Of Course, It's You

Chapter 40

Hannah

It was weird, the situation her and Carmen were in. They had been texting nonstop, had video calls, caught up together through work conferences, but even after their first video call, they still hadn't come right out and said what they were. There was no true defined relationship. Hannah knew how she felt, she knew this is what it was like to date someone. But, dating someone as high-profile as Carmen, she knew there were strings attached. The same could be said with her. Having a kid and being an employee at the company were two of the biggest strings that came along with it all.

When she got an email from a Pathway address, she opened it while sitting in her cubicle in the morning. It was from Dani wanting to schedule an audio call with her.

Since her day was mostly free, she set it up as early as she could. Maybe talking with Carmen's best friend would help her see things a bit more clearly.

Her computer began ringing and she put on her headset.

"Long time no chat." Dani greeted her.

"Well hello to you too." Hannah smiled. "How have you been? I heard your article has gotten some pretty decent traffic. That must be huge."

Dani laughed. "I hate that one of my most read articles is one I wrote about Carmen, but I guess in this industry, beggars and choosers, right?"

"At least it was one of the more positive ones about her. There wasn't any slander." Hannah pointed out.

"True. But it still feels awkwardly strange. Speaking of the article, how are you? I hope it didn't make things weird for you. And I'm sorry that I had to ask Carmen for your contact info."

"I'm doing alright. I mean I've been getting some weird looks in the office from time to time. But, I guess that's to be expected. Were you able to get in contact with Emryn? She told me the other day she would agree to meet with you for an interview."

"Yes! That's actually why I wanted to call you. Both her and Carmen told me I should be thanking you for that."

"I take it that everything worked out?"

"Impeccably. So, seriously, thank you for that. It's nice to have a follow up piece on something this monumental of a scandal. And, to have an interview with someone that is signed and working under the name of the business... well it's a substantial key element that not a lot of journalists have right now."

"I'm glad it's all working out for you. And hopefully helps put a different light on Mills Record Label."

"God, Carmen is lucky she found you."

Hannah was struck silent at her words.

"I mean, not a lot of people would be willing to help out. Or even stay with her through this."

Hannah gave a soft chuckle, not knowing how to approach her questions. So she just went for it and hoped for the best. "I'm not even sure what we are, honestly."

"What do you mean?"

"Off the record?"

"Sure. Of course!" Dani said.

"I don't even know what the two of us are. I mean of course we got close, but we haven't really discussed anything. We talk every day about what work was like, what we're doing throughout each day, but there hasn't been any confirmation ... oh I don't know. I'm rambling. It's stupid."

"No. I get it. Carmen's never really been the best at words. That's probably why she's kept me around all these years, because I help her find the words, she has trouble finding." She paused and Hannah laughed. "Look, I know my best friend is having a hard time, but having you near, or even as someone to talk to, helps. She has trust issues, and from her dysfunctional family, I don't think she knows how to accept and take any form of affection. And that's probably why she sought out all those other meaningless relationships in the past. But I think you shook up her world, her view, and she's seeing things differently. I'm probably the longest relationship she's ever had - her family included. And the fact that she's even trying with you, speaks volumes. She's hardheaded and stubborn, and I'm the only one that knows how to put her in her place when she's being just that."