An urgent situation arose in one of their major partners overseas and it had been a week since Aidan left. They frequently talked over the phone but she could not bring herself to tell him about her situation.
Jake did not approach her when there were a lot of people around, but he kept showing up at the end of everyone's shift. She sacrifices her lunchtime to finish her tasks and leaves the office at the same time as everyone else.
She wanted to tell HR about it but her previous experience prevented her.
It was her second year in the sales department at that time and a new employee was hired. His name was Wyvern. Wyvern was a fresh graduate and he was also very good-looking. She was given the task of working closely with him to teach him the ropes if need be. He was a fast learner and funny too. Everyone easily felt warm toward him and the dynamics of the team were in perfect sync.
One afternoon, Wyvern did not somehow finish his task and she felt responsible, so she stayed with him. Everyone left and suddenly he said something that he shouldn't have.
"You smell so good."
"Huh?"
He smiled and she would never forget how that smile gave an unpleasant burning feeling in her back. Her senses came alive and she was in flight mode. She felt like she had to run away, but her rationality prevented her. She needed to act professionally.
"I will pretend I never heard that. Please finish the remaining."
"Oh, which one? I don't quite know yet. Please teach me."
She just took the mouse but then he placed his hand on top of hers. She immediately pulled her hand back and left.
She thought that if she avoided him, then he would just give up. She did not want to ruin their relationship in the department and it was her first job too. A touch on a hand that she ignored started to escalate. He started placing his hand on her shoulders, acting so friendly in front of the others, and she had to fake a smile so they wouldn't be awkward. Once they went to a drinking party and he was already drunk. Everyone else was too drunk and he began hugging her and that is when Jake intervened. He looked shining to her that night.
Jake was watching them closely and Wyvern eventually stopped. She thought it was over but then a rumor came out that she and Wyvern were starting to hit it off. It got worse when Wyvern gave her flowers and chocolates on Valentine's Day. The others thought it was a good thing, but only she and Jake knew what was going on.
Wyvern started to be touchy-feely again and everyone else was just happy for the two of them. She could not take it anymore and she finally decided to report to HR. The HR office just promised to investigate but she felt that they did not believe her. Jake was not a manager at that time and he was just vying for the position, so she told him not to get involved, but he still decided to go to the HR office to corroborate her story. Jake has a really good reputation and so they have finally decided to look into it. Wyvern was then transferred to a different department and they just kept the situation under the rug since it would be detrimental to the company too. She did not want it to go that far and so they settled with that punishment.
It was supposed to be a secret but still, some rumors spread and she decided to be transferred to a different department too so that she wouldn't bring trouble to the department, since Jake had just been promoted. Because of the rumor, she was not welcomed well in her new department, and even when the rumor died down, the harsh treatment still continued. The first impression did last and it did not do well for her.
The HR department did not believe her before and if she reported that the sales department manager, her savior, and ex-boyfriend were sexually harassing her, who would believe her? They will surely think that something is wrong with her and end up firing her instead.
If she asks for Aidan's help, then everyone will think that she is the boss's whore and she refuses to imagine what will happen then. She needs to fix the issue herself before it reaches his ears. At present, the best she could do is just avoid him until he gets tired eventually.
The weekend came and, since Aidan was not around, she decided to go with the neighborhood association.
"You look tired dear. Come and have a drink of this. It is my own blend that relieves fatigue."
Grandma Carolina opened the small thermos and the strong smell of herbs wafted into the air. She lifted it to reach her mouth and she bent down to accept it. It had an extremely herby scent and a warm sensation ran down her throat.
"Take it." The kind grandma insisted.
And that is the reason why she kept joining the neighborhood association even if it was just full of oldies. She grew up in a family where no one cared if she was well or not and so being around warm grownups was something she longed for so long.
"Come and let's have lunch!"
They clean the streets of their neighborhood every third week of the month. The grannies would also bring their homemade specialties and they would eat in the nearby park. Since she was the youngest there, they would give her the best parts and even memorize her favorites. Her stress melts away after feeling full of their affection.
"If only I could see my grandson often, I would make sure to show him the type of good woman he should marry!" Grandma Carolina yelled.
"Oh, here we go again."
"Not again!"
"Let her talk about her grandson and whoever bloody parents he has."
She heard about Grandma Carolina's story once. She just knows that she has a daughter. The daughter was one of those wild ones who fell in love with a questionable guy. She chased her out. The daughter married and the husband turned his life around. He got lucky in life and they never reached out to her.
"You were so proud that they would come running to you begging for an inheritance. Hahaha! How does it feel, old witch?"
"Oh, shut it you old hag!"
The grannies were so close that their banter just looked so adorable to her.
"Let's go." Grandma Carolina took her hand and walked off.
"Where are you going?"
"I will spend money on my grandchild!"
"You are turning senile already?"
"Shut it!"
She got into Gran Carolina's car and even if she does not know much about cars, she knows that it is a luxurious one. The driver even looked like the one she saw in the movies. They reached the shopping district. They went to a spa first.
"Uhm granny, I will pay you back for this."
"Shhhh! I have a lot of money. No worries."
"Oh no, granny! I don't-"
"You heard them. I don't have a family to spend money on. Now I will spoil myself. I will spend money the way I want. Join me."
She could not say anything anymore as the granny, who refused to hold a broom due to shoulder pain, grabbed her arm strongly and dragged her to a spa. They went to a clothing shop after.
"Hmmm. I don't like it." Granny said while looking at her trying on the latest design of dresses in a high-brand shop.
"You should flaunt yourself more. If I were your age, I would wear plunging necklines and let them drool."
"Granny!!!"
"What? Dear, I'm buying you a dress that can lead you to matrimony."
"No one uses that word anymore, grandma."
"And no one in their right mind would wear those clothes. Now go, pick another one!"
They compromised and bought a black, long-sleeved, V-neck top and a pair of jeans. That was somehow the cheapest compared to the dresses and Grannie looked displeased, but she secretly bought the dresses that suited her and decided to give them every time they saw each other through the neighborhood association projects.
Ena had a great time without knowing how fragile each passing day for the elderly is.
On that Sunday evening, Granny Carolina suffered a heart attack.