Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold.

Chapter 3:

Stupid old man. Stupid John. Helga grumbled as she walked in the hallway of PS. 118. She was holding her class schedule and a piece of paper where her locker number is written. She had just finished putting her things in her locker and was now proceeding to find her homeroom class. She grabbed her backpack, pulled out a toothbrush and toothpaste and started brushing her teeth.

She hadn't been able to clean up herself since she just landed earlier at two in the morning. She wasted her time for her precious sleep, and when she woke up, she realized that it was already late. John had rushed her into the car without even blinking an eye. It was already late when she realized that she hadn't even showered and was only in her pajamas! But John was prepared for it and took out the necessities she was using now, only there was no remedy for her pj's. John had thought that she wouldn't have cared to change her clothes and just downright smacked herself to the bed. Yes, that was her first initial plan, but she changed it after realizing that it was more comfortable sleeping in appropriate clothes. And now, she's standing in the middle of the hallway, toothbrush in her hand and in her pajamas. She looked absolutely ridiculous.

And she didn't care about it.

Helga's not one who's up for appearance. Everyone in the board, the one who have the highest positions in the company, knows about it. She could've showed up in her underwear and they wouldn't see anything strange about it. The only thing that is preventing that from happening was Yuki. Yuki Foret Hiragi, specifically.

She is Helga's best friend. She knows her ever since she started living with her grandfather. The old man thought she can use some friends and took the liberty of holding an audition. Yes, an audition. He may not look like it, but he is paranoid when it comes to his granddaughter's safety, and that includes pulling an overnight to investigate every single person Helga mingles with. That's why he let John to go with her to Hillwood.

He would not, in any under circumstances, let Helga go into a place without any guidance. Paranoid, right? No.

Helga's grandfather is rich, and therefore, by any means, she's also rich. Add the knowledge that she's the only heir to the Cecaniah enterprises and that will equate to "Big shot Royalty". Although her identity was hidden from the public for security reasons, some who have deep scars and won't forget about it, wants revenge and are persistent so, Helga's identity was nearly spilled into the public.

But Helga doesn't really need all the "protecting". Calliver knows that Helga wouldn't give up without putting up a fight. She's so stubborn and that little mouth of hers can get her to trouble all the time, but she can protect herself by resurrecting that "old Betsy and five avengers" of hers. She was even the one who came up with the plan on how to capture those identity-spillers of hers and punished them accordingly, of course, physically and mentally. He already got a taste of her physical way, and after that, he always make sure to wear the custom-made mask he bought to, at least, save his face from the bodily harm Helga would inflict on him. But of course, he knew that Helga don't really mean it. She just wanted to protect herself.

The reason why Helga punched him was simple; he wants her to call him grandfather. In any signs of commitment, Helga would break. Ever since she's a child, she has to grow up fast because there's no adult that would take care of her, at least ones who aren't qualified to do it. All those years of loneliness and not being able to experience on how to be a kid made her into an invincible shield that instinctually repel all kinds of contact to commitment. Her parents can't even commit into taking care of her so how can she? The closest name Calliver could make out of Helga is "old man". That's why he always makes sure to attend to every little thing she needs, and one of them is her safety. He knows how scary the business world can be so he had to take extra precaution, even if it's being an obsession already. Of course, Helga noticed it and often complains about it, 'cause it does not only go on secret investigations. She noticed that everywhere she goes, there were either camcorders in every nook and cranny of the alleyways or every eyes are on her, courtesy by her grandfather who hired private detectives to pose as normal people, which they are clearly doing a poor job about it. Really, who in the right mind wouldn't notice the mikes in their ears posed as an earring?

Now, she's back in the same town where she was so emotionally scarred. Calliver almost destroyed the economy there in Hillwood by calling his stock holders and sharers to abdicate any relationship they have in Hillwood. But, of course, Helga would always come first, so he took care of her until he forgot that little crazy thought.

Helga noticed a glass cabinet containing the awards and trophies the school achieved. Her reflection was clearly seen in the glass, with froth in her mouth because she's still brushing her teeth. Hair that was tied in two messy low pigtails ran past her shoulders and gently rest into her waist, she wore big-rimmed glasses that hides the two sparkling jewels of her face. But it was not her reflection that she's watching, in her eyes, what she and her grandfather talked about flashed like thunder to remind her why she's here.

Eventhough she prepared herself for it, it still came through her with a surging impact. She calmed herself down by taking deep breaths. Hundreds of questions passed through her eyes as she glanced to her grandfather. When? Why?

Calliver noticed this, and as telepathic the relationship this two have, it cannot be answered by a conversation in their eyes.

"Why?"

It was a silent murmur, so silent that you would mistake it for a whisper made by the wind. But he heard it nonetheless, and it broke his heart to hear it say like a delicate petal threading through thousands of waves of glass. Helga stayed calm and still, like a mannequin in display. But he knew better, he knew Helga was breaking inside; insecurities of hers flood through her eyes. He knew that her condition might act up again so he has to explain it faster.

Helga has a condition. It's due to the left over traumatic stress she gained after that incident. She would feel suffocated by the insecurities she had built around herself until it chokes her. She can stop the anxiety attack by downing anti-depression pills. But there was one time when she was left unattended and her condition took a turn for the worse.

No one was able to get her the anti-depression pills because they were all busy. In the past few weeks that Calliver had saved Helga from that, they neglected their duties to take care of the traumatized young girl. Now that they thought she was already fine, they continued on what they are supposed to be doing. Little did they know, Helga was having anxiety attacks and wasn't stopped because the anti-depression pills weren't given to her. It was already too late when they found her in a corner, shaken and wide-eyed. That was the first time the "almighty" Calliver Kean Cecaniah broke down.

The next days were like centuries of waiting. Then finally, Helga woke up. They were overjoyed, planning to have a party in celebration of her recovery.

As days passed, they noticed the once spirited and sarcastic kid slowly fade away. In her replacement was a mannequin that didn't know she lacked emotions. Yes, Helga didn't have any emotions. It scared the hell out of them, especially Calliver.

They tried to talk to her, to ask her what's happening. She said that everything was fine, eventhough the statement was supposed to come frustrated, knowing the kid. She acted like what Helga was supposed to act, yet she was like Pinocchio, a puppet that acts like a human. She lacks the passion Helga was supposed to have.

Calliver finally decided to have Helga see a professional. The psychiatrist told him that Helga's condition was unexplainable. He also learns that the reason why Helga didn't notice anything different was because she was under the illusion of her own mind. She could smile all she want in a mirror and will believe it, not noticing that she was not actually smiling. Calliver was horrified. He could've killed the doctor if it wasn't for the reason that Helga was just standing outside the door. He asked what can cure Helga of this condition. The doctor said none because the condition cannot be explained, the best that they can do was to observe her. That's when Calliver lost his control. He shouted at the doctor, threatening him to cure Helga, begging him and offering him money. The doctor calmed him down before the commotion worsens and be noticed outside. He said that he cannot do anything at the moment, the best thing he can do is to observe Helga to determine what's wrong with her. He needs the cooperation of the whole household in order to do this. He needs them to be observant. So as the days passed, every time Helga does something, the household's eyes were on her like a hawk.

Calliver was getting more stressed than before. With the combination of work and Helga, and the emotional stress, he didn't realize that he wasn't treating his body properly. So it didn't came as a surprise when suddenly, he just blacked out. The whole household were a mess because they were worried about their benefactor. Calliver was all right, he just needs a rest. But he cannot direct his business and the household properly because of the after-effects of the fatigue. He was desperate now. His business was rapidly going down and the household was a mess. Everything Calliver worked hard to build was being destroyed in front of him one by one.

They needed a miracle.

So when Helga showed up at the main building of Cecaniah enterprises to temporarily replace her grandfather, it came as a shock. She also took in charge of the whole household. The employees were shell-shocked as she solved their problems one by one.

John, a newly employed butler of the house, asked her what happened. Helga just merely raised an eyebrow at this and said nothing's wrong. John asked Helga if her emotions already came back. Now, she was really confused and said her emotions didn't leave her. She laughed and said that he was acting weird. John was momentarily taken aback by this. Helga already has her emotions. A smile broke through John's face as he excused himself to tell the whole household that Helga was fine now.

The news spread like wildfire and no sooner, it came through Calliver. He immediately sent Helga to his bedroom to confirm if it was true. A minute later, Helga's head poked through his door, an annoyed expression on her face. Calliver's eyes widened as Helga sat on a chair next to him and scolded him about the importance of health. He didn't realize that he was reaching up until he touched the softness of her face. Helga was taken aback for a moment but her eyes softened in understanding as a tear dropped on Calliver's face. He want to convince himself that Helga was really okay so he opened his arms to confirm it. Helga merely raised an eyebrow at this, but after a second, grumbled that this is the only time she'll do this. Calliver laughed at her cuteness and was cut short as Helga launched herself onto him. Her hug was like his, desperate. Desperate to prove that the other was okay. After the reunion of the two, Calliver asked what happened to make her recover. Helga threw a questioning glance to her grandfather. That's when Calliver realized that it's not all over.

He made Helga see Dr. Sean again, the doctor who examined Helga before. After checking Helga, he talked to Calliver. He said that Helga was fine, there's not even a trace of what had happened to her and what's even more confusing is that she doesn't have any memories of what happened ever since she woke up after her anxiety attack. Calliver was confused by this and asked Dr. Sean what will he do. Dr. Sean replied that it's best to keep it a secret from her to further observe Helga's behavior. Calliver nodded and thanked him. Helga didn't have any more anxiety attacks again after that, but Calliver made sure Helga would attend every sessions Dr. Sean recquired

As those unpleasant memories flashed through Calliver's mind, he noticed that Helga had gotten quiet. Panicking that maybe she was having anxiety attacks again, he hold her hands.

"Are you okay?!"

Helga was a bit surprised, but after seeing the distressed look she was causing her grandfather, she squeezed his hand. She can see relief taking over her grandfather. She can understand why and it is because of her condition, though she doesn't remember it ever occurring. She tried asking her grandfather about it but he had a painful look in his eyes that she didn't utter a word about it to him since then. The only thing she remembered after waking up with no recollection on what happened in the past week, was her grandfather crying in his bedroom.

Helga was flabbergasted at the scene, almost running to her grandfather to comfort him if it wasn't for the knowledge that the two of them are the same. They didn't want any people to see them in their state of weakness. They'll either hide it or just pretend that nothing was going on. She decided she'll just leave her grandfather for a moment when she heard him. He was praying, praying that he can sacrifice all the things he has, just save his granddaughter.

He look so pitiful then, but admirable just the same. His eyes held sadness but was concealed in a resolute glance. Helga didn't realize that she was crying until some drops of it landed on her hand. She covered her mouth with her hand and bit it. She was preventing any of her sobs to escape. Her eyes shone as a realization took over her. She was not alone anymore. There was someone who cares for her, who would do anything for her. And in the past months she was here, in the past days, hours, minute, seconds she was here, he's always proving to her that. Now that he's needing something, it's her turn, her turn to return the kindness she received from him.

A squeeze from her hand brought her back. Helga looked up and saw her grandfather, worry was on his eyes. She smiled and shook her head. Her grandfather took a deep breath and stared at her. "You know that I'm not doing this for fun, right?"

Helga smirked. "Of course not." Calliver raised an eyebrow at this then shook his head smiling, but it was dissolved as soon as it was shown. Calliver's face was a sculpture of seriousness now.

"The reason why I'm sending you back in there is because," he took a deep breath and looked at her in the eye. "I want to remove any remnants of it within you." Helga threw a questioning glance at him, then he sighed.

"Yes, I know you're wondering what's the connection of it in your heresy of the company." He paused. "I know most of the people in the board knows that you deserve it, but still, there are many people out there who wants you out and will find any dirt on you."

Helga leaned back on the chair. "How can that happen? They don't even know my identity."

Calliver sighed. "They will. After you are already announced." That's the thing, Helga doesn't want to be"announced". She likes having the air of mystery around her.

Helga rolled her eyes. "That is if I passed this test."

Calliver nodded. "If you passed the test."

"So how do you supposed we do it?" Helga asked.

A pause. "Spend your senior year there."

"What?" Helga looked up quickly.

"Your senior year, spend it there." He said slowly, as if talking to a child. "I've already prepared your ticket, the apartment you'll be staying at, school registration, everything."

Helga stiffen up. 'This old man must be laughing at me right now'. She took a several deep breaths before staring her grandfather in the eye. 'I'm so going to regret this.'

"Okay."

"Okay?" her grandfather repeated.

"Yes, okay."

"Oh, okay—I mean yeah. Your flight will be tomorrow. The documents are on your suitcase, which John already prepared, in case you said yes, which you said right now and—" Calliver stopped and laughed at himself. "Sorry, I'm babbling. Yeah, um, for 'elaborating' purposes," he sighed and scratched the back of his neck. "is this what you really want?"

Helga looked at him before bursting into laughter. The look on his face was so priceless. "You're already backing down? And here I was, thinking I'm the one being challenged." She said while rubbing her eyes off stray tears from laughter.

Calliver looked at her and smiled. "Well, I suppose if you're alright with it…" he trailed off.

Helga looked at him in the eye. "Old man, what are you softening up for? Cecaniahs doesn't back down." She smirked.

"Yeah, I know that." He sighed. "But why did you froze earlier?" He asked.

"Yeah well, I was expecting something big from the 'almighty' Calliver, but I guess this works just as well." Helga said, standing up from the couch to stretch.

"Hmm, really?"

"Yeah."

"And do you think it will be that easy?" Calliver said, an eyebrow raised and a smile playing in his mouth.

Helga turned to him with a confident smile that rivals his own. "You have no idea."

Helga sighed as she turned away from the glass cabinet. The bell suddenly rang, signaling that she's late, yet she didn't ran, she didn't even quicken her pace. She looked like someone who has all the time in the world.

She stopped in front of a room and stared at its door, her hand stopped from brushing her teeth. Its door was wooden, mahogany. A glass was on the upper part of it. Through it, she can see the classroom. A blackboard was on the front, a teacher's table was on the side. A male was saying something in front of the class. His body was of lanky build and his hair, well, he doesn't have any hair. He was wearing a vest, plaid with shades of green, underneath it is a light blue polo shirt tucked in black slacks. His shoes were black and polished. His head was shining as his smile too. You can tell from one glance that his personality is nice. Helga thought he was familiar.

She was brushing her teeth while thinking. Where did she meet him? A head with a slightly balding state suddenly popped through her mind. The man had hair, dirty blonde, but it's only on the sides of his head. 'Ah. Simmons.'

Yes, Mr. Simmons, her teacher when she was in fourth grade. So he was moved to the high school department, huh? Mr. Simmons suddenly turned his head to her as if sensing she was here. He signaled her to come in.

Well, this is troublesome. Helga thought as her hand reached for the gleaming doorknob, as if taunting her that this will be the start of her hellish life. I've been to worse, you buffoon. She thought, replying to the doorknob. Helga shook her head because of her foolishness. She sighed, then started to turn the doorknob. Well, there's no turning back now.

A/N: Review please.