Chapter 3 - The New CEO

The New CEO Helsi's POV I called Lusi and Joy for us to hang out and spend some time together, it's been so long. Work and family life made it difficult for us to spend quality time together. "I would be there in no time," Joy said over the phone We've been friends right from childhood, doing almost everything together. Lusi's parents carried me and took care of me like a child when those monsters killed my parents, this strengthened the bond I have with Lusi "Helsi," Lusi screamed at the top of her voice immediately she saw Helsi "Ohh Lusi, you still that crazy friend" Helsi walked fast to give her a hug "Of course I am, I won't change for anyone" Lusi snaps her fingers around Helsi. "I have missed you girl, you don't look so good" "Well, hell yeah, that's what marriage and work causes" Helsi rolled her eyes "What about Joy?" Lusi asked looking around "I just spoke to her, she should be here in few minutes" "Let's start talking before she comes" Lusi insist "Talk?" Helsi burst into laughter "What?" "I am shocked, you normally like to eat first but you now saying we should talk first is shocking, what happened? .. Are you depressed?" Helsi couldn't stop laughing "Helsi!" Lusi stared at her, pretending to be upset and also trying hard to oppress the laughter but hell no she couldn't "I am not the foodie you know before, I am a changed lady" Lusi touched her shoulders softly and raised her brows "Off course baby girl, growth is necessary" Helsi responded "Here she comes" Lusi ran towards Joy "Thank goodness, the bar is empty today, Lusi would have really entertained them with her crazy attitude" Helsi thought to herself with a smile as she also walked to give Joy a hug "Lusi… Helsi.. Gosh, it's been a long time" Joy did not want to let go "Work" Helsi said "Marriage" Lusi said "What?" Joy laughed "Two crazy friends" Helsi nodded her head "Finally… we can order what to eat now" Lusi inhaled deeply "I can smell fried chicken" "You've not changed" Joy attacked Lusi "If I haven't, I would have ordered way before you arrive" "Married life really looks good on you Lusi'' Joy touched Lusi's face "Added everywhere.." Joy added "I take care of myself, I don't always depend on him" Lusi replied "How is Tom doing Halsi?" Lusi asked "He should be fine wherever he is" Helsi scuffed "Our marriage died after he cheated on me with Rachel, that bitch keeps calling him" Helsi said out of anger "Wait what?" Lusi dropped the menu that the bartender gave her "What did you just say?" "He is still in contact with her… his old time friend" "Why the hell is he still in contact with her?" Joy asked "I have no idea, his past relationship with her, which I don't know keeps interrupting our sex life, little things trigger the memory he had with her" "What would you do about it" Lusi asked "Well… it's the least of my problems right now" Halsi squeezed a smile out as she stared at them "I am running low on finance, my company is getting tied" silence fell… "And I want to continue my investigation on the murder of my parents.. You know, and life continues" Helsi took a glass of water and drank all in few seconds "Ohh baby, I am so sorry you had to go through these, you should know that you are not going through it alone.." "Yes, we are here for you" Joy completed as they both stood to hug her "Just get us some red wine" Lusi said to the bartender across "I know a guy" Joy threw a mischievous smile "No Joy, not again, after what happened the last time" Halsi said "We were kids then, now we know better" "You need a break from Tom" Lusi added "And to add to it, he is the CEO of a company.. Your financial problem settled" "Tom is also the CEO of his company" Helsi sighed "That we know, but he is not taking care of you" Lusi rolled her eyes "He wants me to hand the company to him, he feels he can handle it better" "He wouldn't dare" Joy snapped "Try this new guy out, he is really nice and caring, he is going to take care of your finances well.. Just flirt, no strings, no nothing attached… please" Joy insisted "Just this last time" Helsi warned "We have to do this on the low, before Tom eats me row" "Yes!" Lusi raised her hand to give Joy a successfully planned handshake "I need to go! " Helsi said immediately she got a call from her private investor "He is calling" she said turning her phone to show them "OK darling, take it easy" "I am missing you already" Lusi tightened her mouth, continuously blinking her eyes fast "I love you guys, I am really glad I spent time with you guys, I needed it" Helsi inhaled deeply "Now about to talk my nightmare" "You would be fine, but before you go, I would give you the number of our new CEO, and….. You would send a message to him in our presence" Joy said "Just give me his card, I would send him a message later, I am running out of time" Helsi replied "No darling, we know you" Lusi added "You just have to say hi… that's all, then you can go" "OK" Helsi groaned, also throwing a smile "Aww, he looks handsome" Helsi almost fell on the screen of Joy "Woah, easy… wait till you meet him in person then you know his pictures are an understatement" "And…. Done" Helsi said immediately she sent a message "You can go, I would spice it up for you and him when i go visit him today" Joy assured her Helsi got a call from her secretary again… "Thanks guys" Helsi blew a kiss, running to her car which was two streets ahead, David couldn't drive in, the road was very tiny, no big car could pass through it There had been a fight which was still not resolved down the street which made movement impossible. This kept Helsi stranded as it was the only way to get to her driver She stood tirelessly praying for the police to hurry so the case would be resolved and people can move. "See oranges here," the man in the line behind her said, offering her a plastic bag of six peeled oranges. She had not noticed him before then She shook her head " Thank you". "Take one, I noticed that you have been standing here for a long time" Helsi looked at him properly then, for the first time. A nondescript face with a dark complexion unusually smooth for a man. There was something inspirational about his crisp-ironed shirt and blue tie, about the careful way he spoke his English as though he feared he would make a mistake. Perhaps he worked for one of the new generation banks and was making a much better living than he had ever imagined possible. "No, thank you," She said. The woman in front turned to glance at her and then went back to talking to some people besides her "You should eat oh, the man behind her said, although he no longer held out the bag of oranges She shook her head again,the pain of standing. It was as if jumping from the balcony had dislodged some bits and pieces inside her head so that they now clattered painfully. Jumping had not been her only choice, She could have followed another street and asked around. The men had been arguing so loudly that they blocked out reality. She couldn't wait anymore, she fought her way out of the crowd, the crowd was so huge, she had already wasted so much time and energy. She followed another route, she called David to let him know about the situation and where he would come pick her.