Veronica's Vendetta

X - this is torture

Hadiza.

Traditions. They come with a history, a precedent in place, they are not ended easily. Maybe that is what explains me breathing in the calm air of Illinois, enjoying the wind which ripples against my skin and causes my black abaya to flap around.

Thankfully, my hair is pinned safely into my scarf, I would hate for it to start slapping across my face. I shudder, already imagining it. Hair is disgusting.

"Any day now, Habibi" Says the unmistakable voice of Lorenzo Moretti. I am still standing at the top of the staircase of the private jet belonging to Noah Kingsley, causing traffic for my friends behind me.

"Shut up" I murmur in response and make my way down. I am suddenly thankful for the sunglasses I have on, I can't stand my eyelashes fluttering too much. Also, my eyes are a terrible sight, sleep is an expensive luxury these days.

"Where are the cars?" Questions Yasmin Herrera. Walahi, I hate the girl, she is a bitch and everyone knows it, she doesn't even try to hide it. But there are other reasons, for me to hate her more, personal reasons. Regardless, I won't let her ruin today of all days for me, it is too important.

"That's Olivia's department" Shrugs Noah, and all eyes turn to a tired looking Olivia Adenuga. The absence of Alexander and Leia Windsor felt by everyone.

My heart hurts for her, she doesn't want to be here, she never wants to be here, and her dressed down look shows it, I am beginning to think she is depressed even. Her outfits lately are starting to piss everyone off. Well when I say everyone, I actually mean Elaine Toussaint, the fashion icon, but what can she really do about it?

Olivia is wearing khaki shorts and a white T-shirt. I have no doubts the clothes belong to Alexander, considering how baggy it looks on her, she even had to use a belt to hold the shorts in place. Her footwear on the other hand is hers, her infamous Nike slippers and black socks. Her curly hair is in a high ponytail, she didn't bother laying her edges today. Then again, she doesn't care much about her hair these days, I can't remember the last time I saw her in braids, or locs or anything that wasn't her natural hair.

"What do you mean my department?" She asks, sounding genuinely confused, and shouldering her laptop bag.

"You were supposed to arrange for the cars and the drivers to be here so they could drop us off at the hotel" Noah drawls out, he is starting to get annoyed, I can tell.

"And why would I do that?" Olivia continues, her eyebrows knitting together and her lips in a straight line.

"Because we spoke about it. Christ, were you listening to a word I said last night?" He asks. Last night???

"I must have skipped out on that part. Since when is it my duty to arrange cars anyway? Shouldn't you supplying the jet already mean you're handling the FULL transportation as well?" She asks dryly, narrowing her eyes at him and Noah looks like he wants to throttle her.

"It's fine, I already took care of it" Comes the firm voice of Rahim El Khein. And his words are confirmed, because three black Range Rovers pull up to the private airport where we are situated. The drivers come down to collect our individual bags.

"Finally" Mutters Caleb Bishops, another person I could tell didn't want to be here.

Though, his reason probably has to do with everyone shutting down his idea of bringing his girlfriend, Veronica Reed along. Truthfully, I like the girl, she seems nice. But nice wouldn't help her, not in a group like this. Plus, she may belong with Caleb, but she certainly does not belong in Chicago, she wouldn't be able to handle it. Besides, only the inner circle was allowed to come on the trip. Like I said, traditions.