Petty

After his experience with Ashley, Fabian couldn't help but feel a little guilty towards Veronica although they weren't in a relationship yet.

It was mainly because she'd apologized for chasing him away before and to make it up to her, he'd broken one of his many rules and ended up calling his sister for help.

He wasn't on good terms with his family, especially his parents and that was why he was working a white-collar job. He was typically a prodigal son who'd been forced to work for once in his life by his parents who claimed that he was too dependent on them.

Personally, he saw nothing wrong in being dependent on wealthy parents and truly saw no need for extra hard work since he already had an inheritance waiting.

Over half a year ago, he had a petty squabble with them and claimed that he could survive by himself without depending on them. Getting a job wasn't as hard as they'd made it sound, but he also had to leave back his car, family house, as well as a majority of his clothes.

"Sister dearest", Fabian praised the moment he picked up her call. He had to take it outside the office since he never told anyone about his background.

"I've talked with my friend, she just made some space for your girlfriend. She can start work on Monday".

He could feel the eye roll over the phone before he continued.

"She's not my girlfriend--yet, but thank you sis", Fabian spoke genuinely. Since Veronica had studied journalism, she was better suited for working in that field. He had to call his sister who he'd not contacted in months and plead with her to help him find a job.

One reason why he didn't feel the pressure of living alone was that he didn't have to pay for rent. It was also with the help of his sister he'd been able to find a building owned by a relative. Although he paid about five hundred dollars for a three thousand-dollar apartment, it was still a good deal.

"You should make up with mum and dad. They begged me not to assist you financially and I'm trying to keep my word to them".

Fabian listened in silence till his sister sighed.

"Okay, suit yourself but I'm going on a vacation with my hubby and Lily, so you'll be on your own for a while". Lily was her three-year-old daughter.

"Aren't you like seven months pregnant?".

"Exactly why I want to have my son in another country, I've been stuck in France since I got married, boo hoo!".

Fabian rolled his eyes. His sister was the polar opposite of him, she enjoyed travelling around a lot and had a way of always making friends in whatever school they changed to.

"Okay, bye".

"Bonsoir!".

"It's morning here", he sighed before ending the call. The next step was to break the news to Veronica since it was already a Friday.

Because she'd felt guilty about being so cold toward him some days before, he'd made her promise to make it up to him over dinner.

She'd hesitantly agreed and it was going to be their first date. Since Fabian hadn't informed her before time about it being a classy restaurant, Veronica had come to the address clothed with cargo pants and an oversized white tee. She stood staring by the doorway for a few seconds.

'Why is everyone here either in either a suit or gown? Damn, I don't think I'll fit in'. She quickly turned to leave but Fabian rushed over to stop her outside the building.

"Where are you going, Ver?", he wore a disappointed frown noting that she was about to leave. The only reason he didn't want to pick her up was so he wouldn't spoil the surprise on the way.

"You didn't tell me there was a dress code", she spun to face him partly embarrassed that she'd felt so excited for a mere date. "I...I could have worn a gown...", she averted her gaze to her feet.

Fabian noted the fact that she seemed flustered. It was past six o'clock and he planned to take her home after dinner--her home that is. "Don't worry", he cupped her cheek. "You're still so pretty".

Surprisingly, she didn't pull back as usual since she'd already decided to be nice to him throughout the day.

"Don't flatter me", her cheeks heated up recalling what came after it whenever someone said she was pretty, they added something like-- 'but you're so rude', 'but you're so unlikable', 'If only her parents never died'.

Yes, people actually say that!

Jason who'd just arrived at the parking lot of the restaurant waited in his car to watch the scene unfold. 'So she let other men touch her? Just not me', his brows knitted together.

He wasn't following her or anything but had been craving steak and decided to get some before going home.

He stared intently at both male and female standing in the open and the man leaned down to whisper something in her ear.

Jason drove forward, interrupting them which allowed Fabian to pull Veronica out of the way and wrap his arms around her waist. 'That bastard', he drove forward until reaching a parking space while watching them enter the restaurant from his side mirror.

"What am I even doing?", he slapped his forehead wondering what had suddenly come over him to try running them over. After getting a good look at the guy's face, Jason was sure it was the same person who'd parked next to him before.

But the background check he had done on Veronica didn't mention any boyfriends.

Did it even matter?

What he wanted to know now was why she'd not been picking up his calls, had she destroyed the phone or gotten a new SIM card?

His grip on the steering wheel tightened. That was a new model which hadn't been released in the market yet so it would be problematic if she'd sold it off.

Jason sighed before leaving the car. Although that wasn't exactly a good enough reason to confront her, it was the only one he could think of.

His eyes scanned the area which was illuminated by multiple lights before finding the car he'd been looking for. He got out his phone and made a phone call to Clinton. He shoved the phone back in his pocket before heading for the entrance.

At least towing her companion's car away would allow him some minutes to talk with her.

She did owe him, and he'd already thought of the best way she could repay him.