𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫 | 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐢

Most Important Meal

A knock at my bedroom door interrupted my morning routine. I stared at my guest with great uncertainty.

"Toni, we need to talk. I know what happened at the company picnic." Veronica said.

"Y-you do?" I stuttered. Crap crap crap! I thought Cheryl and I were careful! How did she find out?

"Yes. Jason told me all about the conversation you two of you had."

"Wait, Jason?"

"Well, he didn't tell me all about it. He kept the details pretty vague but I heard enough to know he was way out of line, and I just want to reassure you that I told him as much. He won't bother you like that again."

I cleared my throat, trying to mask the look of shock on my face. "Veronica.. thank you for talking to Jason for me. You didn't have to do that, but I appreciate it."

Veronica smiled. "It was my pleasure. Don't tell anyone, but I do love putting Jason in his place now and again. Anyway, now that that little bit of unpleasantness is taken care of, we can talk about why I'm really here. I know we don't always see eye-to-eye. I forget sometimes how intimidating I can be to insecure younger women, but I could use your help."

I stared at her incredulously. "Seriously? Didn't you want me fired not too long ago? You know.. after I defended you to your dad?"

She winced. "Oh, Cheryl told you about that?"

"I overheard, actually."

Veronica looked embarrassed for the first time since I'd met her. "I do.. appreciate what you said. Though the when and where were out of line. Still, what you said was.. nice. And Cheryl told me in no uncertain terms that you were keeping your job, so I've moved on."

She waved her hand as if she expected me to just move on as well. "Anyway, there's an important charity gala this weekend, and I'll never be ready in time without the help of an assistant. Unfortunately, my current assistant is on maternity leave right now. So selfish and irresponsible."

"Having a family can be demanding too. You'll find that out if you marry Cheryl." I told her, realising too late that I'd said 'if' not 'when', but fortunately she didn't seem to notice.

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, family is important, but in this particular instance, business is even more important. I need to be at my best for this event. Cheryl told me it would be fine if you took the day off to assist me since she already had plans with the twins. Meet me at this address in an hour."

She offered me a business card, and I took it without complaint. "Okay. See you then."

Veronica smiled happily. "I knew you were a team player! I'll see you there!" She smacked a kiss on my cheek and strolled away.

I sighed, looking down at the business card in my hand. "A full day of Veronica. Whoopee.."

Soon after, there was another knock and I braced myself for whatever Veronica forgot.. but I glanced up to see Cheryl poking her head in. "Is it safe to come in?"

I scoffed. "You left me to the wolves! A little help would've been nice."

She slipped into the room with a smile. "You looked like you were holding your own. And honestly, I think you handled her better than me anyway."

When I wordlessly stared at her, she went on. "Okay, I'm sorry. I owe you, big time."

I smirked. "Good thing I know just what I want as compensation."

"Oh? And what's that?"

I pulled her closer to me until I could feel the heat from her body. "You. Just you, all to myself. Send the kids to spend the weekend with their grandparents, and leave us the penthouse."