Chapter 20

Helena’s POV

It was like he was there, like was right in front of me.

The caller was the least of what crossed my mind as I stepped through the doors.

I wouldn't even believe that he had my number all along, or maybe I did. I didn't know what to feel at the moment.

My eyes narrowed slightly at the ID as I contemplated whether to answer or not.

My mind raced faster than I could catch up with.

And before I even realized what I was doing, my posture had straightened more.

My shoulders rolled back slightly, and my fingers moved to smooth down my hair.

I adjusted my blouse unconsciously, wiping my palms against the sides of my skirt.

Like he could see me, like I was standing right in front of him.

The phone kept ringing.

Once.

Twice.

Then I swallowed hard before answering.

“Hello?” I said the moment I answered.

“Where are you?” He asked immediately, no greeting, no hesitation or pretence like Tessy had told him anything.

My spine stiffened all the same as I composed myself to answer.

“I—” I started, but my voice came out thinner than I expected. I cleared my throat quickly. “Sir, I—”

“You are not in the office,” he said firmly.

My fingers tightened around the phone. “I had to go somewhere tod—”

“In the middle of an active assignment?” He cut in immediately, and my chest tightened.

“I was going to explain—”

“You skipped a day of work without notice,” he continued with his tone rising slightly, sharper now. “Without updating your progress, without handing over your work.”

Each word stung more than the last.

“I—”

“You were given a direct task,” he pressed. “A task you accepted.”

“I know, sir, I just—”

“And then you disappeared,” he dropped, and I had nothing to say. I just kept my lips sealed till I saw a chance.

“I had an emergency,” I said quickly, the words tumbling over themselves. “A family emergency, I had to—”

“Get here, now!” He ordered and before I could say a word, the line went dead.

I froze, and for a second, I just stared at the phone.

He hung up, he actually hung up.

My heart began to pound hard, loud enough to take over my mind.

I looked down at what I was wearing, I was in no way dressed for work today. But I had to.

“No… no, no, no,” I muttered under my breath as fear rushed through me instantly.

I pushed myself off the wall and started moving as fast as my legs could with everything that had happened.

My steps echoed loudly through the hallway as I rushed towards the exit door.

I needed to get back, I needed to explain, I needed to fix this. I couldn't lose my job, not after just two days.

My hand was already reaching for the exit door when I stopped abruptly.

My grandfather.

My chest tightened painfully as I remembered he needed me. He needed me to make a choice.

I turned slightly, staring back down the hallway that led to his room. For a moment, my feet refused to move.

What was I doing?

Leaving? Again?

The thought twisted something deep inside me. But then—

Barron’s voice echoed through my head. He sounded angry, like really mad.

I couldn’t lose this job, not now, not when everything was already falling apart. Not when I might actually need it more than ever.

My fingers curled into fists. “I’ll come back,” I whispered to no one in particular.

And then I turned, and bolted out..

By the time I got back to the office, my chest was still tight and my thoughts had scattered all over.

The building felt different now, it felt heavier, like every eye in there was watching me, judging me.

I pushed through the entrance quickly with my steps as hurried as I could make them be.

I made my way to the elevator, first to my office where I picked up a few things I needed to face him.

I made my way back to the elevator, and without knowing, I passed by her office and spotted her.

“Tessy—”

She turned at the sound of my voice, and the look on her face… it stopped me mid-step.

It was apologetic, gentle, almost guilty, like she had tried and failed.

My stomach dropped. 

“I…” she started, but I shook my head quickly.

“It’s fine,” I said, even though it wasn’t.

It wasn’t even close.

She bit her lip slightly but didn’t say anything else.

There wasn’t any time, I guess. There was no space.

So I walked past her, straight toward the elevator.

Then my phone beeped and I stared down at it. 

“The boss wants to see you in the manager's office. Signed, the secretary”

Okay, I guess I won't be seeing the executive floor today.

I took a deep breath and stepped in, hitting the right button using the description on the buttons.

The moment the doors opened, I moved out into the hallway, racing towards the right room.

My heart pounded louder with each step I took towards the door, and when I finally got there, I raised my hand and knocked carefully.

“Come in,” he ordered from inside in the same cold voice.

The same harsh tone.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside and spotted him quickly.

He was standing near his desk with his back partially turned to me.

He didn’t turn to acknowledge me, didn’t gesture to me, didn’t welcome me.

He just stood there, waiting, before finally turning after a minute or two.

“Where were you?” He asked simply.

My throat tightened. “I had a family emergency,” I said immediately.

He didn’t react, neither did his features change the slightest.

“You left an active assignment,” he muttered coldly.

“I know, sir—”

“You left without any notice,” he continued.

“Tessy—”

“Tessy isn't you, or is she?” He cut in again.

I inhaled slowly. “I couldn't come alone, I didn’t have time—”

“There is always time for what one values,” he snapped. “It's almost looking like you don't value this.”

I flinched slightly but regained myself. I had to at least tell him why.

“My grandfather—” 

“Are you going to keep calling people's names?!” He cut in with heavy annoyance behind his voice.

I said with my voice firmer now. “I had to go to the hospital,” I muttered, and for the first time since I walked in, he actually paused.

He hesitated for a split second, looking over my body skeptically.

“You don't look sick,” he muttered, raising a brow.

“I'm not, I actually—”

“You dumped an assigned work for charity?” He said again, colder now.

My chest tightened. “I understand that,” I replied with my voice rising slightly despite myself as I tried to get across to him. “But I couldn’t just ignore—”

“You could have informed me, personally,” he cut in again for the upteenth time.

I took a deep breath. “I couldn't possibly do that. It was an emergency,” I said.

“Oh really?” He asked, straightening suddenly.

“Yes sir, my grand—”

“It doesn't matter!” He spat suddenly, pushing the words back immediately.

My hands curled at my sides as tears stung at the back of my eyes. 

Why would he say that? 

“I’m here now,” I said finally. “I’ll complete the work.”

“That was expected from the beginning,” he replied, like my feelings didn't matter.

The words stung, I wouldn't lie. They stung more than they should have.

He stepped around the table partly, locking his gaze on mine.

“This is your first assignment,” he continued. “Your first impression.”

My throat tightened.

“And you chose to disappear,” he muttered softly.

“I didn’t choose—”

“If this happens again,” he cut in sharply, “if you ever try this again, you will not have a position here to return to,” he muttered harshly.

My breath caught slightly. “I understand,” I said quietly, and silence stretched between us.

“Go back to your desk,” he said. “And remain there till you are done,” he said and turned away, dismissing me like I was nothing.

Was I anything?

I didn’t argue, I didn’t bother explaining further.

It was clear, he wasn’t going to listen. So I turned and walked out.

I didn’t look at Tessy as I passed this time around, neither did stop, nor speak.

I kept everything inside, fearing I would crack if I tried.

I stormed into my office and sat at my desk, beginning the work immediately.