Questioning Becca’s Intentions

“I think it’s time you start telling us what you and Becca talked about, Dad.” Stella tells you.

“Yeah, Junior. Why’d you ask about Becca?” Viv adds.

You look around the table and everyone is waiting for you to talk. Except for Maddy who was really enjoying her dessert. You really envy her carefree attitude right now. Just enjoying herself and her meal. You really wish you just killed your curiosity for a few more minutes and just came back into the room like nothing happened. Instead, you’ve backed yourself into a corner again like you did with Becca.

“Becca asked me if Paige said anything about her behind her back.” You tell them, trying to keep a straight face and not worry Paige more than she probably would. You still fail miserably though.

“What the fuck!?” Paige reacts in panic. “Why would she— Oh, God! Please tell me you didn’t tell on me.” Paige looks at you hopefully.

“I’m not going to lie—” You prefaced your answer, but Paige seemed to understand immediately what you were going to say and rightfully panicked.

“Whoa. Why are you panicking? What’d you say about Becca?” Viv asks.

“I told them about the rumors about her around the Head Office when I used to work there. I told them the rumors I heard that she’s ruthless and she only got her job from nepotism.” Paige answers, resting her forehead in her hands still in panic.

“Relax. Becca can’t fire you for gossip mongering.” Viv tries to assure Paige.

“I’m still applying for a job there. So she can definitely block me from getting one. Plus, if she blacklists me from other companies, my fucking career is screwed.” Paige answers Viv, explaining her anxiety.

“I think you’re overreacting—” Viv tells Paige, who couldn’t hold back her response.

“You think!?” Paige asks rhetorically, not appreciative of Viv’s nonchalance at her predicament.

“Look, what I’m trying to say is, Becca’s not petty. As her business partner, I also know she’s heard that shit from people before. I can tell you she doesn’t give a shit.” Viv explains.

“She didn’t give a shit.” You support Viv’s point.

“What?” Paige asks, raising her head from her hands, a hopeful look replacing her look of panic from earlier.

“She didn’t give a shit. She cared more about what I thought.” You reiterate, before adding what really happened.

“You couldn’t have led with that!?” Paige shouts in a mixture of frustration, relief, elation, and maybe other emotions you can’t identify.

“I was trying to, but you didn’t let me finish.” You answer her shyly, and Paige just gets an awkward look on her face for prematurely panicking before sighing in relief again.

“Sorry. I did cut you off, didn’t I? I had a fucking panic attack. Sorry! Language. I know. Wait, why am I relieved? She could still—” Paige started to panic again before her phone rings, and she flinches upon hearing it. “Oh shit.” Paige reacts in surprise. She looks at the name on the screen and gets a confused look on her face. “Sorry, I think I have to answer this.” Paige tells all of you before standing up.

“You can answer it here, we’ll just keep quiet. It might be louder outside.” Viv advises her, and Paige nods before answering the call.

“Hi, Piper. — Wait, what? Tomorrow? Yes. I’ll be there. Of course. — I’m sorry Ms. Matthews, I don’t know either. — Sorry.” Paige visibly relaxes and laughs. “Sorry. Piper. I just realized this is a professional call after what you just told me. — Can you blame me? I was expecting an email!” Paige laughs again. “I’ll be there tomorrow. Yeah, see you tomorrow, Piper. Thanks for the call.” Paige says before ending the call.

You and your girlfriends are all waiting for Paige to update all of you on what happened, as she’s visibly shocked after the call ended.

“Everything alright, Paige?” Stella asks her, and Paige visibly snaps out of her trance.

“I just got a call from my former supervisor at Hoffman’s. She asked me to come in tomorrow for an interview for my job application. She also asked me why her boss asked her to make sure I’m coming in tomorrow for the interview. That's why she called instead of sending an e-mail.” Paige tells all of you. “That can’t be a fucking coincidence. Schedules for job interviews are usually by email and that shit’s usually sent by HR.” Paige says as she stares into space once more.

...

“How do you guys have so much pull with Rebecca Hoffman!?” Paige reiterates her initial question to your group upon entering this room earlier.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Maddy asks before spooning her dessert into her mouth.

“What is?” Paige asks.

“Ms. Becca obviously likes Mr. Craig and she’s trying to impress him.” Maddy answers matter-of-factly, as she continues to enjoy the desserts on a table. Stella and Cassie raise an eyebrow at you, looking for you to confirm or deny Maddy’s assumption, as they know you’ve checked scores recently. Paige looks doubtful of the simple explanation though. Viv, on the other hand, stands up from the table abruptly.

“I’ll get to the bottom of this.” Viv announces. “Sorry. I hope you guys had a great lunch—” Viv added.

“It was amazing Ms. Viv!” Maddy excitedly tells her, and Viv thanks her with a wink.

“Anyway, I’m going to interrogate my business partner about what the hell she’s up to now. I’ll see you guys later.” Viv says her quick goodbye before making her way to the door. “Oh, right. The girl who has a crush on you said your meal’s on her.” Viv teases.

“That’s completely unnecessary.” You tell Viv, for the gazillionth time now it feels.

“Also, which one with the crush is paying for it, you or Becca?” Stella asks teasingly.

“Well, to respond to both of you, the one who’s paying for your meal has already left while I am just about to leave; so if you want to spend money, I’ll give it as a tip to Lizzie.” Viv tells you, and you nod that that’s what you’ll do instead. Viv exits the room, leaving you with the girls once more.

“So~, to recap: when we arrived Becca was already speaking with you, she upgrades us to a private room, comps our meal, adds more food than what we ordered, tells our friend that’s her business partner to stay with us while we eat, and then invites you to a private conversation to ask if you believed rumors about her? Is that all the stuff you considered, Maddy?” Stella asks her.

“Yeah. That’s everything I noticed too. She also spoke to us to ask if someone named Celeste said something about her.” Maddy adds.

“Don’t forget she called Jay ‘interesting’ back at Dorsia the other night too.” Cassie adds.

“Duly noted. All that being considered, what you think, Cass? Does Dad have a billionaire dominatrix who wants to date him?” Stella asks Cassie, a playful smile on both their faces.

“It seems like it.” Cassie answers, with a teasing look towards you.

“I heard she was a lesbian though~ you know what, scratch that. I didn’t hear shit.” Paige says before quickly retracting her statement, possibly learning her lesson to not share gossip about Becca behind her back.

“If she was a lesbian, maybe who she’s trying to impress is Cassie and Stella?” Maddy suggests, and Stella and Cassie look at each other in surprise, considering the possibility.

‘A bit presumptive of you to think that it’s your opinion I care about.’ Becca’s words ring in your head. Soon followed by her AMA scores right after, arguing the other side.

- Hoffman, Rebecca - Affection Score: 25 (+25).

Love Score: 5 (+5)

Lust Score: 38 (+38)

Why would she have a Love and Lust Score towards you if she only cared about Stella and Cassie?

“Nah. She knows we’re with Dad.” Stella points out.

“She doesn’t know Jay doesn’t like sharing us with other people though. Maybe she’s doing it to get Jay to consider sharing us so she could dominate us?” Cassie suggests.

“She doesn’t need to do all this if that’s the case. She’s a hot girl. Dad’s going to say yes in a heartbeat.” Stella jokes.

“Hey!” you react in half offense, making them laugh. You’re half offended because your girlfriends think you’re that shallow; the other half isn’t offended since you actually might be that shallow and consider the idea as long as you can watch… Oh God… YOU’RE TURNING INTO CHAD!

“It really wouldn’t fit why she would ask for Mr. Craig’s opinion though. Maybe we should invite Ms. Becca to the gym tomorrow too? Maybe ask her in person what her intentions are?” Maddy asks curiously, but you’re not sure if you’re imagining the hint of sarcasm sprinkled in.

“Oh crap. I can’t go to the gym with you tomorrow if that’s the case. I’ll have to prepare for the interview and get there early just in case.” Paige says in realization.

“Oh no. That’s too bad.” Maddy reacts, but you really can’t help but hear some sarcasm in there.

“We’re going at night after office hours so Tanya could join us. Maybe you could still come if you’re still game after the interview?” Cassie tells Paige.

“Yeah. Maybe. I’ll see what happens.” Paige answers, and Maddy reacts in excitement that Paige can still come. A little too excited, you think, for the noncommittal answer Paige gave.

After you all finish your desserts, you all decide it’s time to head out. You left a sizable tip on the table like you usually do here at Viv’s, since you haven’t paid for a single meal here since you started coming, before walking out the door of the private function room.

Meanwhile, at the Office Area of Viv’s restaurant...

“Please tell me you’re not playing a sick game, Becca.” Viv asks Becca over the phone.