Chapter 79
A package
Veronica’s POV
As convenient as working from home was, it was somewhat boring. I haven’t been able to step out of the house for any reason and I was slowly losing my mind.
The guards couldn’t find who it was and my father was too paranoid to let me out of his sight. I was being treated like I would disappear at any minute.
It was weekend already, and I was supposed to relax and just take a deep breath. Forget everything that happened but the whole house arrest thing was putting me in a very depressing mood.
I arrived at the already set table and was fixing myself breakfast. My father joined me soon enough.
“Good morning, Dad,” I greeted. “Hope you slept well.”
“Morning, dear. I did have a lovely night,” he responded as I gave him a light hug. “Can’t say the same for you though. You have dark circles. under your eyes, did you sleep at all?”
I wanted to lie at first but then I found myself shaking my head.
“No dad, I didn’t sleep. I had a terrible night and no matter how hard I try, I can’t bring myself to relax. I feel suffocated, Daddy and I don’t know what to do,” my voice cracked.
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His eyes softened.
“Do you want to take a break from work?” He asked and I immediately. shook my head.
“No, dad. Work is literally the only thing keeping me sane now. The whole house arrest thing is driving me insane and I… I can’t do it anymore,” I sniffled.
“Oh dear,” his voice softened. “I understand how hard it is for you, being stuck at home, not being able to go anywhere but it is for your safety, sweetheart. You know I would never stop you from going wherever you want to go.” he said and I nodded, sniffling. “I just want you to be safe.”
“I know, Dad. I know,” I sighed. “I… I just feel choked up.”
“I think I might have a solution to that,” he said suddenly and my eyes brightened.
“Really?”
“Since you can’t go outside in the city because of this stalker, perhaps you can take some time off for vacation. You will have guards with you, of course and an unlimited credit card to get whatever the hell you want,” he said and every form of depression that was initially holding me was gone.
This was like the best news I have heard in a while and it made me want to scream in joy.
“Really?” My pitch was so high that it could pass for a squeak.
“Yes, and you can go with whomever you want,” he added and I squealed in excitement.
“Yesssss!!!!” I jumped around happily then engulfed him in a tight hug.
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“Thank you so much, Dad. You are the best.”
“Anything for you, my dear. You know I would not just sit back and watch you go through any difficulty. Take some time off while we figure this out, okay?” he said and I bopped my head repeatedly.
I was excited. Even more excited to ask Orthon to come with me. I mean, he was the only person aside from my father in my life. I wasn’t that close to Aric to ask her to come with me.
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“Can I ask Orthon?” I asked.
He chuckled, “I’d be surprised if you asked anyone else. You two are literally love birds.”
I could feel a blush coming up.
“Stop it pa!” I tried hard not to smile. “We are just friends.”
“So they always say.”
The excitement buzzed through me like a shot of pure adrenaline. A vacation! A chance to breathe, to escape the suffocating walls of my home. and the ever–present shadow of fear. The thought of warm beaches, luxurious resorts, or even just a change of scenery made my heart race.
I barely finished breakfast before I rushed to my room, grabbing my phone. to call Orthon. My fingers trembled with anticipation as I tapped his number.
It rang twice before his deep, familiar voice came through. “Hey, Vee. Everything okay?”
“Okay? Orthon, I’m fantastic! My dad just gave me permission to take a vacation, and you have to come with me,” I blurted out, barely containing
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Chapter 79
my excitement.
There was a pause, then a soft chuckle. “A vacation, huh? And where exactly are we going?”
“I don’t know yet,” I admitted, flopping onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. “But I don’t care! Anywhere is better than being stuck here, and I need my best friend with me.”
Another pause. This one longer.
J’Veronica… are you sure this is safe? Your dad was freaking out about the whole stalker situation. What if this makes things worse?”
My heart sank slightly. I had expected some resistance, but not from Orthon. I mean, we were going to spend more time together.
“That’s why I’ll have guards with me,” I reasoned. “And we’ll be somewhere far away, somewhere safe. Orthon, please. I need this. We need this.”
There was a long sigh before he finally relented. “Alright, alright. If it means that much to you, I’m in. But on one condition.”
I perked up. “Anything!”
“I get to pick where we go.”
I frowned, then grinned. “Fine. But if you pick some mountain hike or survival camp, I swear I’ll…”
“Relax, princess. I know exactly where to take you. Just leave it to me.”
The way he called me princess sent a strange flutter through my stomach, but I pushed it aside. This was Orthon. My best friend. Nothing more.
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“Fine,” I said, rolling my eyes playfully. “But it better be somewhere amazing.”
“Trust me, Veronica. It will be.”
“How’s Keon?” I asked.
“He’s fine. Growing really fast. You should see him crawling around with those tiny legs. He’s a real cutie,” he said fondly and I smiled. “You know, he makes me wonder what our baby will look like.”
My breath skipped a beat.
“Our?” I muttered.
“Yes, our. Didn’t we agree that I was the father?” He asked and I bit my lip. “Vee, were you planning to raise the child without me?”
“No, no, of course not,” I said quickly. “I just… I’m shocked at how casually you said it like it was no big deal.”
“Is it?” His tone was serious.
“No,” my voice dropped into a whisper. “guess not.”
“I’m sorry if I made it weird. I just thought we were on the same page. Even if I don’t get to be with you, I want to be a part of your baby’s life if that’s okay.”
“You don’t have to apologise, it is totally okay by me,” I tried to keep my voice as normal as possible.
Ididn’t want him to know the effects his words had on me. How much they mattered.
“You think Arie would be able to manage while you’re gone?” I asked.
“No, I don’t think so. I expect to meet absolute chaos by the time I come back, which is why I am going to have Jane look after Keon,” he said. “I don’t know how that boy made it to six months but I am pretty sure he has been through a lot.”
I laughed. “Come on, Orthon. It can’t be that bad.”
“It is that bad. It’s like she forgets she’s a mother sometimes,” he sighed. “Enough about Arie. You should go pack and get ready. I am going to pick the best place for us. How long are we staying though?”
“Just until the whole stalker thing is sorted out. I know you have to run your company and…”
“I work from home, sugar. Don’t stress,” he cut me short and I bit my lip.
“Okay, okay.” I breathed out. “I am just so excited for this. I can already imagine all the things we can do and all the places we can go to. I think we…”
“Take a deep breath, Vee. We are going to do all that you mentioned,” he
chuckled.
I was about to say something when a knock came to my door.
“Miss? Are you in there? I have a package for you,” a maid said at the other side of the door.
“Come in.“–
The door opened and she timidly entered with a brown box.
“Who is it from?” I asked, hoping to God that Carter didn’t buy the
Chapter 79
audacity to actually send gifts to my home.
“It only says that it is addressed to you, ma’am. The mailman brought it.” she told me.
An unsettling feeling washed over me.
“Alright, thank you.”
“Vee, what is it?” Orthon asked.
“Some box, from a mystery sender. I’m going to check what’s inside,” I
told him.
“I really don’t think you should open that alone, Vee. Can you hold on for me? I’ll be over there in…”
“You don’t have to, Orthon. It’s just a box. But if you want to see it, we could facetime while I open it?” I suggested.
Five seconds passed.
“Fine.”
I switched to Facetime and he answered almost immediately. He had this permanent frown on his face that made me laugh.
“Calm down, Orthon, it’s not that serious,” I laughed.
“It is very serious to me,” he huffed and I began unboxing.
“What do you think it’s going to be?” I asked.
“Just rip it to shreds and find out,” he said impatiently.
“You’re no fun,” I muttered, finally getting the box open.
“So what do we…” The words froze in my mouth as my smile immediately
faded.
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