Chapter 12
Veronica started walking out of the mansion. She heard few voices stopping her, but she didn't care much about it and left. Once she was out of the main gate she crossed the street and started walking. It was almost 3 pm when she left the mansion. There were no cabs to take. The mansion was in secluded area. It was difficult to get cab here. Mostly high profile people lived in this place. She kept walking aimlessly. She was very tired and thirsty and was beyond mad at Arek for behaving like a monster to her when the only thing she did wrong was not following his instruction just because he would have suffered the loss.
'Screw you Arek Asshole Alden.' Veronica cursed him.
She kept walking aimlessly for a hour. She was still angry and her head was hurting because of it. After 5 minutes her head started spinning, she went to the corner of the road and sat there for few minutes. After sometime she saw a car approaching her direction. She stood up from her place and raised her hand to ask for lift which she thankfully got. It was a kind woman who helped Veronica.
Veronica introduced herself and the woman did the same.
"Hi my name is Alisha. I live nearby. So what's you business here?" Alisha asked
"Well, I came here to meet my boss because of some business issues." Veronica informed
"Oh, I see. Who is your boss exactly?" Alisha asked
"Mr Arek Alden." Veronica replied with straight face as she was very tired to even speak or curse.
Alisha asked more about Veronica which she tried replying to the in the most minimal way possible because she didn't wanted to speak and doesn't wanted to sound rude to the kind lady.
"I see you are not a much chatty." Alisha spoke
"No its really not like that. Its just that I am a bit tired because I was walking for an hour. I didn't find any taxi in the area." Veronica informed
"Its okay. You take rest I will drop you to the location." Alisha informed
Alisha route was same as Veronica's so she was very thankful that she didn't needed to get all worked up because of the stupid cab and asshole people.
Finally Alisha dropped her to the supermarket and Veronica thanked her for her help.
Veronica asked Alisha to leave her in the supermarket store which is few blocks away from her house because she didn't wanted Alisha to know much about her whereabouts. First because she was a stranger. And second she asks lot of questions which Veronica didn't wanted to answer. She politely thanked Alisha for her help and excused herself.
Veronica got inside the store to buy things for dinner. She went to the sweets section and brought all sorts of chocolate to calm her down. Next she went to the ice cream section and brought big jar of ben & jerry cookie dough ice cream. She bought few ingredients for her dinner and then she left the store. Finally after reaching her house she used her card to get inside the place. Once she was inside she saw Navi and Natalie playing karaoke. Veronica smiled at them.
"Look who is home." Veronica shouted which made both Navi and Natalie's head towards her direction.
"You went to the supermarket all by yourself and didn't ask me if I wanted something." Navi pouted
"Shut up you drama queen." Veronica joked
She placed all the stuff she bought in the rightful place and went upstairs to get changed.
Finally when she was in her room she locked it and went in front of the mirror. Thankfully she was wearing full sleeves top today or else her bruised arms would have been on full display. She got off her top and saw the imprints on her arms. Tears filled her eyes as she saw the marks. She saw herself staring at her reflection and remembering each word what Arek said. Generally she wouldn't mind Arek's words because she knew he was ass but this time she was hurt. She cried for a while and took a long bath to calm herself. Finally when she felt she was okay she quickly changed in shorts and top and went downstairs.
"Took your time." Navi commented
Veronica ignored her.
"You are staying for dinner?" Veronica asked
Navi didn't reply and kept looking at Veronica. She found something unusual in her behaviour.
When Navi didn't reply Veronica looked up.
"What's wrong with you?" Navi asked Veronica
"Nothing." Veronica replied
"Stop talking nonsense and tell me what happened?" Navi insisted
"I said nothing is wrong." Veronica replied
"Really. So you brought a ice cream tub and chocolates to eat all by yourself just because nothing happened?" Navi demanded explanation
"Why? A person can't eat what she wants?" Veronica questioned
"No, not a person like you Ver. I know you like sweets too much and normally you would eat everything like that but I know you. We are childhood friends and I know you very well." Navi insisted
"I resigned from my job." Veronica spoke
There was a long pause.
"You did what?" Navi was shocked
"I was sure you wouldn't survive in that office but I didn't know you would give up like that." Navi spoke
"I my defence I can't work with a monster like him." Veronica replied
"Monster? What are you saying?" Navi replied
Veronica explained her about what happened at Alden's mansion except the arms grabbing and bruising part and this time Navi was beyond mad.
"What the hell does that jackass thinks of himself. How dare he?" Navi replied angrily
"Lets go." Navi spoke
"Where?" Veronica replied in confusion
"To his place to kick his ass." Navi replied
"Shut up Navi. Sit down. I already told him I am not going to work for him. I don't want anything to do with him." Veronica replied
"You did the right thing. Slapped that asshole on his face. He deserved every bit of it." Navi replied
Veronica laughed on it. She felt little relaxed because she didn't tell Navi about the physical bruises or else Navi would have literally went to kick his ass.
Veronica and Navi made dinner together while Natalie was playing.
"Are you sure you don't want to eat?" Veronica asked
"Yes. Richard is coming over to my place. So we will have dinner together. Are you really sure you are okay? I am telling you I can cancel my plan with Richard and will stay with you for tonight if you want." Navi spoke
"Dude stop talking nonsense. I am fine. Plus I don't wanna spoil your date with Richard. He is a nice guy. I know you are having dinner with him but still you are Navi, you eat everytime so I think you will be able to eat this too and still have space for dinner with Richard." Veronica joked
"Shut up asshole." Navi replied
Veronica laughed on her. Finally the dinner was ready and Navi was leaving. Veronica thanked her for helping her out today and they hugged each other and then Navi left. Veronica locked the door and windows and went inside.
"So its now you and me only." Veronica said while turning towards Natalie
Natalie giggled on her words. Veronica smiled. They had dinner together and then she changed Natalie into her night clothes and went straight to bed. Natalie and Veronica both were tired so sleep came in instantly.
Next morning both Veronica and Natalie woke up late. Veronica bathed Natalie. It was more like Natalie bathed Veronica because she kept playing with water in the tub and every now and then she kept splashing it. Veronica laughed at her antics. Veronica left Natalie on the floor with her toys and went to take bath. After getting dressed both got downstairs to make breakfast or more like a brunch because it was 1 o'clock afternoon. Veronica fed Natalie vegetable purée for the brunch while she eat the leftovers of yesterday. Finally eating she cleaned the utensils and came back to Natalie who was playing with her soft toy.
"What do we do now Nats?" Veronica asked the baby
"Ver, movie.. disney" Natalie spoke
Veronica laughed at her broken sentence.
"Okay lets play Rapunzel." Veronica replied to her.
Natalie nodded.
She put the dvds in and they watched the movie together. It was now 5 in the evening. Natalie dozed off as the movie finished and Veronica yawned.
While Natalie was asleep Veronica started looking for other jobs and internships. She knew she was done with Alden group of industries for good and now she needs to find another job to manage Natalie and her life.
Veronica searched for a while and felt hungry. She was too tired to make dinner so she order pizza. After a while, she took Natalie's sleeping figure to her bedroom and laid her down on the bed. She took her evening bath and as soon as she changed into tank top and shorts, her doorbell rang. She knew it was her pizza. She went downstairs and grabbed the change from the kitchen counter. She opened the door and without even looking raised her hand to handover the money. When she didn't feel the person taking money from her, she looked up to see the chocolate brown eyes looking directly at her. The eyes she hated the most for the obvious reasons.
"What are you doing here?" Veronica asked in an angry tone
"I came here to say sorry for my behaviour." Arek replied
"Get out Arek." Veronica replied
"Look I am sorry I misunderstood you. Wait a second, did you just called me Arek?" Arek questioned in confusion
"Yes I did and get lost you jackass." Veronica replied
"Trust me I wouldn't have done that if I were you." Arek spoke
"Get out before I call the cops you asshole." Veronica's voice got louder this time.
"Look shout all you want and call me as many names as you want but first let me talk, apologies and explain." Arek requested
"Really, you seriously have a explanation for what you did. A sane person would not even want to talk about it. And here you are wanting to explain things." Veronica spoke sarcastically
"Please listen to me. I know my explanation won't be enough but still hear me out." Arek requested again
"Get out before I do something we both would regret." Veronica spoke. She repeated the same lines which Arek spoke yesterday
Arek didn't say anything further and barged inside her house.
"Are you out of your mind. Get out of here. I am calling the cops." Veronica spoke as she took out her phone to call.
Arek pushed the phone from her hand and grabbed it.
"I know I did wrong. But you came there despite of my instructions." Arek argued
While he was speaking Veronica saw her handprints on his face. She knew she slapped him tightly but never thought her tiny fingers would leave print on his face.
"Leave. I said just leave." Veronica yelled
Arek grabbed her arms gently and Veronica groaned at his action. He left her instantly and saw purple marks on her arms which was made by his fingers yesterday.
Now he felt guilty.
Veronica didn't say anything.
"Look Veronica I am really sorry I misunderstood you. Well, few years back I had a secretary named Elizabeth and she was very good with her work. I never use to take work home before also but she created some kind of work situation and asked my permission to come home. When she came home, she took photography of inside, my family, my personal life. She seduced my cousin and slept with him, yeah right the same jerk with whom you came in yesterday and then she released the recording on the web." Arek explained
Veronica was shocked at this. She didn't know what to say.
"Look I know you are not that person or anything related to that kind of person but it's really hard to trust people. After whatever happened, I stopped trusting people. I hired you because you looked fun to work with. I know I have been ass to you all the time. First I hired you as an intern and then gave you the job of the secretary. I know that's not correct but I really got bored and trust me in last few weeks you really were an entertainment piece I ever brought." Arek spoke
"So what do you want me to do?" Was all Veronica spoke after listening
"I want to sincerely apologise to you for my behaviour. I did hurt you mentally and physically because I thought you are the threat to my family. Plus in my defence, you slapped me too hard too. So consider that we are even. Trust me if it was any other situation, I wouldn't have allowed you to breathe since you know you slapped me and all considering no one has ever done that to me." Arek tried justifying and explaining to which Veronica gave him a stern look.
"Right sorry my mistake. As I was saying that I know after what I did it serves me right that you leave this job because nobody wants to work with a monster. But I want to request you to join back and work." Arek spoke
"So I will be working as a intern now?" Veronica questioned
"No, who said that?" Arek replied
"You said you were an ass making me work as your secretary when you hired me as your intern." Veronica informed
"Well I am still an ass, and like I promised, you will work as my secretary for a month and then you can work directly in the media department." Arek replied
"I don't trust your words Arek." Veronica replied
"Well, I can give you in written if you want. This is the least I can do for you." Arek replied
"But I don't want to work with you." Veronica spoke looking directly in his eyes
"I know. But can you?" Arek asked
"I need time to think. Whatever happened was not something I can forget easily." Veronica replied
"I know. Take your time Veronica. You have time till the morning." Arek replied
"Are you out of your mind Arek? Morning is just 14 hours away. You call this giving time?" Veronica bursted
"Yes, in business every second matters and I have given you 14 hours that's the max I have given to anyone to decide." Arek replied
Before Veronica could reply she heard voice coming from the stairs.
"Verr.. whel are youuu?" Natalie spoke
Veronica quickly rushed to the stairs and saw Natalie climbing down.
"Nats when did you wake up?" Veronica picked her up and kissed her cheeks
Arek witnessed everything and was too shocked to respond.
Natalie noticed Arek standing and smiled at him.
"Dada" Natalie spoke
Arek and Veronica both went pale.
"Nats no. Not dada. Say hi to Arek." Veronica introduced her to Arek
"Hi" Natalie spoke showing her toothy grin
"Arek this is Natalie." Veronica spoke
Arek was too shock to reply.
"You are married?" Arek asked
"What? No no no. Definitely not." Veronica replied in a hurry
Before Arek could ask further, Natalie intervened by raising her arms in front of Arek asking him to carry her. Arek didn't know what to do. Veronica tried cooing her so that she gets distracted and will forget about Arek but she remained adamant on her decision.
Arek finally gave in and took Natalie in his arms. Natalie cheerfully clapped in his arms and gave him her toothy smile on which Arek smiled too. When Veronica asked Natalie to come back to her, she was not ready to leave Arek. She cooed on him more and after sometime she slept. Finally Veronica took her from Arek and went upstairs to lay Natalie on her bed.
As she got back in the living room she saw that her pizza was on the table. Door was closed and Arek was gone. Suddenly her phone blinked.
She checked her message and saw it was from Arek
"Ms Ray you are allowed to be late by an hour tomorrow. Meet you at my office and of course you will be my secretary for the remaining weeks and to reward this I paid for you pizza. See you tomorrow."
Veronica was too shocked at his message. First he asked her to decide then he decided on behalf of her that she is going to work for him.
'What an ass.' Veronica thought