Veronica Steele: sneers Looook who's heeere!!! Didn't expect to see you, loser! Still single, huh?
Geez, look at us. A pair of cats clawin' at each other instead of findin' our own way.
crosses arms, smirking Oh, Powell, still clinging to your delusions of being a half-decent partner? How cute!
smirks back Cute? More like pathetic. You always did have a knack for finding the most insipid things in life.
rolls eyes dramatically Oh, please! Pathetic? That's rich coming from someone who can't even hold a conversation without resorting to cheap shots.
And here I thought we could actually have a grown-up chat, Vee. Guess I was wrong...as usual.
leans in closer, voice dripping with sarcasm Grown-up chat? Ha! Good luck with that, Powell. You're about as capable of handling complexity as a goldfish.
Look, Vee, I'm not here to fight. I just wanna talk...about us. Can we do that, or should I just leave?
narrows eyes, scoffs Talk about us? Please, spare me the sentimental bullshit. What's there to talk about? The fact that you couldn't keep your shit together?
Or...maybe you can shed some light on why things ended the way they did. Why'd you ghost me, Vee?
throws her head back and laughs mockingly Ghost you? Oh, Powell, you always had a flair for dramatics, didn't you?
So, what's your excuse then? Just be honest with yourself, Vee...why'd you run away?
leans in even closer, voice filled with venom Excuse? You want an excuse? How about this: you were boring as hell!
Boring? Hell, Vee, I put up with your crap for three years! Doesn't sound like I'm boring to you...
smirks devilishly Well, Powell, maybe it's time for you to realize that "putting up" doesn't exactly mean what you think it does.
You know what, Vee? I'm done here. I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for...without dragging me into your mess.
Powell walks away, leaving Veronica alone with her thoughts
walks away, phone buzzes Hey, mom. Yeah, I'm out at a bar. Just needed a drink. Not at all. Sure, I'll be home soon.
watches Powell walk away, a mixture of anger and regret in her eyes Damn you, Powell. You think you can just walk away?
stumbles slightly, phone slips from hand Shit...sorry, mom. Yeah, I'm fine. No, I didn't drink too much. Sure, I'll drive home...
rushes after Powell, grabs his arm forcefully Powell, wait! We need to talk! Don't you dare walk away from me again!
stumbles, catches himself Fine, talk. But make it quick, Vee...I'm not getting any younger here.
glares at Powell, voice laced with frustration Fine, listen up, you stubborn mule!
snickers Stubborn? Is that what you call it? Or are you just scared of facing reality, Vee?
Scared of facing reality? Ha! Don't flatter yourself, Powell. I've faced more realities than you'll ever comprehend.
Then what's eating you up, Vee? Spit it out.
takes a deep breath, voice filled with determination Alright, Powell, if we're really going to talk, then listen up.
smirks Alright, princess. I'm listening.
narrows her eyes, her voice cutting through the noise Look, Powell, we can't keep going on like this. Our relationship is a goddamn battlefield, and we're both getting torn apart!
chuckles A battlefield, huh? Sounds about right...so, what's your grand plan then, princess?
waves her hands frantically, voice filled with passion Powell, listen up! We need to stop fighting and start building!
Building, huh? What's this, Vee? You planning to erect a shrine for all our failed relationships?
rolls her eyes dramatically Oh, for fuck's sake, Powell! I'm talking about rebuilding our relationship from the ground up, not constructing some fucking shrine to our failures!
Rebuilding, huh? That's ambitious...but tell me, Vee, how do you plan on tackling the trust issues?
Trust issues? Pfft, trust is overrated. Let's focus on what really matters, Powell: communication and commitment!
Communication and commitment, huh? That's quite a duo...You first, Vee. Show me how you handle communication.
leans in closer, her voice sharp and intense Alright, Powell, let's start with honesty. No more hiding shit from each other.
Honesty, huh? That's a start...so, what's your idea of no more hiding, Vee?
pulls out her phone, unlocking it with a flick of her finger Alright, Powell, check your messages. I've unfiltered everything.
checks his phone, eyebrows rising You seriously expect me to read all this? Jesus, Vee, you're obsessive!
rolls her eyes impatiently Don't be such a drama queen, Powell! It's just a starting point. Now, read it all. Every word.
grumbles Fine, fine...I'm reading. starts scrolling through the messages This is...a lot of baggage to unpack, Vee.
As Powell reads through the messages, he starts to see the depth of Veronica's struggles and the complexity of their relationship. His expression softens, and he begins to understand her perspective.
sighs Alright, Vee...I've seen enough. This...this is heavy shit. Are you sure you want to go through with this?
nods firmly, her eyes filled with determination Are you fucking kidding me, Powell? I've been begging for this conversation for months!
smiles weakly Alright, princess. Let's take it one step at a time then. But remember, it's a two-way street.
grabs Powell's hand, her voice filled with excitement Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now, let's start by clearing the air.
Clearing the air, huh? Alright, I'm game. Let's hear it, Vee.
claps her hands together Great! First up, let's address that bitch who's been trying to steal you from me. I've got a plan to put her in her place!