Tangled and Twisted ✓

Chapter 15

[Beth Kuhlmann]

There's something fishy around Jenny's quick rise at Hames Hollister Corp. I know her goals and aspirations, but I suspect someone else around her is involved. She can't just want to take over Hames and Hollister as if it were that easy. I insist: there might be ulterior motives.

At the same time, I'm not sure Bella has made her choice between Dale and Hunter yet. She's played with fire for too much; her indecision proved costly and I'm sure she's still suffering. The fact that she only took the job at the agency for money doesn't bother me, though.

Speaking of myself, I can't say I'm a saint, though. For years, I've complained to myself about how I've been the "third wheel" in the group; yet, I only found the courage to fight this label recently. I've learnt to trust men more, but I did it the hard way.

One thing is certain: our lives aren't the same as they were when all the three of us were employed at Hames Hollister Corp. I insist: leaving that wrecked company was for the best, and I'm glad that Bella was dismissed. And, no, she wasn't as bad as Kara Hollister made her out to be, but it was clear that working in the publishing field wasn't her aspiration.

It takes courage to own up to one's mistakes; it takes twice as much to fix them; it takes thrice as much to move past them.

***

I pace back and forth at the front of Jenny's house's door, hoping she isn't in the middle of a family reunion. It would be too embarrassing for me to break in. Her uncle and aunt dislike me and Bella. They claim we've got a negative influence on her. Yet, they're the ones who tried to push Jenny into Hunter Hyde's arms, even though they find one another repulsive.

Okay, no more hesitations. I ring the bell four times, thinking it's Jenny on the other side of the door. Instead, to my shock, Hunter opens it. What the fuck is he doing here? Is he already betrothed to my friend? Or have they played the rest of us all along?

He greets me with a sigh. "It looks like your little friend got what she wanted. Farewell." He runs me over when he leaves and doesn't even apologize for that. I wonder what he said means, though. If it implies Jenny is free from him, I must call Bella and throw a party.

I sneak in, trying to be discrete as much as I can, but stop as I see Jenny's uncle and aunt sitting at the table with disappointed looks in their faces, with her standing opposite them. I overhear her saying, "Next time you'll learn not to meddle with other people's lives for your personal interests."

I stay silent all the time and pretend I'm not eavesdropping, but I give myself away as I sneeze. Jenny's uncle notices me first and yells at me. "Who let you in? Jenny, was that you?" He turns at me, his voice turning deeper and more menacious. "Get out! And I hope you didn't bring that rascal over here either!"

"Don't you dare talk to Beth, or about Bella, like that anymore!" I've never seen this side of Jenny before. She's always given me the impression of a meek girl, someone who hardly ever raises her tone, and mostly puts her head down and works her butt off.

When she puts her uncle in his place, she's scary. He must be more than greedy and arrogant. He strikes me as someone who'd sell his soul, and even his family, to the Devil to fulfill his achievements. The way he tried to force feed Jenny into believing marrying Hunter Hyde would be the best choice for her.

Yet, his plan is now in shambles. This can only mean one thing: Jenny is free from that absurd agreement. But what does it entail? Disinheritance? New terms and conditions? The only thing I know is that Jenny's mother, who has assisted to the scene in silence, has had enough of the drama.

She kicks the greedy asshole out and tells his beloved wife to follow him. Furious at the idea of having to accept failure, the two of them leave. Jenny's mother disappears in the kitchen, leaving me alone with her daughter. Now, to close the circle, we need to bring Bella here.

***

"So, you're telling us that you planned to take over Hames and Hollister to bend your family will? Really, Jenny?" Bella's vehement reaction might hint at disbelief over Jenny's confession, until I see her frown turn into the brightest smile I've seen from her in years. "You're a fucking genius!"

I add, "That was such a well-played move, Jenny. But how did you attain that in so little time?" I can't stop being amazed at how she seemed fragile from the outside, but still could come up with such a plan. It must've taken a lot more than just courage.

Jenny explains, "Well, it actually came from that asshole, Uncle James. He posed me that challenge thinking I'd never make it, so that I'd give up and marry Hunter. But, no, I believe in my dreams, my aspirations, and true love." Well said. Not only she taught her greedy relative a lesson, Bella and I also learnt something valuable from it.

Jenny's mother returns from the kitchen and notices the three of us reflecting on our recent past, on how it shaped us. She says, "I'm upstairs relaxing. If you need anything, Jenny, I'm here. Oh, hi, Bella, I'm glad to see you came with Beth. Make yourselves at home!" She leaves, after which Jenny and Bella eye me suspiciously.

I sigh. I don't know what they want from me. They might be tricking me, or they might want me to spill more. I blush; then, hoping they don't taunt me for this, I confess. "The day before yesterday, I think, Jack was at my place. Well, it was fun. We were really close, even closer than at Coffee Galore. It felt... special."

"And so?" Bella's impatient reaction triggers a wave of heartwarming emotions inside me. From love to joy to hope, only positive feelings live in my mind.

"Can I say that? Promise not to make fun of me, okay?" I can already hear my friends laughing under their breath. They know I've been awkward around men until just a couple of days ago and still play along with that to psyche me out.

"He kissed me, and it was better than my best dream. Oh, he disclosed super private information about the company, but I couldn't tell you because... you know..." As I predicted, Jenny and Bella burst into deep laughter. But, strangely enough, not because of my first ever kiss.

"Beth, it's all over the media!" points out Bella, showing me an online article on her phone. Its title states what I'd never think it'd be obvious until today: Hames Hollister Corp. has officially shut down due to bankruptcy, and its founders and ex CEOs, Brian Hames and Kara Hollister, might face charges for fraud, corruption and other crimes that have been hidden for years.

"So, what about you, Jenny? And the others?" I ask, just out of curiosity.

"Well, most of the now ex employees are set to look for jobs elsewhere. As of me, I'm planning to launch a new independent publishing agency," she answers. This doesn't surprise me; she's very good at finding talented aspiring authors. Now, she'll also be able to actually get them in the map with no interjections from money hungry higher ups.

"What about you Bella? Have you finally made your decision?"

Bella doesn't answer straight away. She gives me and Jenny a questioning look; then, she lets out a groan. "I've finally got rid of the problem. And, yeah, Jenny, we're on the same boat. We're both free from him."

It looks like Hunter Hyde is no longer a problem for any of us.