chapter 5

Vera's POV

I didn't see Nina for the rest of the day and I was beyond confused.

Why she reacted the way she did,  why she lied to me about being sick, all this was beyond me. I was hoping to ask her when I left mum and dad after our little talk but she wasn't in her room and I was too exhausted to go around the house looking, so I chose the latter and went to bed. This morning I had hoped to see her at breakfast but she wasn't here either.

"Mum

Have you seen Nina?"

Mum was applying butter with a table knife unto a slice of bread

"Oh yes

She had this club meeting at school she was going for "

Mum said non chalantly

"This early?"

How could mum let her go earlier that breakfast .

"You know how your sister is.

She never listens to anyone " mum dropped what she was doing. "And she doesn't want to talk to me.

Ever since last night.

I didn't want to force her for fear of pushing her away"

I got up from my chair and walked over to mum

"Don't worry mum.

I'll talk to her when she gets back from wherever she went" I gave mum a soft and reassuring smile when in reality I felt the opposite.

I was walking past dad's study when I noticed the crack in the door.

I stopped and stood there watching as dad was on the phone sitted behind his table.

"Okay.

Yes that restaurant would be perfect.

Make sure you treat both of them with upmost respect and there should be no complaints from Julius"

A crease formed between my eyebrows once I heard dad call Julius's name on the phone.

"Come in Vera"

I almost jumped out of fear when I heard dad call my name.

I was so lost in thought I hadn't realised he had gotten off the phone and saw me standing outside.

I walked in cautiously.

"Yes Dad"

"Your date with Julius will happen at my good friend Mr . Chang's restaurant.

I booked a VIP seat for you two to meet at 12.

So go get yourself ready darling"

I smiled and gave dad a curt nod before exiting.

I had just thrown my hair into it's signature look. A messy bun and i left two long , wavy strands to frame my face

     When my door opened and Nina burst in with teary and puffy eyes.

I dropped my gloss back on my make up table and turned to her.

I pulled her into my arms once I got to her.

She was shaking .

"Nina

Nina baby what's wrong?"

I stroke her hair gently trying to calm her.

"Shhh

Shhhhh . Don't cry baby.

Tell me what wrong "

I cupped her face in my palms and looked directly at her as she sniffled.

"P-please d-dont m-marry J-julius "

She managed to mutter through throaty sobs.

"Why baby?"

I called her what I always did whenever she was hurt or in a bad mood and I wanted to cheer her up after all she was my little sister although she didn't like being treated as such

"I love him!

I'v loved him for a long time!"

What!!!?

Nina! In-inlove with Julius!?

But they don't know each other!

I just stood there silent trying to process everything.

"I've loved him for a long time"Nina repeated

"He was that boy I told you I liked that was in college Class 4"

Her sobs reduced as she explained.

"You mean when I had just gotten into college?"

I wanted to be clear because that was 3 years ago and if my calculations were correct that meant Nina had had eyes for Julius for three whole years!

At the time she was in the 11th grade and I didn't really pay attention to what she said at the time but now I wish I did.

      She nodded trying to steady her breathing.

"Please Vera

I love him.

I'm sorry I lied yesterday

I wasn't sick. I just wanted time to get ready and look my best for when he came so maybe he could fall in love wit me and when Mr Chrysantos announced the proposal and dad accepted ,I just lost it and ran off" she was now a bundle of sniffles .

I couldn't blame her. I was one of those who believed in the saying "all is fair in love and war"

"Please Vera.

Promise me you'll talk to him and call it off" she begged and if I could help my little sister out like this ,I would.

   This was her first love, I'd try my best to make this love story happen.

"I promise Nina.

I'll call it off.

I'll talk to Julius " I smiled at her and her face brightened as she gave me a big hug that almost made me fall over before she scurried out of my room.

I let out a heavy sigh.

Things were just becoming more and more complicated ever since the proposal

On one hand is dad and on the other is Nina.

I just needed to talk to Julius. He didn't seem like he wanted this either but Je also didn't refuse. I walked up to Chang's restaurant and I sighed tucking some hair behind my ear. Just then I noticed a man in a maroon coloured suit standing and staring at me.At least I thought he was.The sun glasses he had on didn't really let me see his eyes or what he was actually looking at.

I ignored him and continued walking.

I had stopped in front of the restaurant door waiting for the guard to open it when I felt a strong grip on my wrist and before I could respond I was being pulled away from the restaurant.

"Hey!"

I pulled my hand back to see it was same man in the suit that was pulling me.

"Mrs Vera?" His boyish voice called out my name and I furrowed my eyebrows at him.

"Yes who's asking"

I massaged my now sour wrist.

"My apologies

I am with Mr Chrysantos.

I am to take you to where you two would meet, In his office"

Oh so he was with Julius

And what office was he talking about?

"Excuse me.

We were scheduled to meet here"

I raised an eyebrow at him

"Right but Mr Chrysantos is a very busy man and can't come so he requested you come to him"

Are you kidding me!

What a-

"Shall we?"

His voice came again interrupting my thoughts and I had to remember why I wanted to meet with him.

I took in deep breaths and nodded to the man, he lead me only a few steps before I came face to face with a black Lamborghini

I was stunned and my mouth dropped,  I quickly composed myself and followed to the passengers seat where he held the door open and I thanked him and getting in. We took off and I watched the roads and buildings pass by as we entered the business part of the city.i was too busy staring outside the window to notice we had stopped moving. The door opened and he brought out a hand for me like I was some kind of princess, but non the less I accepted his hand and stepped out.

When I looked at the building in front of me, I was stunned.It was like a skyscraper, royal blue with glass windows that reflected it's surroundings

I had to stress my neck to try see the top of the building .We walked inside as the man next to me nodded to the hefty guards that were at the entrance .We walked into the busy lobby that had people running about with files and papers in their hands.He lead me to the elevator as we passed a professionally dressed woman who sat behind a table.

She had her hair in a tight bun  keepin her face devoid of any emotion. I stared at her intrigued, her gaze met mine and she glared at me. Harsh, We got into a slick looking elevator, it looked like the ones I had seen from the various billionaire series I watch. There were like 100 buttons starting from 2nd floor.

He pushed the  button for the last floor, holding it till it turned green and a  ding  was heard before the doors closed and we began our ascent. I stop there looking every and anywhere trying to beat the awkward silence, I was never one to handle awkward situations well.

"What's your name?" I gazed up at him expecting an answer, no matter how short sleeves I won have to bare this bit he remained mute as he stared at me.

"Aldonis" he finally said looking straight on.

"So you work for Julius?"

I just couldn't stand the awkward silence and frankly I really wanted to get to know him

"Yes.

Are you always this talkative?" He asked raising an eyebrow at me.

"Are you always this quiet?"

I looked up at him.

Before he could think of a comeback there was that ding  noise again and the doors opened to reveal a beautiful, long hallway filled with rooms. At our left, in front of us was a woman sitted behind a table dressed the same way as the woman from downstairs ,who I just realised was the receptionist. He walked out and I followed behind you stop at the ladies table.

"Carol.

Let the boss know she is here" Aldonis said to the blonde woman sorted behisn the desk, she had very high cheek bones and the facial features of a model.

"She's here boss"

She spoke calmly into a microphone that I only now just took notice of was on her desk.

"Send her in" his deep husky voice came through and Carol nodded at us .

I followed Aldonis down the hallway as we stopped at a glass door.

It was see through, I gawked at the office's beautiful and classy interior.

Once the door was pushed open and I stepped in, cool air along with the scent of newly filled papers filled my nostrils.I opened my eyes to see the most beautiful office I had ever seen, big windows with the view of the whole city were covered with silk curtains.

  Aldonis walked me over to the table that had Julius seated behind it.

He had his hands on the table with his fingers intertwined like he was thinking.

"Boss" Aldonis bowed

"Leave us" His husky voice made my heart rate pick up and I started regretting coming .Aldonis left and I had to remind myself why I was here,all for Nina .I kept chanting the reason in my head to give me more courage but when he looked up at me, my breath hitched in my throat, the way he's eyes went from my head to my toe made my heart rate pick up. His eyes stopped at mine, leaving me anxious.