Chapter 137 - Rumors

Joanna spoke, "yes, we did what you are thinking of..." she swallowed down, "I don't know how he convinced me though, the last thing I remember is that we were talking about our pasts then we were kissing and a second later...."

She immediately stopped to talk to blush vigorously, she covered her face with her hands shyly.

"But it didn't hurt that much." 

"Was it good??" I raised my eyebrows curiously and smirked waiting for her to reply but she blushed even more.

"Yes..." she cleared her voice, "it was fun."

She shrugged and then looked at me with the same curious gaze as if I was hiding her something.

"What about you!? I bet you had a spicy night as well!" She chuckled.

My face morphed from a smile to a sad grimace, I couldn't control my facial expression so she murmured an "oh... I'm sorry." deciphering the sadness in my face.

I sighed, "not exactly. He opened up about his complicated past. He went through such terrible things you can't even imagine. I hope his past won't haunt him anymore." I sighed deeply remembering all the things he mentioned.

"I hope I can help him somehow."

Joanna smiled, "you're already helping him more than anyone does. I am sure he hadn't talked about those things to anyone. I guess the best thing you can do is listen to him when he feels like opening up and be there for him."

She was so wise and so mature despite she never had a relationship before. 

"Thank you. I will try my best. He looked so fragile as if any word and any gesture could potentially break him." 

Joanna lowered her gaze to the table, her eyelashes looked even longer and curled when she had her eyes closed. She didn't even need to put on mascara because her eyelashes were genuinely beautiful.

"Do you think she needs psychological help?" She drove her gaze back to me allowing me the sigh of her gorgeous emerald eyes.

"I will try to help him and do my best to be a good shoulder for him but if I can't help him then I will surely suggest he go to a psychologist," I commented. Even if knowing him I was sure he wouldn't accept the help of a psychologist. Because firstly he wouldn't trust them and secondly, a psychologist would mean accepting you lost control over a part of your life and admitting you needed help to overcome that.

I just hoped he would accept my help and would slowly open up as he did yesterday.

I changed my clothes and did some quick make-up before going into Joanna's room again. She was reading a book and stretching her long thin legs on the bed.

"I should go now, I have interviews to do to hire new employees for the company."

I hugged Joanna, "see you later."

I grabbed my bag and left.

I only had to interview some employees I used to work with when I was still in the Stellantix Company.

I was quite happy to see them again because even if I wasn't someone who usually bonded with people I worked with, I still cared about them.

I usually kept my job and personal life separated, well at least before meeting Cameron.

I walked into the palace and went to open the window to give the place some fresh air.

Then I went to make a coffee as I waited for the first employee to arrive.

Valerie arrived twenty minutes later, she smiled at me highly and then stretched her hand to cheer me. I shook it, "welcome Valerie." She walked inside and glanced at the surrounding, 

"This place is huge." She stated in awe.

I chuckled, "it is. But looks huger because I still have to set many things. I only set the place with the most essential things."

She continued to stare at the place for a bit smiling as if she was happy and proud of me. Maybe she wanted to tell me how glad she was but since we never had that kind of relationship she kept it for herself, however, I could read the pride in her eyes. 

After a few minutes of completing she turned around and offered me another smile, this time a different kind, more conservative. 

She tilted her head to the side and sighed, "I have something to tell you because you deserve to know. Rumors are going on in the company, about you and Cameron dating. Some of them say you were put as head of the company just because you date him."

I got so much taken aback by that statement that I felt the need to take a step back and I even widened my eyes and frowned shaking my head in disbelief. 

"How..."

I stopped myself before I would ask her how did they know I was dating Cameron, then I remembered the woman at the party. Maybe that woman spread the rumor. 

I didn't know what to answer, nor how to stop that rumor. I wasn't even so surprised to hear people underestimating my value and my skills since it was a common habit to think women got to their role because of a man's help. However, I didn't expect my co-workers to doubt me, that hurt.

"Thanks for letting me know," I answered.

"I don't care what they think. That's not true, I got chosen to be the head of the company for other reasons than my interactions." I was honest about everything except the part where I said I didn't care about them. Because I did, and their opinion cut through my skin like a sharp knife.

She nodded in agreement, maybe she was one of those good people who took my side in the company when rumors got spread. 

"I know. I always looked up to you Lily. I know how far you went and that you never needed anyone's push."

She offered me a sincere proud smile and I did the same, resting my hand on her back in sign of affection and gently pulling her forward before gesturing to the chair to indulge her to sit down.

"Thank you.. Now sit down for the interview."