Chapter 13

Veronica woke up and heard her parents downstairs. She saw the side of her bed empty. She came downstairs and saw Natalie playing with Mr. Ray.

"Dad, mom." Veronica called out

"Honey you are awake." Mr Ray replied

"Hmmm." Replied and took a seat in the dining area to have breakfast.

"Honey you are up so late. Are you not well? What's wrong? Don't you have office today? I believe you are late." Mrs Ray spoke as soon as she entered dining room with plate full of pancakes

"Pancakes" Veronica spoke cheerfully

Listening Veronica's excitement, Natalie giggled

"You young lady, I asked you something." Mrs Ray interrupted Veronica who was putting pancakes on her plate and pouring maple syrup all over it.

"Mom." Veronica spoke

Mrs Ray glared

"Fine. I was asked to be late today." Veronica replied while stuffing her mouth with the pancakes

"Are you fired?" Mrs Ray questioned

Veronica choked her pancakes. Mrs Ray passed a glass of water to her.

"No. Of course not. What makes you think that I was fired." Veronica replied in between while drinking water

Mrs Ray didn't reply and went near her husband and took Natalie from his arms and left to the kitchen.

Veronica's graze followed her mother going to the kitchen.

"What's wrong with her?" Veronica asked Mr Ray

"Nothing honey. She is mad on me." Mr Ray replied shyly

"And why is that?" Veronica asked

"Well, while we were driving back she asked me to stop at one of the take away restaurants so that we could bring some food home and she didn't have to cook." Mr Ray explained

"Let me guess. You told her to wait and then you didn't find any restaurants" Veronica spoke while looking at Mr Ray.

"How do you always know?" Mr Ray replied flustered

Veronica bursted in to laughter.

"Dad they have signs on the route why don't you pay attention to them." Veronica replied while laughing

"Stop laughing or else you will be late for the office." Mr Ray replied

"Yeah right office." Veronica spoke and stuffed her mouth with more pancakes and ran upstairs to get dressed.

After half an hour, Veronica took taxi and reached Alden enterprise.

She quickly ran to the lift and saw the time. She was asked to be an hour late but she was late by 2 hours. As soon as she reached outside of Arek's cabin, she tried knocking before her hands could reach the door, it opened and in front of it was standing the devil with a file in his hand. When Veronica eyes met his, she saw him already looking at her.

"Ms Ray, only you have a talent of getting late by 2 hours when you were asked to be late by an hour." Arek spoke while looking back to his file

"Well..." Veronica tried speaking but before she could complete her sentence, Arek spoke.

"Ms. Ray, we have a meeting to attend. You can continue with your excuses on the way." Arek spoke while getting inside his cabin.

"Excuse me." Veronica spoke loudly as she got inside with Arek inside his cabin. She got offended by what Arek said earlier.

"Now what?" Arek replied while looking into the file and walking back to his desk

"What do you mean by excuses? Maybe I had a reason to be late." Veronica replied

Arek looked up from his file, kept it on the desk and walked towards Veronica with his hands in his pockets.

As Veronica saw him coming near her, she started stepping backward. Arek started coming towards her and she started walking backward until her back hit the wall. Now Arek was standing infront of her with little distance between them and she had no escape.

"So what happened Ms Ray? Why are you late?" Arek asked folding his arms

"I.... I..... I was.... late..." Veronica struggled speaking

"What? Why are you stammering? Are you going to lie Ms. Ray?" Arek asked amused

"What? Lie. No no no no. Why would I lie. And why don't you talk from your desk. Why.. why.. coming here." Veronica stammered again

Arek looked at her face and started laughing. The entire room was filled with laughter. For the first time Veronica saw Arek laughing.

"What. It's not funny." Veronica replied angrily

"You should have seen your face. You looked flustered and pale as if you have seen a ghost." Arek continued laughing while speaking

"You still have not answered. Why are you late?" Arek questioned

"Because I overslept." Veronica replied

"Ms Ray, you really are something." Arek replied amused

Veronica didn't say anything and got out of the cabin.

After a minute Arek walked out and gave Veronica some files.

"We are going to meet new people, so be prepared with everything written on the file. You have time till we reach their office." Arek replied

"How am I suppose to read 100 pages in a car ride?" Veronica asked

"That you know Ms Ray. If you would have arrived on time like I asked you, then you would have completed the file." Arek replied

Veronica didn't reply and started going through the file. As she started going through the content, she started to find it familiar.

"Isn't it what you have prepared for Thomson's?" Veronica asked

"So you do pay attention to your work." Arek replied sarcastically

Veronica ignored him and started walking towards the lift. As she was going to enter the staff lift she heard Arek from behind.

"Where do you think you are going?" Arek asked

"What? Do you want me to walk down the stairs while reading the file?" Veronica asked sarcastically

"Come here." Arek asked her pointing to the lift that was only and only used by him.

Veronica looked at him confused.

"I don't have all day. Get inside." Arek spoke when he saw her confused.

As she got inside the lift she saw Arek pressing the buttons.

"Didn't you knew you can use this lift?" Arek asked

"The lift has your name as label. How am I supposed to know." Veronica replied

"You work as my secretary. Till you are my secretary, you are allowed to use this lift." Arek replied

Veronica nodded.

Lift reached the ground floor and they got out of it. Both waited for the chauffeur to bring the car.

While waiting, Veronica started going through the content.

"You are going there with better offerings to make their decision in your favour?" Veronica asked

Arek nodded and before Veronica could speak further, the car arrived.

The chauffeur got out and before Veronica could reach the back door of the car she saw Arek walking towards the drivers seat.

"Is he going to drive." Veronica thought

"Ms Ray, sit here." Arek said pointing to the passenger seat

She sat on the passenger seat and saw Arek getting inside the car. Arek started the engine and car started to move.

Veronica looked at Arek surprised.

"What Ms Ray, you think I didn't know how to drive?" Arek asked in amusement without looking at her

"No no. Its not that." Veronica replied quickly

"Then? What is it then? You are thinking why I am driving?" Arek asked

Veronica nodded

"Well, we are going outskirts of the city to a farmhouse. I like long drives on these type of routes." Arek replied

"I thought we are going to meet Mr Thomson." Veronica asked

"Yes we are." Arek replied

"He will be in the office. Why are we going to the outskirts of the city. Are you planning to kill me?" Veronica asked in horror

"Ms Ray, if I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't have brought you with me in front of everyone. Everyone knows you are with me. Would I want to take blame after killing you? What kind of killer would I be?" Arek replied with amusement

"Obnoxious asshole." Veronica murmured

"Very loud and clear." Arek replied sarcastically

Veronica didn't say anything.

"Thomson would be at his farm house. He is going to retire after his dream project. He is spending most of his time there instead of office." Arek explained

Veronica looked up from the file and replied "I would like to make a suggestion."

Arek remained quite for her continue with her suggestion. Veronica took the clue and spoke "I see that you are taking the cost effective method to him. I have heard about Mr Thomson. He is a man who cares for his company and the people working for him. This project is for his wife. He is establishing this factory at this particular location because his wife was from there. His wife was social worker and philanthropist who lived her life helping people. The project is not looking for cost effective ways. The project is looking for ways to provide employment to the people staying there."

Arek was surprised by her answer.

"How do you know that?" Arek asked

"In business one should always know what other person is looking for. I mean the main reason why he took the initiative or started to work upon it." Veronica replied while looking outside the window

"That's not the answer." Arek replied

"I have my ways of digging information." Veronica replied

Arek remained silent. Veronica started going through the rest of the file and after sometime she slept.

After a drive for one and a half hour, the car stopped at the destination. Arek turned to Veronica and saw her sleeping.

He took files from her hand and saw the time. He still had 1 hour left to start with the meeting, so he decided to wait inside the car.

He reviewed the file and suddenly he saw Veronica moving in her seat. She opened her eyes and tried to familiarise herself with the surrounding. As soon as she realised where she was, she quickly straightened herself and turned towards Arek and found him looking at his files.

"Look who is awake." Arek replied sarcastically

Veronica ignored and stretched her arms.

"Are we not going inside?" Veronica asked

"We still have 30 minutes left to meet Thomson." Arek replied

"Sure. Does he know we are coming here?" Veronica asked

"How do you think I know he will be here?" Arek replied sarcastically

Veronica ignored him and checked her phone.

"I thought you were going to study the file." Arek asked still looking into the file

"There is nothing to look. I know whats in there. I may sound harsh but I don't think he will buy your idea." Veronica replied

"And what makes you think that?" Arek asked

"Well, I told you why he is working on the project. You are not meeting his reasons. Unless you find a way for that, that man is not buying anything we sell." Veronica replied

"We will see. Lets go." Arek replied

Both got out of the car and Arek pressed the doorbell of the mansion.

A middle aged man opened the gate and asked them to wait in the drawing room. Veronica looked around the drawing room in 'aww'. The room was filled with the photos of Mr and Mrs Thomson.

"Wow. They look so great together. Totally in love with each other." Veronica spoke in aww tone

Before Arek could reply, a voice replied

"That we are honey."

They turned towards the source of the voice and found the man they were looking for.

"Mr Thomson." Arek said as he moved towards him and forwarded his hands for handshake.

"Arek. Come on son you are at my farmhouse. Stop behaving as if we are in a formal meeting." Mr Thomson replied and hugged him. Arek hugged him back.

"How is Alden doing son. Tell that loser he is going to lose the next game." Mr Thomson spoke

Arek laughed.

"Who is this young lady son? You finally got a girlfriend?" Mr Thomson enquired

Listening to this Veronica choked on her saliva.

"No no. What are you saying uncle. She is my secretary." Arek replied immediately

"I thought your secretary was someone else." Mr Thomson spoke

"Yeah. She is temporarily employed as secretary. My secretary is on sick leave." Arek informed

"I see." Mr Thomson replied as she stepped towards Veronica

"What's your name young lady?" Mr Thomson asked Veronica

"Veronica Ray." Veronica replied while moving her hands for handshake

"Its nice to meet you Ms Ray." Mr Thomson spoke while taking her hand for handshake

"Same here Mr Thomson." Veronica replied

"Oh please call me Lewis. We are not in the office." Mr Thomson spoke

"Ok Lewis. Please call me Veronica then." Veronica spoke while smiling

"How is aunt doing uncle?" Arek enquired

"She is doing fine son. Rhaine is going to come back from London soon. You and Sean should come and visit her." Mr Thomson spoke

"Some other time uncle." Arek replied

Soon Arek and Lewis began talking about business and Veronica was sitting in the corner. Her eyes fell on the family portrait. Mr and Mrs Thomson were sitting on the couch with two little girls sitting on both of them. Veronica stood up from her place and started walking towards the portrait. Arek and Lewis noticed her getting up and walking.

"Curious young lady?" Mr Thomson asked

"Yes." Veronica replied immediately without thinking

"I mean no. No. Sorry for looking around." Veronica replied

"It's totally fine. Its in front of you. You are not snooping around. Don't worry." Mr Thomson assured

"They are my children. I have two daughters. I mean now I have one." Mr Thomson spoke sadly

"I am sorry to hear that. I shouldn't have asked. I am so sorry." Veronica replied

"Its ok. At least somehow people get to know about her." Mr Thomson replied sadly

"I believe wherever she is, she is happy to know you all think about her and miss her. She would like you to be happy." Mr Thomson

"You just sound like her." Mr Thomson spoke looking at Veronica

Veronica didn't know what to say. She kept quiet. Arek intervened in and started speaking to Mr Thomson.

They continued their business talk and after sometime Mr Thomson asked "Why do you think I should give this work to you?"

"Well, its something personal for you. I know you are the man of principle and you like to keep work and personal life separate. But this project is something where both meets. I know it too well and understand what it means to you. With your and mine ideas we will be able to make it successful. I would find ways to make it profitable enough to provide food and shelter to the people who will be working on this after the project turns into reality." Arek spoke

"Then you have it my son. The project is yours. This is what I was looking forward to hear. Heard it from you so its fair enough that the project is yours. I will be back by tomorrow so lets meet in the office and finalise the paperwork." Mr Thomson replied

"You got it. Thanks for believing me with this uncle. I know what it means to you and aunt." Arek replied and hugged Mr Thomson.

"I think we should leave now." Arek spoke

"No no. Wait son. Where are my manners. Lets have cup of tea before you both leave." Mr Thomson spoke

"It's not necessary uncle. Beside we have a meeting to attend. I have to get back to office by 4. So some other time may be." Arek spoke

"You are Alden's son. He only sees and thinks work and you are the same. I don't know how does his wife bear with him. Poor soul." Mr Thomson joked

Arek laughed on this and did a formal handshake with Mr Thomson. Veronica did the same. As they were leaving Lewis spoke "See you both in my office tomorrow."

Both nodded and got inside the car.

Veronica spoke as soon the car started "You changed your presentation."

"Not exactly. It's just you made me remember what the spark was all about." Arek replied

"What?" Veronica asked

Arek didn't reply. Veronica too didn't pursue the question

"Mr Alden, do I have to be there tomorrow? I mean it's a finalised deal. There is no need for me to be present there. Why do you think he asked me to be there tomorrow?" Veronica asked

"Because you dug a grave." Arek replied

"What?" Veronica questioned

Again Arek didn't reply and Veronica didn't pursue.

Veronica saw the change of mood. So she understood it's better for her to be quiet.

The whole ride was full of silence. Veronica fell asleep again. Arek reached the office building and left Veronica in the car.

Veronica jolted up after a loud bang of the gate against the car.

"What happened." Veronica blabbered

She moved her eyes towards the drivers seat and saw Arek gone. She checked out the location and found the the car was in the Alden enterprise compound. She checked the time and saw it was half past 4. She quickly got out of the car and took the private lift reserved for Arek to reach his office.

As soon as she reached there she knocked on his cabin's door. She got no reply. After trying twice when she didn't get any reply, she opened the door and saw the cabin empty. She walked out and before she could ask anyone she received a message from Arek.

"You are done for the day. Be on time tomorrow morning."

'That's strange. The asshole left me in the car. Went for the meeting all alone and asked me to leave early. What exactly happened here.' Veronica spoke to herself.

She texted Navi to ask if her work was done and is she ready to go home.

"Dude. You don't work here anymore. Did you forget that?" Navi replied

"Hell. I forgot to tell Navi about yesterday." Veronica spoke to herself

"Surprise. I am working again. Once you are done with the work lets go out." Ver texted Navi

"Bitch. I am getting off early. Give me some details to feed my curiosity." Navi texted back

"Typical Navi." Veronica replied