“So, it’s true?”
Lucas raised his face with both hands resting on the table. He looked at Vlora with a serious gaze.
“Did Ricardo request Velia’s return?”
Vlora nodded. “Yes, Sir.”
The questions continued in a chain. The truth only fueled more curiosity, and the strangeness grew stronger, causing Lucas to furrow his brow.
Vlora remained silent, not saying anything as Lucas pondered several things in his mind.
Calling Velia back was not enough. Ricardo even pressured the HR department to expedite the process.
There was something I don’t know here.
Lucas was certain that compassion was not one of Ricardo’s traits. He would not forget the middle-aged man’s anger when Velia bumped into him.
The oddity became more apparent. Ricardo, who had wanted Velia to be fired the most, was now doing the opposite.
So, what was it? Why was Ricardo insisting on calling Velia back?
Questions kept popping up and filling Lucas’ mind. He clenched his jaw in frustration at his lack of knowledge.
“Sorry, Sir. Should I find out more?”
Lucas realized that Vlora was still there. He quickly shook his head and said, “No. You may leave.”
*
In the afternoon, during the lunch break, Ricardo called Mecca again. One guess came to mind, and it turned out to be correct.
“How is it? What did Velia say? Have you contacted her?”
Ricardo bombarded Mecca with questions even before she sat down. His expression showed impatience.
“Or did you go to her house directly? Is she doing okay?”
Intending to show concern, those questions actually made Mecca think otherwise. Ricardo’s behavior seemed unusual.
“I did visit Velia’s rental house, although I didn’t meet her, Sir. It seems she’s doing fine.”
Ricardo’s curiosity about Velia’s response paused. Mecca’s words caused a frown to appear on his forehead.
“You didn’t meet her? Why? Has she started working elsewhere?”
“Velia hasn’t found another job, sir. It’s just that…”
Mecca shook her head. Certainly, what Velia was doing now didn’t fall under actual work.
“… she has moved.”
It took Ricardo three seconds to process Mecca’s words. “She moved?”
“Yes, Sir. Velia no longer lives in her old rental house.”
Ricardo immediately remembered the task he had given to Boy. Velia’s relocation was not a good thing.
“Where did she move to?”
Once again, Mecca shook her head. “I’m sorry, Sir. I don’t know where Velia moved.”
Ricardo reflexively hit the table. He asked again, this time with a louder tone, causing Mecca to be startled and fearful.
“You don’t know? How can you not know where Velia moved? Aren’t you her friend?”
Mecca swallowed her saliva. Fear quickly took over her expression.
“I-I truly don’t know, Sir. Velia didn’t tell me about her relocation.”
“Argh!”
This time, Ricardo pounded the table with both fists. His loud voice made Mecca close her eyes.
“I’m s-sorry, Sir,” Mecca whispered timidly. “I can only assure you that Velia is willing to come back to work.”
Ricardo’s anger was momentarily held back. Mecca’s words triggered a glimpse of common sense, and he cursed inwardly.
Ricardo took a deep breath and quickly changed his facial expression, saying, “I-I’m sorry. You must have been surprised. I…”
Ricardo quickly thought of a reason. He didn’t want Mecca to become suspicious and ruin his plan.
“… was just curious. Remember? Velia made the construction proposal for the tower. So, if she returns to work, she might have to visit the construction site frequently. It would be inconvenient if her house is far away, right?”
Did it sound reasonable? Ricardo convinced himself that his explanation sounded logical.
“I’m only thinking about the welfare of my subordinates. As you know, I’m a caring boss,” Ricardo said, rubbing his hands together.
Mecca nodded stiffly, not daring to say a word.
“So,” Ricardo cleared his throat as he clasped his hands together. “Why don’t you ask Velia where she’s staying now?”
The strangeness returned, and Mecca could not simply ignore it. The previous incident that almost happened to Velia made her ask again.
“Does this have anything to do with Velia’s recall, sir?”
Mecca grew suspicious. Ricardo cursed inwardly and quickly pretended to laugh.
“What? Did I ask for Velia’s address? Oh my, it seems like I misspoke. Besides, why would I need to know her address? I mean, does Velia really want to come back and work here?”
Mecca’s suspicion grew, but she nodded. “Yes, Sir. Velia told me that she’s ready to come back to work.”
At least that was good news for Ricardo. The address issue could be dealt with later. He was confident it would not be difficult for Boy to handle.
“Alright. Maybe her recall letter will be ready by Thursday. She can start working again next Monday.”
“So soon, Sir?”
“Of course,” Ricardo replied with a meaningful smile. “Isn’t sooner better?”
The conversation ended, and Mecca quickly excused herself. Ricardo was left alone and immediately drank a glass of water. His conversation with Mecca gave him another worry.
His phone ringing caught Ricardo’s attention. He hurriedly answered, and it turned out to be Boy on the other end.
“Hello, Sir.”
Ricardo sat down, loosening his tie. “What news do you have? I hope it’s good news.”
“It seems like it’s not good news. Velia is no longer living in her rental house.”
Ricardo’s eyes closed dramatically. The throbbing in his head, which had subsided, suddenly flared up again.
“I already know about that,” Ricardo said angrily. “Do you know where she’s living now?”
“Not yet, Sir. I’ll find out as soon as possible, although it might be a bit difficult.”
There was something different in Boy’s voice. Ricardo sat up straight and asked, “What is it?”
“According to rumors going around here, it seems Velia has become a high-ranking officer’s mistress.”
Ricardo was taken aback. “W-what did you say?”
“Velia has become a high-ranking officer’s mistress.”
Shock? Don’t even ask. This time, Ricardo not only loosened his tie, but also undid two shirt buttons.
“A mistress of a high-ranking officer? Oh my, Boy. Don’t joke around. How could Velia become a mistress? Her? That self-righteous woman? It can’t be true!”
“That’s the rumor going around here, sir. According to people, Velia was picked up by an older man in a luxury car.”
Ricardo massaged the bridge of his nose. The throbbing in his head intensified.
“After that night, Velia never returned to her rental house. She was only seen once when she came to settle all her debts. She didn’t even stop by her rental house and went straight away,” Boy explained at length on the other end. “In my opinion, Velia must be living with that officer.”
“No. That’s impossible.”
In a low voice, Ricardo continued shaking his head. He tried to calm himself amidst the onslaught of unpleasant things. He attempted to think positively, perhaps it was just a mere rumor.
“Boy, you must find out about Velia, no matter what.”
“Of course, Sir. I will find out everything. However, if the rumor is true, I’m afraid she’s staying somewhere beyond our reach.”
The suppressed anger within Ricardo emerged victorious. Emotion took over, causing him to crush the documents on his desk.
“Do you think Velia is such an extraordinary woman that she’s given a luxurious place with guaranteed privacy?”
No answer came to Ricardo. Boy remained silent.
“She’s just a lowly woman. Even her clothes are too shabby to attract a department head in this company! Let alone an official!”
Ricardo stood up, pacing back and forth. A hint of rational thinking made him consider something more important.
“She couldn’t have moved to a place that’s hard to find. Try looking in places known to be frequented by women like her. She can definitely be found there.”
“Alright, Sir.”
The call ended, and Ricardo needed another glass of cool water. He tried to calm himself, but a message that came in made him panic even more.
Mrs. President Director:
Ricardo.
Your time is running out.
I’m not a patient person.
Ricardo squeezed his phone. Anger mixed with panic, making him lose control. He repeatedly pounded the table to vent his emotions.
Where are you now, Velia?
*