Chapter 8
"Get me the files and fix an appointment with Mr Allen for today around 11am" Arek instructed while looking at Veronica carefully
"Okay is there is anything else would you like me to do" Veronica replied feeling uncomfortable between his gaze
"No" Was all Arek replied still looking at her
"Okay then I'll be leaving" Veronica replied while turning towards the door.
As soon as her hand reach to the handle of the door Arek asked "Care to explain what happened with you yesterday?"
Veronica turns toward him and replied "what do you mean by what happened with me yesterday?"
"I believe you should tell me when you're going to take a leave because all my work gets messed up if my damn secretary is not here." Arek raised his voice a bit and continued further "Shouldn't you be informing me before taking a leave? I won't appreciate it next time. If you're going to take leave just directly message me that you're not going to come instead of just not coming. Its really unprofessional of you." Arek looked at her directly while speaking
"Okay sir no problem I'll make sure it never happens again! Sorry for the inconvenience." Veronica replies
"Don't you think you have to answer the question I just asked?" Arek asked again
Veronica looked confused. Arek sighed and continued "Why didn't you come yesterday?"
"I was not well." Was all Veronica replied
She waited for him to speak. When he didn't say anything she looked up to see that he is still looking at her as if he is trying to solve a puzzle. She felt uncomfortable. Even after few seconds when he didn't say anything, she started moving towards the door and exits his office.
Veronica goes towards the pantry and starts making coffee for herself. She sat on the chair inside the pantry and place her coffee cup on the table. While she was stirring the coffee with her spoon, she start thinking about the events that happened yesterday.
~Flashback
"What happened?" Mr Ray asked
"Why all of a sudden?" He further continued
"I don't think she is safe where she is" Veronica replied
"What do you mean by not safe? She's alright? Right?" Mrs Ray asked
"They found us!" Veronica replied
"What?" Mr & Mrs Ray spoke at the same time.
"Thats not possible honey. She is somewhere far and safe you know that." Mr Ray spoke while looking at her daughter
"Dad. I just don't know. I feel she should be here with us. She is the part of the family. Whatsoever the reason is, I think she should stay with her mom." Veronica replied
Before Mr. Ray can speak further, Mrs Ray interrupts "I think she is right. She should stay with her mom. A mother will only want best for her child. Lets call her back." Mrs Ray spoke
Veronica nodded
Mr Ray looked at Mrs Ray to understand what's on her mind. Mrs Ray didn't speak much. She asked Mr Ray to keep quiet by looking in his eyes.
"Honey you'll be going to office today? I don't think you should be going today, you are not well." Mr Ray spoke
"Yes dad I am not going today." Veronica assured her father with a smile
"You must just get back to your bed. I will get your soup. How about your favourite one the tomato soup with drop of a egg in it?" Mrs Ray asked
"Sounds good" Veronica replied
Mr Ray caressed his daughter's head "You young lady definitely has a different taste bud."
"Dad! don't start again" Veronica replied bemused
Mr Ray laughed and Veronica stood up and left for her room.
'There is something going on. I need to figure it out soon.' She thought to herself
~Flashback ends
Arek came out of his office and saw Veronica sitting in the pantry and stirring the inside of the coffee mug. She looked lost. Staring out of the window while stirring her coffee and not acknowledging his presence at all. He understood she was day dreaming.
He came where she was and stood in front of her. Veronica was lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice him standing near her.
"Ms. Ray?" Arek spoke
Veronica didn't reply.
This time Arek raised his voice a little and called "Ms. Ray?"
Veronica got startled and started standing up quickly from her chair. As she was going to stand, her ankle twisted and before she could grab the corner of the table to balance herself , a strong hand came to her rescue and held her arms.
Veronica saw Arek holding her arms and keeping her in place as soon as she lifted her eyes to see his face, her eyes met his. There was something about his eyes which always looked different. And suddenly something in his eyes flickered and changed into anger. He quickly left her arm and she straightened herself.
"Ms Ray, can you seriously do anything without committing any mistake. First day you spilled coffee on me and burned me literally. Then another day you ran away from the office as if you have seen a ghost and next day without informing me personally you took leave. And now you are day dreaming. Are you sure you are alright? Do you need a psychiatric assistance? If so then let me know I will get you an appointment of the best psychiatrist in New York" Arek spoke sarcastically
Veronica was shocked at his words. Nothing came to her mind to justify her actions because whatever he accused her of was true.
"Mr. Alden it's time for your meting with Mr Allen, your car is ready." Veronica spoke while avoiding his graze.
"Well, I came to inform my temporary secretary about the same but I believe the role is quite opposite you see. Instead of my secretary informing me about my schedule, I keep informing her." Arek spoke with amusement
"Mr Alden, shall we?" Veronica ignored his previous conversation and showed him the way out of the office.
Arek was amused at her behaviour. Generally when he pisses her off, she starts replying to him sarcastically which she now is not doing. He wondered what happened with her.
They came out of the office building together, Arek's car was waiting for them at the main gate. Both of them got seated inside the car and Veronica instructed the driver about the meeting location.
Once she turned towards Arek's direction she found him already staring at her. She turned her face towards the window and sighed 'this is going to be a long day indeed' she thought.