Chapter 6: A Lovely Chat

A brunette haired woman wearing corporate clothes was standing in front of Fontana and approached Veena. 

"Good day, Miss Harrison. I'm Abby and will be your assistant from now on. I have been sent by Mr. Rossenov. He wishes you to stay in his apartment." Abby said. 

"Hm? I don't think that is appropriate for me to live with him." Veena replied. 

"Mr. Rossenov says the deal will be off if you refuse." 

Veena frowned. He dares to threaten her? Whatever. This deal is much more important for her. It's better not to get in his bad side. 

Veena looked around in awe of Mr. Rossenov's apartment. It feels cozy with a mix of warm and cool interior colors. 

"Which room I'll be staying?" Veena asked Abby.

"Over there, Miss Harrison. Mr. Rossenov has reserved you a seat at Piazza Deluxe. He won't be able to join you since he has a meeting to attend to." 

"Okay. Tell him my thanks." 

The maitre d’ led her to the reserved table with a breathtaking view of Geneva’s seaside. All of the pain, suffering and sacrifices in her heart fell down the drain and replaced by a sense of relaxation and relief.

The balcony seats of the restaurant is really expensive and she was amazed of how powerful Lois Rossenov is. These seats are hard to get by. 

While waiting for her food a message popped up from her phone. It came from an unfamiliar number. 

“I love your dress.”

She frowned at the sudden flirting comment on her outfit. It was just a simple off-shoulder floral white dress with a ruffled knee-length skirt. She looked around to find the mysterious sender.

“Who are you?”

“This is Lois.”

If only he’s here she will really hit his head. He was playing hide and seek, he’s surely laughing at her right now.

She decided to call his number.

Lois watched her small figure as he was situated right above the balcony of the restaurant with dark tinted windows. He smiled at her expressive face.

He is currently at the restaurant dealing with a client with a sudden urge to treat Veena on a meal. 

He didn’t want to face her yet but he just couldn’t wait to see her. There is something about Veena that attracts him like a magnet. He must’ve gone crazy to entangle his life with her.

He was not expecting a sudden phone call from Veena. Laughing lightly and answered the call.

“I thought that you’re never going to pick it up.” Veena said.

“I won’t ignore a call from a certain woman.” He replied. 

Veena blushed especially with his deep, sexy and husky voice. If only she can see his face. “Abby says you are in a meeting yet you have the time to send me a message and stalking me? I feel really lonely here and a bit out of place. Most of the diners here are couples and I’m eating alone.”

The deep laughter sent shivers to her core.

“Sorry. My client is yet to show up. We can have a little chat. Does that sound good to you?”

“That would be really embarrassing. Imagine people giving me weird looks because I’m talking to no one but with a phone.” Veena giggled at the thought.

“You’re Veena Harrison. I’m sure you don’t care.”

For the first time in three years those words hit her heart so hard. He’s right. “Yes…I wouldn’t mind.”

She ignored the weird looks the other diners were giving her as she happily chatted with the Lois Rossenov on the phone. She didn’t care at all. Just as what he said, she’s Veena Harrison. The once fierce woman but got trampled on. Now, she’s back to blow flames on those who had done wrong to her.

“Do you feel better now?” he asked.

“You’re the first person to actually ask that. This makes my heart ache painfully.”

“That’s because you’re a strong woman who needed someone to lean on. I can be that person if you want me to be.”

This man was making her heart warm. For years she’s always alone and aloof. Even with friends there will always be a missing space in her heart. Not even Stephen can fill it up. She tolerated the attacks from her family and successfully built a world-class fashion line.

“That’s so sweet of you. I don’t want to be a burden and trouble you. It’s alright I can do this alone.” Her pride was too high that she refused to accept the evident holes in her sturdy walls. She didn’t want to fall and remained resilient despite the countless blows of suffering.

“You’re not alone, Veena. Someone will be there for you.”

“That’s just a dream, Mr. Rossenov.” A small sad smile escaped from her lips.

"Please, call me Lois." 

Even from below he can see the emotion Veena was showing. Why is it her situation seems to be similar from his? 

“It’s getting late you’d better go home now. Abby is waiting for you in the entrance. Have a safe trip.” He said.

Veena frowned at her phone with the red phone icon. He ended the call all of the sudden. He’s a weird man. He is sweet and gentle then becomes a jerk in the end. He didn’t even bother to tell her the reason or giving her a heads up that he’ll end the call.

“I swear I’ll murder you once you finally show up to my face.” she grumbled out in annoyance.

As she was about to leave the restaurant she bumped into a sophisticated blonde haired woman. She realized that it was Ashley her face darkened.

“You!” Ashley growled. Stephen came in and was not expecting her to be in a luxurious restaurant.

“Veena!” Stephen was not expecting her.

“What are you doing here? Did you know that this is a five-star restaurant? A jobless woman like you could never afford to dine here. You probably shag up to a rich old man. Are you getting desperate sister?” Ashley was testing her anger. But she won’t give in.

“How about you, Ashley? Too bad you’re dining inside the restaurant. While I got the privilege to dine at the balcony area. I had a great chat with a charming man with deep and sexy voice. Excuse me but my chauffeur is waiting for me.” She flipped her hair making Ashley infuriated.

Without thinking Ashley grabbed her hair and she yelped in pain. The diners were distracted and watched a new scandal about to happen.

“Did you really think that you can rise up again to the top by shagging up with a man!? Well you’re wrong because I’ll always make sure that you will never ever get up!” Ashley screamed in anger.

Stephen tried to stop Ashley but the woman was too stubborn and continued to attack Veena. Her sister was too tough and couldn’t get her off. The security had to step between them but Ashley wasn’t finished yet. She grabbed a glass of wine from a diner's table and spilled it all over her.

She gasped as the red liquid seeped through her white dress. Damn it!

Ashley attacked once more and was holding on to her tightly. This time no one made a move and just let them be. She strengthened her emotions as the pain continued throbbing on her skin. She received few scratch marks from Ashley’s sharp manicured nails.

Abby heard a commotion inside and gasped at what she saw. Calling her boss immediately then went to rescue Veena.

“What are you all doing!? Get off her!” Abby demanded. Veena wanted to cry in relief but the pain increased as Ashley attempted to strangle her. Her sister kicked Abby to the ground.

Before Ashley sister could give Veena a slap a hand stopped her in midair. Everyone in the room gasped at the man who saved her. He is the most gorgeous man she has evern met.

"Isn't that Aloysius Rossenov!?" One of the diners exclaimed. 

The restaurant shook in uproar. This is their first time seeing Aloysius Rossenov in the flesh!

Veena didn't care who it was and feeling tired from wrestling with Ashley. Her blonde hair disheveled in a mess and tears staining her make-up. The red wine completely soaking her white dress, what an embarrassing position she’s in! She kneeled on the ground as a shard of glass from the red wine accidentally hit her leg.

“You are all fired!” The man growled in anger to the security and all other employees of the restaurant.

The police arrived and took Ashley away. She was still shouting murderous words to her sister. The manager of the restaurant apologized to the man as if he has seen a ghost.

“Come let’s treat your wounds.” the man said.

Veena nodded and he helped her up. She took a big hit in the head and she felt dizzy. Her vision darkened and collapsed in the man's arms.