Chapter 353 A Mysterious Woman
When Ruka had perceived Veronica as her potential rival, she utterly detested Veronica. However, after she discovered Matthew’s sexual orientation, there was a total change in her attitude.
“Really? Can I?” Veronica’s eyes brightened at the golden opportunity. Being a model meant working every day with a stable income. Besides, with Ruka as the middle person, Veronica might be able to clinch a contract with an agency without any problem. Hence, she would never let this chance slip through her fingers!
When she first came to Bloomstead, she did consider this job, but no company would want a nameless rookie with zero experience on runways. So, she had no choice but to work as a deliveryman and at the night market round the clock to feed her parents.
“Of course.” Ruka was confident.
Hendrey couldn’t help smiling as he added, “With your looks and capability, you might receive a chance to expand your career into entertainment, but don’t forget about us once you hit it big!”
His joke tickled Veronica’s funny bone as she let out a chuckle. “Nah, I just wanna earn money.”
Despite the glitz and glamor, the entertainment industry was messy and Veronica feared she might be unable to survive until the end. Furthermore, her career is her priority. Even if she was going to be a model, her job scope stretched beyond presenting her flawless side during photo shoots and runways.
“Hendrey’s right. I think you’ve got the potential.”
“Thank you. I’ll take that.”
“Of course, you should. I have an eye for talents.” Ruka then suggested, “Since it’s the end of the year, I think we should meet the president. You should try talking to him.”
“Sure. I’ll buy you a meal after everything’s settled.”
“Then, we got a deal.”
The trio chattered on and on, having the time of their lives. Finally, when a gleeful Veronica returned home, she played chess with Crayson, during which she received a call from Yvonne. She didn’t pick up the phone after glancing at it, though. Instead, after Crayson decided to call it a day and went to bed, she walked back to her place, which was just next to the building.
Matthew had bought the neighboring residence. With such an awesome and comfortable interior design, the decoration that Veronica’s house had paled by comparison.
Veronica entered the bedroom and opened the wardrobe, only to be dumbstruck. Inside of it was a bunch of winter apparel in different colors and assortments of designs. She checked out some of them and realized that all the pieces were from the latest collections. Everything was prepared solely for her.
Touched by Matthew’s consideration and affection, she felt her heart soften by his gesture. Then, just as she was thinking about him, he gave her a call.
She answered it at the drop of a hat. “You’re up?”
“You haven’t slept yet?” The mellifluous voice was so familiar that it soothed her heart.
Her finger grazed over the fabric as she asked, “Since when did you prepare so many clothes?”
“It was these two days.” He glossed over the details, hiding that he replaced the clothes according to the change of seasons from the day he bought the house.
“I see.” Veronica flopped in bed and hugged a pillow while sharing her little stories, “I ate with Hendrey today. Guess who he brought along with him.”
Men’s jealousy was easily evoked by the presence of love rivals that posed threats to their relationship. Matthew, who was no different from any other man, attempted to hide his growing dislike toward Hendrey. “His girlfriend?”
“Stop joking around. He brought Ruka along with him and she apologized for everything she had done to me in the past. She even said that she wants to befriend me.” She sighed while twirling her hair. “If she found out that the man she met the other day was me, I bet she’ll kill me because of resentment.”
“Ruka’s a decent person. She’s a good friend.” Although Matthew didn’t interact with Ruka much since he was young, he knew her character well.
“Decent?” Veronica coldly snorted as she deemed that Matthew didn’t know much about Ruka’s true colors.
It was true that Ruka was nice, but she was only friendly to the one she favored. When she was facing her enemies, one could equate her behavior to the term ‘I shall salt the earth behind you once I’m done ruining your life’.
“Hendrey is single, isn’t he? So, they should make a good match.” Matthew added another weird statement.
“Since when have you started being a matchmaker?” Veronica smiled in merriment. “You’re jealous because we had a meal together? That’s unlike you.”
“What else can I do when the woman I like is so attractive? Even if you stay still, men will flirt with you anyway.”
She rolled her eyes speechlessly because she was always the one to blame in the end. Then, after chatting for a while longer, the conversation ended as Matthew had some unfinished business.
The atmosphere fell into silence, and she leaned against the bedside, feeling the void inside her.
Veronica felt her heart become heavier because Matthew knew everything, including the night she had spent with Xavier in the hotel, thinking about what Matthew had done for her. Matthew was a proud man perching at the top of the mountain like he was god, yet he tolerated the fact that she was tainted.
The more she thought about the cruel truth, the more she perceived herself as someone unworthy of him. She could feel the gap between them was growing wider, and nothing could compensate for it. Someone better should stay by his side; that person could never be her.
On the other side, Matthew was relishing his meal while talking on the phone with Veronica at the villa in Castron. When a woman suddenly appeared in the living room, he excused himself and terminated the call.
“Matt, how could you eat alone? You should’ve called for me.” The slim woman had long maroon hair that swayed slightly with every click of her high heels. She stood before him then she snatched the sandwich from Matthew’s hand.
Instead of chewing her out, he gestured to the maid to make a new sandwich for her.
“Why are you here early in the morning?” The warmth in his eyes dissipated as he stared at the women indifferently. There was no tad of hostility in his icy tone, though.
“Of course, it’s because I missed you. The weather is fine today. Should we hang out for the first time after a long while?” she said coquettishly.
“I’m busy.” After giving a downright decline, Matthew took the documents that were set aside and began reading.
The persistent woman stood up and closed the files before him. “Matt, you’re so cruel. I missed you so much, and this is how you treat me?”
“So what?”
“You! Hmph!” She pouted in displeasure. “I really missed you a lot. It’s been a year. Can’t you accompany me for a day?”
Matthew looked at the documents before glancing at her. “Only this time.”
She grinned in triumph. “You’re the best!”
…
Back in Bloomstead, Veronica’s schedule had changed with effect from today because of Crayson, who dragged her out of bed as early as 4:30AM for a jog and training in the park.
