Rumours!
Veil was running late, and it had nothing to do with the fact that her alarm hadn’t gotten her up in time. Halfway to the company, she had realized that she had forgotten her iPad on her bed, and had to rush back home to retrieve it.
The round trip took an extra forty-five minutes, and by the time she finally got to the first floor of the Kingston Group building, she knew she was in deep trouble.
Veil met Simon in the elevator as she rushed inside, her brain in a frenzy. She barely realized he was there as she turned on her iPad, trying to go over Anders’ itinerary for the day, while at the same time, trying to adjust her hair with her other hand holding her bag.
“You look like you’ve had quite the morning,” Simon said, leaning off the elevator wall. “Let me help you with that.”
Simon took Veil’s bag, so she could have better access to her hair. She smiled in appreciation as she put it up in a messy bun with the band she always had on her, after deciding that it was the best she could do.
“Is Mr. Roderiguez in already?” Veil asked, even though she already knew the answer. That man never came into the office late, even though he was the fucking CEO.
“You know he is,” Simon replied, offering a sympathetic smile. “He has a visitor currently, so I doubt he’d notice that you’re late. She’s been here for quite a while.”
Veil ignored the pang in her chest when Simon mentioned that the guest was a woman. Instead, she blew out a sigh of relief, which was incredibly short-lived.
When the duo got to the sixteenth floor, the elevator dinged and the doors opened up. But when Veil raised her head, she was stunned to see Anders standing at the door, with an incredibly beautiful woman standing by his side.
She looked like an angel, with a pair of blue eyes that felt like the unending ocean, on an impeccable oval face. Her blonde hair fell in waves around her shoulder and down her back, making her look so vulnerable. She was in a short black dress that made her legs look very long, and her feet were covered in a pair of black Jimmy Choo shoes.
Veil was too dumbstruck to move a muscle, even when Simon bowed low, his head almost reaching his knees “Good morning Ms. Sophia De Alonzo!”
“Hello!” Her dreamy voice floated around the space, striking Veil even further. She berated herself for appearing so clumsy that morning. She probably looked like a sack of potatoes next to this woman.
Anders angled his head as he looked from Simon to the bag in his hand, and then to Veil. Their getting off the elevator together that morning sure didn’t put his mind at considerable ease after what he had seen the previous night. But Anders chose to ignore it for the next few minutes.
“If you’re done staring, we would love to get on the elevator. We cannot exactly walk through you.”
“Oh!” Recovering herself, Veil looked behind her to see that Simon had gotten off already and was waiting for her behind Anders.
“I’m sorry. I just…”
“Just shut up and get lost!” Anders said too calmly, enough to get goosebumps on Veil’s skin. Hugging herself tightly, she scrambled out of the way, watching as Anders and Sophia got on the elevator.
“Print out a list of my meetings today and leave them on my table,” Anders said as he pushed a button inside. “Make sure you’re not in there when I return.”
Veil didn’t have time to respond as the doors slid shut, leaving her staring at the empty space. Simon tapped her shoulders slowly, with concern in his eyes.
“Are you sure you’re good this morning?”
“Of course,” Veil breathed, shaking her head. Her messy bun threatened to fall all over her, and she raised a hand to make the bun tighter. “I’m just…I’m fine. Who was that?”
“You don’t know her?” Simon’s tone was laced with disbelief like Veil had committed a felony for not being able to identify the woman.
“I wouldn’t be asking if I did.”
“That’s Sophia De Alonzo, the President’s daughter.”
“Oh!” Veil blinked, feeling like a bucket of cold ice had been poured down her spine. She remembered that name now from her interview. “Is she the one…”
“No one knows for sure,” Simon cut I’m, answering her unfinished question. “But there have been rumors of them dating. That’s all it has ever been. No one has been able to confirm a thing.”
Nodding, Veil began to walk away slowly, unsure why she was feeling that way. But Simon suddenly called her name, making her halt.
“Your bag,” he said, jogging the short distance to hand it over. Simon smiled at her and touched her chin playfully. “Ignore Mr. Roderiguez, okay? Don’t let his words get to you. You deserve to have a beautiful day.”
“Thank you,” Veil nodded and smiled. Grabbing her bag from him, she went into her office and printed out the schedule of meetings Anders asked for, making a cup of coffee alongside. She took both to his office, ensuring that she was out in a minute and back in her office.
Veil thought that when Anders got back, she would accompany him to his meetings, especially the one he had with JK Corporations since the minutes of the last meeting were with her. But Anders didn’t call on her and Veil started to get worried.
When it was fifteen minutes to the start of the meeting, Veil heard someone walk past her office, and knowing it was Anders, he grabbed her iPad and purse, joining him in the hallway.
“Where do you think you are going?” Anders threw at her, not bothering to slow down his steps.
“JK corpora…”
“I’m going without you today,” he muttered, still walking.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“But…”
“Ms. Hart, I believe I am the boss around here.”
“Of course, Sir.”
“Then stop talking and return to your offices. I’ll mail you what I need you to work on. Don’t come to my office when you’re done. Send them via mail as well.”
He didn’t look at her as he spoke, nor did he turn back when Veil stopped walking. He was too angry to do either.