“Good morning, Sir.”
As usual, Vlora greeted Lucas at the grand courtyard of Greatech. She took Lucas’s briefcase and escorted him to the dedicated elevator.
“Sorry in advance, Sir.”
Vlora’s voice coincided with the lift starting to ascend. Lucas raised an eyebrow, glanced at his watch, and waited for Vlora to speak.
“Mr. Sanders is here.”
Lucas furrowed his brow and raised his left hand. He checked the time and instinctively asked.
“This early?”
Frankly, Lucas was impressed. He did not expect to receive a visitor even before work hours. It made him exhale a bit, imagining what would happen if he decided to come to the office a little late-just a little. Not without reason. Opening his eyes and finding Velia sleeping in his embrace was the biggest temptation for Lucas. If he followed his heart’s desire, he probably would not come to the office that early.
That early or maybe too late. Those were the two choices Lucas faced for breakfast.
“It seems he has gotten used to waking up on time now.”
The elevator doors opened. Lucas stepped out and made sure to give instructions as he took back his briefcase.
“Make coffee for us.”
Vlora nodded. “Yes, Sir.”
Lucas quickly entered his office and found Vlora’s words to be true. There was a man waiting for him. He appeared relaxed, holding a phone in his hand.
“Andreas.”
The man stood out with his dark blond hair. His eyes were clear and had mischievous sparkles that lit up upon seeing Lucas.
His name was Andreas Sanders. The eldest son of the Sanders family, who was rumored to be organizing an engagement ceremony in Paris soon. However, for some reason, he decided to come back when the date was already approaching.
“It seems someone wasn’t enjoying themselves in Paris.”
Andreas grinned mischievously and stood up. “Suddenly, I missed Ashford City’s traffic.”
Lucas approached Andreas. He smiled in response to the friend’s nonsensical banter. In a moment, they embraced.
“So, what’s the real reason?” Lucas asked directly. “Not planning to take it to a more serious level?”
Andreas chuckled. He intended to reply to that sarcastic remark but was interrupted by a knock on the door.
Vlora entered with a tray containing two cups of coffee. The lighthearted conversation was momentarily paused until she left.
“Your secretary is beautiful.”
Lucas frowned slightly as he took the first sip. He placed the cup back on the coaster, and Andreas continued speaking.
“It’s not the same person I saw two years ago.”
The topic of conversation quickly shifted, and Lucas was not surprised. It was natural for Andreas to comment on his secretary. He never missed an opportunity related to beautiful women.
“Maybe about a year and a half ago.”
“Ah,” Andreas whispered rhythmically. His eyes sparkled. “Is she married?”
Lucas squinted. “I remind you, Reas. Don’t bother her.”
Lucas’s warning conveyed an implicit answer to Andreas. It was not difficult for him to deduce.
“Not married. Hmm, beautiful, smart, and independent. It would be strange if she were already married.”
Lucas reiterated, “She’s my right-hand.”
“More than your right-hand?”
“No,” Lucas denied. “Having a relationship, especially with your own secretary, is the most unprofessional thing to do. It only disrupts the work.”
Andreas chuckled briefly. Lucas’s logical thinking was not unusual.
“You’re right. That’s what you should do. Don’t get involved with your secretary. Let me handle it.”
Warning Andreas about women seemed futile. Lucas would not debate that belief any longer. Andreas understood the rules of the game.
Apart from that, there was something else Lucas wanted to say. He was certain Andreas would not expect it.
“I found Velia.”
Andreas choked on his coffee. The romantic visions associated with Vlora instantly vanished from his mind. He stared wide-eyed and hurriedly set down his cup for a moment.
“What did you say?” Andreas asked, making sure. “Velia?”
Lucas nodded. “Yes.”
The short answer left Andreas momentarily stunned. He seemed to need time to process it and waited to see if Lucas was joking.
Lucas was not joking, as Andreas could tell from his expression. Moreover, a moment later, Lucas spoke again.
“All my efforts were in vain. I searched for her everywhere in Brookwood and Crestdale, but you know what? Velia has been working here for three years. Exactly one year before I transferred.”
Andreas was convinced that he could not be more surprised. “She works here?” he asked, pointing downwards. “In this office? At Greatech?”
Lucas nodded once. He sighed and leaned back.
“Even I am surprised. How is it that my people couldn’t find Velia?”
Lucas’s forehead furrowed slightly. At that moment, Andreas asked.
“Who did you ask to look for Velia?”
“Dean Smith. My secretary when I was at MPR.”
Andreas remembered the secretary Lucas mentioned when he still held MPR. The man was quite old and had worked there for a considerable number of years.
“Maybe at that time, he had some family problems. So, he couldn’t perform his duties properly.”
Lucas was not convinced by Andreas’s casual explanation. However, there was no other reasonable explanation for that strangeness.
“Regardless of that.”
Andreas’s voice sounded again. He rubbed his hands together.
“I think it’s a bit funny. You were in the same building for two years and only found her now?”
“What do you think I should do to meet her? We are on completely different floors. My goodness. Which CEO knows all their employees?”
Lucas was aware of Velia’s nature. She was indifferent to such things. It was not surprising to see her working at Greatech. If Velia knew Lucas was there, she would surely leave without a word. Just like before.
Andreas grinned mischievously. “Of course. So, what are you going to do now?”
“What am I going to do?”
In Lucas’s eyes, it was a question that did not need an answer. There was only one most reasonable thing he would do.
“Of course, make her come back to me.”
“Are you serious? After she left you like that for years?”
Lucas understood Andreas’s intention. Unfortunately, that was his decision.
“More than serious, and that’s what I’ve already done,” Lucas replied meaningfully. “She’s even still asleep in my room right now.”
Andreas was left dumbfounded.
*
Velia woke up when the day was almost touching nine o’clock. She had slept soundly, but it could not heal the soreness that permeated her entire body. She felt weak and powerless, making her briefly think that she could not rise.
The blanket was draped over her chest. Velia looked around. It was quiet and silent. Only her voice could be heard when she called out.
“Luc?”
No response. Velia decided to get out of bed after straightening her rumpled nightgown around her stomach.
Pain struck. It stung in her femininity and made Velia quickly grab onto the wall.
Velia needed a moment to compose herself. She staggered, and something caught her attention on the vanity mirror. There was a message from Lucas.
I’ve gone to the office.
There’s food on the dining table.
Eat and rest.
You know your rest time is only when I’m not with you.
Velia moved to the bathroom. She ignored the reflection of herself in the mirror and entered the shower stall. She did not want to; she just could not bear to see her pitiful state.
Warm water poured down. Velia closed her eyes. Along with each drop that flowed over her body, she hoped all the memories would disappear from her mind.
More than just heaviness. Everything that had happened triggered a different warmth in the corners of Velia’s eyes. The shape of tears that could not be held back.
Her body ached. The bruises and marks left behind rebelled with pain. Velia tried to hold it all in, but she surrendered to the pain in her heart.
Velia needed quite some time to calm her pain. She set aside sadness and the mantle of suffering to hold her head high. Even the bitterness that came with taking the contraceptive pill, she pushed far away.
Half an hour passed, and Velia left the apartment. Her first destination was the hospital. She could not be at ease without seeing Harry’s condition.
Stable and under control. At least that was the good thing Velia received. Especially since the doctor had already planned for surgery soon.
Velia gained strength. Something that made her steps stronger. For the bad things that happened in her life, she only wanted to remember the reasons that kept her going.
Velia’s steps halted in the hospital corridor. The radiance that adorned her face due to Harry’s condition faded instantly. All the relief vanished and was replaced by a shock she could not anticipate.
“Velia.”
Velia briefly thought it was just a hallucination. Perhaps she was exhausted. However, the voice calling her name felt very real.
She was not mistaken. It was not just a mere hallucination. In fact, the middle-aged woman standing in front of her was Sandra Hernandez.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Hernandez.”
Velia’s voice trembled. The strength she had obtained disappeared instantly. No matter how hard she tried, fragments of the past filled her mind again.
Sandra was one part Velia wanted to remove from her life. A woman who had taught her an important lesson. Love was never as beautiful as fairy tales.
“After all these years,” Sandra said, smiling and approaching. She came close to the frozen Velia. “I didn’t expect us to meet again.”
Velia forced herself not to tremble. She held her ground as she replied.
“I also didn’t expect to meet you.”
Sandra, who now had a few strands of white hair, seemed to evaluate Velia. Her eyes scanned Velia from top to bottom.
“After meeting me…”
Sandra’s eyes rose and stared intently at Velia.
“… you didn’t think about meeting my son again, did you?”
Tremors grew stronger within Velia. Her legs trembled, and sweat started to trickle down her neck.
“Didn’t I warn you? Stay away from Lucas,” Sandra hissed with emphasis. “Did you consider the warnings I’ve given you as mere passing wind?”
Velia would never forget it. She knew there were many reasons why she should stay away from Lucas.
“To be honest, I didn’t know Lucas was here.”
This time, Sandra’s expression changed. Apparently, she realized the mistake in what she had just said.
Unfortunately, nothing was as Sandra assumed. More than just knowing, Velia was living with the man now.
“Thank you for the information, but there’s no need to worry. I have no intention of getting close to Lucas. I no longer dream of marrying him. I…”
Velia took in as much air as possible. She could not hold on any longer.
“… am no longer the twenty-year-old girl who was blinded by love.”
Sandra remained silent. She seemed to weigh Velia’s words.
“I’m sorry, I have to go.”
Sandra still did not say anything. She just watched Velia leave and waited. Once she was sure the woman had truly left, she immediately reached for her phone to call someone.
“When will you get rid of that cursed woman?!”
*