Chapter 45

Veronica

The day was mostly peaceful, if you ignored Mrs. Thompson’s constant mumbling and complaints.

At some point, I started to wonder if she was actually okay in her personal life, because this level of bitterness could not be normal. The woman looked like she was in her late thirties, maybe early forties, yet she carried herself like the world owed her something.

I almost felt bad for her..

Though I wasn’t exactly in a position to feel bad for anyone but myself.

“Veronica, you just resumed today and you’re already way too chatty with customers,” Mrs. Thompson muttered behind me.

I rolled my eyes, successfully ignoring her this time, and continued with my work.

A high-profile guest had checked in earlier for a business meeting, and the hotel had been unusually busy with executives moving in and out, security guards stationed at corners, and quiet urgency in the air.

And for some reason, I liked her immediately.

She had that composed, expensive calmness that was rarely ever seen in women.

Ignoring Mrs. Thompson’s glare burning into my back, I carefully balanced the tray and headed for the suite.

The hallway outside her room was quiet when I knocked.

“Come in.”

I stepped inside.

The room was elegant, one of the best suites in the house with the city view stretching far beyond the glass window.

The woman stood near a full-length mirror, adjusting a dress that already looked perfect on her.

She turned slightly when I entered, offering me a polite smile.

“Perfect timing,” she said. “You can leave it there.”

I placed the tray carefully on the table. “Thank you, ma’am.”

She watched me for a second longer than necessary, then tilted her head slightly.

“Actually…” she said, walking back toward the mirror. “Can I ask you something?”

I paused. “Of course.”

She gestured at herself with a small, almost playful smile. “What do you think of this dress?”

My eyes scanned her properly this time.

It was a bold charcoal grey dress fitted at the waist, elegant but commanding. The kind of outfit that didn’t ask for attention… it demanded it.

“It’s a very beautiful dress,” I said honestly. “It suits you.”

She tilted her head, sensing the but in my tone. "But?"

"But... do you think it’s too loud?" she asked, smoothing the fabric over her hip. "I can't afford to flop this meeting."

I hesitated, my gaze dropping to the floor where a pair of sensible, neutral pumps sat waiting.

"Go ahead," she nudged, a sassy spark in her eyes. "Talk. I can tell you have thoughts. Give it to me straight."

I hesitated slightly, then added, “It depends on the impression you want to give.”

That made her turn fully toward me now, interested.

“I have an important dinner tonight,” she said. “I want to look intimidating… but still elegant. Powerful. And maybe… a little dangerously put together.”

A small smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it.

“I think you already achieved that,” I admitted. “But if you want a stronger impact, the heels might be what changes everything.”

She glanced down at them.

“They’re bold,” I continued. “But they compete with the dress. If you want the dress to speak first, something more subtle would give you stronger control.”

Silence.

Then she walked to her closet and pulled out another pair in deep red.

She held them up. “These?”

I nodded.

“Okay… I didn’t see the vision at first, but I think I do now.”

She looked at me with new interest. “You’ve got taste.”

I gave a small, polite nod. “Just observation, ma’am.”

She slipped into the new heels, glancing at the mirror again.

“I might start asking for your opinion more often.”

I adjusted the empty tray in my hands.

“Anytime,” I said lightly.

•~~•

By noon, the moment was gone, replaced by a dreadful call from the hospital needing my attention immediately.

I already knew something was wrong before I even reached the reception desk. It was in the way the nurses avoided my eyes.

“Your mother’s condition has worsened,” the doctor said gently, sliding the file toward me. “She had a cardiac arrest this morning, one of the many episodes she’s been facing this past week.”

“What?”

“It’s been stabilised, but this is now part of a recurring pattern.”

I felt the words land, like they were floating just above me, refusing to become real.

“She’s… alive?” I asked.

“Yes,” he nodded quickly. “But her condition is unstable. We’ve moved her into closer monitoring. And I need you to understand this can escalate again at any time.”

My fingers curled tightly into the edge of the chair beside me.

“Okay,” I said, though I didn’t feel okay in any direction of the word. “What do you need me to do?”

The doctor hesitated.

Then he slid the file fully open.

“Surgery,” he said simply. “This is no longer optional. It has to be done immediately. If we delay further, we may not get another stable window.”

My stomach dropped.

There it was.

The thing I had been circling around for days like it wouldn’t eventually catch me.

“How much?” I asked quietly.

He told me.

And for a moment, I actually forgot how to breathe.

“I…” My voice broke slightly, so I swallowed and tried again. “I need time.”

The doctor’s expression softened. “You don’t have much time, Veronica.”

I nodded slowly, even though I wasn’t really agreeing to anything.

“I understand,” I whispered.

•~~•

I took the first cab I could find back home. All the way home, my phone buzzed with a million notifications from Lorenzo.

I hadn’t responded to him since over a week now, and honestly I didn’t have a solid reason.

I pulled up my phone. Ten new messages in the last  hours, eight from Lorenzo and two from Jude.

I inhaled a deep breath before tucking the phone back into my purse.

Another time.

By the time I got home, my steps felt automatic.

I dropped my bag and stood there for a second, just breathing like it was something I had to remember how to do.

My phone buzzed again.

I ignored it.

Again.

And again.

Until a knock sounded on my door.

“Not today please.” I muttered under my breath before going to check the door.

On the other end was Lorenzo wearing a worried expression on his face.

“You’re avoiding me,” he said immediately.

“I’m not,” I replied too fast.

He let out a short breath that said he wasn't buying it.

“I saw your messages,” I said, quieter now. “I just… I didn’t have the time.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded. I had to deal with this on my own.

“It’s just work. I need time to sort it all out,  I’ll be fine.”

He didn’t seem to believe it a hundred percent but smiled regardless. “Okay, that’s understandable. Just call me when you feel better.”

I nodded. When he left, I collapsed onto the couch, dragging a hand through my head.

Sure, Lorenzo could help, but I was my own woman now. I couldn’t keep waiting for people to handle my responsibilities.