15 I'm employed!!!!

"Well, Ms. Smith, let me just tell you that you did a great job in answering our questions. Let me also tell you that among all the applicants, you got the second highest score. Now, the purpose of this interview was actually for us to get to know you a little but in actuality, you are hired the moment you passed the assessment." Ms. Jessica said.

I was thinking that she was joking but I can see that she is as serious as she was before.

"So you mean to say that I am hired?" I asked hesitantly fearing that I might offend all of them.

She smiled and simply said, "Yes. Please come back on 9 am on Monday for a brief new employee orientation. Oh, it would me better for you to be impeccably dressed once you to the office on Monday. We do not want to have all the attention on us, don't we?" came her subtle warning. "If you do not have any questions, Jennifer will be handing out a list of the things that you need to comply with and then you may go."

"Yes, Ms. Jessica. I will be prompt and smartly dressed on Monday. Thank you for the opportunity. I am looking forward to be working with all of you." I stood up and took the list from Ms. Jennifer. "I bid all of you good day and thank you once again for you time."

I went out of the room feeling so elated that I feel like I could fly. I saw that both Jefferson and Edison were still there. I rushed to them with a huge smile on my face.

"I'm employed! Yey!" I screamed in a quiet voice not noticing the awkward atmosphere between the two gentlemen.

"I told you will make it." Jefferson said.

I went up to him and hugged him. I felt him stiffen but chose to ignore it. I just want to let him know that I appreciate his vouch of confidence for me. I saw Edison's face stiffen the moment I hugged Jefferson but just sent him a warm smile.

"You were a great comfort earlier. I could not have done it if I was not able to get a hold of my nervousness." I told Jefferson.

"No big deal." he said. "Why don't we go and celebrate?" he asked. "Let's grab something to eat. Its on Edison. Right?" he asked with a challenging tone which confused me but I just chose to ignore it. Nothing, absolutely nothing can dampen my mood.

We started moving along with Jefferson on my left and his arms around my shoulder and Edison on my left, looking like a unsatisfied ogre. I have Mr. Cryptic and Unsatisfied Ogre as my new friends. Friendship, for me are one of life's treasures. This thought made me smile genuinely.

The door to the conference room opened, and out went the members of the hiring board. The first one to come out was Ashton, who stopped when he saw the three of us. I saw his gaze going to Jefferson who has his arm around me. I felt Edison moved nearer to me as if trying to protect me from Ashton. Do they know something? Paranoia, Helena. How would they know that you and Ashton know each other? Duh!

Ashton furiously looked at me and was about to say something when a staccato rhythm of a woman's shoe was heard.

"Ashton darling, finally you are done! I have been waiting for ages!" a beautiful, elegant woman made her way in front of Ashton and was looking up at him with adoration.

"I'm sorry. I told you not to wait. How about I make it up with you and treat you to lunch?" he asked while escorting the woman out. Before the left, Ashton turned to look at me again and I saw anger coupled with pain in his eyes.

I ignored it and turned to Jefferson, "Let's go?" I asked. To which he said, "Sure." and we went out together.

***At the restaurant***

"Helena? Do you know Ashton Kempt?" Jefferson asked out of the blue. I can feel that both of them really wanted to know the answer.

"Yes." I said quietly. I can see surprise fleeted across their faces but Edison's had another expression which I am not able to name. "We were from the same high school. But I doubt that he remembers me." I said nonchalantly. I do not want them to know anything about me and Ashton.

"Oh, I see." Jefferson said. While Edison just kept quiet but looking at me with intensity that is starting to make me feel a little bit awkward.

"It's nothing. We just worked on the same play during our senior year. He was the male lead and I worked as the production director. That's it." I added, trying my best to dispel whatever thoughts they might have of Ashton and me.

"You keep saying there is nothing to it is making us think that there is something in it." Edison quietly said. "Just shut up if you do not want to tell us anything."

I did just that and continued eating. After a while, I asked Jefferson I he has sent me a friend request on my social media account. I am going to make use of the restaurant's WiFi so to accept his request.

"I did." he said.

I checked my account and saw two requests which made me curious. When I saw who the other one was, I choked on the juice that I was drinking.

"Gross!" Jefferson muttered. "So unlady like." while handing me some tissue.

I saw Edison, wiping some juice off his arm with a smile. How dare he smile when he was the reason I choked. I guess he knew that. Hmmmh. He really is an ogre.

"What made you choke?" Jefferson asked.

"I saw a friend request from an unlikely person." I said

"Who?" he asked

"No one!" Edison muttered. I just looked at him incredulously.

"I see!" Jefferson was silently shaking with laughter.

"There is nothing to see!" Edison muttered angrily. "It is just a friend request."

"Just a friend request. Something that you have not done in like five years?" came Jefferson's serious response.