Chapter 44

Chapter 44
Veronica

This week's mission was "Operation Avoid Dante Russo” and at any cost.

Which had been mostly easy because Dante hadn’t shown up almost the entire week.

Today was the last day, I should have felt relieved but something felt off.

“Mr Russo apologizes for his absence all week but he has prepared all the necessary documents signed and graded for this internship.”I smiled at Lara as she handed me the carefully arranged documents.

“You did well,” she commented before rushing off to handle God knows what.

I rolled my eyes at the comment, for the last few days I had barely even done a single thing. She had successfully managed everything on her own, practically bending over backwards to make sure everything ran perfectly all week. Honestly, she was doing a little too much for a staff member.

It was obvious she was trying way too hard to get on Dante’s good side. For her sake, I hoped she didn’t succeed. 

Besides, Dante would never settle—

I stopped the thought immediately.

Enough Dante.

I flipped through the documents, a smile spreading across my face. 

Finally! My days here were over, meaning I could focus on the real things. The normal things.

I grabbed my bag quickly before I could think about him again and headed out of the building. However, the smile on my face turned to a frown the moment I got home.

I tossed my bag onto the couch and checked my phone again.

Three missed calls from the hospital.

Two payment reminders.

My chest tightened instantly. Right. Back to reality.

I sat at the edge of my bed, staring blankly at my banking app.

The numbers were bad. Very bad.

Which meant I didn’t really have a choice anymore. No matter how humiliating it felt and how awkward things had become at the hotel, I still needed that pay.

Pride didn’t pay hospital bills.

Two hours later, I stood outside the employee entrance of Rickon’s five-star hotel.

The second I stepped inside, the air in the room shifted evidently. 

A few workers glanced at me before quickly looking away. Eyes, followed by whispers, flew around the room. Another girl outright stared before pretending she wasn’t. Heat crept slowly up my neck.

Fantastic.

I kept walking anyway. Masking a bold expression, the classic ‘fake it till you survive it’ mantra.

“Well,” a familiar voice drawled coldly, “look who finally decided to come back.”

I stopped walking immediately, knowing that voice before I even turned. 

Mrs Thompson stood near the front desk with her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

And judging by the expression on her face, she was not very pleased to see me.

Her eyes swept over me slowly before she let out a humorless laugh.

“I’m surprised you still have the confidence to show your face here after that stunt.”

I blinked once.

“What stunt?”

“Oh please,” she scoffed loudly. “Don’t act innocent now. The whole internet saw it. Mr. Russo abandoning his fiancée in the middle of dinner to chase after a staff member? That was you, wasn’t it?”

Several workers nearby suddenly became very interested in polishing glasses and arranging cutlery.

Cowards.

I clenched my jaw tightly.

“That wasn’t my fault.”

Mrs Thompson laughed again.

“Of course it wasn’t.” Her tone dripped with sarcasm. “Things like that just magically happen around you.”

I stared at her, already exhausted.

I had barely been back five minutes.

“I’m only here to work.”

“And I’m only saying don’t bring your drama into this hotel again.” She stepped closer, lowering her voice slightly. “Some of us actually care about keeping our jobs. We had family to take care of.”

The jab landed exactly where she intended it to.

Before I could respond, the manager’s voice suddenly cut through the tension.

“Veronica.”

I turned to face Dexter who welcomed me with a warm smile.

I had emailed him a few hours earlier informing him about my return, though I couldn’t tell his emotions towards it over text but he had asked me to come in immediately so I guess that could register as an approval right?

“My office,” he continued before disappearing into the room.

I gave Mrs. Thompson one last crooked smile before following after him.

The moment I stepped into Dexter’s office, the smile on his face disappeared almost instantly.

“Sit down, Veronica.”

I obeyed quietly, placing my bag on my lap.

Dexter sighed heavily as he leaned back in his chair, rubbing a tired hand across his face.

“You know,” he started slowly, “if this had been anybody else, I would’ve declined that email immediately.”

My fingers tightened slightly around my bag, to which he noticed but continued anyway.

“The only reason I responded was because of how long we’ve known each other and the relationship we’ve built over the years.”

Guilt settled heavily in my chest, Dexter had always been good to me despite the rollercoaster relationship he and Jude had.

“This is a high-class establishment, Veronica,” he continued firmly. “People pay ridiculous amounts of money for privacy, professionalism, and peace. We cannot afford scandals.”

I swallowed hard.

“I know.”

“No, I don’t think you do.” he corrected sharply. 

“What happened with Dante Russo affected this hotel badly.” He folded his hands on the desk. “Do you know how close we came to being sued?”

My eyes widened slightly.

“The woman involved threatened legal action. The press camped outside for two days straight. Reservations were cancelled. Guests complained. Investors started asking questions, all because one of my staff members got involved with a customer.”

“I’m not involved with him,” I said immediately.

Dexter gave me a long look.

“Whether you are or not stopped mattering the second the internet decided otherwise.”

Pain crawled slowly up my throat, because that was the worst part, none of this even felt like my own doing anymore.

Dante stormed into my life whenever he pleased, destroyed whatever balance I tried to create, then disappeared while I dealt with the consequences.

One by one, everything kept slipping through my fingers and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it.

Dexter’s expression softened slightly, but his tone remained firm.

“I’m giving you one last chance because I know you and because I understand your situation at home. But this is the final straw.”

I nodded silently.

“If any mess like this happens again, you’re done here. I mean it.”

I forced a smile onto my face even though it felt painfully fake. “I understand.”

“I need you to keep whatever is happening between you and Dante Russo far away from this business.”

As if I wanted any part of this. 

Still, I nodded again. “I’ll keep my personal life separate from work.”

Dexter studied me for a moment before giving a small nod.

“Good.”

I stood up slowly, gripping my bag tightly.

“Thank you for giving me another chance.”

“Don’t make me regret it.”

I gave him one final smile before turning and walking out of the office.

The second the door shut behind me, the smile disappeared completely.

“Congratulations, Dante. You have single-handedly managed to ruin my life.”