CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 24 RAIN OF TERROR

A very upset and disappointed Veronica walked down the stairs. She felt so embarrassed and insulted by Oliver. She was so hurt it felt like she could cry at any moment.

Linda, who was sitting on the couch and busy with her phone, looked up. She saw Veronica coming down the stairs, taking each step like she had nothing else to live for. 'What could have happened up there?' Linda thought. She stood up and went to the end of the stairs, waiting until Veronica came down. Surprisingly, when Veronica finally descended the stairs, she slumped onto Linda, hugging her. Linda decided to hug her back and gently patted her back. They were silent for a while, as Veronica sobbed silently. (Sorry readers, I'm sure you must be so irritated by the crocodile tears.) Linda felt a strong sense of pity for her.

"What's wrong, dear?" Linda finally asked. She separated from the hug and guided Veronica to a couch, where they both sat down.

"Aunt, why doesn't Oliver like me? Why must he treat me like this?" Veronica asked, tears rolling down her cheeks even more. (And surely Oliver's mom would still fall for this.)

"I'm so sorry, dear. I don't know what changed. Tell me what happened." Linda was puzzled. How could Oliver see a girl as beautiful as this and still be very rude and indifferent? She was still pondering the thought of him being gay. Veronica then started to narrate everything that happened when she entered Oliver's room. His mom never stopped getting surprised the more she spoke. She didn't know her son could be that cold to a beautiful girl. This girl was even her best friend's daughter. When Veronica was done, Linda couldn't hold back her anger and yelled,

"OLIVER!!!"

Oliver heard his name and immediately knew he was in for trouble. 'I need to make sure there's no situation that brings Veronica into this house again.' Frustrated, Oliver thought. He came down to meet his mom and saw Veronica looking like she had just cried. 'Wow! No wonder my mom is so angry,' he thought.

"What is wrong with you?" came the first thing Oliver heard his mom say. Oliver didn't know what to say. Just then, Clara, who had never returned to give Veronica some refreshments, came in.

"Sorry to interrupt, madam. Dinner is ready and has been served in the dining room," Clara bowed and left immediately.

"Mom, the food..." Oliver was cut off by his mother.

"Don't you dare try to change the topic. This is no way to treat a lady. Where are your manners?" she asked.

"Mom, I haven't even been rude to her," Oliver replied. He didn't feel like he needed to explain anything to his mother. Veronica wasn't worth it.

"What did you say?" Linda asked, raising one of her eyebrows. "You weren't rude! But you literally chased her out of your room." Linda spoke out of anger. Veronica stood up and touched Linda on the shoulder,

"Aunt, it's okay." She spoke pretentiously, which irritated Oliver even more.

"It's not! You made her cry, yet she just came to check up on you on my behalf." Linda's disappointment was clearly shown in her words.

"Okay," Oliver said. "Veronica, I am sorry," he continued. "Now can we please have dinner?" he asked. He looked at his mom, who didn't look satisfied. "Veronica is getting late, can we have dinner?" Linda knew her son was right; Veronica was indeed getting late. But she was displeased by her son's attitude. It was as if he just wanted to let the issue go like that, and she would not let him.

"Aunt, don't worry about me. He's right, it's getting late, and Oliver, I accept your apology." Once again, pretentious Veronica was acting like she didn't want the mother and son to fight because of her.

Everyone was quiet after Veronica spoke. Linda walked to the dining room, Veronica took a quick glance at Oliver before following her.

"Sigh*" came from Oliver before he followed behind.

They all entered the vast and opulent dining room. The ceilings were high and adorned with ornate chandeliers. The walls were covered in expensive silk wallpaper, and the floor was polished marble. A long, mahogany dining table took center stage, with matching chairs carved with intricate details. The floor was covered in plush rugs, and large, gilded mirrors were hung on the walls. The room was illuminated by multiple candles, and the air was fragrant with lavender and rosemary.

There were twelve chairs in total, arranged around the dining table in a neat and symmetrical pattern. Six chairs were on each side of the table, facing each other across the expanse of wood. At the head of the table was a thirteenth chair, slightly larger and more ornate than the others. Linda sat on the thirteenth chair, and Oliver sat to her right.

"Sit here," she said to Veronica, pointing to her left. Veronica complied with her instruction.

On the table were various dishes, a testament to how the affluent lived each day as if it were a celebration. Linda picked up the bowl containing lobsters and served herself before passing it to Veronica without even glancing at Oliver.

"Thank you, Aunt," Veronica said, receiving the bowl. She served herself and then passed it to Oliver. Linda gave him a look, and reluctantly, he said,

"Thanks." He had to do it because of his mom, even if it was against his will.

The rest of the dinner was peaceful. Linda remained silent throughout, contemplating how her friend would react to Oliver's foolish behavior. Surprisingly, Veronica seemed eager to leave, immediately finishing her dinner. Oliver wasn't even bothered. He took his time to eat and enjoy his meal. When he was done, he prepared to return to his room but was stopped by his mom.

"I'm sure you don't mind escorting Veronica out

," Linda said. Oliver didn't even reply to his mom and started walking toward the door. He stopped and turned to look back at Veronica.

"Aren't you ready to leave?" he asked, wondering why she hadn't followed him out.

"Oh!" Veronica exclaimed, quickly following him.

They both exited the house. Oliver walked her to where she had parked her car. He placed his hands in his pockets and looked at her.

"If I find out you said or did anything awful to Alice today and in the next 2 days, I'll make sure you hate me. You shed crocodile tears today, but you'll shed real ones later." Oliver's voice was very cold, sending shivers down Veronica's spine. She couldn't form clear words. Oliver didn't sound like a teenager at that moment but like a man. Oliver didn't wait for her reply and went back into the house, leaving Veronica speechless.