Chapter 8

The chilly and unforgiving wind brushed past her hair, making the strands look as if they were flying behind her. The previous perfect weather was long gone. The grey clouds that towered over her took over the blinding sunlight that used to sting her eyes as she let the strong wind blow around her.

Amidst the cold weather, Veronica stood by the side of the roof. She let the cold air fan against her face while she peered down at the tall buildings of the town. As the cold engulfed her, she crossed her arms in front of her chest, wrapping herself into a protective hug as if to keep everything and everyone out.

While she tried to get all the thoughts outside of her head, the buildings suddenly seemed blurrier than before. Wasn't she wearing her contacts? Did it start raining?

She realized that tears were blurring her vision. Before she can let the drops of salty water roll down her face, the click of the roof door opening alerted her. Her body froze when the person spoke.

"I knew you'd be here." Veronica turned her head at the familiar voice, eyes wide as she stared at Louis. He stared back at her, traces of concern in his eyes. Everyone always seemed to give her concern.

'It's not like I deserve it, anyway.' She thought as she frowned. Louis walked to her, making Veronica turn her head away.

"Hey…" Louis said, voice soft and hesitant. Veronica bit her lip as she ignored him, continuing to look away. As he tried to get closer once again, she walked away, avoiding her gaze. Before she can disappear through the door, he grabbed her wrist.

"Wait," Louis said, voice not yelling but not far from it either. Veronica halted as she turned her head. "I… I just, well, I wanted to say thank you."

Veronica bit her lip, looking at him. She nodded her head as she willed her wrist out of Louis' grasp. She continued to walk away, closing the door to the roof as the sound of her heels got softer while she walked away. In a few seconds, it was Louis now who was left alone on top of the roof in the cold weather.

Veronica walked towards the studio again, passing by her chair. She picked her folders up as she called for her assistant.

"Ms. Johnson," She said. "Let's go."

"Huh?" Ashley said dumbly, eyes looking up at Veronica as she started grabbing her things.

"I will not repeat myself," Veronica said, voice stern. Ashley furrowed her brows at this before replying.

"Alright, but…" Before Ashley can continue, Clarra's loud voice cut her off. She stepped towards Veronica, distressed.

"Wait, Veronica, what about the makeup? We've only gone through the designs."

"Tell them to schedule it for Friday."

"What?" Clarra screeched. "Why?" as she questioned the other, Veronica turned to her, eyes piercing as she glared. Despite the hostile look, her glassy eyes and her reddening nose dilated the effect. At this, the director pursed her lips before backing off. She sighed before speaking, shoulders low and arms crossed.

"Fine, fine, I know," Clarra said as she waved her hand, a gesture for them to go. Veronica nodded her head before starting to walk away. As Ashley had a hand on the doorknob, the director suddenly spoke once more, halting both of their movements.

"Just…"

Veronica turned her head, body still facing the door. She looked at Clarra over her shoulder as she waited for her to continue.

"Forgive yourself."

Before the boss and her assistant can walk away, Veronica sent Clarra one last look.

As they both headed towards the car, a few droplets of rain fell to the ground, making Veronica and Ashley look up at the now dark sky. The clouds seemed to be heavier as the rain started pouring. They both ran, taking cover in the car.

Once they were inside, veronica huffed and plopped the folders beside her. She glanced outside the window, the sound of heavy rain surrounding them as she peered at the pouring water with her still glassy eyes. She cleared her throat before speaking up, head turning away from the driver and Ashley as she tried to regain her composure.

"Drive to my apartment building, please," Veronica ordered the driver, voice somehow still level. The driver nodded before steering the wheel the opposite way.

Ashley looked at her boss at her side. She was acting strangely, and she would be lying if she wasn't the least bit concerned. Her brows were furrowed as her eyes were still glued to her boss, wondering how she could help. As she continued to stare, Veronica felt the potent gaze at her side and turned her head, an eyebrow raised. At this, Ashley looked away, peering out at the heavy rain.

In a few minutes they arrive at the building and Ashley led Veronica outside with umbrellas over their heads. Ashley followed as Veronica walked towards her apartment. She furrowed her eyebrows when her boss suddenly started scurrying, small steps becoming long strides. Nonetheless, she trailed behind.

As they stood before the door, Veronica fished her keys out of her bag, grumbling lowly as she did so. When she finally got it, she hurriedly opened the door, letting Ashley inside.

Once the door was closed and no one can see them, Veronica suddenly grabbed Ashley's shoulders and pushed her against the wall. Her boss didn't give her a moment to breathe or react before a pair of lips were tightly pressed against her own.

She gasped, the sound muffled by their mouths. Veronica took the chance to insert her tongue, pressing it against Ashley's. Despite the confusion, Ashley can't deny the dampening panties in between her legs at the feeling of her boss being rough with her, so like any other person with common sense, she kissed back.

Veronica pulled back, resisting the urge to punch oxygen in the face before hastily kissing Ashley again, the make-out lasting for a couple minutes before they headed towards her bedroom.

Once they were both inside the room, Veronica pushed Ashley to the bed, the latter looking at her with wide yet lustful eyes. She crawled on her bed, hovering above her assistant. She started kissing her again, Ashley moaning into her mouth when her boss held her wrists tightly above her head.

Veronica pulled back, looking down at Ashley as she held her wrists. She started biting her lip, but for some reason, she didn't feel aroused. She could only fail to ignore the dark and heavy weight on her chest.

Ashley had her eyes closed and was ready to get boned. However, when she felt nothing but a drop of water on her cheek, she opened her eyes. She looked up at Veronica. The woman started letting more tears roll down her face, the drops landing on Ashley's cheeks.

"Ms. Reyes?" Ashley whispered, voice shaky as she stared at her big, strong, intimidating boss with wide eyes and furrowed brows. The woman was usually a majestic lioness, filling the room with her authority and dominance, but right now, even with Veronica towering over her, all she saw was a breaking doll.

Despite the embarrassment creeping at her neck and the tears that continued to flow, Veronica leaned down and pressed kisses against Ashley's neck. She wanted to forget the feeling of sadness and just wanted to take it over with pleasure. She can't always get what she wants, though. Ashley pulled her wrists out of her boss's grip, sitting up, making the woman sit up too.

"Hey, hey, wait!" Ashley said hurriedly, panicking at the sight of her boss crying. Veronica just looked at her with teary eyes and trembling lips.

The assistant frowned and despite knowing that her boss doesn't like to be touched unless they have sex; she placed a hand on the woman's thigh and looked at her before speaking up, trying to make her voice as soft and gentle as she can make it.

"What's wrong?" Ashley asked, eyes attentive as she looked for any signs of injury to check if she's hurt.

'Maybe that's why she's crying, right?' She thought.

Instead of answering her, Veronica just stared at her for a few seconds before letting out a sob, her body toppling over. She started bawling on the bed, making the sheets wet.

Ashley had no fucking idea what to do.

'Oh shit.' She thought. She pursed her lips before putting her hands around Veronica's arms to lift her so she could hug her properly. Her movements were hesitant, scared she might get her boss mad but her main priority right now was to help her; and if comforting her might help even just a bit, she's willing to take the chance.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" Veronica cried out, voice hoarse as she sobbed on Ashley's shoulders. She gasped in and out as she continued to mutter apologies in between her cries. "I'm so sorry."

"Shh, shh, I'm here. It's alright. You're alright." Ashley whispered against her ear as she let the woman cry on her. She rubbed Veronica's back as she propped her chin on her boss's shoulder, trying to do anything she could to help.

As the sound of her cries continued, Ashley felt tears fogging up her eyes. She blinked them away as she kept muttering words against Veronica's ear. As she sobbed, she recalled what Clarra said awhile ago. Remembering it, she only cried harder.

"Forgive yourself."