Chapter 1 Velvet Cake and Heart Breaks

• "Mason Lander Gallahan." Mr. Jimenez said in his more serious formal tone whilst handing me a thin brown folder. This might be my next task. The last one ended with success, contrary to Emily's. Ofcourse, I am Veronica Meline Salvande. No one other than me could do their jobs perfectly as I can. I turned back to my superior.
• "He's a multi-billionaire at the young age of 27. Even I am amazed by that man. I could probably work all my life and still would never achieve his monthly net worth!" He exclaimed putting his elbows at his rolling office brown chair.
• "His family owns a car corporation but it was said that he chose to build his own. Far better than his father. It's a real estate and resort establishment company named Gallahan Corporation, that's his biological mother's surname. His numerous companies surround the world—almost infinite even." He added while leaning over the table.
• "Any more info’s I can get other than his business?" I said while flipping and examining through the 3 paged information. These are merely the basic facts! Age, name, business. What can I get from all these?
• "Nothing more. That's just it." He said shrugging his shoulders and putting out his hands as if he really didn't get any more of Him.
• "Nothing more? Really?" I asked, frowning. My forehead scrunched upon what he said. Our company is one of the best publishing corporations in the journalism industry! How can nothing more are scoped up?
• "Really. That man is hella mysterious! All I can see through the internet are his company's accomplishments. Purely business. Nothing about him personally at all." He replied, exaggerating. He must be joking. That's impossible. This company is capable of anything!
• He sighed, leaned over the table and clasped his two hand together in front of his face as if discussing a serious issue and stared directly into my eyes.
• "Listen, Veronica—" he started but I immediately cut him off.
• "Miss. Salvande." I said in a stern tone. I don't tolerate unprofessional first-name basis at work. Unlike my best friend, Emily. Although she's a friend, she's also a great rival at my career. And it's obvious that she earns her way to the top through sexual endeavours.
• "Okay, okay, Miss Salvande it is. Listen, this man is a huge deal in Hilton—this publishing company. The moment you lure his secrets out to the public, gossips will spread like wildfire! Investors will come chasing at our feet. And you, Ms. Salvande, will climb your way to the top." He added proudly.
• "The top?" I questioned. I know he's saying that I might get a promotion if I succeed into this, but I want to know how high I can get. This assignment will never be easy at all. Thus, I want to have my assurance that I'll be far higher than I am now, and his answer did not disappoint me at all.
• "Yes. The top. You'll get my position. The Chief Operating Officer. Can you imagine it? Your name, engraved here..." He said as he pointed at his name plate on the desk.
• I stared at it, imagining what the feeling would be like if I got my name on it. I responded immediately.
• "I'll take it. I'll do the task." I said, lifting my gaze. He smirked and leaned over his office chair again. "Perfect! You've made a great choice, Ms. Veronica. Call me if anything happens." He added while doing a call sign with his hands and putting it up to his ears. I slowly walked out the door but then I remembered something important that made me turn my head again.
• I glared at him and asked, "Why didn't you put Emily on this?" I said with a hint of suspicion upon my voice. He shrugged and replied, "Come on! We all know she's not good at her work! She's just—you know, hot." He said rather seductive than ever, as if imagining Emily.
• Asshole.
• I walked out the door and closed it. I heaved a sigh when I was outside and hugged the brown folder in my hands into my chest.
• I was in a happy mood, Emily being absent also lessened any annoyance. I greeted everyone with a smile, I always do, but it was rather glowing today, and everyone noticed it since this only happens whenever I receive big tasks that would lift me one step higher, and this one would be a huge step.
• I walked over my desk and immediately texted my boyfriend and fiance, Jonathan. He's probably at his work now so I'll just have to text him. I mean, being a school principal is still hard.
• ‘Hey baby J! I've got some big news! Let's celebrate tonight, I'll take care of the food *wink*. I hope you're having a great day! I love you. xoxo. Your Nica.’ and hit send. I smiled when he saw the message immediately. That would mean that he's at his lunch break.
• I gazed at the clock and saw 12:32 PM on it. Good thing I prepared him some sandwich, he's probably overworking himself. I tried calling once but I just heard some rustling in the background. But still, someone answered it, so he's probably in there.
• I hanged up and didn't call again. Maybe he's really busy. I was about to put my phone away and resume to work when my ringtone dinged.
• ‘sure babe. I'll wait at six o'clock. Love u.’ he replied. I was glad at the fast response, but I noticed something different. He has never called me ‘babe’ before. It was always ‘My V’ as in My Veronica. I shrugged the thought out and started to work again.
• Okay Mason Lander Gallahan. Let's see what I can get.
• -
• Sunset came and I finished everything that has to be done. I still haven't able to get anything from that rich Casanova, but I got his schedule. That's it. I'm annoyed that even my skills has only taken me up to this far. I didn't even searched up his face for Pete's sake!
• I looked at the clock and it's already 5PM. I gathered my files and said my simple ‘bye’ to everyone and headed out. I still have to find some food. A cake and wine would be a romantic delicacy in a celebration like this.
• I drove my way onto the sweetest pastry shop in town. It's not named Cakes, With Love for nothing, their cakes here are heavenly. And one of those are for a date like what I'm about to have. I brought John's favorite cheese cake and searched for my own.
• As I was about to go into the Red-Velvet area. I saw my favorite cake, it was the last one. It's the only one that's topped with cherries! I was about to make a run for it when a man blocked me. Or he went into the line first. But still! I was about to make it.
• I tapped the broad man's back and boy it was hard, I also felt a tad bit inferior that I am only up to his shoulders. I mean, I’m tall wearing a size of 5'8 foot. He turned around and I was immediately shunned.
• Wow.
• He probably saw a drool coming out of my mouth as he waited for me to speak. I was too stunned to do anything.
• He's probably a Greek God. NO, o that's not it, the Greek Gods would probably bow down to him. I took a whiff of his scent and he smells like chocolate and vanilla with a hint of after rain that you'd only smell in the deepest woods. His scent is heavenly I almost closed my eyes. But still, I am aware how embarrassing that would be so I didn't.
• I, now stared at his eyes and saw a chocolate brown and luscious orbs. Deep as if it's an ocean of brown waters I'll never get tired of drowning into. His nose is well-refined as if the Greek God Hephaestus, forged his own humanoid statue.
• His pink and pouty lips screams fine passion and a color tone that I'd never find in a lipstick. A lips so magnificently made, it probably kissed tons of supermodels.
• I, then observed his broad man body and I bet under those expensive looking, white long sleeve shirt is a body toned to the finest. His beauty is God-tier. But then again, I always believed that God has his own favorites. And he obviously took time with this gorgeous man.
• His skin is fair yet tanned, those types which you'll only see in high fashioned magazine models. I've seen a lot, since I've spent my 2 years publishing various types of articles, and believe me, they can't and will never compare to this glorious being in front of me.
• I shook my head and kept my thoughts away as I remembered that I have a boyfriend in my house I come home for and I'm about to be wedded and permanently tied to him for life.
• The man in front of me also had his fair share of scrutinizing. I suddenly felt as conscious as ever since I simply wore my white long sleeve polo and a pencil office skirt until my knees with a small slit on the side exposing a bit of my fair legs. With my red pointed heels, I am basically tall at this point.
• I am beautiful. I am confident that I am, if so then why am i scurrying away from this man's gaze? That, I don't have any answer to.
• I, then looked at his chocolate orbs again and he looked at my green ones. He seemed to gaze not just into my eyes, but the soul in me. He's probably examining who dared to tap him in the back.
• With that thought, I didn't back down. I stared at him again, hard. All timidity from earlier gone away. He, too, was surprised that my shyness from his gaze turned feisty.
• I lifted my head and cleared my throat. I pointed at the glass container of the cake I want in the counter. The Red-Velvet cake with cherries on top. "I want that." I said, with all the remaining strength I could muster upon my voice.
• I turned to him and lifted my brow. He's still gazing at my face. "I want the last one." I uttered again, quite nervous this time. I don't even know why I am so nervous. Maybe intimidated? I don't know, but I don't feel any fear for this man.
• "But I got here first, don't you think I'm the better customer to get the last one?" He replied. I wasn't shocked by his response, but on his voice. It was deep and husky. I, once again, was dumbfounded by one of his basic qualities as a totally normal human being.
• I was pulled away from my daze when a soft lady-like voice spoke out of the blue. I looked at the girl at the handsome man's back, she's already waiting in the counter and while we were quarelling, tons of people has already lined up behind me.
• The soft spoken girl uttered again. “hi! Please hasten your orders, people are waiting at the back.” she said rather nicely and with a smile. I turned my gaze away from her and into this handsome man's eyes.
• "B-but I-I..." I stuttered but was at a loss for words, my confidence earlier faltered and the gorgeous man staring at me smirked. He turned to the counter and said.
• "That Velvet cake for me, Syndee." He said, smiling too fondly for a customer to treat a mere cashier-lady. The girl returned a smile, and she's beautiful as well. I wonder why she's here and not as a supermodel. Her face has the potential.
• The girl then replied “you're too mean.” still teasing and smiling. But it was not a tease that somehow tells you that she's seducing the man, but it was something rather simply kind.
• The man I think smiled and turned to me, smirking and walked away. I was strucked at what happened. But still, I managed to look for some alternative cake, the girl apologetically smiled at me. I responded with a small curve on my lip and went home, grumbling.
• -
• It was already 5:30PM as I was driving through the highway. My human assignment is situated on the passenger seat.
• Mason Lander Gallahan. How mysterious would you be for a skillful journalist like me. I'd make a way. I know I would. Just you wait. I'll surely, with the highest assurance that I'll make it to that COO position.
• I arrived at exactly six and although I am rather tired, I still managed to park the car and went up the elevator to our apartment. I turned my keys but then I suddenly felt uneasy. Discomfort came through me. I inhaled and exhaled and went inside.
• However, my discomfort then was filled with unwanted confusion. Something I'd rather not entertain. But still, I walked through the kitchen without making a sound and placed the cake on top of the counter.
• I then went to the hall that leads towards our bedroom. Is John home? I asked myself. Slowly, I approached our room door. As I marched towards it. I suddenly saw a black women heels on the floor. Something I've given to someone dear. My best friend, Emily. I picked it up and examined it.
• My heart thumped dangerously inside my chest. My ribcage about to explode into pieces. My ears heard noises they didn't want to hear. Still, I trusted him. Despite those signs. I held my breath and gripped the knob, I stared at my hand, and on the golden engagement ring situated in my finger.
• Without waiting no more, I turned the door knob open. There, I saw something. Something horrendous, my heart couldn't take it.
• Jonathan, my fiance, on top of my best friend, Emily. Screaming each other's names with writhing pleasures. I stood there, at the door frame looking at them. I can hear my heart dropping to my stomach. My ears rang with a long agonizing beep as I listened to them, closing in on each other's body.
• They're having sex.
• Jonathan and Emily. In our apartment. In our room. In our bed.
• “Ah...” Emily moaned as she clawed Jonathan's back with her red-painted nails. She then grabbed his shoulders close to her face as he pounded inside her. Emily whispered moans to his ears. And then and there, her gaze flung to the door, she suddenly saw me.
• I thought she'll stop and beg and say sorry for what she did but she didn't. She smirked and then kissed his ears. Moaning even more. What she said next stunned me.
• "I love you, baby J...ah!" She said as she called him using the pet name only I use towards him. It was all a trap. Emily was the one who messaged me. She set me up into this. I fell for it. My best friend and my fiancé. They both betrayed me.
• It all sunk in, and that's when my knees trembled. I dropped the heels I didn't know I was holding and gripped the doorframe. That made a sudden noise, disturbing their lustful fantasy.
• John turned around and his eyes was wide with surprise. He got out on top of Emily and with haste, he dressed up.
• "Wait, Veronica, wait. Baby. I'm sorry." He said, still trying to wear his jeans. Emily on the other hand smirked at the sight without John seeing. She enjoyed it. But her actions spoke differently. She then begged in my feet, still naked, grossly dripped in John's smell. Now I find it horrid.
• "Veronica! I'm sorry! John didn't do anything wrong. Just punish me and not him. Please. We simply loved each other. And since you're always working, he felt unloved. Forgive him! I can stand it even if you don't forgive me." I was impressed by her actions. She was even able to create fake tears as he lowered her head.
• John watched the sight. "You know what, Emily..." I slowly said while bending down to her level. I crouched and using my fingers, I lifted her chin to meet my eyes. She was crying but her eyes are mocking me. Silently telling me how she won over my ex's body. I then spoke the words I was meaning to say all this time.
• "You're a bitchy whore." I uttered, smirking.
• Her smug face immediately paled but then John pushed me away from her. “Don't touch her, you plain bitch!” he said and slapped me. My head turned to thr side and I was livid. My eyes formed dots in them that I could no longer feel and know what i'm doing. Even her slap didn't hurt me as much as I expected it to.
• Emily gripped his arms behind him, pleading him to stop. But she like it. She liked this situation.
• I laughed. I laughed maniacally. I laughed away all the four years reminiscences of our relationship and stormed towards him. The next thing I did was rather satisfying.
• I punched him.
• I landed a direct jab at his not-really-that-handsome face and whispered "fuck you.", before marching away from the room. The apartment. The whole building. And into my car.
• I accelerated through the road, from lane to another. I don't give a damn about anything in the moment. Even my safety. I drove as if nothing ever mattered. I then stopped at a bright building I assumed was a bar.
• The outside was jammed with Barbies and Kens. I, on the otherhand, need an alcohol in my veins. So I immediately marched inside and ordered the strongest drink they could make. I can't remember the time I last drank alcohol. Maybe they were right. I was indulged with my work.
• After half an hour of drinking, the effects started to kick in. I was dizzy and my sight is too blurry. The bartender tried saying something to me but it was incomprehensible. He looked worried, and some guy suddenly came probably assuring him as the bartender shut his mouth up.
• I looked at the man sitting beside me and he as well stared at me.
• "You look drunk Velvet girl." He said, he was extremely familiar. His intoxicating scent, and his husky voice. I grumbled like a child, still dizzy. Glaring at him, I mumbled under my breath that I was completely fine. He then gave me a slice of red cake. The scent of calmed my nerves and I immediately delved into the delicacy.
• Many women tried flirting with him, in their short skirts and dresses, but he didn't entertain any of them. He was also glaring at something. Or rather at someone. I turned around and saw 3 men licking my exposed legs with their gazes. When they saw my companion, they scurried away like dumb puppies.
• The handsome cake man suddenly placed his coat on my lap. It smelled divinely but I didn't care as I was extremely tired. My eyes are probably puffed and my cheeks tinted red with the crying and all the alcohol.
• After a moment of silence, he asked me what happened and drunk as I was, I answered like a baby.
• "They fucking cheated on me!" I shouted and cried while eating the red cake. Drunk, pathetic, but still Red-Velvet obsessed. The man cooed me in a teasing way, but he seemed genuine despite his scary, intimidating, yet handsome look.
• He pulled out an expensive looking, navy-colored handkerchief, wiping my eyes as he repeatedly said these words, "There, there."
• I stared at him while he does this and remembered that he was the cake guy earlier! The selfish man who didn't let me have my Red-Velvet. But whatever, if I bought it, I could've been more depressed of the thought that I just spent that delicious cake on such a horrid celebration with a fucked up guy.
• "You're handsome. You know that right?" I said. I am certainly drunk and was about to fall on the chair when he held my shoulders, steadying my balance on the high bar chair.
• "What I know is, you're certainly drunk." He said. He left something on the bartender's table, probably the payment and held my hand. I stood up but since I was wearing heels, I kept tumbling down especially when I was bumped by people inside the place.
• Impatient, he put his hand behind my back and my legs and carried me up. People stared at us. Or rather him. Ofcourse he's going to gather attention with that aura and beauty. I was irritated as I felt the sultry gazes and the silent whispers of the women.
• So I giggled at him and caressed his handsome face. He looked gorgeous up close.
• "Did I—hic—already tell you that you're—hic— handsome?" I said. I saw his face reddening under my touch. As he gulped. I saw it too. His Adam's Apple continually moved as I glided my hand on his face.
• "That's the 7th time you said that." He responded chuckling.
• After a few moments, he opened something and made me sit in there, it was his car. The moment I sat, I saw him took a deep breath of relief, as if he was burdened by simply carrying me.
• I looked around amazed by his sports car. It was amazing! I've never ridden one of these before! This is hella awesome!
• He closed the door and walked to the driver's seat. He looked at me and asked "You're drunk, and you can't drive. I'll take you to your home, just give me your address?"
• Still amazed by his car, I unconsciously asked him, "do you have a nice house too? Your car is —hic— AWESOME!" I exclaimed, probably over-exaggerating at this point. He sighed beautifully. Yes, even he sighs beautifully, you can't convince me otherwise.
• "Can you—hic— let me see your house? Can you, can you, can you? Hic-" I said. And he asked me again. "Where's your address?" He said patiently. I'm surprised he's still patient up to this point. People usually are annoyed at me whenever i'm drunk.
• I remembered his question and thought of my address. "Oh! It's St. Bernard Street Condomin—" I cut myself. No, I cannot go back there. My ex and my bestfriend are still in there. They're both there. They will live there now. And they will live there forever.
• I wanna cry again, but then, this guy beside me has a house! Can't he also take me to his? I thought.
• "Just take me to your house. You probably have a guestroom somewhere I can sleep. I can't go back—hic—there. I'll pay you in advance if I have to." I said and unconsciously looked for my bag to get my wallet but then remembered something.
• Oh fuck, I left it in that asshole's house.
• "You're penniless." He said as he raised his brows at me. I looked out at the windshield infront of us and saw a couple outside making out. We stared at it for a moment and I reckoned. Still hazy at this moment.
• Maybe I can give him another payment. I slowly crept beside him putting my hands on his cheeks. And again, I smelled his chocolate and after-rain scent. I love it.
• I, then, kissed him impulsively. Driven by Tequila and nausea. He was stoned, unmoving as I let my lips do the job. His lips as I admired earlier in the afternoon was especially soft. I sucked on this pouty lips as I then moved down, his chin, and his fair neck.
• I kissed his handsome throat and he immediately gripped my waist as I stradled him in the driver's seat, now I know that's a weak spot.
• I licked the area and he groaned seductively, "Velvet girl...". I was stunned but still, I felt more turned on by what he called me. It was sexy. Then unconsciously, something churned inside my stomach, I thought it was the butterflies, so I continued and bit him hard in the side of his neck. This made him groan.
• But I, on the other hand was really feeling the butterflies turn into maggots rising up my throat. I confirmed it when I suddenly vomitted on the side. I didn't see the man's reaction as black dots started clouding my vision and I was feeling feverish.
• All I felt was that I was placed in the passenger seat, belted, and I heard something like "Fuck Velvet girl, I might have to take you in my house." As I fell into the dark abyss of sleep after kissing a handsome stranger.