"You?" Crystal, Ronnie's visitor, exclaimed upon seeing Vere. Vere met her gaze and courteously greeted her, "Good afternoon, ma'am."
Ronnie, taken aback by Crystal's arrival and the interaction between her and Vere, introduced them. "Ah, Crystal, this is Mr. Wayne, the one I told you about who saved me."
Crystal's voice lowered as she acknowledged Vere, "Hello, Mr. Wayne. Nice to meet you for the second time around."
Ronnie, slightly confused by their familiarity, inquired, "Oh, you know each other?"
Vere nodded, maintaining his composure. "Yes, we've met before," he confirmed, careful not to reveal too much about their previous encounter.
In that moment, despite sensing Crystal's apparent displeasure, Vere knew he had to remain composed, disregarding any impressions she might hold. Unbeknownst to them, the individuals they once knew were now in the presence of Vere, bearing a different face and name, yet still the same person.
Vere felt a pang in his heart, realizing the company of those who had been his allies during his time in hiding. Crystal held a significant debt of gratitude to Vere, as she, despite being a police officer, had extended her help and shielded him from the law.
His heart swelled with a mix of gratitude and caution. "Thank you," Vere whispered silently in his thoughts, acknowledging Crystal's assistance that had kept him safe during his hidden days.
In the midst of their reunion, Vere recognized the intricacies of the situation bound by shared history, concealed identities, and unspoken alliances. He maintained his outward calm, hiding the turmoil of emotions that swirled within him, grateful for the subtle connections that tied them together and safeguarded his secret.
"Mr. Wayne," Ronnie called out, noticing Vere's momentary distraction. Vere quickly composed himself: "Ah, yes, Ronnie. Um, Crystal, I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something related to work," Vere explained.
"Oh, really?" Crystal replied. "And anyway, you remind me of someone," she mentioned, glancing at Vere.
Vere and Ronnie chuckled simultaneously. "Yes, seriously, Mr. Wayne. You both have similar mannerisms, and he also sometimes gets lost in thought," Crystal added.
Vere's heart swelled with joy upon hearing Crystal's comment, feeling a surge of happiness that someone remembered him. Despite the pang of sadness for needing to conceal his true identity, the momentary elation from Crystal's recognition uplifted his spirits.
However, Vere quickly masked his emotions and seamlessly joined their conversation. Despite the turmoil within him, he knew he had to maintain the facade of his hidden identity. Vere silently cherished the fleeting happiness brought by Crystal's recognition, understanding the complexity of their intertwined past and present, all the while concealing the truth about his identity.
"He knows him," Ronnie informed Crystal while the three of them were having their snack. He elaborated on their shared neighborhood and recounted anecdotes about their acquaintance.
"Oh, wow," Crystal expressed, visibly intrigued. "You do?" she inquired, looking at Vere for confirmation. Vere nodded, affirming her statement with a subtle movement of his head.
Taking his turn, Vere shared his own perspective. "Yes, he is a good man," Vere agreed, a hint of melancholy evident on his and Ronnie's faces as they felt the absence of their mutual friend.
Swiftly steering the conversation, Vere shifted the topic, mentioning his interest in hiring Ronnie as his personal assistant. Ronnie and Crystal exchanged surprised glances, Ronnie voicing his disbelief, "Seriously?"
"Yes, I know you can, and I am pretty sure about that," Vere reassured confidently, a sense of trust and certainty in his voice.
Crystal smiled at Ronnie, encouraging him with a subtle nod. "Say yes, then, Ronnie," she suggested. Ronnie's face lit up with agreement. "Yes, of course," he replied, expressing his willingness.
In that moment, Vere felt an overwhelming sense of joy seeing the trust and readiness from both Ronnie and Crystal. He recognized their reliability and sensed the bond that was forming among them. Vere understood that Ronnie would be a dependable ally in the future endeavors he planned. As they shared their smiles and nods, Vere knew that he had found allies he could trust.
In the shadow of his past, when Vere had to hide from the law, things remained unchanged between him, Ronnie, and Crystal. Understanding their initial hesitation, Vere empathized with their uncertainty since they believed they were dealing with a different person than the Vere they knew.
"So, what now, Ronnie and Crystal? I'll bid farewell for now, but I'll let you know," Vere stated. "It would be much better if we exchanged our numbers again," he suggested, prompting all three of them to swap contact details.
"And me too?" Crystal inquired, seeking confirmation. "Yes, you too," Vere affirmed with a nod. After exchanging numbers, Vere bid his farewells to Ronnie and Crystal before leaving Ronnie's apartment, where Crystal also happened to be present.
Walking away, Vere felt a mix of emotions relief for reconnecting with familiar faces, gratitude for their understanding, and anticipation for the future. He was grateful for their acceptance, despite the veil of secrecy around his identity.
As he navigated the streets, Vere couldn't help but dwell on the warmth of their renewed connection. Their willingness to exchange contact information signaled the possibility of a future where Vere could gradually reveal his concealed persona.
He realized that, despite the hidden truths and uncertainties, a glimmer of trust and camaraderie still existed between them. Vere carried this newfound hope as he departed, envisioning a future where the layers of secrecy might gradually dissipate, unveiling the true Vere to Ronnie and Crystal.
As Vere drove back to the mansion, a sense of relief washed over him, despite the lingering melancholy. The reunion with the three individuals who had been a part of his life during times of adversity had lifted a weight off his shoulders. As he navigated the road, Vere found himself reflecting inwardly, acknowledging their concern. "I sense your sadness. But I need to keep my truth hidden from you. You'll know in due time," Vere resolved within himself.Approaching the mansion, he noticed two cars parked by the gate, accompanied by two individuals who seemed to be ringing the doorbell. Vere halted his car a distance away, keen on observing their actions. A man in a white suit stepped out of one of the cars, gazing towards the mansion gate. He then engaged in conversation with the two individuals who appeared to be his bodyguards.Remaining in his car, Vere continued to observe, intrigued by the unfolding scene. About the people that he witnessed in front of the gate of the mansion, as he did not expect any visitors from Olivia.
A few had boarded their respective vehicles and left. Vere waited a few minutes before driving towards the mansion. As he entered, he hurried to the CCTV screen to check and see who the visitors outside were. Despite scrutinizing the CCTV footage, the faces of the unfamiliar men didn't ring a bell. Vere was at a loss trying to identify these unexpected visitors loitering outside the mansion's gate.After reviewing the footage, Vere dialed Olivia. During their conversation, he mentioned the visitors, but Olivia denied knowing them, expressing her surprise at their unexpected arrival."Olivia, did you recognize those men in the video that I sent you?" Vere asked, concerned about lacing his voice."No, Mr. Wayne, I have no idea who they are. I wasn't expecting any visitors today or later as I am focusing on my business here in California," Olivia responded, her tone mirroring Vere's unease."This is puzzling. They didn't seem like delivery or service personnel," Vere pondered aloud, his
On that night, Vere drifted off while waiting for Olivia's text. The next morning, he was roused from slumber by the persistent ringing of his cell phone. Rubbing the drowsiness from his eyes, he answered with a hint of grogginess."Hey, Olivia, I was worried about you!" Vere started, concern evident in his voice."I'm sorry, Mr. Wayne, oh, hahaha, Wayne, I mean," Olivia replied, her voice tinged with inebriation."Are you... drunk?" Vere inquired, noting the telltale signs in her speech."Yeah, friends invited me to a birthday party," Olivia explained.Without skipping a beat, Vere dove into the purpose of his call: "I need you to know about Mr. Smith. He's going to sell his company.""Seriously?" Olivia's tone shifted to seriousness."Yes, and that's why I've been trying to reach you," Vere continued. "I've decided to buy his company.""This is the happiest news I've heard from you!" Olivia exclaimed, her enthusiasm apparent. "So, okay, what are you waiting for? Grab it!"Vere felt
But before Vere took any steps outside, he abruptly halted. Hastily, he ascended to the mansion's second floor, entering his room to retrieve the gun. Swiftly returning to the screen where they observed the parked car near the mansion, Vere continued monitoring the situation."Mr. Wayne, hold off on using the gun, especially if you're not sure who these people near the mansion are," Ronnie advised, his tone conveying concern.Vere glanced at Ronnie, acknowledging his words. "Yes, Ronnie. Thank you. I'm just really cautious in these situations, given past experiences," Vere explained, his eyes reflecting a sense of vigilance.Ronnie, understanding Vere's heightened state, nodded in agreement. He empathized with Vere's wariness, comprehending why he was on high alert.As they continued observing the screen, Vere kept a watchful eye on the parked vehicle, his instincts on edge. The uncertainty and the possibility of a threat lingered in the air, intensifying Vere's vigilance and wariness
Vere works as an employee under his boss. He wanted to ask for a pay raise due to the medical bill for his sick Mother. His boss instead humiliates him and mocks him for asking for a pay raise, and instead lowers his salary and threatens to fire him if he does not accept. Due to his Mom being sick, he needed the job and accepted begrudgingly. However, he soon found out that his girlfriend whom he loved dearly was cheating on him with his boss as her sugar daddy. Vere flipped out and tried to attack his boss, only to get thrown out to the streets after getting badly beaten. When he was angry at life for treating him this way, a beautiful lady clad in business dress approached him and told him to marry her. "Who are you? Vere questioned her with his weak voice. Vere gently opened his eyes after hearing a woman's voice say, "Hey, wake up." The world around him was blurry at first, but slowly, his surroundings came into focus. He found himself lying on a park bench, the harsh streetli
That afternoon the two had arrived at the café... As he sipped his coffee and watched the rain patter against the window, Mira arrived, her warm smile putting Vere at ease. "Vere, I've been thinking about our conversation," Mira began. "I understand that your family's financial situation is difficult. I still believe we can help each other, but we should discuss the details and set some ground rules." Vere nodded, grateful for Mira's pragmatism. They spent hours that evening discussing the logistics of their arrangement. They agreed on a clear plan: they would enter a fake marriage for a set period, enough to cover his mother's medical expenses. During this time, they would pool their resources, split the costs, and appear to be a married couple to the outside world. But behind closed doors, they would maintain their individual lives and personal boundaries. In the weeks that followed, Vere and Mira put their plan into motion. They met with a lawyer to ensure all the legalitie
Since that fateful moment, the lives of Vere and Mira had taken divergent paths. Mira's parents continued to oversee their family business, and despite the lingering heartache, they remained resolute in their decision to keep Vere at a distance. For Mira, this meant a constant tug-of-war between the love she held for Vere and her loyalty to her family. Meanwhile, Vere had no choice but to forge his own path forward. The separation had been painful, but he couldn't afford to let it paralyze his life. With determination, he embarked on a challenging journey to find new employment. Months turned into a seemingly endless cycle of job applications, interviews, and rejections. The job market was competitive, and Vere's sense of unease grew with each passing day. But he clung to hope, the same hope that had once rekindled his life when Mira had offered him a lifeline. After many attempts and numerous sleepless nights, Vere's persistence finally bore fruit. He received a job offer from
Vere's heart raced as he rushed back to his apartment after the unexpected night at the hotel. A sense of urgency gripped him as he knew he had an important meeting at the office that day. The sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows in the bustling city streets as he weaved through the throngs of people. When Vere finally arrived at the office, he knew he was a few minutes late for the crucial meeting that was already underway. His steps quickened as he entered the room, his presence drawing fleeting glances from his colleagues. The discussion that unfolded in the meeting room sent shivers down his spine. The executives were deep in conversation about the potential sale of shares in a company that served as a partner to the one Vere worked for. The implications were stark—there would be massive layoffs because of this corporate maneuver. Vere listened in silence, a pit of anxiety forming in his stomach. As details were laid bare, Vere couldn't escape the undeniable realit
As Vere waited at the airport for his return flight, his thoughts were consumed by the day's events and the awards ceremony that had marked a significant moment in his career. However, fate had another surprise in store for him, one that would tug at the strings of his heart. Unintentionally, his eyes fell upon a familiar figure in the bustling airport terminal. It was Mira, standing beside a man who bore the air of her husband. Vere's heart constricted, and an overwhelming sense of sadness washed over him. He watched silently from a distance, the ache of longing and unspoken words welling up inside him. Mira and her husband appeared deep in conversation, but there was something in Mira's demeanor that Vere couldn't ignore. She seemed uneasy, her smile forced, and her eyes distant. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant and confident woman he had once known. The flight was called, and Vere boarded the plane, his thoughts still tethered to the chance encounter at the airport. For
But before Vere took any steps outside, he abruptly halted. Hastily, he ascended to the mansion's second floor, entering his room to retrieve the gun. Swiftly returning to the screen where they observed the parked car near the mansion, Vere continued monitoring the situation."Mr. Wayne, hold off on using the gun, especially if you're not sure who these people near the mansion are," Ronnie advised, his tone conveying concern.Vere glanced at Ronnie, acknowledging his words. "Yes, Ronnie. Thank you. I'm just really cautious in these situations, given past experiences," Vere explained, his eyes reflecting a sense of vigilance.Ronnie, understanding Vere's heightened state, nodded in agreement. He empathized with Vere's wariness, comprehending why he was on high alert.As they continued observing the screen, Vere kept a watchful eye on the parked vehicle, his instincts on edge. The uncertainty and the possibility of a threat lingered in the air, intensifying Vere's vigilance and wariness
On that night, Vere drifted off while waiting for Olivia's text. The next morning, he was roused from slumber by the persistent ringing of his cell phone. Rubbing the drowsiness from his eyes, he answered with a hint of grogginess."Hey, Olivia, I was worried about you!" Vere started, concern evident in his voice."I'm sorry, Mr. Wayne, oh, hahaha, Wayne, I mean," Olivia replied, her voice tinged with inebriation."Are you... drunk?" Vere inquired, noting the telltale signs in her speech."Yeah, friends invited me to a birthday party," Olivia explained.Without skipping a beat, Vere dove into the purpose of his call: "I need you to know about Mr. Smith. He's going to sell his company.""Seriously?" Olivia's tone shifted to seriousness."Yes, and that's why I've been trying to reach you," Vere continued. "I've decided to buy his company.""This is the happiest news I've heard from you!" Olivia exclaimed, her enthusiasm apparent. "So, okay, what are you waiting for? Grab it!"Vere felt
A few had boarded their respective vehicles and left. Vere waited a few minutes before driving towards the mansion. As he entered, he hurried to the CCTV screen to check and see who the visitors outside were. Despite scrutinizing the CCTV footage, the faces of the unfamiliar men didn't ring a bell. Vere was at a loss trying to identify these unexpected visitors loitering outside the mansion's gate.After reviewing the footage, Vere dialed Olivia. During their conversation, he mentioned the visitors, but Olivia denied knowing them, expressing her surprise at their unexpected arrival."Olivia, did you recognize those men in the video that I sent you?" Vere asked, concerned about lacing his voice."No, Mr. Wayne, I have no idea who they are. I wasn't expecting any visitors today or later as I am focusing on my business here in California," Olivia responded, her tone mirroring Vere's unease."This is puzzling. They didn't seem like delivery or service personnel," Vere pondered aloud, his
"You?" Crystal, Ronnie's visitor, exclaimed upon seeing Vere. Vere met her gaze and courteously greeted her, "Good afternoon, ma'am."Ronnie, taken aback by Crystal's arrival and the interaction between her and Vere, introduced them. "Ah, Crystal, this is Mr. Wayne, the one I told you about who saved me."Crystal's voice lowered as she acknowledged Vere, "Hello, Mr. Wayne. Nice to meet you for the second time around."Ronnie, slightly confused by their familiarity, inquired, "Oh, you know each other?"Vere nodded, maintaining his composure. "Yes, we've met before," he confirmed, careful not to reveal too much about their previous encounter.In that moment, despite sensing Crystal's apparent displeasure, Vere knew he had to remain composed, disregarding any impressions she might hold. Unbeknownst to them, the individuals they once knew were now in the presence of Vere, bearing a different face and name, yet still the same person.Vere felt a pang in his heart, realizing the company of
At that moment, when Vere turned to face Ronnie, he hugged him, stunned by the stark contrast in Ronnie's appearance from when he last saw him during rehab. Ronnie then invited Vere to his apartment. However, Vere kept his identity hidden due to his altered appearance."Mr. Wayne, thank you so much for saving my life." Ronnie expressed his gratitude.Vere glanced at Ronnie, smiling softly. "It's okay; don't thank me. I owe you a lot."Ronnie was taken aback and confused by Vere's words. "Owe? What do you mean?"Realizing his slip, Vere quickly recovered. "Uhmm, I meant you're welcome. Sorry, I remembered my friend; his name is the same as yours," he explained, smiling warmly at Ronnie."Ah, okay, hahaha," Ronnie chuckled, though a hint of curiosity lingered in his eyes.Despite Vere's attempt to redirect the conversation, Ronnie seemed intrigued by the slip-up. Nevertheless, they shared a light moment, both laughing at the easy camaraderie they shared.Later, as they conversed in Ronn
Vere shrugged off a seemingly misplaced call, attributing it to a simple dialing error. Ignoring whoever might have been trying to reach out, he resumed his slumber. The next morning, Vere woke up early, diving into his emails. Among them was a message from James. "Mr. Wayne, I am sorry to inform you that one of Mr. and Mrs. Fuentez's properties has been sold to the millionaire, Mr. Luke. We won't be reserving it for you due to an important reason, likely one you're already aware of, being Miss Olivia's assistant. You know that in the business world, it's all about give and take."Vere's brow furrowed as he absorbed the contents of the email. It seemed that a significant property deal had slipped through their grasp. The implications were clear, tying back to Miss Olivia's affairs. In the cutthroat realm of business, it appeared that personal connections often dictated the course of transactions.He pondered the intricate dance of favors and influence in the corporate landscape, where
Vere was astonished when he saw the woman get out of the car. "Crystal? Oh my, it's her," he whispered to himself, lowering his car window. "Hey, mister!" A woman's voice interrupted her thoughts. "You've blocked my way!"Realizing he had inadvertently obstructed the path to confront her from her driving she hit vere's car side but instead, Vere swiftly apologized, "I am sorry, Crystal. I didn't mean to." The woman was taken aback. "What? Did I hear right? How do you know me?" Vere was momentarily stunned, having forgotten that he now looked different, thus unrecognized by Crystal. He quickly diverted the conversation. "I'm sorry, Ma'am. I gotta go." With a farewell, Vere left Crystal standing there, equally bewildered by the unexpected encounter.At that moment, Vere hurriedly drove off, leaving Crystal behind. The chance meeting had stirred a whirlwind of emotions in both of them. Vere's mind raced with memories of a past where he and Crystal were acquainted. However, time had chang
The next day, as Vere was busy reviewing business files in Olivia's mansion, he was interrupted by the doorbell. Vere quickly checked the CCTV to see who was at the door. When he saw a delivery truck parked outside, he went to the gate to talk to the delivery man. To his surprise, the package was from Olivia. After receiving the package, Vere went inside.The package was long and had some weight to it. Vere eagerly opened it, finding a small note from Olivia that read, "Wayne, this is the present that I promised. I know you will use it for our safety and protection." Vere was astonished as he unveiled a gun from the package. Holding the firearm in his hand, he murmured to himself, "Now, whoever tries to harm me or tarnish our reputation will have something to reckon with."Inside the package were two valuable firearms, a George Washington saddle pistol, and a Cabot Guns meteorite pistol. Vere couldn't believe his eyes. It was a moment of astonishment as he gazed at the stunning and hi
When Vere arrived at the mansion, Olivia greeted him with a question, as she was quite curious about his sudden return. "Mr. Wayne, have you come back already?" Olivia asked.To which Vere replied, "Yes, Olivia. I didn't expect to find Mr. Perry and Mr. James at one of your establishments, waiting for you."Confused by this revelation, Olivia inquired about the situation. "Oh, I don't care about this, Mr. Perry, but why do you hate Mr. James, Mr. Wayne?" she asked, her brow furrowing in puzzlement.Before answering Olivia's question, Vere sighed and then clarified, "That time, before I respond, let me tell you, I am Wayne. There's no 'Mr.' before it." He raised an eyebrow with a smile.Olivia couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright, alright. My apologies, Wayne. Haha!""So, what happened?" Olivia added another question.Vere went on to explain that he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw them together, but when he confronted Mr. James, the latter mentioned that he worked for Mr. Perry as