Veronica was scared to enter work today this was a big deal for her. Her boss literally saw her on a date with a former client, of course, if it was any random man she wouldn't be bothered because it was her private life but no. Ahmad was her ex-boss someone she used to work and also someone who was involved in a partnership it changes everything.
Veronica ignored phone calls and incoming messages from anyone they wouldn't understand her panic and she also didn't like the fact that everyone kept dismissing her reasoning and was practically trying to tell her to man up at the whole incident it was beginning to piss her off.
Now at her desk, she was almost finished with her new presentation. After her work with the last client, the men shockingly agreed to allow her to handle the new client which was the original client's brother she assumed that they would cut her off and was pleased they wanted to keep her.
Beep "Miss Calhoun could you please make your way into my office." She looked at the telephone and frowned at it she was curious to know what her boss wanted from her he had already emailed her what he wanted from her today.
Entering his office she watched as he was on the phone and decided to stand where she was just in case it was a quick message
"Ah, Veronica I have some news. I spoke with the board and we have decided that we no longer need you for the project with this new client"
Veronica felt the world spinning WHAT!!!!! What did they mean by they no longer needed her for the project?
"We have decided that we would rather have Felix for the project he has more of a male persona and we think his opinion would be more preferred." Her boss said nonchalantly as if he didn't give her the worst news.
"But what about my presentation I'm almost done with it please just give me a chance to show you, I'm sure the client would be pleased." She tried persuading Mr Ross for him to change his mind.
"That's fine you can send the presentation to Felix and he can finish it off so there won't be any hassle now that that's done, I'll send you some leftover paperwork that needs to be finished. Thank you for your time, Veronica."
Veronica exited the office and burst through the ladies' bathroom. She was beginning to hyperventilate she couldn't breathe had that just really happened Everything was fine until, until yesterday. yesterday.The date. Ahmad. The whole date with Ahmad was the reason she had been taking off the project.
Veronica couldn't breathe it was as if she was having a panic attack she slid down the bathroom wall holding her hand to her chest.
"Ronnie? Ronnie, what's wrong? Breathe Veronica"
Imani burst through the doors to the ladies' room after seeing her friend practically fly her way inside.
She began fanning her friend, she didn't know what to do she was beginning to panic.
"Ronnie, breathe in slowly and breath out the same way continue doing that until you can feel yourself relaxing." Imani did the hand motion for breathing up and down.
Veronica felt herself calming down and quickly wiped the tears streaming down her face and took a deep final breath.
"Veronica what's wrong, what happened." Imani grabbed tissues helping her wipe her face.
"Th-they-they they took me off the project." She finally said bursting into even more tears.
"What project? the ones with the Delgados?"
"YES!!" She yelled "Mr Ross is giving everything Felix first it was the whole file incident now this! He is letting Felix take all of my hard work and presenting it as if he did it. I was finally getting noticed just for this to happen." She cried into her hands. Veronica was getting tired. Tired of everything this is what she had been trying to avoid. How could everything happen like this in just 3 weeks?
Imani just held her friend in her arms letting her get out of everything. Clearly, this meant everything to her for her to be acting like this. Imani didn't want to say it out loud she had been thinking for a while that something was going on with her friend. She didn't fully believe the reason why Veronica has been trying to get out of her position for so long was due to her wanting to be her own boss or anything simple like that. No. She truly believed Veronica was hiding something traumatic or a secret in general.
...
She blocked him, she had actually blocked Ahmad. The decision was hard but it had to be done she had fun spending time with him and just being around him but this is where she drew the line. No more it's not as if Ahmad didn't know about it he knew and knew the repercussions of it and if he didn't agree well he was just going to have to because she refused to go through any more than she had these past few days.
Veronica had even turned her phone. She only allowed work information come through to her laptop and she had a customised notification sound to know when work had messaged her.
Veronica decided to do some yoga to clear her mind and even put on a wash-off face mask while she was doing it. She hasn't cooked in a while and she decided to make her favourite support meal which was pepper soup she enjoyed spice and luckily her country was obsessed with spice which made it a bonus for her, she had that cooking on the stove and thought watching and doing some yoga videos on her tv would help soothe her as she let the sweet essence of her scented candles flow through her nose letting Erykah Badu. Next lifetime play through her house.
...
Ahmad checked his phone for the third time only to be met with the same scenario he had sent a message to Veronica's phone after the whole incident and was still surprised to be looking at the unread message he sent at around 2 am he knew she was still away. He decided to call her number only to rear back when the phone immediately went to voicemail he tried again just for the same result. "What the fuck" He mumbled
Had she blocked him? Ahmad didn't think their argument was that bad could he even call it an argument it was mostly her just shouting and him trying to understand the situation.
He didn't get her whole reaction? what did she mean by wanting him to lie to her boss he saw the way she froze and wanted to question her about it even her reaction when Imani's husband spoke calling her his date. He picked up so many things that happened at Yesterday's dinner and was planning to bring it up.
He didn't have Imani's number so he couldn't call to ask what was going on. This behaviour of Veronica was slightly starting to piss him off he knew she was serious about her job but he had never met someone who acted the way she did he would possibly classify her as a workaholic but it didn't even seem healthy to him. He had seen how issues at work have her stressed so the fact she had blocked him was a new low, did she even like him if she could so easily get rid of him like that.?
—————
The next day
Ahmad was at work and tried to call through to her through her work phone but as soon as she had heard his voice she hung up. Now Ahmad was starting to get angry what was her problem he was starting to get tired of chasing her if she didn't want to continue...
Now, this is what had Ahmad lean in on his chair and start to think. What even were they? He never asked her or even made it official hell they never even spoke about it now that was another thing he was starting to wonder about was it due to the fact she didn't know what to introduce him as? Was that what made her stop talking to him?
His telephone beeped gaining his attention. "Mr Tate you have an incoming call from Atlantic Advertisement." He heard his assistant Margaret say.
Ahmad quickly snatched the phone putting it into his ear. "Ahmad Tate"
"Hey, Ahmad this is Imani, umm it's about Ronnie"
Ahmad was beginning to get concerned "What about her is she ok?"
"Today is Ronnie's father's anniversary. Ahmad, I'm not even sure if I should tell you this but Ronnie had a panic attack due to a job issue and right now she isn't talking to anyone unless it's work-related."
" Is she at work right now?" He questioned.
"Yes, which is the worst part she looks like a statue a lot has been going on with her I'm only telling you this to see if you could help. There's only so much I can do and I don't want to pressure her."
"I don't know what I can do Imani." He sighed rubbing his face.
"I think she has me blocked I have no way of communicating with her."
"What, umm I'll try to talk to her and see what I can do I'm sorry Ahmad take care and also please don't tell her I told you about her father's anniversary. Ronnie and her dad were deeply close say mentioning it could possibly trigger her I'm even scared that I told you.
"I won't tell her you have my word, Imani. Thank you for being such a good friend towards her."
Ahmad hung up the phone and tried to continue with his work but Veronica was on his mind he wanted to help her.
....
Veronica walked through the gate holding flowers in her hand she walked until she stood Infront of her destination. Crouching down she placed the fresh flowers on the grass along with the other ones already laid.
"Hey, dad." She sighed dropping her shoulders looking at the headstone. Here lies a wonderful husband and father who could always place a smile on your face Samuel Folake Calhoun
" You look handsome, you lost some weight or something." She laughed reminiscing on when her dad almost cried when he started getting a dad body.
"Moms been doing ok, I just came from the house. She did cry tho but that's the usual of grieving so I wouldn't say something is wrong."
Veronica sighed her eyes beginning to water. "I'm trying dad, I'm really trying at work but everything has been so hard and things are drastically changing into even worse things. I'm scared I don't want what happened to you happen to me and there's only so much I can do. I want to make you even more proud of me and you can be smiling up in heaven saying that's my girl."
She sniffled wiping her tears and cleaning her nose she was beginning to ugly and she didn't want her face to swell up. Confiding in her father was something she always did she could tell her dad anything from the worst to the greatest and he always made sure he loved her and would be there for her.
"I met someone." She wiped another tear smiling
"He is really nice and caring and he understands me. Don't worry I'm not trying to replace you so don't even think about hunting him." She laughed at the joke remembering her face threatening to hunt any man who hurt his baby girl even in his afterlife.
"But I think I messed up." Her voice cracked. "I'm letting my job get the best of me and I don't know what to do, I don't even know how to tell anyone what I'm going through. Hell, mom doesn't even know she thinks everything is peachy but it's not and I'm kind of glad she thinks that I don't want her to worry about anything I just want her to be happy."
"Daddy, Happy 6th anniversary I know you're watching over me and if you could just give me a sign on what to do then that would be helpful. Do I stop seeing this guy or should I try to get back with him? Will I get promoted and be more relaxed and happy? I love you daddy I'll be back soon to give you an update on things." She got up off her knees and kissed her father's headstone making her way to the car.
On the way home she decided to take a different route home, it was getting to 11 pm and the building lights were on. She loved walking at night times looking at the city hearing some soft music through her playlist on her AirPods it always helped.
Waiting at the traffic light to show green to cross Veronica laughed at her playlist's next choice in music. Duke Ellington in a sentimental mood was playing she remembered her and Ahmad laying down on her floor drinking wine and talking. Veronica furrowed her eyebrows looking up at the sky she shook her head at the stars chuckling at how innocent they looked. She knew her dad was anything but- so she made a decision to take the sign and go into her next direction.
...
Ahmad got out of the bathroom after finishing his shower. He made his way into the drawers grabbing some shorts. He began to cream himself with some cocoa butter only to pause when he heard a knock on his door. How did anyone get through they had to pass reception first? He made his way downstairs passing the living room and heading his way to the door.
He checked the peephole and his breath hitched at the sight of the person on the opposite of the door.
He swung the door open holding the top of the edge of the door.
"Veronica."
"Hey, Ahmad"