Velia knew she could not die now. At least today. She pulled out hurriedly the identification tag that hung on her neck. Passing through automatic scanners and rushed trying to cut through the sea of people who block the journey.
With trembling hands, Velia pressed the number three on the elevator button. She waited with a pounding heart when the elevator came down and opened.
Velia immediately rushed in and closed the elevator door quickly. Along as she climbed the elevator, her heart tightened.
Shit! It’s almost two p.m.
Velia bit her lip. It was a mess that happens repeatedly. But, when the break came, Velia could not resist her desire to looking at Harry. Because of the news she got. Harry was in shock.
Indeed, it was not a worrying thing. But lately, Harry often showed that shock. Although dr. Stewart said he was doing well. Velia knew Harry had to undergo surgery. His body was getting long time increasingly vulnerable. He could not wait any longer. His life could be threatened.
After making sure that Harry’s condition has improved, then Velia immediately headed to the office. However, traffic jams make the journey difficult. Because Velia use bus that cannot be relied on for speed. Practically make the journey to the office longer.
“Ting!”
Elevator doors opened. Velia immediately ran towards her room. When she came in, she immediately met Mecca Morris, her co-worker and also her best friend.
Mecca was the only one she had now. Even in the darkest hour of her life, Mecca never stopped encouraging herself. Mecca helped herself morally or even economically.
“Oh my God, Velia!” Mecca exclaimed hysterically. “Come on! The meeting will start in fifteen minutes.”
Mecca handed Velia a stack of folders. She said.
“I’ve arranged everything. Under the order of presentation, Mr. Bell. Now, go to the meeting room 2. Don’t be late.”
Velia gulped her saliva, hugging the maps tightly. “Thank you.”
Not waiting any longer, Velia hurried away from there. She staggered down the aisle and immediately pressed the number thirty on the elevator button.
Almost ten minutes later Velia arrived at the meeting room 2. A female employee seemed to close the door.
Velia panicked. She ran and said.
“Just a minute.”
Velia immediately pushed the door open again. Did not care about the ban she got, she immediately entered.
Velia was in such a hurry. She did not notice that she had bumped into someone. And unavoidably, her forehead directly collided with a man’s back, making she suddenly stopped for a moment.
The sound of banging and snapping was heard. Even the sound of the map landing scattered on the floor. The incident suddenly made all the meeting participants jerked in their seats.
Velia hastily descended. She tried to collect the folder again quickly, but she was stunned by the worried questions.
“Are you all right, Sir?”
Velia could guess through a glance. The man she hit was not a random person. Just looked at it. Everyone got up from sitting and moved towards them.
“Oh God. How could you do this?”
“Which department does this employee belong to?”
Velia suddenly trembled. Hurriedly, she got up holding her files tightly, ready to accept the anger until then heard another voice.
“Excuse me, Sir. This is an employee from the Development and Planning Department.”
Velia, who looked down, glanced slightly to the side, and found the leader of her department named Ricardo Bell talked. And then, the man who has aged the fifty-three years old glared at her.
“Hurry and apologize.”
Velia’s face lifted instantly. She looked at Ricardo with a gulp. Her boss scowled, made her heart beat fast with fear. Sweat splashed on her smooth forehead. She had no choice and knew it was her fault.
Again, Velia looked down. She did not dare to look at the face in front of her.
“Sir, I’m sorry. I didn't mean to collide with you.”
There was a quick sigh. That voice sounded heavy when asking Velia.
“Who are you?”
Velia blinked once. Her brow furrowed at the familiar impression she felt. The voice sounded familiar and made him dim.
“Velia, Sir.”
“V-Velia?”
Velia nodded. “Velia Angelica Howell.”
“Velia Angelica Howell?”
Again, Velia felt something strange when the man’s voice called her name completely. But the fear made her unmoved. Curiosity and the urge to see, defeat.
Then Velia heard the voice again.
“After the meeting, you go to my room.”
Ricardo paled. He worried that Velia will be troubled bad for him. With alacrity, he tried to restrain his CEO.
“Sir, I—”
However, his boss rushed over and a beautiful woman reached out. She prevented Ricardo and made a refusal gesture. Ricardo swallowed hard. He turned to the woman and said.
“Mrs. Anderson, that was Velia’s personal fault. Not our department. I hope this does not affect our department.”
Vlora Anderson, the secretary, smiled faintly. “The meeting will begin soon, Sir. Please go back to your place.”
Hearing that word, Ricardo gulped his saliva even more. He turned to Velia while the others went to their seats. He was angry at Velia.
“Velia. If you’re causing trouble for our department, watch out only! I’m going to file your name for getting fired this month! And I’m not playing with what I said!”
Velia gulped down her spit. “Sir, I didn’t mean to. I’m really sorry.”
“Intentionally or not,” Ricardo hissed with a forefinger pointing at the woman’s nose. “That doesn’t matter. The matter here is whether your actions make my department in trouble. And you must remember! You won’t be late into his room! Apologize well! Even if he asks you to jump from the top floor, you have to do it!”
“Sir—”
“Everyone knows how our current CEO is. Not compatible with his desire and offending him can be fatal. Mr. Hernandez is not will be reluctant to fire anyone he thinks is incompetent. I'd rather lose you than have my department suffer the repercussions!"
What? Mr. Hernandez?
Velia’s eyes are rounded. And for this time, the first time, Velia raised her face. Something flashed through her mind, making her whole-body tremble. Intending to make sure she did not hear Ricardo’s words.
“Who is our CEO, Sir? What’s his name?”
Ricardo looked at Velia, annoyed. “Lucas,” he replied. “Lucas Hernandez.”
And when Velia heard that name, she subconsciously turned to the other side of the room. On a large table in the center of the room, a man was sitting there.
Velia shoked. Especially when she realized the man was staring at her unblinkingly. Her heart was beating so fast.
Lucas?
*
Velia did not know what feelings were currently raging inside her chest. Especially since she was in front of Lucas’s room. As Velia recalled earlier, the CEO wanted her to come. But, for the sake of anything. she did not think that the CEO was Lucas Hernandez. The man who had been the most painful part of her past. Someone who made her go as far as possible to start a new life. So many years have passed, but why should they meet again? Ironic, but Velia will never forget how that deep voice sounds familiar to her ears. Unchanged. Just like before. Not only that but everything. Velia could see the current Lucas and compared it to the memories in her mind. Lucas was still tall and big. His pair of sharp eyes still shone an aura of intimidation. Even his dense black hair was still as dark as Velia's last memory. In Velia's view, nothing had changed for Lucas, other than the streaks of maturity that began to appear on the face. It gave the impression of strong and dashing at the same
Velia had only one hope that morning. Everything would be fine. No new problems or bad news. However, what happened was the opposite of what she wished for. Velia had just arrived and was getting ready to start work when Mecca approached her. “You're asked to meet Mr. Bell,” Mecca said. Velia knew the reason. She had thought that everything had ended, but now it was the time for judgment. She could not avoid it and decided to meet her boss immediately. She held a faint hope that maybe she would only receive a reprimand. Upon reaching the department head's office, Velia greeted the deputy head, Vonda Raveena Scott, briefly as they crossed paths. “Good afternoon.” Vonda walked away while Velia entered the office. She closed the door and headed towards another door that led to Ricardo's room. She knocked once, and after a moment, she received permission to enter. Five minutes later, Velia was sitting on the sofa, and Ricardo was looking at her without mercy. Without any preamble, h
Velia immediately rushed at Mecca. Hugged Mecca tightly. Ignoring how disheveled she looks. Mecca invites Velia to move on the side of the empty toilet. Using the low walls of the mini garden divider inside there, they sat there. Velia told what happened to Mecca. From dismissal to indecent acts committed by Ricardo on her. “Bastard, old man,” growled Mecca. “He should be ashamed of his age and that old face!” Velia sipped while Mecca tidied herself up. “So, what now, Ve? What’s your plan?” Velia shook her head. “I don’t know where to find a job. You know how hard it is to find a job these days.” Mecca took a deep breath. Velia’s words were true. It is very difficult to search for work at a time like the present. Even if it could, salary problems also worse circumstances later. The next minute, Velia calmed down. She wiped her tears and tried to put a smile. She wanted her friend not to too eager to think about it. But Mecca was even more compassionate looking at Velia. She kn
Velia felt a slight relief when Harry's condition improved, but it did not last long. The reality was looming ahead. There were days she had to get through with very little money. And now she was unemployed? “You’ve been fired. And not by me, but directly from the boss. I can’t do anything.” Ricardo's voice echoed in Velia's mind. She pondered and ended up with one question. Could she regain her job by directly asking the company owner? There was a possibility. Despite feeling a bundle of doubts in her heart, that's what Velia would do. Could Velia meet Lucas? Was there still a face for her to meet someone she had just rejected yesterday? Velia had no other choice. Lucas was the only one who could help. It seemed she would have to set aside her pride for the sake of survival. “What?!” Mecca's exclamation echoed through their phone conversation. Velia had called her while inside the public minivan, on her way to the office. “Meeting the company's CEO?” Mecca asked again. Her voi
Lucas sat down; his gaze fixed on the door as it slowly opened. The scene revealed Velia entering hesitantly, looking troubled. Something was clearly bothering her. “Please, have a seat,” Lucas said, waiting for a moment until he felt Velia was comfortable. His gaze scanned her, concluding that something was indeed happening to her. “What's the matter?” Lucas asked directly, without any small talk. “Why did you suddenly want to meet me?” Lucas shifted his focus, this time towards Velia's hands, which were tightly clasped together. It seemed she needed to gather her courage before asking a question instead of answering. “Did you fire me?” she asked. Lucas was taken aback, genuinely surprised. “Fired you? Me?” On one hand, Lucas was surprised by the accusatory tone of the question. But on the other hand, he grinned. So, because of this, you came to see me, Ve? “M-Mr. Bell said I was fired directly by my superior,” Velia continued. Lucas scoffed. “I thought you came to see me be
Lucas let Velia hold his hand. Instead of resisting, he moved closer to her. Lucas's face looked down faintly. He tried to meet Velia's lifted and gazing eyes. For a moment, Lucas felt his mind go blank. Then something crossed his mind. “Come back to me, Ve. And I’ll give your job back.” As expected, Lucas's words startled Velia. Lucas held onto the pain that surged, squeezing his heart. Velia reacted as if she did not want to be close to him again. What have I done to make you hate me like this, Ve? Velia's lips turned pale, and she trembled. Her grip on Lucas's hand loosened. She stepped back, shaking her head. “It's impossible.” Lucas glanced briefly at Velia's hand that let go of his. It brought bitterness to his throat, and he swallowed it hard. “Maybe it is. You want your job back, and I want you back. We can use this to our advantage.” “I have truly forgotten about you, Luc. I don't love you anymore.” Lucas clenched his jaw tightly. “Did I say I wanted your love?” “W
Velia’s body was still shaking badly when the girl got to her home. Each the words and actions that Lucas did to her just now made her tremble terribly. Cold sweat splashed on her forehead. Or even all over his body. Barely make the shirt she was wearing wet because of it. Velia quickly as possible went to the kitchen. Taking a glass of water and drink it with greed. Not enough with a glass, Velia then took second and third glasses. She needed to calm herself. Velia moved to her bed. Rubbing her wet face, she realized that her decision to see Lucas was the stupidest act she’s done it her whole life. She cursed herself who had thought that Lucas could solve the problem she was currently facing. But she was mistaken. Instead of helping, Lucas tried to take advantage of the situation to take advantage of herself. Velia squeezed her hand when she remembered Lucas’s words earlier. “Give me up on you, Luc?” Velia asked in an ironic tone. “No way.” A few moments later, Velia layed down
Lucas put on his suit quickly. After inserting one button neatly, he reached out. Grabbed his briefcase that was on the table, right when he felt a slight knock on his door and a moment later, he saw Vlora come in. “I was just about to go out, Vlo. How? The meeting place has not changed, right?” Lucas asked, handing the bag to Vlora. Vlora smiled faintly, greeted Lucas’s briefcase, and replied. “No, Sir. Mr. Rhodes had been at the hotel a few hours ago. The meeting will still be held at six p.m. at restaurant of the Fullman Batavia Park Hotel.” “Okay,” Lucas said as he looked at his watch showing five p.m. “I think we’ll go now.” “Um, Sir.” Lucas’s footsteps stopped. “What is it?” he asked as he found the look of doubt in the secretary’s face. Vlora seemed to weigh as she said. “Someone wants to see you, sir.” “I have to go now, Vlo.” Lucas took a deep breath. “After all, I don’t seem to have any appointments at the moment.” “The woman said something important and assured me yo