CHAPTER 3

As a new day rolled in, Veronica found herself staring into nothingness.

Last night, she barely slept. Her ochlophobia and traumas always resulted in insomnia.

In the past, her episodes were not so severe. They began as recurring nightmares of her childhood that haunted her every night.

Over time, those nightmares manifested into hallucinations that warped her reality whenever she was in dark places, resulting in very nasty cases of ochlophobia and PTSD. 

Seeking help from therapists was never an option. With a tight schedule and her stubborn ego, she refused to see one. 

Besides, opening up about her past with a psychotic father who physically, mentally, and sexually abused her, was not something she wanted to do. She did not want the pain that came with recounting a dark childhood.

Subtly, Veronica found ways to deal with her problems. Melatonin and soporifics from the pharmacy worked like a charm. When she wasn't sleeping, her work kept her busy.

Her current concern, however, was what happened last night. It was the first time she was having an episode even though she wasn't in a dark place.

The simple rule that used to limit such episodes; avoid basements and dark rooms, no longer served its purpose as a precaution.

'You can't control it,' she looked down at her palms. Her biggest fear was that one day, she'd have an attack like last night's in public. If that happened, a wicked scandal would emerge.

Imagine the headlines; Billionaire Business Mogul, Veronica Morgan, Confirmed Psychopath. 

Her rivals and enemies would thrive on that topic, finally forming a weapon to use against her. They'd fan its flames until it consumed her.

And judging by the number of enemies she had, she wouldn't last long if news about her mental health went out. 

On a wider scale, scandals only brought negative impacts on businesses. Hers would suffer so much loss.

Tsk.

Groggily, she dragged herself to the shower. The cold water sprayed on her skin, leaving a cooling sensation, quite dulling the events of last night.

After dressing up, she went downstairs.

"Good morning, ma'am," her workers cheerfully greeted.

Grunting a reply, she headed for the kitchen.

"Black coffee," she said to her nanny.

"Veronica, you don't look so good," the nanny, an elderly woman they called Nanny Lorene, noted with worry.

"It's nothing, nanny," she assured. "I just had a rough night."

"Rough enough to get 2 cups of coffee?" Nanny Lorene asked as Veronica poured two cups of black coffee into a bigger cup. It was alarming.

"I have a meeting with the heads of departments today. They're presenting the reports for the first quarter of the year," half-hearted, she muttered. "I don't want to doze off."

"I see," Nanny Lorene nodded. "And yes, get some ice packs for the swellings on ur balls. You have dark circles."

"Thank you."

Her assistant was waiting for her by the company's main entrance.

"Ma'am," she scurried after her, "the heads of departments are waiting upstairs."

"Let them wait. I'm the boss here. It's their job to wait for me," she retorted. Her mood was sour and she did not care for anyone right now.

Evie took her bag and handed a cup of coffee to her. They got into the elevator, heading to the thirteenth floor where the conference room was located.

The HODs of the various departments were waiting for her when she came in.

"Good morning, ma'am," everyone stood up. They sat back down after she took her seat at the head of the table.

"Good morning everyone. Let's get down to business."

The meeting commenced. Each HOD brought their department's reports, giving an account of all their achievements for the first quarter.

The last report came from the tech department. On the projector screen, he displayed their current rank on the international stock market.

"Ma'am, compared with the last two quarters, we have received a five percent increase rate in the price of our shares,"

"That's good," she said. The others hummed. An increase in the price of shares meant more value to the company involved. Value yielded gain.

"However ma'am, there is a little problem."

Of course, wasn't this so perfect? She frowned.

The man clicked on his laptop. On the screen, another company's ranking appeared. 

"Their sales are higher than ours by two percent," he reported. "I have been monitoring them for a while now. Their stock exchange rate has risen by three percent, following the boost in sales."

He continued with the report, listing other variables. Veronica's eyes narrowed at the report. The presence of this company threatened her own technology and development company.

For three years straight, they had led the other companies in a very competitive market, leaving a wide gap between them. How did one company displace them?

"What company is that?" She wanted to know which company was good enough to engage her in a competition.

"Reynolds Enterprises, ma'am."

It was her first time hearing that name. "Reynolds?"

"Yes ma'am. They were formerly based in Europe but recently, they began trading in America."

"Interesting," she mumbled. "Do you have more information on them?"

"No, ma'am. But we'll research them and I'll get back to you."

Veronica nodded in agreement. With all the reports presented, the meeting had come to an end. They rose and left, leaving Veronica with her assistant in the large room.

"Ma'am?" Evie gathered the documents.

"Evie,"

"An invite came in for you this morning," Evie said.

"Invite?" She wondered aloud. "What for?"

"It's the annual Trivia Met Gala." As Evie said it, she remembered.

The Trivia Met Gala was a fundraiser gala organized every year to raise funds for children in Asia and Africa. Each year they sent her a card and she attended.

"... Do we hire fro

m Pastel?" Evie was saying something that she didn't catch.

"Do whatever you want," she waved a nonchalant hand. "Just make sure I end up getting all the spotlight."