Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book Three: Ship of the Dead

Lena graduated from college and business school, and now has taken over her father's company, as her brother was in jail for three life sentences. She was going to rename it L-Corp soon enough and was now CEO of the multi-billion dollar company.

She loved her job and almost every second of it. The hard work, engineering, challenges, ideas, staring down businessmen with a death glare and an arched eyebrow to get what she wants- she loved it. Especially that last part.

Her office was a nice one with plain white all around, and a white couch and glass table to match with the desk and black chair that were further into the room. The walls which had a couple of bookshelves and saw a counter with multiple varieties of alcohol and water, which she had great appeal to.

Almost as soon as Lena gained her position as CEO at L-Corp, she went over the roles and administrations that needed to be filled. She saw a position and her brain and eyes lit up like a Christmas tree on Christmas Day when she thought of one person in particular. She picked up her phone and called.

"Lena! Hey! What's the occasion?"

Lena leans back in her chair. "Do I have the opportunity for you."

She hears the woman hum as she was intrigued. "Go on."

Lena grins. "You live nearby, right?"

"Nearby as in like 250,000 miles? Lena, that's crazy talk."

Lena chuckles. "Of course, I would help you in any way I can. You have my word for as long as we live."

"I'm just going to write down the date and exact time you said that," the woman says with a snicker.

"Do you want to hear the opportunity or not?"

"Fire away, Luthor."

"Want to be my CFO?"

Lena could practically hear the woman grin. "You're kidding."

"When do I ever?"

"You have your moments."

"Is that a yes?"

"How are we going to get there? We don't even have anywhere to stay."

"Darling, have you forgotten that I am a Luthor with a lot of financials who owns multiple properties and an extremely lavish penthouse all over the city?"

"Gee, when was the last time you mentioned that?" the woman asks with sarcasm, making Lena chuckle.

"Come on, Sam. It'll be perfect. Us together again, having that crazy, loveable girl around, and you two can be stable with this paycheck. Plus, your favorite- mathematics."

The woman groans. "One of my weaknesses. Damn you, Lena."

"I ask again- is that a yes?"

Sam sighs over the phone. "We'd need almost a month or so to get there."

"I can manage that long."

"Lena, you just took over. Is there anything you can send me to help right now?"

Lena grins. "You got Rubes near you?"

"Hold on." She hears her faintly in the background, "Rubes! Come here, sweetie."

A few seconds later, Lena hears a young girl say, "Yes?"

"Someone wants to talk to you."

"Hello?"

Lena's grin gets bigger. "Hey, Rubes."

"Aunt Lena!" the girl squeals.

Lena smiles at the girl's excitement. "Hi, darling. How are you?"

"Great. Mom just picked me up from my last day of S.T.E.M camp."

"That's right, she told me about that. Did you like it?"

"It was really fun. I liked the math part more, though."

Lena chuckles. "Just like your mother."

"Are you going to visit soon, Le-Le? Or the other way around? Since you did just take over Luthor Corp, so I'd imagine you're busy."

Lena smiles at the girl's awareness and how caring she can be. "Ask your mother when she gets off the phone with me."

She hears Ruby groan. "Why must you tease me?"

She chuckles. "We'll see each other soon, Rubes. I promise."

"Okay, Le-Le. Mom wants me to get started on lunch, so I'll let you talk to her."

"Hope it's good!"

"No doubt about that."

"Love you, Ruby."

"I love you too, Le-Le."

"Three-seventy-five, babes!" she hears Sam shout after her before talking back into the phone. "Hey."

"Samantha, answer my question, goddammit."

"Jesus, Lee. You know the name thing."

"Hon, I'm practically your older, powerful, gay sister. So, I'm good, thanks."

"Great. I have one of those already. Just another to add to the bunch."

Lena rolls her eyes. "Are you going to answer me?"

"You and your impatience," Sam chuckles.

"You're testing me, Arias."

"I do that a lot." Lena could practically hear the smug look Sam had on her face.

"You and me at L-Corp? We could be the dynamic duo again. Like Lilo and Stitch, Luke and Leia, Fred and George, Hamilton and Burr, Harry and Ron, Magnus and Alex Fierro-"

"I get it, I get it, Lena," Sam chuckles at her friend droning on and on. "But Burr and Ham ended up in a feud that had Hamilton die from their duel across the Hudson. So we're not going to duel like that and one of us ends up dead. And didn't Magnus and Alex get together at the end of the third book?"

"Yes they did, and it was adorable."

"Yeah, even though we're both major gays, that's not going to happen with us." Lena chuckles along with her, both of them knowing that they'd stay best friends for a while.

"Okay, ignore that last one, then. Sam, you know how powerful and strong we are together."

"I do. And that's one of the reasons why I'm going to say yes."

Lena smiles big and hard. "You're serious?"

"If I wasn't, I wouldn't be saying that, now would I?"

"I've taught you well."

"So what's our first step?"

"I have to send you a few forms to fill out for your position here at L-Corp that you're going to have to look over and sign. After that's handled, I can send you a few things to do while you and Ruby pack up. As for coming over, I have a few options."

"What are your ideas?"

"Send my private jet, or let you drive a painful estimated eight to fourteen hours in the car with a twelve-year-old."

"Hey, a jet would be nice." Lena chuckles at her. She's going to be the death of me one day.

"I can also make sure that all your things will be taken care of before you get your own place, or move into one of the apartments slash lofts or houses I don't use."

"Lena, we couldn't ask that from y-"

"Samantha Arias listen to me. You've been there for me ever since I was ten, and the same for me. I promised myself to always help you whenever you're in need or need an opportunity, and I'm doing that. I want the best for you and Ruby. I love and care for you both. And you two being here would be amazing. For both you and Rubes. Please, Sam. Let me help you guys."

"Dammit, Luthor. You're gonna make me cry," Sam sniffles lightly, which Lena softly smiles at.

"Honey, we're family. We don't leave each other behind. I'm definitely not turning my back on you two."

Sam sniffles again. "You're an amazing friend and I love you."

Lena's smile softens. "I love you, too. Now, I'll send you the forms later. Same email?"

"I'll send you my work one."

"Great. Go be with Rubes. I'll check in on you later."

"I don't understand how I can ever repay you."

"Easy. You don't. Only be there for me whenever I need you and I promise to be there for you and Ruby."

"Promise."

"Promise," Lena repeats. "Go. I'll email you details later, and you go tell Ruby."

"Yes, ma'am. Call or text you later. Love you."

"You too, Sam." Lena hangs up on her and smiles. It might not be as bad with Sam around later.

Lena steps out of her limo and walks over to the landed jet. She saw Sam following her daughter out the door and down the steps. Ruby looks up and smiles before running over to her.

"Aunt Le-Le!" Ruby crashes into her, giving her a strong hug, almost toppling the CEO back.

"Oof! Hi, darling." Lena kisses the top of her head and hugs her back just as fiercely.

"Don't knock the wind out of her!" Sam calls out.

Lena laughs. "She already did." Ruby stays like a leech on Lena as she gives her friend a hug. "Missed you guys."

"We missed you too, Lee," Sam says in her hair.

Lena pulls back and looks down at the girl. "You hungry?"

Ruby nods enthusiastically while Sam whines. "You know I can have a big appetite. Why are you asking her?"

"Because the child is important, Sam."

"Yeah, the child's important, Mom," Ruby echoes.

Sam rolls her eyes. "What do you have in mind, Lena?"

Lena looks back down at Ruby. "They have your favorite here."

"Sushi and boba tea?"

Lena nods. "Right down the street from each other. Let's go. I'll have my driver drop off your things at the house while we go eat and catch up." She leads them to the car. "Hey, Rubes, did I tell you about our latest project?"