I was still reeling from the events this morning without the peck in the cheek that Ed gave me before getting off the elevator. I can feel my lips twitch because of the nice feeling it gave me.
"It seems like you have a new boyfriend." a voice beside me stated.
When I looked up, I saw Ashton's face looming at me. He looked like he was not in the greatest mood. I wonder what ticked him off.
Stop it, Helena. Why should you care if his pissed?
"Good morning, Mr. Kempt." I greeted him formally and shut up since I have no intention of divulging what is between me and Ed.
"Are you not going to answer me?" he asked.
"It is none of your business, sir." I politely remarked. What happens in my personal life in my personal time is my business and mine alone, I thought.
"You work for me and you were in the office which has a no personal relationship with co workers policy." he snarled. Surprise evident in his eyes. I was never one who bite back, from what he has known about it me. So it is just fitting that my response took him by surprise.
"I understand, sir. I may indeed be in the premises but the work hours has not started yet. I have not violated any policy, Mr. Kempt." I responded in an austere tone. We reached our floor and the elevator doors opened.
I stepped out and walked towards the conference room. I planned to wait there until work hours have started. Ashton grabbed my arm firmly, "Never even think that you can be with anyone, Helena. Remember what you owe me."
"What I owe you? Is it not the other way around, Ashton?" I snarled. Pain shooting laced my voice and is evident in my eyes. "Remember what your selfishness caused me, Ashton. It is something that you can and will never be able to pay. Not even with your life."
I saw him gaped at me and took my chance and stormed away. I was fuming. How dare he tell me that I owe him? Me? Owe him?
He seemed to have forgotten what his selfishness has caused me. All the pain and misery. Even if he apologized to me for the rest of his life, it can never restore what I have lost.
I took a deep breath as the overwhelming pain is trying to take hold of me. I can not succumb to the pain. Not anymore. I am done being miserable.
I will take charge of my own life from now on. No one can dictate what I can and can not do. I wore my poker face as I felt the door open. I looked up and found Ashton by the door. I just raised my brows at him, waiting for him to speak.
He just looked at me with complicated emotions on his eyes. I was not even interested in knowing what he feels. I just want him gone. Out of my life. Not to be seen again. But I quelled my desire to flee. It is time for me to face my demons. If I want to move on, I have to face my demons. Even if that means facing the person who caused me to have these demons in the first place.
He was about to say something when my phone rang.
"Don't answer. We need to talk." came his curt command.
I stared at him, picked up my phone and answered, "Hello, this is Helena Smith speaking." My eyes challenged him.
"Shorty, what's wrong?" Ed asked. I guess the tension is very evident in my voice.
"Nothing, Ed. I just saw something that is unpleasant." I said.
"We need to talk, Helena." he said.
"About what?" I asked.
"We will talk later." he said. "I just want to know if you are alright."
"I am now, thanks to you." I answered sweetly. He saved me from all the negativity that I was starting to feel.
"Hmmm. What a nice thing to say, babe." he whispered. "Just remember, if you need anything, I mean anything at all, just call me. Do you understand?" he asked.
"Of course. Thanks, Ed. I really mean it." I whispered back. I was sincerely touched with his concern for me. The first genuine smile blossomed on my face making Ashton look at me with his ashen face. I placed my phone in bag after hanging up.
"You have changed, Helena. You are no longer the Helena that I once used to know." he said. Agitation and denial in his eyes.
"I have changed. It was all because of you." I said calmly. Ed's call calmed me down and made me feel that I can do what I want and be whatever I want to be. With one last look at me, Ashton left and I breathe a sigh of relief. At least no one witnessed what has transpired.
I was proud of myself and how I handled Ashton. I have long ago played different scenes in my mind as to how I will face him when the time comes. I am glad that I was not swayed easily. Maybe Bry was right, I was stronger that I gave myself credit for.
***Ericka's thoughts***
I knew it. They know each other. Basing from the entire conversation, they go back a long way and have intimately known each other. No wonder Ashton helped her out.
How intimate? That is something that I have to find out. I wonder what they owe to each other. It seemed that Helena hates Ashton very much.
Maybe she liked him ages ago and was rejected. Maybe Ashton was humiliated knowing that Helena likes him. I have to find out what happened between them.
Only then will I have a leverage on Helena. Maybe through that I can eliminate her from the scene. If I can eliminate her from the scene, only then will my secret be safe. I don't think the guys will be keen to what is going on in my life anyways, so I am safe from them.
And I have the perfect plan on how I to do that.