The absolute beginner

It’s been three months since the events of chapter 4 , and six months since they first met .

He noticed lately that she’s been often absent minded, her answers got shortened whenever he asks is she was ok ,and she quickly shifts the conversation towards other subjects . After a couple of failed attempts to get her to share her worries with him , he was wondering if a better way to make her feel at ease .

She was having some personal problems that she wanted to handle on her own . After being let down by so many people in her life , she stopped letting people in ,in times of distress . Deep down she was scared to share this with him , afraid of an undesirable outcome , that she’d lose him in the process. She also knew that her fear was misplaced because he’s been nothing but empathetic , attentive , and supportive of her .

The tremendous amount of stress she felt to find a solution to her situation, and the guilt of having to hide this from him, were taking a toll on her.

She comes home after a long day at work, he was already there waiting for her, he let himself in with the spare key she gave him. She takes off her coat and sits on the kitchen table where he puts two cups of boiling hot tea.

- “How was your day” he asks “, massaging her neck

- “Awful, endless meetings back-to-back” she replies, “what about you “?

- “The boss is out of town, we barely find things to do”, he says while taking the seat next to her, he takes her hand between his, with a worried yet disarming look in his eyes he adds “I’ve been meaning to tell you something, and haven’t found the right moment to do so yet ”.

- “This is as good a time as any, shoot “she says nervously, escaping his eye contact

- “what’s eating you lately? you’re walking around with the weight of the world on your shoulders, I waited for you to come up to me to talk but you avoid discussing anything remotely about you .it pains me to see you like this, I worry about you , you know that you can tell me anything right ?

Her heart was racing in her chest and the lump on her throat was getting heavier with each word he said. The conversation she dreaded to have was unfolding before her very eyes , it was time to chin up and tell him the truth.

- “First of all , I want to apologize to you for how I’ve been acting lately, I’m aware that I’ve been steering clear from any of your concerned questions. I think I am used to close off when I’m facing challenges …old habits die hard ” she replies , a sad chuckle comes out of her mouth.

“Two weeks ago I received a letter from my ex ,saying that I should get back to san Francisco to collect the profits from my share of the business. I didn’t’ know the he actually made me his partner, I took care of a lot of paperwork, and had my signature on many documents and one of them must be about the business ownership. Since then, all I could think of is how can I fix this predicament that I want no part of , I didn’t even know where to start . I’ve been going through all the files that I still have, trying to come up with something presentable for potential investors. I need to sell my share , I no longer can nor want to be associated with that person, let alone be his “business partner”. she says, with a sigh of disappointment.

- “I’m sorry you’ve been going through this, i hope you understand that you don't have to deal with anything on your own, i would like to be there for you as much I can, he says reassuringly

- “It’s not that i don’t want your help, I just didn’t want to worry you with this mess” she tells him.

He grabs her chin and look at her right in the eyes

- “it’s not a mess , it’s a complication that can be managed , and anyhow your mess is my mess .Listen to me , you’re smart ,brave ,resilient , and i wholeheartedly trust you, there’s no shadow of a doubt in my mind that you will figure this out . But I’m here now, all I’m asking of you is to allow me to help. he says with a begging tone.

- “I wholeheartedly trust you too” she replies, eyes twinkling from how touched she was by his earnest speech.

- “Glad that we clear that out of the way “he says smiling.

- “You have no idea how relieved I feel right now “she says while hugging him.

They spent the evening examining the documents, he was sure that they can work things out, what she came up with made a solid case for a business proposal and he had a valuable network of financial advisers that could help them with their investor hunt .

In the next days, he called up all his former professional contacts, pitching them the investment idea. After a week , an interested party finally got back to him ,and they asked for a meeting in person.

To spare her any false hope, he took it upon himself to go alone first .In the early morning , he took a flight to L.A for the meeting where he presented the proposal . It didn’t take much for the investors to be convinced with the deal, and they agreed to finalize it in Texas, with the presence of their respective lawyers .

Later that day , he meets her for dinner , outside their favorite restaurant.

- “I have some good news” he starts off

- “I have some good news too”, she says back, happily .

- “we should start with yours then “he replies , smirking.

- “I met with my lawyer today about the legal procedure to cash in the profits and he assured me that there’s no obligation for me to go to San Francisco , and the he will handle the transaction, your turn now ! “

- “unfortunately, mine will top yours ... I found an investor” he teases

- “You’re joking?” a surprised look was painted all over her face, her eyes and mouth were wide open, and her eyebrows raised.

- “I told you I’ve been contacting my former colleagues, they helped me find an interested company .

- And they accepted without having to see the documents? she asks confused .

- “No , I actually met them and explain your proposal , they liked it and they will come here next week with their lawyers to meet you, if the deal suits you then you can sign right there and then” .he clarifies .

- “I’m speechless, I don’t know how to thank you frankly” she says , still processing the news .

Videoer: Speak, Comrade Elmo.