The rich don't Cry

Chapter 7

Veronica's return to the office was one of the most talked-about topics in the company. Being the center of attention was something the newlywed was not only used to but also enjoyed. Having married Alex took the subject to another level, and that morning, after leaving things at her desk, she was called by the CEO to hold a small meeting.

Rosa waited for her colleague and friend in the staff room. The rest of the workers took advantage of her presence to try to get information about Veronica's new husband. Rosa tried to avoid the conversation, although she was grateful for being a part of the interest aroused by her friend's personal life.

She knew Veronica had arrived as soon as their eyes turned away and she returned to the background.

"Hello, people!" said the newly arrived. "If you don't mind, Rosa and I must leave."

The newlywed entered the office she shared with Rosa and sat on her armchair. Veronica's smile was beginning to bother Rosa a little, so she asked her cautiously, "Why such secrecy? What did Manuel want?"

"You're not going to believe me. He proposed me as the head of the section."

"Head of the section? I thought you weren't interested."

"Me too! But, well... he offered me and I accepted."

"That's... very good."

Rosa sat behind her desk and put away the presentation she had prepared for the job application. The irony of it all was that Veronica had been helping her with the job request.

During the past months, when the news concerning the previous head's retirement arrived, many employees of the advertising agency applied for the position. At that moment, Veronica had rejected the idea because of the responsibility that the charge would require and decided to focus on supporting her friend's candidacy. Rosa repeated to herself that surely her colleague had found it difficult to reject that position at the time. Perhaps, in an attempt not to offend the CEO, she had accepted the job. It wasn't possible that after several months of working together, Veronica had stepped on her without even realizing it.

"Hey, don't forget. There's dinner tonight. And, guess what? We have something to celebrate!"

"No, sure. I'll be there."

Alex crossed the building's hallway while hardly greeting anyone. Despite having asked for discretion, with his arrival and return to work, it was difficult to go unnoticed. He was on many main society magazine covers.

Jose, guessing his boss's discomfort just by seeing his face, hurried to inform him about the company's news during his absence. He knew from experience that work could relax his superior.

Alex entered his office and collapsed into the armchair. Jose placed the papers on his desk while sharing small anecdotes during his absence. The assistant noticed the unwillingness of his boss to participate in the conversation, so he went straight to the point.

"OK, what's up?"

"Sorry?" said Alex, coming back from the world in which he had mentally isolated himself.

"Well, I just told you that I'm going to strip and run naked all over the office, and you ignored it."

"Oh, good! Let me know when so I won't miss it." Alex smiled at Jose and, with a slight gesture, told him to leave.

It hadn't been easy for him to assimilate the situation. He thought he had it under control until Barbara gave him the answer to the question that had been troubling him for years. Veronica had locked Elisa in a room in an act of rage over a silly argument with her older sister. Barbara remarked on the constant mischief and attacks that Veronica subjected Elisa to. A stupid misunderstanding had cost him his happiness.