"After working for Adams, is there a possibility for a career change?" I asked Helena over breakfast. She tilted her head as she looked at me, waiting for an explanation perhaps.
"Uhm... I understand your love for your job. It's just that...," I sighed. "You know... constant worries and fears are always eating me out."
"Anderson, honey, before we were engaged, you knew about my job. I will try my best to stay safe for you," she said with a smile but the determination in her voice was clear.
I knew I couldn't win this argument. I knew she's gonna say that but I was still hoping that she'd consider it. I couldn't help worrying every time she's at work.
"See you later," she said before going to her car. I groaned when she even forgot to kiss me goodbye. Then she came back with a smile.
"Do you really think I have forgotten about this?" she asked after kissing me. I laughed then I pulled her closer to a tight embrace.
"Drive me to the Adams'," she said, clinging to my arm.
Hand in hand, we walked towards the car only to be surprised. Standing in front of us was Amanda in a tight red jumpsuit. Her hair was in a messy bun, giving her that sultry look.
I felt Helena's tight grip, a sign that she wasn't expecting her to see. I squeezed hers gently, reassuring that everything's gonna be alright.
"Good morning, Brad! Hi, Helena. Do you live here, too?" Amanda greeted with a hollow smile. Helena smiled back.
I wrapped my hand around Helena's waist. Amanda followed it with her eyes. I saw her fill her lungs with the crispy morning air.
"Yeah... Amanda, she's been living with me since our engagement," I replied.
She smiled with a hardened expression as her gaze rested on Helena's engagement ring. Then back at Helena's eyes. Whether Helena was worried or scared, it was hard to tell. But Amanda's madness was apparent on her face.
"Well, congratulations! When is the wedding? I heard Luke is already married. So, you'll be next then?" Amanda asked with a glint of scorn and resentment.
"Just wait for the invitation. It would be sooner than expected," Helena blurted which caught Amanda off guard, seemingly surprised by her answer. She frowned.
"Can't wait! I would be delighted to attend," Amanda replied sardonically before saying goodbye. "See you around. Bye, Brad."
Neither of us spoke since Amanda left. We didn't know how to start the conversation or perhaps, we just didn't know what to say.
"Are you okay?" I asked as we drove. She nodded. "You're not angry, are you?"
"Nope. Why should I be?" she replied. "I am just curious why all of a sudden she appeared. Besides, there's something about her that keeps bothering me."
I pondered for a moment because I felt the same way. Amanda's demeanor was rather suspicious. I ignored it when we met at the office but seeing how she glared at Helena made me feel uneasy.
"Actually, I also have an uneasy feeling. Maybe because of what she's been through. You know, she was a victim of abuse and nearly killed herself in prison," I replied, explaining more likely to myself than to Helena.
Helena sighed. She cleared her throat as she looked through the window.
"Do you... Uhm... do you still like her?" she whispered.
"What?" I replied. Seeing her lose composure was a terrible sight to watch. "I thought we're clear about this?"
"Just answer my question, please!" she insisted.
I exhaled. "No, Helena. I don't love her anymore," I said. She didn't say a word and I couldn't say for sure whether she's mad or not.
"Honey, there's nothing to be worried about. You're the only woman I love, Helena," I said.
"We're here. See you at home," she replied before stepping out of the car. I reluctantly waved goodbye. Somehow, I could feel the weight of her worries, resonating through her eyes and I felt something odd. There must have been something she wasn't telling me. And I had to find out whatever it was.
With that in mind, I called my sister as soon as I arrived at the office. Sheryl became close to Arabella and Helena since she worked as Saraknib's babysitter. So, I thought she must have known something.
"Yes, kuya?" Sheryl answered.
"Do you have a minute? Are you busy?" I asked.
"No, not really. Why? Do you wanna speak to ate Helena? They are at the firing range now," she replied.
"Uhm... I just wanna ask if Helena has told you anything recently, or if there was a slight change in her mood or anything," I said.
"Hmmm...," she thought then answered, "nothing from my view. Sorry, kuya."
I sighed, "Okay. Thanks, sis."
"Why do you ask? Is there a problem?" she suspected.
"Not really... don't mention that I asked you about it."
"Okay. I understand. You're engaged, kuya. Don't do anything foolish," she reminded.
"Yeah, I know. Anyway, thanks," I said. Before I ended the call, Sheryl told me to wait.
"Now that you asked, I remember something odd that happened the other day. Ate Helena nearly burst into tears after talking to someone on the phone. She excused herself immediately, so I wasn't so sure about it," she said.
My brain was becoming numb, restlessly thinking about what might have caused her to cry. Helena wasn't the type of emotional being. It's not that she's unsympathetic, she just learned how to control her emotions. On rare occasions, I was her cry and the reasons were all devastating like the untimely death of her mom.
Then, I heard knocks. I looked at my watch. It's already three in the afternoon.
"Come in," I said. My personal assistant came in with folders in her hands.
"Sir, they are waiting for you at the conference room," she said. I stared blankly so she explained, "Sir, today is the monthly meeting."
"Ah," I said before nodding. I was too consumed by my problem that I even forgot about it. "Be there in a minute."
"Yes, sir."
The meeting was harrowing, not because of the reports but because I couldn't focus. Helena kept hovering in my mind. Then my phone beeped. I opened my chatbox and silently read the message that shook my system.
"That would be all for today! Hand me all the reports. I will go through them!" I said before storming out of the room. I heard them gasped, afraid that they might have made a mistake that upset me. I didn't bother to explain. My mood was so stirred that my temperament swung.