"So, do you want any help?" Hanley asked Bella when he found her alone in the coffee area after the meeting.
Bella looked up, her brow furrowing in curiosity. "For what?"
"In the matter of Jennifer. I can help you," Hanley offered, his tone calm but laced with a hint of concern.
Bella's expression hardened slightly, and she gave a small shake of her head. "I don't need anyone's help. Especially yours," she said, her voice firm. Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away.
Hanley watched her leave, a small sigh escaping his lips. He shook his head, knowing her reaction was exactly what he'd expected. Bella had always been independent, and when it came to something she believed in, no one could convince her otherwise.
Bella walked carefully through the production area, her coffee in hand, heading back to her desk. She barely noticed the person approaching her until it was too late—Veena brushed roughly past her, knocking the coffee out of her hand. Hot liquid spilled down her dress and onto her hand, burning her skin.
Bella winced in pain, struggling to hold onto the empty cup as her skin stung. Before she could react, Tara rushed over, worry etched on her face.
"Oh no, Bella! Are you okay?" Tara asked, quickly pulling some tissues from her bag to help.
But Veena just smirked, folding her arms as she looked Bella up and down. "Poor people can't even handle a coffee, but somehow think they can handle an international company," she sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Just then, Fatish joined in, glancing at Veena. "Veena, are you alright? I hope you didn't get hurt," she said, mock concern in her voice as she ignored Bella's obvious pain.
Veena laughed, pretending to inspect herself. "Oh, I'm fine. But can you imagine?" she scoffed, her gaze drifting back to Bella. "I mean, the way these poor people stumble around… It's no wonder the office smells stale."
The two of them chuckled, making no effort to hide their disdain. Tara stiffened, her face flushing with anger and embarrassment, but Bella had finally had enough.
"So what?" Bella's voice cut through the tension like a knife, silencing the laughter.
Veena and Fatish exchanged startled glances. "Excuse me?" Veena said, her smile fading slightly.
Bella took a step closer, meeting Veena's gaze without hesitation. "So what if we're not as wealthy as you? How is that your problem?" she demanded, her voice steady and fierce.
Fatish blinked, taken aback. "What's with the attitude, Bella?" she sneered. "We're just pointing out the obvious."
"Are we asking you for anything? Or interfering in your life?" Bella continued, ignoring her remark. "No, we're not. In fact, we're content with what we have. We know how to appreciate life. And in that sense," she added, her voice lowering as her eyes narrowed, "I smell the real 'poor' coming from you two."
Tara's eyes widened in admiration, and even a few nearby colleagues stopped to watch, sensing the shift in power.
Veena's face reddened as she struggled for a comeback, but Bella didn't give her the chance. "Now, if you'll excuse us," she said, glancing at Tara. "Some of us have actual work to do."
With that, Bella walked off, her head held high, and Tara followed, a proud smile spreading across her face. Veena and Fatish stood in stunned silence, the smugness wiped clean from their expressions.
When Sanjay saw Tara holding Bella's hand, her expression worried, he rushed over. "What happened? Are you okay?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
Bella managed a painful smile. "Oh, nothing much. Just two frogs jumped in my way, and my coffee decided to go for a spill."
Sanjay raised an eyebrow, immediately understanding her reference. "Sit here," he said, pulling over a chair. "I'll grab some medicine." Without waiting for a reply, he dashed off.
A moment later, Sanjay returned, carrying a small first aid kit, and settled beside Bella, carefully starting to apply the ointment. Bella's mind drifted as he worked. She could hardly believe she had been the one to stand up for herself like that, with no hesitation or fear. When she first joined the company, she had felt nervous even making eye contact with people. Now, she'd spoken back with confidence. She was actually a little amazed by her own change.
Suddenly, a sting brought her back to the present as Sanjay pressed the ointment on her skin a bit too firmly. She flinched slightly, and he looked up, concerned. "Sorry," he murmured softly.
Tara's face was still lined with guilt. "I'm so sorry for what happened, Bella," she said, shaking her head. "On behalf of them, really."
Bella shook her head, giving Tara a reassuring look. "It's alright. It wasn't your fault."
Sanjay finished wrapping the bandage around her hand. "Wait, what exactly happened?" he asked, looking back and forth between them.
"It was Fatish and Veena," Tara explained, her face clouding. "They deliberately spilled Bella's coffee and then mocked her… all because I was chosen over them. But Bella didn't let it slide," she added, a hint of pride in her voice. "She really stood up to them."
Sanjay grinned, a look of admiration in his eyes. "Bella, that's amazing! I didn't expect this, but you've really changed."
Bella's smile softened. "Honestly, I didn't expect it either. But… I'm surprised—and kind of proud," she admitted.
Sanjay chuckled, shaking his head. "Where were you hiding you all these years? We should have known sooner."
Bella's smile faded slightly, and she looked away, choosing her words carefully. "Well… let's just say I was stuck in a world of my own for a while. But maybe now, I'm finally finding my way out."
Sanjay's expression softened. "What kept you stuck?" he asked, his tone gentle.
Bella paused, glancing down at the bandage on her hand. "I was heartbroken," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper, and then, seeing their serious expressions, broke into a laugh. "I'm kidding! You two actually believed me?"
Sanjay and Tara exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter, shaking their heads at her joke.
"Alright, Bella. You got us," Sanjay said with a chuckle.
Tara nudged Bella playfully. "But seriously, Bella—you've come a long way. Keep it up."
Bella smiled, feeling warmth spread through her chest.
As Bella settled back at her desk, she still felt the warmth from Sanjay and Tara's support. Her mind kept returning to her confrontation with Veena and Fatish, and she couldn't help but feel a spark of pride. Not so long ago, she would've shied away, but now… now there was something different in her—a resilience she hadn't realized was there.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message on WhatsApp. She glanced at the screen, surprised to see it was from Hanley. She didn't wonder how he'd gotten her number; with his influence, he could probably get anything he wanted.
As she read his message, her fingers tightened around her phone.
'I know you said you don't need my help. But if you change your mind, I'm here.'
Bella didn't hesitate—she blocked him in one swift motion. "Does he still think I'm incapable?" she muttered to herself, feeling a surge of defiance. "I'll prove him wrong. Just watch, Mr. Hanley Sam Mathew."
Setting her phone down with a huff, she opened her email and began typing furiously, her eyes narrowing as she addressed it to the contact listed for Jennifer. She had barely started when Vicky walked over, glancing curiously at her screen.
"What are you doing?" he asked, leaning over her shoulder.
"Can't you see? I'm writing an email," Bella replied without looking up.
Vicky raised an eyebrow. "To whom?"
She paused, glancing at him with a small, determined smile. "Jennifer Aniston."
Vicky blinked, then let out a short laugh. "Jennifer Aniston? Do you really think it'll work?"
Bella shrugged, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. "I'm not sure… but I have to try. If there's even a small chance she sees it, it's worth it."
He chuckled, pulling a chair next to her. "You really don't know how things work in this world, do you, B.S.?"
She looked at him, a bit defensively. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Look, just sending an email isn't going to get you through to someone like Jennifer," he explained, shaking his head. "You're dealing with Hollywood. All you've done the past few years is respond to fan messages—so you think anyone can be reached just like that."
Bella sighed, leaning back in her chair. "So… do you have a better plan?"
"Of course," Vicky said with a mischievous smile. He pulled out his phone and started typing quickly, scrolling through several links until he found what he was looking for.
"Here," he said, holding the screen up for her to see. "This is the managing company's contact for Jennifer Aniston. They're the ones who handle her appearances, appointments—everything."
Bella's eyes widened as she took in the information on the screen. "Vicky… this is brilliant! I didn't even think of that!" She grabbed a pen and quickly jotted down the address, feeling a new surge of hope. With this, she might actually have a shot at meeting Jennifer in person—and accomplishing her task without anyone's help, least of all Hanley's.
"What would I do without you, Vicky?" she beamed, practically glowing with excitement. "This is perfect!"
He grinned, giving her a little nudge. "Yeah, well, that's why I'm here, right? To keep you from making rookie mistakes."
Bella chuckled, nudging him back playfully.
As she looked down at the address in her notebook, Bella felt her heart race. She was ready.
Hanley was lounging in his chair, legs propped up on the table, staring at his phone. It had been hours since he'd messaged Bella, and the lack of response was starting to bother him. Finally, with a sigh, he decided to try again. He typed out another message—but as he hit send, nothing happened.
Sitting up straight, he frowned and hit send again. And again. Each time, the message just sat there, unsent.
"What does it mean when the messages you send… well… don't send?" he muttered, scratching his head. Just then, Shane walked in, a file tucked under his arm.
"Boss, that probably means… they blocked you," Shane replied, putting the file down and glancing at Hanley's troubled expression.
"Blocked me?" Hanley repeated, looking almost offended. "Maybe it's just a technical glitch," he suggested, as if clinging to hope.
Shane raised an eyebrow. "Well, you could check by sending a message to someone else," he offered.
Hanley narrowed his eyes, testing this theory. "Fine, here," he said, tapping out a quick message to Shane, who felt his phone buzz almost instantly. With a smirk, Shane held up his phone, displaying Hanley's message as if it were a trophy.
"No technical problem, Boss," Shane quipped, unable to hide his amusement.
Realization hit Hanley like a ton of bricks. Bella had blocked him. He tossed his phone onto the table with a frustrated huff. "Unbelievable.
Shane watched him for a moment, holding back a grin. "Is everything alright, boss?"
Hanley straightened, attempting a look of nonchalance. "Of course," he replied, picking up the file Shane had brought in. "Just… a minor setback." He scanned the first page, though his mind was clearly elsewhere.
Shane raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. "Right. A 'minor setback.'"
Hanley cleared his throat, determined to shift the conversation. "Nothing I can't handle, Shane. Let's get back to work, shall we?"
Shane shrugged, but his grin only widened. "If you say so, boss." He didn't push further, but the amused glint in his eye said he knew exactly what had happened.