I stopped and looked around. I have this really weird feeling that I was being watched. But nothing seems out of the ordinary in the parking space. I just shrugged it off and went on.
Ed whose arms were on my shoulders asked, "What is it shorty?"
"Nothing." I said. But the feeling of being watched is still there. "Let's go." I said in a nonchalant manner to stop them from asking.
Jeff just started walking towards the building but Ed looked at me intently.
"You know you can tell me whatever it is that is bothering you, right? And don't deny it. I can see that something is bothering you and it has nothing to do with Ericka." he said. "Helena, what is it?"
Him calling me by my first name for the first time surprised me. And I have to admit, hearing my name coming from his lips made me all warm and fuzzy. I shook my head mentally, "I feel like someone is watching me." I quietly said.
"Hmmm. Alright. Please let me know if you feel that way again. Let's start logging it and remember the instances that you feel that way. I'm not saying that there is trouble but I also do not want to discredit your instincts." he said. "Let's start with taking note of the places and time where you feel weird, okay?" he added while gently running his fingers through my hair.
He was acting weird! But what he said made me feel secure. He took me seriously and did not dismiss what I felt like someone had done to me in the past. I looked at him and smiled.
"Thanks. Let's go." I said happily.
***Edison's thoughts***
Her smile. It just took my breath away. She should smile often but only to me. No one else is allowed to see her smile.
I was brought out of my trance when I remembered what she said about being watched. I took her seriously because from my point of view anyone would want to watch her in a creep manner. Especially with how she looked today. She has this naïve and charming aura around her that would make you want to protect her but would also make you have thoughts of devouring her. Just to know if that innocence is skin deep. She has this childlike innocence at times. Its seems like no man has really touched her soul.
Wait! How does she know the feeling of being watched? Its as if something like this has happened before. I always feel like Helena has a lot of secrets. Deep and painful secrets.
I am going to learn everything about her one day. I will make sure of that.
***Jefferson's thoughts***
I looked back and saw Ed and Helena having serious conversation. By the look of it, Helena was worried about something and Ed was trying to reassure her. I took a good look at Ed. He has never behaved like this in front of a woman before.
It seems like he also feels what I feel towards Helena. She brings out all the protective juices out of you. Makes you want to shield her from anything just to keep that innocence in her.
I really hope things work for the better between these two.
***Helena's thoughts***
Ed is really a good man. Although I do not like being called shorty but then again there is a grain of truth behind that nickname.
When we reached the lobby, Sheila the receptionist was there again. I hope everything will be fine.
"Good morning, Mr. Park and Mr. Hunt. This is your first day right?" she greeted both men demurely while totally ignoring my existence.
I did not mind her deliberate way of making me feel left out. I do not need to be welcomed by her anyway. She thinks that she can get the attention of both of these fine gentlemen? Well, let's see her try. I smirked at her. She saw this and scowled at me for a second before she schooled her features back to being the well mannered receptionist that she wants these men to think about her.
"Today, you will me meeting Ms. Maureen, head of the HR. You will have a short orientation of new employees. Then she will take you around the company and discuss to you the company and how it operates." she smiled enticingly at both men. "Do you have any questions?" she asked when she got no responses from them.
I choked on my own saliva when both men were looking at her stoically. "No, I think they do not have any questions, Ms. Sheila. If there is nothing else, we will be on our way now. Have a great day!" I was the one who answered her question. "Let's go." I said excitedly.
Both men followed behind me. "Helena, wait up!" Ed said and when he caught up with me, he placed his arm around my shoulder again. I looked back at Ms. Sheila and saw that her face was crumpled with jealousy.
"What was that about, Helena?" Jeff asked. "She was deliberately singling you out. So rude."
"She was the reason why I was late for my interview." I said in a nonchalant manner.
"Oh." was all he said.
"By the way, call me Lena. Helena is a mouthful." I said and laughed.
"Alright. Lena it is then." Jeff readily agreed.
"Your still shorty for me." Ed said.
"Could you at least call me Lena in front of everyone else and reserve that name when we are alone?" I pleaded with me knowing that it is an impossible plea. He will never let go of that name now that he knows its making me uncomfortable.
"Nope. Never. You will always be Shorty for me." he said with a smirk.
It is just impossible to get him to think like a normal person. He is just infuriating.
"Let it go, Lena. At least he made a nickname for you. Normally, he doesn't even bother with names, let alone giving people nicknames." Jeff tried to console me when he saw how dejected I felt.