Rocket to the Moon

Chapter Ten

Arnold Goes Up

. . .

A pair of brown eyes followed Arnold as he left Greg's office, folder in hand, and walked to his spot. The girl scoffed. 'There he was, the new favorite of the bosses'. Deb and Greg were charmed by him; by his knowledge and his disposition. Daphne scoffed again when the young boy with short blond hair reached his desk and leaned in to search among his work.

It was incredible how the general perception of the boy had changed. He, who came to Mueller four months ago, a week after the rest of the newcomers, bringing along the ignominious fame of having quitted to his previous job because of outdated ideals, and who'd ended doing voluntary job at some point of his life, had turned the tables and it was obvious now that he was meant to bigger and better things. Arnold was now part of Deborah's closest circle; took part in the weekly meetings of the Department and did special work.

Rumor has it that his closeness to one of the senior executives and minor investor of he company has a lot to do with it, but Daphne knew better. She knew that if it were the case Arnold had made his move earlier. She also knew Helga Pataki didn't know he worked there but after a while; she had heard it from the blonde herself once she overheard her talking to Grace.

Daphne turned to see her coworker again, still searching in his desk. She kept her eyes on him, looking at him intently. Arnold wasn't that tall, but was well-built, though not that muscular. The greyish suit he wore fell tight in his arms which made obvious he worked out. He wasn't half bad, Daphne thought again, whistling inside her head, leaning back on her flexible seat to admire his back and bottom as he moved to go back to Greg's office.

At this pace he'd be in charge of a team really soon. His girlfriend would be so proud -she thought with disdain - Claire, such hypocrite. She acted as if she were the queen of the homeless; the most virtuous of the girlfriends but in reality she was a manipulative bitch. She never went her way without taking advantage of every situation she happens to meet.

She could be seen every now and then in the office because her business with the Social Assistance Department. Of course she came over to floor 29 too, to show everybody that the blond prodigy called Arnold was hers and only hers; and of course to take a look to the surroundings and absorb everything she could, something that never seemed to be enough.

Daphne grunted then. How she'd wish her lucky star would wane; that Arnold would meet another girl and dump her but no such luck. Arnold seemed immune to the charms of the prettiest girls around and his only soft spot seemed to be Helga who could also be seen coming to visit him at his workplace now and again. But Helga wasn't interested in him. Helga was the soft spot of a bunch of the males around, Henry's included. The old boss who was always demanding her attention even when there were more people around.

The young lawyer used to despise bitches in general. Everywhere she went there were always such specimens around. The office was not the exception. But she knew there were 'bitches' and 'Bitches', and Helga was amongst the latter. Not anyone could go from being a simply assistant to the C-Suite in a lustrum, let alone to steal the boss's heart. No, Helga was not 'a bitch', but 'The Bitch', someone worthy to imitation. She was admired and hated at the same time. Men looked at her with admiration and respected her because her brain, her wit and her looks; and girls… girls were more complicated…

Girls admired her because the power she had; because the place she had earned by her own means, and because - all in all - her congeniality. But they also hated her and the reasons behind it were more diverse.

They hated her because a successful woman was always hated. They hated her because she was evil - or how else could she be called when she was accepting Henry's attentions now when late Mrs. Mueller had loved her like a daughter? That was immoral. But that wasn't all…

Incredibly, the reason behind the main amount of hatred came from girls who hated her because she was a pain in Dick' ass; and Dick's ass was one of the most admired and desired things in the whole building and in much of Midtown.

Daphne shook her head. Sometimes her mind just couldn't process this all. Alright, she admitted that accepting Henry's attentions when you were in close acquaintance with his deceased wife was wicked; but she also understood that Henry was alive and was a man with needs; a man still handsome and extremely rich. She couldn't blame Helga when she, as most of women, would act the same. Those were just too many qualities in a man to be ignored. So many that you could easily disregard defects such as a deceased wife, his age and a more than possible his lack of liveliness in bed. It was her choice after all; her choice and the choice of some other women who shared his bed, if rumors were true.

Talking about weird, Daphne rolled her eyes.

And regarding Dick, well, much to his chagrin, he has to live with it; with the constant risk that Helga's existence meant to his future. He should beg to the heavens that Helga wouldn't get pregnant with Henry's child or he had to say goodbye not only to his hopes to be his successor but also his heir. Poor Dick, the girl thought, the young man didn't have it easy.

Talking about Dick, Daphne had to admit that despite the disdain displayed she wasn't completely immune to his charms, but to say the truth she kinda feared him. She admitted he was handsome, although the definition of handsome didn't fit him quite right. He was tall, lean, fit, but his presence was more ominous than pleasant. His charms came more from his latent masculinity than from his handsomeness.

'I just see Dick and my estrogen goes wild. I can't think straight.' used to say Nadia, the girl who sat beside her. Daphne replied with a sneer 'Good thing you don't see his dick or you'll be lost.' Nadia blushed then and laughed nervously.

Daphne was sure Nadia wasn't the only one who reacted that way to The Heir's closeness. She had witnessed a bunch of girls blushing madly in his presence, giggling like stupid teenagers, something that the aforementioned young man used to disregard, yet sometimes he seemed to have fun at their expense; to enjoy seeing their predicament, to stir it, but that was all. Dick never went out with an employee. His dates used to be people from outside; extremely attractive young women customarily; wealthy girls of course.

Daphne turned to see her coworker again as he left the room, went to his desk where he rummaged for a while. Finally he straightened, picked up a pile of folders and began to move again, towards her, in his way to the staircase. The girl turned to her own paperwork as the blond boy came close, and then raised her sight casually. He smiled to her and she smiled back politely; then he walked on to the end of the corridor, opened the door and disappeared behind it. He was surely going up to see the boss of them.

X X X

Arnold pushed the door and met the red and black layout that he'd come to know from heart. A Meeting Room was first door at right; then Deb's office, Helga's, Henry's, which was situated at the bottom; the Boardroom was next, to the left; then Dick's Office. There was a lounge; the coffee room and a storage room, all circling the hall where the secretaries were located.

It's been four months he'd be working for Mueller and he could say he was happy. Turned out that Helga had been right; Mueller was a good place to be in spite all that gossiping. He only knew he had to be careful, people were always watching. He'd just witnessed Daphne doing what she did the best right before leaving floor 29.

Arnold greeted the girls and smiled to Deb's secretary when he passed by her desk.

"Deb is in Dick's office," she uttered before he knocked the door "But you can come in and wait inside."

"Thank you," Arnold nodded, going ahead, but then made a halt and turned around "I thought Dick was in Brazil"

"He came back last night," the woman informed "But I'm afraid he's traveling again." She opened her eyes and let out an apologetic smile. "As soon as next week."

"To India?" Arnold asked, remembering Helga's unveiled jeering all those months ago.

"Yeah, to India." She confirmed with an intone that almost said: 'Poor Dick,' at the end.

'Poor Dick indeed' Arnold thought.

As little as his work has to do with Dick's -or Helga's in any case- he could tell the senior executives didn't have it easy. Even Deb's workload was intense, and she didn't have to travel half of the time as her pairs did. Her work consisted in attending to the courts and protecting Mueller Enterprises by preventing troubles of any kind. But Helga and Dick traveled a lot to keep the company working at its upmost; they probably spent more nights in hotel rooms than in their own beds. Helga had been out most of last month and had just come back last week. Dick spent the last three weeks in Brazil. Now he was heading to India for probably a similar amount of time.

If he didn't know better, at his beginnings at Mueller Arnold might suspect that people just happened to be around, but now he was more aware of the job they did and of the happenings of the enterprise in general.

For starters, Mueller had bought two of the three companies proposed by Helga last May. Dick and his team were traveling to take them over. Helga had already done it, financially speaking. Now Helga toured as in her ordinary trips to keep the control of the empire - so she had told him herself - giving capital importance to the hotspots of the Conglomerate; making act of presence so people around the world have fresh in their minds they had a boss who expected the best from them.

Dick, in other hand, went out to take control of the new possessions; his team was more pushing. Arnold imagined that people abroad saw them as a horde of wild, blond Saxons that came to overwhelm and engulf the world as they knew it.

Truth was that little difference from old tales those trips ensued. He actually came to subjugate, cut heads off, and put a new manager; a satellite consul; someone loyal to him. Then he saw what they were doing, how they did it and changed everything that was necessary to be changed from his point of view.

Seen from afar, it actually looked like some kind of terrorism. Arnold had seen those situations happening before; the fear and instability caused when a company changed owners. It must be something difficult to deal with, but Dick and his team seemed to enjoy it.

Arnold sat down at the desk and put his papers on the table; checking them up, making sure the reports were complete. Deb seemed satisfied with his progress and Arnold himself felt good. He knew Greg also like him. He exhaled.

.

His thoughts were back to the call he'd received earlier from the HR Department. The chief had called him directly, asking for an appointment at 4:45. Arnold frowned. He had no idea why they needed to see him. He didn't want to get worried, but… Was he in problems? It was something to do with his papers? Had they got a bad reference about him, from his previous job?

Even when he knew there was no point in worrying he couldn't help it. He really felt at ease in here; was getting to love his job; there was nothing unethical in the kind of work he was doing - even when everything was about money and growing in the end.

.

"What's wrong about everything being 'money' in the end?" Helga had asked once she invited him to her office; they have run into each other in Floor 30. "This is an enterprise after all, Arnold. Despite all the pretty philosophies out there the purpose of its creation is to maximize the benefits."

"Well, when you think about the amount of money that an enterprise like this manages you can't help but think that it is… indecent."

"Indecent?!" she'd cracked a laugh "And you blush when you say it?" she looked at him with amusement "Mueller is nothing compared with other corporations out there, Arnold; we're less than a flea. There are thousands of firms bigger than us. And I wonder why you –or anyone - expect us to feel shame because we are productive, because we earn money? Lots of money, by the way. We also create jobs. Do you also expect we feel shame because we create jobs? There are over seventy thousands persons around the world who work in a company with the M from Mueller in their labels and front doors? I mean seventy thousands of direct employs. Those are thousands of mothers, fathers, girls and boys like you to whom Mueller provides with a job that let them have 'decent' lives."

"But it's too much money for a small group of persons?

"Which small group of persons?" she derided "The seventy-four thousands of employees?

"No! Not the employees – the owners!"

"The owners, huh? Do you have idea how many owners are you talking about?

"Well, Henry, Dick, you and a couple of others…"

"Why are we talking about this?" she asked aloud and exhaled "There are not 'a couple of others'…. There are… let's see," she started to count with her fingers. "It's Henry… Jerry, Glen… then Brenda, Fred and Mathias and his brother who are not part of the Counsel, then Dick and me… the Charles Family…the Monroe Family, The Lowes, - and then the hundreds of stockholders who don't have an identifiable face…"

"Okay, I get it" he raised his hands, "Still is a small bunch of people"

Helga rolled her eyes

"We donate a good part of what we win…"

"How much? Some thousands that help to buy glasses at a scholar district?"

Helga smirked but her eyes observed him with something that looked like pity.

"I guess I can't remove from your mind your prejudices," she exhaled "but you're putting yourself to shame, Arnold."

"Myself?" he retorted with scorn.

"Yourself, indeed.… But don't worry" she winked "Soon enough there will be a foundation who would be owner too. We'd be good then? We'd reach your forgiveness?"

"How did you become a shareholder?" he had ignored her joke.

Her sight turned curious then.

"Sometimes you look so much like the old you, like that stubborn, obstinate kid…"

Arnold frowned. He had already realized. He was becoming his old self. He didn't know why, but from the day he'd met Helga for lunch a lot of the old Arnold had surfaced. In some aspects he felt like a kid again; stubborn, fearless, with the heart full of emotion and anticipation. He hadn't felt that way in ages. He'd wondered if it has anything to do with Helga being close again, because, without considerations to whatever he'd think when he saw her again, this Helga was the old Helga, the one who was always challenging him, the one who disdained his achievements and beliefs, the one who made him feel inadequate, even when she hadn't said a word, and acted all collected, and the most she indulged was looking at him –like right now - with commiseration.

Because if he was going to be sincere he must admit that it was him who tasted her patience with all those absurd questionings; and she never lost her good bearings despite that he was actually showing his prejudices and a moral grandness that didn't correspond to him.

"You're not going to make me feel guilty for being who I am, Arnold; for having a better life than most of people. I worked hard and I earned it. I took risks, and got bumps and rewards alike…"

Arnold had scoffed back then, but as the days went by he learned that she was right. Seeing her, or Henry by all means, or Deb, making things their way he realized Helga had a point. It wasn't the same reward to them all. It'd be unfair. If the risks Henry took were bigger it was only logical to expect that his rewards -or fails- were proportional. He himself was a living proof of that; he was a committed student, and had been a diligent employee too. He had deserved the honors and recognitions he had received in his career, honors that other students or employees hadn't. And there was no shame in that. Why it was so hard to accept? People who thought big, who took risks, who put more effort, obtained better prizes. Their pride was justified. Why people questioned them? They were in the line of fire. There was no shame in that.

Some faces came to his mind then. His teachers, his ex-bosses, politics, public personalities, Mr. President, Assange, Mother Teresa… Henry… sneaking his arm to Helga's waist…

"Arnold - you're here!" Deb's voice drew Arnold out of his contemplation. He fought back a shaking of his head, and the swirl of emotions inside his stomach.

"Yep. I'm afraid I came up earlier,"

"Nah, you were right." She dismissed his words "Meeting Dick wasn't in my schedule. What make me think that you're actually quite on time…" she muttered but then stopped. Arnold didn't ask anymore. He was already used to her incomprehensible mumblings. He went on showing her the advances in the cases they have been working lately.

Arnold realized that as they checked every file she was putting them aside instead of giving them back to him as she used to do. He frowned; her action brought back his upcoming appointment with HR in floor 26. It felt unpromising now. He wondered if he should ask her about it. Or should he go looking for Helga for information?

Helga… this morning she looked gorgeous in a white dress that turned all heads in her direction. It was just a dress. It didn't have low cleavage, or was too short either. It was just she and her dress. She looked proficient, she looked beautiful, happy… she looked satisfied.

Arnold saw Deb nodding as she read his report in the last file.

"Alright," she uttered too ceremoniously to Arnold taste when she closed the file and put it on top of the pile. "You're not in charge of this anymore. Let's talk about your future."

Arnold's blood went to his feet. He was sure he paled visibly.

"My future?" he let out a weak laugh. "Are you going to fire me?" he added, trying to show casualness

"Fire you?!" Deb raised her brows, surprised "Why I'd do that?"

"Human Resources called me…"

"Oh - that?" she scoffed, then shook her head dismissively "No, that's a… formalism. It's not my business though. I can't talk about that. You have to wait to meet Frank…?"

"Why you can't tell me?"

"Because it contains some… aspects that only compete to Human Resources." She looked at him intently "Are you worried?" she asked "because you need not fear. Your position in the enterprise is not compromised…"

"Are you sure?" he leaned in "I mean, if the enterprise doesn't need me I…"

"That's not the case, Arnold. It's something else. I admit I was required too…. And I realize it might affect you to some extent; affect your…." She cut herself off "I better stop. I'm not allowed." She exhaled "Instead, I am going to tell you…"

"Is it that serious?"

"Incredibly, things like these necessarily are."

"It has something to do with Helga?"

"With Helga? … Not at all" she frowned, searching his face with interest "You have nothing to do with Helga, do you?" a mocking smile appeared in her face "Your… thing… was kid stuff, right?"

"There was no… our thing" Arnold replied with a scoff, hiding his sight from her.

"Oh, right. It was Helga who was crazy about you, right? Not the other way around."

"I…"

"Don't worry" she shrugged her shoulders, turning to her desk again and opening one of her own folders. A small smile still graced her features. "It has nothing to do with Helga. And being that's none of my business I say no more." She paused "But this, in fact, is my business and I'm afraid we have to go without you for a while…" 'You what?' Arnold wanted to ask but Deb went on without stopping. "You have a couple of days to get ready. I need you up to date to the last policies and regulations because next week you're going to India."

"With Dick?" Deb nodded. "What about Ralph?"

"You know Ralph just came back from Brazil," Arnold nodded. "He asked for permission. It's seems he's having… problems that are not our business." She looked at him "You told me you have no trouble with traveling, right?"

"Ye… yeah, of course" he nodded.

"Right. I hope your girlfriend is sympathetic." Deb smirked

"It shouldn't be a problem." Arnold assured her.

"I hope so." She exhaled "Well, you know the library is in Floor 28, by the Meeting Room. I think everything you need is over there, if not, you can ask me or Purchasing Department for whatever you need. I'll tell Dick right now it'd be you. Dick uses to… discuss strategies beforehand. You need to be present at his meetings to take notes and prevent surprises; to know what is all about and… I think that's all." Deb ended her swift speech with a long inhalation.

"What is my mission in the team?" Arnold had an idea already but wanted to get things straight before embarking on this adventure.

"Consultant, advisor. Dick proposes his plan. You tell him what is right, what is not, and what could be done to fix the don'ts. That's mostly your work in there."

"You can do that to Dick?" Arnold asked with a cautious smile.

Deb let out a laugh "Of course you can. Dick is not the ogre you all presume. You just need…" she paused, leaning back in her chair and looking up to the roof "Look… Dick is… "

"Difficult?"

"I'd say special. My advice is that you to plant your feet firmly on the ground and don't let yourself feel intimidated. Be concise, don't falter and he'll understand. I trust you."

"He'll understand?" Arnold raised his brow.

"You're a smart man, Arnold. Dick is a smart man too. I can't find another way to describe him… You men have your own codes… I don't know which other advice give to you without stepping too much into his… personal… stuff. You're right. Dick can be difficult, but it depends on you to keep things working."

"Only on me? It's not his responsibility too?"

"I know what I'm telling you seems to be a huge responsibility but it's not the big deal. I don't want you predisposed against him because it won't work. I trust you. I've seen the way you deal with people in here. You dealt with Helga, who can also be difficult, in the past. You're polite and patient..."

"And Dick is abrasive."

She paused.

"I'll quote Henry here. 'Dick is a dick, but he's our Dick'…. He's our Dick, Arnold. He'll do the right thing."

'He'll do the right thing…'

"Easy then!" Arnold said, maybe too expressively, standing on his feet "I always try to do the right thing too."

"I'm sure you do." Deb nodded as goodbye and then added. "Good luck with your girlfriend tonight!"

"Yeah, Thanks" Arnold closed the door remembering he was going to release the news of his travel tonight. At least he wasn't going to travel with Helga or he'd really need it. With a dreading feeling in his stomach, Arnold made up his mind and instead of walking to the stairs he walked down the hallway towards the door that was labeled after Helga. He was in need of a little bit of sweetness after the news he'd just received. He'll be working with Dick, and HR wanted to see him.

'Come on Arnold old boy, you can do it. It'd be a piece of cake.'

Seeing that there was no secretary at her post, he walked on, emboldened, and knocked the door; a muffled 'come in' came from the interior. Arnold turned the knob, already visualizing a beautiful blonde in a white dress who was expecting him with a big smile and arms ready to wrap him in a fresh perfume.

"Arnold!" Helga exclaimed. Arnold froze.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were busy. Your secretary is not here so I thought…"

"Oh- look who's here! It's your little friend!" Henry stood from his spot in the sofa and extended his hand to help Helga on her feet too. They have been close; way too close to be casual. Arnold was still petrified to be able to speak and remained there, seeing their interchange "I'm glad you keep your friends close, Edelweiss."

"I always do." Helga answered with the giggle of a little girl, turning her face up to meet Henry's. The man gave a soft kiss in the tip of her nose and Arnold turned around. He didn't want to see.

"I guess… I'll come another time." He found his voice finally.

"Nonsense," Henry spoke cheerful "I was about to leave anyway." He turned to Helga. "So you'll be here when I come back, right?"

She nodded. "I'll be here. I have a lot of think to do. But you should call me so I have the car ready."

"I don't like you driving"

"But I love to drive. Now go - I want to talk to Arnold."

"Well, Arnold," Henry turned to him; a jovial smile in his face. Arnold hadn't seen him this close in a while. It was true that he looked younger than seventy five. His light grey suit was as well-cut as always. That gentle smile was so ambiguous that looked threatening to Arnold eyes. "She's all yours." He said. Arnold wondered if his blue eyes shone with amusement when he spoke. He nodded and mumbled something that wouldn't remember a minute later when Henry was gone.

"So," Arnold was still seeing the black door when Helga spoke. He turned to see as she sat down behind the desk, crossed her legs and leaned back in her comfortable chair, a finger touching her tangerine colored lips that smirked playfully. Arnold gulped. It was a spectacular sight. "What's up, doc?"

I don't own Hey Arnold! Craig Bartlett and Viacom do it. I don't own any other TM mentioned here.

I'll come back tomorrow to fix typos. It's midnight here but this should be posted on November 30. Sorry for the delay.

Thanks to the readers and all my love to those who review: CarlinJ83, Raven Granger, Nep2uune and Jose Ramiro. You guys are so good for me, really!

December 2, 2014.