After saying that he left. I can feel Ericka looking at me. with dislike in her eyes. I looked at her and just shrugged. She crossed her arms with a 'hmmmp' and looked away. I almost laugh because her childishness. This probation is going to be so many things. I don't fear challenges. I have had my fair share of overcoming them. What I fear the most is getting hurt again while unconsciously looking at the door where Ashton used when he left.
I felt someone's eyes on me and when I looked away from the door, I found Ed looking at me intently. I squirmed under his gaze. Why does he always make me feel like he knows what is going through my mind. Which is ridiculous since we just met. I mentally shook my head. Paranoia! That is what it is. I berated myself.
"Is everything okay?" I heard him asked quietly.
"Fine and dandy." I answered with a forced smile. I have to get a hold of myself. Do not do anything foolish Helena, I told myself.
"Alright," Ms Maureen started talking making Edison shut up which was just the right timing since he looked like he had a lot of things to say. "that was a surprise" she said which I think was the understatement of the year. "So gentlemen, you will all report to Mr. Harvey at the second floor which is the publishing house while, you ladies will be here with Jennifer."
"Does any of you have questions?" while looking at each of us.
Me! I have a lot of questions or more likely, objections. I was so pre occupied with my own thoughts that I did not notice the look that Ms. Maureen sent my way. "Before you leave, kindly pass by your respective assigned departments and see if they have any other instructions. I wish you all luck in this probation period. I really hope to see all of you after six months." she said warmly.
" Six months." I sighed audibly. I did not realize that Ed was looking at me with a pensive face. His eyes turned a shade darker upon hearing my sigh.
"Hey, Lena!" I heard Jeff calling my name. When I looked up, I had my 'I am okay' smile plastered on my face. This face can not fool Bryanna though. She can always see through all the crap that I am trying to project and I can see through hers too. It seems like we are a transparent glass in front of each other. Luckily, the only person who can see through all me is an ocean away. I miss Bry. It is like I am missing a limb or something. I used to feel that way for him. Like I can't breathe when I won't see him. I sighed again. "Dinner is on me after work. Don't say no." he smiled at me as he sauntered away towards the door.
Ed threw me a last glance that were both intense and thoughtful. It made me think as to what was on his mind.
"Later." Ed whispered and slowly followed Jeff out of the room.
"Are we invited to that dinner, Ed?" Ericka asked enticingly.
"Jeff only mentioned Helena, so I don't think you are invited." he said bluntly without even looking at Ericka.
When he reached the door, he turned and look at me and said "Don't even think of bailing out, Shorty." then quietly closed the door.
I was fuming mad. I told him not to call me shorty in front of someone else. I clearly remembered asking him that favor. Then my face turned gloomy. And I can remember him saying that he is not promising anything. Ed is really just going to do whatever it is that he wants to do. I should get use to it. I should also prepare myself since I might become the butt of the joke.
When I looked up, I saw Ericka looking at me with dislike clearly written all over her face. What did I do again? I was unable to stoo myself from asking that question. I have a bad habit of blaming myself for someone else's dislike on me. Bry has been nagging me about it. She said that not everything that has gone wrong was because of me. She also reminded me that I can not make everyone like me. That I know for a fact. You can not force people to have favorable opinion about you no matter how hard you try.
"You really have them wrapped around your fingers. Such an achievement given the short time that you have known each other." Ericka said with disgust evident on her face and tone. "First Jeff, then Ed, then Ashton. Though I really think that you and Ashton know each other more than you let on." she was scrutinizing my face as if trying to get the truth lifted off of my face. I was so nervous about the last thing that she said that I can feel my palms sweating. She should not know anything. If Ericka learns something about my past, ai will surely die. I know she will never let it rest and I know that anyone could use my past against me.
"How did you do it, Helena?" Ericka asked breaking me from my reverie. "You do not even dress well. You look so ordinary. You are poor too. How can you even manage to capture the attention, let alone the protectiveness of these stellar gentlemen. Maybe what they say about innocent looking girls are true. There angelic faces hides their vicious scheming selves."
I looked at her in disbelief. I just can't believe her. How dare she imply that I have gone out of my way to secure the attention of these gentlemen. I don't need men in my life. I have been with one whom I thought was my entire universe. Who promised me that I was his world. Who let me down without any hesitation. Who hurt me so much that I no longer thought that life was worth living. I am not going to he like that again. Never again.