FORTUNE: A FREENBECKY STORY

Chapter 53 🥭

Freen rolled out of bed and went to open the door. When the door opened Freen looked up and saw Nam grinning from ear to ear. Next to her was Heidi.

"Fee! We wanted to surprise you with fruits. We heard you were sick." Nam said
"Heidi..." Freen said
"Hi Freen," Heidi said with warmth in her voice.
"We?" Freen said staring down Nam

Nam barged past Freen and entered the house with the basket of mangoes. She entered Freen's kitchen and brought out some plates and a knife. As Nam began to chop up the mangoes, Freen and Heidi sat in the lounge area very quietly.

Heidi was naturally flirty. She stared intensely at Freen while Freen pretended not to notice.
"So Freen..." Heidi started
"How's the new branch?" Freen interrupted

Freen knew that Heidi would want to talk about the other night but intentionally diverted the conversation.
Heidi laughed.

"It's thriving. How could it not when I'm in charge." Heidi replied
"That's good." Freen blushed
Nam joined them in the living room area carrying a plate full of mangoes.
"Eat up Fee!" Nam said
"Thanks!" Heidi said

Freen reached over and grabbed a slice of mango. "Sweet!" She said
"Is there any news about Heng?" Nam asked
"No..." Freen said
"Non is doing everything in his power to find him. It won't be long before we hear something." Nam reassured Freen

Heidi leaned in, "how are you doing?"
"What do you mean?" Freen replied
"With everything going on.." Heidi said
"I'm fine." Freen replied

"Shes never actually fine..." Nam said under her breath
"I'm okay. Just tired." Freen said
"I see." Heidi responded

Nam coughed.
You could cut the tension with a knife.
"Urmmm... so, whats going on here?" Nam said
"What do you mean?" Heidi smiled
"With you two. The tension. I saw you leave together after Noey's birthday, did it not go well?" Nam asked
"Oh it went swimmingly." Heidi smirked

Freen was sat in silence pretending not to engage in the conversation.
"Freen?" Nam said
"Nam." Freen said
"Right... I guess you two have a lot to discuss I'll leave you to it." Nam said

Nam grabbed the plates and got up. She walked over to the kitchen and washed up while Heidi and Freen sat in silence. Once she was done she came back and grabbed her bag. Before leaving she leant over Freen and whispered in her ear with a serious expression on her face.

Once Nam had left, Heidi and Freen sat in silence a little longer until Heidi broke the silence with a cough.
"So Freen." Heidi said
"Yes?" Freen said
"Well this is a little embarrassing. I've never had to work so hard to express my feelings. But are you actually okay?" Heidi said

Freen stared.
"I'm actually fine." Freen said
Heidi got up and walked over to Freen.
Freen blushed again.
Heidi stared into Freen's eyes for a moment before pulling her head into her chest.
Heidi held her stroking her hair and Freen actually let her.

"He's going to be fine. There's nothing in this world that can break Heng's spirit and that's all you need to survive." Heidi said
Freen felt reassured because Heidi actually knew Heng very well. Her words didn't feel so empty like everyone else's. Freen hugged Heidi back to Heidi's surprise.

When Heidi finally let go of Freen she cleaned the tears that had appeared on her face.
The hug felt intimate and there were only a handful of people that Freen would have ever been that vulnerable to. Heidi was one.

Heidi sat down next to Freen.
"About what happened between us the other night. I'm sorry I disappeared early in the morning." Heidi said
"Why did you?" Freen said
"I... was scared." Heidi said
"You? Of?" Freen said
"It's been years since we broke up. The other night felt likely to have been called a mistake. That scared me I guess." Heidi said

"I know what you mean..." Freen said
"But... when I heard what happened I wanted to see you were ok." Heidi said
"There's just a lot going on right now." Freen said
"I understand." Heidi said

Freen sat in silence for a while.
"I know it doesn't seem like it but I'm hurting right now and it's become harder for me to trust people." Freen said
Heidi's expression softened again. She placed her hand on top of Freens.
"Heng will be ok" Heidi said
"Yeah..." Freen said

When Heidi assumed her feelings were relating to Heng she did not correct Heidi. Freen thought it would be better not to explain. She didn't see the point in doing so.
"I'm not looking for anything. I'm just here to be there for you." Heidi said

Freen's expression sobered. It was clear that Heidi meant more to her than most people. She paused to think for a few moments then said, "Ok".