Book 2 Chapter 20
Yalda had ensured she didn't look like she'd been thoroughly kissed before she headed back to the offie she'd been assigned yesterday.
When she returned to the shared workspace, Helen was in the middle of a conversation with another woman, A pretty woman with honey-blonde hair which was in perfect waves, she had green eyes, high cheekbones, and peefevt curves which were apparent from her outfit. She laughed softly at something Helen said, her fingers twirled the pen in her hand with practiced elegance.
Yalda approached slowly but Helen and the woman went silent almost immediately, it was almost like they'd been talking about her or like they simply didn't want her to be a part of their conversation.
Helen’s expression smoothed into professionalism. The blonde woman, however, didn’t bother hiding the once-over she gave Yalda. Her eyes flicked from Yalda’s blouse and simple makeup to the notebook in her hand.
Then she smiled, athin, mocking little smile. Like she had concluded that she was better than her.
“Yalda,” Helen said, clearing her throat. “This is Marina. She works on the operational analysis team.”
Marina extended a hand, but not in a welcoming way, more like a test she already expected Yalda to fail.
Yalda shook it gently. “Nice to meet you.”
“Mm.” Marina pulled her hand back too quickly. “So you’re the new… assistant?”
Yalda blinked. “No. I’m working...."
“She’s helping Mr. Andreas,” Helen cut in, her tone was condescending.
Marina’s brows shot up, the information seemed to displease her. "Oh."
Yalda blew out a breath as she pulled out a seat, her back was beginning to cramp and it was time to sit for a moment. But she had barely settled into her seat when Helen clipped past her, heels sharp against the polished floor, she had a tablet tucked against her chest like a shield. Marina trailed behind her haughtily.
“Team briefing,” Helen announced curtly to the room, not bothering to look at Yalda. “Let’s move.”
Yalda waited for a beat thinking maybe Helen would glance her way, maybe she’d actually invite her. But Helen was already ushering the others toward the glass meeting room: Marina, two analysts, a finance assistant… everyone except her.
Yalda exhaled quietly, Helen had pointedly left her out.
She placed her pen down and stood, smoothing the front of her blouse. She could tolerate being overworked and all, but she would not tolerate being pushed into the margins. She had spent years proving herself in rooms exactly like this, she wasn’t about to fold now simply because someone was nursing a bruised ego.
She approached the meeting room calmly, knocking once before opening the door.
“Helen,” she said gently, keeping her voice even, professional. “This is an internal briefing. I’d like to join, if that’s alright.”
Helen stiffened, her eyws widened for a split second, she was clearly surprised that Yalda had confronted her, even mildly. Marina’s eyebrow arched in amusement, as if waiting for the fallout.
But Helen composed herself quickly and said, “Yes… of course. If you want to join, that’s fine.”
The forced politeness was sharp enough to cut glass.
Yalda offered a soft nod, refusing to let her discomfort show, and walked in to take a seat. Immediately, she felt two pairs of eyes on her; Helen’s tense, Marina’s openly annoyed.
Yalda ignored them and opened her tablet to take notes.
The meeting started stiffly, Helen’s voice was clipped as she ran through updates about scheduling, travel, correspondence priorities, and delegation of tasks. She spoke efficiently, but the edge in her tone never faded.
Halfway through the rundown, the glass door swung open. A young man who was more of a boy rushed in, slightly out of breath, he had curly dark hair that bounced with each step. He froze when he saw everyone staring at him, cheeks flushing a bright crimson.
“Sorry! I’m sorry...I dropped my badge in the elevator and then the security guy.....errr....anyway, I’m here now.” He beamed nervously. “Good morning!”
Helen exhaled sharply, as though physically pained by his existence.
“Nikos,” she muttered. “Take a seat.”
The young intern slid into the empty chair beside Yalda. When he noticed her, his eyes widened, his entire expression lighting up like a puppy discovering someone new to adore.
“Oh! You must be Ms. Harris,” he whispered excitedly. “I’ve heard about you.”
Yalda blinked, startled.
“You… have?”
“Yes! Well, only a little. Everyone’s been talking....uh, I mean, nothing bad. Just that you were joining the department and that Mr. Andreas trusts you. But not like gossip gossip. Not like that. Welcome." He flashed a bright, slightly clueless smile.
Despite herself, Yalda smiled back softly. He reminded her of someone of the clueless interns back in New York, they had always been eager to please, they were always harmless, sweet, wnd suoer awkward, jus like Nikos here.
Helen shot Nikos a look sharp enough to slice him in half. He immediately sank lower in his chair and whispered, “Sorry,” though he wasn’t sure what he was apologizing for.
Marina leaned toward Helen, whispering something that made Helen’s lips tighten further.
The meeting moved on, notes being exchanged, tasks delegated, strategies formed for Ioannis’s upcoming trip to Milan. Yalda stayed focused on the content, writing with the speed and precision of someone who had lived in boardrooms for years.
Several times, she felt eyes on her but she continued to ignore them. She truly didn't have time for this, after everything she'd loved through, she sure as hell had better things to focus on than petty co-workers.
Every time Yalda wrote something down, Nikos leaned slightly toward her, whispering excitedly; “That’s exactly what Helen would’ve written.”
She smiled, she didn't know what else to do or say.
“Your handwriting is so organized, mine looks like a toddler’s.” he added.
"Thank you. I don't think your's is all that bad." She replied and he beamed at her.
The went on with the briefing but he spoke again.
“You smell really nice,” he blurted, instantly blanching. “I...i mean professionally."
Yalda bit back a laugh, gently whispering, “Thank You.”
Helen’s glare could have scorched the table but Yalda ignored her. She was seething at this point. By the end of the briefing, the tension in the room was thick enough to chew through. When everyone began standing, Helen wrapped the meeting with a crisp, “Thank you, everyone.”
Before Yalda could leave, Nikos bounded up beside her.
“Do you need help with anything today? Papers? Coffee? Debugging the printer, it hates me but I can try! Or maybe you want a tour? I know the building better than anyone, well, except for security, obviously." He offered. He was so eager, so chatty.
But Helen cut in before Yalda could respond.
“Nikos,” she snapped.
He straightened as though he'd been electrocuted by her voice.
“Yes, ma'am?”
“Return to your desk. Ms. Harris will let you know if she requires assistance.”
“Oh. Right. Of course.”
He smiled sheepishly at Yalda before scurrying off.
Marina lingered at the doorway beside Helen, arms folded, expression unimpressed.
“So,” Marina said, her voice dripping with cool disdain as her gaze swept over Yalda. “You’re joining us now? Here? In this department?”
“Yes,” Yalda replied simply, meeting her gaze with calm grace. "Or whatever Mr. Andreas wants."
Marina’s lips curled into a faint, unpleasant smile.
“How lovely.”
Helen’s eyes flicked between them, her resentment barely concealed.
Yalda didn’t rise to it, she refused to be bait.
She closed her tablet, offered a polite nod, and walked past them, back to her desk.
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