Lucas reflected, holding the phone to his ear with one hand. He observed his surroundings while waiting for the call to be answered.
“Neil,” Lucas called as the phone was picked up. “How is it? Is everything finished?”
“Everything is done. Just waiting for the next plan,” replied Neil.
Lucas took a deep breath. “I will meet you this morning. Prepare everything.”
“Alright, Sir.”
The call ended. Lucas remained silent for a moment, trying to gather his strength and mentally prepare for what was about to happen. Something he could not change once it all began.
Forgive me.
Velia welcomed Lucas into the dining room with a bewildered look. With just one glance, she could draw conclusions.
“Are you leaving again?” she asked.
“Yes,” Lucas replied after moistening his throat with two sips of water. “There are a few things I need to take care of. I’ll leave after breakfast.”
Velia simply nodded. “You’ve been very busy lately. Can’t it be postponed? I’m worried your health will deteriorate again, like before. You need rest too.”
“I think last night was more than enough to prove that I’m fine.”
Velia’s concern turned into a blush on her cheeks. She pursed her lips while Lucas grinned mischievously.
“Maybe,” Velia reluctantly admitted, rolling her eyes. “It seems you’re right.”
“You have to admit that I’m almost always right. At least there was one time I made a mistake.”
“Once? When?”
When I didn’t trust you.
Lucas’ answer echoed only in his mind. He did not actually say it out loud, instead saying something else.
“Last night. Turns out I was wrong when I thought I didn’t want to make love to you.”
Velia choked. She quickly reached for a glass of water with a flushed face.
“Maybe it’s better if we don’t talk about it.”
Lucas agreed, still staring intently at Velia, making her uncomfortable. Lucas’ behavior seemed odd.
It was not just the gaze that was the only peculiarity about Lucas, but also his embrace. He managed to surprise Velia with a tight embrace.
Velia blinked. She could barely breathe as Lucas’ hands held her tightly.
“Luc.”
The embrace was unusual. Velia could feel Lucas’ breath on her ear. She waited, but Lucas did not say anything. Only a faint touch of Lucas’ nose, indicating that he was taking in her scent deeply.
“Last night…”
Lucas released the embrace and smiled playfully as Velia looked confused. He tidied Velia’s hair, tucking it behind her ear.
“… was extraordinary. I will remember it for the rest of my life.”
Velia blinked, feeling a mix of embarrassment and confusion. “I-I just felt-”
Lucas interrupted Velia in the sweetest way possible, trying to capture her lips with a gentle touch. It was so deep that Velia’s words were drowned in it.
Peace settled. Velia responded with equal warmth.
“I have to go now.”
Velia slowly opened her eyes. She nodded, bidding farewell to Lucas with a strange and indescribable feeling.
It seemed like something was bothering Lucas. Was he having a problem?
The sound of the doorbell disrupted all of Velia’s thoughts about Lucas. She looked at the wall clock with a furrowed brow.
“Diana doesn’t usually come early today.”
Velia hurriedly got up. She opened the door and smiled, expecting to greet Siti.
“Diana, you-”
The greeting that was already on her tongue vanished instantly. The face that appeared behind the door was not Siti’s but a middle-aged woman whom Velia never expected to see.
Velia was taken aback. She was truly shocked and could not believe who had come to her that morning when there was no Lucas.
*
Sandra left her residence early in the morning. Without informing Jeff, she drove her car towards The Grandiose Plaza, the luxurious apartment where Ricardo had informed her that Velia lived.
“You damn Ricardo! Where are you now?! How could you disappear in such a critical situation!”
Sandra squeezed the steering wheel after numerous unsuccessful attempts to reach Ricardo. His phone number was inactive. Sandra grew more panicked with each passing moment, and the only thing that crossed her mind was to go see Velia.
“I can’t wait any longer. If Ricardo can’t take care of that damn Velia, then I’ll handle it myself.”
As soon as Sandra arrived at The Grandiose Plaza, she immediately headed to the reception desk. She briefly removed her sunglasses just as the receptionist greeted her.
“Good morning, Ma’am. How can I assist you?”
Sandra put on a haughty expression and confidently replied, chin held high, “I want to meet a friend’s daughter who lives here, but her phone is unreachable.”
“Alright, Ma’am. May I know her name?”
Sandra held her breath. Reluctantly and with a heavy heart, she uttered the name, “Velia Howell.”
The receptionist quickly checked. “She is a resident in unit 4901.”
“I want to see her.”
“Of course, Ma’am,” the polite receptionist nodded. “May I see your ID card, please?”
Sandra opened her wallet hurriedly and pulled out her identification card. While the receptionist checked her identity, Sandra looked around. Several people passed by in the lobby, but unfortunately, none of them looked familiar to Sandra.
“Here’s your access card, Ma’am.”
The receptionist handed Sandra a card while explaining, “I’ll hold onto your ID card as a guarantee for the access card. Please proceed to the 49th floor; there is only one unit on that floor. The access card can be used twice in the elevator. If you encounter any issues, please contact us through the emergency phone available on each floor. It’s located near the elevator door. You can retrieve your ID card by exchanging it for the access card after your visit.”
As a conclusion, the receptionist asked, maintaining a smile on her face despite Sandra’s impatience.
“Is everything clear, Ma’am?”
“Nothing is unclear,” Sandra answered, taking the access card. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I hope you have an enjoyable visit.”
Sandra left the lobby with a sly grin. She headed towards the elevator with a cynical thought.
Of course, this will be a delightful visit.
It would be so enjoyable that Sandra could not help but smile when the doors opened slowly. A young woman emerged from inside the unit, greeting her.
“Good morning, Velia.”
Sandra’s joy intensified. The paleness on Velia’s face brought its own sense of delight for her.
“Mrs. Hernandez.”
Sandra took a step forward, forcing her way in while maintaining a sly smile. “Seems like all this luxury hasn’t made you forget who I am.”
Velia closed her eyes dramatically. She took a deep breath and closed the door, reluctantly following Sandra.
“It seems the rumors I heard were true.”
Sandra glanced around, but the opulence displayed did not impress her; it had the opposite effect. Her sarcastic sneer replaced any hint of admiration.
“You’ve become someone’s mistress,” Sandra continued, turning her body to face Velia. “Are you a prostitute now?”
Velia mustered her courage. Sandra’s question provided a clear indication to her. Namely, Sandra had no knowledge of the relationship she had with Lucas all these years.
“It’s none of your concern, Ma’am.”
Sandra laughed out loud, raising her hands to give Velia a silent applause.
“Turns out a life of luxury has made you slightly braver with me, Velia.”
“I no longer interfere in your life, Ma’am. So why did you come? Who informed you that I live here?”
Lucas was not the reason for Sandra’s arrival, Velia realized that clearly, but that did not mean she was not curious. Who could have known about her presence there?
“It doesn’t matter who told me; what’s more important is the reason for my visit.”
Sandra closed the distance, approaching Velia with an unwavering gaze. With a threatening expression and a cynical smile, she said, “I want you to disappear. I want you gone.”
Velia met Sandra’s gaze. “Didn’t I do that seven years ago? I left when Lucas abandoned me. Just as you ordered, he chose his mother over me.”
“So, you know, right? Lucas never truly loved you?”
“Of course,” Velia nodded with a bitter smile. “Lucas never loved me seriously. So, what now? Why should I leave again?”
“Why?”
Sandra savored that word with a disgusted look on her face. Her disdain grew more evident, and her expression hardened.
“Why?”
Sandra repeated for the umpteenth time before exploding.
“It’s because I can’t stand the sight of you. Just the thought of you being in the same place as me is repulsive!”
“May I know? What exactly makes you hate me so much, ma’am? Even when Lucas introduced me, you immediately turned away.”
“I hate you because you will only hurt Lucas!”
Sandra’s scream burst out when her emotions became uncontrollable. It felt overwhelming and suffocating. She needed more than just that to unleash everything.
Sandra lunged forward. Her hands rose, and she grabbed Velia’s hair without any warning.
“You know?! I would accept a thousand women as Lucas’ life partner, but not you! I know that you would only treat Lucas the way George treated me!”
Sandra’s shout was barely audible as the pain stung Velia’s scalp. Her hair continued to be pulled, and Velia flinched repeatedly. She tried to free herself, but Sandra’s grip was strong.
“Let go, please.”
Sandra ignored Velia’s request. Instead, she pushed Velia’s body until it was pressed against the wall.
“Do you know what your father did to me?!”
Velia could not answer as the pain made her grimace. Sandra’s pressure kept pushing, leaving her helpless.
“He treated me just like you treat Lucas!”
Sandra’s shout was followed by the release of one tug on Velia’s hair. Her hand rose, palm stretched taut, and then swung. A slap landed squarely on Velia’s cheek.
A loud sound was heard. A scream of pain was stifled in the throat. The pain grew unbearable, and Velia wanted to fight back, but…
Velia bit her lip. Her eyes tightly shut when the pain had to yield to an ironic thought.
Sandra was Lucas’ mother. Sandra was the woman who had carried and raised Lucas, the man she loved.
“He treated me very well. He made me feel incredibly valuable. Then do you know what happened next?”
Sandra tightened her grip and shook Velia’s head. She stared at Velia with bloodshot, fierce eyes.
“He deliberately made me fall in love just to get a job at my father’s company!”
Velia shook her head. A sliver of common sense that still remained rebelled. She felt a sense of indignation when Sandra accused not only her but her parents as well.
The faces of her deceased parents filled Velia’s mind. George and Tania Howell smiled in beautiful memories that had been a source of strength for her all this time.
“You don’t believe me?!”
“N-no,” Velia shook her head with difficulty. “Dad would never do that. Dad loved my mom.”
The second slap landed on Velia’s cheek. Stronger and more painful, it brought a salty taste to her senses, blood.
“That woman took George away from me!” Sandra screamed in anger. “Even though I am far more perfect than that woman. I am more perfect than Tania! She is not comparable to me, who has everything!”
Velia grimaced. “Let me go, please.”
“I don’t want you to do the same to Lucas! I know it! You’re just like George! You only want my son’s wealth!”
“N-no. Dad would never-”
“You have no idea how satisfying it was for me to see George and Tania’s faces when we first met. I rejected you outright, and they were ashamed! They were ashamed!”
Flashes of the past appeared in Sandra’s memory. The day the two families met was the happiest moment for her. The red faces of Velia’s parents were like fireworks exploding in the night sky. Beautiful and unforgettable for Sandra’s entire life.
“It was so enjoyable! Finally, I could repay their treatment with the same amount of pain.”
The roar of anger, the grip of release, and the repeated slaps brought about a dizziness that left Velia swaying. The pain and agony caused warmth in the corners of her eyes. The resentment for the accusations directed at her parents created drops of wetness.
“Leave Lucas, you bitch! You’ve become a wealthy whore! Why do you continue to haunt my son’s life?!”
The emotions exploded completely. The tightness and heat in Sandra’s chest had reached its boiling point. It overwhelmed any semblance of reason, causing her actions to become blindly violent. She continued to assault Velia until she lay helpless on the floor.
“Do you want money? Tell me how much you want! I will give it to you as long as you stay away from Lucas!”
Sandra’s hand moved. She let go of Velia’s disheveled hair and moved towards her neck.
“M-Ma’am.”
Velia groaned. She weakly struck Sandra’s hand that was choking her neck. Her mouth opened, and her tongue protruded. Her breath was blocked.
“You should not exist in this world. You have to go. You have to go.”
Sandra’s eyes turned dark. Velia’s struggles meant nothing to her. She was fervent and relentless.
The doorbell rang at the right moment. It managed to stop Sandra’s actions. The middle-aged woman froze, as if waiting.
Damn it!
The doorbell rang again. Panic instantly struck Sandra.
Velia did not waste the opportunity. Sandra loosened her grip, and Velia quickly freed herself.
Someone was coming.
Sandra became flustered. She stood up while Velia crawled away from her.
The doorbell rang again. Sandra shook her head in escalating panic. She quickly ran and opened the door, immediately leaving without paying attention to the person she collided with.
“Who is she? Why was she the one opening the door?”
It was Diana who had arrived. According to her daily schedule, she had to clean the unit.
Curiosity furrowed Diana’s brow. She was confused but decided to enter without attempting to stop Sandra, who was fleeing.
The door closed. One sight greeted Diana’s arrival. It was Velia lying unconscious on the floor.
“Miss!”
*