Chapter 7

Lucas sat down, his gaze fixed on the door as it slowly opened. The scene revealed Velia entering hesitantly, looking troubled. Something was clearly bothering her.

“Please, have a seat,” Lucas said, waiting for a moment until he felt Velia was comfortable.

His gaze scanned her, concluding that something was indeed happening to her.

“What's the matter?” Lucas asked directly, without any small talk. “Why did you suddenly want to meet me?”

Lucas shifted his focus, this time towards Velia's hands, which were tightly clasped together. It seemed she needed to gather her courage before asking a question instead of answering.

“Did you fire me?” she asked.

Lucas was taken aback, genuinely surprised. “Fired you? Me?”

On one hand, Lucas was surprised by the accusatory tone of the question. But on the other hand, he grinned.

So, because of this, you came to see me, Ve?

“M-Mr. Bell said I was fired directly by my superior,” Velia continued.

Lucas scoffed. “I thought you came to see me because you wanted to reconsider our relationship, but it seems I was mistaken.”

Velia froze. Her face felt hot, and she blinked awkwardly several times.

“Y-You know there's nothing between us that can be reconsidered.”

“There is,” Lucas retorted, staring at Velia without blinking. “You owe me an explanation, Ve. For your decision to leave me seven years ago. Remember? You left without a word, and to this day, I have no idea why you ended our relationship.”

Lucas's gaze made Velia tremble, especially with the accusation he presented.

“Our relationship could never work, Luc. You know that.”

“Nonsense!”

Velia was taken aback. Her heart pounded with a mix of fear and terror as a hint of emotion ignited within Lucas.

“Why? Was there another man you loved back then? Did you leave me for someone else?”

Velia forced herself to maintain eye contact with Lucas. “You can see it that way.”

Lucas clenched his fist tightly, his jaw tensing. Unconsciously, he gripped the armrest of the sofa.

“I searched for you everywhere, Ve.”

Contrasting his stern appearance, Lucas's voice trembled. He tried to restrain his emotions, but the turmoil could not be contained. The shadow of seven years accompanied the conversation, displaying the desperation that had almost driven him insane.

“I searched for you, hoping that we could salvage our relationship even after all those years apart. Unfortunately, I was wrong. It seems you haven't thought of me at all during this time.”

Velia held her ground in silence. Each accusation from Lucas made her tremble, but she tried not to waver.

“So...,” Lucas continued, “...after dumping me for years, you come here because of a job?”

It was truly humiliating, but Velia had no other choice. She bit her lower lip and nodded.

“I want my dismissal to be revoked, Luc.”

Lucas shook his head once. One hand rested on the armrest, and he rubbed his chin. He snorted with a mocking tone.

“Didn't you have any shame back then, Ve?”

The word “shame” could not adequately express Velia's feelings at that moment. She swallowed her pride, realizing she had become someone without dignity.

Ironically, Velia no longer cared about such matters. What was the use of dignity when reality pushed her further into helplessness?

“You left me for years, Ve, without an explanation or a single word.”

A momentary silence was shattered by Lucas's next words. He stared sharply at Velia, unblinking, as if he wanted to pierce her heart.

“And then, when we finally met again after all these years, foolishly, I thought you still had feelings for me. I thought our relationship could be continued, but...”

Lucas's jaw tightened. The warmth in his heart vanished, replaced by a burning sensation.

“...you rejected me without hesitation.”

Velia felt suffocated. The air seemed to pierce her lungs, and cold sweat dotted her forehead.

“And now you come to me as if we are old friends who are used to helping each other? Hoping that you can work here again?”

Lucas concluded his mockery with a contemptuous snort. Velia's face turned dark, helpless.

“I truly didn't expect you to be so shameless, Ve.”

Do not ask about Velia's feelings at that moment anymore. Lucas demeaned her to the point where she could not defend herself. But what else mattered to Velia? There was nothing, except for one last lifeline she would not let go of.

“You can see it that way, Luc.”

Lucas clenched his fist tightly. He tensed up. A faint redness appeared in his eyes as he struggled to contain his emotions, ready to explode.

“I suppose you forgot something, Ve.”

“What?”

“We are superior and subordinate.”

Lucas's decisive response left Velia frozen.

“Everything between us has already ended, hasn't it?” Lucas turned Velia's words from yesterday. “That means I don't need to reconsider anything to revoke your dismissal.”

Velia's eyes widened. “Luc.”

“Choose your words carefully, Miss.”

Not only snapping sharply, Lucas jerked Velia sharply too. His words and tone were like an arrow piercing her heart.

“I-I beg you.”

Lucas responded without expression. “Yesterday, I also begged you, Miss. Do you remember what I got in return?” he asked without waiting for an answer. “Rejection without any feelings.”

“Luc.”

“Call me politely. You're just a lowly employee here, Miss. It's not appropriate for you to say my name carelessly.”

Velia's body trembled. She should have anticipated where the conversation would lead, but her desperation kept her trying. She did not care if she had to demean herself.

“I beg you, Sir. Please reconsider my dismissal.”

“If you didn't know,” Lucas said, “when it comes to recruitment and dismissals, it's not me who handles them at all. You're asking the wrong person, Miss.”

“Sir.”

Lucas stood up, but Velia also stood for a moment, trying to hold his hand.

“I beg you.”

Lucas lowered his gaze. Velia was desperate, and there was a glimmer of hope in her teary eyes.

The air was trapped in his chest. Even for a man known for his coldness and heartlessness, Lucas could feel that desperation.

Lucas was taken aback. He stared at Velia intensely, and something crossed his mind as her plea continued to resonate.

“Should we make a barter here?”

Velia did not understand. “A barter?”

“Come back to me, Ve. And I’ll give your job back.”

*