Seasons [h.s]

Winter - Part 12

"Girlfriend?" My mouth hung agape.

I now stood to my feet as well - feeling the need to show Eden's glaring eyes that I wasn't afraid. She didn't seem to get the hint because her eyes stayed on me, her arms crossed in disapproval. Harry stood in between us, doing his best to keep the peace. He gave me a pleading look.

"Harry," Eden spoke in an annoyed tone. " Did you forget that we had plans for breakfast this morning?"

Harry turned so that he was facing her, "that's right. We did have plans for today."

She let out an impatient sigh. "They've been set for a week now. I told Annette to remind you the day before!" Her evil gaze shifted to poor Annette.

"Did you?" Annette tapped her nose with her finger as she recollected her thoughts. "Hm, must've slipped my mind." She shrugged nonchalantly.

"Honestly, Harry!" Eden grimaced, "it's time to get new help around here!"

"Eden," Harry held up a hand to hush her. "Could you give Grace and I a minute, please?"

"Fine. Don't be too long, we have a lot to do today." She made a beeline to balcony - but not without sending me a scowl.

"She's not my girlfriend!" Harry confessed once Eden shut the door behind her.

"That's not what she seems to think!" I frowned.

"She started working at my father's company as my assistant, and... we started seeing each other. I'd think dating is a more proper word."

My blood began to boil. "So you like her?"

Harry shrugged. "I know she seems a little, well, harsh. But she's actually really sweet."

"So you're a relationship guy now?" I felt a bit disappointed.

"Why do you care?" Harry's eyes narrowed.

I crossed my arms, suddenly feeling exposed. "I-I don't."

His eyes stayed on me, as though he wanted so badly to read my thoughts, but it was too late. Eden slipped back in moments later.

"Harry, please get dressed!" She ordered, "we have that meeting with Edison right after breakfast."

"Right." Harry nodded finally breaking eye contact with me and heading upstairs. Eden and I were left in the room alone now, and she seemed to have regained her composure. She took a seat in one of Harry's chairs and continued to eye me.

"Harry does love a project, doesn't he?" She said as she flipped her hair off of her shoulder.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked defensively.

Her eyes tiredly met mine - as if I should've already known what she meant. "Harry swears he is the 'peacekeeper' of the world or something. If he's not spending $3,000 feeding the homeless, then he's taking one in."

"How did you-?"

She finally stood and walked over to me. "Because he told me. Listen closely, you may think that you've found a home here. You may even think that you have a shot with Harry or something crazy like that. But understand when I say this, when I get that man to finally put a ring on my finger, you are the first thing to go." Her hands were in fists.

My heart dropped, but before I could respond, Harry came down the stairs. "Ready, love?"

Eden's glare of rage now switched to innocence, "of course, my dear." She took his hand and led him out the door.