Her Spoilt CEO

Friend's ex

Knowing she and Tristan were no longer in a relationship anymore, she couldn't get herself to process the fact he wasn't sharing things with her anymore. What kind of friend would she be if she completely neglected the well being of her close ones? How much pain could Tristan be feeling at that point? She definitely had to see him.

"Why the sudden change of emotions? I won't even discuss the fact that you discussed our personal issues with your friend. Who kicked the bucket?" Finn asked, walking into the closet to get his laundry bag.

"Tristan's mother. She died two days ago...this news baffles me a lot. I feel so bad for him. I don't understand why he hadn't seen the need to tell me anything."

"It seems your ex doesn't have that much interest in you anymore. Who knows, he must have seen you as a blabber tongue. You have no idea how to keep your mouth shut. He made a wise choice, deciding to tell your close friend instead."

Helen rubbed her forehead trying to control herself from getting upset by Finn's words.

"I am not going to argue with you today. Tristan is facing a very hard time and I really need to go and see him". She jumped off the bed and walked into the washroom. As soon as she was in, she turned on the water heater.

" I would not advise you to go anywhere today because the court will be coming this afternoon to see how we are getting along. I know how much it hurts you to leave your boyfriend in this vulnerable state but..."

"HE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND! PLEASE!... Stop calling him my boyfriend...He is still my ex…" She yelled out, not having it anymore. Why would this guy keep calling Tristan her lover when they barely even get along? He had abandoned all they had in the past and moved on without her.

"Woah. Chill girl. You don't tell me anything. You're the one always blaming me for the distant relationship between us, but seems to be two sides here and not one. I am obviously not the only one who keeps secrets after all. You also have so much to tell me about your past. Even though I don't care about it at this point, I have the right to know. Why are you still after him after your break up? Don't you wish to move on?"

Helen shook her head immediately.

"He is a very good man and I won't let him off the hook that easily. He is the only one that makes me happy and understands me. I don't care if we have broken up, I will have him back no matter what", she insisted.

"With the way you sound, it seems you are just after him because he makes you feel good about yourself and because he loved you more than any past boyfriends of yours had... that's if anyone even agreed to date you in the first place." Helen took that as an insult. "I don't think you love this man enough to make him happy yourself. Come to think of it, you are sounding selfish. He loves you, he does this for you, he does that for you, but what have you done for him? Did you ever try your best to make him feel loved and support him through all the tides he had faced or was he just the only one tolerating all the hardships you two faced together? Have you ever thought of these questions or is everything just about you?" He decided to help her with her self reflection. Helen stared at him dumbfounded, knowing he was right all along. Finn had actually made a point. All the while, Tristan had been the one doing all the trying to save their fragile relationship just to make her happy. She barely did much. All she did was cry to him about her family problems and argue blindly with him if he saved any female picture on his phone. She had never trusted him. Not even a bit. The guy was a good guy which she never deserved. Why hadn't he told her she had caused him nothing but pain through her insecurities? Why had he tolerated her immature behaviour all along? She felt stupid and guilty thinking about all this.

"Seems I touched a soft spot. Helen, it's time you moved on from that man. He deserves someone better than you. Both of you aren't compatible at all. Think about it. You are both two parallel lines struggling to meet but unable to", Finn concluded, before walking out with the laundry bag.

***

Emily offered Tristan the flask of hot fried rice she had cooked from her home as she closed up the bag she had brought it out from. The young guy thanked her, walking into the kitchen to get a spoon. As soon as he was back, she watched him eat slowly.

"What was wrong with her?" She decided to ask, breaking the silence between them.

"She had a stroke. I send her caretakers money every weekend to take very good care of her but what was the use? They never used it on her because her autopsy result showed she had low sugar levels."

"Human beings can be really cruel. It is so sad how bad things happen to good people like you. This is why it's hard for me to trust anyone."

"My siblings didn't bother taking care of her. I did it all. I am sure everyone will feel guilty now that she is gone. They were so busy taking care of their selfish needs that they ignored the most important person in their lives."

"Such is life Tristan. Not everyone you call brother or sister actually sees you that way. To some, you are just bonded by blood, nothing more. It is still their choice if they wish to support you or not. They do not give a damn about ties."

"What is the use of having children then?" Tristan asked with a furious tone.

"I don't know… to increase the world population or continue the cycle of life, I guess. It is so funny how I think of this. Let me not lie to you. That's why I haven't had a real relationship or settled down with any freaking man. It's just a complete sham. One has to be mentally prepared for this, i assure you that. What's the essence of staying years with a man, bearing children out of love and bond and then raising the kids only for them to abandon you just to live their own lives and not check up on you to see if you're breathing or not? Children are adorable. I just wish they would consider their parents more once they grow into adults''

"We cannot generalize them all. Some are really good while some are just selfish. In the end, it goes down to their upbringing and personality types. Not everyone will be good, you know."

Emily nodded. She handed him a bottled water she had gotten for him. He thanked her and opened up the cap with one go. Emily seemed impressed, knowing she would be struggling with the cap if it were her.

"You did not tell Helen about your mother's death. Why is that?" She decided to ask.

"I didn't want to bother her with it. She has a marriage contract to fulfill and focus attention on"

"In as much as I hate seeing you both fight, I think you should move on from her. She has caused you enough problems already. All I do is just sit and watch as she pours all her family problems on your head. Do you remember the time she accused you of locking her up in your basement when her dad was looking for her? She had said that to save herself from being caught by her father because she stole his debit card. She never wanted the focus to be on her, so she had deviated it on you. How do you tolerate such troublemakers?"

"That day shocked me, I swear. I didn't expect her to do that. Even though she took the card in order to transfer back the money her dad had stolen from the NGO her mum ran, it was still stupid for her to have dragged me into that mess."

"She used you in order to get away from so many of her family problems. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why the old man hates you. He thinks you are a bad influence on his daughter, not knowing she is the one who needs to be taught a lesson."

"I am the one who is being too good to her. Perhaps if i had been harsher or more strict, she would not have seen me as a ticket out of all her problems or seen the need to disrespect me."

"Exactly my point, Tristan. We have been friends since high school. I can't bear to see anyone treat you this way. You do not deserve it. With all the support you have given me during my miscarriage, I had given my word to your father that i won't let any harm come to you or let anyone disappoint you as much as Helen did. If all this means finding you a good lady…. then i will definitely find you a good lady."

"Thanks Emily, but i don't need a lady in my life right now. I am okay with myself" he confessed as he took the flask to the kitchen sink. "You are really a nice cook though. I would love you to teach me this recipe."

Emily blushed and nodded in agreement.

"Sure. My mum's food recipe always does the trick". She boasted, giving him a wink. Finally, stepping out of the kitchen, he took her hands in his and smiled. Emily felt her heart beat faster as she gazed deep into his lovely eyes. They had been friends for years so she had gazed at them thousands of times. Why was this time different? Why was her heart beating like crazy this time?

"Emily, thank you for everything. I don't know what I would ever do without you," he said, patting her hands softly. She felt her legs tremble and her eyes twitch.

"Well...em...i...i... I did not do anything", She responded, immediately avoiding his gaze.

"It's fine. You're such a great friend. You do not have to deny all the help you have rendered to me. I see you as a person worthy of trust. This is why I tell you everything that goes on in my life even though it is personal to me. You have never broken my trust."

"And I never will, Tristan", She promised with a nod, trying to hide the disappointment she felt with him calling her just a friend. Why was she feeling hurt at the sound of just being friends with him? Why was she expecting more? What's wrong with her? He was the ex of her best friend, for crying out loud. This was wrong. She couldn't do that. She drew her hands away from him and picked up her bag ready to head out.

"Are you fine?" He asked, confused.

"Yes, I am. My mum needs my help at home at this moment. It is nice seeing you holding on well, Tristan. That's all that matters", she said as she turned the door knob.

"Okay. That's fine. How about your flask though? Won't you take that with you?"

"You can return it to my place anytime you are free or even keep it. I have thousands of them at home. My mum runs a charity, you know", she explained, waving her hands at his face.

"Alright. What if I drop you off?"

"You wish to drop your… your friend off?" She asked, putting more stress on the word 'friend' in a weird way.

"Yes, and my best one for that matter. Come on, let me get my car keys"

"That won't be necessary at all, Tristan. Bye" She refused the offer immediately before racing out the door and dialing her uber. Her heart was hurt at the sound of being "just a friend" to Tristan. Why was this affecting her so badly? It never affected her when Helen was with Tristan or when they kissed each other in front of her. Why now? What the heck was happening to her?

"Feelings No! No feelings….He is my best friend. It will ruin everything", She told herself as she tried controlling her breathing and calming herself down. She got excited at the site of her uber and rushed toward it immediately.

"Bye Emily". She heard Tristan's voice from his gate. She didn't bother looking back.

"Drive faster please"