Bargaining

Anna tried to say something, but Roland didn't give her the chance.

"Please, just stop there. This matter doesn't concern you, I don't what to hear what you have to say, and I certainly don't have anything to say to you. So, please, just leave me alone."

With his anger released, a broken Roland dragged himself out through the building's door, heading toward his car.

His destination? As he'd said to Barov, he was going to confront Veronica.

He rubbed his eyes and pulled out of the parking lot before swiftly operating the hands-free to call Veronica, the culprit behind his latest stress.

…

Alone in the lobby, Anna was standing with her jaw practically touching the floor.

The anger, that had been somewhat expected. However, his dejected, broken appearance, she had not anticipated that.

'He looked so sad, crushed completely…

'…despite my kind offer of forgiving him and of continuing our relationship?

'Is something wrong with his head?'

Ironic.

However, considering the situation from Anna's perspective, her reaction hadn't been completely unreasonable, albeit quite tactless.

Anna had been subjected to harsh treatment and even a demotion because of Veronica, who she was sure would soon only be Roland's ex-girlfriend, so it was almost understandable that she expected Roland to want to move on and forget such an unsavory character whilst also making up for lost time with Anna.

Well… making up for lost time with her might just have been her own wishful thinking.

She'd expected some anger from her straightforwardness, or even a rejection, but his sorrowful figure, like he'd just lost a dear relative, had been outside of her expectations.

'Just how important a place does— did that b*tch have in his heart?'

…

The ring tone played through the car speaker for quite some time before it was picked up.

Before Roland could say anything, he heard Veronica whisper, "Sh, gimme a minute."

Unbeknownst to Roland, Veronica had fallen asleep beside Maggie after reading a bedtime story, which had become a sort of custom since Maggie had moved in, and the phone's ringing had woken the little girl up.

After settling Maggie back to sleep and silently leaving the room, Veronica said, "What happened? It must be urgent for you to be calling this late."

"I'm on my way to your place."

"What? Now?"

"Yes, as you said, it's urgent."

"What's this about? Do you need me to—"

"I'll explain when I'm there. I don't plan on stopping for long; I just need to ask you something face to face."

"Face to face? You don't mean…"

"Ah, you have an idea? Good, that'll make things easier. I'll see you in ten minutes."

The connection was cut off, but Veronica didn't lower her cellphone.

'Ask me something face to face?

'Driving out in the middle of the night to ask me something face to face?

'No, it can't be… it's too soon. Besides, if that's the case, how come I haven't heard anything about it? Have I been too lax with my monitoring recently? But that's the only thing it can be, right?

'Is Roland really about to propose?'