Chapter 70: Twice in two days?

HELENA. I arrived at the bank, feeling a renewed sense of energy. But the moment I stepped into my office, Susan popped her head in, catching me off guard. "Morning, Helena. Got a minute?" "Sure, Susan. What's up?" I asked, motioning for her to sit. Susan closed the door behind her. "I wanted to talk to you about a new loan application we received. It's from a small startup, and their business plan looks solid, but they're asking for a significant amount." I reviewed the documents Susan handed me. 'They've got a good concept. Let's arrange a meeting with them to discuss their plans in more detail. We need to ensure they're fully prepared for the financial commitment." I said, after going over the proposals. Susan nodded. "I'll set it up. Thanks, Helena." The day progressed, and I remained focused and efficient, handling various tasks and meetings. Around mid-morning, I called for a brief team meeting to check in with everyone. "How's everyone doing? Is there anything specific you'd want to talk about?" I asked as they gathered in the conference room. "Busy, but good," Mike said. "The customer complaints about the mobile app have decreased significantly." "Impressive." I said simply. "Emily, how are the updates to the online platform coming along?" Emily smiled. "Smoothly. We had a few glitches, but they've been quickly resolved." "Excellent. Keep up the good work, everyone. If you need any assistance, my door is always open," I felt proud of their dedication. As I returned to my office, I find an email from Mr. Thompson, thanking me for my help the previous day. I replied warmly, reaffirming my commitment to assisting him whenever needed. The rest of the day went by in a blur. I stepped out into the cool evening air, deciding to take a longer route home to enjoy the peacefulness of the city at dusk. Yes, it was unusual. I reflected on my encounter with Caleb the previous day. It had momentarily unsettled me, but I realized that my present life, filled with supportive friends and fulfilling work, was where I wanted to focus my energy. I turned the corner, hearing a familiar voice. "Helena?" I turned around, and saw Caleb again, looking slightly hesitant. "Caleb. Twice in two days, huh?" "Yeah, funny how that happens," Caleb said with a sheepish smile. "I was just grabbing a coffee. Wanna join me?" I considered for a moment. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. "Sure, why not?" ********** Returning home, I found Luna and Aaron in the living room, setting up for a game night. "Hey, Helena! Join us?" Aaron asks, waving her over. "Absolutely," I said, feeling a wave of warmth and gratitude for these two werewolves. My life would have probably been so lonely without them. We spent the evening playing games, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. As the night winds down, I reflected on the past few days. I felt a deep sense of contentment and peace. My life, even with its ups and downs, was exactly where I wanted it to be. Even though I was constantly being hunted down by green goblins. The thought actually made me laugh slightly. I was surrounded by friends and thriving in my career, and I knew that I was capable of handling whatever came my way. I only prayed that the happiness lasted forever. CALEB. If I could describe Helena in one word, gorgeous. No, she was too much to be described in just one word. She had a captivating presence, capable of making even the smallest of men fold. I returned home that night, feeling a renewed sense of assurance. I would get her back, no matter how hard it seemed. 'Kyle." I tapped his shoulder lightly. He groaned, but didn't budge. 'Kyle!" I whacked him with my shoe. The idiot was sleeping while I was out there trying to bust my ass off. I had paid a few voluntary visits to the library, with hopes of finding something tangible. But I could barely do anything, and Helena kept popping up in my mind. 'What do you want?" He finally responded, after a few more taps. 'Get yourself ready, we're heading to the library tomorrow." He grunted in dismissal, and I frowned. It was his cup of tea, I'd passed the message. I didn't haul him all the way here just to sleep on my couch all day. The next morning, we set out early, and determination burned brightly in my eyes. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm, golden glow over the dense forest of humans that separated me and Kyle from our destination. We had spent the early morning hours gathering supplies and preparing for the journey to the old library, a place that held both childhood memories and the key to our current mission. The air was thick with anticipation and tension as we sat in the car, the weight of the quest pressing heavily on my shoulders. I really hoped all this would go well I glanced at Kyle, who walked beside me with a determined stride. He had fully embraced his identity as a werewolf, and his heightened senses were a crucial asset to our mission. I was slightly jealous of his abilities, but I could do little to nothing. Despite the seriousness of the task, I couldn't help but try to lighten the mood. 'Remember when we used to play hide and seek out here?" I said, a hint of a smile playing on my lips. 'You always found the best spots. I could never hide from you." Kyle's eyes glinted with a mix of nostalgia and the primal energy that coursed through his veins. 'Yeah, those were the days. Back then, the biggest worry we had was getting home before dark. Now, it feels like we're the ones being hunted," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of melancholy. 'You can say that again." I chuckled. The conversation trailed off as we approached the old library. I hadn't come here during the day before, and now I could appreciate the structure's architecture. The once-majestic structure now stood in ruins, its stone walls covered in ivy and moss. The large wooden doors, weathered and splintered, looked like the entrance to another world. The morning sun cast long shadows across the broken windows, giving the building an eerie, almost haunted appearance. I took a deep breath and pushed the heavy doors open, which creaked loudly in protest. When I came here last night, the huge padlock guarding the doors had vanished. 'Let's get this over with," I muttered, stepping inside. The interior of the library was just as I had remembered, though time had taken its toll. Dust hung in the air like a thick fog, and the smell of old books and decaying wood filled their nostrils. The silence was almost oppressive, broken only by the occasional sound of our footsteps and the rustle of old, crinkly pages. 'Where do we start?"