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?
*
Life never promises constant happiness. However, at the very least, destiny will provide reasons why everything should continue.In the turning of time. In the changing of days. Alongside the ever-rolling moon.One reason resurfaces. It appears, reinforcing the belief that this is how destiny works.There are times when tears well up. There are times when anger blinds the eyes and rebels.On the other hand, there is also laughter bursting forth. There is also joy overflowing, reminding us how priceless it all is.Precious. Like the morning sunlight that falls again and warms the smile within Lucas's embrace.Gavin Hernandez greeted them two months ago. He was born healthy, lacking nothing. Plump and now enjoying the routines created by Lucas.When the morning sun rises on weekends, Lucas spends time with Gavin. They enjoy moments filled with jokes and laughter that only they understand. It's as if they have their own language for ever
Love is never an easy thing. The beautiful tale of a princess and a prince living happily ever after is nothing more than a bedtime story. In reality, it's not as simple as expressing one's feelings and everything falling into place with joy.No, it's never that easy. Velia and Lucas have proven that. They were bound by a past that constantly tried to separate them. Resentment was deeply rooted in their hearts, ingrained in every breath they took, intertwining with their journey through life.They knew that suffering and anger would not easily fade away with a single apology. Realities and misunderstandings would forever remain as a chain of mysteries.Risk. A tremendous gamble. Velia and Lucas could have chosen to distance themselves as if they never knew each other. However, the love that grew between them had taken strong and deep roots in their hearts.There was no turning back. And even as they continued forward, destiny, with its whimsical ways, bro
“I'm pregnant.”Silence filled the room. The only sound that could be heard was Velia's whisper. She had been repeating the same words for a while now.Velia's mind drifted. Since returning from the hospital, she felt that the world had changed before her eyes. It felt different, leaving an indescribable sense of unfamiliarity.Everything felt empty. Everything felt uncertain.On the bed, Velia curled up, hugging her legs. Her head rested on her knees as the doctor's words echoed in her mind.“I'm pregnant.”A shocking reality was displayed right in front of her eyes. Velia could not deny the fact that there was now a life growing inside her womb, her and Lucas' child.“I'm pregnant.”Velia's breath caught in the onslaught of reality. The news came at a time when she had decided to leave everything behind. And one question arose.Is this the reason I needed?That questi
Diana looked helplessly at yesterday's untouched cooking. Nothing had changed at all. Even the position of the parsley garnish on the dish had not shifted.“I'm sorry.”Velia entered the kitchen and could guess what the middle-aged woman was thinking. She felt uncomfortable, but there was nothing she could do.“I don't have an appetite. Lately, I've been feeling tired and just want to rest.”“It's natural for your body to feel tired if you don't eat. You have to eat to stay healthy.”Velia smiled lazily. “Today, please cook chicken soup, Diana. I want to take it to the hospital.”“Alright, Miss.”While Diana started her task, Velia chose to sit at the kitchen island. There was a bowl of fruit that she could enjoy and a topic brought up by Diana.“Do you know that Neil got fired?”The fork stopped moving. Diana's question made Velia furrow her brow.
“Is Lucas inside?”Vlora nodded in response to the man who suddenly appeared in front of her. He seemed hurried, with a racing breath. Not as relaxed as usual.“Okay. Thank you.”It was none other than Andreas. He looked relieved with the nod Vlora gave him. Some of his worries eased, but he had to meet Lucas immediately.Andreas started to walk away, but something made him stop in his tracks. He turned around with one hand raised in the air. Then he spoke.“Oh, before I forget. After I'm done with Lucas, you have something to discuss with me.”Vlora's eyes widened. Unfortunately, she could not express her objections as Andreas had already walked away.Andreas opened the door. He entered and was met with Lucas's listless gaze. Lucas looked miserable, but he reassured himself. At least it was a sign that Lucas was still alive.“How are you?” Andreas asked without beating around the
Lucas did not budge at all. He sat still in the living room, enduring the uncertainty, waiting with a fixed gaze directed towards the door.It would open soon. Velia would come home.It was nearly nine o'clock at night. Lucas had been waiting for almost six hours. However, that meant nothing to him. He could wait longer if it concerned Velia.Lucas took a deep breath. For the umpteenth time, he tried to suppress the urge to forcefully bring Velia back from the hospital.Damn jealousy. Lucas truly wanted Velia to come home right at that moment.A glimmer of sanity managed to warn Lucas. Their situation and Velia didn't need to be aggravated by further conflict. Everything that had deteriorated could become even worse. Forcing Velia would only pour gasoline on the flames.Lucas tried to stay calm. He tried to be more patient.Velia would surely come back to me. She would definitely come home. She'll be home soon. I just nee