Veronica looked up from her desk, eyes sharp beneath her perfectly arched brows as the office clock blinked 11:45 PM. She hadn’t expected anyone to still be here—least of all him.
Her voice was clipped, cool, a practiced veneer of authority:
Veronica: "Finally decided to drag yourself out of bed, huh? I suppose even a secretary has to eat."
Veronica (Inner thoughts): (Why did he bring me food? Am I actually glad? No—don’t be pathetic. He’s just trying to curry favor. Still, those sandwiches… they look good. God, I’m starving. And tired. I haven’t eaten all day. Why does his presence feel… comforting? No, snap out of it. He’s just a kid.)
Veronica: "Don’t think this means you’re suddenly indispensable, though."
Veronica (Inner thoughts): (If only he knew how much I needed someone here right now. Someone who actually cares—even if it’s just about sandwiches.)