TIFFIN 3

27

It was clear what I was to do. 

I kept my head down as I made my way to my personal office. Like someone that had been permanently terminated, I eyed the cardboard boxes on my shelf. 

Stop being dramatic. It's only a week. 

Suddenly, a fierce anger hit me like nothing before. I wanted to holler and shout. I wanted to break the glass windows. I wanted to....

Oh. I needed to calm down.

Things were just coming at me at full force.

I had to learn to cope with it all.

All was said and done. 

When I grabbed ahold of my purse and headed for the exit doors, I spotted Eli making a bee line for me. 

"Kristina!" 

I stilled, backing away from him. 

What was this reaction? 

"Eli," I croaked, "what can I do for you?"

"Where are you going?" He asked breathlessly. "It's not your time to go yet, is it?" 

I crinkled my nose. 

"Sort of. I'm being sent away on leave. The team doesn't think I'm competent enough right now."

When I spotted the panicked expression on his face, I laughed. 

"Don't fret. It's only for a week. You'll be fine. Just talk to Evelyn-" 

Eli coughed. 

"That's not what concerns me. I-"

His features became strangled. He then reached out, as if afraid I would disappear at any given time. 

I raised an eyebrow.

"Is something wrong?" 

"Kristina..." 

Before he could go on, I felt the double doors vibrate. I was shocked when I looked up. Holy mother of God. 

It was Cole.

I stepped away allowing him to enter.

His locked on mine, looking more nervous and antsy as ever.

Eli must have noticed because his gaze flicked between us both frantically. 

Geez. What the heck was going on? 

"Cole," I began, "What are you doing here?" 

How did you find my company? 

He began stammering in that same old way he always did. 

"I've always known the Tiffins," he managed to choke out, "I thought I'd come and speak to the owner-"
 
I pursed my lips. 

"That would be me. Usually. I'm on leave right now."

The veins in Cole's forehead popped out.  

"You-? Oh right. I didn't realize that you and Hero..." 

I flinched. No. Not his name. I couldn't handle hearing his name coming out of anyone's mouth.

"I heard," Cole went on under his breath, "I heard that Hero left. It's all over the news."

As we continued talking I became aware that Eli was still in the room. He cleared his throat making his presence known. 

I flushed. 

The testosterone in the room was stifling. 

"I just wanted to make you were okay." Cole went on. "Maybe we can catch up sometime?"
 
As if finally spotting Eli, he stiffened. Begrudgingly, he held out a hand.

"Cole Sprouse. Good friend of Kristina's." 

After a minute of thinking, Eli responded. 

"Eli Seth. Kristina and I go way back. Grade school." 

The tension between them was so thick I swore I heard growls emanate from their chests. 

"I'm sorry," I spoke, breaking them out of their stupor. "I really do need to go."
 
Feeling my anxiety spike, I ran through the lobby unwilling to look back.

What exactly happened back there?

Was that normal guy behavior? 

Ugh. My brain was just working too hard. Yes. That was it. 

When I buckled myself into the Kia, my phone rang. Seeing Kylie's name I instantly picked up. 

I heard a sigh of relief. 

"Kristina I wasn't sure if you were going to answer!" 

I rolled my eyes remembering how I'd been dismissed in the meeting room.

"Well I'm not busy. I've been sent on leave." 

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry-" 

I nearly crushed my phone in my hands.
 
"It's alright. Don't worry about it. Any luck on your connections?" 

Kylie sighed. 

"Yes, but I think we should talk in person about it. This man... he's not a good person." 

I grew impatient. 

"Tell me now!" 

"Please," Kylie begged, "I care about you. When I tell you this, you'll be a frantic mess. Let's meet at Lulu's." 

Without responding, I ended the call and put the car into drive.