Chapter 2- Vera Anderson

Royce Miller's POV

It was already 10:00 0' clock in the morning when I woke up. My head was aching badly so, I took a pain reliever inside my medicine cabinet, then went back to bed. But I could not anymore get back to sleep. I am thinking again about what my parents asked me last night.

They wanted me to take Reid's position, so that means they trust me and believe as well that I can do the responsibility. I smiled upon thinking about it because for the first time in my life, my parents have this confidence that I can do something in the company.

I shook my head and closed my eyes for a while.

Suddenly, I remembered my brother's phone. I need to bring it to the cell shop and have it repaired. I stood up because I feel like my headache has already subsided. I quickly grabbed my towel and went to the bathroom to take my shower.

Afterwards, I got dressed in a checkered polo shirt paired with blue jeans and sneaker shoes. I put my brother's cellphone in my pants pocket. Then I went out of my room and headed to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. Foods are already served on the table, but I don't have much appetite to eat meals in the morning. I'm sure my parents left already for work. Mom is a Chief Financial Officer of a Lending Institution while dad is the Founder and Chairman of a real estate company in Washington DC.

I can say that we belong to the upper class. Both dad and mom were coming from wealthy business families so apparently, being good in business already runs in their blood. And this is one thing that Reid inherit from them, but not me.

Coming from a well-off family is what makes me happy-go-lucky because I have in mind why do I need to work, when we all have material things on earth? Our parents would surely bequeath all the richest in the world to Reid and me when the time comes.

After I'm done taking a cup of coffee, I grabbed my black leather jacket and placed it on my shoulder. But oh! I remember, I left my car at the bar last night, so I had to use any other car available in the garage. Gladly, I have my keys to Porche Cayenne because I used it before I bought a new one.

I pulled the driveway going to a Cellphone Care Center. When I reached the place, I parked the car and hurriedly went out. I made quick long steps towards the entrance door. There are plenty of cell shops inside the building, and I got confused where I should be going to.

Because my eyes were busy, looking out for the best shop, I accidentally bumped into someone in the hallway.

"Oh, I'm sorry Miss", I bent down and helped her pick up pieces of documents scattered on the floor. Those were her biodata, TOR, and application letters. There, it reads,

-VERA ANDERSON-

The woman took a glance at me as she placed her documents in a folder. I can say she is pretty with her long eyelashes. Damn, she has attractive and kissable lips. Her long dark brown wavy hair complemented her innocent and angelic face. She was like a real goddess whose great beauty arouses adoration. And I admit I get lost when I stared into her eyes. 

"I'm sorry again Miss", I uttered. We stared at each other, and I feel like I'd known her in the past. She is so familiar to me, but I can't remember if we have met before.

"It's okay. Thank you", she responded with a soft smile. Then she stood up.

"Uhm, my name is R--", I wasn't able to finish saying my name because she already left. It seems she is not interested in me. And it hurts my male ego.

My eyes followed her until she was able to make her exit.

"Hmm. Vera Anderson. Sounds familiar", I whispered to myself.

As I continued my way to the cell shop, I couldn't help but think of the woman I met unexpectedly in the hallway. Her name kept repeating in my mind.

Vera Anderson...

"Good morning sir, how may I help you?" the mobile attendant asked me, showing her cutest smile. 

I set aside that thought for a while and took my brother's broken cellphone in my pocket. I handed it to the mobile attendant and asked her if the phone could still be fixed. She gave it to the technician to have it checked. After a moment, the technician told me, that he could not give a 100% guarantee that the phone could still be repaired, because the circuit board was already damaged. Still, he would do his best. I left the phone at the cell shop and gave to them my contact number. Then I went out and headed my way to where I parked my car.

Suddenly, I remembered again the woman, I met unexpectedly. I rubbed my forehead as I'm trying to recall if I've known her before. After a while,

ALAS! I remember her!

Vera Anderson.

The woman I kissed three years ago. I smiled, when I remembered how her pink cheeks turned out into red when the lights were brought back on. I think she was blushing that time when she realized she responded to my kiss. Maybe, that was her first kiss. Oh my goodness! I thumped my head with my hand because I still couldn't believe there is still a woman who had not yet experienced such thing.

I admit I was attracted to her that time when I saw her wearing that blue halter swimsuit. I could sense she was not used to it because she was too conscious. But she looked so sexy. And when Alexa, initiated the kissing game, I got to familiarize the area where she was standing and even estimated how many steps I would have to make before reaching her. I thought I could not be able to do it because the lights were turned off but thanks to my night vision watch that glowed up in the dark. It helped me find her way even though she was trying to escape then.

And the moment I kissed her, my heart fluttered for no reason especially when I felt she was responding to my kiss. But it was just a game. No big deal at all. But why did I feel so guilty, when I saw her cheeks turning out red? I wanted to go after her when she was heading to the dressing room but then, I had a little doubt if it was good to follow her so I remained to stay in my place.

I only got her name but I did not have any chance to get to know her, because after that party, I did not see her anymore.  But only a few minutes ago, our paths crossed unexpectedly.

Vera Anderson.

The woman who made my heart fluttered for the first time.

I tried to forget about it, because I'm sure she doesn't remember me anymore particularly that kiss, because she left right away. She was not even interested to know my name.  It's okay anyway, that was three years ago.

I bent down to fix my seatbelt and then pulled the driveway going to the hospital where Reid is confined. I wanted to make it up for him because, since the time he is admitted to the hospital, I only visited him once and I feel guilty about it. I spend most of the time with my friends but a little time with my family. Although, our housemaids and some of dad's trusted men are there, but it's different when his family will be the one to take care of him. Dad's men will watch out for him during the daytime but in the evening, it's usually our housemaids. Sometimes, it's dad and mom since they are also very busy at work. But this time, I'll gonna spend a few hours for my brother.

I hit the car's accelerator to increase the speed. I feel like I wanted to get to the hospital right away because I suddenly have this anxiety that something bad might happen to Reid. I don't know why I feel this way, but maybe I am just overthinking because I feel guilty towards him. 

After 15 minutes of fast driving, I arrived at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. I rushed my way to the elevator going to the 10th floor. It is an exclusive floor for VIP patients and for those who can afford the premium amenities. As I went out of the elevator, I noticed a few nurses and medical attendants who are coming in and out from private rooms for a daily round. I continued walking in the corridor going to the right when suddenly I heard people softly talking with each other. I slowly made a few steps to find where the voice was coming from.  I found out it's coming from a closed area near my brother's private room. I looked around and noticed there are no watchmen outside. Where are they? I slowly drew nearer to the closed area but still, the conversation is not clear to me.

Then suddenly, I heard the flipping sound of the doorknob. I hastened to go to an area where I could hide, taking careful steps not to create any noise. I gradually peeped out to see who is coming outside. My eyes widened when I saw Uncle Sam and my brother's attending physician giving each other a sneering smile as they are heading towards my brother's room.

I feel like there's something wrong and I need to find it out no matter what. But for now, I need to be very careful with my words and pretend that I did not see them coming out together in that closed area. Besides, I did not know what could possibly be their topic of discussion. But if it's all about Reid's condition, why do they have to hide somewhere else?