5 The New Hire

Sophie's eyes widened.

"Was that your boyfriend, Senior?" Jennie asked.

Argh. She wanted to strangle Jennie to make her shut up. Everyone was still obviously eavesdropping at their conversation.

"You must have seen wrong," Sophie said dismissively, hoping that she would already drop the issue.

"If not your boyfriend, is he a... Omigosh. I'm so sorry. Don't worry. I'll keep it a secret!" Jennie said making a motion of zipping her mouth shut.

A what?

She didn't get it at first then it dawned on her.

Omigod. Was Jennie implying that she hired a male escort?!

The audacity of her!

Before Sophie could correct her, the head of their department arrived and everyone had to greet him 'good morning.'

Lance Harris was not a bad head of the department but he wasn't particularly good either. He was easy-going and could only be relied on for late night drinks and parties. For operations issues, he would be the most quiet person in the room. All the stress would be on the managers and they would take their stress out on the staff.

"Everyone, I have an announcement to make," Lance said.

Sophie wondered if he was going to announce another drinking night again which was very typical of him.

"We have a new hire! His credentials are very good. He worked in the United States and several different countries throughout his career. He came in with several glowing recommendations. He will be the new head of auditing, replacing Myrna who suddenly resigned."

That was weird. Myrna had been working in the company for decades already. She had a bad temper but she never missed a day at work. Ah. Maybe she suddenly got tired of working.

"His job is to review all our processes so please cooperate with him if he needs anything from you. Please welcome . . . Helliot Edgewing!"

What?!

It really was him!

Helliot strolled in, so handsome and confident. He was working a suit that looked like it was made from darkness itself and his eyes were no longer ruby red. They were a beautiful sky blue instead.

The women stared at him openly, most of them were already blushing and giggling amongst themselves.

Sophie could only stare in shock. Helliot was the new head of auditing?! But didn't he ask about her company just the night before? How the hell was he able to apply and become the new head in the span of hours?!

The only thing that made sense was Helliot only pretended to not know where she was working at so he could surprise her. That must have been why he said that he would see her tomorrow!

Tsk!

Sophie turned away, returning back to work while the others were still gawking and clapping at Helliot.

Helliot noticed Sophie not even sparing him a glance. He worried look at Sophie's back. Did he offend her in some way? He brainwashed the head of the department to hire him and also brainwashed the former head of auditing to resign so he could see Sophie again. Why didn't she seem happy when she saw him?

*

*

*

It was already noon and the employees were already leaving their seats to go out for lunch.

Except for Sophie.

Because of the typical heavy workload Sophie was given by her bosses and to add to that, her head was filled with Helliot, Sophie was unable to have lunch.

Guuuuurrr...

"My, my. I believe I know what that means. Your stomach is crying for help, Miss Bloom," a velvety voice said close to Sophie's ear.

Sophie almost leaped out of her seat in surprise.

"You startled me," Sophie said, managing a smile.

"May I invite you for lunch, Miss Bloom?" Helliot asked, flashing her his heart-melting smile.

"I can't. Sorry. You'll have to look for another lunch partner," Sophie said, returning her eyes to the screen and continued typing rapidly.

"Why? Your colleagues had already left for lunch. Why aren't you eating? Ah. Are you in a diet? I assure you, your figure is already perfect and you do not need to suffer in hunger," Helliot said.

"Well, Mister Edgewing," Sophie said enunciation the word 'mister' in irritation, "I still have a lot of work. I'm not yet the head of a department unlike someone I know so I'm not free to eat. I have a lot of work to do and if I don't finish this, I'll be scolded again later."

Helliot frowned.

"Helliot is fine. Even better, you can call me 'Helli.' My friend calls me that," Helliot said.

"Why? Are we friends?" Sophie asked in an icy tone.

Helliot's expression was now in complete panic.

"Is there something wrong that I did? You sound angry. Did I do something to offend you?" Helliot asked worriedly.

Sophie just shrugged.

"I'm sorry," Helliot said.

Jasper was an irritating demon because he always talked about women and Helliot vividly remembered Jasper mentioning that if a woman is mad at you, just say sorry. Even if you did nothing wrong.

"For what?" Sophie asked without even turning her head.

Jasper said if a woman asked what you were sorry for, you must be perfectly right or else she's going to be angrier at you. If you don't know the reason, apologize again and beg like your life depends on her forgiveness.

"I'm really sorry. I do not know what has caused for you to be angry at me but whatever that is, I am sure I did something wrong to you," Helliot said.

Sophie narrowed her eyed at him.

She looked like she was assessing his face, checking if he was really sincere.

Ugh.

She couldn't resist his charms anyway.

"Fine," Sophie said and stopped typing to face him.

"You didn't tell me you were going to work here," Sophie said.

"I'm sorry," Helliot apologized again. "Um, do you want anything? Shall I buy you lunch?"

Helliot was planning to buy her anyway.

"No," Sophie said. "I want something else."

"Sure. What is it?"

"Your number."

"Number? Oh. I haven't checked my employee number yet."

A smile formed on Sophie's lips.

"No, silly. Your mobile number. Unless you don't want me to contact you," Sophie said.

Helliot's eyes lit up.

"Oh! Of course!" Helliot happily agreed.

"And don't call me Miss Bloom. Sophie is fine, Helli," Sophie said, smiling at him.

It was Helliot's first time to feel so happy even after apologizing three times.