Chapter 31: Who Did It?

HELENA. I walked to work that morning, the cool breeze and the lush greenery making me feel fresh. I missed my evening walks in the woods, but after what happened the last time, I felt like I had seen it all. There was no reason to want anything more. I'd still go though, probably with Aaron next time. 'Good morning Georgina!" I greeted as I passed her workstation. She looked up at me, filled with smiles. 'Oh my sweet child! How are you?" She got up, carrying a huge flask and pouring steaming hot chocolate into a mug. Then she handed it over to me. Sometimes, I wished she was my mother. She was very endearing, and treated everyone like her own children. I loved her for that. I nestled in my seat, enthusiastic about the day's work. My manager's assistant, Julia, walked in, carrying a barrage of files and dropping them on my desk. She placed her hands on them, with a smug face, and said, 'The boss wants you to go through these. You should be done before noon." She clicked her tongue, and turned to walk away. 'You and I know that's not possible." My voice rang out. Either she was saying that to spite me, or the boss just wasn't in a good mood. And I'd go with the former. I don't know what Julia had against me, but I wasn't ready to deal with it for now. 'Why not? Are you that incompetent? I don't know what the boss sees in you." She spat, her voice laced with scorn. Oh brother. 'I don't understand." I said, scanning through the files on my desk. 'Don't play dumb. We all see how you act around him. You always tried to seduce him." She snarled, circling my desk. Julia was gorgeously hot, but she had an insecurity issue. I also knew she had a big crush on our boss. Maybe that's why she was so paranoid whenever I was around him. Pathetic, if you ask me. I got up, 'That's not true. My relationship with our boss is strictly professional. Even you know that." What the hell was wrong with this woman? 'Save it Helena. I don't want to hear any of the sugarcoated words you tell him. Just know that he'd never fall for a woman like you. Never." 'You have some nerve, although you don't even know what you're saying. Even if I was interested in the boss, it's none of your fucking business." I was getting angry now. She laughed, swaying her hips dramatically. 'Oh it is my business, I'm responsible for protecting his interests. I will not let you manipulate him for your own gain." Someone hand me a crowbar. I was enraged, but like the calm before the storm, I maintained my cool. 'Manipulate him?.." I chuckled. 'You're the one who's manipulating him for your own personal agenda. Get a life Julia. I'm fucking done with this conversation. Leave." I said, sitting back down. She stared at me, obviously surprised at my words, but her surprise turned to jealous anger, and she said, 'Just remember Helena. I'm watching you. Try anything, and I'll make sure the boss knows about your real self." 'As if you know anything about me." I muttered as she banged my office door close. I gotta deal with her stupidity. I exhaled, drinking the hot chocolate still steaming in my mug. The audacity of that woman. Me of all people, trying to seduce….ugh. Don't get me wrong, our boss, Mr. James is a really great guy, but he is not my type at all. I mean, he's too serious. Too intense, too brooding. And he's ridiculously good looking. Who needs all that testosterone in one package? Not me, of course. Sheesh. He's this piercing-eyed man who seems to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. He's always focused, concentrated. He's passionate about his job, but he's not exactly approachable. I even wonder how Julia does it. Even if I was interested in him the slightest bit, it wouldn't last. I have my own goals and ambitions, and my own life to worry about. Not to mention, there's a hot werewolf living in my house. Did I just call him hot? Ahhhhhh….. Deep breaths…..don't think about how good he looks in sweatpants….. Oh for goodness sake. Despite the fact that I'm not interested in Mr. James, Julia's words still rung loud in my head. What did she mean by ‘your kind of woman?' I'm not any less pretty than she is. I'm not a highschool girl who's trying to flirt her way to the top. I'm much more, and I deserved to be treated as such. I took another sip, my nerves getting together and calming down. I gotta work hard, and show that idiot who's boss. Not literally, I mean. But it would be nice though…. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was 2pm already, and I was exhausted. The pile of files Julia brought in the morning were actually really from Mr. James' office, and I was more than annoyed at her scornful honesty. Good thing was, I was almost done. Just three more files and I could take a damn break. Just then, Mr. James walks in, interrupting my flow. 'Miss Lawson, can I see you in my office for a moment?" That voice. It was firm, authoritative, and impatient. What did I do wrong? My heart skipped fifty beats at once. What did he want now? And why does this feel like something has been jinxed? I cried internally, but stood up, and followed him. I smoothed down my skirt, walking into his office. There, Julia stood, watching me with a gaze that made me want to fling my shoe at her. I was right, something was off. 'Have a seat, Miss Lawson." He said, taking his own seat in front of me. I take slow shallow breaths, my mind racing with the most possible worst case scenarios. My palms are sweaty, and I clean them off on my skirt. Is it hot in here? ‘No, the AC is on.' Shut up. 'Um, yes sir. So, what can I do for you?" My voice is nervous, but I try to mask it. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Julia's lips curve upward. 'There's some sort of discrepancy in the accounts. The numbers you ran today. The Leroy family made a complaint this evening, saying that $50,000 was missing from their joint account. I need to know if you know anything about it." I felt like a bucket of ice water was poured on my head. $50,000!!! That is a whole lot of money. Who would take such an amount? Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and anxiety filled my stomach. They didn't think it was me, did they? 'Missing? I've been over the numbers, just like you said, sir. And I'm certain I didn't make any mistakes." I said, trying to keep my voice calm. Did I actually make a mistake on that account? I remember the figures were so much I had to double check. Did I miss anything? Julia snorted, and I glared at her. What sort of enemy is this? 'I do hope that's true Miss. Lawson. The Leroy family are major shareholders of this bank. If anything goes wrong and if you are later found to be involved……" His voice trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air. His eyes bore into my skull, and I could feel the weight of his words on my skin. Sudden indignation surged through me, and I said, 'I'm telling you Mr. James, I know nothing. You've known me well enough, I'm a straight shooter. I would never do something like that." My voice felt tight in my throat, and the gray walls of the office seemed a shade darker. It feels like I'm being accused, and no one stands out to believe me. Mr. James leans back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine. 'I want to believe you Helena. But I need proof. I work based on facts, not opinions. My opinion of you is held very high, but it can do little to nothing in this situation. I need to know you're not involved in this." His voice is calm, but there's doubt lingering in his undertone. I'm calm, but desperate. 'Okay, what do you want me to do? I'll do anything you ask, as long as I can clear my name". Anything to keep my slate clean. Julia silently gagged, and I fought the urge to haul the cup of coffee on the table onto her stupid white shirt. 'Okay then, I'll need you to go over the accounts again. With me this time. You need to tell me everything you know about the Leroy account. Every transaction, every entry, every detail." His voice was resolute. It would take us the whole of tomorrow, but it'd be worth it. I nodded, relief flooding my veins. 'Alright sir, let's get to the bottom of this. I'm willing to cooperate in any way I can." 'Good. We start first thing tomorrow morning. Finish up the remaining files you have for the day." He said getting up, his eyes never leaving mine. His voice is firm, and I can hear the intensity. He wants to find out the truth as much as I do. And we will.