A Step Closer to Love

“What took you so long?” Chole asked going to pull Arabella’s hand when she made her way into the office.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Chole’s eyes caught Kieran coming behind and she pulled Arabella faster into the coffee room.

“Did you come with Kieran?” Chole whispered in a shout as she closed the door to the room.

Arabella bit her upper lip till it hurt a little. How could she tell Chole that she still came to Kieran despite the situation with Aurora? She nodded her head gently and Chole sighed loudly running her hand through her head.

Everyone knew Aurora to be a sweet and loving person but Chole saw that she was going to bully Arabella for knowing Kieran.

“Why?” Chole said her voice strained.

“I tried to explain to him why I needed to go on my own but he was adamant about taking me to the office” Arabella explained.

“Did you guys date before?” Chole said in the mood for gossip.

“How can you say that?” Arabella said her hand going up to her mouth to cover it before she can go any further.

“That is the only explanation that makes sense that I can come up with. He decided to take you to work because there are lingering feelings that are yet to be resolved” Chole said dreamily.

She would kill for gossip as that. She has been working here for almost two years and no one was close to having an office romance. Aurora who had been going after Kieran had proven unsuccessful time and time again.

“How could we have ever dated?” Arabella asked resting her back to the counter.

“He is ten years older than me and the last time I saw him I was ten years old and he was leaving for the university. Fast forward to fourteen years later, we meet again” she added.

Maybe if Arabella had known that she would be thrown into a serious work misunderstanding such as this one she would have stayed back with her mom and taken up a job there. She decided to move far away because she felt suffocated and choked with all the family hovering and giving their advice even when it wasn’t asked for.

The door to the coffee room opens and Aurora stands there. Her eyes dart all over the room before landing on Arabella. She gives her one look up and down.

“Is this a time to hide out in the coffee room and gossip?” Aurora said.

The friendliness in her voice yesterday was lost and Aurora could feel the indifference.

“I came to get coffee and so did Arabella” Chole said to rescue herself.

“Meeting in ten minutes my office,” Aurora said before closing the door and walking away.

“Why so tense today?” Chole said walking to the coffee station to make three cups of instant coffee.

“That was close. What if she heard us talking about Kieran?” Arabella asked.

“Do not worry about a thing. I am sure that all would be good in the end” Chole answered mixing the coffee.

“I hope so”

“Were you able to finish reading the manuscript I gave you yesterday?” Aurora asked as they entered the room.

“Here it is. I have marked the places I think need improvement and correction but only with your approval. I believe this to be a good time for me to learn how to successfully edit a book.

Arabella did not need an external person or force to teach her how to properly edit. She had built those skills by herself. When others played she buried her nose inside novels and then she graduated to self-help books. She was in the newspaper and journalist association all through high school and college.

Aurora scrolled briefly between the bookmarked pages. Her eyes caught multiple places where she had also bookmarked when she was reading through the manuscript.

There was no way that Aurora would openly validate Arabella it would mean she did not have a reason to bully her. If anyone asks she would blame it on the tradition within publishing houses and only call it hazing. She was only bullying her to make it strong.

One could not even classify it as bullying. She was only making her do extra work which would in turn increase the sales of the company. She was going to be a dedicated staff and did her duties.

The intercom on Aurora’s table buzzed she picked it up and Ryder’s voice burst through. Unlikely his voice that could be likened to a burst of colors this time it was faced with tiredness and a tint of hangover.

“We have a meeting now, gather everyone to the meeting room,” Ryder said ending his statement with a groan. ‘Why did he drink on a weekday? He was too old to be doing such.’ he thought as he put down the receiver.

“He is such a sucker for meetings,” Aurora said standing up.

“We had a meeting and we have to have another one today? ” she murmured in a question. She turned to get her coat and turned to see Chole and Arabella still standing other unmoved.

“Why are you still standing there?” She asked putting on her jacket. “Go and get everyone ready for the meeting,” she said dismissing them.

“Arabella prepares the coffee and snacks,” Aurora said as Chole’s hand for to the door.

“Me? ” Arabella asked shocked. Wasn’t she now making it glaring that she was bullying her.?

“Should I come do it?” Aurora asked placing her hand over her chest as if she was shocked at her question.

“No,” Arabella said.” I would do it” she added.

Did it make sense that the editor would make the coffee and snacks for an impromptu meeting? Aurora was well aware that Arabella couldn’t possibly know everyone’s preference. Was she trying to put her in a tight spot with everyone in the office?

“Chole” Arabella muttered gently as they came out of the office.

“Of course, you don’t need to ask me. I would help you”Chole responded taking her hand and pulling her back to the coffee room they had left just a few minutes ago.

“I have to say. She is making it glaring she doesn’t like you” Chole confessed.

“I wonder what I did?”