Veronica's Vendetta

XIII - secrets don't stay buried for long

Veronica.

I have a secret. I hate Alexander Windsor, well I don't think that's much of a secret, but I hide it graciously. As much as I hate him, I can't exact my revenge yet. I'm saving him for last, which leads me here, staring at my spare laptop, about to hit send on the information I'm about to deliver to a gossip site. A very defaming email regarding Yasmin Herrera.

I wish I felt remorseful about this, but I don't, not after learning what she did to Keira. And though, she was following Olivia's orders, no one forced her to take or release those slut shaming pictures and messages. My revenge on Olivia will also be the last, but for now, I'd settle for the first person on my list and her abortion mess. Reading that part of the journal and seeing Yasmin in person for the first time was a bit shocking. She's the perfect catholic girl—well when she isn't in skimpy clothes, smoking, drinking, or planning other people's downfall—anyway, the heir of a billion dollar empire having an abortion at seventeen? Very scandalous, and a little mild considering what I have planned for her little band of devils.

I twirl in my little swivel chair in my dorm as I stare at the computer screen, contemplating my decision. In a few days, I'm sure an article will be published, seeing as I'm attaching her medical report to the email. I couldn't have planned this at a better time, the Herrera Hotels have had their profits skyrocketed, as well as their popularity increased these past few weeks. A scandal like this would be—simply put—bad for business. It doesn't help that the Herrera family stand for nothing but godly and moral values. Having their only child be front page news for never giving a fetus the chance to grow, definitely can't be good publicity for them.

My phone buzzes beside me with a text from Caleb, asking if I'm down to go out tonight with him and the rest of the group, Alexander's treat. It's been two days since the Chicago incident, and Caleb has still been unable to make another wish, I'm guessing this is when he's choosing to do it, probably because Alexander and Leia are finally back from London. Making up my mind, I reply him with a text that I'm interested, and at the same time I hit send on the email. It's time the ROYALS understand that secrets don't stay buried for long.

Turning off the laptop, I shimmy out of my lounge shorts and shirt, head to the bathroom on my floor to shower, clear my head, and get ready. Once I'm done, I throw on a baby blue sleeveless short dress and a long black blazer which covers the dress entirely, with a pair of kitten heels. I have no idea where we're going, but short dresses = appropriate for late night outings. Not bothering with makeup, I flop on my bed and send a text to Caleb to come pick me up.

About fifteen minutes later, I hear a knock at my door. Standing in front of me when I open it is my 6'3ft boyfriend. He's dressed in dark blue jeans and a plain maroon T-shirt, with a pair of maroon-white sneakers. He has one hand in his pocket and the other on the doorframe, looking extremely casual. His lips quirk up in a smile when he sees me and I raise an eyebrow.

"You look nice" Of course, the three words he always says when he sees me. It's never "ravishing", or "incredible", or "beautiful". It's always "nice".

"Thank you" I reply and he cocks his head, gesturing for me to step out of the room and walk with him.

"So where exactly are we going?" I ask as I fall in step with him and he reaches out to hold my hand.

"Ice skating"

"Ice skating?" I repeat and he stares at me strangely.

"Yes. What's wrong with that?" He asks as we stop in front of his car, right outside my residential house.

"I can't skate" I murmur and he smiles again, flashing me an image of his perfect dentistry.

"Don't worry, Veronica, I'll show you how" He says, opening the passenger side door for me. He waits for me to get in and he jogs over to his side to drive us.

Caleb did not show me how. Well, he tried to but then he gave up after my first four attempts, leaving me to hobble hopelessly on the rink in the empty park. As if that isn't scary enough, the rest of the group are having a fun time ahead of me, skating and teasing each other: Caleb and Hadiza whispering and being in their own world, Noah and Olivia chatting animatedly, Alexander and Yasmin side by side, Leia and Lorenzo laughing together, Allison and Sebastian in a competition of some sort, Rahim and Elaine conversing very quietly behind me. A very strange sight.

"Are you alright?" A voice asks beside me and I turn to see Rahim at my left. He's staring at me with a very worrisome look, I'd be worried too if I was him, I look like I'm going to fall any time soon.

"Of course she isn't, Ra. Look at her" Elaine interrupts beside me. Ra?

She's not wrong anyway , I feel insanely uncomfortable in these roller skates, and I can barely feel the blood in my legs, thanks to the blistering cold. I should have worn jeans like everyone else.

"You should probably sit down" Rahim says and I nod, agreeing with his suggestion. He stretches out his arm for me to hold on to, so he can lead us out of the rink. Just as I'm about to take his arm, a body slams into me from nowhere.

My breath catches as I fall to the icy ground. I feel so cold, it isn't until I hear the screams and clamoring that I realize the ice has given out from underneath me, and I'm sinking into the freezing water. I choke on the water, unable to scream or swim. All I can think about is how it's seeping into my bones and rendering me weak as I sink deeper.