Chapter 17

"You used to ask me to make this for you all the time," Edna said as she placed a plate before Veronica.

"So, you do all the cooking and cleaning? Isn't it too much work for you? " Veronica asked.

"It isn't since it is always tidy. I make breakfast, lunch if you are home, and dinner right before I leave. You've always been kind to offer me a car to take me home. There had been a younger woman here but she was fired for trying to sell a story about you two," said Edna.

Edna remembered how the former employee begged and pleaded to keep her job. 

"There is a list of rules for us to follow. The most important one is to not stoop around for stories to sell. I won't break it since the pay is already good and quiet here. At my age, that's all I can ask for."

"I see. You're more talkative than when I first arrived. Did my husband say something to you?" Veronica asked, curious about what changed since her agreement with Liam.

Edna hesitated initially but quickly remembered she was free to talk to Veronica now. "I was informed that I do not need to hold back with my answers. I'd be happy to answer all your questions."

Veronica put her fork down. "Liam and I, were we happy weeks or even days before what happened? Tell me more."

"Oh, yes! You two still acted like newlyweds. Even when he was busy with his work, he would make time to visit you at the gallery or you would have me pack a lunch you would personally deliver to him. The guesses about your marriage are wrong," Edna said, upset with the news report she saw.

Why would Veronica ever be suicidal? There was tension with Liam's family but not enough to make Veronica kill herself.

Edna wanted to hit the person so stupid to come up with that idea.

Veronica half trusted Edna. Edna knew more than the reporters since she worked here but Edna listened to Liam more. If Liam were to go back not wanting her to know anything, Edna wouldn't be so quick to speak. 

"Do we get any visitors?" Veronica questioned, clinging to the idea there was someone she was close to.

Someone who didn't want to see her dead.

"You had friends over. You have hosted a few small parties. There are good people around you," Edna reassured Veronica.

Life wasn't all so bad for Veronica.

"How was I before this? What was I looking for that put my life in danger?" Veronica asked despite knowing it was likely Edna didn't have the answer. 

Liam didn't know what she got herself into so how would Edna?

Edna shook her head, apologetic that she had nothing to offer Veronica. "I am only the employee and you always keep your troubles to yourself."

Edna never understood it since Veronica had the right husband to help her. Veronica had the luxury of sitting back and doing nothing but she chose to handle her matters by herself.

"Oh!" Edna exclaimed, remembering something which might be important. "You were interested in a restaurant. When I walked by you a few times, you were searching through restaurants. You had a photo with you of a restaurant. I guess you didn't know the name and had to go off that."

Veronica thought this to be a start. It was better than nothing. "Do you have the photo?"

Edna's excitement went away. "I don't. You put it away and I have not come across it during my cleaning. I will keep my eye out for it. I only had a glance at it but it looked by the sea with a lot of empty flower pots outside. I am not very helpful."

"You are. This is more than I knew a few minutes ago. Why was I searching for a restaurant?" Veronica wondered.

The idea of buying it seemed out of the question. Did she have an interest in that kind of business or was she looking to plan something romantic for Liam?

Veronica tapped her head. She just needed her memories to come back and fast. It was unfortunate that there wasn't anyone who could confirm if she would get her memories back or do something to make her remember right away. She had to rely on if her body wanted to give her them back.

"This is torture," Veronica sighed. 

Instead of worrying about what she didn't know, Veronica focused on her food. Edna was a good cook which made for the best part of being home alone. At each corner she turned, Edna was there with a snack which suited the moment. It was evident that Edna had worked for them long to know their preferences. 

Edna started to clean around Veronica as she ate. She noticed the way Veronica ate, pushing aside what Liam thought she should eat because it was healthier. 

Edna wanted to laugh at the habit of Veroncia pushing the food right onto the napkin in front of the plate. It made it easier for Veronica to fold the napkin and throw away the vegetables she disliked. Liam knew what she did but acted like he didn't.

He would sometimes tease Veronica by offering her some of his food with plenty of the vegetables she hated. 

Edna made a mental note to tell Liam about Veronica still having the smallest of habits. There was some hope she would be back. 

"The doorbell," Edna said, setting aside the cloth she cleaned with to go to the door.

"That must be," Veronica paused, struggling to remember the name Liam told her earlier. It was on the tip of her tongue. "Jerome," she recalled. "Why was that so hard?"

The thought of not remembering what she knew now scared Veronica. What if there would be a moment when she didn't remember Edna, Liam, and everything she had been slowly learning? Veronica didn't want to start over again.

"Mrs. Sterling," Jerome greeted Veronica but didn't receive an answer. "Mrs. Sterling," he repeated.

Jerome always wanted to be formal but he had to try something else to get her attention. "Veronica."

Veronica snapped out of her thoughts to look at the man she had seen on the first day. "You are Jerome," she offered her hand. What was her relationship like with this man?

Again, she was beside someone who might be more loyal to Liam. Noticing this would end if she had someone who either worked for her or that she trusted around. Veronica didn't want Liam to know everything she was doing or looking into.

They started over but Veronica would bet Liam was digging around into things he wouldn't tell her about.

"Your new phone," Jerome said, handing Veronica the cell phone. "I've already placed the contacts I know on there as well as some pictures and videos. Your husband will put in the password for your emails and other accounts."

"Did I know his password?" Veronica asked. 

"I believe you did. Your new card will be arriving soon. The old one was stopped since you lost it-"

"Card! Can I see the list of what I spent my money on?" Veronica questioned, having a good idea of how to trace her steps.