“Veronica, don’t be shy, now!” Sarah came towards Veronica, affectionately pulling her in front of Nick. “Make sure to stay with Mr. Cage, alright?”
Sarah had other things in mind, though. When she pushed Veronica towards Nick, she told herself that Nick won’t be looking at Veronica for long because Claire is much more attractive.
Veronica was at ease for a while, but then she looked at Nick’s eyes and was completely mesmerized.
She didn’t understand why Nick needed her company at all, but it wasn’t like she minded it. Besides signing the contract, she had another thing to see after all. She couldn’t waste this opportunity.
“Clare’s here!” Sarah yelled in excitement as she looked at the entrance to the banquet hall.
Veronica took a glance saw a woman walking slowly into the hall, her long dress against her tall figure. One of her shoulders was exposed and she looked very pretty. She then concluded that the woman was Sarah’s daughter, Clare Parker.
All the people in the banquet were looking at Clare in awe, especially the men.
Sarah was delighted to see her beautiful daughter. She was sure that Nick would be impressed to see a woman like Clare.
However, when Clare looked at Nick, her confidence dropped.
Nick was standing sideways and wasn’t even looking at the hall. Instead, he paid close attention to Veronica.
Sarah was irritated. Nick hadn’t even taken a glance on Clare, so she thought that there was still hope for him to notice her daughter.
“Hi Mom, Hi Dad” Clare said as she greeted Tom and Sarah, smiling as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
Veronica felt insecure about herself since Clare was just behind her. She simply just sighed and decided not to look at her anymore.
However, Clare noticed Veronica and smiled once again. “You’re Veronica, right? Father often talks about you, you know? It seems that I’ll have another sister in the future. I’m very happy.”
Having said that, Clare was nervous that she would mess up in front of Nick.
She spent a lot of time trying to introduce herself formally with the help of the etiquette classes she took, and it was now her time to shine
Clare only saw Nick on TV, but when she saw him personally, she witnessed his aura radiating from him and she admitted that he looked daunting.
Clare began to introduce herself even though she felt nervous and excited at the same time. She couldn’t contain her inner doubts anymore looked at Nick nervously. “Hello, I’m-”
“Did I ask who you were?” Nick said as he glared at Clare.
Clare simply froze. Nick rejected her without batting an eyelash and she couldn’t believe it.
Veronica bewilderedly looked at Clare, who went speechless as soon as Nick told her if he asked who she was.
“Why don’t you have a drink?” Veronica said, smiling at her.
Tom knew what was happening, so he hurriedly got in front of Clare and forced a smile. “Veronica, you can stay with Mr. Cage. I’ll go and get both of you some wine!”
Nick glanced at Veronica, “Let’s go and find somewhere to sit.”
As soon as Nick said that, he walked past Clare, turning a blind eye to her so-called beauty.
Clare clenched her fists while she held her dress and felt humiliated. She wanted to cry and beat herself up because she messed up.
Sarah simply tried to calm Clare down and took her hand. “He doesn’t know you yet. I’m sure that if he recognizes you, he’ll see that you’re the most beautiful woman in the world and marry you.”
“is it because I don’t look good enough today?” Clare said as she sniffled, trying to contain her tears.
“Of course not. Maybe he’s just in a bad mood today? You really shouldn’t be discouraged!”
Clare tried to force a smile and looked at her mom. “Giving up halfway isn’t my style.”
“That’s my beautiful daughter!” Sarah said as she hugged Clare tightly.
When Nick sat down on the couch, Tom immediately poured the wine to Nick’s glass. He also did the same to Veronica’s glass.
After Tom put the wine down, he bowed down. “Take your time, Mr. Cage!”
Nick didn’t speak a word. However, his other hand was on his watch, subconsciously rubbing the lid of the watch.
“L-Let me know if you need help with anything, alright Veronica?” Tom said nervously as he left the resting area.
Nick looked up at Veronica who was bearing a grudge expression on her face, somewhat lost and thrown away with dilemma. He had a confused look in his eyes, wondering about the reason behind the distance she is seeming to mind.
As Veronica stared down at the seat in front of him, she couldn’t stop thinking about the chances that she was made to overcome. Hundreds of sofas and corners in this room where a man like Nick Cage would prefer, yet fate decided that he sits in front the only chair that is available at the moment.
She didn’t have a choice left. Instead of continuing her mindless and silent mumbles and tantrums, she had to sit down for the sake of everyone around her. Especially to Nick who might get the wrong impression of her.
Veronica would do everything to avoid daring to offend Nick Cage, especially in public places. This is not the kind of publicity she would want to reflect upon her and him. If she had to swallow her pride, then so be it.
She knew had to be scrupulous.
As Veronica drank her juice in hand, she noticed Clare Parker looking at her direction from a distance.
She looked away for a moment to avoid Clare’s glances. Little did she know that she would end up straight towards Nick.
Millions of thoughts started to run inside her head, she felt unsafe from the fact that someone could’ve been watching her the whole day. She started wondering that her presence there in front of Nick made her envious or just simply enraged. Clare was a gorgeous lady who would be perfect for Nick. There was no doubt if ever these two end up being together. They would be the Adam and Eve of this place if she was here rather than me.
Veronica shifted her eyes once more towards Clare. However, she was welcomed by a glance that made her realize that Clare never looked away. Fear rose to her, but she knew she had to mask it with aggression. Instead of giving in to the agitation, she squinted and stared back at Clare with pride.
Clare walked towards their table. The intensity rose as Veronica expected trouble running towards them. But this time, her glances are no longer the weapons she needed to protect her wall. She knew that she needed to stay firm and stand on her ground.
“What are you looking at?” Clare asked as she got closer.
“Oh, nothing too important. I was just looking back at you” Veronica replied.
While being stuck in the middle of this boiling feud, Nick couldn’t help himself from interrupting.
“Luckily, I’m here to separate the two of you” Nick said in a harsh and disturbed tone, seemingly offended by the situation.
Veronica had noticed the change of his mood in his eyes. She felt bad that she had somewhat ruined a second of Nick’s time. It was unknown and confusing to her that talking back at Clare’s remark was probably a rude way to reply to someone when someone’s being caught in the middle. Literally and figuratively.
“I don’t think your approach to me was appropriate to say in front of Mr. Cage.” Clare stated as she placed her hand on his shoulder.
Veronica felt like a train wreck. Her doubts were correct, and Clare used that moment to attack her and pretend she’s the victim in this. What happened to her was no different from digging her own grave. One word from Clare or Nick could easily set her own fire.
Veronica couldn’t stand the aura anymore. She badly felt remorse from getting Nick in the situation.” I’ll get something to eat!” Veronica coldly said as she stood up and walked away. She wanted to run from the embarrassment, but she had to keep a straight face and not let a single line of fear be seen on her guise.
The room was so crowded, there were many people around, but only a few eyes looked toward our direction every now and then.
Veronica was standing just near the table of food, her eyes scanning the room, eventually catching the eyes of Sarah North.
Sarah was just there, talking to her daughter when she felt the stare of Veronica that had hit her. She looked back for a moment, but she soon faced away from her and turned to Tom Parker.
Sarah looked towards Tom as he was busy talking to a friend. She stared down at him lovingly, reminding herself that she was a lucky woman to have him by her side. Sarah couldn’t stop smiling as she noticed every detail on his face, memorizing them as if it was the last day to stare and watch his every blink and his lips’ every movement.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
Tom apologized at his company. “I’m really sorry, I’m going to have to take this call.”
You could see his reaction when the call came through. He answered very quietly not to draw attention to himself, as if he was hiding something.
“Didn’t I make myself clear to you?” Why are you still calling? ” he quietly asked.
“But I miss you.” the voice on the phone said.
“Didn’t I give you enough money? I’m telling you, don’t be insatiable. Don’t take advantage of this ” he said to the person on the phone, as he quickly hung up.
But as quick as he hung up, was as quick as the phone rang again,
All Tom could do was send a text message and turn the phone off.
“Don’t let Sarah know about the existence of the landlady, or there will be trouble.” the person threatened before the call was dropped once more.
Tom looked back as he noticed Sarah coming toward his way.. “What are you doing?” She asked confusingly. It was unlikely for Tom to attain a flustered look on his face when he’s on a call, unless it was something concerning and unfamiliar.
“Nothing?” Tom responded. He looked surprised at the question.
“Nothing? Weren’t you on the phone just now?” she asked
“Well, actually yes I was” Tom said. “I was talking to a person named Scott, see” Tom pulls up the phone call history and shows her the record of a person named Scott calling.
Sarah further wondered, “Is everything okay with you and this Scott person? You don’t normally call or text him?”
“He is just a little concerned because the payment for the business hasn’t arrived yet. He’s in a hurry. I had to answer his call-in order to solve the issue. I felt like I’m facing the enemy just being there on the phone with him. It was pressuring, but that’s nothing to worry about now. It’s just one big blur of a business. I’m okay now. ” Tom said as he rubbed his wife’s back to ease her confusion.
Sarah smiled as she wrapped her arms around him, hoping that the situation that he’s in won’t put a toll in their relationship. Tom could only hold her tight as his mind was filled with nothing but worry.