I Too Had An Unrequited Love Story

21- The Art of Compromise

"Okay then, see you both this evening," Mr. Alden said with a smile before he turned and left the room, the door clicking softly behind him.

As soon as the door closed, the tension in the room spiked again. Arek's eyes shifted from the door to Veronica, his expression inscrutable but intense. He started walking towards her once more, his stride purposeful.

"What is your problem?" Veronica snapped, instinctively stepping back. "Why can't you just talk from a distance? Do you seriously not understand the concept of personal space?"

Arek scoffed, stopping only a foot away from her. She found herself once again backed against the wall, Arek looming before her. His eyes met hers, a spark of annoyance flaring between them.

"You do understand we're going to my parents' house, right?" Arek said, his tone thick with irritation. "And you need to behave!"

"I am not a dog that you can order to behave, asshole!" Veronica shot back, her eyes flashing with defiance.

"Did you just call me an asshole?" Arek repeated, his irritation morphing into outright anger.

"Do you have a hearing problem?" Veronica asked sharply, turning her head away from him in frustration.

Arek's eyes darkened, and without warning, he grabbed Veronica's arm with a firm grip, yanking her closer. Veronica gasped in surprise, her eyes widening. His hold was strong, almost painful, and she could see the storm brewing in his eyes. The pressure of his hand on her arm caused her to wince.

Realizing he was hurting her, Arek loosened his grip slightly but did not let go. He leaned in closer, his voice a low growl, "You need to start getting used to this. The more you run away, the harder it becomes to convince everyone that this marriage is real. And if I hear you swearing at me again, I'll do something you won't like. Understood, Mrs. Alden?"

Veronica's annoyance was palpable, but something in Arek's gaze made her pause. There was a silent warning there, like the calm before a storm. Still, she wasn't one to back down easily.

"Stop calling me Mrs. Alden," she said coolly, trying to keep her voice steady. "I have a name."

"Did you not understand what I just said?" Arek's voice was laced with impatience.

"I asked you to call me Veronica or Ms. Ray. I'm your fake wife, remember? Save that title for your real wife," Veronica retorted, meeting his gaze head-on as she wrenched her arm free from his grasp.

Surprisingly, Arek let her go without a fight. Veronica stormed out of his office, her heels clicking furiously on the marble floor, and made her way to the washroom. She entered one of the private stalls, locking the door behind her, and leaned against the cool tiled wall, trying to steady her racing heart.

"What the hell was that?" she muttered, glaring at her reflection in the mirror. She placed a hand over her chest, willing her heartbeat to slow down. "That lunatic. That jackass. Who does he think he is? God? I shouldn't have agreed to this ridiculous marriage."

Veronica took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the rage bubbling inside her. After a few moments, when she felt her anger subside to a manageable level, she decided she needed a distraction. Coffee. Coffee would help. She left the washroom, heading toward the elevator, intending to make a quick run to the coffee shop in the lobby. Before she could step into the common elevator, someone grabbed her arm and pulled her into the private one.

"What is your problem? Why can't you use words?" Veronica demanded, her irritation flaring up again.

"Stop shouting," Arek replied coolly, his face expressionless. "We're going home. I've had enough of work today."