Her Spoilt CEO

Things were still Rosy

The sound from the bluetooth speaker brought back good vibes into the house as soon as Andrew went ahead to turn it on amidst the depressing atmosphere caused by Helen's new announcement of dropping out of law school. Though the music brought about a more lively environment, it seemed their dad wasn’t ready to hold back his frustration and disappointment with his first child.

“Music will not change the fact that your sister is stupid, Andrew. She has always been this stupid!” Her

father snapped at him facing his sister’s direction. Helen was totally hurt by this.

“You know I am tired of being controlled, father. You know I have the right to choose whatever course I

wish to study. You know I have the right to opt in for modeling if I wish to without anyone holding me back” Helen defended herself in tears.

“What stupid rights? No one gave us the permission when we decided to conceive you, nor gave us the idea of sending you off to the best school in Jackgua. You cannot just grow up into an adult and cause so much menace in society. That's not how life works."

“Menace now daddy? Choosing to be a model has caused you to see me as a menace now. In what world has a model been seen as a nuisance in society?”

“You both should calm down. Can’t you chill and enjoy the song playing? Must you both always argue over petty issues?” Her mum asked, dancing to one of Michael Jackson’s old songs which played on the loud Bluetooth speaker, drowning their voices.

“This is no petty issue, Anna. Your 19-year-old daughter dropped out of school! She has just two years to graduation. My years of giving my only daughter the best life can’t go to waste this way!”

“You know what daddy, I am done with this nonsense. I don’t need you to fund my education anymore.I do not need school to achieve my goals. I can apply to a modeling agency with my hard-earned money and swirl higher than you can imagine. I can find a part-time job and try fending for myself as a young adult should. I never wanted daddy’s money. Spend that bloody money of yours on the liquor you purchase everyday from that hypocrite woman!” She ended the argument. Out she was gone, rushing out of the house like a rebellious child without turning back. Tears rolled down her eyes as she stepped out the gate, ignoring her mum calling her to handle the situation as a mature civilized lady. Her dad’s voice didn't sound like he cared. He had urged them to let her go. She never wanted to speak to her dad that way or cause him to feel any form of regret about sponsoring her education and looking out for her future. She just wanted her freedom, her right! Waving down a taxi, she hopped in and mentioned her friend’s beauty salon address. That was her only way of calming her tension at that point. Her phone rang. Checking out who had called, she realized it was no other than her middle class boyfriend Tristan. Great! Her mum must have informed him about this.

“Tristan, if it’s about my dad, i do not want to talk about him” She ensured she had let him know, determining whether to stay on the call or not.

“ Helen, your anger always gets the best of you…”

“Sure! I am the one having anger issues here. My dad said nothing wrong to me or called me stupid…"

“Helen, calm down. Where are you headed?” he asked.

“I am heading to Emily’s salon. I just need a new environment to clear my head”. She confessed with a heartfelt tone.

“Everything will be fine baby. Why not come over to my place later this evening? I will prepare something nice for you” He offered with his usual sexy voice. Helen nodded with a smile as if he would see it anyway.

“Of course, I will come over from Emily’s place” She agreed. “Just don’t put in too much chilly this time. i do not wanna die.”

“I am a professional cook. The interest of my loved ones matters to me”, he boasted with a chuckle. “I

prepared an alternative for you, you remember?”

“That i will never forget. Sometimes I do wonder how you always tolerate me. I have been such a pain in the neck with my family problems, but you still choose to help me out. What exactly do you see in me that i do not see Tristan? ” She asked with curiosity. Tristan had been her boyfriend for over five years now and she’d assured herself about the amount of trouble they had both been through together during those five years, especially concerning her father. Her father hated him so much due to his father being a retired soldier. What was Tristan’s fault in his father choosing to be a soldier? Were children in control of their parent’s ambition now? Tristan had so many reasons to leave her. He had so many reasons her father gave to leave her but he never did. Why? How many men would stay?

Arriving at Emily’s salon, she wasn’t surprised to see her making out with one of her lovers despite her salon sign showing open. This lady had no slight shame. What if her customers had walked in place of her at that moment?

“Spare me the lecture Helen. I do whatever I want in my store. Even if it involves banging my lovers on my salon couch” She halted her immediately as soon as Helen was about to say a word. The poor lady swallowed back her words instantly. She watched Emily kiss her lover one last time before walking him to the door struggling with her jacket. Helen sat quietly in one of the customer’s seats with her unusual sad expression.

“Something happened between you and your dad again I guess”, Emily guessed, with a nonchalant look.

“It has already become a habit, right? I mean it has become so obvious now” Helen complained, trying to

hold back her tears.

“Baby girl, stop this. Your family is full of drama, I know. You do not let it define you”, Emily advised, with a pitiful look. “We both know my family is no better. My mum is a slut who sleeps around with basically everyone. I have no clue who my dad is. I am not surprised and she doesn’t care either. No one talks about my dad back at home. Everyone lives their lives the way they see it. Just last week, she was diagnosed with HIV. You have no clue how many times I cry myself to bed every night wishing I had a

regular family like yours. I don’t care if my dad is like yours. As long as he loves me and takes care of me... and my mum isn’t a slut, I will be forever grateful for that. I know your family can be shitty at times, but if I were you, I would be grateful for having a good one and not a shitty one like mine.”

“I am so sorry, Emily. I didn’t realize your mother was sick. How are you coping with her treatment?”

“We have started her antiretroviral therapy. It is no cure but that should help her for now”, Emily replied.

“I am sure this will stop her from going out with random lovers. Life isn’t pretty. She must have learnt

discipline”

“Who?” Emily asked with surprise. “I am sorry but I hope you aren’t talking about my mum. That woman

doesn’t care a damn about this. She feels glad passing the virus to fathers and sons. Her beauty, according to her, can’t go to waste.”

“Wow. That’s too much. Why are you doing the same thing she does, though now, I know it doesn’t pay?”

“Don’t take me wrong, Helen. I am no slut like my mum. I take my HIV test every month and choose my clients wisely. By the way, I no longer rely on men for money. My beauty salon is booming. No one needs to come to my shop anymore. We have so many branches and do home services. We do online booking too. That is enough for me, I tell you”

“At least you’re making progress. I do hope you will settle down with a good man soon.”

“I am no lady after a love gal. But if that’s meant to be, then, I won’t settle for less. The guy better have cash flowing in”

“O! Goodness. You’re impossible”, Helen sighed, knowing the kind of friend she had. This lady can’t burge. Not even a bit. They went on with discussing the new salon in town and the latest gossip gist. By the time they were done, Emily had attended to three customers, rescheduling three for the next day.

She needed to close early in order to go see her niece who attended an elementary school which was beside the saloon. Bidding each other their farewells, Helen took a cab to Tristan's neighborhood. His neighborhood was really quiet due to the small number of houses around. Should she call this an estate? But it never had a gate. It just had a border toward the other neighborhood. Aside from that, though, the neighborhood had mainly wealthy houses and fewer people living in them. They could either be abandoned or the owners weren’t in the state. The cab stopped in front of Tristan's white and grey colored mansion, which was situated on the hill.

“Welcome darling”. He had greeted her by giving her a short peck on the cheek as she walked into his sitting room. “Have your seat. I will get you water”, he offered. Helen stopped him immediately.

“For how long will you treat me as a guest in your house? I know everywhere in this house. It is like it's my ninth time coming here. Treating me as a guest makes me feel less of your girlfriend and more like a friend”. She stopped him making her way into the kitchen. His house was neatly arranged, which made her a little envious of him. She couldn’t even be as orderly and neat as he was if she wanted to. Grabbing hold of her glass of water, she poured for herself a glass of chilled water and headed for one of the pots. The pot was still hot in temperature, which meant it hadn’t been long since he had taken it down from the gas cooker. Greedily, she opened up the pot and caught sight of sauced rice which was

her favorite.

“Amazing! You knew this was what I was in the mood for. How well you read my mind!” She praised, smacking her lips greedily.

“I always know what you want love”, he whispered to her, wrapping his arm around her waist. She blushed slightly and gave him a brief kiss on the lips before they had an eye lock. Helen felt her adrenaline rush. She could feel an irresistible bond as they locked their gaze at each other for about two minutes. Tristan was the only man she had loved this much. She hasn't had this kind of feeling for any other man in her past. At least none she could remember. She often had the natural urge to give him the space he needed and never clinged herself onto him. Each time their hands touched or each time they spoke to each other, she felt the familiarity, the homely feeling, the compatibility. No one had ever made her feel this way before. Was this the true love everyone keeps talking about?

Each time their hands touched or each time they spoke to each other, she felt the familiarity, the homely feeling, the compatibility. No one had ever made her feel this way before. She broke the gaze immediately feeling shy and proceeded to dish the food.

"Have you had some?" She asked. He shook his head.

"I was waiting for you so that we could eat together" he replied. Helen smiled proudly. He wouldn't stop this habit of eating with her, would he? Finally setting the table for them both, they both sat and began to eat. The food tasted really nice. Tristan was right. He really was a great cook and no one could deny that. Not even her. Staring at his lips, she saw how soft and tender they were. He had such big muscular arms which felt warm anytime they were wrapped around her. His smile was something not like those words. His skin color was on point. His hair, give me a break. Helen couldn't help but admire her boyfriend. The more she watched him eat, the more she felt remorse for not giving herself to him. He never asked or tried and she never attempted to give. She was scared. She trusted him but wasn't sure if she was ready to give herself to him. He would keep her safe and treat her with care, but was she ready to go through the emotional roller coaster with him by herself, was she?

"Tristan...why haven't…" she wanted to ask him about it but hesitated for some reason.

"What's wrong, Helen?" he asked with concern.

"Why haven't you tried to touch me yet?" She asked with a curious but shy gaze.

"I thought you wouldn't be comfortable with it. I am ready when you are", he confessed with a wink. She blushed.

"I hope it doesn't seem like I am pushing you away", she explained.

"No. You are just being normal as any regular lady would. I didn't speak because I didn't want you to see it as the basics of our relationship. I still love you for you, s*x or not"

She nodded with a smile and went on eating happily.

"Your dad, i hope you are not upset with him anymore," he continued.

"Emily made me feel better. I am still angry at him, but it's a normal family conflict. It will pass soon."

"You do know you can't ignore him forever, right?" He asked.

"I was not thinking of ignoring him. I will get over this soon. I just need time to process all this. By the way, I have started sending out applications to modelling agencies. Dad won't be sponsoring me, so I have to save up money to pay for the forms and requirements"

"I can support you with some funds" he supported.

"That will be nice. I can't do this all alone", she confessed. "I would have loved to do this all alone though, but I really have to be an independent lady. I don't want to seem like one who relies on her boyfriend for money"

"I understand, but that won't stop me from chipping in a little. One needs capital for a business, right? I could help with the capital"

Helen laughed.

"Really now, sweetie? Stop the nice behaviour. It won't help me grow. I will collect a few funds from you but I assure you that I will get a part-time job and work for my own capital. Earlier today, Elisa told me about a fancy restaurant in search of waiters. I could try my luck on this one. Luckily though, my dad knows the manager of the restaurant, so i am good to go."

"Hmm...I am smelling a reunion with dad here," Tristan told her with a wink.

"Reunion my foot. I won't be informing dad. I will just go ahead and meet the manager. He knows me so he won't think much about hiring me."

"It will be my happiest moment if you reunite with him."

"Sometimes, I don't understand you. Why are you nice to a man who doesn't even like you? He warns me every single day to stop hanging out with you. He has insulted you each time you come to visit me at my home. He almost sabotaged our relationship. How can you still feel it's smart to take such a man's side now? Not that this dad of mine will love you after this.

"Everything shouldn't be about selfish motives and vengeance, Helen. He is still your dad. I have to respect him" Helen rolled her eyes on hearing this. As soon as they were done with the food, she packed the dishes and headed to the kitchen.

"I will be sleeping over at your house for a few days", she announced, wiping her wet hands with the wiper. Tristan didn't seem happy about this.

"No love. You will have to go home. You're only angry with your dad, not your entire family". He tried convincing her.

"You won't convince me this time, Tristan. I want to stay in your house today and there is nothing you can do about it", she said stubbornly, throwing her arm around his neck and giving him a peck.

"Love, no. You really can't stay here tonight", he insisted. This had her puzzled now. He never refuses her stay. What could be wrong this time?

"What's wrong? What are you not telling me?" She asked, concerned.

"Helen, you are too pessimistic. Nothing is wrong. I just don't wish you to be here overnight today. You have to go" he continued.

"But why Tristan? You are hiding something from me". Tristan tried avoiding her gaze this time. He pushed her aside and walked toward the water dispenser to get a glass of water. "Are you cheating on me Tristan? Is that why you don't wish me to stay here? You wish to stay with a lover…"

"O! HELEN STOP!" He yelled in frustration. "How can you ever think this way of me? Do you think I am stupid enough to do that? Wait, why do you think I will cheat on you Helen? That should be the last thing on your mind right now."

"I am sorry. I am really sorry. I don't know what came over me", Helen apologized, realizing she had gone overboard. "I was just scared that you would leave me."

"Helen, i won't. I promise. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Leaving you is like cutting half of my life off. I don't know what i would ever do without you."

Helen smiled briefly and walked toward the central table where her bag was laid.

"I will be going home today then. You are right. I need to reunite with dad" She said, searching in her bag for something. "Right now, I have to use your restroom. I feel pressed"