Days passed. During that time, Velia realized something. Lucas was always there with her. Seven days a week, without exception.
Velia finished preparing breakfast when Lucas arrived, looking neat and tidy. They sat down together.
Lucas wiped his mouth. He finished a glass of water and asked nonchalantly, “Is there something you want to say?”
Velia snapped out of her reverie, and Lucas stared at her. His gaze seemed piercing.
“You’ve been watching me all this time,” Lucas continued. “I thought there was something you wanted to say.”
Velia should not have been surprised. He seemed careless, but in truth, Lucas was very perceptive. Nothing escaped his eyes.
Regarding Lucas’s perceptiveness, Velia realized something else. There was no point in lying to him. Trying to be dishonest with him was the fastest way to invite trouble.
“I remember you once told me that you gave me this apartment unit to make things easier for you.”
That was enough. Velia did not need to explain the details. They understood each other.
“And?” Lucas asked.
“I feel like you’re always here,” Velia answered, resolving the uneasiness in her mind. “You never go back to your own home.”
“Why should I go back home when you’re here?”
Of course. The question-like answer successfully silenced Velia. She did not need any further explanation.
“Sleeping alone while you can keep me company here?”
Velia could not argue anymore. Blush quickly appeared on her cheeks, blushing with a mix of embarrassment and shyness.
“You don’t mind, do you?” Lucas asked.
“Not at all. I’m just a little…”
Velia quickly shook her head. She racked her brain to give the right answer.
“… curious.”
Lucas nodded, glancing at his watch. “Looks like I have to leave now.”
Not only Lucas stood up, but Velia did as well. She helped straighten Lucas’ suit, and her hands rested on his waist.
Lucas looked down. Velia’s fingers stopped on Lucas’s chest. She blinked once when Lucas placed a gentle kiss.
“I’m off.”
Velia held her breath, simply nodding.
Silence and stillness. After Lucas left for the office, Velia was alone. She did not know which was worse, spending lonely days with no activities or being with Lucas all day with a full schedule.
Maybe I should talk to Lucas again.
Velia tidied up the dining table. While thinking about what she would do that day, she still hoped. At least Lucas would return to his job. Just as he had promised before.
*
Lucas exited the meeting room with Vlora trailing behind him. As he walked, he felt a faint vibration coming from his phone in his suit pocket.
Seeing the name on the phone screen, Lucas let out a long sigh. The name gave off an impression of reluctance, but he still answered the call.
“Hello, Mom.”
It was Sandra who called Lucas that afternoon. His mother immediately confronted him with a question.
“Lucas, where are you?”
“At the office,” Lucas replied as he entered his workspace. “What’s up?”
“Nothing important. I just wanted to let you know. Actually, I’ve been in Ashford City for a week now.”
Lucas paused for a moment with that information. “Is there something?”
“Nothing significant. Just meeting old friends, and I had an idea.”
Lucas continued walking with a slightly uneasy feeling. He tried to ignore the ringing alarm, but his instincts were rarely wrong.
“I want to introduce you to someone.”
In an instant, Lucas confirmed his suspicion from the warning alarm. No further explanation was needed; he could guess his mother’s intention.
“Do you have time this afternoon? How about having lunch together? It just so happens that I am with her now.”
Lucas sat down. “I’m busy, Mom. I’m sorry, but it seems like I can’t join. I have a lot of work.”
“I am not taking away your working hours, Luc. There’s always a break.”
It seemed that Sandra was not giving up. Unfortunately, Lucas felt the same.
“Sorry, Mom.”
“Alright. How about dinner then? We can have a casual chat. Isn’t that a good idea?”
Dinner? Lately, when it came to dinner, only Velia was on Lucas’s mind.
“Sorry, Mom.”
The rejection, for the umpteenth time, did not diminish Sandra’s enthusiasm. Apparently, she kept trying.
“You’re busy with work, and you need rest at night. Okay, I understand. How about having tea after work?”
Lucas ran out of words. How else could he refuse Sandra’s request?
“Just for a moment, Luc.”
“I’m not promising anything, Mom,” Lucas surrendered. “I just don’t want to waste her time.”
“Maybe you’ll change your mind after meeting her.”
Lucas responded to his mother with certainty. “Maybe I won’t change my mind.”
“Oh, my goodness, Luc!”
Sandra’s voice sounded frustrated now. It seemed she could not hold her patience any longer. Her emotions were also unleashed.
“I just want you to move on. What I mean is, it’s time for you to get married.”
Unfortunately, it was the same with Lucas. The continuous pressure made Lucas’s patience waver.
“Of course, Mom. I also want to get married, but-”
“Don’t tell me you still want to marry Velia.”
Lucas fell silent. Sandra cut him off with a firm statement that could not be denied.
“Oh, God. You’re so stubborn, Luc. How could you still hope for a woman who knows where she is now?”
Lucas closed his eyes dramatically. He chose not to respond when Sandra pressed on.
“Perhaps you’ve already met her? Yes?”
Lucas opened his eyes and massaged the bridge of his nose. His answer sounded weak.
“Not yet. I haven’t found Velia, and that’s the only reason why I’m not ready to get married.”
Intentionally lying, Lucas found a response that made him furrow his brows. It was vague, but he bet his mother sighed on the other end of the line.
“I’ve told you, Luc. Velia isn’t suitable for you. Remember? She left you just like that. I bet she’s already married to someone else who is wealthier.”
Lucas clamped his mouth shut in an attempt to restrain his tongue. His jaw tightened, and his face turned red.
“Maybe she hasn’t married anyone,” Lucas said, holding back his anger. “Mom, can we stop this conversation?”
“Up to you, but I want you to meet that woman.”
Lucas gave in to end the topic. “As you wish, Mom.”
“Great. She will come to your office this afternoon.”
“Once again, I’m not promising anything.”
The call ended. Lucas squeezed his phone with an uncontrollable mind.
*
“Lucas is always prioritizing work. I hope you’re not offended.”
Sandra placed her phone on the table and smiled sweetly at her lunch companion, also her friend. A young woman sat calmly, nodding once.
“Of course. I understand.”
Her name was Clarissa Davis. Working as a professional model, it was no wonder her beauty was enchanting despite not being young anymore.
“You’re really understanding,” praised Sandra. “Oh, by the way, you can directly meet Lucas at the office later. I’ve arranged it.”
Clarissa had overheard Sandra and her son’s conversation, but she was not sure. Her face showed doubt about the idea.
“Will Lucas be angry if I suddenly visit him?”
Sandra shook her head confidently. “No way. He won’t be angry if a beautiful woman like you visits him.”
Clarissa’s doubts faded away. Sandra’s support boosted her confidence.
“After lunch, you can get ready. Maybe you want to go to the salon.”
“You’re understanding indeed.”
About ten minutes after finishing lunch, Clarissa bid farewell to Sandra. She did not forget to give a warm hug before leaving, leaving Sandra alone for a while.
A man approached Sandra’s table. He sat with a downcast face, as if prepared for the forthcoming questions.
“Have you found her?”
“Sorry. I haven’t found Velia’s whereabouts yet.”
Sandra’s hand, which had intended to reach for her teacup, abruptly stopped. She blinked once and stared sharply.
“What have your men been doing, Ricardo? Why can’t you get anything done?!”
It was Ricardo, Velia’s boss at the office. He looked panicked as he pleaded.
“Forgive me.”
“I told you to kill her nine months ago,” Sandra hissed with emphasis. She glanced around briefly, making sure no one could overhear their conversation. “Yet, until now, none of your tasks are completed.”
Sweat dripped from Ricardo’s forehead. Sandra’s tone made him jittery.
Argh! If only I hadn’t been tempted to have her.
A curse echoed in Ricardo’s mind. Ironically, it was directed at himself. Perhaps his tasks would have been completed quickly if he had not been swayed by Velia’s beauty. Unfortunately, Ricardo could not resist her charm.
“Have you searched for her whereabouts?”
“I-I have, but no results yet,” Ricardo stammered. “She no longer lives in her home.”
Sandra dramatically closed her eyes. Her fingers, originally reaching for the teacup, changed direction. Now, she clenched them tightly in an attempt to control her anger.
“You must find that woman as soon as possible.”
Ricardo nodded. “Y-yes. I will definitely find Velia’s whereabouts soon, but before that, may I know why? Why does you want Velia dead?”
Sandra glared at him. Her anger became unbearable, causing Ricardo to flinch.
“You just need to do as I command. Never ask anything.”
“Y-yes.”
“I don’t want to know anything, Ricardo. I want you to find and finish off that woman,” Sandra emphasized again. “If you can’t orchestrate an accident like nine months ago, you can use other methods. Anything, as long as she dies.”
Compliantly, Ricardo nodded again. “I will carry it out, Madam.”
Sandra opened her bag and took out a brown envelope. She threw it at Ricardo.
“Finish everything quickly, Ricardo. I want good news soon. Whatever it takes, I can’t wait any longer.”
Ricardo hastily took the envelope and put it in his jacket pocket.
“Yes. This time, I will truly find Velia. I will hire a hitman to eliminate her.”
Sandra’s emotions were slightly subdued after taking a sip of tea. However, there was another issue bothering her.
“What about Harry? A few days ago, I went to the hospital and found out that he’s still alive.”
“He won’t survive for long,” Ricardo answered carefully. “His health is deteriorating, and Velia won’t be able to afford further treatment. He will still die without our intervention.”
Sandra weighed Ricardo’s words. It made sense. There was no need to make an effort for something that was bound to happen.
“Even if he regains consciousness, I can assure you he won’t know anything, Madam. No one will realize what happened that night. There will be no witnesses.”
Ricardo’s confidence eased Sandra’s mind. She nodded, her voice flat as she spoke.
“You may go.”
Ricardo nodded. Without wasting any time, he quickly left the place. He headed towards his parked car and sat there for a moment, not planning to return to the office immediately.
“Ah!” Ricardo groaned as he hit the steering wheel. “I shouldn’t have proposed her dismissal.”
Ricardo’s head was spinning. Regret was useless now. The dismissal was certainly not without purpose.
“How could I have thought of making Velia my mistress and hiding it from Mrs. Hernandez?”
If Ricardo had not been tempted, Sandra’s orders would have been completed long ago. Unfortunately, the immoral whisper to possess Velia successfully incited him.
Ricardo had devised a plan. Desperate and jobless Velia would do anything for money. He could take advantage of the situation and make her his mistress.
It was a good and mutually beneficial plan, wasn’t it? Velia would be safe in her hiding place, and Ricardo would get what he wanted. However, the plan failed miserably. Not only did Velia reject him, but now Ricardo also lost track of her.
It was not surprising that Ricardo kept blaming himself. Sandra had given him an ultimatum, and he had to finish everything as quickly as possible.
“Argh! If the accident that night had succeeded, I wouldn’t be in this mess!”
*