After freshening up, I felt like I was ready to face whatever is headed my way. I am looking forward to this afternoon's tour around the company. I was making my way back to the conference room when the elevator doors opened and Ashton came out. I looked away pretending like I have not seen him coming out of the elevator.
"Did you enjoy your lunch?" Ashton said while I was walking down the corridor.
I turned around to face him and said "Yes sir, I did. How about you?"
"No. I lost my appetite when I saw the lunch that you prepared for them." he said quietly.
"I'm sorry to hear that sir. As what Edison said earlier, it was just a one time deal. I promise, I won't do it again." I sincerely told him.
"Edison, huh? You guys must be good friends since you are on first name basis already. And it is just your first day here at the company." he said with a voice laced with insult.
What is with him? Is he trying to pick up a fight? He has no right to speak to me like that. We are nothing to each other. What I do, who I befriend has nothing to do with him. He doesn't even have the right to not pay me any mind.
"With all due respect sir, what we are and we will be has nothing to do with you." I said firmly.
He looked at me with dislike in his eyes. "I have the right, Helena. And you of all people know that."
"No sir, you do not have any right at all. I suggest you should stop meddling in someone else's life. After all, not everyone appreciates people who meddle with their business." I told him bluntly.
Mr. Nice Guy is not welcome in my life anymore. I do not want him to take interest in my life. The Helena Smith that he once knew was long gone. I do not think I can ever bring her back. There is just too much pain. Too much heartbreak. Too much mistrust.
"Can we not be like how we used to be?" he asked me quietly. He sounded like he was lonely.
Him? Ashton Kempt? Lonely? I am loosing my mind. He will never be lonely. And be how we were before? That is just next to impossible. It is like asking for the starts to come down. Come to think of it, stars coming down from heaven will mean the end of everything.
Yeah. That is what will happen if we go back to how we were before. It is just like stars coming down from heaven.
"No sir. That will never happen." I firmly said. "If there is nothing else sir, I will go ahead." and turned my back at him and proceeded down the corridor without waiting for his response. I do not need to hear his response nor do I need his permission to leave.
***Ashton's thoughts***
It is becoming a habit. Her walking away. Ashton's eyes narrowing as he watched Helena walk away. The pain that he felt with her words was evident in his face.
No sir. That will never happen. He smiled bitterly. It took a lot from him to ask her that but she did not even give it some thought. She was very firm with her response.
Was it really too late?
When he thought of Hunt's arms around her shoulders, he can not help but clench his fist.
We will see about that, Helena. I said with determination.
***Ericka's thoughts***
They do know each other. More than they let on. Basing from their conversation, it seems like they have spent considerable time with each other.
It looks like Ashton wants to be with her again. I wonder what happened between them. What does she have that makes stellar men like Ashton, Jefferson and Edison hover around her like a bee to a flower.
Yes, she is good looking. But that's just it. Nothing stellar to her background. She even graduated from a State University. The three gentlemen's parents will never accept her among their ranks.
She is using her innocent appearance to draw the men in. That's it.
If I want to seduce Ashton, I need to behave like Helena to draw his attention. I do not want to live with James anymore. I want to find someone who is up the ladder.
Yes, Ericka. It is time for you to have an upgrade. If a simpleton like Helena managed to capture Ashton's attention making him beg to go back to how they were, I can too. I am way more knowledge in seducing men that she is, she said to herself.
Her mind already working on ways and coming up with plans to get the attention of Ashton Kempt.
*****
"What is wrong?" Edison asked. When I looked at him with questioning eyes, "You looked flush." he added. "Do you feel it again?"
I was confused for a moment. Feel what again? Then I remembered.
"Oh, no. I just walk briskly. I am quite excited with this afternoon's tour." I lied and saw Ericka walking in with a weird expression on her face. She looked at me from head to toe with a consideration. Her expression told me that she is working on some plans. And that none of those plans she has will bring me any good.
This made me really nervous. Which was aggravated when I realized that she came in just a few seconds after I did.
She might have heard something. She might have seen me with Ashton earlier. But when I saw her taking a seat beside Edison like nothing happened, I relaxed a little.
She might have taken the elevator right after Ashton went out of it. That might be it.
I shivered when I realized what could happen if she heard our conversation. She would not let it rest. It would also serve as a proof of her claim that the only reason I got hired is because someone from the higher up is my backer. That is just absolutely a lie.