03: Dinner Invitation

Verosha didn’t utter a word but Andy was grinning which made her roll her eyes when she noticed that. She doesn’t want to be teased, so, she decided to be quiet. Yet, on the other hand, Lium watched their car leave the parking area of the hotel and found himself smirking to himself.

Local Bar

Just like what Andy informed his lady boss about Lium Kim, he was indeed a hardworking young man that made his muscle formed well. He worked multiple jobs before he ended up at the local bar where he meet Verosha earlier. He likes his noon-to-night job at the local bar even if it was not enough earning. 

“She’s beautiful. I hope to see her again…wait, she’ll be my boss if I accept the offer and I will be taking the offer then.” Lium muttered to himself when somebody smack his head and snapped him from his daze.

Lium had raven hair that he doesn’t comb much and dark hazel eyes that managed to stare back at the cold grey eyes of Verosha. But his dimple was his charm whenever he smile. It was also the reason why he doesn’t let the beard grow too much around his manly face.

“Are you okay dude?” his blond-haired friend named Arnold laughed as he asked.

“Yeah, I just met a wonderful angel.” Lium chuckled back as he hit Arnold’s shoulder playfully as a payback to the smack on his head.

“Oh, where? I didn’t see anyone.” Arnold pretends to look around.

“Stupid, she left with her driver. You know Andy, the one who offered me his job in the meantime since he’s going on his honeymoon for a week.” He pushed him slightly and explained who's the person he met.

“So you already meet your potential boss?” he asked Lium as he put the box to the side where it was supposed to be put by Lium earlier if he didn’t hit Verosha through the door.

“Yeah, and I’m going to work for her.” Lium was grinning at the thought of working with her every day.

“Are seriously working for her? What’s her name again?” Arnold smiled and eager to know who was the lady’s name.

“Hm, she told me her name was Vero.” Lium answered while smiling too.

“Vero? As in Vero?” Arnold’s smile faded when he heard that name.

“Yeah, that’s what she told me, why?” he wondered.

“That’s boss Miguel’s friend.” Arnold briefly answered and Lium already could understand that part if that was the real case. But the worried look Arnold was giving him made him confused.

“Meaning?” he asked.

“Meaning dude, you’ll be dead to boss if you hurt her. I don’t know much, dude but you know boss Miguel, he had some underground business so you know…” Arnold lowly whispered so nobody could hear what they were talking about.

“Oh, that thing…so, why you’re here again?” Lium finally understood what he was trying to say to him until he recalled why he came out to hit his head.

“Your phone has been ringing at the locker. Pick it up, I’ll do the groceries for you.” Arnold recalled what he meant to tell him earlier.

“Okay, here’s the list and money make sure to buy them all or we’ll be dead.” Lium handed to Arnold the list and the money for the groceries.

“I know. Go pick it up before the boss heard it.” Arnold shouted and catch the keys that Lium toss at him.

“On it.” Lium shouted back and quickly headed inside to the locker area to pick up the call that his phone was receiving.

Verosha’s Mansion

As Lium was busy taking a call privately, on the other hand, Verosha finally arrived at her well-secured mansion. She didn’t wait for Andy to open the door for her and just stepped out from it as she didn’t wish to be teased again and just went inside the mansion a little annoyed. 

“Welcome back, milady. What’s with annoyed face if I may ask, milady?” Ms. Choi has been working at the Mondre household ever since she was young that’s why she could talk to Verosha directly but was still respectful.

“Nothing that important, Ms. Choi. Don’t worry.” Verosha sighed dismissively but she assured Ms. Choi who respected her response.

“So, anything happened while I was gone?” then she changed the topic while walking further inside the mansion.

“Nothing, milady except for a telegram. I already leave it in your office.” Ms. Choi answered her and even informed her about a telegram which was rare to receive nowadays.

“I see, thanks. Can you prepare me a snack? I’ll be in the office.” Verosha genuinely smiled and asked for a snack.

“Sure, milady.” Ms. Choi smiled back.

“Thanks.” Verosha said and went straight to her office to check the telegram that she received.

When she got inside her office, it was a typical office inside the mansion with books wrapped around while in the center was a study computer desk, and two couches across it. Verosha removed her coat again and this time she folded the sleeves of her blouse that was reaching her elbows. It was already revealing her vine tattoo on both of her exposed arms.

“Hm, Mr. Kim? That’s new. He never sends a telegram aside from text messages or calls.” Verosha was totally curious about the lies inside the telegram as soon as she read who the sender was.

“Milady, here’s your English tea snacks.” Ms.Choi knocked and entered the office pushing a tray of complete English tea snacks for her.

“Thank you. You can leave now.”  Verosha smiled and thanked her.

As soon as she was left alone again, Verosha started reading what was inside the telegram and only to receive a worrisome message.

My Dearest Friend Vero,

I’m sorry, if I couldn’t stay alive for too long to pay my huge debt to you. But rest assured that I will leave something that no money can buy. I don’t want to do this but it was the only way to keep my only son away from their radar. Please, Vero, take care of my only son because I could not do it anymore. I’m dying and he doesn’t know about it or even the reason for my debt to you. Please, Vero.

PS

If you agree, let’s meet at your local restaurant tonight at 7

“You are a stupid father. I told you to tell him before it got out of hand.” Verosha groaned in irritation but what else she could do, her old friend already made his dying will and she was the first one to know.

“You even gave me the original copies of your documents and your remaining assets. I’m not your lawyer but I will keep it and hand it to your son one day.”  She said with a sigh and began reading the documents that has been sent to her address.

6 pm

Verosha took hours just reading and talking to her two private lawyers regarding that matter through phone calls before sending them a copy. She wanted it to be sorted out as soon as possible about the nearing bankruptcy of her old friend’s company.

“Fuck, it's that late already?” Verosha sighed as she saw her watch before she fixed things up and took the personal documents with her.

“Ms. Choi, I won’t be having dinner here tonight. I’ll be having an emergency dinner meeting with an old friend.” Verosha took a peek first at the kitchen to let Ms. Choi know about her plan for tonight.

“But kindly keep me a snack later. I might end up eating snacks later.” She was about to leave when recalled something and requested that made Ms. Choi to chuckled.

“Sure, milady. Go ahead and clean up. You don’t want to be late for your meeting.” Ms. Choi understood.

“Oh right, thanks Don’t forget to rest and have dinner with others.” Verosha kindly reminded them then left the kitchen. She headed immediately to her bedroom suite to change and freshened up for her dinner meeting with an old friend.

When Verosha was done freshening herself up, she just wore her semi-casual clothing like black one-inch heels, black shaper jeans, and a grey turtle neck long sleeve with a black coat that reached her mid-thigh. She just randomly pick it up and to finish up her preparation, she calls a few of her man to secure her hotel’s restaurant.

“Nicolite, secure my local restaurant. I’m going to meet Mr. Kim.” Verosha made a phone call while she headed out of the mansion.

‘I thought he was in the hospital.’

“He’s going to give me something. I just want to secure the place of those men.” Then she grabbed the keys from her key racks before tossing them to Andy who was waiting in the garage. Verosha didn’t say any car that they’ll be using for the night.

‘Noted, boss.’

“Be bodyguards and not a gangster security-like.” Verosha just said as Andy opened the black McLaren SUV.

‘We will.’

As soon as the call has ended, Verosha looked over another notification that came into her phone as her call. The notification was about Mr. Kim arrival at their meeting place and he even informed her about someone was with him.

“What are you planning this time, idiot?” Verosha muttered as she put down her phone back into her pocket and looked outside the window.

“Is he alright already, milady?” Andy asked as he knew the only person she was calling an idiot or stupid.

“No, worse. I think he was going to say something that will turn my life upside down.” Verosha was already preparing herself for whatever he was about to talk with her with someone.

“Gut feeling?” Andy guessed while he was focused on driving and only glancing in the rear mirror to see the cold reaction of his lady boss.

“Yeah, anyway stay in the car as soon as we arrive. I’ll just give you a call when to pick me up.” Verosha commanded.

“Understood, milady.” Andy just nodded his head and went on his focus on the drive.