Something You Never Knew

2. his eyes never left her

Winter was the best time of year; Christmas lights decorating the buildings, hot chocolate at every corner, creepy Santa Claus's in mall windows with eyes that follow your every move. Snow didn't come often in Texas, in fact where she lived she rarely saw it at all. Snow in Texas usually meant that it was around the end of January, maybe the middle of February. Which is why Ella was so excited to see the snow on the ground when she walked out of her apartment on December 7th. Christmas in Texas would finally feel like Christmas, and to Ella that was what pushed her to go to work. A happy thought to start off what looked to be a terrible day. 

Ella didn't mind her job in fact, she loved how easy going and laid back her work was. What she didn't love was 'Confederacy day', the day that all the workers in her building all squished together in one big conference room to brainstorm ideas together. It only happened once a month, thank the Heavens, but for Ella, it was a day she dreaded with her whole heart. All because of a man named Grinsdale Thorn, fitting seeing as he was such a prick. People all over the office called him Grin because he always wore the same eerie smile on his face.  A mask to cover the demon that laid underneath, if you asked Ella. 

Grin worked two stories below Ella in the filing office, whereas Ella worked in the community health office on the 5th floor. Fortunately, she didn't have to see his disturbing persona every day.  Unfortunately, he still worked in the same building which meant he was always at confederacy day. For Ella, this meant constant torture for a straight 8 hours. She endured constant hand grazing, a limited amount of personal space, eye longing looks, and don't even get her started on the side poking. Nothing to be considered harassment or aggressive, but enough to make Ella so uncomfortable that as soon as the workday ends she's running for the safety of her own home. 

It's not hard to state the obvious of the situation, why doesn't she tell someone? Or man up and knee him where he'll really hurt? Things weren't that simple. Not only was Grin a very popular worker in the building, but he was loved. Especially by the very person who owned the building, Carmen Knight. Carmen Knight was a plump woman, with a nose that needed to be trimmed and a hip that looked like it should be popped back into place. She stood no chance when Grin turned his charm on her, and she has been enamored with him ever since. Disgusting. 

Yet, Ella stayed at her job because it was putting her through college and paying the bills. And sitting at a desk all day working to make the community a better place wasn't a bad job. 

Walking to the bus station Ella felt the same urge she did every morning, and when she felt the cold breeze rush past her face she knew that once again she couldn't resist. She had to have her traditional hot chocolate from Mary Jo's. Screw getting to work early to avoid having to sit next to the devil's spawn, she needed the only thing that was going to save her. 

Walking to the familiar corner of Morice Street, Ella greeted Mary Jo with a warm smile and twinkle in her eye.

 "Hi Miss. Jo how are you?" Ella greeted. She could smell the chocolate goodness coming from behind the cart and wanted to cry out of delight. It truly was an addiction. 

"Ella, my dear, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Mary Jo? Goodness, you're worse than Jameson across the street!" she scolded back. However, the comment had quite the opposite effect than originally intended. Ella couldn't help but let a rare smirk cross her face as she responded slyly, "so, been flirting with the baker from across the enemy lines I see? My, My Miss Jo I never realized we had a traitor amongst our midst." Immediately Mary Jo halted in her actions, having already started on the young woman's order, and whipped her head around to face the blonde headed female. Not even the moon was as wide as Mary Jo's eyes were the moment the comment fell from Ella's lips. "ELLA RAINE. You get that look off your face right this instant or you can kiss your morning dose of happiness goodbye!"