Page 46 of Viral Affair

I looked at him, still feeling pretty bad that I’d made him lose control in the hospital.

“Thank you. I know it wasn’t easy for you being there,” I admitted. “Where are we going now?”

“Restaurant, because we’re both starving, and straight after, we could go to your mum’s flat to make sure it’s all okay there,” he said.

I nodded, quickly realising that I was so fucked. This man was so kind, caring, and stupidly handsome. I was going to be in love with him sooner rather than later.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Rupert

“Tell me more about your childhood. I realise we both had a totally different upbringing. Your life hasn’t been easy at all,” I pointed out when we were finally sitting in a pub in one of the villages we’d passed after we’d left the hospital. It was early afternoon, and I was still a bit tense. I had to admit though, I was glad I’d gone through this challenge today. Also, Veronica knew how to instantly calm me down.I felt stronger when this was all said and done.

She drank her smoothie and stared at me for a few seconds before she answered.

“Like I said before, we lived on a council estate. Mum worked all the time, and I hung around with the boys. I studied pretty hard and managed to get a scholarship, so I went to university. My father left when I was toddler, and I don’t even remember him. To be honest, Rupert, there isn’t much to talk about. I had a pretty basic and ordinary life, then after I graduated, I got involved with that guy who made me lose all my money, so I had to start over,” she said, pausing for a moment to look out the window. Something flashed across her features that I wasn’t quite sure what to make of. Regret? Sadness? Something was unsaid there. “I think we’re similar in a way. I have anxiety when it comes to money, and I know I have to work on this, but I’m always scared I might lose it all, so that’s why I keep working at Emperor.”

I reached out for her hand. So soft… She was right about us being alike when it came to anxiety.

“I understand, but you have that potential deal with the brand. I learned that we have to work through our fears and limited beliefs. Veronica, you’re an amazing woman, so never sell yourself short. You have accomplished so much,” I encouraged her.

“What are you talking about? You said it yourself that I work as an exclusive whore. That’s not an accomplishment,” she snapped..

“You graduated and you’re building your brand. I was wrong about you. I made assumptions when I didn’t know anything about your life. Soon, you won’t have to do this work anymore, so be proud of yourself now. Look how far you’ve come,” I kept talking, seeing her in a different light. The club was a dealbreaker for me, and yet I couldn’t see myself letting her go.She was doing her utmost to lift herself up. How could I not admire that?

“You’re sweet, but I still have a lot to do. I hope things will work out with that brand, but you know sometimes doubts slip in,” she confessed.

“Trust me, you’re talented and you’re the most amazing woman I’ve had the privilege of knowing. I mean it, Veronica,” I said—and that wasn’t a lie. I wanted this woman with all I had in me. I had been patient and hesitant, but this was getting incredibly difficult.

Yes, I wanted her. Needed her. I hoped she felt the same.

Veronica gave me a confident smile, and my whole body warmed. We finished our food quickly, and then I drove us to her mother’s place, which was modest and small.

The area seemed sketchy at best, with several young people hanging out on the staircase by the entrance. This place was grim, and I could tell Veronica was apprehensive for me to go in with her, but I didn’t want her to be by herself. I was surprised that her mother lived here.Not just that, but lived alone.

“Oh, my Lord, it’s so stuffy in here. I’m so sorry, Rupert, but I have no idea what happened here as I haven’t visited in a while. This is not like her,” Veronica said, walking inside and opening all the windows.

The small flat smelled of damp, too. It looked like her mum kept things tidy, yet I couldn’t judge her. The carpets were old, the walls were yellow, and the cooker needed replacing.This place was something that I was never accustomed to, yet I couldn’t pass judgement because I knew that not everyone was as lucky as I was.

“Let me help you with that,” I said when she walked into the bedroom and tried to open the window right next to a giant bookshelf crammed with things.

Veronica was petite, and I had a glimpse of her amazing arse when she stood on her toes as I approached her. She struggled to reach the window.

“This whole place needs to be updated. How long has your mother had this flat?”I ask her.

“Several years. She bought it after I moved out because it was very cheap, but she never had the money to do it up,” Veronica said, stepping away from the small stool.

I climbed over the bookcase, reaching the window and trying to push it, but the seals were rusty. All the windows in this flat needed to be replaced.Honestly, much more than the windows needed replacing.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it,” I growled, putting all my strength into pushing the window as the bookcase rattled. I swore under my breath when the seal finally gave in and jerked forward. A few heavy books went flying off the bookcase, one of the big ones hitting me right in the crotch. I hissed, and the pain knocked me down on the floor.I couldn’t think for a moment, pain reverberating through my body.

Veronica went to steady the bookcase because it would have fallen right down on top of me. I howled, holding my fucking cock as the pain was unbelievable.

“God, are you okay?” Veronica asked, going down on her knees.

My eyes fucking watered, and my cock, along with my balls, felt fucking numb. What the hell was this shit? Why was I always the unlucky one who got it in the groin?

“No, I can’t feel my cock … fuck, it’s all numb.” I groaned, closing my eyes for a moment and telling myself to breathe. I didn’t know how long I lay there for on the dusty floor.

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