Chapter 1 - A Breath Of Fresh Air

A Breath Of Fresh Air

Helsi's POV

I have never seen such a silly attitude portrayed during the growth of the company

"Get the hell out of my office"

"Try to understand what I mean" Jude still insisted, he can be such a pain in the ass

"If you don't get your ass off, I would call the security" my anger drew deeper, I picked up the phone which directed his attention towards the displayed picture of my husband

"OK" he stood and stared deeply at me as his eyes travelled through the wallpaper in my office and then to the door

"That's right, look over there and close the door on your way out" I couldn't get hold of the kind of audacity he just portrayed "What rubbish!!"

I felt anger, so much anger.. Not just about Jude, I felt from my parents, their mistakes caused all these.

"I need a break" I groaned in frustration as I stood up, carried my bag to leave the suffocating atmosphere in my office

"I would be back" I told my Secretary whose office was next to mine

"OK Boss" she replied with a faint smile

Ava's POV

"A breath of fresh air" Ava the secretary said to herself immediately Helsi had left, it wasn't up to a minute, the bursar rushed in

"Finally!!"

"A breath of fresh air" Ava repeated with a laugh

"I would be back" Clara, the bursar mimicked Helsi, going to sit

"So you heard?" Ava laughed

"When she was so loud, she likes being the centre of attention" Clara rolled her eyes

Nothing good ever comes out of their conversation, they had always envied Helsi

"She is so full of pride" Ava scuffed as she taps a full stop to the laptop in front of her

"Take a rest you too, take your eyes of the system for a minute"

"I don't want any of her issues, and….." Ava threw a mischievous smile as she stood and walked slowly to Clara "And.. I heard that the company is in a debt of over 70 hundred million dollars"

"It's a lie!" Clara pushed her shoulders back "How??? That huge amount of money?!" She opened her mouth widely in shock

"She deserves it, she feels so bossy and rude as if she controls the world" there was disgust all over Ava's face when she said it

"She is just so lonely and sad, have she gotten the people that murdered her parents?" Clara asked

"I don't think she has" Ava turned to face her system

"Poor thing…" Clara shakes her head "Anyways, I need to attend to some things, I would get back to you"

"OK darling, let's do it and get over it, I don't have strength for her complains"

"Lord help me, she complains after all this stress, I would give her a slap, I don't care if I get fired"

"You don't have to be an asshole, at least she pays well" Ava said

"Fuck her money" Ava said in anger and left

Helsi's POV

I couldn't think of anywhere at the moment but my favourite bar, Connaught Bar.

Rows of premium spirits and rare vintages, glimmering in the soft light. Armchairs that invite you to stay for just one more. At all hours of the day, the Coburg Bar is sure to captivate your senses.

With its warm, quiet and intimate atmosphere, Overlooking Carlos Place, the Coburg Bar has become one of Helsi's best spots to linger. Somewhere to pause, relax and take everything in – whether that's over breakfast, morning coffee or evening drinks

I went straight to order some smirnoff espresso martini cocktail, I needed it before I go crazy

"Thank you" I said to the bartender

I took my phone to make an important phone call

"Hi babe"

"Hey sweetie, how are you doing?" Lusi asked

"Not so good"

"What happened?" Lusi was getting worried, after a long silence she asked again "Is it Tom?"

"No, not him exactly, but he is part of it"

"Where are you?" Lusi knew she wasn't in her office

"My favourite spot, I left to clear my head"

"Connaught Bar" Lusi laid emphasis on in "I knew this because your office can be unnecessarily noisy at times, so… should I come over so we can talk more about what's bothering you?"

"No you don't have to, we would hang out later in the day tomorrow, I have to get some things done at home"

"OK, I'll call you later tomorrow"

"OK" Helsi said as she hung up

After spending some time away from the office, I felt much better and ready to face it again, I called my driver to come pick me up

"Good day ma'am" David lowered his head as he opened the car for her to go in

"Thank you David"

The drive was silent

David constantly stared at her through the front mirror as she seemed to be lost in the beauty of the flowers outside.

"Do you know if Tom is back?" She finally breaks the silence

"No, he isn't" He said

Helsi nodded her head in response behind the car as her eyes travelled through the beauty of the road.

The signs of a struggle were not obvious, but he looked closer, he saw them.

"I have to do something about this before things get out of hand" she thought to herself

Immediately Helsi got home, she stood in front of the mirror. She would turn from side to side, examining her lumpy middle and imagining it flat as a book cover, and then she would close her eyes and imagine Tom caressing it with those soft fingers.