Veronica: CEO's Underworld Queen

'So?' Rawlf's tone was frosted. Veronica shivered because she could really feel the temperature in the room dropped to a negative. Veronica could still her twins but wasn't able to hear, or better put, understood what they're saying as she removed the headphone, right away pressed exit on the skype call and close the laptop on her l.a.p.

Yes, she knew that it might a misunderstanding on Rawlf's part but.....having to reveal their children on Rawlf in this situation is not yet the right time or Veronica thought. She put the laptop on the side table and was about to move and will try to used her beauty trap, hoping it will work at this critical time to appeased the man.

'Don't even think about it.' She heard Rawlf warned her making it known for both of them that he knew what she's about to do.

Veronica bravely looked on him and almost let out a gasped after seeing the pained expression on his taut face while looking coldly at her. The muscles on his face were showing from time to time obviously controlling the anger.

Veronica knew that her reason would be unbelievable much that Rawlf was a genius and her earlier reaction already put her in a suspicious situation but she tried.

'It's a friend Rawlf. I stayed abroad for almost five years and you might not understand it, but the culture there is different. That's why I sound very affectionate but there's no more to it other than friendly relationship.' Veronica explained confidently only that it's too late for her to realized the loophole in her explanation.

'Really now Veronica? Are you talking cultural differences that I wouldn't understand?' Rawlf said in a very cold tone. 'Just a little trivia, I studied abroud too, in H University, for how many years, met and get acquainted with a lot of people from different parts of the globe, of different background ..... and ....culture,' Rawlf made sure to put emphasis on the word 'culture', ... 'yet none of those culture seemed to support what you just said.'

Seeing as Veronica was at lost and maintained her silence, Rawlf continued while trying to control his fury for the lack of response....or maybe indirectly admitting and proving his assumption. 'Or are you to say next that it's a girl when I clearly heard how you affectionately said the word 'good boy'. Or maybe now you'll say it's a talking pet, a dog, a cat or something advance at that like an alien you were raising?'

Veronica suddenly jolted after registering the word 'clearly heard'. This man was eavesdropping on her?! She realized it just now!

'You were eavesdropping on me?' Veronica calmy said but her tone is laced with anger as well. She knew it's not the right time to clashed with this man but she don't know where she got the confidence that no matter what, the man won't hurt her, at least physically.

'Is that your argument now?' Rawlf replied in a mocking tone.

'I am not in the mood for an argument Rawlf. Why were you eavesdropping?'

Rawlf calmed himself from lashing out on her and chose to reply. But he has to make sure to extract the truth from her, even if it will disappoint and.....hurt him. After all, years had passed and it would understandably hard to believe that within those years, Veronica was never linked, gets closed to....or be intimate with any man. His manly ego and pride was hurt but Rawlf knew better than to let it gets the best of him.

He, for one, will accept her past, no matter what, as losing her permanently in his life would be unimaginable for him. This is, he realized, what other people called as martyrdom..... but he doesn't care if it is really, as losing Veronica would mean losing a part of himself now. Besides, after extracting the truth, maybe he can finally show her his possessive tendency. Rawlf smiled in a dangerous manner. 'No, I wasn't. I accidentally heard it when I was about to open the suite's bedroom.'

Rawlf lied, but somehow, there's a truth in there. He really did accidentally heard her but instead of making his presence known, he stealthily eavesdropped to her more. However, after hearing her say the word I love you made Rawlf losed control and suddenly barged in. He would rather settle this now with her so he could understand and know what to do next.

'You're lying.' Veronica was mad now for his shameless reasining. Well who is she talk.

'Tell me more about it.' Rawlf mocked. 'Now tell me truthfully Veronica, I want to hear it from you. Who are you talking to?'

Veronica didn't badge on his threatening voice and instead sticked on her earlier reason. 'I told you, it's a good friend. Yes, he's a guy but he's gay too.' Seeing the sudden relief expression on Rawlf's face made Veronica silently sigh in relief knowing her reasoning was working. She continued so as to sound convincing. 'He, rather she, is gay and we've been friends for long and yes I'm affectionate with him because of course, you know, women stuff.'

Rawlf was silent for minutes and Veronica was about to continue when Rawlf finally replied. 'Show me your laptop and his pictures.'

As if being poured by an ice cold water, Veronica was caught off guard. She never thought that this man is very thorough one. Now a big problem. She's got gay friends indeed, Gedmaire and Floyd but the thing is, she's got no skype contact of both! Being a low maintenance friend put her in more danger. However a quick response made her proud of herself. 'I can't show you his skype contact or even our conversation as I am respecting my friend's privacy but I can show you his picture.'

'Veronica, do you realized how dumbed you just sound right now?' Rawlf's angry tone was more evident now. 'You can neither show me his skype contact or your conversation but I'm only asking for the proof of the call because you rspect his privacy yet you can show me his pictures? Are you really respecting his privacy or there's no really proof of call with your real gay friend, to begin with.'

Rawlf this time was surely surprised of himself. He was never fond of talking much but the case is different now. If being extra talkative would help him have Veronica spill the truth, then so be it. Rather than to act cold and judge her right away and cause more misunderstanding between them. Although he's already guilty of assuming things very early but her earlier reaction fueled his suspicious thoughts. And Veronica's loopholed explanation was not helping at all.

Veronica now wanted to slap herself. Really? Had she became so dumbed now? Why is her mind not working at a times likes this?! She's Lady Cleopatra of the underworld and yet in this situation, she couldn't even find her way out?!

But then, this situation is different compared to the situation in the underworld. Plus that her earlier reaction was now she believed, etched out on Rawlf's mind an reasoning that her explanations would remain useless if he is to go back to the oddity of her reaction. 'Rawlf please, trust me, he's just really a friend. You have to believe me, okey? I would never do something as-'

'Do you think you're worthy of my trust? Do your self a favour and tell me the truth Veronica. No matter what, I'll know about it.'

Hurt of Rawlf's words, Veronica snap out. 'Think whatever you would like to think. Now do your self a favour too and help your way the f.u.c.k out of my suite.' Although still calm but Veronica knew her words and reaction were irrational but she no longer cares about that.

Hurt and disappointed, Rawlf self- depecatingly smiled. 'You know where to find me when you're ready.'

Just like that. Rawlf went out of Veronica's suite bedroom leaving the woman feeling guilty and in self loathing.

Everything could have been easy if she only tells him the truth, reveal their children's existence but Veronica couldn't help her own insecurities. What if Rawlf won't accept the twins? She's filled with what if the entire time of her conversation with the man that she couldn't even think carefully or formulate a sound explantion.

Indeed, in the aspect of emotion, even the smartest and wisest of person goes dumb.

Veronica sighed defeated as she returned back to bed. It's extra cold tonight. She thought as the feeling of loneliness and emptiness crept on her heart. Tear drops rolled on her beautiful, sad face as she pulled the pillow Rawlf slept on.

She inhaled the scent from it, taking in the man's unique scent in the process yet still, it wasn't enough. She wanted Rawlf beside her. To cuddle her and kissed her on the forehead or on the top of her head. 'Rawlf' , another batch of tears rolled from her eyes as she lulled herself to the most uncomfortable sleep she had experienced.