Page 77 of Viral Affair

“It wasn’t a date, it was a business meeting. Veronica, why do you keep doing this to yourself? You love him and he loves you. Please fix it. Your brand is so strong, your videos have millions of views. The press have moved on. Nothing is going to happen if you date him. There are no more risks.”

Laura sounded convincing enough, and I reached out for my drink but didn’t take it. She was right, I had been numbing myself with alcohol in the past few weeks, thinking that maybe if I drank enough, I could finally forget about him. Then the next day I felt even worse, and I couldn’t cry anymore. Every time I stared at the image of me in the mirror, I hated myself. This really had to stop—something had to give.

“Vincent might be behind bars, but that doesn't mean he won't try anything to get his revenge. Honestly, I don’t think he would. But if I ever got back with Rupert, I could never live with myself if anything happened to him,” I said, knowing that Laura needed to be aware of all the risks.

“I think you're exaggerating slightly. Rupert is not in danger. Besides, James owns a security firm, Veronica. You need to get it together and talk to Rupert tomorrow,” she insisted, grabbing my hand and squeezing it.Well, she had a point about James. Even Sue, Rupert’s mother, had suggested I contact him.

I chewed on my bottom lip, wondering if I was truly exaggerating, but could I risk it? My heart said yes, my brain said no.

“Last time he saw me, he could barely look at me,” I muttered, then the waitress interrupted us.

Laura told her what she wanted, and then we were finally left alone. I’d ordered a new dish for myself, too.

“That was a month ago, and I knew he’d been thinking about you. Spencer went to visit him last week, and he said he’d never seen him so miserable. Apparently, he hasn’t been going to the office either,” she explained, looking worried.

The music was playing, and we continued to talk about this whole situation. I kept reminding myself that I was doing what was best. That a union with the man I met in Greece was not to be.

Soon, the food arrived, and Laura looked so happy. I had to admit, it was a great choice coming here.

I cheered up a little by the end of the evening, but I slowed down with the drinks. The food tasted divine and I truly enjoyed talking to Laura about everything that happened in the past few months.

Then she went to pay the bill and when she came back, she looked clearly angry.

"What's wrong?" I asked her.

"Spencer told one of his agents that it's time for me to go home," she explained, sitting back down.

I started laughing. This was too funny. That man was unbelievable.

"What? Why? We aren't doing anything wrong and it's not even nine o'clock yet," I said.

"Precisely. Anyway, come with me. We are heading out. I have an idea."

"Where are we going?" I asked, feeling a bit apprehensive about this whole thing.

“We are sneaking out through the back door before he decides to show up here,” she said, gesturing for me to move. I laughed, thinking she sounded crazy.

“What are you talking about? We had dinner while Spencer is at Downing Street,” I told her.

“Trust me, he wouldn't hesitate to show up here to escort me home,” she said and then added, “He’s probably already here watching me.”

I glanced around, wondering if she was being too paranoid, but I knew Spencer. That guy was obsessed.

“Oh shit, we’re not doing anything wrong. We are having fun, plus your own security is close by,” I said, trying to talk her out of whatever crazy idea she’d made up in her head.

“Spencer is unhinged. He’s done more crazy things before. Besides, since he found out that I’m pregnant, he’s been driving me up the wall. Come on, let’s sneak through the back doors,” Laura said.

I smirked. She was right—Spencer Banks was kind of crazy.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Veronica

The next morning, I woke up early with a slight headache and then made myself coffee. A knock pounded at the door and I frowned, because I wasn’t expecting anyone this early. Laura was still fast asleep. She was normally an early bird, but since she’d found out she was pregnant, she’d been sleeping a lot more.

Last night, after we left the hotel, Laura wanted go to the cinema. We managed to get tickets for the last showing and we ended up leaving just before midnight, at which time Laura announced that she was going to stay in our old place tonight, where I still lived. I didn't want to argue with a pregnant and clearly hormonal woman, so we caught a cab home. By then, her security had somehow managed to track us down. The agents outside my flat didn't look impressed.

I yawned and walked towards the hall, thinking that it was way too early for any visit. When I finally approached the door, I nearly screamed when I noticed Spencer freaking Banks standing outside, along with three bulked-up security agents. My roommate was right—her fiancé was totally unhinged. She’d literally gone out for a nice meal and then to the movies for the first time ever since they’d come back from Sicily and he obviously couldn’t stop being overprotective. Ridiculous.

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