Chapter 52

"You?" Crystal, Ronnie's visitor, exclaimed upon seeing Vere. Vere met her gaze and courteously greeted her, "Good afternoon, ma'am."

Ronnie, taken aback by Crystal's arrival and the interaction between her and Vere, introduced them. "Ah, Crystal, this is Mr. Wayne, the one I told you about who saved me."

Crystal's voice lowered as she acknowledged Vere, "Hello, Mr. Wayne. Nice to meet you for the second time around."

Ronnie, slightly confused by their familiarity, inquired, "Oh, you know each other?"

Vere nodded, maintaining his composure. "Yes, we've met before," he confirmed, careful not to reveal too much about their previous encounter.

In that moment, despite sensing Crystal's apparent displeasure, Vere knew he had to remain composed, disregarding any impressions she might hold. Unbeknownst to them, the individuals they once knew were now in the presence of Vere, bearing a different face and name, yet still the same person.

Vere felt a pang in his heart, realizing the company of those who had been his allies during his time in hiding. Crystal held a significant debt of gratitude to Vere, as she, despite being a police officer, had extended her help and shielded him from the law.

His heart swelled with a mix of gratitude and caution. "Thank you," Vere whispered silently in his thoughts, acknowledging Crystal's assistance that had kept him safe during his hidden days.

In the midst of their reunion, Vere recognized the intricacies of the situation bound by shared history, concealed identities, and unspoken alliances. He maintained his outward calm, hiding the turmoil of emotions that swirled within him, grateful for the subtle connections that tied them together and safeguarded his secret.

"Mr. Wayne," Ronnie called out, noticing Vere's momentary distraction. Vere quickly composed himself: "Ah, yes, Ronnie. Um, Crystal, I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something related to work," Vere explained.

"Oh, really?" Crystal replied. "And anyway, you remind me of someone," she mentioned, glancing at Vere.

Vere and Ronnie chuckled simultaneously. "Yes, seriously, Mr. Wayne. You both have similar mannerisms, and he also sometimes gets lost in thought," Crystal added.

Vere's heart swelled with joy upon hearing Crystal's comment, feeling a surge of happiness that someone remembered him. Despite the pang of sadness for needing to conceal his true identity, the momentary elation from Crystal's recognition uplifted his spirits.

However, Vere quickly masked his emotions and seamlessly joined their conversation. Despite the turmoil within him, he knew he had to maintain the facade of his hidden identity. Vere silently cherished the fleeting happiness brought by Crystal's recognition, understanding the complexity of their intertwined past and present, all the while concealing the truth about his identity.

"He knows him," Ronnie informed Crystal while the three of them were having their snack. He elaborated on their shared neighborhood and recounted anecdotes about their acquaintance.

"Oh, wow," Crystal expressed, visibly intrigued. "You do?" she inquired, looking at Vere for confirmation. Vere nodded, affirming her statement with a subtle movement of his head.

Taking his turn, Vere shared his own perspective. "Yes, he is a good man," Vere agreed, a hint of melancholy evident on his and Ronnie's faces as they felt the absence of their mutual friend.

Swiftly steering the conversation, Vere shifted the topic, mentioning his interest in hiring Ronnie as his personal assistant. Ronnie and Crystal exchanged surprised glances, Ronnie voicing his disbelief, "Seriously?"

"Yes, I know you can, and I am pretty sure about that," Vere reassured confidently, a sense of trust and certainty in his voice.

Crystal smiled at Ronnie, encouraging him with a subtle nod. "Say yes, then, Ronnie," she suggested. Ronnie's face lit up with agreement. "Yes, of course," he replied, expressing his willingness.

In that moment, Vere felt an overwhelming sense of joy seeing the trust and readiness from both Ronnie and Crystal. He recognized their reliability and sensed the bond that was forming among them. Vere understood that Ronnie would be a dependable ally in the future endeavors he planned. As they shared their smiles and nods, Vere knew that he had found allies he could trust.

In the shadow of his past, when Vere had to hide from the law, things remained unchanged between him, Ronnie, and Crystal. Understanding their initial hesitation, Vere empathized with their uncertainty since they believed they were dealing with a different person than the Vere they knew.

"So, what now, Ronnie and Crystal? I'll bid farewell for now, but I'll let you know," Vere stated. "It would be much better if we exchanged our numbers again," he suggested, prompting all three of them to swap contact details.

"And me too?" Crystal inquired, seeking confirmation. "Yes, you too," Vere affirmed with a nod. After exchanging numbers, Vere bid his farewells to Ronnie and Crystal before leaving Ronnie's apartment, where Crystal also happened to be present.

Walking away, Vere felt a mix of emotions relief for reconnecting with familiar faces, gratitude for their understanding, and anticipation for the future. He was grateful for their acceptance, despite the veil of secrecy around his identity.

As he navigated the streets, Vere couldn't help but dwell on the warmth of their renewed connection. Their willingness to exchange contact information signaled the possibility of a future where Vere could gradually reveal his concealed persona.

He realized that, despite the hidden truths and uncertainties, a glimmer of trust and camaraderie still existed between them. Vere carried this newfound hope as he departed, envisioning a future where the layers of secrecy might gradually dissipate, unveiling the true Vere to Ronnie and Crystal.

As Vere drove back to the mansion, a sense of relief washed over him, despite the lingering melancholy. The reunion with the three individuals who had been a part of his life during times of adversity had lifted a weight off his shoulders. As he navigated the road, Vere found himself reflecting inwardly, acknowledging their concern. "I sense your sadness. But I need to keep my truth hidden from you. You'll know in due time," Vere resolved within himself.

Approaching the mansion, he noticed two cars parked by the gate, accompanied by two individuals who seemed to be ringing the doorbell. Vere halted his car a distance away, keen on observing their actions. A man in a white suit stepped out of one of the cars, gazing towards the mansion gate. He then engaged in conversation with the two individuals who appeared to be his bodyguards.

Remaining in his car, Vere continued to observe, intrigued by the unfolding scene. About the people that he witnessed in front of the gate of the mansion, as he did not expect any visitors from Olivia.