Sam, June 2006
"Do you want to meet up for lunch today?" I ask Veronica over breakfast. Since returning from Ibiza, 3 days ago, Veronica had gone back to work which left me trying to fill in the hours until she came home.There was only so much Xbox a man could play.
"I can't sorry baby, I've got the owner of the company coming in from the U.S, it's the first time we've talked since I toke over as manager and I need to make a good impression." She says, looking up from her toast, which she'd hardly even touched. The surprise visit had been announced on Monday, leaving Roni very little time to prepare and from what she'd told me about Chuck, the owner, he wasn't a man who liked to be messed around.
"Bunny, you've got this, just remember what we went over, the 5 year plan." Veronica's passion for her job had her bursting with ideas, ways in which the company could gain more tourist and eventually expand, which would be the ultimate goal for any owner. She's an asset to the company and I knew for sure that Chuck would see that, I just had to get Veronica past her own self doubt and believe in her ability.
"I just wish I knew why he was coming here? In the whole time I've worked there, he never once flew out and met with any of the other managers but I take over as manager and he's showing up, wanting to 'have a chat' as he put it." The stress is evident on her face, she got very little sleep last night, tossing and turning, she has bags under her eyes which she's tried to concel with make up and she's been absentmindedly chewing at her nails, like she does whenever she's nervous.
"None of the other managers had your driving ambition though." I point out. Since she started working for the company, they'd been unable to hold onto a manager for any longer than a few short months, none of them seemed to care much for tourism, they were there for the money.
"But I don't really know much about the business side of things, sometimes I feel like I've been thrown into the deep end and have had to learn how to swim fast." She stresses, it was the one aspect of the job she had struggled with but Hamish had trained her before he left and he was impressed with how quickly she picked up the ropes.
"Hamish said you can just call him if you get stuck." I remind her. I'm the first to admit how wrong I was about Hamish's intentions towards Veronica, since getting to know him better I see him for who he truely is, a loyal friend.
"I know and I will." She says, checking her watch and jumping up from her seat when she sees the time. "I've got to go, Chuck is coming in an hour and I still have so much to do before he arrives."
I stand up and walk over to her, place my hands on her shoulders in an attempt to get her to calm down.
"You've got this." I repeat to her, once again and she gives a little nod when my words sink in. I caress her soft cheek, lean down and kiss her lips tenderly. "You're a great manager, you've just got to believe in yourself."
"Thank you, I love you." She says, pressing her lips against mine. She picks up her handbag from the table and slings it over her shoulder, straightens her skirt out struts confidently towards the door as if the stress of moments before has just melted away. She turns just before she walks out the door, a big, dazzling smile on her face. "Bridget's working today but I know she'd love to have lunch with you."
"Because that won't stir the rumour mill at all." I laugh, picturing the headlines that would accompany the pictures of Bridget and I together, not to mention the bullshit story to go along with it, all aimed at how they've caught me out, having an affair with a woman they'd label 'Mystery Brunette'. It's all quite comical now, the lengths these vultures go to, just to sell their magazines. "Sounds like a great idea."
