Loving My Enemy

Chapter 6 - Files

Eleanor reached Gem Inc. on her first day of office. She was nervous as hell and wondered how her first day would be. All she could think about was Rickard’s icy blue stare that usually froze her to the spot. She wished he would be kind to her today and will be easy until she learns about her duties but who was she kidding? Rickard Hansen was famous for being indifferent and insensitive to everyone around him, what exception she was?

“Good morning.” She said as she saw him coming out of the elevator.

He glanced at her and narrowed his eyes. “Eleanor, come with me.”

She followed him meekly into his office and was reminded of her falling down on the carpet. Grimacing at the memory, she diverted her attention to Rickard who was picking up some files from the table.

“I need these read by 12:00. Highlight important points from the clauses,” he said and Eleanor nodded taking the files from him.

There were three files thick with bundles of pages in them. She worried how she would be getting them done in 3 hours. She tried to calm her breathing and told herself that she could do it and got started with the files. Luckily, she had highlighted and collected all the important points and details from the files in three hours.

She quickly went to Rickard’s office to inform him that the files were done when she found out that he had left for a meeting. Confused she looked at the files in her hands and then at the door of his office.

“But he asked for these files before 12:00 and how can he leave without these?” Eleanor asked Rickard’s assistant.

“If he needed those, he would have asked. Don’t worry, just leave these here.” She gestured to her table and continued on typing.

Eleanor was stupefied. She was furious. For the last three hours, she had continuously read the files without even sparing a breath so she wouldn’t lose time and this was the result. He left without bothering to ask about the files.

The assistant seeing Eleanor’s face smirked. It made Eleanor’s blood boil further. She wasn’t one to be angry at petty things but this was inconsiderate. If this carried on further, Eleanor would blow up one day. She drank a glass of water to calm herself, and sat down. Telling herself that it would be better in the future, she went to the Finance department to find out about her duties there and to her surprise, they were waiting for her. They patiently told her about everyday tasks and didn’t burden her with much, knowing that she also reported to Mr. Hansen.

Unfortunately, the absurdity of giving Eleanor files and then not bothering to receive them carried on for two whole weeks and then on Friday Eleanor decided it was enough. She would not tolerate being walked on by anyone. She wanted real work, not something that was wasting her time.

Eleanor took all the files she had read over the week along with her notes and dashed inside Rickard’s office. Rickard looked up from his phone in surprise and then raised an eyebrow.

“Did you forget to knock?” He asked and Eleanor could feel herself getting red with anger. Rickard’s eyes narrowed seeing her expression. Oh, he was in for hell and he knew.

“Knock? Don’t you see these files in my hands?” Eleanor narrowed her eyes at him which Rickard raised an eyebrow at her. He was taken aback. Taking advantage of his shock, Eleanor walked forward and slammed the files on his table in front of him.

Now, she would tell him that he couldn’t make a fool out of her like that. If he thought he was a god or something, he was mistaken. Did he think that she was useless, didn’t know anything about work? Well, he was in for an eye-opener.

“These files you have been giving since last week and never bothered to receive. Do you think I am a fool and can’t handle real work?” She was fuming and Rickard was watching her with interest. He wasn’t even blinking. “For your information, I have done some real progress at Finance Department, because they actually believed in my skills, not like you. If you never believed in my skills, then you shouldn’t have hired me. Why make me look like a fool? Do you know how your assistant laughs at me when I take these files to her? No, you don’t.”

Eleanor stopped when Rickard stood up. “I hired you because I saw your skills…”

He was going to say further but Eleanor interrupted him. “I don’t think so.” She shook her head at him. If he thought that she couldn’t see through his ruse, then he was a fool. Because now she could tell that he was only following her because he wanted to sleep with her or something else. Because other than that and her skills, she didn’t think she had anything to offer him. How else would she get such an easy interview from a demanding man like him at an organization that much big?

“Really? Then tell me Ms. Eleanor Harrington why I hired you?” He was slowly coming around the table towards her and she could feel her heart beginning to thump loudly in her chest as he was slowly closing the distance between them. Did he think he could intimidate her by coming closer? She wouldn’t be unnerved by it.

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because you’re somehow interested in me, you find me attractive. And that’s why you followed me at that bar that day.” Eleanor said and saw his eyes darken. With his height, he towered over her by a foot. He was fuming in anger and Eleanor wanted no less reaction from him. She opened her mouth to say further but Rickard slapped his hand on the table.

“Enough,” he bellowed. At his sudden movement, Eleanor flinched but remained standing in front of him looking into his eyes, not backing off. By now, she could feel his warm breath on her face and as her eyes darted to his lips; she felt the sudden urge to close the distance. His lips appeared so inviting and with their close proximity, her hands itched to touch him. She wondered how he would feel under her hands. She quickly controlled and scolded herself for having such thoughts and looked back into his eyes.

“If I wanted you for myself, I would have f****d you the day I first saw you. I don’t need to do all this.” Rickard said in a low tone. He softly took her hand and Eleanor was surprised. “I only have to grab your hand and you will melt in my arms.”

Were they moving or the distance between them was decreasing on its own? Eleanor inhaled sharply as she saw his eyes darkening and his breathing becoming slow and so was hers. Her heart had never beaten so fast before the way it was beating at that moment. She was really going to melt in his arms, as he had said and she realized that that was the mistake she was making by proving him right. She was here to make a point and she was going to prove him right if she carried on like this.

Acting quickly, she put one hand on his chest and looked away. Her hand wanted to wander on his chest, explore his body but she lightly pushed him away and retracted her hand before it started to do things she would regret doing.

“You’re wrong again. I wouldn’t melt in your arms just like that. It’s Eleanor Harrington, not just any women you are used to sleeping with.”