Rodriguez's House
Rodriguez leaned back in his leather chair, the weight of his world pressing down on him as he flicked the ash off his cigar.
The dim light of the living room cast long shadows across the polished wood floor, and the faint hum of a classic jazz record filled the air. His right- hand man, Gino, sat across from him, a look of unease flickering in his eyes as they discussed their latest business move.
Just then, the clicking sound echoed , and Rodriguez's gaze shifted. There she was- Veronica his wife-dressed to the nines, her hair cascading down her shoulders, a fitted dress hugging her curves in all the right places. She was a vision, and for a moment, it stole the breath from his lungs.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked, a mix of curiosity and authority lacing his tone.
She paused, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face before she quickly masked it with a smile.
"Just heading out to meet a friend," she replied, her voice light, almost too rehearsed.
Rodriguez narrowed his eyes, the gears in his mind turning. "A friend? Dressed like that?"
Veronica shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "You know how it is. It's a special occasion.
"Don't wait up."
She tossed her hair over her shoulder, but he could see the tension in her posture, the way her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted her purse.
Rodriguez felt a familiar tightening in his chest. The kind that came when something didn't add up.
"You sure that's all it is? You don't need to hide anything from me, Veronica."
She shot him a look, her eyes sparkling with something he couldn't quite place. "Of course, Rodriguez. I'd never keep anything from you. It's just a girl's night out."
He studied her, the wheels turning. Something was off. Maybe it was the way she didn't quite meet his gaze, or the urgency in her movements. He wanted to believe her, but instinct told him otherwise.
"Alright," he said slowly, forcing the tension down. "But be careful. You know how things can get."
"Always," she said, her smile bright but her eyes darting away.
As she stepped outside, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just let something slip through his fingers-something dangerous. Gino shifted in his seat, sensing the shift in the air.
"You don't trust her?" he asked quietly.
Rodriguez exhaled sharply, watching her silhouette disappear into the night. "Trust is a dangerous game, Gino. Especially in our world."
He took another drag from his cigar, his mind racing. "Have men follow her up." He had to find out where she was really going-and who she was meeting.
HealZone Hospital
Veronica adjusted the sunglasses perched on her nose, glancing in the rearview mirror as she drove. The familiar streets twisted and turned around her, but something felt off. A black sedan had been tailing her for a few blocks now, and a chill crept down her spine. She shook her head, trying to dismiss it.
Maybe it was just a coincidence.
As she pulled into the hospital parking lot, her heart raced. She had told Rodriguez, she was going to meet a friend, but the truth was far more complicated. She couldn't let him know she was here-this was a delicate situation, one that could explode if the wrong people found out.
She spotted someone walking nearby, their figure just barely visible through the dimming light, a silhouette moving with an air of casual indifference. It should have been an ordinary encounter, but for Veronica, everything felt different. Her own pulse hammered in her chest, her body stiff with anxiety.
She wasn't thinking straight—she wasn't thinking at all. Her hands trembling, she slammed the car into park and rushed toward the woman before she had a chance to react.
Without a word, she reached out, grabbing the stranger's arm.
"Hey, darling, I know I'm late, sorry," Veronica blurted, the words slipping out too quickly, her voice tight with forced cheerfulness that barely masked the panic beneath.
The woman froze, her brow furrowing in confusion. She tried to pull away, her gaze shifting from Veronica's hand on her arm to the frantic expression on her face.
"Uh, who are you?" The stranger's voice was laced with a mix of curiosity and caution. "Let go of my arm."
Veronica's grip tightened slightly, not out of malice but desperation. She leaned in closer, her breath catching in her throat as she forced warmth into her tone—her words like an act, a performance she wasn't sure she could pull off.
"Please, just for a second," she urged, her voice almost pleading. "Can you just—just act like we're together? My husband—he's... he's suspicious. Just a little longer, I swear. Please."
Savannah's expression shifted from confusion to disbelief, her mind racing to make sense of the situation. She glanced around, her instincts telling her something wasn't right.
"What are you talking about?" Savannah's voice was more cautious now, her eyes flicking nervously between Veronica and the street around them.
It was Savannah who had just finished a long shift at the hospital, who had barely enough time to grab a bite to eat before heading home. And now, this woman—someone she didn't know from Adam—had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Veronica's frantic energy, the way her gaze darted about, all felt... wrong.
"What do you mean 'suspicious'?" Savannah asked again, the words now dripping with skepticism as she took a small step back, trying to make sense of the tangled web Veronica had thrown at her.
Veronica kept her voice low, glancing over her shoulder. "Just play along. Please. It's important. I'll explain everything later."
Reluctantly, Savannah nodded, though her brows furrowed in confusion. They stood together, and just then, the black sedan pulled into a parking spot nearby. A man in a dark coat emerged, his demeanor cold and calculating. Veronica felt her stomach drop as he approached them.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, eyeing her with suspicion.
She straightened, forcing herself to act natural. "Just meeting a friend. Who are you to question me though?" she replied showing who the Boss was, echoing the lie she'd told her husband, injecting a casualness into her voice that felt forced.
The man's gaze narrowed, skepticism dripping from his tone. "I'm doing what I'm ordered to do." He added "In this hospital? That's interesting. Who exactly is she?"
Veronica's heart raced. This was a dangerous game she was playing. "Just...just someone I know, my special someone" she stammered looking with loving eyes at Savannah which made her disgusted, Veronica hoping her uncertainty didn't betray her.
He didn't buy it. Pulling out his phone, he tapped a message to his boss, his eyes never leaving her. "I think Boss should know."
Savannah shifted nervously, glancing between Veronica and the man, her earlier confusion replaced with alarm.
"Is everything okay?" she asked, concern etching her features.
Veronica's mind raced. She needed to think fast. "Everything's fine," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Just...a misunderstanding. Right?"
But as the man continued to watch her, she realized how quickly the walls were closing in. The facade was slipping, and she had to act before it all crumbled around her. With a quick, pleading look at Savannah, she knew they had to improvise-together.
Brew Haven café
Once they were safely out of sight of the looming figure, Veronica quickly tugged Savannah down a narrow side street, her pulse still racing from the close call. The weight of the encounter clung to her like a second skin.
They reached a cozy café and slipped into an empty booth in the corner, the soft hum of background chatter doing little to ease the knot in Veronica's stomach. She took a shaky breath, her hands trembling slightly as they rested on the table.
"Thank you. Really. I owe you big time," Veronica said, her voice quiet but heavy with gratitude, though there was still a hint of panic underlying her words.
Savannah, still trying to process everything, leaned forward, her gaze sharp and searching as she studied Veronica. Her brow furrowed, eyes flicking between Veronica's tense posture and the vulnerability she couldn't quite hide.
"Who are you? What was that all about? Is your husband toxic? You can go to the police, you know—I'll help you!" Savannah's voice was laced with concern, her tone a mixture of confusion and genuine worry.
Veronica let out a breathless laugh, shaking her head in disbelief at how quickly everything had escalated.
"No, no, it's nothing like that," she said, her voice carrying an edge of exhaustion as she tried to calm her racing heart. "Everything's fine, I promise. It's just... it's complicated. I've been planning to reveal some truths about him—about us—but I didn't tell you everything. I can't explain it all right now, but..."
Savannah's concern shifted into a deeper curiosity, her eyes narrowing slightly as she leaned in, almost like she couldn't help herself. "But what?"
Veronica hesitated for a moment, looking around to make sure no one else was listening. She leaned closer, lowering her voice until it was barely more than a whisper, as if sharing this next part was a dangerous secret.
"I need your help again," she said, the words spilling out with an urgency that made Savannah's heart race in her chest.
"My husband—he wants to meet you. The man who was following me... he saw us together and told my husband. Now he wants to know who I was with, and he's... he's suspicious. If he finds out what's really going on, it could get worse. I don't know what he'll do."
Savannah's eyes shot wide open, disbelief etched across her face. "Wait, what? He wants to meet me? Why?"
"Because he thinks I'm hiding something," Veronica said quickly, her voice tight with panic, her breath shallow. She could feel the fear rising in her chest, choking her. "And if I don't introduce you, I don't know what he'll do. You're the only one I can trust to help me get through this."
Savannah hesitated, her entire body tense, as if the gravity of the situation was slowly sinking in. She folded her arms, eyes scanning Veronica with a mix of suspicion and incredulity.
"This is insane," she said, her voice trembling with both frustration and disbelief. "I don't want to get caught up in whatever this is. And I don't even know you. Why the hell would I help you?"
Veronica's eyes pleaded for understanding, desperation creeping into her voice. "I know it sounds crazy," she said, her words rushed, almost stumbling over each other. "But if you don't help me, I really don't know what'll happen. Please, Savannah, I need you. You're my only shot at getting out of this."
Savannah stared at her for a long moment, her expression hardening as she crossed the line from confused to outright pissed off.
"Give me one reason why the hell I should help you," she demanded, her voice icy with skepticism. "And why the hell would you trust just anyone with something like this?"
She scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief, anger and disbelief simmering. "I'm sorry, but—are you out of your mind?"
Veronica eyed her carefully, not because of the comment, but because she understood exactly where Savannah was coming from. If the situation were reversed, Veronica would probably feel the same way.
She was looking for any way to convince her. After a long moment, she took a deep breath and finally said, her voice softer, more sincere: "You would help me because my husband's man saw us together, and now he won't just let you walk away. He'll make things harder for you. And I know—I know you're a good person."
She gave a half-smile, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of hope and desperation.
Savannah shook her head slowly, her expression turning darker, skeptical. "How can you tell I'm a good person?" she said, her voice flat with sarcasm. "I could snitch you right now if I wanted to."
Veronica couldn't help herself. She laughed out loud, the sound almost desperate but genuine.
"If you wanted to, you would've done it on our way here," she said, eyes locking with Savannah's.
For a brief moment, the tension between them seemed to ease, but only just. Savannah narrowed her eyes, appraising Veronica with a long, silent look before standing up abruptly, shaking her head, as if trying to shake off the whole situation.
Veronica froze, a knot tightening in her stomach. The sudden movement made her heart race—she wasn't ready to lose her chance. Before Savannah could take another step, Veronica darted in front of her, dropping to her knees in a swift motion.
"Please," she begged, her voice shaky with vulnerability, her hands clasped in front of her. "Just this once. Please. Help me."
Savannah froze, shocked by the suddenness of the action. For a split second, the whole café seemed to pause. Eyes turned toward them, and whispers rippled through the air. Most of the patrons were staring at Savannah, their glances laced with judgment, disgust even—thinking she was the one who had crossed a line.
They didn't see what Veronica saw. They didn't know the truth. They were quick to assume, quick to paint her as the villain.
It was ironic, really, how people were so eager to judge from afar, without ever knowing the full story.
Savannah, still standing, looked down at Veronica, her expression unreadable. For a long moment, the only sound was the low murmur of the café, the awkward silence growing thicker. Veronica's breath came in shallow bursts, waiting for some kind of answer.
"Get up!" Savannah tammered with serious tone "Please help me please" she again plaede with both hands joing "No I can't", this sudden action took Savannah totally off guard.
"Please, please, please," Veronica pleaded, her voice cracking as she grabbed onto Savannah's leg, desperation flooding every syllable. "I'll do anything you say, just please—help me."
The grip she had on Savannah was firm, and the more she held on, the more embarrassed both of them became. The people around them in the café began murmuring, their eyes shifting from Veronica to Savannah, their whispers thick with judgment.
"Let go!" Savannah snapped, her face flushed with a mix of anger and discomfort. But Veronica, her emotions raw and frayed, didn't loosen her grip. Instead, she tightened it, pulling herself closer, her hands trembling but resolute.
Savannah's breath hitched, unsteady on her feet as the pressure intensified. "Okay, okay! Let go now!" she finally relented, unable to keep her balance as Veronica clung to her.
Veronica looked up at her through tear-filled eyes, her expression a mixture of desperation and relief. "What did you say?" she whispered, still not fully trusting Savannah's words.
Savannah, taken aback by the raw vulnerability in Veronica's gaze, shook her head in disbelief.
She had no idea what she was getting herself into, but her patience had reached its limit. "I'll help you, now let go!" she said again, this time with a hint of frustration, her voice tight with the strain of the moment.
Veronica hesitated, her gaze searching Savannah's face for sincerity. "You promise?" she asked one last time, her voice a fragile whisper, full of doubt.
Savannah stared at her, incredulous, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. This grown woman, clutching my leg like a child asking for reassurance... But after a long, heavy pause, Savannah finally nodded, her eyes softening just a little.
"Yes," she said, her voice calmer. "Now, let go. It's hurting."
Reluctantly, Veronica released her grip, standing up in front of Savannah with a sudden burst of relief. Her face shifted from despair to a shaky, but genuine smile. She quickly turned to face the people in the café, who had been staring at them with disapproving glares, their whispers sharp and accusing.
"It's alright, everyone," Veronica said, her tone much too bright, almost forced, as if trying to smooth over the tension. "She's my best friend. We're good." Her words rang out, louder than necessary, hoping to quiet the hushed judgment in the room.
The attention in the café didn't fade, though—most of the patrons still glared at Savannah, their eyes full of unspoken criticism. They didn't know the truth, but they thought they did. They had no idea what had really transpired between the two women.
Veronica's smile faltered as she caught sight of the glares, the unspoken accusations, and she could feel the weight of their stares. In that moment, it struck her how quickly people could decide what was right or wrong, good or bad—how easily they could turn a stranger into the villain without a second thought. It made her stomach churn.
She took a step closer to Savannah, her voice lowering, just for her. "I know it looks bad, but you're not the bad guy here. I am."
"I need some time to think, though," Savannah said, her voice steady but firm, as she looked away for a moment, clearly processing everything. Veronica, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone, blinked in confusion.
"I'm a surgeon," Savannah added, her words carrying the weight of her professional responsibility. "I need to get to work."
Veronica nodded slowly, trying to mask her disappointment. "Alright," she said, her voice quieter now, almost resigned. "Here's my card."
She pulled a sleek business card from her purse and extended it toward Savannah with a slight, almost playful smile. "Take it. Call me whenever you're free. I'm always available for you," she added, her voice tinged with a strange mix of sincerity and flirtation, before giving her a wink.
Savannah recoiled slightly, her stomach twisting with discomfort at the wink, a look that made her feel more objectified than reassured. She forced herself to nod, trying to mask her disgust. Her jaw clenched, but she didn't say anything, just accepted the card with a stiff, formal nod.
For a moment, the tension hung thick in the air between them, but as she looked down at the card in her hand, her expression softened. The cold mask of irritation melted just a bit, replaced by something more genuine—a flicker of concern mixed with quiet determination.
"Alright," she said, her voice softer, but no less firm. "But you need to be straight with me about what's going on. I can't walk into this blind, Veronica. I need the full picture if I'm going to help you."
Veronica let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, her shoulders dropping with a sense of relief. The weight that had been pressing down on her seemed to lift, just a little. "Deal," she said, her voice full of gratitude.
She looked at Savannah, a glimmer of hope in her eyes that hadn't been there before. She knew this wasn't over—this was just the beginning—but something about having Savannah in her corner, even with the tension still simmering between them, made her feel like maybe, just maybe, she wasn't alone in this after all.
Author's Note :
Take a good care of yourselves<3
Have a good day/night <3<3