Tangled and Twisted ✓

Chapter 9

[Beth Kuhlmann]

The last thing I expected is to see both Jenny and Bella fare worse than me. After years of being the 'third wheel,' even though my friends aren't at fault for that, at least not directly, it's like I'm finally in the position of having to pay them forward and getting them out of the shit they're into, deep to the neck.

On a higher note, I'm glad to have finally left that toxic dumpster. I'm fed up with arrogant, self-centered and conniving tyrants who think everyone below them is only worthy of bringing them coffee. I'm done with classist snakes whose main marketing strategy is trying to drag the competition down.

To put this simply, I don't want to see or hear from Brian Hames or Kara Hollister anymore. The only instance I have to deal with them should be when they apologize on their knees for how poorly they treated their subordinates.

Likewise, I want Jenny to leave that fucking agency as soon as possible. She bore the burden of the work for the two tyrants' incompetent lackeys, but hardly ever got any credit for that because she didn't suck up to them enough. Not that her position would improve if she did, anyway.

One day, Hames Hollister Corp. will fail, unless its founders realize their mistakes and learn to be humble.

***

I don't know what Bella and Hunter's intentions are, but dragging me in their mess isn't a good idea. Why can't they sort their shit out on their own? I mean, I'd do anything to support Bella or Jenny, but if that entails going on a date with Hunter to keep him away from them, I'm not sure I can accept.

I sigh, looking at the plate in front of me instead of their gaze. "Come on, what favor do I have to do you this time? Spill." As I raise my head to frown at Bella, she waves a hand in dismissal. What does that mean? Is that an attempt to sound like someone who doesn't have ulterior motives?

"No favors this time, I promise. I just want to check on you, Beth. Since you quit that house of horrors, you look a little... can I say that?" She mulls over what word to use to describe my emotional state. It's not an easy task, so I can't blame her if she doesn't get it right straight away.

"A little... out of place. No, no, a lot out of place. What did those two fuckers say when they dismissed you?" Bella doesn't know yet, but I actually resigned. She's only aware that I left the agency. What worries me about her is that she'll seek for revenge, no matter what.

Don't get me wrong, I do want Hames Hollister Corp. to fall really badly. But I'm not trusting Bella to plan the ultimate payback because I'm sure she'll go too far, eventually hurting herself in the process. Moreover, why is Hunter involved? He doesn't even work there.

His attempt to chime in annoys me, especially when he says, "You should trust us, Beth. Bella and I have the perfect plan to put them back in their place." I don't trust him. He wants to put his hands on Jenny's family's heirloom. He only cares about money.

I suggest. "How about we stick to something simpler and less hurtful?" However, Hunter ignores me. I decide not to waste my breath for him anymore and turn to Bella. "Bella, please, I know those two idiots hurt you. Can you at least reconsider your plan? I don't want you to get in trouble-"

She interrupts me, throwing an ice cold glare at me. "Beth, you aren't my fucking babysitter, so stop it. We're going through my plan as it is. If you have issues with that, you can go back there to suck their asses." These words are desolating. How can she think I stand in the middle in such a situation?

I'm on her side, of course. But I fear she sees me as an enemy, now that I'm no longer willing to take the "third wheeler" role. I've never seen Bella so frustrated, so confused, so... everything. It's like she's no longer herself.

She takes a seat back at the counter and starts sobbing. Tears form lines of cheap mascara running through her face. Her lips shake. Her nostrils flare. Her complexion fades, turning pale, less vivid, not as lively as I'm used to seeing it.

She whines. "Why... Why do I always have to make things more complicated? Beth, look at yourself. Your life is a lot simpler, a lot easier to live. You-" She's wrong. My life isn't easy at all. She and Jenny have only seen me through one perspective, and I've done the same with them.

It's time for the three of us, however, to get rid of the labels that have always defined us. Bella as the ditzy, easygoing, but fierce and determined lady. Jenny as the reliable, mature and responsible one, but also quite insecure. And, then, me... the third wheel.

"Why do I think there's something we should know, Beth?" asks Bella in a suspicious tone, after wiping her tears with her shirt. Hunter side eyes me, knowing this is his great chance to expose my weakness.

I sigh. "Look, I know how much you dread to see me fall off. The point is, there's no use in keeping this anymore." There's something I've never opened up about to anyone else, not even my friends. They wouldn't understand. They'd judge me or push me in the sidelines as usual.

I'm cornered, though. I don't know how longer I can hide. It's obvious I must come clean and tell them the truth. I can't wait for them to find out the hard way. I have to be honest. I'm flustered. I'm confused. I... I want to run away, even though I'm tied.

"What do you mean with 'fall off,' Beth? You worry me, you know? Get a fucking grip, for God's sake!" exclaims Bella, slamming her hands on the counter and startling the bartender. She has taken one pint too much. She needs to cut down on alcohol.

"Bella, do you remember yours and Jenny's botched double date?" She shakes her head. Then, whiskey and rhum had already had its devastating effect on my friends. I continue, avoiding my friend's gaze. "It was back four years ago. Hunter was your date, if I recall correctly. He wasn't that much a jerk as he is now."

Hunter glares at me as I mention that. He doesn't like me pointing his flaws, I know, but that date must've been too disastrous for him to even keep good memories of it. Bella, on the other hand, is frazzled. She doesn't know how to react, how to make sure it doesn't get out of hand.

I cover my eyes in desperation. "Guys, I ruined it. I faked sick so that you and Jenny could stay with me. I... I... I'm sorry." I cry; then, I turn my back at Hunter and am ready to leave when Bella grabs my shoulder.

"Where do you think you're going, Beth? Are you afraid of him, or what? Please, if anything, you did Jenny a favor," she explains. "She already found him annoying back then, let even now." She offers me a tissue to wipe my tears, which I accept.

She concludes. "Let's pay. Then, you can go, if you want. I'll stay with Hunter a little bit more." As we head back to the counter, I frown at him. Even though Bella thinks otherwise, he's unreliable. I know she'll realize, one day. But, for now, I don't want to push too far.

I have my own issues to sort out.