SAVANNA (VERONICA)
Ethan’s question was a genuine curiosity and innocence which was quite common in his place…
Just a boy trying to understand his sister who no longer made sense to him.
So, I only shrugged, “I saw it in a movie once,” I said casually, taking a sip of my cold drink.
Ethan blinked.
His brows furrowed, clearly not convinced.
He looked rather confused.
Though he didn’t push further, only nodded.
I could see the flicker of doubts still lingering within him.
My gaze then turned to mom.
She was surprised too, but she seemed too overwhelmed by everything else to question it.
The food came out super fast.
Each dish was like a work of art.
Ethan hesitated before even touching his fork, glancing at me as if asking for permission.
I gave him a small nod.
“Eat,” I said gently.
“You’ll like it.”
He did…
Slowly at first, awkwardly navigating the cutlery, as though he was afraid of embarrassing himself.
“Just use it however you want.
We’re paying for our food, so don’t bother with the useless mannerisms.” I said casually making sure they felt it.
Even though I myself had grown up with strict manners, unless it was needed, I never bothered it.
His confidence grew and he eventually relaxed.
Mom followed, still visibly uncomfortable but trying her best.
I watched them more than I ate.
There was something foreign at this moment.
Something…
steady and warm.
Which I kind of liked.
After our meal, I signaled the waiter.
“Bill, please.” The waiter nodded respectfully and returned moments later with the bill placed neatly inside a leather folder.
I opened it.
Ethan leaned slightly, his curiosity getting the better of him.
And the moment he caught the numbers, his eyes widened.
Mom also took a peek only to…
“Oh my God!” Her whisper rang.
The number clearly shocked them and it was only 500$.
“We just ate 2 months of groceries in an hour!” She whispered.
I, however, simply took out my card and handed it over without a flicker of hesitation.
As the waiter walked away, Ethan looked at me like he didn’t recognize me at all.
“Th-aat’s…
that’s l-like—” he stopped himself, clearly unable to even finish the sentence.
“Don’t worry guys, we’re not broke anymore.” I reminded them again.
Seems like if they ever learned how much I had spent on a single bottle of wine in my past life, would likely get a heart attack.
This was still too cheap.
For an entire month, I had been living like a beggar.
The thought alone irritated me.
For the first time in weeks, I felt a bit satisfied.
I tilted my head slightly and looked at them. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“You’ll get used to it,” I said calmly.
Mom’s head snapped toward me.
“Get used to it?” she gasped, almost choking on the words.
But immediately lowering her tone.
“Veronica, no.
This— this isn’t normal!” We can’t eat like this all the time.
It’s better to have meals at home.
This is…
this is too much money to waste regularly.” Her voice carried both concern and disbelief.
I watched her for a moment.
Sigh— “Fine,” I said, my tone easing just slightly.
“We won’t eat out every day.”
“But— I’ll handle the groceries from now on, and we’re eating out every Sunday.
Deal?”
Ethan’s eyes lit up immediately.
But mom opened her mouth to argue again— But then she stopped.
Her gaze softened as she looked at me.
There was something in our faces that made her hesitate.
Then, she sighed slowly.
“…Alright,” she said quietly.
__________
By the time we got home, it was already evening.
Even though mom protested, I bought our dinner as well from the same place.
Placing the bags on the table, I stepped into my room without a word, closing the door behind me.
Immediately taking out my phone to do the last remaining job for the night…
I dialled a number and soon, the call connected after a few rings.
“Dr.
Johnson’s office, this is Mr.
Johnson’s assistant.
How may I assist you?” The assistant’s voice was expectedly professional.
“I need to speak with Dr.
David Johnson,” I said calmly.
There was a brief pause.
Then—
“May I ask who’s calling?”
“It’s— Veronica.
Tell him, someone who would not take no for an answer.”
Another pause…
“I’m sorry, but Dr.
Johnson doesn’t take calls without prior—”
“Put him on the phone,” I interrupted, my tone dropping just enough to carry weight.
I’d never taken ‘no’ for an answer.
Silence stretched across the line for a few seconds, then— “…Please hold.”
A faint click followed.
A few seconds later, another voice came through…
“This is Dr.
David Johnson.”
I allowed myself a faint smile.
“And this is— Veronica,” I said.
“I’m sorry…
Do I know you?” He was clearly confused.
“Not really, I’ve gotten your number from a friend.”
“A friend?” He sounded as though he was in a daze.
I didn’t bother because I couldn’t give him my identity now.
So, I went directly to business.
Johnson, I have called you regarding a patient with a walking disability.
I want to book an appointment.”
“I’ll email you the medical reports and transfer a deposit to your account as per the prior booking.”
He was quiet for a moment, before saying.
“May I ask about your friend?”
“That’s not relevant, Dr.
Johnson.
You and I are both getting benefited, that’s all that matters…
Have a good day.” And I hung up.
I knew he was curious but I had no mood or situation to entertain him.
I opened my email and transferred the medical files of Ethan I had organized and sent it.
Then, I opened the banking app and transferred the remaining money without hesitation.
Ethan’s treatment would start now and I must make a way to make money.
It wouldn’t be hard enough since I’d been searching quietly.
Relaxed, I laid on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
For some time, I just wanted a peaceful silence, but it quite reached me, instead— the flash of a howling fire crawled within me.
For one month I had been thinking of this whenever I wanted to be alone.
That explosion in the lab.
And each time one doubt gnawed at my soul— was it truly an accident?
In the top most secure lab, it burned me— only me.
But how is it possible?
And— why the hell I couldn’t recall the moments clearly?
I only remembered that I was going to show Lena about my new experiment but then everything was blurred except the fire.
Unease crept into my chest…
This couldn’t be an accident.
It was more than that, and I needed to find out.
I couldn’t reveal my identity to them, I would need another way…
Before I could think further—
A loud knock hit the door, and swung open before I could respond.
“You think I don’t see what’s going on here?!”
Elena…
My eyes narrowed, her again?
Her eyes scanned the room instantly, landing on the branded shopping bags.
Her eyes widened.
More than shock she looked jealous.
“These are designer brands!
There’s no fucking way Mom could afford this!”
Her gaze snapped to me.
“So what did you do?” she demanded.
“Steal it?
Or, lay with old men, huh!?”
I slowly sat up.
“Did she forget about the morning already?”
Knowing her, where did she get the courage?
Perhaps asking for clear death?
My lips twitched at the thought.
For a split second— Fear flashed across her face.
But it disappeared just as quickly.
A smirk of confidence tugged at her lips.
“Please,” she scoffed.
“You think I’m scared of you?
Never!”
My brow arched.
Really?
I was about to show her, her place, when suddenly—
The door of the room threw again swinging against the wall, and walking into my room was— Gregory Demoor, Veronica’s useless father.
Oh, so this was the reason for her sudden confidence…