The phone rang and she stared at the unrecognizable number. Vera licked her forefinger, pressing her sandwich down. She slide her pinky across the screen, placing it against her ear "Hello?"The woman, on the other end, twisted her chair as her assistant placed down the schedule. "Vera Brown?""Yes, may I ask who is calling?"There was short chuckling before the other end responds: "Cornelius Sutton.""Ah, yes. Hello, Mrs.Sutton." Vera bowed her head despite Cornelius being in another building."You didn't call me." There was a slight amusement in Cornelius's voice.Vera tapped her fingernails against the counter; as the memories of Cornelius offering surface. "I apologize, but I'm going through some stuff, and it slipped my mind. I don't do it often.""Did you know-" she spoke slowly, "excuses are a tool for incompetent?""I-I apologize.""Don't tell me I made a mistake in my recruitment Ms.Brown because I don't make mistakes." Vera swallowed firmly. She understands that the business
Vera smiled, an extensive one as Sam stroke her cheek, "Really?"He nodded, "Truly happy."She laid there, soul dripping into his as the flashes continued from above. It was a memory, one in which they would never forget. "But-" Vera didn't like his tone, "We shouldn't be together."At that moment, the dream came crashing down, and everything went dark. The artificial lights from outside lingered inside the room; Vera can barely see her face as she sat upward. She attempted to calm herself down, not wanting to get back into her old habits of assumption. "Why?"Sam sat upward, he didn't dare look at her."Look at me," Vera demanded. "Look at me and tell me...Why?" Each word was tormenting her heart.When she was looked at him, the world faded. Everything didn't seem to matter as they held each other. She wanted to be there for him, even though the roughest time. She thought he felt the same too.In the end, it was all her own delusion...assumption...a habit that can't seem to be broken
"Humans are said to be the only 3-5% of mammals that pair bond."Sam Thompsom was born with a photographic memory - hyperthymesia. Hyperthymesia is a condition that leads people to be able to remember an abnormally large number of their life experiences in vivid detail.And with the very situation in front of him, he couldn't help but remember a lecture back in high school. "They say the neural basis for monogamy comes from the neural network we develop as babies when we are being mothered, perhaps that is why we often call our lover: baby."His family didn't know about this other condition until his preadolescent years."But here comes the interesting part, it is said: if you are physical with anyone you aren't sure you want to stay with for the rest of your life, then you damage your ability for your pair bond to last a lifetime."He remembers most if not all of his high school - from the repetitive lectures to the students cramped in the hallway. But even with his photographic mem
• November 6, 2015; • SundayVera's POV I applied red lipstick while brushing my curly, dark hair away from my freshly applied mascara. I rose up, looking down at my perfectly filed nails and checking the maids uneasily shuffling in the corner of the room.My feet shine against the carpet as I exhale. As the maids and butlers came around me, I picked up the black luggage and pulled it behind me. The wheels and my heels, like the scattered shoes, echoed along the corridor.When I saw a familiar portrait, I came to a halt and bit my bottom lips.In the photo, we were standing next to one another, but there was a space between us. I was dressed in a huge white gown, one I'd always dreamed of wearing on my wedding day. He was the most gorgeous man in whatever room we were in, dressed in an immaculate black suit. My lips were smiling, but his were frowning.I laugh and lift the frame. He made it clear that he didn't want to marry me.That night, he didn't even touch me.As I continued hea
Vera's POV: I met him on the first day of high school—the boy who would become my world for the following four years.Growing up, I was a daddy's little princess, a silver spoon-fed girl. My family wasn't as rich as the majority of the kids at Pandora Academy, a school for future world leaders, but we were doing well for ourselves.That was my first day out of homeschool, and I remembered it so well. Dad loved me so much, and he used to tell me how brutal the world is and that I shouldn't go out there until I'm ready.He was correct.On my first day of school, I understood that being a dark-skinned lady puts you in the minority. To get leverage, you had to achieve more than others your age. Otherwise, you'd be left out, or, should I say, isolated? I wasn't as wealthy or intelligent as the other ladies, but I was satisfied with where I was with my tiny circles of friends.When Lilly grabbed my shirt, I nearly choked on my chicken nugget. "Oh, my God! "It's them!" she exclaimed.I look
Vera's POV:"What? "Would you mind repeating that?""I'm sorry, Miss Brown, but you're not qualified for this position." However, if there is another opening, we will definitely contact you."In other words, get your fucking ass outta here.I nodded before dragging my legs out of the business. I can see why they would want someone with more experience and a higher level of education. I did, however, graduate from Pandora Academy. I think I'll be able to get the job.Then again, this is not the first time someone has told me that I am unfit for the post. It's always one of the three reasons. One, I'm too young and inexperienced. Two, because my high school credential is too prestigious, they advise me to go for a higher degree for the sake of my future. Third, my high school diploma is not good enough.My head hung poorly as I dragged my legs towards the glass door, almost as if I had left a funeral.I did.The funeral for my future selfThe funeral of a proper lunchThe funeral of acc
Vera's POV:Anxiety was an understatement when I received the phone call. I've been to dozens of interviews and countless verbal engagements in the past, and I always feel nervous speaking to someone who is purportedly superior to me."Yes. Yes." I make a bend toward the small cactus plant, which is in severe need of water. I hold the phone hard in both hands. "Yes. I'll be there." I try to keep the butterflies from fluttering inside my tummy.Lilly was jotting down words in her notebook on the chair across from me. She took up a chip and tossed it into her mouth while resting her elbow against the counter."Thank you for the opportunity," I added before concluding the chat. When the call ended, I flung the phone down. "I got an interview."Lilly comes to a halt in her writing, twisting the chair towards me in a perfect brow arch. "I thought I told you to rest.""I did rest!" I exclaimed, pointing to my feet's fluffy bunny socks. I jiggle it a couple times to demonstrate my ease. In a
Vera's POV: It's not surprising that everyone was staring at me. I'm a woman in her late twenties wearing a baby strap across her back. I approach the secretary, who raises an eyebrow and asks, "Are you here for the interview today?"I nodded firmly, hoping she wouldn't kick me out."Name, please," she inquired."Vera Brown," I said, shaking Marisa up and down as her small hand gripped mine. My gaze is drawn to her name badge, which reads Cheryl Yurtsever.Cheryl's smiled, a genuine and warm one. "He's a sweetheart," she said, handing me a phone number.I grab the number from her hand before leaning in, causing her eyes to widen. "She is indeed pretty," I murmured as I reached into my back pocket and slapped the bow on her head. Earlier, while I was walking in, the bow kept slipping off, so I kept it away. But now I can see why it is necessary. At the time, I was wondering if Lisa felt the same way.Cheryl put her hand in front of her lips, "That's no-"I place my finger in front of