Vlora looked uncertainly at a pill on Lucas’ desk.
“Do you know what pill this is?”
Vlora blinked once and shook her head. “I’m sorry, Sir. I don’t know.”
“It’s a birth control pill.”
Vlora’s face lit up with a spark of surprise in her eyes. She glanced at her boss, and Lucas nodded.
“You’re right,” Lucas said, as if he could read Vlora’s thoughts. “So, you know what you need to do? I want you to find fertility pills that look exactly like this one.”
Vlora understood what Lucas wanted.
“Or at least something similar in appearance. She won’t notice.”
“How much should I prepare, Sir?”
“As much as you can get and as quickly as possible.”
“Alright, Sir. I will do my best today.”
Lucas nodded in satisfaction. A mischievous grin appeared on his face as soon as Vlora left. It was quiet and still, and he did not immediately resume his work. Instead, he filled his mind with the beautiful face of Velia.
Velia. Velia. You won’t be able to escape from me. Since the day we met again, I made a promise that day. I won’t let you go again.
*
There’s nothing more enjoyable for employees every day than break time. After staying focused since morning, the moment they get during lunchtime is nothing short of a blessing for them.
The same goes for Velia and Mecca. They were full of enthusiasm as they got up and left the room. Lunch was already on their minds, but unfortunately, someone’s presence interrupted their smiles and enthusiasm.
“Sir.”
Velia and Mecca’s synchronized steps came to a halt. And together, they greeted Ricardo, who suddenly appeared before them with a slight surprise.
Ricardo looked at them one by one, and his gaze stopped at Velia. “Are you going to have lunch?”
Velia and Mecca nodded simultaneously, without any hesitation. However, the atmosphere became uncomfortable as Ricardo’s gaze grew wilder. His smile changed, and he did not hesitate to lick his lips repeatedly.
Mecca glanced at Velia. She immediately grabbed Velia’s hand and moved, trying to hide behind her.
“W-what’s the matter, Sir?”
Mecca took over the conversation while gently patting Velia’s hand, trying to calm her down. She was sure that Ricardo would not dare to do anything inappropriate in public.
“I was also planning to have lunch,” Ricardo answered without moving his gaze from Velia. He was now looking at her uncovered legs. “Do you want to have lunch with me?”
Velia and Mecca exchanged glances. Without saying a word, they were equally certain that it was a bad offer.
“Don’t worry. Let me treat you to lunch.”
Misinterpreting Velia and Mecca’s reactions, Ricardo laughed and boasted arrogantly.
“Where do you want to eat? Let’s go outside. The food in the office is not good. How about it? Shall we go now? Don’t worry, I’ll drive.”
Ricardo’s insistence made Velia tremble. Even if Mecca joined them, it would not calm Velia down. She really did not want to go with Ricardo.
The same went for Mecca. The entire office knew about Ricardo’s notorious reputation for being a womanizer. What would happen if they ended up having lunch together? Gossip would undoubtedly spread like wildfire.
“I’m sorry, Sir.”
With a single word spoken by Mecca, Ricardo’s fiery enthusiasm suddenly dimmed. The woman rejected his invitation.
“It seems that we can’t have lunch together, sir.”
Ricardo’s true nature immediately emerged after Mecca’s refusal. The friendly-disgusting-expression on his face was replaced by his genuine expression. He was clearly offended.
“What?! You’re rejecting my offer?!”
Now it was Mecca who trembled. “It’s not like that, sir. We just-”
A loud noise was heard from the office. The longer the sound was heard, the closer it got. Mecca’s words stopped, and a quick thought flashed through her mind.
“Actually, we were planning to have lunch together today,” Mecca continued, making an excuse as she glanced at Velia. “Isn’t that right, Ve?”
Velia quickly nodded. Just as the door opened, Mecca immediately greeted someone among them.
“Nova! Are the others ready?”
Nova Walker looked confused, but Mecca quickly gave her a knowing wink. She continued to speak.
“Velia and I are ready. What should we have for lunch today?”
Velia did not remain silent. She added, “Just as I promised yesterday. Today, I will treat all of you to lunch.”
Nova understood what was happening, but regardless of that, Velia’s words sparked joy among them.
“Wow!”
“Are you serious, Ve?”
“Of course,” Velia nodded confidently. “I’m serious.”
“Well then, we better go now.”
Nova spoke openly as she invited Velia and Mecca. Likewise, the others, thrilled at the prospect of being treated, disregarded Ricardo’s sour expression.
“Before the cafeteria gets crowded.”
Velia and Mecca did not waste any time. They quickly took advantage of the situation to excuse themselves from Ricardo.
“We’ll go ahead, Sir.”
“Excuse us.”
Ricardo could not hold back or say anything. He could only snort with a dejected face as he watched Velia leave.
Argh! It’s so difficult just to have lunch.
Unlike Velia and Mecca, they felt immeasurable relief. Both were endlessly grateful that their friends arrived at the right time. They found a valid reason to avoid Ricardo.
“Are you sure you’ll treat them?” Mecca asked nervously as they were about to reach the cafeteria. “There are quite a few of them.”
Mecca quickly counted. There were at least fifteen people.
“Don’t worry, Mecca. Hopefully, I have enough money. Besides, it’s nothing compared to the possibility of having lunch with Mr. Ricardo.”
“You’re right. Your safety is more important than money.”
*
There are two different objects on Lucas’ desk that caught his attention. As expected, his secretary carried out his orders flawlessly.
“Just as you requested. I have prepared a hundred pills, but if you need more, I can arrange it.”
Lucas smiled meaningfully and grabbed the pill bottle. “Thank you. It seems this will be enough for now.”
“You’re welcome, Sir.”
“What about the house?” Lucas asked as he picked up the house keys from the table. “Is everything ready?”
Vlora nodded. “Everything you requested has been prepared. Nothing is missing.”
“Good. You may leave now.”
“Excuse me.”
Lucas immediately grabbed his phone after Vlora closed the door. It was already five in the evening. Velia should be arriving at the apartment by now.
“Hello, Luc.”
Lucas picked up the call within two seconds. He heard Velia’s soft voice, and unconsciously, a wide smile spread across his face.
“Hello,” Lucas replied. “Have you arrived?”
“Yes, I have. Are you coming home late today? Should I cook something for you?”
“Not too late. I might be home around eight. So, if you want to cook something for me, I won’t refuse.”
“What do you want?”
“Anything you cook.”
“Alright,” Velia’s enthusiastic voice came through from the other side. “I’ll be waiting for you to come home.”
The call ended. Lucas was supposed to continue working, but thoughts of Velia filled his mind for a while. Somehow, he could picture Velia’s smiling face while talking to her on the phone earlier.
Now, it seemed difficult for Lucas to focus on work. There were many reasons why he should go home as soon as possible, including the two items Vlora had given him earlier.
Time passed. Lucas finished the meeting earlier than scheduled. He arrived home half an hour earlier than anticipated.
Lucas entered and casually placed his work bag in the living room. He walked straight to the kitchen, the only place he was sure to find Velia.
His guess was correct. Velia was in the kitchen, preparing a meal on the dining table. She noticed Lucas’ arrival.
“You’re home.”
Lucas nodded and approached her. “Yes, just now.”
“Sooner than you said earlier,” Velia said, sinking into Lucas’ embrace. “Luckily, everything is already done.”
Lucas glanced briefly at the dishes on the table and kissed Velia’s head. A gentle caress on her back made Velia lift her face.
“Do you want to eat now?”
“Actually, yes,” Lucas replied. “But I think I should take a shower first. Can you wait for about fifteen minutes?”
Velia smiled and nodded. “Of course.”
Lucas gave a soft stroke on Velia’s cheek before leaving. He grabbed his work bag and headed to the bedroom. Clearly, taking a shower was not his priority upon arriving home. And the bathroom was not his intended destination either.
Velia’s vanity table was Lucas’ target. He made sure the door was closed, and Velia would not come in anytime soon.
Lucas acted quickly. He disposed of all of Velia’s birth control pills in the toilet and replaced the contents.
The pill bottle was back in its original place, tucked in the corner drawer of the vanity table. Lucas ensured that everything looked unchanged, and a satisfied smile graced his face.
I’m looking forward to your happy news, Ve.
*