; everyone out there, my employees, will have seen that!"

"That was the idea," replied Veronica.

"What? Why?"

"That doesn't matter. I'd say my goal has been achieved anyway; everyone now knows."

Roland had no words.

'I guess she's just over excited that we're dating and didn't know how to tell the others. This was a very 'Roni' way to go about it. Besides, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited by it too.'

For a moment, they smiled at each other, neither daring to be the first to look away. Eventually, Veronica asked, "Do you want to go for lunch in a bit? I was going to hang out with Nana, but she had to rush back to the hospital."

"Nana? It's been years since I last saw her, how is she?"

"She's doing well. Oh, if you see her around, call her the 'Healing Angel', that's her nickname at work!"

"Ha ha ha! Knowing Nana, I bet she hates that name."

"Yes, it really embarrasses her."

The two chuckled before deciding where to eat. After some debate, they'd settled on a local burger joint that they were both fond of.

…

As it was only 11:30 am, Roland continued to work for the next hour. Veronica plonked herself on the sofa in his office and whiled away the time on her phone.

An hour later, Roland had finished his work for the morning. After helping Veronica into his coat, Roland donned his own, and they headed out.

The couple walked over to the elevator, both conscious of the gazes focused on them.

"See," Roland whispered, "this is why you shouldn't have done that."

Veronica paid no heed to him.

Ding!

The elevator eventually arrived at their floor.

As the elevator doors opened, they unexpectedly saw Anna inside, gazing blankly down at the floor. Roland was about to say something, but then he noticed the mascara running down her face.

When Anna looked up and saw the couple, her already pale face blanched. The storm of emotions inside her threatened to surface again, but she forcefully suppressed them.

She thought about just slipping past them and returning to her desk, but instead, she stepped up and asked, "Why didn't you listen to me? It's alright if you don't like me, but I warned you about her, and you didn't listen… why?"