Page 55 of Dirty Little Secret, Baby
"Why are you doing this? Why are you like this? I haven't done anything to you," I whisper in despair, feeling a tear run down my cheek as desperation spreads throughout my entire body.
"I have nothing against you. On the contrary. I'm just in favor of the truth finally coming to light. And speaking of the truth, do you even know about the bet between Jake and Alex, and the real reason he's dating you?"
"I don't believe anything you say. It'll be as fake as that picture of you and him."
"Okay, the picture was a bluff. What I'm about to tell you is true. You have my word. You can ask him later, after I've told you."
"You're not worth listening to, now let me through."
"Alex wants to take over your shop and turn it into a burger joint. He and Jake made a million-dollar bet. On who would get the shop first. That's why Alex is dating you. That's why you're here by his side tonight. It's his tactic."
I was just about to go at Dilara, but her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I know I shouldn't believe her, but suddenly, it all makes sense. His sudden appearance in my shop, the sudden interest, the many interrupted conversations where he wanted to say something, his behavior, and his question about whether Jake and I had an agreement.
My head is spinning, and I wonder how much of it is true and how much is just something Dilara made up. I stumble, and theworld nearly goes black. Even if only a small part of it is true, wouldn't that mean I'm just a means to an end for him? Or just trash to be thrown away again, like he did last year?
Chapter 24
Alex
Damn it, where the hell is she?
Annoyed and in a foul mood, I drum my fingers on the bar. I give a friendly nod here and there, shake a few hands of guests I haven't seen yet, and just hope this whole charade will be over soon. I'd wanted to talk to the mayor about the mall idea, but the owner of Beth's shop hasn't agreed yet anyway, and somehow it would be better if I spoke with her first instead of him.
But where is she? What's taking her so long in the bathroom? Should I go check if everything's all right?
No, that definitely won't improve the mood, which had already hit rock bottom right before she went to the bathroom.
"Boss?" I hear Eric's voice behind me and spin around.
"I couldn't find her. I'm sorry. Maybe she's already left," he says, gasping for air as if he'd just run a sprint or something.
"She's in the bathroom. I'm waiting for her; she said she'd be right back," I say irritably, jerking my thumb over my shoulder.
"They're... talking to each other? I thought I was supposed to find her and send her out?" my assistant asks, looking at me in disbelief.
"Who are we talking about?" I retort, annoyed, and wonder what he's getting at. What does he have to do with Beth?
"Dilara. I was supposed to find her and, with Jake..."
"Oh, right. Of course. My mind was on Beth," I say, relieved, and clap my assistant on the shoulder. "Just keep looking, okay? That woman is capable of anything. Check every corner twice, will you?"
"All right, boss," he says, hesitating for a moment. "Is there anything else I can do?"
"No, it's fine, Eric," I reply, glancing toward the bathroom. When is Beth finally coming back? I want to come clean with her. I let my gaze wander over the guests, raising my glass to the mayor, who nods back friendly and raises his own glass. That's a good sign, because...
"Calmed down?" I hear a familiar male voice behind me and whirl around abruptly.
"Jake! Wasn't I clear enough? Didn't my assistant show you the door?" I ask harshly, taking a step toward him.
"Easy there, Alex. A lot of eyes are on us, aren't they?" he asks in a whisper, raising his hands disarmingly.
"Say what you have to say and then get lost, okay? Provoke me, make your little jokes about Beth, or feed me another lie about your deal with her. Whatever it is, let's just get it over with," I say with a sigh. He's right. I can't let it come to blows in front of all these people, so I'll try a different tactic now, one that might be more successful.
"So you figured out that Beth and I don't have a deal," he says, rubbing his hand on the shoulder of his suit jacket as if to brush off a non-existent speck of dust. "That was faster than I thought. Respect," he says and pauses. "Admittedly, it was only meant as a little joke."
"Your jokes have always been at others' expense, and no one but you has ever laughed at them," I snap, balling my hand into a fist.
"But what I'm about to tell you now is true. I'd bet my life on it, and I swear..."
