Reciprocated Love
Chapter 29
Do It Yourself Day
AN: I don't own Hey Arnold!
I do not own Grand Cherokee or any other TM/MR mentioned here.
Sorry in advance. This chapter was written originally in Spanish. Google translator helped me a lot, but it kinda messed it too. There was a lot of his, her, he and she and such misplaced. I hope I got it fixed to make it understandable. Let's get going...
"Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Potts ..."
"Call me Ernie, honey"
"Well. Thanks Ernie" she gracefully curtsied and still smiling turned and walked to the door. From where she turned back and smiled at the group of three men and a boy who kept looking at her before disappearing from sight. She continued smiling even when there was no one else around.
God, the heat was terrible! She used the photos she had yet to sign in her hands to fan herself some air and relieve the stifling sensation. How is that Rhonda and the other girls tolerated it? She understood that it was impossible to keep the air conditioning working throughout the house with so many people coming and going but there should be at least a cool room where it'd be possible to refresh.
She went then to the working area on the second floor again; to the second of the rooms they were working at. There was something about Sid that caught her eye. The boy with lanky figure looked more handsome when he was in his work clothes -all sweaty and dirty- than when he cleaned up to go out. Lila watched him inconspicuously while pretending se was interested in what Harold was saying. The room was almost ready. They had changed all the wiring and repaired the wooden floor and wall panels and now were finishing the false fireplace as Patty and Eugene were painting the two walls already done.
"Please pass that roll over, Lila" Patty asked. The girl obeyed by going to the corner where Sid was working and performed a perfect 'bend and snap' before returning with studied, small steps that were justified because the floor was full of obstacles and materials. Reaching Patty, the girl had a half smile perched on her lips.
"To whom was it addressed?" she asked in a very low voice "Sid or his helper?"
"Sid ... he saw?" Patty confirmed her guess with a roll of her eyes. Lila went to the door where she did her thing again. She leaned against the frame where she turned and fanned her eyelashes. The boy looked up from his corner and smiled back. It's a done deal.
Coming into the first room, the redhead met Nadine and Sheena working the final touches to the now renovated bedroom. The bed was in a corner, covered with a summery bedspread in shades of lavender and green and matching curtains. Then there were a good sized desk and a closet. At the other end of the room was a table, two chairs, a fridge and a countertop burner on the small kitchen cabinet.
Lila held his breath. The room looked so different from when she and her father stayed there years ago; when they still had hard times and Arnold's grandparents offered the cheapest room in their boarding house almost for free for she being their grandson's girl. Arnold and his family had always been generous to them. Thank God those times of need were long gone and now his father was his boss' right hand; his boss was a nice man who had a delivery service company in downtown. She was working steadily in public presentations, advertising contracts as well as the news in the canal.
Lila praised the girls' work and helped them with the trash bag as they took the cleaning utensils to the other room. The bag was heavy so she decided it was time to get it out to the backyard. On the way out she met some guys still working on the stairs, where the railing was being changed. Arriving to the backyard she saw most of the boarders and former boarders over there, working in the garden or reinstalling the fence while there was still sunlight. The desire to work was injected to them by the young people called on by Sid and Rhonda.
She decided to stay there for a while, helping them to get their tools or even some beverage to those who seemed to be the most occupied. She smiled as she approached Ms. Brown and offered a glass of lemonade.
"Is the one with splenda, right girl?" Lila was always surprised to see that old ladies had such a powerful voice having a seemingly fragile complexion.
"Of course, Mrs. Brown" she said in her sweetest voice "the one with the blue cap as you told me"
"Mmm" the woman growled before drinking. Lila smiled noticing that the woman was already softening. They always did. Ms. Brown was the kind of old ladies who used to complain to the channel by having a scantily clad young lady to the note of the weather. Last year they had even organized a rally outside the building to protest against her. Lila smiled. Now they all were part of her fan base.
"Is it good or would you like me to bring more ice?" Asked to the old woman once she took a second sip and was about to continue trimming the hedges "… or bring you a snack; a sandwich would be okay?" the women sat back.
"With double cheese, the ones made by Mr. Huynh, not the raspberries' from Gertie" she smiled with mischief.
"In a second" she responded, with a slight bow. To Lila Sawyer it was not difficult to get one of the most searched sandwiches in the afternoon. A couple of minutes later she returned to Mrs. Brown. For when she finally left, the lady adored her. Lila smiled with pleasure again. No matter what the embittered say; she liked to like people.
Lila had arrived shortly after noon -after recording her participation for the evening news -to join Rhonda's call to spend a Sunday making improvements at Arnold's. The blond boy was loved and everyone was oh-so happy to tend a helping hand. Some couldn't come but sent their support in a way or another. Lila realized that the time flew when you were having fun. She realized that there had been over hours going from one place to another helping in what was needed. There was no doubt why her feet were killing her. She went to the bathroom to wriggle her toes and refresh her face. There was no excuse to don't look as cool as a cucumber.
Then she decided to go to the garage. There was the best atmosphere. When she entered the room she was glad she brought a six pack. Her presence was so well received that she decided to bring more beers; it seemed that the poor kids were in the desert. Park accompanied her back to the yard to bring sodas.
"So now you all completed their tasks" she asked him.
"I think so. Sid and just picking up your tools and cleaning the place; once the painters finish…"
"The house looks very different"
"Yeah. It's amazing what we can accomplish when we work together. I'm happy for Arnold"
"Me too. Well... don't forget that this was Sid and Rhonda's idea"
"And Phoebe planning ..."
By the time they returned to the garage, most of the guys were already there. Rhonda and Phoebe came in behind them; Phoebe holding her chart in front of her as she spoke recounting the details of the day.
"... So boarders are still working in the garden and backyard, Ernie, Antonio and Tony Jr. on the fence. Mr. Huynh, Phil, Kate and Gertie are in the kitchen. Stinky, Joey and their group are finishing the stairs... "Phoebe continued; enumerating groups and mentioning tasks.
Lila saw Sid being approached by Rhonda to do the count of the used materials. Sid gave her a half smile when their eyes met. Lila corresponded; her eyes sweeping him up and down. She smiled to herself as she left the room; then went to the kitchen to have a small talk with Gertie. There had been years since last time she talked to Arnold's grandmother but once she reached said room she realized the old lady wasn't there. Mr. Huynh and Kate were cooking so she took her way to the front door, which was ajar.
Some fresh air would be great, the redhead thought but just going out she came face to face with a restless looking Arnold. They've barely seen each other during the course of the day. Arnold's hair was more disheveled than usual. Lila grinned. His old torn jeans and plaid shirt were stained with paint. The boy threw down something and stepped over it quickly.
"I did not know you smoked, Arnold" she said with a singsong "Now, that's a surprise!" she blinked.
The boy smiled with distress and kicked the butt up to the middle of the street. "Every once in a while" he smiled "this tumult is getting on my nerves" he turned to the corner at the sound of a vehicle. A brown car passed over and Arnold returned his gaze to her "I like you could make it, Lila"
"No need to thank me, Arnold. I'm very, very happy I came"
"I saw several autographed photos of yours out there." She giggled "Be careful; the guests can be really annoying"
She laughed heartily. "Don't get jealous, Arnold" gave another giggle as she watched Arnold frowning. "A few photos are not a big problem and Ernie is a great guy" she hesitated "Tony Jr., however, I had to ask him to keep his hands to himself"
Now it was Arnold's turn to laugh. His head whipped at the sound of another car going through the opposite corner. "Be careful with Tony" he warned "he's a very sharp young man and I think you became his obsession lately. He's a poster with your image behind his door"
"So he wouldn't let the chance go?"
"That's right!" Arnold turned back when a Ford truck entered the street and stopped in front of them asking for directions. Arnold answered and she swung her hand to greet the girl who was driving. The advance of the vehicle flickered, probably because she was recognized by some fan.
The daughter of Mrs. Brown arrived at that moment and stopped to say hello. Lila did not know her well. The last few times she'd came to the boarders house, about three years ago, they were newly arrived and the redhead did not have the opportunity to meet them properly back then. She looked very nice and easy going, very unlike her mother. Lila talked to her while Arnold half listened because his attention was occupied with every car that passed by one side or the other of the street.
Lila accompanied Annie up inside the house and took her to his mother who was still in the yard but not working anymore because it was getting dark. She remained with them for a few minutes as she appreciated the work done in the garden. Ms. Brown seemed very smug of hers and Lila praised her emphatically. The woman asked her then to sit at her side at the dinner table.
The girl spun her hair when she turned around after leaving them and went back to the stoop. Arnold was walking up and down the sidewalk while talking on the phone. The flirty girl watched him as he was giving her his back. Arnold had changed a lot since the last time they went out. He was definitely taller now and was well-built. The old jeans he wore fit like a glove to his narrow hips. The shirt was big on him but didn't hide the muscles of his arms and his back. There weren't huge muscles, thanks god. Men with vast muscles barely move. While laughing, the blond ran his hand behind his neck, as he used when he was sorry ... or nervous... or lying. What is the situation now? Lila wondered. She decided to approach him to find out.
"... Of course I'd like it ... no ... yes; you know ... it has nothing to do with it. Why are you so obsessed with her? She's not even here ... Look, the house is being remodeled and there are not empty rooms, plus I start working tomorrow... In my room?" The boy almost choked "...because first of all, I don't think it is a good time to let your brothers alone. You act as a barrier over there ... you know what? I have to go. Talk to you later" And with that, the blond cut immediately the call. Lila could not help but smiling. She knew who he was talking to. So… troubles in paradise?
"Arnold ..." The boy turned surprised before he could get a good look at the vehicle that went around the corner.
"Lila, you're here!" he chortled "I didn't hear you coming back"
"I'm barely arriving and I thought you were worried. I thought you were talking to yourself, I did not realize you were on the phone" she ended "Any problem?"
"It's nothing" he shook slightly his head and then grimaced "The usual"
"A jealous girlfriend because someone else steals your attention?" Arnold let out a little mocking sound.
"Where do they learn to put all the same tantrum once and again?" He said as quoting someone else. "Now I understand" the blonde laughed again.
"What do you mean?" Lila decided to play dumb... nah! Tt was better to plainly annoy him "You understand the phrase... or the cause of our distress by not having your full attention?"
"You have my attention now" he said hoarsely, facing her. Wow; talk about how much Arnold had grown! She wore nearly four inches extra in heels and still had to turn up to look at him.
"That's not the kind of attention I meant; besides I don't care anymore. It's not my problem" She uttered a little fidgety; then breathed deeply trying to relax. There had been years since those green eyes made her nervous.
"Then please don't plead for someone else. Plead only for you. When will you start doing it?" My, my! Now she was surprised. Now he even had attitude.
"There you go again!" She pouted "I don't know why you are so keen at offering advice that you don't follow yourself? You should stop caring about what others do and instead take care of whatever you should do well"
"Gee! now you even have attitude" Lila rolled her eyes "I'd believe you'd really changed if I hadn't seen you the entire afternoon trying to make everybody happy" Arnold quipped.
"I'd believe you'd also changed if I hadn't seen you keeping from your actual girlfriend what really holds your heart" she could make fun of him too.
Arnold gave out a sly little noise again.
"Turns out that I'm now the one who hides things. We dated for years and you were never sincere about your feelings"
Someone is in bad mood…
"Neither were you with yours"
"I really loved you. How not to? You were the most perfect girl any kid could hope for"
Lila laughed ruefully
"Maybe perfect wasn't the right thing for you..." she sighed "At least I was always sincere. I went out with you because you were the most decent guy amongst the ones who paid me attention. You were the most well-intentioned and I told you so all the time"
"Now you use that in your favor..." he shook his head "turns out that to be honest is now more valuable than actually having feelings"
"Don't come again with how much you loved me..." she saw him making that bitter gesticulation again. She interrupted him before she loses his attention "…and don't you dare to turn back again. That's not a red car..."
Arnold snorted. "Of course I loved you. I would never been able to be with you if I didn't..."
"Like the last time we were together, Arnold?" Lila interrupted. He was always Mr. Right. She tried to suppress the pain or the shame or whatever that that memory made her feel "I'd just had a terrible experience and needed you because you were always there for me, to make me feel good when the world was evil; to make me feel beautiful... But I guess it wasn't me the one you wanted, right?"
"Listen ..."
"Don't bother to deny it because I know, Arnold. I have been in that situation too; also with you. We're even" she turned to go back into the house. She hoped that in his astonishment, the boy would leave her alone but she was wrong.
"I've apologized a thousand times for that" he said after he pulled her hand and forced her to turn to him "I've apologized to you even when you're not present, but what's the point? Even if you forgive me that will never stop the guilt I still feel" his voice held sorrow... and embarrassment... it truly did. Lila breathed deeply.
"Come on… leave it in the past. I forgave you long ago"
Arnold thanked her with a sad smile. Lila couldn't help but soften when she saw him. Arnold always looked like a lost toddler when he was sad and she always tried to help him to feel better. After all, there were some things they still shared. Not having a loving mother was one of them.
"Come here" she pulled his hand "It's foolish to fight over stupid things that we don't even care about anymore"
"You're right, Lila. I'm so..."
"Shhhh, Shhhh! Shut up!" the pretty girl hugged him. "I'm also sorry. This is the last time we talk about it, okay?" The boy made an attempt to pull away immediately at the sound of another car entering the street "It's not red" she repeated as she patted his expansive shoulders. Arnold growled. 'Little Arnold is getting yummier' she thought with a naughty smile.
"Why do you insist with the damn car...?" He started bellicosely but when looked at her sighed long "Okay ... friends then?" He smiled with resolution. The sweet redhead snickered when she saw a dry drop of paint on his chin.
"I don't see why not. We've always been friends, haven't we?" She extended her hand to remove the stain; Arnold froze. She giggled at the sight of the blond's face very close to hers. Oh, no, not again! ... Oh-My-God!... Well, to be sincere, she found the guy more handsome than ever ... Lila was unresolved on what to do. Arnold's arms were already around her when a sudden sly voice cracked in.
"I hate to interrupt this sweet re-union, but I wish I could get into..."
Arnold let go of her fast like a thunderbolt.
"Oh, my God, you came!" Lila blinked twice and leaned on the doorframe to keep her balance.
"Doi!" The girl said vehemently "I promised it, right? If I knew I was expected with such enthusiasm I'd come earlier" she laughed, then turned serious again, smiling apologetically to Lila "I'm kidding. It was not possible… though I wished I haven't interrupted... Miss Perfect "Helga gave her a quick hug before pushing her slightly to go up the steps.
"Why the hurry?" Arnold reached out to stop her "It's not as if there still are a lot to do ..."
"I cannot stay..." the blonde replied, clucking "I came to apologize" she looked really sad "... and to give this to Sid" signaled a shopping bag she was carrying "... I had a lot of interviews today and I'm barely finishing. I was just leaving the store when ..." she trailed off pointing weakly towards the street.
"Oh, my God!" Lila jumped and gave a little shriek inadvertently, then ran down the street where an impressive black Grand Cherokee was parked. The young man who was on the phone turned around, surprised. Lila was a few feet from wrap him in her arms when a brute crossed her path, stopping her short.
"Ma'am..." the guy spoke masking his rudeness. Lila's momentum made her hit him so the guy grabbed her to prevent rebound. She pushed against him to see his face. There was another man right there with his hand tucked dangerously inside his jacket .
"I just wanted to say hello..." her voice trembled, suddenly frightened. The guy who stopped her was huge. His head should be two feet above her. Lila watched as James hastened his goodbyes before turning to her with a kind smile that made immediately forgive the rudeness of his bodyguards. God, this man is gorgeous!
"George ..." James spoke disapprovingly but humorous at the same time "You didn't know how to get a hug from our weather lady, right?" James held out both hands to greet her warmly but didn't embrace her. Lila almost let out a groan of disappointment. He probably didn't remember her name. "Beware, Lila! Our George has a hard time keeping his hands to himself"
At least he knew her name. She sighed. She was about to say something when she understood what the guard had muttered and made the three men laugh heartedly.
"Why would he say something like that?" she asked feigning innocence. George and the driver laughed again. James just shook his head in amusement.
"We spend too much time together ..." he said as for explanation "I don't know when it was that we lost the mutual respect"
"You're the boss. You come to Hillwood and forget how to behave. You are a bad example" one of them said. Lila giggled seeing James blushing and smiled aggrieved.
"Do you realize how much they respect me?" he asked cheerfully to her.
Lila observed him carefully while he pretended to call to order the other two burly men who only played along. He was indeed a very attractive man. It was not just his physical beauty; his poise and the way he conducted himself were hypnotic. The dark blue suit he wore only emphasized his tall and dashing figure. James turned his attention for a moment to his cell phone, which had issued a vibrating noise.
The redhead took the opportunity to see his face illuminated by the bluish light of the device, trying to memorize it. He had a small mouth and thin but curvy lips; his nose was perfectly straight, though. It was almost as if he had been designed at the whim of a very competent architect . His eyes were green with a greyish shade... He looked up just a second to see her then went back to read the screen of his phone.
Lila smiled. She didn't care what he thought. Probably was already used to such female attention. She was so busy watching his abundant and curly dark eyelashes when the light of his cellphone went out. James was looking towards the house with full attention and a frown perched on his brow; he didnt realize when the screen of his device was locked. Lila reacted just in time to hear what Arnold said.
"...come on, don't pretend you care ..." his voice forcibly low but it was obvious he was upset. James shoved his phone back into his pocket and strode towards them. Lila did the same before the bodyguards blocked the way. "... In fact you didn't have to come, we don't need your help. Everything is done now. Why don't you go back to your immaculate office to make more money...?"
"Is there any problem?" James's voice was hostile when he spoke. Lila was surprised to see that his graceful features had hardened. Arnold took a step back when heard him and watched as he placed his hand on Helga' shoulder, holding her protectively. Helga leaned against him and shook her head, slightly altered. The blonde's face was a mask, not even a wrinkle on her brow but in her eyes Lila detected a mixture of surprise and pain that disappeared when she turned back towards them.
"Then I'm glad everything is done so I don't need to feel guilty for being unable to stay. You're right. I have other things to do" She spoke harshly, then paid attention to her shopping bag "Lila ... could you do me a favor and give this to Sid? "
"Of course, Helga. I'll be more than happy to do it. What would I say they are?"
"He already knows..." Helga shook his hand dismissively "Just a couple of things he left for maintenance" she turned to whisper something to James "... Well guys ... I gotta go. See you later, Lila... stick around. Football Head..."
"Arnold" James corrected her.
"Arnold..." Helga rolled her eyes.
Lila said goodbye with an effusive smile as Arnold barely muttered a farewell when they turned to go. James had observed the blond with harshness but Arnold avoided his gaze, probably ashamed of his behavior ... most probably jealous. Lila looked up to see that James was carrying Helga arm formally, no longer embraced and helped her into the truck. The huge man closed the door after he also entered and climbed into the passenger seat. The driver waited until a silver Charger overpassed them before pulling out.
Arnold watched them go with a dark look. Lila understand to some extent what was going through his mind. Helga had been within easy reach for years and now, when she was excited about someone else he decided that he wanted her... and not only that ... he was being hostile towards her and abused her verbally, the same way Helga used to abuse him when they were in elementary school... but even Helga had surpassed that issue for the time she went out with Brian in seventh grade. Arnold was a supposedly a healthy adult with no conflicts... Arnold had lost her and he knew it. There was no point of comparison between him and James ... Arnold was cute and handsome... and gentle... and whatever else you want, but James made every other man become a wallflower when he was present. The redhead sighed.
"I'll leave this to Sid" she said. Arnold seemed not to hear.
She entered the house and found Sid admiring the work done on the stairs. She called him and walked on; the boy was waiting for her when she reached him.
"Lila ..." the boy had a mischievous smile in his dark eyes.
"I have this for you" she held out the bag. Sid frowned before looking into the bag. He froze for a few seconds before looking up to see her with utter confusion.
"Don't... understand.." he shoved his hand into the bag, "How did you know ...?" Lila smiled as a reflex when saw the smile of delight curving his lips.
"It wasn't me" she said before the guy hugged her "Helga brought it to you"
"Helga? Where is she?" his smile grew. He turned to the yard calling out "Helga...!" the boy rushed to the back door. Lila literally had to run to stop him.
"She's not here" the redhead said as he came back. "She said she'd been busy all day but had promised to come and so she came. She left it to me at the front door"
Lila observed as Sid took a good look to the interior of the bag, then reached down to pick something. He drew out a pink post it with neat handwrite 'Your part is done, Nose Boy" It read "... but even when you lost, I'm a magnagnimous winner"
"Why didn't hand them to me personally?" Sid asked somewhat disheartened, still not believing what he saw in the bag. Lila had seen already what was it. There were three boxes of brand-new phones.
'How strange' she thought. Helga said they had been on maintenance.
"I suppose she had no chance"
"And why would that be?"
"Arnold ..." Oh-oh. She was no rat but by the look he gave her, she knew she wasm't going to get out of this easily.
"What did Arnold do?"
"Don't know yet. It all happened so fast. One second I was talking to James, the next I saw Arnold arguing with Helga ... but I might be wrong ... We all know Arnold is not this kind..."
"Are you telling me that Arnold didn't allow her to stay?"
"Helga couldn't stay anyway. She said James was barely arriving and his bodyguards said he escaped from a meeting in Manhattan to be just a couple of hours in here" mindlessly, she connected up the cryptic phrases said by the bodyguards. Her brain was... Wow!
"But he told her to go away?" Lila hesitated. She didn't remember seing Sid so angry before "Did he?"
"Of course not..."
"What an idiot! Where is he?" Lila sighed. Why to stop him? Maybe Arnold had it coming.
"I left him at the stoop a few minutes ago" Lila saw the dark-haired young man clenching his jaw and head for the front door. Wow! All the kids seemed so grown. Maturity made them look good. Even Helga, looked a lot better, like more professional even when she only wore khakis, a green polo shirt with the store logo and moccasins. "Sid ..." the boy turned from a few feet ahead "What are you going to do later?"
The boy raised his eyebrows in surprise, then curled his lips in a smirk.
"I thought you knew ... You and I have a date, Ms. Sawyer"
Lila could not help but smile like a fool when the boy winked. She definitely preferred them young and playful. She sighed.
Thanks to all my readers. Special thanks to my reviewers Nep2uune, eXtraNIo, Steph, Jose Ramiro and everyone else reviewing the Spanish version. Siento haberme retrasado, mi laptop tuvo un incoveniente. Espero que mañana salga el capítulo 20.
Written: December 2012
Published: Jan/5/2013
