The Lover Behind my Back のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 20

Helena's POV I froze, turning to the screen of my system before I could do otherwise.Tessy's unceasing teases instantly became a thing of the past as I read the title of the message.AN INTERNAL MESSAGE.I frowned slightly before reaching out and tapping it open. Immediately it did open, the subject line caught my attention first.EXECUTIVE OFFICE – MEETING REQUESTMy stomach tightened slightly as I went on to read the details.From: Barron HaleSubject: Onboarding Strategy ReviewLocation: Executive OfficeTime: 2:30 PMShit. I glanced at the clock on my screen.2:14 PM.So the project was starting immediately. He didn't even bother to let me know properly.Tessy leaned closer, struggling to steak a peak at what I was doing.“What is it?” She finally asked when she didn't see a thing.“It’s a meeting request,” I replied curtly as I packed up my stuff hurriedly.“From Barron?” She asked and I shrieked slightly at the way she called his name just like that.But I shifted the screen s

Helena’s POVYou know the worst part? It wasn’t even loud!I mean, yeah, it sounded, but not enough to cause any tension.But in the quiet office, it felt like a fire alarm going off.Barron’s eyes lifted slowly from the tablet and for a brief second, I froze.What could possibly be so important right now that whoever was calling couldn't just get the hint?!My heart began to pound as the vibration continued for another second before stopping completely.“I’m sorry, sir,” I said quickly in the lowest possible voice I could muster. “It won’t happen again.”Barron held my gaze for a brief moment, then, he simply nodded once and looked back down at the tablet.“Where were we?” He asked calmly and I gulped hard.“The retention risk test, sir,” I replied as calmly as I could.“Right,” he simply said, then tapped the screen again and rotated the tablet slightly towards me.“If we assume the engagement spike collapses after the first interaction, the entire user acquisition model becomes unr

Helena’s POV“Your grandfather is about to die.”The words rushed into my head through my ears so violently that my entire body jerked.Before my phone slipped from my hand, and for a split second, it flipped through the air.I recovered in time and my fingers shook violently as I lunged forward after it.I just about caught it before it could crash onto the floor.My heart was pounding so loudly that I could barely hear anything else.“What?” I whispered hoarsely as my throat suddenly felt dry.Across from me, Tessy immediately straightened on the couch.“What happened?” She asked in a hushed tone, but I couldn’t answer her.My mind had gone completely blank.I slowly lifted the phone back to my ear with my hand now trembling so badly that the device rattled slightly in my grip.“W–wait…” My voice cracked. “Who. Who is this?”There was a brief pause on the other end, then the voice spoke again in a pretty urgent tone.“You need to come to the hospital immediately,” the person said an

Helena’s POVI pushed the door open, and stood still at the doorway.I didn't know what I expected in a hospital room, but this certainly looked different.The room was quiet, almost like no living soul stayed there.It wasn't the chaotic, beeping loudly, rushing kind of hospital room I had imagined. It had no frantic doctors in it, no loud machines screaming warnings. It was just… silent, clean as fuck, but dead silent.As I stepped inside, I finally heard the soft, steady beeping sound that filled the space.My chest tightened the more I strolled inside. The air felt heavier inside, colder if I may say.Then my eyes landed on him. My grandfather, laying on the hospital bed with machines and wires strapped to him at different spots and running across his chestA monitor blinked steadily beside him, and for a second, I nearly lost the will to stand.I immediately had the feeling that I'd seen the image before. It didn't take long before I matched it with that of the dream last night.

Helena’s POVIt 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—”