Chapter 163: Helen and Henry
Side Story
Twenty four years ago...
The university was always busy with life as students hurried between classes.
It was a beautiful day, without rain in the middle of March.
Helen Hax stepped out of the grand library, her brown leather bag slung over her shoulder.
Her long, chocolate-brown hair fell down her back in soft waves.
"Finally! Beautiful weather..."
Her bright blue eyes were almost unnatural in their vibrance, scanned the campus.
Nothing as usual as she expected...’no news...’
Dressed in a white shirt tucked into a tailored pair of navy trousers, Helen looked every inch the heiress she was.
But there was a warmth in her that set her apart.
The richest and most popular girl on campus, she was also the kindest—always ready with a smile or a helping hand.
"Helen! Helen, wait up!"
She turned to see Henry Blackwood jogging toward her.
Tall and handso, with unruly blond hair and an easy smirk, he was the picture of confidence.
But when he reached her, he seed to hesitate.
"Henry," Helen greeted him with a small smile. "You’re following again?"
Henry grinned, slightly breathless. "Not following—just... walking in the sa direction as you. Total coincidence."
Helen raised an eyebrow, amused.
"You’ve been walking in the sa direction as all week. Let guess, you just happen to have business class at the exact sa ti as again?"
Henry’s smirk widened. "What can I say? Great minds think alike."
Helen shook her head, chuckling. "You’re impossible."
"So, how was class?" Henry asked, falling into step beside her. "Learn anything groundbreaking about stocks and rgers today?"
"It was fine," she replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "And no, nothing groundbreaking. Just more theories and case studies."
"Sounds riveting," he teased, earning a playful shove from Helen.
As they walked, heads turned to watch them.
Helen Hax and Henry Blackwood were two of the most talked-about people on campus, and seeing them together always sparked whispers.
Across the courtyard, Steven walked with Beatrice, his arm draped casually around her shoulders.
Steven was tall and broad-shouldered, with an easy charm that made him popular, while Beatrice was a petite brownhead with sharp green eyes and an even sharper wit.
As they approached the library, Beatrice elbowed Steven and gestured toward Helen and Henry.
"Look at that," she said. "Roo’s at it again."
Steven glanced over and laughed. "Poor Henry. He’s been chasing her for months, hasn’t he?"
"Obsessed is more like it," Beatrice replied. "Not that I bla him. Look at her—she’s gorgeous and using that against poor n."
Steven nodded, watching Helen for so quiet ti.
Her hair always shining in the sunlight, and her confident body language made her stand out even among the crowd.
"She’s more than that. She’s... Helen Hax. She’s got everything."
"Except patience for Henry," Beatrice quipped.
"Henry," Helen said suddenly, stopping in the middle of the courtyard. "Why do you keep tagging along with ?"
Henry froze, caught off guard by her directness. "Uh... I just like spending ti with you."
Helen tilted her head, her blue eyes blinked. "Do you?"
"Of course," he said quickly. "You’re smart, funny, kind... and, well, beautiful. Everyone admires you, but you’re not like the others. You actually care about people. You’re... different."
Helen’s facial muscles softened and relaxed a little.
She wasn’t used to hearing such genuine complints. "That’s... sweet of you to say."
"It’s not just sweet—it’s the truth," Henry insisted, his voice earnest now. "I know you think I’m just so annoying guy who won’t leave you alone, but I really—"
"Henry!" Beatrice’s voice cut through his speech as she and Steven approached.
Helen turned, relieved by the interruption, while Henry groaned. "Great. Just who I didn’t want to see."
"Nice to see you too, Blackwood," Beatrice said with a smirk. "Still trying to win over the queen of the campus?"
"Maybe," Henry replied back.
Steven chuckled, stepping forward to greet Helen. "Hey, Helen. How’s everything?"
"Busy as usual," Helen replied. "But good, thanks. How about you?"
"Can’t complain," Steven said, glancing at Henry. "Although it seems like Henry might have a few complaints."
"I’m fine," Henry said quickly, stepping closer to Helen as if to stake his claim.
Beatrice raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Well, don’t let us interrupt your grand pursuit, Roo. We’ll leave you two to it."
She tugged Steven away, but not before winking at Helen, who rolled her eyes with a smile.
As the day wore on, Helen found herself thinking about Henry’s words.
There was a sincerity in his voice that she hadn’t expected.
For all his teasing and persistence, he seed to genuinely care about her.
That evening, as she walked to her car, she wasn’t surprised to find Henry waiting by the driver’s side.
"You’re relentless, you know that?" she said, crossing her arms.
"I’ve been called worse," he replied, grinning.
Helen sighed but couldn’t hide her smile. "What do you want, Henry?"
"I want to take you out. One date—just one. If you don’t have fun, I promise I’ll leave you alone."
Helen raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think I’ll say yes?"
"Because you’re curious," Henry said confidently. "Admit it—you want to see if I’m more than just the annoying guy who tags along after you."
Helen laughed, shaking her head. "You’re unbelievable."
"I’ll take that as a yes," Henry said, opening the car door for her.
"It’s not a yes," she corrected, sliding into the driver’s seat.
"Not yet," he said, leaning down to et her gaze. "But it will be."
Helen stared at him for a mont, then smiled. "We’ll see."
Over the next few weeks, Henry didn’t let up.
He brought her coffee before class, walked her to the library, and even helped her carry her books despite her protests.
"You’re relentless," she told him one afternoon as they sat on the steps outside the business building.
"And you’re worth it," he replied without missing a beat.
Helen looked at him, startled by his sincerity. "You really an that, don’t you?"
"Every word," Henry said, his voice soft.
For the first ti, Helen felt her defenses begin to crack. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to Henry Blackwood than she had given him credit for.
Their first date was a simple walk through the city’s botanical gardens.
"This isn’t what I expected," Helen admitted as they strolled among the flowers.
"What did you expect?" Henry asked, genuinely curious.
"Sothing flashy. Dinner at a five-star restaurant, maybe a helicopter ride over the city," she teased.
Henry laughed. "That’s not . Well, not all of . I wanted to do sothing... real. Sothing where we could just talk."
Helen smiled, touched by his thoughtfulness. "It’s nice. I like it."
As they walked, they talked about everything—her dreams for the family business, his plans to make a na for himself, their favorite books and movies.
By the ti they left the gardens, Helen realised she was looking at Henry in a completely new light.
Weeks turned into months, and their relationship grew.
Henry’s charm and persistence had won Helen over, but it was his kindness and support that made her fall in love.
One evening, as they sat by the lake near her family estate, Henry took her hand in his.
"Helen," he said softly, "I know your life is complicated. You’ve got responsibilities most people our age can’t even imagine. But I want you to know, I’m here for you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it—I’m here."
Helen looked at him, her blue eyes filled with invisible tears. "Henry, you’re impossible. But you’re also... everything I didn’t know I needed."
He leaned in, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Does that an you’re finally saying yes?"
She laughed, her cheeks flushed. "I think I said yes a long ti ago."
As their lips t, the world around them seed to fade away.
In that mont, it was just the two of them—the heiress and the persistent suitor, beginning their story together.
> ——- <
Beatrice and Steven were tangled together on the couch in the cozy living room of the Langley estate.
Steven’s arms were wrapped tightly around Beatrice.
"You know," Steven murmured between kisses, "if your uncle catches us, I’m dead."
Beatrice smirked, running her fingers through his hair. "Relax, Steven. He won’t be ho for hours. Besides, you’re lucky I’m letting you sneak in here at all."
Steven chuckled, pulling her closer. "Worth the risk."
But just as their lips t again, the sound of the front door opening sent a chill down their spines.
"Beatrice Langley!"
The deep, furious voice of her uncle, Victor Langley, echoed through the house.
Beatrice scrambled off Steven, her face turned white and pale, while Steven stood up awkwardly, trying to straighten his rumpled shirt.
Victor stord into the room. "What the hell is going on here?" he bellowed.
He grabbed Steven by the collar and yanked him away, "you dirty prostitute!"
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