I felt Jefferson stiffen because of my hug but he soften up and return it with warmth. I guess he really see me as his friend. This thought really made me happy which showed in my smile.
"Why are you two hugging each other again?" came the grumpy voice breaking us from our happy friendship cloud.
"Why would you care if I keep on hugging Jefferson. He doesn't mind anyways." I retorted. "And besides, I can hug any one. I don't need your permission to do it."
"I do not want you hugging people. Especially, the male species. I don't like it." Edison said.
"Well, I honestly do not care whether you like it or not. I am old enough to do what I want to do." I huffed and turned my back on him.
"Why don't you hug me too?" he asked in a quiet manner. "I would really like that too."
I turned at him with an incredulously. What is he talking about? Hug him? Why would I do that? I do not have loose screws in my head. Seeing him smile, blew me away. Having him touch me at my elbow made me tingle. What would I end up feeling if I did give him a hug? I might be sent straight to the hospital and might be in a coma for days, even weeks.
For the sake of my sanity and health, I will not by all means hug him though the temptation to do so is great.
"Why would I do that?" I asked him. "Ask those women who fall at your feet for a hug. Don't ask it from me."
"I don't care about them. I only care about you." he said seriously. It made me pause and look at him as if he was growing another head. What is with this guy?
He then laughed out loud. "Gotcha!" and kept on walking towards the parking lot.
When I looked back, I saw Jefferson scratching the back of his head.
"He is just crazy." I told him. "Your friend is in serious need for medical attention."
"No one knows who he really is. Even I sometimes don't know what is going through his head. But let me tell you this, he rarely opens his heart but once he does, he will always be true to that person. I suggest for you to just drop your defenses so that you will see him not as a grumpy man but as a passionate one whose heart was never touched." he said.
When Jefferson started walking to the parking space, I just followed him quietly. I pondered on what he said.
I can feel that Edison is a good man. He is even hot and really handsome. I can see women falling at his feet. Even now while walking to the car, men and women would look at him not just once but twice. To get that same admiration from men, that means that he is one fine specimen.
I will not be surprised if he gets the woman who would make him fall. He has everything that anyone would dream of. Money, social status and looks. He may be grumpy but he can also be sweet. I have seen that when he wished me luck for my interview. A jerk will not do that but like John will wish that you will not make it.
After Edison wished me luck back at the office, I have made up my mind to be friends with him. He is just someone that I need. Brutally honest when he needs to but would support you all the way. Just like my Bryanna.
But I cannot drop my guard anymore. I once dropped my guard. I did just that and look where it got me. I spent my youth and the best years of my life riddled in pain and misery.
I have patched my heart as well as my soul countless of times already. But I also had it torn and ripped apart countless of time too. I lost ME. And I am still finding ME. I cannot afford to drop my guard again.
Hey, Jeff!" I called out. "I am going to the bus stop." I saw Edison stopped a few feet before the his car.
"Why?" he asked. I saw Edison coming towards us.
"I am going the opposite way." I said uncertainly. I don't even know which way they were going.
"It's okay, Helena. We are headed back on the same route. You live in the apartment a few blocks away from the office right?" Jefferson asked.
"How did you know?" I asked.
"I used to live in the same building. They would give you the keys with the same chain advertising their convenience store which is located at the ground floor of the building." he said with a smile. "We will drop you off and then head out."
"I don't want you to feel obligated..." I was trying to look for a way out of this situation when I was rudely interrupted.
"Stop making a fuss. We will drop you off and head out as what Jeff said. Now get in the car and stop wasting everybody's time." Edison said. "The sooner we drop you off the sooner you will get rid of a nuisance like me." He stormed off. Opened the door and slammed it making me feel like its going to fall of its hinges.
Jefferson took my hand and gently pulled me towards the direction of the car.
"Just don't mind his words, Helena. He is really gruff and grumpy most of the times." he said with a smile.
Well, its not just most of the times. Most of times means that there are moments when his mood is like that of a glorious sunshine but no. Its always that he is gruff and grumpy with me. He treats me like I did something. Like I committed a capital sin against him.
Gentle and sweet, flirting and teasing, sneering and smirking to gruff and grumpy. A roller coaster is better than dealing with his mood swings.