Veil freshened up and slipped into the dress Anderson gave her. The floor-length ink-black gown was an embodiment of elegance and allure. It seemed to be crafted from luxurious flowing fabric that draped gracefully. The silhouette was sleek, accentuating her curves tastefully. Not so tight, and not so free. It was the right size. How did he know her exact size?She assessed her reflection in the mirror and her jaw almost dropped. The dress was way too exposing than she'd have liked. Its plunging neckline left cleaves that she preferred to cover up in the open, and the thigh-to-foot length slit, exposed her tanned legs each time she walked. Why did it feel like this event was mostly to see her naked?She slipped into the pair of shoes and gave herself one last look, then went downstairs to wait for the driver's arrival. She was surprised to find the car already standing by, waiting for her. The chauffeur hopped down and opened the back seat for her. Her eyes went wide as saucers the mo
All eyes turned in the direction where the voice had come. "Sold for 20 million." Veil stole a glance at Anders behind her. How rich was this boss of hers really? she couldn't help but wonder.Soon after the auction, the party took a different swing. Anders' phone rang right before the dance began. He walked out to take it. Veil looked around rubbing her arms nervously. She wasn't used to events like these. Where was Anders?"Hello, Veil!" She turned when she heard a slightly familiar voice call her name. And there, in front of her, on a black tux that stretched to contain his broad chest and muscular arms, was Orleans, looking like a Spanish male model. Her eyes lit up."Hello," she smiled at him. Orleans stole a furtive look around as if searching for something... Or someone."You're here alone?" Veil shook her head. "No, I'm here with my boss. What brings you here though?" "Same as you. Here with the boss." His facials flexed, revealing a beautiful smile. "And... where's this
The city bustled all around them, yet all Veil could think about was the man holding onto her hand so strongly that she couldn’t decipher the emotions behind his dark eyes. She hadn’t done anything wrong, at least none that she could remember. And what was that bold declaration about touching what was his?Anders let go of her hands the minute they reached the rooftop, and he sighed exasperatedly. Running his hand through his hair, he stopped pacing and stood in front of her, towering above Veil. “What the hell do you think you were doing?” Veil’s heart thrashed against her chest as she tried to wrap her head around what was happening. It was just a dance, right? And she could dance with anyone she chose. It was a party, for God’s sake? So, why did it feel like she had committed a great offense?“He asked me to dance, and I…”“And you what?” He cut in, his face red with anger. “You allowed him to snake a hand around your waist like he owns you? Are you that cheap?”The minute Ande
Veil's enjoyment of the party was marred by Anders' silent presence, his unspoken command keeping her in her seat. The arrival of a distinguished older man, his false gray hair a stark contrast to his vibrant personality, only added to the tension. This was Mr. Charles, the person Anders had promised would be in attendance tonight. They started talking about a new business idea with the aim of expanding the products put out of auction, and from habit, Veil whipped out her ipad and started taking notes. “How about touring museums and other homes that houses art for now? Some of these things are due to be put out to the public for ownership, and we wouldn’t know until we approach them.” Anders suggested, waving one of the servers over. He asked for a refill of his glass, as well as Veil’s, still not talking to her. “That’s a brilliant idea,” Charles opined, nodding enthusiastically. It was obvious that he held Anders in high esteem, and would do anything to prove that he was worth ha
Veil's eyes met the clock hanging above the wall, realizing that she had only been working for an hour. Her feet still hurt like hell even though she had taken off her shoes and replaced them with the pair of slides she found beside the desk.They obviously belonged to Anders, with how huge they looked on her feet. Veil wasn't even sure it was a good idea to have them on, seeing as Anders looked for every way to make her life a living hell.Her ankles were swollen and she desperately needed to lay on the couch beside the desk.“It will be just for a few minutes,” she told herself, getting out of the office chair and stretching her small frame on the couch. It was uncomfortable sleeping in the dress Anders got, but she had no other choice. The couch felt really soft underneath her body, and she couldn't help snuggling into the arms of sleep. Even when Anders walked in an hour later, in his black pajamas, her soft breaths still serenaded the room.Anders stopped by the foot of the stai
“Veil,” Anders called softly, touching her legs. She seemed to recoil from him, still staring at her ringing phone. This wasn't how Anders had planned for the night to play out. He didn't know what to do with a panicking woman and her ringing phone.As if on cue, the phone stopped ringing and silence returned to the room. Veil was still panicking but at least, she could now see him. She tried to wipe the tears off her face, but her hands were visibly shaking.“Do you want to talk about it?” Anders asked slowly, not sure how to go about this conversation. “I'm not so sure,” Veil responded, shaking her head.“Do you want to call back?”Veil wanted to, but she needed Anders out of hearing. She already hated that he had seen her cry, and didn't want him to see anything uglier.“I want to get back to work.” Veil got off the bed and returned to the office, plopping on the seat. Once she was sure that Anders hadn't followed her back down, she called the hospital back, dreading the news.“Y
The first time Veil woke up, it was with a start. The bright light from the windows was blinding, but that wasn't what made her jump up in a frenzy. It was the thought that she was late for work, and the fear of what Anders would do to her. A ding on her phone caused her to search for it on the nightstand, and she let out a string of Spanish curses when she remembered that Anders had given her the day off. It was 10 am already but she still felt so sleepy so she went to bed a second time. When she got up again, the sun was up, and the rays were shining in through her windows. She rolled to the other side of her bed, stretching her muscles until she decided it was time to get her ass up. Since it had been a while she had the whole day to herself, her house was in a mess. She spent the first hour cleaning up and taking the trash out. Jane was returning to Mexico in a few days and it was imperative she met the house in a sane condition. Exhaustion coursed through Veil's bones as s
Anders could barely concentrate at work. He was worn out from a sleepless night spent worrying about Veil, wondering if she was doing okay. He knew she didn't want to tell him what was going on in her life, and that made him so frustrated.He felt the strong urge to take total control of everything happening in her life, but from the little he knew about Veil, she was a tough nut to crack.Julia, his temporary secretary for the day, came in with her iPad. “Mr. Roderiguez, I have with me a copy of your …”“Did I ask you to come in?” Anders asked, his voice too calm to convey his actual feelings.“What?”“It's a simple question, Ms. Julia.” His tone was getting harsher.“You didn't, Sir.” She answered curtly.“And why didn't I?”Julia was confused. The HR head had told her to fill in for Ms. Hart today and she had done everything to be ready for Anders questions, even looking up what he liked to eat. She was here before he came in that morning, and had even brought in his coffee, black