Becoming Lodge

Businesswoman

     "So.. how's it going with Mantle?" Jughead teased Veronica walking into her office Camila in his arms.
      "Ugh.." Veronica sighed. "Biggest mistake ever. The past few months all he does is ask me when we are meeting again. That's so irritating. I mean meeting for what?" Veronica rambled finding herself irritated again at the thought of Reggie Mantle and his incessant calling. "But at least he's doing what needs to be done. Or so it seems. Toni said that it is all working as planned." Veronica finished pinching her nose in irritation remembering the last conversation her and Reggie had.
     "That's good.. so why the face?" Jughead asked pouring her a drink along with himself.
    "He's just asking too many questions I don't want to answer. He thinks we should be a thing. One night in his bed and he has our whole lives planned. It's just so irritating. Doesn't he understand what a one night stand is?" Veronica demanded taking the glass from Jughead. "Why can men get away with it? But for a woman it can't just be that. It was just sex!" Veronica snapped irritation in her voice.
   "Some guys can't do one night stands. Not all guys are wired like that Reina. Just like not all women are wired to be ok with one night stands either."
   "It was SEX!" Veronica snapped again. "Just sex, for God's sake..." Veronica grabbed Jughead's arm. Horror crossing her face as she slammed the drink. Placing it on the desk she said as if the words pained her. "Reggie said he loved me. What am I supposed to do with that? Love doesn't exist. It's a fairytale told to children. No one lives happily ever after with one person."
   "Reina that's not true.. you know it." Jughead insisted. Wanting to laugh at the look on her face. "You know love exists. Look at Camila... love.. Camila was made in love.. you know it.. I know it..."
    "SEX! Camila was made from sex..." Veronica insisted firmly. Hoping against all hope that saying these words would make Veronica believe them herself.
   Jughead rolled his eyes at Veronica irritated at her more then he wanted to admit. Jughead finished his own drink wanting another immediately. Jughead didn't want Veronica to admit she still loved Archie. All Jughead wanted was for Veronica to admit that love existed. Veronica had felt it at one time. "You loved Archie at one time. Camila is a product of that. Veronica you and I know both know it."
   "I was wrong then.. I didn't love him.. not then not now." Veronica lied feeling the pain of the lie. Veronica hated Jughead at the moment. He was getting too close to the truth. The truth she didn't want to accept. Veronica loved Archie still even after everything. She just didn't want Jughead or anyone to know the truth. The truth she didn't even want to admit to herself.
   Jughead picked up on the lie immediately. He wanted to argue with Veronica to make her admit the truth. Instead he placed Camila on the floor shooing her towards her toys while Jughead wrapped Veronica in his arms. "You did, who knows maybe you still do. Just because someone hurts you doesn't automatically make feelings change. Love exists.. Reina... Are you telling me you don't love Camila? I know that's a lie." He said gently wanting her to open up and be honest about what was going through her head.
   "Of course I love my daughter. I love her more then my own life. I'm not talking about that kind of love. I'm speaking of the love that you and Reggie speak of . That type of love does NOT exist. Love is a stupid emotion that makes people weak and vulnerable. I don't need it or want it in my life. I refuse to ever be weak or vulnerable again to any man so long as I live." Veronica snapped at Jughead closing the conversation. Stiffening in his arms before pulling away. "Love is a chemical imbalance Jughead. I'm quite recovered from that imbalance now."
   Jughead watched Veronica feeling his heart break for her. Jughead knew Veronica well enough to know that she would keep herself so tightly guarded moving forward. Veronica would never allow herself to get hurt again by any man. Veronica would use men to get what she wanted, but she would keep her emotions in check. Something Jughead hadn't realized she had been doing for years. This thought saddened Jughead. Admitting to himself he understood why Veronica would be this way. But still feeling sorry for her. If Veronica kept her walls up as tightly as she had them. Veronica would never be able to get over Archie Andrews. She would never find the person that would show her what love was. Jughead sighed watching Veronica snap out of the mood she was in and begin to rifle through papers on her desk. "Isn't today the day?" He asked changing the conversation to something lighter. Hoping that talking about the award she would be getting would change her mood.
   Veronica smiled tightly at Jughead trying to shake herself out of the mood she was currently in. "Yes daddy thinks it would actually look good for me to get an award for business. Up and coming business woman of the year. What an honor."  It really was a huge honor to just be even nominated for woman of the year. Veronica was one of the youngest women having ever been nominated.
    "It is Reina. Isn't it Camila? Your mommy is an amazing business woman. Not just business woman, but an amazing woman as well." Jughead said to Camila.
    Camila looked up from her coloring with a smile. "Mommy is the best."
    "She sure is. I think so too princess." Jughead assures her with a smile.
     "Sure sure..." Veronica said uncomfortable with the words that Jughead was saying to her. "I have to say that I am looking forward to modeling for the cover. And of course the outfit and shoes." Veronica gushed reminding Jughead of the girl he fondly remembered from highschool. As if realizing she was acting childish Veronica snapped herself back together. "I have to meet with the stylist to get my hair and makeup done at one pictures at two. Mary will be here shortly to keep Camila while I go... would you go with me.." Veronica asked nervously twisting her hair in her fingers. Something she rarely did anymore. Something she only did when Veronica was anxious and uncomfortable. Veronica didn't want to admit to Jughead but she needed him with her. Veronica needed Jughead's support more then she wanted to admit. Veronica was incredibly excited about this honor, but as with everything else Veronica had an underlying sadness. The memory hitting Veronica like a punch to the throat, taking her breath away.