After finishing the work of the day, Eira decided to have a look at the test lab.
"Helen, make sure the PR team has everything covered including the matter from earlier. And shut everyone up from talking about it. I can´t do much about the public but at least I have a say in my own company." She instructed her.
"Yes, Miss Morgan. I will get it done." Helen nodded eagerly.
"I´ll go to the test lab and then head straight home. If there is anything else call me."
"Yes, I will. Have a nice evening Miss Morgan." Helen lightly bowed to her and accompanied her to the elevator.
Eira went down to the 12th floor. There she found George sitting... or to be exact laying on his desk.
She huffed and walked straight to him.
Tapping his shoulder she tried to wake him up.
"Hey. How is work going? You got so many genius inspirations from my father. You should at least have an idea for a new product."
George slowly sat up and looked at her.
"My father made a huge mess. I am sorry for that. I won´t get you into my family matters anymore. I promise." He said and went down to lay his head on the table again.
Eira went around the desk to look at his face and leaned with her both hands on his desk.
"Hey. Get yourself together. I don´t need a useless worker. I could fire you because of that." She said softly.
He didn´t budge so she tapped his head this time.
"Hey! You awake?" She asked.
He still didn´t answer but his hand reached for hers and held it in place.
"What am I doing?" He whined.
His tone startled her.
"What? You are laying here doing nothing and you ask me what you are doing?" She asked in disbelieve.
"Nooo, I don´t know if it´s right to be here. Earlier I was sure to challenge my father head on his right but seeing things go like this I am not sure." He continued to whine.
Eira patted his head softly.
"I can see that you got a ... difficult relationship with your father. I think you should do what you like. There is no use doing what you are unhappy with your whole life. You are here now. I can see you like to cook. Then keep doing that. If it doesn´t fit or you are horrible, I will fire you immediately."
George laughed likely at her joke.
"Yeah. Sorry about that."
"For what?" She asked.
"You´ll know." He simply answered still holding her hand that was patting his head.
Silence came upon them and they didn´t utter a single word until Eira cleared her throat.
"I have to go home now. You should go too. Tomorrow is still another day." She retreated her hand but George didn´t let go.
Both of them looked at each other. There were only a few centimeters separating them when George had sat up.
Eira´s breath hitched but she calmed herself down.
George still held her hand and looked at her with an unwavering gaze.
She could feel his breath brush past her. That´s how close they are.
Her one hand that was holding her weight while leaning across the desk started to get numb. She wanted to get up but George pulled her other hand closer to himself.
"You know. I don´t have a secret girlfriend. But maybe rumors are true and I got seduced by an enchanting seductress." He smiled.
"What are you talking about so suddenly?" Eira asked in confusion.
George didn´t answer her question but yanked her down to him. Before she knew what happened he already held her in his arms hugging her close to his chest.
"There is a big storm coming. Stay strong." He whispered into her ear and released her bit. When she could retreat a bit he leaned up to her and gave her a kiss on her cheek.
Flustered Eira stood up straight and stared at him wordlessly.
George patted her head and packed his things leaving her standing rooted to the place.
He turned back at her.
"What are you doing there? Don´t you want to go home?"
Eira got herself together and followed him out. At the parking lot, Eira bid him goodbye and walked to her car.
"See you tomorrow at work. I want some results at the end of next week." She said to him and left.
After a few steps, she turned around and saw him follow her.
"Are you following me?" She asked him.
"Yes, I am. Actually, I need a ride again. I don´t have a car right now." He beamed at her. And she could literally see his puppy eyes. Really. Those cute puppy eyes that make you forget you are angry at the rest of the puppy because it had bitten your furniture down to the nonexistence. That kind of look.
Sighing she agreed. "Yeah sure. Hop in."
Happily, George went to the passenger seat and waited for her to also get in.
While they were driving George acted as if nothing had happened at all.
"You must be tired of work. Did you eat anything? How about we go grab something?" He asked her.
Eira decided to act like that too so she agreed nonchalantly.
"Yeah sure. Were shall we go?"
"Wherever you want."
"Okay, I know a place." Eira made a sharp turn and went down the suburbs.
Her destination was a small restaurant near the outskirt of the city. Not many people know of that place because the area around it was a very poor one. Her old house was there too. Every now and then her father would bring her to that restaurant when he got his paycheck. That was also the first restaurant where her father had learned to cook. That was the place everything began.
After a short while, they arrived. Together with George, she walked into the little restaurant. It had only five tables so choosing a place wasn´t an issue. She sat down at a corner and waited for the waitress that was the wife of the chef to come and take their orders.
"Good evening. My, isn´t that our little Eiri? You grew so much. I didn´t see you for a long time. How are you? How is your father? Still working hard? Dear! Come on out. Eiri is here." The elderly woman beamed at Eira and asked one question after another not letting her answer.
Her husband came out of the kitchen. His hard life is evident on his face. He looked tired but when he saw Eira it lit up.
"Eiri! How are you? We didn´t see you for such a long time." He called out and went to hug Eira.
She laughed and hugged him back.
"Hello grandpa, grandma. How are you? You both look tired." She asked in concern.
"We are good. Like always." The couple answered in unison. They laughed at that coincidence.
"Dear sit down. I get you something to drink. And for your boyfriend, I´ll get something too." Grandma said and hurried off.
Grandpa took a chair and sat beside Eira.
"So how are you, my dear." He asked her.
"I am fine grandpa. I was very busy in the last years. Our company went well." Eira answered him.
Grandpa nodded.
"Hm, that´s good. It was so hard on you and your father. I am glad you made it. How is your old man? Still all about making new dishes?" Grandpa asked further.
Eira gulped. She didn´t know how to answer that question. Grandpa sensed that there was something wrong and took her hand reassuringly.
"What´s wrong Eiri? Tell me." He soothed her.
In memorial to all our dear grandparents, blood-related or not. They are the most wonderful people in the world. They take care of us and are so incredibly cute.