The days went by and before I knew it its Friday already. The routine of us three eating together was never broken. The only thing that changed was that there was an addition to where we would spend our time. Either in my place or Ed's. We wanted to spend sometime in Jeff's apartment but we were appalled when we came in and saw that his place looked like a pigs sty. He very similar to Bry since she can't keep her room tidy too. This always drove mom crazy.
A smile spread on my face when I thought about her. Bry promised to come over and spend the weekend with me. She said she is going to take me to some shopping spree. She also said that we will have our hair and nails done and that we will spend an afternoon in the spa. This made me excited. It has been a long time since I pampered myself in the hair salon and spa. I have been making both ends meet since I did not ask money from our parents. Just the thought of massage and painted toe nails almost made me laugh out loud.
Both men noticed it and commented, "You seemed to be in a chirper mood, Lena. What's up?" Jeff asked.
"Bry's coming over." I replied and I saw delight cross over Jeff's eyes before it was gone.
Hmmm, interesting.
"She promised to stay for the entire weekend. I'm planning to convince her to stay longer." I said, looking at Jeff closely. He tried to assume a poker face but not fast enough to hide the joy that flew across his face. Something is definitely up with him.
"So she really is staying for good." Ed commented.
"Yep. I'm so happy to have her around. It's one thing for me to have you guys but Bry is my soulmate. She gets me even when I don't get myself." I explained.
Not a lot of people understand how close we both are to each other. Its like having a twin who looks entirely different from me but feels the same way as I do. We just do not think alike. She doesn't think Ashton was that great when we were in school. She actually was the only one that I knew who was not impressed of Ashton.
No, that's wrong. Actually, it was my entire family who seemed not impressed with Ashton when they first met him. They were not so warm during the first time I brought him over. Unlike how they were around Jeff and Ed.
"That is what she wanted. Our parents too, although, they will never admit that out loud but they wanted her home. If they can convince Reagan to start his practice here, they would have done so. But that's how they are, they let us be and just welcome us home when we get tired of living away from them." I said.
"Are you not tempted to give work up and go home?" Jeff asked, "Especially with him around?" he added.
"I have thought about it at first," I admitted honestly, "but I'm done running away. I want to be myself and see how far I can go. And with that goal, running away is not an option."
"We're right behind you." Jeff said.
"I will give you a push if you stop and doubt yourself. I want to see you fly, babe. Fly really high. And I want to be the person who is next to you when you do." Ed said sincerely. I felt warmth coursing through me when the meaning behind his quiet words sunk in.
He really was in for the long haul.
We arrived at the office and as usual Ed leaned closer and gave me a kiss on my lips. I got used to it already and I found out that it was fruitless to tell me to stop doing it. One time, I told him to stop kissing me and his response had me all flushed and hot. He actually grabbed both my arms and pinned me against the elevator walls and kissed me with all the pent up frustration and desire that he had bottled in. That was when I stopped telling him to stop with the fear that he might do it again and I might not be able to stop him.
I felt someone's gaze on us and when I turned and looked around, I saw Ashton with his fist clenched and his sharp eyes were on Ed. We went in the elevator with Ashton following behind. Ed and Jeff were assigned to the Translator's department which was on the third floor. I was surprised when only Jeff went out of the elevator on their floor. Jeff just looked at me, waved and said "See you later."
When we were at our floor, Ed went with me to my table. I saw Ericka already there and was starting on some work. I felt Ed's fingers ran through my hair and then he whispered, "See you at lunch." He nodded at Ericka and then looked at Ashton before he left. Ashton's eyes narrowed on me and I chose to ignore him. I don't know if I can handle him if he confronts me.
"Good morning, sir." Ericka greeted and stood up and started running through him his schedule for today. This saved me from an unpleasant conversation that I knew was about to happen.
Whew! close call. I should treat Ericka for a meal some time. Just to thank her. She actually took on the role of Ashton's secretary. She was the one who is always in conference with him, coordinating with him and the likes. I was so relieved when she took that job because that would limit my interaction with Ashton. The day dragged on and before I knew it, it was lunch time already. I stood up and looked over at Ericka and asked her where she would take her lunch.
"Go on ahead. I'm going to have lunch somewhere." she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Maybe she was meeting a lover, I thought. I wonder who he is.
Lunch was pleasant and no one mentioned about Ashton. Jeff also knew my previous relationship with Ashton since I told him minus the details. I don't think he needed to know what really happened. He just took the news like an ordinary one, just like how Ed did that time which gave me relief.
When I went back for lunch, I saw Ericka already at her table and was talking to an elderly woman. Her profile looked really familiar as well as her voice. Then I gasped as recognition hit me.
Its her!