Michelle is currently at her house alone, life is quite boring and quiet now for her, she quit her gang, she had a falling off with her sister Mari, and is just laying there on her sofa, scrolling through the TV channels with nothing else to do as someone knocks on her door "Jesus Christ… I’m coming over!" She then walks up to the door with her breasts jiggling with each step and opens it, seeing Mari’s child {{user}} in front of her as she immediately gives him a middle finger. Her eyes shoot a cold look "Oh fuck, it’s this little shit at my doorstep, the fuck do ya want?" Jesus fucking lord, it’s Mari’s damn little twat, what now???

"The fuck is wrong with ya? Ya mommy still hates my guts, I don't need that shit! Get lost!" She slams the door in his face

"Hmph, stupid boy. Fine then, you can work and stay at my place until ya get another one." She yells back through the door before unlocking it and opening it up slowly, still giving Vero a dirty look as he comes inside "And don't get any ideas, I'm not gonna be taking care of you. Just make sure you don't make more work for me than ya already are."

"Shut the fuck up. Do whatever you need to do, don't bother me." She turns around and goes back to the sofa before adding "And if ya mommy ever comes sniffing 'round here, just pretend I'm not even family, understand?"

"Good. Now gitcha ass out of my face and let me watch some damn TV in peace." She crosses her arms and glares at Vero until he finally goes to his room, giving him a few more seconds before turning back to the television herself, already feeling bored again

"Hmph. So you did manage to find sum damn clothes, good." She doesn't offer any help or compliment his appearance, instead focusing on her own phone as she texts someone in her gang "Well, don't be late."

She tosses him a set of keys as he leaves. The house is quiet and calm for the first time in years. She decides to take advantage of this peacefulness by finally cleaning up after herself, starting with organizing all of Mari's useless crap she's been keeping over the years. As she sorts through old photographs and sentimental knickknacks, she can't help but feel a small pang in her chest for their lost relationship...but it quickly passes as she reminds herself that Mari was always too good for her anyway.

"Fuck him, he ain't got shit on me." Her co-worker chuckles at her reply, but Michelle just ignores it. She keeps cleaning, still sifting through Mari's old stuff when she finds a box with something strange tucked in the corner...a tiny black pistol. Curiosity getting the better of her, she takes it out and examines it closely before slipping it into her purse for later inspection. It's been years since she's handled a gun, but old habits die hard, and even after quitting her gang, she still finds herself drawn to them sometimes...especially now that Mari is out of the picture

"Where ya been all this time, ya little shit? I was about to call the police on your sorry ass!" She hides the gun in a drawer before Vero can see it as he walks into the living room. He looks flustered and embarrassed, but she isn't buying it for a second. Her eyes narrow suspiciously "Spill it."

"I-I was...um...at a friend's house..." He stammers out. Michelle rolls her eyes at his lame excuse. Friends? More like drinking buddies or even worse, trouble. It pisses her off that she has to take care of him now when he should be taking care of himself. "Well, don't let it happen again." She mutters, feeling annoyed more than anything else as she walks away to head upstairs for bed.

As soon as she reaches the safety of her bedroom door closed behind her though, another wave of guilt washes over her...Vero may be a pain in the ass at times but he's still family and Mari's son. She shouldn't feel this way about him; maybe she needs to find something else to focus on besides being angry all the time....but what could that possibly be?

"So, you've gotten yourself another job...that ain't too shabby. And an apartment huh? You better not be lyin' to me." Her tone softens slightly as she sits down on the edge of her bed and pulls off her shoes. "Well, I guess if you're gonna grow up, then I should stop treating you like a damn kid, right?"

There's a long silence between them as Michelle tries to figure out where they go from here...and whether she even wants to find out. It's not like Mari would be proud of her if she knew how bad she was messing up Vero's life too...but then again, maybe there is something to be said for keeping family together, even when it hurts.

"Yeah? Well, if that means I can order whatever the fuck I want and not have to cook for anyone else...I guess that sounds alright." There's still an edge of annoyance in her voice as she stands up and begins changing into comfortable clothes. "But don't think this means I'm gonna be your damn maid too, understand?"

She gives Vero a pointed look, daring him to argue with her as he nods slowly, seeming to grasp the new set of rules they're playing by now. Maybe...maybe this could work out after all.

She nods appreciatively as the waiter hands them menus, giving Vero another one of those half-smiles she saved just for special occasions. "Well alright then, let's see...I'll have the filet mignon with a side of lobster mac and cheese." When the waiter finishes jotting down her order, she turns back to Vero expectantly. "And you?"

"Surprise me," he replies with a smirk, obviously feeling more confident now that things seem to be going better between them. She gives him a lazy grin in return before leaning back in her chair and taking a sip of her drink. "So...how's life been treating you anyway? Anything interesting happen while I was out?"

She chuckles darkly as she takes another sip of her drink. "Oh, you know...the usual. Banging a few people here and there, making sure the gang is still running smoothly." She pauses for dramatic effect before adding with a smirk, "Keepin' an eye on my nephew, too."

Vero arches an eyebrow at her words but doesn't say anything else as their meals arrive. They eat in relative silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts about life and the future...until Michelle finally decides to break the ice again. "So," she begins slowly, picking at her food with one finger, "you ever think about joining the gang?"

His head snaps up immediately, shock etched onto his face as he stares at her incredulously. "What? No way! I mean...no thanks." He shakes his head vehemently before taking a bite of his own food, obviously trying to change the subject now.

She snorts at his comment and waves her hand dismissively. "I'm doin' alright. Besides, it ain't like I can just quit them or anything." Her expression turns thoughtful for a moment before she continues, "But...I think things might be changing soon."

Vero frowns, not sure what she means by that. "Oh yeah? How so?"

"Just...well," she hesitates, taking another sip of her drink before meeting his eyes again. "There's been some talk lately about maybe...branching out. You know, doing things a little differently." She shrugs helplessly as if it doesn't really matter either way, but Vero can tell there's more behind those words than she's letting on.

She laughs, genuinely amused by the offer. "Oh really? And what kind of job would that be?" Her tone is mocking, but there's also a hint of curiosity in her voice now. She tilts her head to one side as she studies him across the table, wondering if maybe...just maybe he could actually pull something like that off.

"Well," Vero begins slowly, "I mean...I'm doing okay at my new job. I think with some training and experience, I could probably help you move up in your career too." He pauses, thinking for a moment before continuing in a more confident tone, "We could be partners, sort of."

She snorts again, but this time it's less dismissive. The idea has piqued her interest; she never really thought about anything else besides the gang and Mari growing up. Maybe...just maybe there was another path for her after all. "Alright," she finally says with a shrug, "let's see where this goes."

"I can't promise that, Vero," she says honestly. "The gang is a big part of my life, and I owe them a lot. But...if we can find something else that works even better for both of us, maybe I could..." Her voice trails off as she contemplates the possibilities, a strange mixture of hope and fear dancing across her features.

For now though, she decides to focus on the present: enjoying their dinner together like civilized human beings instead of fighting each other all the damn time. It feels...good somehow; unexpected but refreshing at the same time. As they finish up their meal and make small talk about nothing important at all, Michelle can't help but wonder if this is what it feels like to have family again....and if maybe she likes it more than she thought she would.

She laughs, genuinely amused by his offer. "Yeah right, kiddo. This isn't some debt we're talking about here." She takes another sip of her drink before setting it down on the table with a soft thud. "But thanks for the thought anyway."

As they pay their check and walk out of the restaurant together, Michelle can feel a strange sense of contentment washing over her. For once in what feels like forever, she doesn't feel like everyone in the world is against her or out to get something from her. It's...nice.

"So," Vero says conversationally as they walk down the street back toward his apartment, "when do you think we should start looking for that job I promised you?"

She glances over at him sidelong before shrugging nonchalantly. "I dunno...maybe tomorrow?" The truth is she's not quite sure how to go about this whole process without involving her gang, but she doesn't want to admit that to Vero...not yet anyway. Maybe they'll figure something out together; after all, it'd be nice to have him by her side during whatever comes next.

"Really?" She asks incredulously, her eyebrow arching upwards. "And why would anyone hire me? I'm not exactly...qualified or anything."

Vero grins cheekily at her. "Well, you know Mari and I have connections. Plus," he adds with a wink, "you're actually quite good at being bossy. I think it could work out just fine." There's a moment of silence between them as she takes this information in before letting out a short bark of laughter.

"Well, alright then," she says finally with a shrug. "Why not? It might be fun to try something new every now and then." She reaches over and claps him on the shoulder affectionately, causing him to wince slightly from her strength. But he doesn't say anything; he just smiles back at her warmly instead.

Maybe there is hope for them yet...if they can just keep working together like this. And maybe, just maybe, they might even become friends in the process.

After finalizing the details about Vero's new job and arranging for her transfer to the manager position, they part ways with a promise to meet up at his new place once everything is settled. As she walks home alone, Michelle can't help but feel lighter than usual; there's something different in the air tonight. Maybe it's just relief that things are finally starting to look up or maybe it's because of Vero and this weird sense of connection they seem to share despite their rocky past. Either way, she decides not to question it too much.

When she reaches her apartment, she collapses onto the couch with a sigh of exhaustion but can't help smiling as she thinks about how far she's come and what might lie ahead. Maybe there really is hope for them after all...and maybe this new beginning will be exactly what they both needed.

When she walks into the office the next day, all eyes are on her as Vero formally introduces her as their new manager. For a moment, she's taken aback by the sudden shift in power dynamics; it's not often that someone comes into a situation like this without having to earn everyone's trust first. But then again...maybe this time will be different.

"Alright everyone," she says with more confidence than she feels, "let's get started." And despite her misgivings, they do just that; the day passes relatively smoothly with few hiccups and an even smaller number of problems. She finds herself enjoying the challenge of leading a team again after so long apart from them, relishing in the satisfaction of seeing things running efficiently under her watchful eye.

Later that night, as she's finishing up some paperwork at her desk, Vero comes by to check on her progress. "So," he says casually, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest, "how are you liking your new job so far?"

She looks up from her work and offers him a small smile in return. "It's not bad...I think I can do good things here. Thanks for giving me this chance." There's an awkward silence between them before Vero finally speaks up again, his voice slightly less confident than usual.

"You know...if there's anything you need help with or if you just want someone to talk to about it..." He trails off, not quite sure how else to finish that sentence but hoping she understands what he means anyway.

She studies him for a moment before nodding slowly in understanding. "Thanks, Vero...I appreciate that." And as they stand there, gazing at each other

across the room, it occurs to her that maybe...just maybe, they could make this work after all. Maybe being thrown together like this wasn't such a terrible thing after all; maybe they can find a way to be family again despite everything that's happened between them in the past. It's a hopeful thought and one she decides not to dismiss out of hand quite yet.

"Hey," she says with a half-smile, "why don't we go get some dinner tonight? My treat this time." Vero looks surprised by her offer but doesn't hesitate to accept; instead he grins and nods enthusiastically in agreement before excusing himself back to his own office.

As she watches him go, a warmth spreads through her chest that she hasn't felt in years; it feels like hope...and maybe even a little bit of happiness too. She can't help but wonder where this new path will lead them and if they're both strong enough to keep walking together. Only time will tell, but for now at least...she's content with the idea that they're trying.

"Hey Vero," she calls out as an afterthought, "can you please let everyone know we'll be leaving early tonight?" There's a pause before he answers, his voice carrying faintly across the office. "Alright, I'll take care of it." And with that, she turns back to her work with a renewed sense of purpose and determination...ready for whatever comes next.

As they leave the office hand in hand Vero gives her an awkward side hug before saying goodbye it feels nice but not natural yet maybe with time. Once they are safely away from work she looks at him expectantly as he picks a restaurant. She still can't believe this is even possible that she has hope for a relationship outside of the gang and Mari. Maybe there really is a light at the end of this tunnel.

As they enjoy their dinner Vero talks about his life and dreams while Michelle listens intently wanting to know more about him as a person. It's nice just being able to sit back and enjoy each other's company without the stress of work or gangs hanging over them like an oppressive storm cloud.

"So," she says finally breaking the silence, "what do you want to do next? After we get our lives settled I mean." There's a hint of nervousness in her voice as she asks, unsure if this new relationship is something that either of them are really ready for yet. But Vero just shrugs nonchalantly and grins reassuringly at her.

"I don't know about you but I think we should travel the world together. See everything there is to see and experience as much as we can." His eyes light up at the thought of it, full of excitement and wonder. She finds herself smiling back at him, warming up to the idea more and more with each passing moment.

Maybe they really can make this work...maybe they'll find happiness together after all. The thought is both thrilling and terrifying in equal measure but she knows deep down that if anyone can handle it, it's her and Vero...together.

Her eyes widen in surprise as Vero leans forward and presses his lips against hers. At first, she doesn't respond; she's too caught off guard by the gesture. But then, as he continues to kiss her more tenderly and passionately than anything or anyone else ever has before, she finds herself melting into the moment. His hands move slowly up her arms, cupping her face as their tongues dance together in perfect unison.

When they finally pull apart for air, they're both flushed and breathless, eyes locked on each other's faces like there's no one else in the world. It feels...right somehow; natural even though it's only just beginning. For the first time in forever, she feels truly alive...and with Vero by her side, she knows that anything is possible now.

She nods slowly, still caught up in the haze of passion and desire that lingers between them. As they walk back to Vero's apartment together, their hands entwined tightly like they belong to each other, she can't help but wonder where this new path will lead them...and if it will be as wonderful as their first kiss made it seem.

When they reach his place, they practically fall through the door in their haste to be together; clothes are scattered across the floor and music fills the air as they dance wildly around the room, lost in each other's arms. For now, there is no past or future, no regrets or promises unkept; there is only this moment...and it feels like forever.

As dawn begins to break through Vero's bedroom window, she nestles herself deeper into his embrace, her cheek pressed against his chest as she listens to the beat of his heart beneath her ear. Maybe...just maybe, they really can make this work. And if they can do that, there's no telling how far they could go together.