Chapter 3

Arnold held Helga's hand as he led them through the packed dinning room. "Come on Gerald is over here." He pushed through the last group of people and found his friend lingering over the dessert table. "Gerald." Arnold called.

Gerald turned around and spotted his best friend, "Arnold. Long time no see loser."

"You know me always busy." He smiled and shook his friend's hand, "How go the wedding plans?"

"Phoebe is going absolutely nuts. My mom wants Phoebe to wear her wedding dress and use the same flowers she used. So where's your date?" he asked teasingly.

"Right here." Arnold smiled proudly as Helga walked forward.

"How in the world did you get a date with one of the richest women on the east coast?" he asked staring hard at Helga.

"Close your mouth, man, your drooling."

"How do you do? I'm Gerald."

"Helga."

"Gerald, if I have to hear about how beautiful your mom's dress is one more time I swear I'll scream!" Phoebe said walking up to them and slipping her arm through her fiancée's, "I thought this was my wedding."

"Actually it's our wedding."

"If you don't get your mom to back off then it will be no one's wedding, and your funeral. Because I will strangle you."

"Hi Phoebe."

"Hey Arnold." She said sullenly, suddenly though she perked up when she noticed the blonde attached to Arnold's arm, "Helga?"

Helga nodded, "Phoebe! I thought you looked familiar."

"You know Helga Pataki?" Gerald asked totally taken aback.

"Oh yeah. Helga and I went to private school together."

"Yep and we graduated Highschool together. Best friends forever right?"

"Yeah right. You went to college and became some big business tycoon. What brings you to our humble world? Hopefully not to help with this local charity case." She said pointing to Arnold.

"For your information, Helga is my date for the evening."

"Yeah right and Donald Trump gives out free bags of money every Saturday."

Helga smiled, her 'friends' never had fun like this. They spent their time talking about business. This was the most fun she had had at a party in years. "Who's your date Arnold?" said an obviously snobbish voice from behind. Arnold slowly turned around and turned up his nose, "Hello Beth."

"In the flesh. So who's the bimbo?"

"Helga Pataki actually." Helga said facing her mocker.

Beth snorted, "I thought you business moguls only dated up. But he must be one of your charity cases."

"Look I came out with Arnold tonight because I really wanted to spend time with him. He's a great guy and a lot of fun to be with."

Beth rolled her eyes and walked away. "You're a brave soul, Helga Pataki. You stood up to Beth Anderson. No one ever does that." Phoebe said clapping her hands.

A slow song began to swirl through the air. "Come Gerald let's dance. It may be your last." She led him onto the dance floor.

"Thanks for that." Arnold said nudging Helga's arm.

"She was being rude."

"It's just how she is. Which is exactly why I broke up with her…Hey do you wanna dance?"

"Sure." He wrapped his fingers around hers and led her to the dance floor. The rest of the evening went by so smoothly. "So do you want me to walk you back to your hotel?"

"I'd like that."

They walked silently down the sidewalk. Being the bold soul that he was, Arnold reached over and held Helga's hand. This made her cheeks flush deep red. "Thank you for a marvelous evening." She said stopping in front of the hotel.

"No problem. You were the one who saved me from having to spend the evening with Beth." He said shuddering at the very thought.

"Could we possibly go out again? I mean I had such a great time and I would really like to see you again."

"Sure."

"Here…" She took out a pen and wrote her name and number on his hand, "Give me a call."

"I will."

"Goodnight, Arnold."

"Goodnight, Helga."

He took a deep breath and was about to walk away when suddenly he whirled around and kissed Helga. "Sorry I've wanted to do that all night."

He ran down the sidewalk leaving Helga completely speechless.