7. Barter 2

Lucas sat down; his gaze fixed on the door as it slowly opened. The scene revealed Velia entering hesitantly, looking troubled. Something was clearly bothering her.

“Please, have a seat,” Lucas said, waiting for a moment until he felt Velia was comfortable.

His gaze scanned her, concluding that something was indeed happening to her.

“What's the matter?” Lucas asked directly, without any small talk. “Why did you suddenly want to meet me?”

Lucas shifted his focus, this time towards Velia's hands, which were tightly clasped together. It seemed she needed to gather her courage before asking a question instead of answering.

“Did you fire me?” she asked.

Lucas was taken aback, genuinely surprised. “Fired you? Me?”

On one hand, Lucas was surprised by the accusatory tone of the question. But on the other hand, he grinned.

So, because of this, you came to see me, Ve?

“M-Mr. Bell said I was fired directly by my superior,” Velia continued.

Lucas scoffed. “I thought you came to see me be