[Bella Hennings]

I'm lucky as fuck. I knew asking Dale out would be the best idea I've ever had since I was, like, eighteen. I'm sad I'm no longer at Hames Hollister, to be fair. I wish I could rub my happiness in Kara's face. She has turned, and is still turning, her employees' lives into Hell for her personal gain.

As of now, I sit idly on the couch, sipping my third shot of Cointreau. It's an old gift from Dale, and the one I cherish the most to date. He enjoys drinking as much as I do. I'd gladly have a few rounds with him now, but he's stuck there doing favors to those ogres.

I have to get him out of there, as well as Jenny and Beth. I don't think they're safe. To Brian and Kara, they're nothing but bait. Worthless, useless, and pointless. I mean, this is what they think of whoever fails to bring any profit to the table.

I grab my phone, wanting to call him, but my intention falls short as I receive a call from the person I expected the least. Hunter Hyde. Isn't he, like, supposed to marry Jenny? What does he want from me?

I pick up. After all, putting him in his place isn't that bad of an idea. "Hey, why are you calling me? I'm busy. Seriously, don't you have anything better to do than bothering me?"

He answers, "Yes, I do. I want you to come to dinner with me tomorrow night. Think about it. It's a win-win situation. You save your bestie's ass, as well as mine, from a marriage that isn't supposed to happen. Do you agree?"

I'm tempted to reject the offer because I don't like the idea of being the third wheel between him and Jenny. But, if the alternative is letting a loveless marriage slide, then I'm more than willing to make a sacrifice. Just for Jenny, though.

"Okay. But I set the conditions and decide the location. I'm confident this is okay for you, because I won't negotiate with you. Take it or leave it." My bold statement makes him indecisive. If he accepts, which is what I want, he'll be aware I play him just to save Jenny. But, if he refuses, Jenny's family will play him. He has to choose the least bad, and it's an easy task, I dare say.

"Fine. I accept. As long as you don't play dirty tricks on me, we'll get along perfectly. I can't wait to see what you've got in mind for me." He hangs up without letting me finish. Bad for him, anyway. He won't know I have a plan for him that involves money, and a secret of mine. A lot of money.

I contemplate taking another shot, but decide not to. I need to stay clean enough for the big event. I don't want Hunter to believe I'm some random drunkard. I have to show some finesse, at least for one night. Easier said than done, though.

Lustful thoughts already fill my mind. I wonder if Hunter is as good in bed as Dale. To be fair, the latter is a beast and has tons of experience with women. Hunter doesn't strike me as someone who hooked up with many people, but I'm sure he did something with two or three girls...

Oh, come on, why am I already projecting myself to dirty fantasies? I need to keep myself grounded to reality, or else I'll be hurt if Hunter doesn't match my expectations.

***

I check every corner of my room to make sure it's prepared for another steamy night. The furniture are all in their place. The wardrobe is perfectly tidy. The bed is made as it should. The carpet looks like new, same as the curtains.

I've really outdone myself with the cleaning. Usually, I'm a very messy person, which means that I can be proud of my job. I twirl around the mirror, admiring my gorgeous outfit. My red cocktail dress is one of the best, if not the best, of my wardrobe. I pair it with golden earrings, two matching diamond bracelets, and a collier with rubies.

I love myself, but at the same time I hate myself. I'm excited at the idea of 'taking care' of Hunter to protect Jenny, but I can't help feeling like I betray Dale this way. Hopefully, he'll understand me and not see me as the typical gold digger. I might love men, and money, but I'm not that desperate.

The bell rings, meaning that the show can start. I strut downstairs and reach the entrance before opening the door. Hunter is already here with his solemn presence. He has dolled up, as well. His dark grey suit and black shirt perfectly match his sharp jawline. He wears a watch that is worth nearly as much as my house.

He notices my glance has moved to it and chuckles. "Fine, isn't it? I only wear it for special nights, and this is one, isn't it?" I nod in agreement, then lead him inside. I take him to the bar and point at the bottles. A drink is always a good way to start.

"You want one, don't you?" I blink as he sits on one of the stools. I show him the drinks. There are so many he can choose from. I'd like to give him my suggestion, but I'm sure he has good taste, too, so I let him pick.

He goes for my forty-year-old whiskey. "Great choice," I say, but he merely nods before serving himself. Tension rises as his first shot burns all the way through his throat. I chuckle. "Strong, isn't it?"

He smirks. "I'm used to even stronger stuff. I just wanted an excuse to make you drool over me, but it doesn't like it worked. You're a tough girl, aren't you?" It's the first time someone has used this expression with me as a compliment. Usually, Kara directed it to me, with a completely different meaning.

"Hmm. Maybe. How about we start playing seriously? You can bring the whiskey upstairs, and I have a few more surprises in store for you." He smiles, not knowing that the surprises in question are anything but pleasant.

"I'll follow your lead. Come on, show me what you've got." I pick a bottle of rhum and strut upstairs, followed by Hunter with the whiskey. I slowly open the door to my room and light up some candles. He seems to appreciate the atmosphere so far. Perfect, he's just fallen into my trap.

We leave the drinks on the night table, along with our valuables. Then, I take my shoes off, and Hunter follows. "Nice shoes," he comment. "Are those the ones Jenny showed me on Instagram? That is, if I recall correctly."

I shake my head. "No, no, that's actually a different pair. Jenny tricked you. She does that a lot with you. You should know better, idiot." I don't sound harsh when calling him that way, but I have no idea of why. I don't think it's the alcohol, since I haven't touched a single drop today.

Moreover, he doesn't seem to catch that I've just lied to him. Does it mean he has feelings for me? What about Jenny? And Dale? Is what we're doing okay? Is this a game, after all?

Fuck tricks and games. I just want to enjoy myself tonight.