Tangled and Twisted ✓

Chapter 7

[Jenny Lesko]

I've kept a low profile since my little runaway with Alex. I suspect Hunter knows, but won't tell Uncle and Aunt straight away. I can't afford any misstep, or they'll have an easier time disinheriting me and making sure I become an outcast.

Even at work, I focus only on completing tasks and barely exchange words with anyone unless Brian Hames or Kara Hollister directly ask me questions. The atmosphere is as heavy as my heart right now.

The only one who notices my distress, unfortunately, is Dale. Even though he isn't hostile towards me, I'm still wary of him. After all, he's close to those two Devil's spawns. He side eyes me as he catches me zoning out. I resort to typing faster, but fail to check mistakes, which he does.

He pulls me aside. "Jenny, you're messing up a little too much for your standards. What's going on?" I don't answer his question straight away, fearing he might get me fired immediately. He, however, gives me an expectant look. There's no more use in hiding.

"If I tell you the truth, I'm sure you'll call me out for being unprofessional. But you'll do the same if I stay silent, as well. What would you do if you were in my shoes?" I ask, trying to take him to a different direction from what he expects. Even though I'm struggling, I won't give him the satisfaction of getting me sacked out.

He anticipates me. "I know what's the problem. It's called Hunter Hyde, right? Is he still on your fucking ass? With all women he can get, does he really have to bother you-or Bella?" He's frustrated, rightfully so. Why can't Hunter just find a woman away from here and not drag us in his shit?

"Listen, Jenny, let's make a deal. I won't report you to either Brian or Kara, as long as you do me a favor." It's not the first time he asks me such things, but I fear this one will be outrageous at best. Unfortunately, he's a master of persuasion and this will make me cave as usual.

"Come on, spill. I'm listening." It's like I'm daring him to tell me about the favor. I know he can always betray me and report me to the two snakes. I'll side eye him until or unless he clearly proves I can trust him.

"You'll cover for me every time I go out with Bella. Oh, you have to keep it secret." That's easy. What's the catch, though? There must be something unattainable he wants or expects me to do. I mean, Dale Leathers hardly ever does anything without receiving anything in exchange.

He continues in a much lower voice. "Now, you think it's easy. But here's the part that makes it interesting." And more difficult, of course. He'll turn my working life into hell, I'm sure. He'll suck up to Hames and Hollister to get me fired if I don't do exactly what he says.

"If you spill, I'll make sure your aunt and uncle know your next moves with your beau. You'll be stuck with Hunter Hyde instead." Is that a threat? Does he care so little about me to push me in that jerk's arms? I seethe as I hear him mention that name. He shouldn't have messed with me.

I'm done always being nice. I'm not anybody's puppet. I'll make sure to get Dale out of my hair as soon as possible, even if it means burning bridges.

***

I'm supposed to be at Beth's, but I have to change my plans. Uncle James and Aunt Kathy have come round for dinner for the ump-teenth time. They really want me to marry that player, don't they? Why don't they set Paige up with him? Oh, they won't. She's their perfect little princess, while I'm just a pawn to use for their disgusting plots.

As usual, they bring up marriage plans, which I gladly ignore. What catches me by surprise, however, is the twist the conversation takes this time. When Uncle taps his knife on his glass, it means it's a serious matter and we're all supposed to listen to him. How he manages to be more influent in our family than Dad, beside business, is still unknown to me.

"Could you all listen to me for, like, five minutes? I promise, I won't annoy you." That's a lie. He takes just five seconds to annoy the fuck out of me. Even Mom rolls her eyes, fed up with his bullshit.

Nonetheless, he continues, making me regret to have caved. "Today marks the fifth anniversary of Gordon Skelly's passing. He was an incredibly ambitious and level-headed man, passionate and hardworking, firm but caring." For sure, Grandpa wasn't conniving like his pathetic excuse of a son.

"This means that we can finally have access to his will. I'll make sure to be clear and not miss any points." When he says these words, he throws a glare at me. It looks like his plan to leave me with nothing is close to his completion.

Not that it's necessarily a bad thing: when I'm out of his and Kathy's hair, he won't be able to meddle with my love life anymore. Plus, if there's a thing Mom and Dad are absolutely right about, is that Hunter may be a great businessman, but he's unreliable as a potential husband.

"I'll read the will in its entirety, so please listen carefully, especially when I call your names." I pretend I care about what he says, but the truth is that I only want to see if my theory about Uncle James only thinking of me as someone to sacrifice for the sake of business is correct.

He goes through a dozen of names for over an hour, listing every item or sum of money destined to each heir. When my turn comes, I shiver. This is it. Either I'll be disowned, or I'll be bound to a man I don't want to see even in picture.

He mumbles. "Jenny... Jenny... Jenny... Now, about you, I guess you expect what awaits you. Or do you think there are surprises at the corner?" He gives me an expectant glance. I gulp. I feel like I'm running out of breath. The wait slowly kills me.

He explains, "Jenny, you're entitled to opening the box number 7, the one with the rubies. It's in the vault number 23 in Gordon's villa, on the second floor. To open it, you have to insert a password." By the time he mentions that, I want to throw hands. I'm certain he'll never tell me.

"The box contains an undisclosed amount of money, as well as a secret file only you will be able to access." I have a lot of questions, but I wait to ask as he isn't done talking. "According to the will, however, there are two conditions you must abide to in order to have access to your box."

I know what one of them it is. Why can't he spare me this torture and just admit he only wants more money? I'd still hate him, but at least he'd prove he has a clean conscience.

I counter. "I suppose one of the two conditions is marrying Hunter Hyde, right?" He nods. Exactly what I thought. I need to come up with a plan. I don't want to be betrothed to someone who only sees women as cash cows.

"Now, there's another way for you to earn that box without saying 'I do,' but I warn you, it's a lot more complicated." If it means 'hard but doable,' I'm in. But, if it's Mission: Impossible, then things change by a mile. I can't afford missteps.

"To keep your share of the heirloom, unless you want to marry Hunter Hyde, you'll have to take over Hames Hollister Corp within the next month. Take it or leave it." This is a provocation. He can't be serious. How am I supposed to climb up to the top and get rid of the founders of the publishing agency?

I can't back down, though. Doing so means accepting a loveless marriage.