TIFFIN 3

32

Feeling like an idiot, I stormed into my enterprise. Funny I should feel this way. It was all in my name, after all. 

Then again, I'd been made a complete fool in front of the entire board and needed to gather my bearings and hold my head up high. It only took me a short time to know that was the way to survive this industry.

It didn't help matters that I had another live interview today. Crap. I didn't know if I could do it alone.

Maybe I didn't have to. I could call on Evelyn to flank me. Or one of my guards. or-

"Kristina!"

I soon looked into a pair of familiar eyes. Eli had a dreamy look to him and if I didn't know any better, a bit flushed.

"Eli," I replied, holding a hand in greeting, "How are you?"

I frowned, pulling back his own as if I'd burned him. Geez. What was eating at him?

"Fair." He choked out. "Though, now it pales in comparison to you showing up here."

I cleared my throat, not quite sure how to take that.

"I do hope you've fared well since I disappeared off the face of the earth. It was unfair of me to leave you hanging like that. But I'm back now."

At my response, he allowed himself a grin.

"Look, Kristina... There's something you should know."

I squared my shoulders preparing for the worst. Was I that bad of a boss? Would he be quitting?

"You mean... a lot to me," He went on, "always have. It kills me to ask this but-"

Before he could dig the knife deeper, another voice penetrated the conversation. Oh crap. Again? This I hadn't expected.

Cole strutted through the small space, looking brighter than ever. He eyed me expectantly, though when he saw Eli standing by, his eyes narrowed.

Was he upset?

"Always a joy to see you, Kristina." He then graced Eli with a glance. "Sorry. I never received your name."

Eli snorted.

I tried to divert my eyes. This was too close... too... strange. Why did I feel like I was thrust into some competition of some sort? Did they know of one another? It seemed like a private joke of theirs.

"As I was saying," Eli went on, making Cole's eyes blaze, "you mean a lot to me, and... nothing compares."

I shuffled my feet. Now he was just babbling. Then, as if things couldn't get worse, he blurted:

"Join me on a date?"

I went pale.

Cole's face went beet red.

A few employees nearby gasped.

"Uh... I..."

Eli? 

Eli had feelings for me in that way? 

Shit. Looking at Cole, I felt all the more guilty. I knew for sure he still carried a torch for me.

Oh, this was all so confusing. I had to leave here. Now.

I flushed.

"I'm sorry, Eli..."

When I trailed off, his head hung shamefully.

"Oh... right... You're still a married woman..."

I blanched.

"No, it's not that at all. I just... I have an interview in an hour..."

Fuck. Why did I say that? As soon as I saw his eyes light up, I knew I made a mistake. Of course it was because I was still technically married. I still loved my Hero.

"Do you?" Cole asked excitedly. "I'd be more than willing to give you a ride."

To my utter astonishment, Eli remained silent. 

Much to my dismay, I felt pained in the stomach at the look in his eyes. 

Was I really about to invite him and make this worse?

"Cole, that would be lovely."

Taking a deep breath, I faced my fears head-on.

"But only if Eli can come. He's an important asset."

After a moments pause, Cole nodded.