Chapter 26

I'm sorry.

I'm an idiot, Beca. I'm really sorry.

Ok, you are ignoring me because I hurt you. I get that.

Please yell at me.

Beca read through the texts again and huffed out in frustration. She was still sore at Jesse and she was not ready for any of his attempts to win her back. At the moment, there was just too much stuff going on in her head. Too many thoughts. Too much. She could hardly concentrate on the research sh be doing on Mercy Galloway, let alone start on the questions she was supposed to be asking. Beca tried focusing back on all the Archive articles in front of her. She wrote a few notes and stopped, her fingers fiddling with her pencil.

Daniel offered to buy Decibel.

Daniel offered to save everybody's jobs.

Daniel will make her Editor-in-Chief.

His offer sounded like manna from heaven. No one else was interested in saving Decibel and the rag tag bunch of losers working there. Noah had been apologetic when he spoke to all of them at length. He would stay until the end of the month and that was it. Beca thought about Tina and Jim. As the deadline loomed, Tina had been quietly desperate. She was a single mother of three. Jim had retreated further into his shell, sometimes worryingly muttering to himself. And there were the other editors, other staff members whom Beca knew were getting more and more worried. It looked increasingly like Decibel will fold and Daniel's offer will be a lifeline for everyone. It would be a win-win situation for all.

Except for her.

Beca knew what this would mean. She would be at Daniel's mercy, especially if she accept the EIC post. She was not entirely sure whether it was too big a price to pay.

And of course, there was Jesse.

Beca nearly broke the pencil; she was gripping it so hard. She huffed out loud and tossed the pencil onto the desk. God, she could not think about this right now. She should go back to her office. Whatever the outcome was, Decibel would still have to vacate their premises and there was a mountain of clearing out to do. Beca gathered up all the past articles on Mercy Galloway in front to her, stacked them neatly into the Archive box and slung the box back where it belonged. She walked out of the Archives, tipping her head at Joe before heading towards the elevator.

Her phone was pinging yet again.

Should I send you flowers?

Or a cactus?

I'm going to send you another cactus.

Beca scrolled through his texts. Does that puppy dog ever shut up? I really can't deal with him right now. She was too busy reading through the texts that she did not see who she was running into.

"Beca! Just the person I'm looking for!"

Beca's head snapped up.

Oh shit.

This could not be happening. She had been making it her mission to avoid this very person and Beca could not believe she was running into her at this very moment. She stopped in her tracks, gazing at the figure of the tall blonde in Chanel right in front of her. Aubrey was perfectly put together as usual. She had the faintly pleasant and helpful look on her face but Beca knew it was fake.

"Bree, we seemed to keep running into each other," Beca said in greeting. She slid her phone back into her pocket.

"Yes," Aubrey agreed, mouth curving into a smile which did not reach her eyes. "Except this time I am actually looking for you. They told me you'll be here. Looks like I've just managed to catch you in time."

"Good for you, Bree," Beca replied. "What can I do for you?"

Aubrey slowly swept a stray curl across her forehead before patting her perfectly coiffed hair. Her green eyes were coolly assessing the brunette in front of her.

"Beca, we've worked together before and I think we got to know each other pretty well," Aubrey started. "So...you'll know how protective I am of Cassie."

"You are," Beca agreed.

It was no secret how fiercely loyal Aubrey was.

"So.. you'll understand why I have to ask you this," Aubrey said, stalking nearer to Beca and towering easily over the brunette in her Louboutins. "What are you doing withe Jesse Swanson?"

Beca frowned at the blonde. "I don't know what you are talking about, Bree,"

"Oh, you know exactly what I am talking about," Aubrey replied. "I know you are hooking up with Jesse."

"Aubrey, I don't know where you are getting that idea." Beca said, trying to sound dismissive. "I hardly know the guy."

"Don't deny it, Beca!" Aubrey spoke up, her voice rising up an octave. "I knew you just left Jesse's apartment that Sunday. His doorman confirmed you are always there. Don't act stupid with me."

Shit. Hal the doorman.

"It's none of your business, Bree," Beca muttered. She was about walk past the taller blonde when Aubrey stuck out her hand and gripped Beca's arm.

"It might be none of my business but you are doing something that might hurt Cassie," the blonde hissed. "And that becomes my business. Are you or are you not sleeping with Jesse?"

Beca shrugged Aubrey's hand off.

"I'm not saying anything," Beca replied stubbornly.

"You are sleeping with him!" Aubrey said triumphantly, noting the trapped look in the tiny brunette's face. She straightened up, a smile of satisfaction on her face. "OK, I'm going to make this easy. Whatever nonsense you are doing with Jesse, stop it right now. If you know what's good for you."

There were many times when she was working with Aubrey that Beca wanted to deck the blonde. For being too uptight, for being too bossy, for being too anal, for just being Aubrey. But it was nothing compared to what she was feeling right now.

"You're not the boss of me any more, Aubrey." Beca said stiffly.

"Oh Beca, you think this thing with Jesse is real?" Aubrey laughed. "You are just one of his playthings! He's known for it. If you knew him as long as I do, you'll know he's the type that hit it and quit it. The only constant girl in his life had been Cassie. You can't hope to compete with her."

"Then why are you so bothered about this?" Beca replied back, her eyes hard. "If you think I'm only a one off thing, why even bother to tell me to back off?"

Aubrey stopped laughing, her expression suddenly turning sober.

"He has an important deal with Cassie and I don't want him to get cold feet," Aubrey said slowly, her eyes still raking over Beca's face. "You might not believe me right now, Beca, but this is for your own good. Get the hell out while you still can."

"Aubrey, for the last time, this is none of your business," Beca said firmly.

Aubrey was shaking her head as if she could not believe how stupid and stubborn Beca was being.

"If you only knew what Jesse and Cassie is up to, you will know how much it will hurt you."

This is horse shit.

Beca raged internally as she stalked her way back to the office. Aubrey's words were still ringing in her head.

Cassie is the most important thing in Jesse's life.

There is nothing he won't do for her.

He will tire of you soon, Beca. Get out while you still can.

Beca felt like kicking the nearest wall in frustration. She shouldn't listen to all that shit the uptight blonde was saying but it was not as if Jesse had said otherwise. It was not as if he had wanted to own up to Cassie about what was happening between them. It was always not the right time. It was always to do with this stupid, mysterious deal they had going on.

Her phone pinged loudly.

Beca, please talk to me.

I'm dying here.

Please, I really miss you.

Beca tried to ignore those texts coming through but it was impossible. She reached her office, walking straight to her desk. Another message buzzed through her phone and Beca impatiently grabbed her phone, wanting to shut it off. The message scrolled through her Home screen

Really enjoyed dinner last night. Hope there's more to come.

Beca stared at the text from Daniel. And in that split second, she made her decision. She quickly typed a text back.

Daniel, you've got yourself a deal.

Later on that night

Jesse could no longer stand still. He started pacing the sidewalk, probably looking like a loony to all those waiting in the queue outside the bar. He didn't really care. Nine o'clock. Beca has said she wanted to meet up and to wait for her outside this bar at nine. Her text didn't say anything else but at least she was texting him. It was well past the time and she was not here yet. Beca had always been punctual and Jesse was a little worried now. Just when he was about to call her, the bar door swung open and with the light and music spilling out of the doorway, Beca stepped out of the bar. He stood still for a moment, just taking in the sight of the brunette coming out, in heeled boots and skinny jeans, with her hands sank deep into that cute jacket she usually wore. She tossed her hair back and looked around, finally seeing him standing waiting for her.

"Hey," Beca said as she approached him.

Jesse just gulped, nodding in response.

"Hey," he said, his throat slightly scratchy.

Beca was looking suspiciously at the flowers in his hand.

"Those better not be for me," she said dangerously.

"Umm.. no," Jesse answered, quickly shoving the flowers unceremoniously into a nearby bin. He knew she hated getting flowers but he had just bought them in a moment of panic. Beca just nodded, not saying anything else and then started walking away from the bar towards the nearest subway. Jesse hurried along beside her. When she kept her silence, just striding ahead, Jesse plucked up the courage to speak up.

"You said you wanted to see me."

"Yeah, I do." she casually replied, not breaking her stride.

"Do you want to get bite to eat?" Jesse tried.

"No. I've had dinner."

"Ok." Jesse answered, painfully aware how short she sounded. "Do you...want to go back to my place?"

"No."

The short answers were getting to him.

"Beca, stop." Jesse said, laying his hand on her arm, pulling her to a stop. "Where are we going? I thought you wanted to talk."

Beca shrugged his hand off and continued walking. "I'm on my way to another gig."

"You are working?" Jesse said, sounding a little incredulous. "I thought -"

"I have plenty to do before my trip," Beca interrupted, looking preoccupied.

Jesse knew about the trip. He was not too thrilled they won't be seeing each other for two weeks; especially if they were to part fighting like this.

"Are you still mad at me?" he asked meekly. "You were ignoring all my texts. We haven't spoken for days."

"I just needed some time out," Beca said with a tired sigh. "I got a lot of things to think about. Already Aubrey is up my ass; the last thing I need -"

"Aubrey?" Jesse said sharply. "What about Aubrey?"

Beca stopped walking and spun round to face him.

"She knew about us," she said, still. "Somehow she managed to get the information out of Hal. She cornered me down this morning and basically told me to back off."

Beca watched as Jesse stood in stunned silence. He seemed to be processing what she told him and Beca mistakenly thought she knew what Jesse was thinking.

"Don't worry. She haven't told Cassie yet," Beca said, trying not to sound resentful. "She didn't want to worry Cassie unnecessarily. Aubrey was just wanted me to fuck off and not bother the two of you."

It was Jesse's turn to stare at her.

"You think I'm worried that Aubrey will tell Cassie?"

"Well, aren't you?" Beca replied. She didn't give him any chance to reply. She didn't really want to hear the answer coming out of his mouth. "Well, you don't have to worry about Aubrey."

Jesse was searching her face, trying to work out what she was on about. She was being unusually cryptic and now she was sighing deeply like she was about to deliver some bad news. This is when she breaks up with me- Jesse thought.

"I had dinner with Daniel yesterday."

Jesse never thought it would feel this bad. This sick, tight feeling in his gut like someone landed a hard blow on him that left him gasping and breathless. She met up with Daniel? Just the thought of her being within ten feet of that douchebag was making him angry; let alone her having dinner with him. Jesse felt his jaw tightened and he knew he was biting down hard on his lip just to stop himself from swearing out loud.

"Is this it?" Jesse finally said, shoving his fists into his pockets; just so she couldn't see how bad he was shaking. "Is that your way of saying you want to break up?"

"What?" Beca said, confused.

"You are breaking up with me," Jesse said, praying his voice won't crack.

"I'm not," Beca said, frowning. Her face was then laced with worry. "Do you want to break up with me?"

"God, no," Jesse cried out. He stepped forward, pulling her closer to him. She did not resist, her arms already snaking around his neck and he felt her hands pulling his face down towards hers. She was on her tiptoes kissing him and the relief flooding into his chest nearly overwhelmed him.

"I miss you so much," Jesse murmured against her lips. "Please don't be mad at me any more." Beca sank back to her feet. She was shaking her head in his chest and he hugged her tighter. "Please don't be mad at me. Ever."

"I need to tell you something," Beca said urgently. She drew back, breaking the hug and looked up at him. "I had dinner with Daniel yesterday. He had a proposition for me."

Stay calm, Jesse - he sternly told himself. "What sort of proposition?"

"Claire Meade may be interested to buy over Decibel. Daniel is working on that. We have a chance to save the magazine."

Jesse knew it. That sneaky son of a bitch.

"He also promise to make me EIC. It's a terrific chance for me to turn the magazine around."

Fuck. That bastard. That slimy, manipulative bastard.

"What is he asking in return?" Jesse asked. He tried keeping his voice even but it came out a little harder than he intended.

"He wanted another chance," Beca said, not meeting Jesse's eyes. "He wanted to try again."

"No." Jesse said firmly, his usually sweet mouth twisted in a grimace.

"Hear me out," Beca said. "If I agree to this, people's jobs will be saved. I was thinking I could pretend to go along with this whole thing. And when things are stable, I'll break it off."

"No, Beca. You can't do this," Jesse spoke up. He was already turning away, not wanting her to see how much this news was affecting him. How could she expect him to allow this? This was a crazy idea.

Beca stared at his back.

"Its not going to be real," she replied slowly. " There's not going to be anything in it. It would like just you and Cassie."

"NO!"

His outburst surprised her. Jesse turned back to face her, hurt all over his face.

"This will be nothing like me and Cassie!" he declared. "Cassie and I are just friends. Daniel wants you back and it looks like he'll stop at nothing."

"I can take care of myself," Beca said hotly.

"You can only string him so far, Beca," Jesse replied back, equally angry. "What if... what if he wants more? What if he wants to sleep with you? How far will you go?"

"Don't you trust me?" Beca yelled. "You think I will fuck Daniel Meade after what he did to me?" She angrily dashed the hot tears that sprung to her eyes. "Maybe you've been sleeping with Cassie all this while. Is this what this is all about? Is that what you think I'll do?"

"Fuck, Beca. Stop it!" Jesse shouted in frustration. "I don't sleep with Cassie, alright? I've said this many times. We're just friends. That is all. Trust me on this."

"And I'm asking you to trust me on this," Beca replied, sounding a little softer. "I know what I'm doing with Daniel, ok?"

He hated this. He hated how he could not stop her if this was what she wanted to do.

"Let's not fight," Jesse said softly, wrapping his arms around her again. "I don't want to fight, Beca. I just..I just want things to be ok."

She was melting into him and with a sweet sigh, she burrowed her face into the crook of his neck. Jesse shut his eyes, just reveling in the feel of her in his arms. He really missed this. If she stays like this in his arms, everything was going to be ok.

"You've said yes to Daniel already, haven't you?" he whispered.

Beca nodded.

"It's a lifeline for Decibel, Jesse. I have to try."

"Okay." Jesse replied.

"Trust me," she mumbled softly into his neck.

Jesse could only nod back in reply, his heart heavy with worry.