Blind Love

Where

"You didn't have to come with me, I know you're busy with your work," despite Jughead's words, he looked extremely pleased that Veronica was flying to New York with him, to see the publisher with his finished novel.

"Nonsense, I wouldn't miss the first copy of your book being published for anything," she assured him, laying her head on his shoulder on the plane.

She flashbacked to the time when Jughead tricked her onto a plane to London, which failed tragically because she flew back anyway. Another memory popped into her mind: the night she had cracked the code. She had been taking a break, flicking through her photos as she was reminiscing her old life, and when she stumbled across a photo of Elio and her of the very first time they had met, she spotted a familiar tattoo on his wrist: the wolf symbol that the had found on the Barbarians. Then, she did more digging and voila, she found the answers to the person behind the Barbarians.

But why him? She had thought. They had done business together, and sure, although they had tricked each other a few times, she did not think Elio was capable of such a violent act. However, it turned out that there was no mercy in business.

Veronica gazed out the window at the setting sun and smiled at the beautiful sight outside the window and the beautiful sight beside her in the form of Jughead Jones. Tomorrow, they would wake up in New York City.

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"We're here!" Veronica scrambled over Jughead to the aisle excitedly when the plane landed.

A sleepy Jughead groaned at the sudden weight  on him and looked annoyed at the way he was woken up.

"You could have said excuse me instead of bound over me in a painful manner," although he was sleep deprived, he was never deprived of his blunt sarcasm.

Veronica took his seatbelt off and yanked him off his seat. "Come on! You're wasting precious time."

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The reluctant Jughead quickly turned into an enthusiastic Jughead after he had had a New York breakfast and had went to the publisher's office. On top of that, Veronica had snapped a few photos of an excited Jughead watching the publishing process of his novel.

"Hold it open so that you look like you're reading it," Veronica instructed as she wanted to get a perfect shot of Jughead reading his book.

Jughead groaned but complied and cooperated with his photographer. He struck an exaggerated pose of him waggling his eyebrows at his book, then did a normal one of smiling with his book in hand. The third one was Veronica's favorite. He followed Veronica's suggestion of pretending to read his book in an engrossed fashion.

"This is going on Instagram for promotion!" Veronica exclaimed at her prized photo.

Indeed, Jughead did look amazing. With his defined features and captivated gaze in his book, he somehow radiated a sexy and studious aura at the same time.

Jughead came over to peer at Veronica's camera. He nodded approvingly and slung an arm across her shoulder.

"Your turn!" He grabbed the camera and handed her the book.

Veronica was a natural model. Under the sunlight, her hair gleamed and her side profile looked stunning. She pretended to kiss the side of the book so that the cover faced the camera as she held it up near her face. Jughead showed her the photo and Veronica beamed.

"Now that we're finished with the novel, let me take you around New York," Veronica suggested eagerly. "I grew up here. I'm your best tour guide."

"Yeah, why not?" Jughead grinned. "Lead the way. To somewhere with more food."

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"Welcome to Grindhaus," Veronica brought Jughead in the restaurant. "Best burgers in NYC."

She was the definition of a proud girl, as Jughead's jaw dropped at the heavenly burgers and mouthwatering aroma.

"Table reserved for Lodge at 12, please," Veronica asked the waiters to lead them to their table while Jughead was too busy marveling at the food.

It did not take much time for Jughead to order nearly everything off the menu and the food arrived shortly.

Jughead's eyes widened as he took his first bite. "Best burger I've ever had!"

"And trust me," Jughead added between bites. "I've tried a lot of burgers."

An overhearing waiter chuckled silently to himself, as Jughead looked ecstastic.

"Do I get a bite?" Veronica opened her mouth for a bite of his burger.

Jughead paused in mock consideration.
"Okay, just this once."

He fed her the burger and Veronica took a satisfying bite. He must like her a lot to willingly share the best burger he has ever had with her.

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"Next stop, Brooklyn Botanic Garden!" Veronica and Jughead strolled hand in hand into the beautiful garden.

The two had gone book shopping all over New York after they finished eating all that food in Grindhaus. The constant walking burned off the calories they had gained.

The view was breathtaking with its cherry blossoms and crystal lakes reflecting the dusk sky. The garden was huge and they crossed the bridge to a quieter section of the park. Fortunately, it was a weekday and it was not tourist season, so the park was pretty peaceful.

By then, night had already begin to fall, and the stars started to appear one by one. The sky was a beautiful mix between dark blue and dark orange, and it set a romantic atmosphere for the two.

They kept walking in comfortable silence and each other's company until Veronica suddenly shouted and pointed behind them.

"It's Nick St.Clair!"

"What? Where?!" Jughead furiously turned around and kept searching for his figure, fists clenched, ready to run and beat him out any time.

When he could not spot him for a good minute, he finally turned back to ask Veronica where he was, but as he turned...

"Veronica?"

She was gone.