Chapter 15

Helena’s POV

I froze. That voice.

That particular voice.

It rang a bell too loud to ignore. And for a slightest of seconds, I thought exhaustion was playing tricks on my mind.

But I slowly turned around to find a well tall figure standing just a few steps away from me.

He had broad shoulders with his suit tightening around his biceps.

He had his hands tucked casually into his pockets while watching me with a faint smile that suggested he clearly knew who I was.

My brain scrambled to place a name on him. 

Where had I seen him before? And it probably showed on my face cause he raised a brow my way, clearly amused by my confusion.

“Wait, don't tell me you don't remember me already,” he said with a smirk.

“I do,” I said quickly, maybe too quickly cause he chuckled right after.

Then I squinted my eyes at him.

“We met—”

“Wait, don’t tell me,” I said immediately.

He crossed his large arms over his wide chest and leaned against the wall slightly, as if preparing for something entertaining.

“Alright then, be my guest,” he gestured with a smile.

“Don’t say anything,” I said immediately as I thought harder.

“I won’t,” he smiled with his hands raised, then crossed back again.

I narrowed my eyes at him and studied his face carefully, digging through my memory.

Where had I seen him? My mind told me it was today, but I couldn't quite wrap my mind around it.

The elevator? Could it? 

Yeah! Earlier today, right!

Suddenly, I pointed behind him toward the elevator doors.

“The elevator!” I screamed and threw my hands over my mouth.

He laughed softly. “Exactly,” he laughed.

“Okay, okay,” I said quickly, snapping my fingers. “Now I remember.”

His smile widened.

“You nearly forgot me so quickly,” he said in a fake hurt voice.

“I didn’t forget,” I defended. “I just needed a second.”

“Sure,” he teased with a smirk.

“Hey! It’s been a long day,” I complained.

“That I can believe,” he replied with a smile.

For a moment, we both just stood there, looking between ourselves with a smile.

Then he straightened. “So,” he said, “first day at work?”

I nodded with a shrug. “Technically my first full day,” I muttered.

“My actual first day though,” he replied.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

That surprised me. “For some reason, you didn’t look like someone new,” I replied honestly.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he chuckled.

“You should,” I smirked, then we began walking slowly down the hallway together.

The building was nearly empty now, most of the lights had been dimmed as the night took over.

“So,” he asked casually, “how was your first day? Or your technical day?”

I let out a small laugh. “It was… eventful,” I replied with a laugh.

“That sounds like a story,” he replied sarcastically and I laughed.

“It kind of is,” I replied with a laugh.

“What department are you in?” He asked with his hands in his pocket.

“Analytics,” I replied honestly.

He nodded thoughtfully. “That explains the tablet,” he replied, gesturing to the tablet in hand.

“And you?” I asked.

“You clearly forgot then,” he started with a smirk. “Sales, actually,” he added.

“Sales?” I said. “That must be busy,” I said gently.

“It is,” he admitted. “But today was mostly orientation and paperwork.”

“Lucky you,” I groaned dramatically.

“Doesn’t sound like you had the same experience,” he stated the obvious.

I shook my head. “Not even close.”

“What happened?” He asked and I hesitated before answering.

“Let’s just say that I ended up on the executive floor tonight,” I replied, trying not to sound proud.

But he stopped walking immediately. “The executive floor?” He asked with his brows raised.

I nodded gently, stopping too to turn to him.

“Nothing much actually,” I replied with a shrug.

“You are kidding me right?” He asked with a small shriek. “I've not been here much but they talk about it like it's heaven,” he added and I chuckled.

“It’s not all that,” I replied and pulled him to continue moving.

His eyebrows shifted up slightly. “Now you are just trying to sound humble,” he shot back and I shrugged with a grin.

“Maybe,” I laughed out loud.

“What took you there?” He asked and I hesitated again before answering.

“The boss, Barron Hale,” I replied softly.

He didn't say anything for another two seconds or so.

“That’s… intense,” he finally muttered.

“That’s one way to put it,” I replied with another shrug.

“And you survived?” He asked and that forced a laugh from me.

“Of course I did,” I replied between laughs and he joined me.

“I’ve heard stories about him already,” he finally admitted as we strolled slowly back towards my office.

“Oh really?”

“People say he’s terrifying,” he replied.

I thought about the hours we had just spent going through data projections. Terrifying wasn’t exactly the word I would use.

Intense, maybe. Demanding, of course.

But terrifying? Nah.

“I think he just expects people to do their jobs properly,” I said with yet another shrug.

“That sounds like a generous interpretation,” he smirked down at me.

“Maybe,” I muttered, looking ahead.

We reached the lobby area together and most of the lights were already dead there.

“So,” he said casually, “day one is almost complete I see.”

“Finally,” I groaned dramatically again.

Then he stretched his shoulders slightly.

“Well, I should probably head back upstairs. I still have a few things to sort out,” he called back and I nodded.

“Same here,” I offered in response.

And he stepped back slightly. “It was nice meeting you again,” he called as he walked away.

“And it was nice meeting you too,” I called back.

And he gave a small wave before skipping off down the corridor.

I watched him for a moment, then a thought flashed across.

Wait, we never exchanged contacts.

“Hey—”

I stepped forward quickly, but he had already turned the corner and disappeared.

I sighed softly. “Well… that was fast,” I muttered, shaking my head and turned back towards the elevator.

There was still a little work left for me to finish before leaving for the night.

By the time I finally shut down my computer and stepped out of the office building, the city was already deep into the night.

The air outside oddly felt cooler than the air conditioner and my body was officially exhausted.

“Helena!” I heard from behind me and turned.

Tessy hurried towards me from the building entrance with her bag hanging loosely off one shoulder.

“You’re still here?” I asked, surprised as she never stayed late.

“Was actually waiting for you,” she muttered as she reached me, catching her breath.

“Really?” I asked as she grabbed my arm immediately.

“Yeah, I want details,” she said.

“About what?” I asked with a raised brow 

“The meeting with the great Barron Hale, obviously,” she replied with a smirk.

I groaned. “You are impossible.”

“Tell me everything,” she pressed on.

“There’s nothing dramatic to tell,” I said and started making my way down.

“I refuse to believe that,” she retorted and we started walking towards the street together.

A few taxis waited near the curb with their headlights glowing softly in the night.

“Well?” Tessy pressed.

“He just wanted to review some data,” I replied.

“For four hours?” She teased.

I rolled my eyes and waved down a cab, climbing inside when he stopped in front of us and Tessy joined me.

“Driver, downtown,” Tessy said, adding more details of her home.

The taxi pulled into traffic.

“So,” Tessy continued immediately, turning her full attention towards me, “you spent six hours alone in his office.”

I rolled my eyes. “And we worked all through.”

“Only?” She smirked.

“No, we also went hiking,” I replied, rolling my eyes.

“How fantasizing,” she remarked and I hit her playfully.

“Let’s stop and get something to eat,” she offered and I immediately agreed.

We stopped briefly near a small street vendor, grabbing some takeaway food before continuing home.

By the time we reached the apartment, both of us were starving.

We collapsed onto the couch with our food containers.

“So,” Tessy said between bites, “what’s your verdict?”

“About what?” I asked as I took a heavenly bite.

“Your boss,” she replied.

“He’s… demanding,” I replied again.

“That’s boring, I mean his looks, girl,” she pressed and I rolled my eyes.

“I don't notice that,” I replied and Tessy smirked at me.

“You sure?” She asked.

“Yeah,” I replied, avoiding her eyes as my cheeks burned up.

She laughed but didn't push on and we continued eating while talking about random things from the day.

At some point, while reaching for my drink, something suddenly clicked in my mind.

My phone, my granddad.

“What?” Tessy asked as she must have noticed the shift.

“My grandfather called earlier but I couldn't take it as I was in the meeting,” I admitted.

“Okay? And have you called him back?” She asked.

I shook my head slowly. “No.”

“Why not?” She pressed. “Just here what he has to say.

“I will,” I replied and she smiled.

Then, I wiped my hands and grabbed my phone from the table.

The missed call notification was still there.

My stomach tightened slightly and I pressed the call button.

The line rang. Once, twice.

Then it connected sharply, but before I could speak, a voice did.

And the phone nearly slipped from my hand, the moment I heard the first words.