I Could Get Used to this (2)

"Zulu?" he said, catching Adam's attention.

"What?" Adam asked.

"That girl over there, six tables to the left. What's her name?" Sanders asked.

"Oh. That's Selena. She's new here. What of it?" Adam replied with a slight tone of concern in his voice.

"She looks oddly familiar," Sanders said as he walked towards her table.

Selena froze as she noticed them. Sanders's piercing gaze broke through any armour that Selena could conjure as she hoped not to catch their attention.

"Hello, Miss…" Sanders started.

"Selena."

"Right. Selena. You bear a striking resemblance to someone I used to know," Sanders said. "But I think I must have been mistaken," he added as he noticed Selena quivering.

Yet, somehow, those words soothed her nerves. "Oh. She must have been really pretty then," Selena chuckled in an attempt to lighten what felt like an interrogation.

"Ha. You're funny," Sanders said with the straightest face. "It was a pleasure meeting you. Although, I do not wish for us to meet again," he added, much to Selena's shock.

"Have I offended you in some way?"

"No. It's just that the person you remind me of does not bring back fond memories. I'd rather not have to recall them. That being said, do have a nice day."

"You too, sir," Selena replied.

Adam and Sanders stared at each other for what felt like forever. It felt as though they were communicating, with Sanders doing the probing. In a few seconds, a world of information had been exchanged between the two, and a look of horror spread across Adam's face.

"Well, I'm not going to fire her," Adam retorted, sending shivers down Selena's spine.

"Well, I wasn't implying that," Sanders scoffed. "You're in my way," he added.

"Oh. Right," Adam said as the two began to leave. Adam turned to stay at Selena for a brief moment as if to say everything will be alright.

As Selena watched Adam and Sanders leave, a whirlwind of questions spun through her mind. Feeling a mix of curiosity and unease, Selena turned her attention back to her surroundings. Martha and Freddy exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions hinting at a shared understanding that Selena couldn't quite grasp.

"Guys?" Selena beckoned.

Martha waited until Adam and Sanders were completely out of sight before rushing over to Selena. "Babe!" she screamed. "You have either got to be royalty or a royalty magnet," she teased.

"Or a trouble magnet," Freddy goaded.

"Ignore Freddy, he's a buzz kill," Martha retorted. "But seriously, you've got to tell us, who are you really? First, you come in with the big boss, now Mr Sanders?" Martha added.

"Is it really that strange?" Selena was puzzled.

"You have no idea. Mr Sanders speaks to absolutely no one every time that he's here. And a new employee being accompanied by Mr Rockwood…" Freddy started.

"Which again was a total coincidence," Selena interjected.

"And he knew your name," Martha added.

"Another coincidence?"

"And he just stood up for you! Girl, I'm calling cap on this one," Martha said.

"Well…"

"Well?" Martha said, pulling Freddy's chair to sit beside Selena. Freddy joined them shortly.

"Well, I met Adam at a club last night," Selena blurted out.

"Oh wow. Did not see that one coming," Martha said.

"Me neither," Freddy added.

"Who knew Mr Rockwood knew how to enjoy himself. That is quite the revelation…" Martha stopped as she noticed a few co-workers coming closer to Selena's table. "Follow my lead and do not deviate," Martha whispered, much to Selena's confusion.

"Hi, Selena right? Welcome to the team. My name is Abigail, and…" one of the co-workers started before Martha came between her and Selena.

"Let me save you all some time!" Martha yelled. "Yes she's important and no she's not going to tell us how so! But you know what this means, right? We have our weapon!" Martha cried.

"Our what now?" Selena was flabbergasted.

"The accounting department has Felix, the procurement department has Jennifer. Even the maintenance department has Alex! And now we have Selena!"

"Selena! Selena! Selena!" Martha chanted her name as the rest of the department followed suit.

"Martha!" Selena beckoned beneath her teeth, all of which was futile.

"Don't worry, you'll thank me later," Martha whispered.

The chants continued until Adam walked back into the department, and like an army, the silence that followed was swift and loud. Even louder considering that Martha was the last person to notice Adam's presence as she whimpered her last call for "Selena". Adam stared at the group for some time. His face was devoid of all emotion, making it impossible for anyone to know what to expect. But all were wise to remain silent.

Adam let out a soft smile and said, "Well, don't stop now."

Martha let out a war cry which followed with even louder episodes of chanting Selena's name as the rest of the department followed suit shortly. Selena stared in awe. It was a reception she could never have dreamed of. And surprisingly, one unlikely thought ran through her mind. It was a good thing that Alice dragged her out the previous night.

***

The rest of the work day went by smoothly for Selena as everyone wanted to assist her one way or the other. They didn't care how, but they knew one thing for certain, she was important to Adam. And the final blow to the chest came when it was time to close for the day. Adam walked up to her desk with the rest of the workers paying close attention from a distance.

"Do you mind if I drop you off on my way home?" Adam asked. He seemed to be enjoying the drama.

"Well, I don't think that…" Selena started until Martha kicked her foot from beneath the table. "Actually, I'd appreciate that," Selena said.

Adam smiled softly. Unsurprisingly enough, the air was filled with those in awe and those who harboured some resentment. Selena noticed a mixture of smiles, fake and real alike as she walked through the lobby. But she failed to notice the one that was right beside her all along. Freddy was definitely not smiling.