There are those whose primary ability is to spin wheels of manipulation. It is their second skin and without these spinning wheels, they simply do not know how to function. They are like toys on wheels of manipulation and control. If you remove one of the wheels, they'll never be able to feel secure, be whole.
-C. JoyBell C.

/

"I think Beck is having an affair." Diana said nonchalantly, pouring herself a cup of tea.

The kitchen got incredibly silent. Tori and Diana's close friend, Piper were at a loss for words.

"Don't speak all at once." Diana joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"I'm sorry, but you just dropped a bomb on us. Beck is really having an affair?"

Diana grabbed a teaspoon and stirred her tea, "I apologize."

"Are you sure?" Tori asked. "I know Beck, and having an affair, isn't something Beck would do."

"He works incredibly late hours, he's never homes, we don't speak to each other."

"But you know how busy he is." Tori defended. "He runs a company."

Diana sighed and moved from her spot at the kitchen island. She stepped in front of the trash can and opened it. She pulled out a wrinkled shirt and showed it to Tori.

"Yes, but busy men who are working ever so diligently do not come home from business trips with makeup and perfume on their shirts, Tori. Now unless that's become commonplace, all signs point to an affair."

"Yes, but do you have proof?"

"I'm working on a plan to get some."

Tori sighed, "How are you handling this so...calmly? Aren't you upset?"

"Of course I am." Diana frowned. "I've been with Beck for six years, and the fact that he has turned to some other woman to keep his bed warm," she sighed, "well for a lack of a better word, it sucks. Like he has slapped me in my face."

"Do you have any idea as to who the woman is?" Piper asked.

"It's his assistant, Jade."

Tori's eyes got big. She scoffed, "Jade? Jade West?"

"Yes. He has no other assistant named Jade."

"Diana, with all due respect, Jade is my best friend."

"Really?" Diana tsked. "Darling, I suggest you surround yourself with better people. Ones with more scruples."

"I've known Jade since we were kids. She'd never have an affair with a married man"

"Then why did my husband go away to New York for "business" and come home smelling like her perfume?" Diana asked. "Why does he look at her the way he looks at her? He's had a look in his eye that he's had ever since I met the girl. Like a hawk circling his prey. And why is he dropping subtle hints about separation? I am much for perceptive than I get credit for being and my husband thinks he is going to play me like I am a fool, but he is sadly mistaken."

Tori didn't have a response. She knew some of what Diana was saying to her because both Beck and Jade had confided in her.

"Diana, I am so very sorry. If you want, I could talk to Beck and-"

"Don't waste your breath, Tori." Diana said. She didn't need Beck to know that she felt suspicious.

"Okay." Tori checked her watch and stood. "I have to go. I have a meeting."

Diana frowned, "Leaving so soon? It feels like you just got here."

"I'm sorry, but we'll talk soon." Tori bent down and kissed Diana's cheek. "See you soon. Bye Piper, nice to meet you."

"You too!" Piper chimed back, waving. Tori walked out of the room. "I cannot believe-"

Diana held up a hand to silence her friend. She waited for the door to close, then she waited a few more seconds for good measure.

"Thank God she's finally gone." Diana said, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Wait, I thought you two were friends."

"We're friendly, not friends." Diana corrected. "She's Beck's friends, so I know where her loyalties lie. And you heard her. She's that whore's best friend. I may be a blonde, but I do have a brain."

"I cannot believe Beck! He's cheating on you."

"I only have a hunch, but I've figured out a way to prove it."

"How?"

"I have asked one of the maintenance men who work at the studio lot to put a camera in Beck's office. Jade is Beck's assistant, she's in there twenty four-seven. I doubt that they are one hundred percent professional at all times."

"What are you going to do if you find out something you don't like?"

"We'll just have to wait and see."

"Mr. Oliver, Jill said you wanted to see me." Jade said, walking into James' office. He was walking on a treadmill. "Oh, sorry if I'm interrupting."

"Not at all." James said. "Come on in."

Jade fully stepped into the office and shut the door behind her. "Nice machine."

"My lovely wife bought it for me. She says I don't exercise enough."

"I'm shocked that you put in here and not at your house where she can watch you use it. And actually make sure you use it."

"I do whatever that woman wants me to. She's the boss."

Jade smirked, "You're a smart man. My mother tried to get my dad to use one, but he was too stubborn and doesn't like to listen."

"Oh. Is he in the dog house?"

"That was years ago. My parents divorced when I was a teenager."

"Sorry to hear that."

Jade shrugged, "They were like two puzzle pieces from two different jigsaw puzzles. It was for the best."

"How long were they married?"

"Seventeen years."

"That's more than most couples."

"What about you? How long have you and Mrs. Oliver been married?"

"Almost thirty five years. She was a junior in college and I was in business school." James laughed. "Boy our parents were absolutely livid when they found out we eloped. We didn't care. We were going to concur the world together. Oh to be young in love and naive again."

"What's your secret?"

"It's really the small things that matter. Never forget to do the small things. Every Sunday, Nora makes me Belgian waffles with homemade maple syrup, even if she's upset with me. And we have a garden. When the roses bloom, I always cut the biggest and brightest ones and give them to her. Let your partner know that you still care."

Jade smiled, "That's really sweet. You two are really sweet."

"Thank you. Speaking of my wife, I would like to personally invite you to her birthday party tomorrow at my house, if you do not have any plans."

Jade shook her head, "Sir, I don't think that's such a good idea."

"Do you have plans on Saturday, Miss West?"

"No, but-"

"Good. I'll see you Saturday."

"But-"

"Jade, you really shouldn't say no to the father of your boss. Plus, I am not taking 'no' for an answer."

Jade smiled tightly, "Okay. See you Saturday."

"Great! See you there, Miss West."

Jade sighed and opened the office door. She walked out and bumped into Beck. "Oh! Sorry, I wasn't looking."

"It's fine."

"What did my dad want with you?" Beck asked, pointing to his dad's door.

"He just wanted to ask me a question." Jade lied. "Something about a schedule mix up."

"Okay." Beck said, choosing to drop the subject.

"I'll go get you your coffee and bring you a copy of your updated schedule."

Jade quickly spun on her heel and walked away before Beck even had the chance to reply. Jade had been avoiding him. They barely talked, they barely saw each other, but she was doing her job so he couldn't really complain.

Beck was going to figure out a way to get her to talk to him, even if it killed him.

Jade had to give it up to James Oliver. The man knew how to throw a party.

The mansion was full of people, yet it still managed to feel small and intimate. There was a band playing somewhere, but Jade couldn't figure out where they were. Servers were walking around, giving people drinks and hors d'oeuvres. People were sitting around, talking and some were dancing. And this was only in the living room. She couldn't imagine what the rest of the house was like.

"Jade!" Jade turned around and saw Jill waving at her. "Over here."

Jade walked over to where Jill was standing and smiled, "Hey."

"You look great. I love your dress."

Jade looked down at her red dress. She subconsciously touched it. "James invited me yesterday, and I didn't have time to find a more appropriate dress. Is this too much cleavage? Do I look trashy?"

"God no, you look hot. You and I are the only two people in that office under the age of thirty. I'm sure it's in our contracts to be attractive."

"You're probably right."

"I usually am." Jill lifted her glass to her lips and took a sip.

"Ooh, is that vodka?" Jade grabbed Jill's flute and raised it to her lips.

"No, Jade that's-"

"This is water." Jade said.

"Yeah, I know."

"I'm sorry, do you not drink?"

"No, not anymore. My doctor says I should cut back."

"Mine does too, but I don't listen." Jade shrugged. "Good luck with your sobriety."

"It's only for a few months." Jill said nonchalantly.

"Why would you stop drinking only for..." Jade's voice trailed off. She then gasped and poked Jill's arm. "You're pregnant!"

"Shhh." Jill hissed. "Lower your voice. It's still a secret."

"Sorry, sorry." Jade wrapped her arms around Jill and squeezed. "Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"How far along?"

"Ten weeks. Only my parents and my fiancé knew. Now you do too."

"This is exciting. Is your fiancé here? I want to meet him."

"He's in Atlanta right now. His brother just had to have a major surgery, so he went back home to visit." Jill explained.

"There's only a small handful of women in the office, now there's a pregnant one." Jade laughed. "The guys' heads are going to explode."

"That's going to be really fun to watch."

"Oh, this is so exciting. Just remember, Aunt Jade is never open to babysit." Jade teased.

"Yes, you are. You're going to love the baby because it's impossible not to."

Jade grabbed a champagne flute off of a tray. "I'll give the kid one time to throw up on me and we're done."

On the other side of the living room, Diana was watching Jade like a hawk. She wasn't doing anything special, just talking to Jill.

She would hand it to Jade. Her dress was pretty, but her hair was up and her tacky, cliché tattoo was showing, And her boobs were practically trying to claw themselves out of it.

"Oh look, Jade's here." Diana said, acting if she just stumbled upon the younger woman and not like she had been staring at her for the past few minutes.

Beck looked up and followed Diana's gaze. "My dad must have invited her."

"Let's go say hello."

"No, we don't have to."

"Nonsense, darling." Diana grabbed Beck's arms and led him over to the corner where Jade and Jill were standing. "Hi girls."

"Hi Diana." Jill greeted back. Diana kissed her cheek, which shocked her. Diana wasn't her biggest fan.

Diana pulled back from Jill and turned her sights onto Jade. "Jade! It's so lovely to see you."

Jade couldn't really say the same. She and the woman's husband were practically having an emotional affair. "Nice to see you too, Diana."

"I love your dress!" Diana said, plastering on the biggest smile she could muster up.

"Thank you."

Diana subtly looked up at Beck. He was staring at Jade like he was some lost puppy. She groaned. Ugh, he was pathetic. She removed herself from Beck. "I'm going to head to the bar. I'll be right back."

Diana was in need of a drink, and the champagne being passed out wasn't going to cut it. If she had to watch her husband gawk over someone else, she was going to have to be drunk to do it.

"So, how's the party going?" Ryder asked.

"It's nice." Jade answered, clutching her cell tighter in her hand. "Not as wild as I'm used to, though."

"You should've let me come as your date. We would be having a blast."

"Ryder, these are classy people. I would never expose them to you."

"Oh babe, my feelings are hurt. What are you doing right now?"

"Wandering around. This house is huge. Bigger than my mom's place, but smaller than my dad's."

"Your stepmom is very outlandish and wanted one of the hugest houses in Calabasas."

"Yeah, I know."

"Go into the first room you see and tell me what's in there. Who knows? You might find some creepy sex dungeon."

"On the second floor?" Jade laughed. "Doubt it. People keep kinky stuff like that in their basements."

"You never know, babe. You never know."

Jade turned to the left and opened the first door she saw. "Ryder, it's just a bedroom. It's pretty empty so I'm going to assume it's a guest room."

"Go through the drawers."

Jade rolled her eyes, "No, you weirdo! I'm not a snoop."

"You're so boring."

The door closed behind Jade. She turned around and saw Diana standing there.

"Ryder, I have to go. I'll talk to you later." Jade hung up her phone and put it in her clutch. "Hi, Diana."

"Oh, Jade!" Diana instantly flung herself into Jade's arm.

"Oof!" Jade didn't hug Diana back. Her arms just hung limply at her sides. "Is everything alright?"

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to come off so strong." Diana took in a shaky breath. "I just really need to talk."

"Well I'm sure we can find you someone."

"No. Everyone here is either Beck's family or his co-worker."

"I'm his assistant." Jade pointed out.

"Yes, but you've only been working with him for a few months. You don't know him as well as some as these other people do. I need an objective point of view. Can we talk, please?"

Jade sat down on the bed, "Okay." Diana sat down next to her and sighed. And within moments, she was in tears. "Uh, are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay. Jade, my marriage is in shambles." Diana cried.

"Really?"

Diana nodded, "Yes. These past few months have been horrible for Beck and I. I know I travel a lot, but that's only because he's never home anyway. And then he gets mad at me. Maybe if he just cut back on his work load and not spend so much time at the office, we'd be able to spend more time together. But it's always me. Everything is always my fault. And you know what else?"

"What?" Jade prodded.

"He's so condescending." Diana continued. "When we first got together, Beck spoiled me. He said I didn't have to worry about money or anything. Now all these years later, he seems to have a problem with the way I spend. He always makes little digs at me, and I am tired of it."

"We used to have a good relationship. We used to be in love with each other. He used to actually care about me and I don't know when we stopped acting like a married couple."

Jade hesitantly gave Diana a pat on the back. What was she supposed to do? Why did she put herself in this position? What type of fucked up therapy session did she just sign up for?

She just got up, went to the en suite and prayed that there was tissue or something because Diana was a blubbering mess.

Thankfully, there was a tissue box sitting next to the sink. She grabbed it and briskly walked back into the bedroom. "Here you go."

"Oh, you're such a doll. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Diana pulled a tissue out of the box and dabbed her wet eyes. She hiccupped. "I just love my husband so much, and I really want us to work, but I think he's already given up on us."

Jade's stomach dropped. She felt nauseous and almost felt like the words 'Guilty Home Wrecker' were stamped across her forehead. "Would you like some advice?"

"Oh, no. I just needed a listening ear. I can't believe you actually stayed in here and humored me. You probably think I'm a crazy woman."

"You're not crazy." Jade argued. "You're just a bit upset."

"I would hug you, but I don't want to get tears on your dress."

"A hug isn't necessary. Would you like some water?"

"No." Diana stood. "I'm just going to free you. Thanks again for listening to me."

"Yeah, don't mention it."

"See you around."

"Have a nice night, Diana."

"You too!" Diana called back. Once she was out of the room, she closed the door and squared her shoulders. She wiped the tears off of her face and smirked. Ugh. Crying was so overrated.

That was easy. A little too easy. She had Jade eating out of the palm of her hand, all she needed was a few tears and a sob story. She should have chose acting as her career because that was an Oscar worthy performance she just gave in there.

Diana ran a hand through her long blonde hair. She opened her clutch, and pulled out her lipstick, eye drops, and mascara. She just needed a quick second to fix her face up and she'd be as good as new.

Beck almost forgot how boring his father's friends were. Like, extremely boring. Business was all they ever talked about, and while Beck may have been the president of a company, he didn't want to hear about the stock market, JPMorgan Chase & Co., or Forbes every minute of every day.

As Beck struggled to keep his eyes open, he saw a flash of wavy brown hair go before him. He fully opened his eyes and saw Jade frantically looking around the room.

Beck turned around to his dad's friends. "I'll be back guys." He walked towards Jade. "Jade!" She just kept moving. "Jade!"

"What?"

"What are you doing?"

"Where's your coat room?" Jade asked.

"Why?"

"Because I need to get my coat and leave." Jade answered.

"What? The party is just getting started."

"I'm not interested." Beck reached out to touch Jade's arm but she recoiled and turned around. "Don't touch me!" She hissed.

Beck looked around to make sure no one heard that little outburst. He gently tugged on her arm and pulled her into the nearest room, which happened to be his father's study. He locked the door behind him.

"What's going on with you? You've been avoiding me like I have the bubonic plague or something."

"Where is Diana?" Jade asked.

"Diana left. She said she wasn't feeling well so she went home. Complained of a bad headache."

"Do you want to know what I just did?"

"Sure."

"I was upstairs."

"Okay."

"With your wife." Jade added. "We had such an...interesting conversation."

Beck sat down. "Really?"

"Oh yeah. She told me all about your marriage."

"What about it?"

"She told me that your marriage is failing."

"I could've told you that myself."

"She blames you for it." Jade said.

"Please explain that to me."

Jade circled around a chair in the corner of the room before she finally settled on it. "She said that you are mean, and cold, and condescending. She said she loves you, and she wants her marriage to work, but you-"

"What? Diana said she loves me?" Beck almost laughed at that.

"Yes."

"Diana hasn't said the words, I love you to me in over a year, so I'm just having a really hard time believing that she said them to you." Beck confessed. "And meaning them."

"Beck the woman was sobbing-"

That really made Beck laugh. "No. Jade, I've never seen Diana cry. In the six years we've been together, Diana hasn't shed a tear. For a while, I thought she didn't have tear ducts."

Jade shook her head, "This isn't funny."

"I'll tell you what's funny, six months into our marriage, Diana and I had a huge fight, the biggest fight we've ever had, and she took off for a week. She was at her sister's house. Literally three days after our second wedding anniversary, she did it again. She was in Cabo. And she's been running away sporadically ever since."

"Diana has two tactics." Beck continued. "Diana likes to run away when the going gets tough. She runs or she grows claws, and she treats things like a game of chess. I brought up the fact that I was getting tired of our relationship the other day, and she freaked out and stopped the conversation. Diana's back is against the wall and she's going to lie, scheme, and manipulate."

"Is that so?"

Beck nodded, "Yes."

Jade didn't like the idea of being lied to. What if Diana was lying? But what if Beck was lying? The tears in Diana's eyes were definitely real, but Beck knew her better than anyone.

"Jade, I swear to you that whatever she told you in there, was probably to gain your sympathy. You're probably not the only one she's told that sob story to. She's lying."

"I don't like this." Jade said, closing her eyes. "I don't like being manipulated and lied to."

"I'm sorry. She shouldn't have put you in this."

"No, you shouldn't have put me in this. And I should've stayed out."

"You're right. I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing to me." Jade ordered. "Stop apologizing and fucking do something. I'm not going to sit around and wait for you to finally say something to that woman. If you want me as much as you say you do, I would like you to prove it. And if Diana is as horrible as you say she is, why are you still with her and why are you still acting as if you're a married couple? Open your mouth and tell her that's it's over."

"Jade, I never went into this marriage with the intent to get a divorce. Once you get married, you work your hardest to stay married. And Diana and I weren't always like this."

"So what's changed? Why now?"

"I'm just tired of it. I know marriage isn't supposed to be easy, but it's not supposed to be this. Look at my parents. They've been together for almost thirty-five years and they're still head over heels for each other. Marriage supposed to be filled with love, support, and compassion. I just don't have that. And it's just becoming clearer to me that..."

"Finish your thought." Jade urged.

"That I'm falling in love with you." Beck finished.

It felt like all the air suddenly left the room and at any moment, Jade would suffocate. Jade wasn't expecting that at all. Love was such an obscure part of Jade's life. She didn't do love, she liked to have fun.

How did you respond to something like that? For once, Jade didn't have something to say, witty or otherwise.

Beck didn't care if Jade responded or not. Instead he just grabbed his left hand's ring finger and slipped his ring off. He held it up for Jade to see.

"Come here."

Jade stayed exactly where she was, too stunned to speak or move.

"Come here." Beck repeated, his authoritative tone coming out.

Jade got out of her seat and cautiously made her way over to Beck. Once she was standing in front of him, he grabbed her wrist. "Why are you so tense?"

"I'm not tense." Jade argued.

"Are you scared?" Beck asked.

"No!" Jade answered, feeling defensive.

"Then why is your pulse beating so fast?" Beck challenged, pressing his finger into the pulse on point on Jade's wrist.

Jade opened mouth to speak, but no words came out.

"Look, tomorrow's Sunday, so I won't be able to do anything, but come Monday, I'll call my lawyer and we will get the ball rolling."

"Promise me." Jade finally spoke.

"I promise you, Jade West." Beck placed a quick kiss on Jade's palm. "All of this will be over soon. Can you just hang in there for a few more days?"

Jade nodded, "I can hang in for a few more days, Beck Oliver."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Beck stood up and wrapped his arms around Jade. She didn't hug him back, she just let herself be in his embrace.

"Let's get out of here. I'm sure my parents are looking for me."

Despite Beck's reassuring words, Jade couldn't get rid of the feeling of unease that was settled in the pit of her gut.

Jade pushed the feeling aside. Things were going her way and she wasn't about to let anything bring her down.

They managed to leave the office without being noticed by anyone. Jade walked off to the kitchen while Beck found his parents and brother in the backyard.

"Here's my handsome son!" Nora exclaimed, reaching out to grab Beck's.

Beck bent down and kissed his mother's cheek. "Hey, birthday girl. Are you enjoying your party?"

"I'm having a wonderful time." Nora said. "I can't believe your father managed to keep this from me. I usually figure everything out."

James kissed his wife, "I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve."

"Thank you. It's such a fun party."

"Anything for the queen."

Beck smiled at his parents. Their banter always amused him, ever since he was a child.

"I think I'm gonna stay here tonight, okay." Beck said.

"Okay. Is Diana staying here as well?" Nora asked.

"Diana left." Beck admitted.

Nora scoffed, "She's the only woman I know who leaves their mother-in-law's birthday party early. Such a classless move."

"Ma, she told me that she wasn't feeling well."

"Excuses, excuses."

"Let's not talk about Diana anymore." Beck pleaded. He ran his hand across his mouth and stifled a yawn.

Nora noticed almost immediately that Beck wasn't wearing his wedding band. Did he have a fight with Diana? Was that why he was staying the night? She wanted to ask him but she didn't want to bring it up yet.

Instead Nora just smiled. "Well I'm glad you're staying."

"I'm staying too, bro." Justin said, slapping Beck's shoulder. "Slumber party."

"No." Beck deadpanned.

"All three of my boys are home tonight. I'll cook you guys a big breakfast. French toast, eggs, blueberry waffles, whatever you want."

"I vote for French toast."

"Okay, Justin we'll eat French toast."

"Woo! I should visit every weekend."

"While you're making his French toast, am I going to get my waffles?" James asked.

"Of course you are, honey."

It was early the next morning and Diana was already up. She was sitting in the kitchen, eating breakfast when she thought she heard the door open. She looked up and saw nothing.

Beck didn't come home from his parents' house the night before. Did he stay there? Did he spend the night with Jade?

Her blood boiled and her stomach turned just thinking about it. Jade fucking West had to come in and ruin everything. Who did she think she was?

Her cell phone rang, jolting her out of her thoughts. She reached for it and answered without looking.

"Diana Oliver." Diana greeted.

"Mrs. Oliver! It's me, Gus."

Gus...Gus...Gus. Oh, the maintenance man. "Hi, Gus. How are you on this lovely morning?"

"Good. I'm was calling because I wanted to let you know that I installed the cameras in Mr. Oliver's office."

"Fabulous! And I can check the footage on my laptop, right?"

"Correct."

"My husband doesn't know anything about these cameras, right?"

"Mr. Oliver doesn't have a clue, Mrs. Oliver."

"Perfect. Thank you. I will compensate you greatly for this. Have a nice day."

Diana hung up and smiled. The trap was now set. She couldn't wait to see what Beck did when he thought she wasn't looking.