Find the common link

This man is just unbelievable! How can he casually say that? It makes people think that he spent the night here!

"WHAT?!" Jeff screamed. "ALREADY?" he added which made me blush to the roots of my hair.

"As much as I wanted to do what you are thinking, it didn't get to that." Ed said smugly. "Almost though," he added wistfully which made me want to smack him in the head.

I approached the two of them, talking as if I was non-existent and as if they were not inside my house.

"What do you mean you left your stuff here?" I asked him with gritted teeth.

"Oooopps." Jeff said and retreated to the kitchen. "You're on your own, man."

"Just like that, babe. I left some stuff here." Ed said evasively.

"And why would you need to do that?" I queried. I am almost at my limit when it comes to dealing with this man. He is just so out there! He is someone I have never even had the chance of meeting. It seems like he was brought up from an entirely different galaxy. The way he thinks just leaves me speechless.

"Look at it this way, it is quite inconvenient for me to come here and then spend some time with you then go back home to change, right? So I might as well leave some of my stuff here." he said in a tone that made me feel like I was an idiot who can't see his reason.

I can't see any logic to what he just said.

"What made you think that you can just spend time here?" I asked.

"Do you want a demonstration? In front of Jeff?" he asked seductively. "I told you, I can take you anytime and anywhere as long as you what me to."

"That is the most important clause, 'as long as I want you to' which currently I don't. So why do you have to leave your stuff behind?" I said with vehemence.

"Helena, I am not moving in. Not yet." he clarified for himself. "Although, I have the intention of being in one roof with you but not now. I know where I stand but your cooking just makes me want to taste it again." he said sweetly.

"That was the reason why I went here this morning. I wanted your cooking but I thought that it is quite rude for me to just barge in and make you do it so I went shopping and cook for you. I am hoping that you would reciprocate." he added.

He was like a child when it comes to food.

"Don't you have servants at home? I think they cook way better that I do." I asked curiosity obvious in my voice.

"He does. But he never eats at home." Jeff answered for him when Ed did not speak for a few moments.

I was taken aback by that knowledge. He doesn't eat at home? Maybe that is why he cooks so well because he had to cook for himself. I wonder why he doesn't eat at home. But looking at Ed's face, I knew that it was a topic that should not be talked about today. So I will have to wait until he is ready to tell me. Like what he is doing right now. Waiting until I am ready.

I went back to the kitchen to finish what I was doing, told Jeff to stay in the living room with Ed since he was in the way which he obeyed without any word. When I was done, I told them to set the table while I freshen up. I do not like eating with me sweaty and all. Once I was done, I went out to find the dining room already prepared and both men where waiting for me in the table.

I noticed Ed sitting at the edge of the table looking as if he is the host while Jeff was seated on his right. That leaves me the left seat. Did he do this on purpose? It feels like a practice for the future. I shook my head mentally. What are you thinking about, Helena? I took a seat and the guys started digging in.

"Ehem." I said to get their attention and took a prayer position. Both of them look at each other and followed suite. I said a few words of thanks and we started eating. We talked about relatively pleasant stuff. None of the serious topics that we have to talk about. The dinner was quiet and pleasant. It was nice to eat with someone again. Since I started my new life, I always ate alone.

I looked at both of them and can't help but smile. This simple meal shared with these two filled me with so much happiness. When we were done, we cleared the table, Ed said he and Jeff will wash the dishes since I did the cooking. This made me feel really treasured. Ed has a knack of making me feel like I was the most precious thing in the world.

I waited for them in the living room while I was trying to finish the book that I started reading. It was a book about a women empowerment. The author went through something similar to what I have been through and this made me buy the book. When Jeff and Ed were done, the sat beside me.

"I have read that book." Jeff said, "It is really well written." I just smiled in response.

"Tell us everything, Helena." Ed said. "Don't leave anything out."

"I really do not know what is happening, Ed. I swear. I just feel like someone is watching me all the time. At times it is just a dull, nagging feeling but there are times like earlier this afternoon that I would be very aware of the person watching me." I said, also confused of what is happening.

"Since when did this happen?" Jeff asked, concern laced his voice and visible in his face.

"Since I was young. I would feel being watched when I was in the orphanage. I dismissed it as natural since the nuns who take care of us are always around. I would also feel like this during middle school. It intensified during my senior high school. It felt like someone was keeping tabs on me. I was once in an accident in a deserted alley, I remember calling out for help but no one was there. Before I passed out, I heard footsteps and saw a man looming at me. The next day, I woke up in the hospital with my adoptive parents. I asked who called them, they said it was the hospital. But what me got curious was how the hospital managed to call them when I was not able to save their phone numbers. But then again I just ignored it. After that incident, I was fine and I felt his presence but it was somehow dull. Like he was watching from afar. But since, I started working for EasyLanguages, it started intensifying again." came my lengthy narrative.

I was starting to get scared. Because of this, I kept twitching my hand in my lap. I wonder what that person wants from me. What have I done? What would happen to me? I felt my chest constricting and it was hard for me to breathe.

Suddenly, warm arms went around me and wrapped me in a tight embrace, while another pair of hands held mine. I looked up to see Ed embracing me and Jeff holding my hand.

"We are here, babe." Ed soothed while Jeff nodded. "We will never let anything bad happen to you." he continued to croon.

I started relaxing against him. I felt safe, protected and cherished. These two men are one of the greatest blessing in my dark life.

"Better?" asked Jeff while handing me a glass of water. I just nodded and drank it all. I took a deep breath and smiled at both of them.

"That's my girl." Ed praised. "No wonder I can't leave you alone. It is all that strength beneath the fragile exterior." and winked at me.

Jeff chuckled and said "You can still flirt, huh. You are whipped, Ed. Definitely whipped."

"I believe I am." Ed simply said while looking at me. The look he sent me made me blush.

"Now, sweetheart, I will give you an assignment since we need to leave." Ed said which made me look up in surprise. "I won't mind staying behind if you are scared but Jeff has to leave. I am not sharing."

I fumed and stared at him darkly which made both of them laugh.

"I want you to find the link between the times the watching intensifies. I believe there is a common factor somewhere. Think of the situation both from the past and present, okay?" Ed asked and I just nodded. They quietly left.

Maybe Ed was right. Something is triggering the watchful eyes. I wonder what that is? I slept with this thought in my mind.