VI. The Past at Present

“Perhaps I should get Sylver to help train you on our system, that way you’ll be more comfortable having already met him.” Hayden asked and I nodded agreeing. “I will give Toru a call and see if he’s available.” Hayden picked up the phone and called Toru. He then called somebody else and asked them to help me get to Sylver’s office. I collected my things and waited patiently for somebody to come and take me. A couple minutes passed, and the same skinny, red headed girl entered the office.

“Rose, can you help Miss Lockwood to Sylver’s office please.” She looked up at me annoyed and exhaled a deep breath with a smile.

“Of course, sir.” She turned back around and walked out of the office and I followed her. We stood quietly by the elevator door, waiting for it to come down and I could tell she didn’t like me very much. I had given her no reason too, but that didn’t seem to matter.

“I really shouldn’t have to do such menial jobs, with Hayden being my boyfriend and all.” She said rolling her eyes, clearly marking her territory with Hayden.

“I’m sure he gives you anything that you can handle.” She smiled at me stepping into the elevator, not realising that that was more of an insult then a prays. Hayden must think very little of her to not consider her for my position. We stood in silence and I tried to compose myself and be friendly, despite everyone else treating me like I’m a piece of trash on the street. We got out of the elevator and she walked me across several booths and glass offices, until we approached one at the very end of the room.

“He’s in there.” She pointed to the door and turned around to leave. Suddenly, I felt something vibrate in my bag and I quickly fetched it out, realising it was the phone Hayden had given me. The number was unknown to me and I quickly answered it.

“Hello?”

“Eve?!” I knew that voice immediately, it was Max and I quickly scanned the room for a bathroom or somewhere more private then in the middle of all these booths. Across the room I noticed a bathroom sign and quickly walked over to it.

“Max?! This is my work phone number; you can’t call me here!”

“I need your help Eve.”

“You always need my help. Call Dorian. Don’t call me here!” I hung up and exhaled a deep breath, getting my thoughts together before leaving the bathroom. I opened the door and there’s a man standing in front of me, tilting his head back and forth as if examining me.

“Ex-boyfriend?” He asked staring at me. I thought it was rude to eavesdrop.

“No.” I began to slowly walk away from the strange man and knock on Sylver’s office door, before walking in.

“Hey, I heard what happened, are you okay?” He approached me from behind his desk and hugged me like we’ve been long-time friends.

“I’m fine. Thank you.” I smiled as he let go of me.

“I can’t believe somebody would do that to you on your first day. Good thing Hayden was there.” I nodded smiling and hoping to move on from the embarrassing conversation.

“Can I ask you a question? There was a man standing outside of the bathroom, just staring at me and eavesdropping on my phone conversation. He was wearing a grey suit and had short brown hair.” I walked over to an empty table and set my things down.

“On this floor? Phoenix. Hayden’s brother. He shouldn’t be listening to your conversations, that’s not right.” Sylver shook his head. He sat down beside me and began to show me how to use their system and make my own log in. We sat there for hours, before Hayden called me back down to his office. I made my way down all by myself like a big girl and as the elevator doors opened, I noticed somebody else leaving Hayden’s office. I slowly walked over towards the office, passing the man that came from it and as I looked up at the man I froze still. That’s Gus! I knew Gus from the office on earth. Him and I have had an awful past that nobody knew about, but I knew I didn’t want to see him or work with him ever again. I continued to walk into Hayden’s office. He didn’t even flinch as I walked into the Underworlds office and sat down with my laptop.

“Sir, the man that just left your office, will he be working with us?” I wasn’t ever very good at hiding things, so I refused to look at him.

“Mhm.” He nodded without looking at me.

“Personally?” I asked again. To be perfectly honest I was afraid of Gus. He always had a way with people and I always knew that if I told somebody the truth, who he really was that they would never believe me, and I would be left a fool.

“Are you worried about competition Miss Lockwood?” He smirked and I swallowed a large stone that was stuck in my throat.

“No sir.” I replied and looked back down to my files. I could see Hayden staring at me from the corner of my eye.

“We should eat. Let me show you to our lunchroom.” He smiled as he got up from his chair and so did I, following him out of the office. We got into the elevator and made our way up. “Whenever you feel like grabbing something to eat just go ahead, don’t wait for me.” He smiled again and I nodded in silence as the doors opened to a large cafeteria. I could immediately see Sylver waving me over to him and leaving Hayden behind I walked over to him.

“Hey, so there’s coffee over there and semi normal human food over in the corner, I’m not completely sure what mundane’s eat, but hopefully you’ll find something you like.” Sylver showed me around and I nodded quietly following him with a tray and picking up some coffee and fries. I turned around to look for a seat and noticed Hayden talking to Rose across the room and I smiled as he looked at me. Quickly my head shifted nearby to Gus coming into the lunchroom and I could feel my stomach drop to the floor. He walked over to Phoenix and shook his hand before he noticed me across the room and immediately began to make his way towards me. I can’t do this; I can’t just pretend that we’re buddies.

“Can you hold this please, I’m going to go use the bathroom.” I quickly shoved my tray into Sylver’s arms and quickly made my way out of the lunchroom, running into the nearest bathroom. I stood by the mirror exhaling deep breaths and trying to calm myself down, before the door swung open and Gus made his way in.

“Well don’t pretend you don’t know me Eve.” He began to walk closer as if wanting a hug.

“What are you doing in here? This is a female bathroom.” I replied pushing myself as far as I could towards the corner of the sinks, away from him.

“Don’t be like that now. We’re co-workers. We can have more fun, like we did on earth.” He smiled with his grim, disgusting face. I could feel my heart beating out of my chest as he came closer and closer and I couldn’t do anything to stop him. Suddenly the doors flew open and Sylver was standing in between.

“Hey, is everything okay? The male bathroom is next door.” His look was angry, even thought he was pretending not to know what was happening.

“Yes, that’s what she just told me. Sorry about that.” He smiled and quickly walked out of the bathroom, leaving me with Sylver.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, thank you.” I replied leaving the bathroom with Sylver. My heart was still trembling, and my hands were shaking.

“Do you know him?” He asked concerned as we returned to the lunchroom.

“Yeah, we worked together on earth.” I replied grabbing my coffee and nearly downing the entire thing. I noticed Sylver looking across the room and nodding at somebody and as I looked over, I noticed Hayden staring at us.

“A couple of us are meeting at the Olympinis bar after work if you’d like to come.”

“I’m not sure, Hayden said I need to be escorted out by somebody if I go anywhere.” I explained hoping it was a good enough reason not to go. It was my first day and for one day I think I’d had enough of emotional rollercoasters.

“I’ll pick you up and take you back.” Sylver smiled nodding. I smiled back, allowing for this to just happen. I suppose I should make friends.