Chapter 317 - Crying for their lost friends...

This arced Reuben's interest and he threw daggers at Veronica who was going on blabbering about that so called handsome actor. His jealousy increased and he freaked out, "Stop saying other man's name in front of me. I'm much more handsome than your so called hollywood actor.."

Veronica looked at Reuben like she had seen some alien and asked, "What do you mean by we can't discuss about any other man in front of you guys? We definitely can.."

Neil leaned back on the chair and said leisurely, "He didn't mean all of us. Reuben meant to say that only you can not speak about other men in front of him but Lucy or Amy can.."

Reuben threw daggers at him by his eyes but before he could retort back at him, Henry growled at him, "Even Lucy also can't praise other men… Yeah, but Amy can.."

Neil and Jack's smile turned into a smirk as they shared an understanding look with each other while Amy burnt in anger and jealousy, seeing Henry being so overprotective about Lucinda...

Veronica and Lucinda just stared at them being puzzled with the sudden change of conversations but ignored it later completely...

Reuben and Veronica started bickering with each other more and more by each passing day while Henry and Lucinda's closeness also grew stronger, making Amelia more insecure while Neil, Jack, Louis and Andrew remained same…all protective about the girls...

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After another five years…

Two people left from the group which was a huge shock for everyone.

Andrew's sudden death was a big shock to everyone, specially for Reuben and Veronica who were the most close to him.

After Andrew's death, both Mr. and Mrs. Jones also shifted to another country with Amelia as city S was filled with Andrew's memory which was really unbearable for them..

First few months were really difficult for everyone as Jack also left the country for his higher studies. Lucinda also tried to distant herself from everyone and no one knew the actual reason behind it...

Reuben, Neil and Henry became busy with their work as the new responsibilities of being the CEOs of their own companies had been a lot for them to handle…

Whereas Lucinda and Veronica were busy in their own courses and Willa also had came into the picture till then.

This was not which they had expected at all. So Reuben thought to bring everything back to it's place as he really couldn't see his friends in grief, crying for their lost friends...

He was also very much hurt but his heart ached more whenever he would see his happy pill, the always smiling Vero was becoming silent day by day..

So he decided to talk with Lucinda and Veronica for the betterment of their whole group...

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"Lucy.. Tell me what had happened that you're distancing yourself from us?" Reuben asked as he had called Lucinda to meet him in his office and now they were sitting alone in Reuben's cabin.

"Nothing bro. You are just thinking too much.." Lucinda replied.

Sighing deeply, Reuben said "Fine.. I'll not pressurise you too much. But whenever you think of sharing anything, just call me...okay?"

Lucinda gave him a faint smile and said, "Sure Reuben."

Reuben held her hand and said, "You're my little sis. So it hurts me to see you like this. Can't we be like before? All happy happy...smiling and laughing together.."

Lucinda thought for a while and then looked back at Reuben, "You're right Reuben. Whatever happened in the past shouldn't matter anymore to us. We should only think about our present and future...

I promise you today Bro that your this little sis will never cry again and always be happy like she was before."

Hearing it Reuben gave her a big smile and hugged her. Lucinda chuckled at him and pouted, "Now.. I want to eat my favorite pastry."

Reuben became happy to see his sister coming back to her old self again as he ordered Tom to bring her favourite pastry.

He was now only hoping in his heart that he could also be successful in bringing Veronica to her actual self…

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Lopez Mansion…

"Hey Aunt.. how are you?" Reuben asked seeing Mrs. Lopez sitting in the living room, reading a magazine.

Mrs. Lopez smiled at him and replied, "I'm fine my child.. You tell me, how are you?"

Reuben smiled back and replied, "I'm as usual good. Where is Vero by the way? I have something important to tell her."

"Oh!! She is in upstairs. Go and meet her. I'll make some snacks for both of you meanwhile." Mrs. Lopez said.

Reuben nodded his head and ran upstairs. As he came near Veronica's room, he knocked on the door but getting no response, he entered only to find Veronica sleeping cutely on her bed hugging a teddy bear..

Suddenly, Reuben started to feel jealous over the soft toy which Veronica was hugging at that moment. He badly wanted to be at the place where that lifeless creature was…

He slowly walked inside on his tiptoes so that he wouldn't disturb Vero and sat beside her on the bed.

Reuben quietly removed the hair strands which were falling on her face, hiding her beautiful face from his view and tucked it behind her ear.

He then started caressing her soft cheeks very smoothly like he was touching some porcelain doll. His touch was as tender as the first time he had taken her in his arms after her one month birthday...

His gaze was soft on her and a silly smile was playing on his lips as he was caressing her jawline right now with the back of his hand.

Veronica thought that it was her mother who was stroking her face so she involuntarily leaned on to the touch.

But when she felt something wrong like the hand was a little bigger than her mother, she abruptly opened her eyes to look at the person...

As soon as her eyes fell on the intruder who was none other than Reuben, she shrieked in an almost loud voice, "You..... What are you doing here???"