Tangled and Twisted ✓

Chapter 1

[Jenny Lesko]

Aunt Kathy and Uncle James are usually right, except when it comes to love. It can't be dictated. It can't be labelled. It can't be controlled. It's something that just comes naturally. It's like a baby: you have to nurture it for it to grow.

This is why their approach is unbelievable to me. It's 2023, and I still have to hear them blabber about arranged marriages, as if they work in the long term or there are no ulterior motives. Marriage isn't about business, it's about love.

On one hand, I can understand their point of view. Unlike my mother, Uncle James was always pushed as the heir to the family's company and, as such, was expected to comply to what my grandparents or his superiors told him to do.

His, as well as Kathy's mindset, perfectly translated to Paige. I don't hate her, but I don't feel comfortable around her either. To her, everything is competition. Losing to me, someone who was raised in a much different environment, is embarrassing to her.

She has that perfect mask that could crack any time soon, but won't ever take it off. Like my uncle and aunt do. I try to emphatize with them, to realize that they suffer for a reason. But when they talk about setting me up with Hunter Hyde, I just can't listen to them and take their words seriously.

First of all, Hunter is nowhere near being my type. He is very business oriented and wants to start a family straight away, or at least this is how he poses when he and his stuck-up father show up for dinner with my family. I, on the other hand, prefer taking such a topic more slowly.

They also insist on how attractive he is. I don't care about his looks or his bank account, I just don't like him the way they believe! I also suspect he has ulterior motives related to his father, which is only one of the many reasons I don't trust him.

Never mind. I guess I'm rambling too much on how I'd rather eat cacti over being forced into a marriage that will bring nothing than pain and boredom.

***

The atmosphere at work is tense. I don't know if it's because of the "impending announcement" our boss promised, or because he's so hellbent on threatening to dismiss whoever fails to bring back a report in record time. 

I know, I shouldn't judge him. After all, the agency is facing debt due to failed investments, which can't be ascribed to a single individual's mistakes. So, why can't I shake that feeling that there's something out of place? Is Mr. Hames keeping a secret from us?

As soon as I take back my seat at my desk, he bursts into the room, followed by Mrs. Hollister, or "simply Kara," as she puts it this way. They both have serious faces, meaning that more bad news is on the way. I don't know how much time we have left before default, so the best thing to do is to take any possible idea into account.

Mr. Hames starts speaking first. His grave voice makes my heart sink. "Guys, girls, Hames Hollister Corp. has faced a hard time since 2020. You know, when that damn virus was brought in by the Chinese-" His words are followed by numerous frowns out of disapproval. How he can make such a comment lightheartedly?

He continues, ignoring our reactions and maintaining his stern composure. "Okay, let's be serious. Things aren't likely to get any better by the end of the year, so we have to take measures to ensure that this agency will keep withholding its reputation and will restart prospering as it deserves."

I wonder what he means with 'taking measures.' Are they selling the agency? Are new investors coming? Have they got access to resources from the Government I was unaware of? I try to keep a positive mindset, but my colleagues' gloomy faces suggest otherwise.

Mrs. Hollister intervenes, "What Brian means is, unless someone has a brilliant idea to get us out of the swamp, we have to start cutting unnecessary expenses." No more business cars? (Not that it's a bad idea, I hardly ever use those. I'm loyal to my bike.) Lower budget? Less bonuses?

She continues as chill runs down my spine for the first time since this abrupt meeting started. "This means that we might start cutting down on staff, too." She points the finger at each of us, with her eyes set mainly on Bella Hennings. They hate each other. In particular, Bella says our boss doesn't like her because she attracts boys more easily. I'm sure it's only a joke, but Kara Hollister takes everything (including herself) too seriously.

She gives us one last hard stare before excusing herself. "Now, get back to work!" she commands, after which Bella sits next to me, at my desk. She quivers her lips; then, she takes my hands.

She whispers. "Jenny, do you think she'll fire me? She's on me since day one. She thinks I'm an obstacle between her and Dale Leathers. So what? He isn't a puppet, he can decide on his own what-" She cuts herself off as she notices Mr. Hames is still here, passing through desks to make sure we don't slack off.

She hesitates. "S-s-sorry, Mr. Hames, it's not what you think. I-" She stands her, her mouth wide open, and I can't even come up with anything to defend her properly. I'm too focused on revising a poorly written draft, even though I have to pick the broken pieces of my friend's soul.

Mr. Hames doesn't take drastic measures, but just admonishes her. "Focus, Bella. I need you to bring your A-game for all of your tasks, not just for gossiping. Do you understand?" She barely nods, after which he turns to another desk.

I sigh. "He has a point, Bella. There's no more room for messing up. One mistake, and one of us is out. Maybe both." She returns to her desk in a matter of seconds, and I can finally finish to correct the draft. It's so painful. I don't know who came up with such a brilliant plot, masked by poor grammar. The author is definitely a newbie. I need to find out who they are.

As I'm done with the project, I save it and then prepare to send it to Mr. Hames. He and Mrs. Hollister will decide whether it's ready for the final step, or if it just needs to be discarded. It'd be a shame if it were scrapped. There must be a way to save it. If only it were mine... Enough with the bullshit, Jen. Focus!

I hit send and then prepare to empty my desk as my shift is almost over. On the other hand, many other colleagues of mine are expected to stay behind a little longer to work. Among them, I recognize Beth Kuhlmann, another editor. She's had her eyes glued on her desktop since 2pm. The fact that she barely takes breaks during the shift is worrying. She needs some rest.

My thoughts on Beth dissipate as Kara Hollister struts back in the room, calling for Bella. She must have another nasty task in mind for her, such as doing her laundry. This time, however, she is a lot more serious in her intentions. As Bella notices her number one rival is here, she stands up and grabs her file. Now, I already fear for her.

Why do I feel like Bella will end up in the streets quite soon?