FALLING FOR THE MARRIED BILLIONAIRE.

THE UGLY ONES REFUSED TO DIE.

Just as he thought, and expected, Beth dashed into his office, slamming the door shut as she came in. This time, Ethan took off his glasses, he knew he had to focus as he knew the reason for Beth's visit. He remembered that she'd previously sought his help, and he could remember why, and yes, he was high.

Beth was furious.

That was when he verified that he was f****d. He sighed deeply and brushed his palms through his face as he could feel his frustration increasing. He was not mentally or physically able to deal with Beth's hysteria, but it appeared like he had no choice.

The fact that he was yet to understand why Beth would stoop so low as to sabotage someone, was not helping. Beth wasn't going to tell him and there was nothing he could do about that. Hell, Ethan was still trying to remember Beth's last conversation with him, he was trying to remember what she asked of him. His brain was clogged and here he was again, faced with another sticky situation.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

" If you couldn't help me, why did you make me believe that you could? " Beth yelled.

" Calm down__

" Don't tell me to calm down! " She began pacing, " You said you could handle it, and I was foolish enough to believe you. "

Ethan desperately thought of a way to involve in the conversation without giving himself away. He didn't know why she was desperate to destroy the 'lori' character, and he became even more curious to find out.

" Why is it so hard to just do as you promised? "

She turned to him, " Ethan, I'm talking to you! "

Ethan unlocked that part of him that he knew Beth would listen to. He got to his feet, arched his shoulders, stiffen his gaze, and slightly protruded his chest.

" Beth. " His voice was gruff, tough, and crooked, he sounded as though they were about to have s*x. Highlighted immensely in the ways to curb Beth, taken from their history, he had to dig deep and evade the situation.

Beth's pacing stopped, and the rage in her eyes disappeared, it was once again, working.

" If you want this conversation to continue, I suggest you speak to me in a calmer and lower tone. " Beth was now stable.

" Beth, " He called again, he wanted to confirm if she was calm.

" Yes... "

He let out a subtle exhale, " Have a seat and let's talk like adults. " He was disgusted by his facade.

Beth obeyed.

" Let's hear it. " Ethan prepped himself.

Just as she was about to begin, the door busted open and Pierce dashed in.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

" What the f**k?... don't anybody around here know how to f*****g knock?! " He subconsciously moved from his previous stance as the noise flickered with his demeanor. Ethan lost his patience before he realized that it was his brother and boss standing in front of him.

" Fuck... " Ethan whispered, " You still should have knocked, bro. "

Pierce's eyes met with Beth, " Please excuse us, I need a moment with Ethan. "

Beth didn't wait for pierce to conclude his statement, she was already halfway across the room.

" Of course, sir. I'll shut the door on my way out. "

Ethan caught a final glimpse of Beth's unsettled stare as she hurriedly walked out of the office. Ethan had never been this excited to see Pierce, he had just saved him.

(Beth's POV)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Beth had to hold her frustrations in, she had to bottle her anger in. She had lost, Lori had won. Also, there was the fact that if she loses her s**t now, she would get fired. She watched in agony as Lori was introduced to the staff and fellow chefs. She had heard so many people congratulate Lori that she hated the word.

As Lori got to where she stood, Beth had the nudge to run, to escape. Her heart raced faster than her legs ever could, the sweat from her forehead dropped on her lips and she tasted it against her will. Her legs and hands began to tremble, she began sweating profusely.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

" Con... congratulations. " Beth's lips managed to form words.

" Thanks... I hope we can get to__

" Can I talk to you for a sec? " She gently pulled Lori closer to her and whispered in her ears, " Privately? "

Lori was uncertain, but she was also inquisitive. Perhaps this was her squashing the long and overdue beef with Beth. Saying that she might get her best friend back was a far cry, but it was a start. Lori nodded and went with Beth.

They got to an open office with Four tables, Beth sat on one and Lori merely stood.

" Is... is everything okay? " Lori had to ask, the silence was beginning to sting.

" This... " Beth gestured to their surroundings, " This is the space where you and I are supposed to see each other five days of the week if we are indeed working together. "

Beth had one last trick up her sleeves, it was a ridiculous one but she was desperate.

Lori chuckled, " We are WORKING TOGETHER, and thanks for showing me the office. " She also glanced around smiling, " It's nice. "

Lori's boldness marveled at her, but Beth pressed on.

" No, I don't think so. "

Lori squinted, " What are you talking about? " She rolled her eyes, " I literally just won the competition. " Lori scoffed.

" I see that, " Beth kept her stance, " And I still say that we both can't work together. "

Lori chuckled, " We are working together Beth, just deal with it. " Lori brushed it off with a playful smile.

" You do understand that I can't work with you? I don't even want to see you. "

" Believe me, I'm not also very excited, but what can I say? here I am. " Lori soon discovered that it was a weak display of Beth's misplaced hatred.

Beth folded her arms, " Only one of us can work here, you have to leave. "

Lori was tempted to laugh, " Is this a joke? a prank? " Lori also folded her arms, " I am here to stay. "

" You have to leave Lori, c'mon, let's not make this any more difficult for the both of us. " Beth could hear herself and she sounded foolish.

" You're the one making this difficult, " Lori arched a brow, " You know, I could play your little, pretend-like-I-don't-see-Lori-coming game too. "

" We can't work together and we know it. I could put in good word for you elsewhere, with you winning this competition, there's a big chance__

" You've got to be kidding me, Beth, " Lori marveled, she gave Beth a bewildered smile, " You want me to leave? right after I won the competition? "

" I should have told you earlier, I... I never expected you to win. "

" You must have at least thought about it... " Lori began, " C'mon Beth, you know me better than anyone, I don't back down from a fight. "

" This is not a fight__

" Yes it is, you've been fighting with me for the longest time. "

Beth lingered closer to Lori " I'm not talking about the past. "

" By all means, enlighten me. "

" Leave... Lori please. "

Lori shook her head, still in disbelief.

" Maybe me constantly bugging Johnny for a chance or ME winning the competition, or... or maybe the previous handshake didn't make things clear for you. " Her voice became dense, she armed a suit of confidence and marched toward Beth, closing the little gap that was left..

" Lori... " Beth took a few steps backward, " I'm trying to make things easier for the both of us__

" f**k you! " Lori didn't know when she yelled, " What the f**k are you talking about? are you listening to yourself? "

" I'm not letting you get into my space__

" f**k you. "

" Let me finish! " Beth was sick of Lori cutting her off.

" f**k you. " Lori continued, " If it's so uncomfortable for you, then leave. "

" I'm not going anywhere. " Beth stated clearly.

" Then, neither am I. " Lori followed.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

[PIERCE'S POV]

The effect of that party night, mixed with the grand intake of alcohol must be playing with his thoughts now, but he was certain that it was the mysterious lady he bonded and had mad s*x with that won the cook-off. Was he fully certain of his claims? not yet. But the full, brown and wavy hair got him startled, or perhaps he was mistaken. Maybe he would ask the only person he knew who was accustomed with most of the damsels in the tri-state area, Ethan Boseman, his step-brother.

Ethan exercised patience and waited for Pierce to explain why he was in his office looking troubled. But all Pierce could do was tap his fingers on the table, narrow his eyes, and shake his head in disbelief.

" Okay, " Ethan hissed, " Are you gonna tell me what's going on here, or do I just have to silently watch you panicking? "

" I'm not... I'm not panicking. " Pierce's crooked voice was heard.

" Did you fight with Caitlyn? " Ethan figured that would be the only reasonable explanation.

" No... " Pierce brushed off.

" Then what else got you looking like this? " Ethan was curious to know.

" It can't be... " Pierce mumbled to himself, " Must be a mistake. "

" Pierce... what's wrong? " Ethan became truly concerned, " Is it Soraya? did she__

" The lady that won the competition... Lori Hart? " Pierce hesitated, " Do... do you know her? "

Ethan sighed, " Seriously, what is it with this woman? " He wanted to know why both Beth and Pierce are so bothered about her.

" That means you know her? " Pierce was agitated.

" Relax, I don't think I've met her before. "

" Oh, okay. " Pierce sighed deeply.

" Is anything wrong? "

" No... no. " Pierce stood.

Ethan got even more confused, " What's so important about her then? "

" I... have a meeting to attend, I'll talk to you soon. " This was Pierce's window to ditch Ethan, he had gotten what he wanted, which was to find out if Ethan knows Lori. Lucky for him, Ethan didn't.

" You still haven't told me what the problem is. "

" That is because there is no problem. " Pierce had mastered the art of concealing his true stance.

Ethan squinted hard, " Are you sure? " Ethan wasn't convinced.

" Make sure you fix her to district__

Ethan needed Pierce's honest response " Pierce__

" I said there's no problem! " Pierce took a deep breath as he noticed Ethan shocked gaze, " Fix her into a district today and she should begin next week. "

Ethan nodded, his lips wouldn't part ways for him to speak.

" The food she prepared in the competition was superb, I suggest you consider that before fixing her into a district. "

Ethan nodded.

Pierce went for the door and headed out without looking back.

Ethan folded his hands and stared blankly at the door, he didn't know what to make of Pierce's attitude. Although, he was aware that Pierce acts this way when he's under some sort of pressure, which was always caused by Caitlyn or his sister Soraya, but it appeared not to be the case.

Pierce didn't tell him anything, but he had to find out or at least get an idea. He would go to his cave later, he had more important things to do. Pierce had once again reminded him of his duties and ignoring them was not an option. For some reason, Lori Hart turned Beth into a sabotage strategist and his brother into a paranoid bot, just a few hours of being in direct contact with them. He had to find out why, he had to meet Lori.

* * * * * * * * * * *

" Johnny, I need you in my office with Lori Hart. "

Ethan finally made the call.