***Willow Pond***
Jennifer is home, getting ready for a dinner party. She has selected a bright blue off the shoulder embroidered gown with a sweetheart neckline.
Jonathan was supposed to be home an hour ago.
She was putting on her black crusted peep toe stilettos and her jewelry when the bedroom phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Jennifer, it's me. I am stuck at the office."
"Jonathan….are you going to make it to the party?"
"I am going to try. Save a spot for me at your table, ok?"
"Alright…I love you".
"I love you too".
They hung up, and she headed to the party alone.
***Westman's residence***
Jennifer pulled up and parked, and went inside.
Paul and Brooke Westman were at the door greeting people.
"Hi! Jonathan is going to try to make it".
"Well, the food tables are open, so go ahead and take a seat and help yourself."
"Thanks".
Jennifer found a table, reserved two chairs, and then headed to the bar for a cocktail. She grabbed a food plate and headed back to their table, and took a seat.
After about 40 minutes, the music stopped and the Westman's took the microphone.
They made a few announcements, and then they introduced the band, and opened the dance floor. Jonathan still wasn't there. Jennifer loved to dance with him, and was bummed that she was missing out.
She went over to the silent auction table, and bid on a few things, like a new Kate Spade bag, and 4 days at a spa in Arizona for 2. She was about to leave the table when she spotted the last item.
She just knew she had to get it for Jonathan. It was 2 tickets on the 50-yard line to an NFL game of the winner's choice. She way outbid the others, and was hopeful.
She went to the dessert table, and decided to stay away, and think about her waistline. She went back to the silent auction table about 20 minutes later, and increased her bid for the Kate Spade bag, and the spa trip. She was watching the clock, as it was going to close in 4 minutes.
They came and collected the sheets, and were going to announce the winners.
She heard her name all three times, and then went to check out.
"Is the money raised tonight going to a charity of some sort?"
"The children's hospital of Los Angeles".
"Wonderful".
She paid her bill and collected her items and headed home.
***Willow Pond***
Jonathan was in the kitchen when she came in the door.
He came to her and kissed her.
"Hi darling. Sorry I missed the party".
"Hi yourself". She leaned up and kissed him.
She put her winnings down and looked at him.
"Did you eat?"
"Not yet. I was just heating something up".
"Oh. I will make you something".
She headed to the kitchen.
"How about some pasta with grilled chicken, darling?"
"Sounds great".
He loosened his tie and poured himself a drink.
She got the water heating up, and then turned to him.
"Darling". She held her arm out to him, and he supported her while she took her shoes off.
"You look sensational, darling".
"Thank you. If only we could have danced tonight".
The water started bubbling, so she poured in the pasta and set the timer.
He turned on the kitchen radio, and then held his arms out to her.
She nodded, and they started dancing.
They danced till the timer went off. She kissed him, and then finished making his dinner.
She put the chicken in the microwave to heat up, and then turned to him.
"I am going to go change. Will you unzip this dress?"
"Will you show me what's under it?"
She looked back at him.
"You already know what's under it".
"Maybe I want a private showing".
"Unzip me and maybe you'll get one".
He unzipped her, and kissed her neck a few times.
"Be right back, darling".
"I'm coming with you, I am changing too".
They went upstairs and changed into their pajamas and then came back downstairs. She made his plate and sat with him at the table while he ate.
"What did you win at the party?"
"A couple things for me, and something for you".
She got up and went to get them, and bring them back to the table.
"I won this beautiful Kate Spade purse. And I also won a trip for 2 to a spa in Arizona for 4 days, all treatments included, all inclusive. And… I won something for you".
"What's that?"
"2 tickets to an NFL game of the winner's choice".
"Good seats?"
She pulled out the sheet to see. "It says 50-yard line".
"Any game, any team, any stadium?"
"It says any game, any team any stadium, valid only between August and Halloween".
He got up and went to the fridge and got the NFL schedule.
"What stadium do you want, darling?"
"Either the one here or the one in Dallas".
"Dallas? You never go to Dallas".
"Well, I will for a game like this."
"I see".
He handed her the schedule.
"When is Dallas playing the Rams?"
"November 7 at Dallas, August 20, here in Los Angeles".
"LA it is".
"Darling, that's only 3 weeks from now".
"I will put in my calendar".
"Great".
She was looking over the brochure to the spa, and getting excited.
"Darling…earth to Jennifer, come in Jennifer".
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"How much did all this cost me?"
"Well….you know I wrote 5 articles last month."
"I know. How much?"
"And, the month before that, my article pulled in 5 figures".
"I know. How much?"
"Jonathan, it's the thought that counts".
"I completely agree. How much?"
She got up and went and sat in his lap. She started kissing him and scratching his back.
"Jennifer….how much?"
"I love you".
He stared at her for a few minutes.
She gave him some light pecks.
He pushed away from the table.
He was completely still, and had the most serious look on his face. Out of nowhere he began to tickle her mercilessly.
"How much? Tell me how much and I will stop". She was laughing so hard she couldn't breathe.
"Ok, ok. I will tell you".
He stopped tickling her, long enough for her to reach over and get the receipt out of the purse.
She handed it to him, and started kissing his neck again.
He looked it over. The bag was $2800, the trip to the spa was $5000, and the football tickets were $8500. Total amount was $16,300.
"Darling, was this for a charity?"
"Mmmhmm. She was still kissing his neck.
"Do you know what charity?"
"Mmmm hmmm. The children's hospital of Los Angeles".
"Darling-"
"Hang on, Jonathan. I want to show you something".
She sat up.
"You want to show me something?"
"That's right. I'll be right back".
She kissed him, and went over to the cabinet in the corner, and retrieved a folder.
"Here, honey. Look at this".
She settled back in his lap and started kissing his earlobe.
"Jennifer, what is this?"
"The papers that show how much you paid for the Bentley that you bought last month".
"Oh, you're good".
He grabbed her face with his hands and kissed her passionately.
She snuggled down onto his chest, and kissed his cheek.
"I wasn't mad about how much you spent, just curious".
"Just curious? You were interrogating me like I was a thief".
"If you were a thief, you would be the cutest one ever".
She chuckled and kissed him.
"Are you ready for bed, darling?"
"Absolutely".
She got up and did the dishes really quick, and he helped her clear the table, and then as soon as the dishwasher was started, they went upstairs.
They settled into bed, and she snuggled up to him.
"Darling, how was your meeting?"
"Not good. I am trying to buy a company in Utah, and they want me to pay for the company by giving them money plus a smaller company that I already own. They have indicated that they are going to fire everyone at my company once they get it, and I am not willing to just let that happen. I may have to pull out of this deal all together".
"You will figure it out, darling. You always do".
She kissed him.
He reached up and turned out the light.
He rolled over on top of her, and took her in his arms.
They kissed while they undressed each other, and then had mad, passionate sex, before snuggling up to sleep.
Just as they were drifting off to sleep, the phone rang.
He picked it up and handed it to her.
"It's for you".
She took the phone from him, and sleepily said "Hello?"
"I know what you did. And I'm telling….". Click.
Jennifer hung the phone up.
"Who was that?"
"Crank caller, darling".
She snuggled back down next to him, and they went to sleep.
***3 a.m.***
Jonathan and Jennifer were sleeping very soundly. Suddenly, the phone started ringing. It rang about 5 times. Jennifer climbed over Jonathan and answered it.
"Hello?"
"I know what you did, and I am telling, bitch". Click".
She hung up the phone.
Jonathan stirred a little.
"Who is it, darling?"
"Rude crank caller. They hung up".
Just as soon as she laid back down, the phone rang again.
She grabbed it on the second ring. "Hello?" She held the phone where Jonathan could hear too.
"Bitch, I am so telling…..you won't get away with this".
They hung up.
She poked him in the chest.
"You are getting the next one".
She climbed off him and put her head on his chest.
A few minutes later, the phone rang again.
Jonathan was wide awake for this one.
"Hello?"
"I know what you did, and I am telling….your bitch of a wife won't love you anymore after this".
"Listen you little punk, you will not disrespect my wife that way. And by the way you are talking about her, it's obvious you don't know her at all. So, stop calling this house, stop making your threats, and if you call here again, you are going to have a problem". Jonathan hung up.
He rolled over and put his arms around Jennifer.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, darling".
He kissed her.
"I love you".
"I love you too".
They fell back asleep.
***a few hours later***
Jonathan's alarm went off way too early.
He hit snooze, and snuggled Jennifer some more.
About 30 minutes later he headed for the shower, and she headed downstairs to make them coffee and breakfast.
She made his favorite Spanish omelet, and had it ready for him when he got downstairs.
His plate was all ready and waiting on the counter.
She sleepily leaned in to his embrace for a few minutes, before they went to the table.
"Darling, I am going to rig something up to the phone in the study. I want you to hit record before you answer the phone, and if it's him, record the call. If it's not, you can stop it and rewind it. And I also want you to record how many times he calls".
"Record how?"
"On a piece of paper. Just write the time down".
She nodded.
He finished his omelet, and then looked at her.
"I have to go. Are you going to be ok?"
She nodded.
"Did you get enough sleep last night?"
She shook her head.
"You are going back to bed, aren't you?"
She nodded.
They stood up, and took his dish to the sink, and then she took his hand, and he led her to the door.
He quickly rigged up the tape player to the phone and then grabbed his briefcase.
"I love you, Red".
She leaned up, nodded, and puckered her lips up for a kiss.
He kissed her a few times, and then looked at her.
"Now that's not up to our usual standard".
She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him again.
"That's better".
She grabbed his arm and led him to the couch, and laid down on it. She puckered her lips again.
He grabbed a blanket and got her all tucked in, and then sat down and kissed her a few more times.
"I love you, sleepyhead".
"I love you too, Jonathan Charles".
"If you get another call, call me afterwards, ok?"
She nodded, as she drifted off to sleep.
He locked the door behind him and headed to the office.
***Hart Industries***
Jonathan was on the phone in his office.
"I don't care what they say, I am not giving them a company just so they can turn around and fire everyone who works there. I refuse to move forward with this deal as long as that's on the table. Flat out refuse!"
He listened a few more minutes, and then hung up.
About 3 minutes later, his phone rang again. "Hello?"
"I know what you did, and I'm telling. If you thought 4 calls last night was too many, wait till you see how many you get tonight". Click.
Jonathan called IT, and asked them to trace the call.
Then he picked up the phone and called Jennifer.
"Hello?"
"Hi gorgeous. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Are you alright?"
"Yes, I just got another one of those phone calls. I am having IT trace it".
"Great idea".
"Have you gotten any at the house?"
"No. Not yet."
"Good. Hopefully you won't. I think they are tied into this Utah deal".
"Stand your ground, darling".
"I will. I love you, and I will see you tonight. And I might have a surprise or two, for you".
"I love you too."
She blew him a kiss as she hung up, and then went to the study and called Marcia.
"Hello?"
"Marcia, hi! It's Jennifer Hart".
"Jennifer, so wonderful to hear from you".
"I was wondering if I could submit to you a couple of articles".
"Always. But I have a request for one that they specifically requested that you write. I just don't know if you are up for it".
"What is it?"
"One of the publications that was going to publish your article on Jack Hanson, now wants to publish one about his life and downfall. They want you because you were one of his victims".
"I am not opposed to it. I tell you what, I am going to call his wife and see if she's ok with it and call you back".
"Sounds perfect! Thanks Jennifer".
Jennifer hung up, and called Jessalyn.
"Jessalyn, hi! It's Jennifer Hart".
"Jennifer, hello! You are so sweet to send the girls a package! It was a big hit! Mia hasn't worn anything else except the clothes you sent, and barely lets me wash them. And Calista and Jovie loved the makeup and clothes you sent them too".
"I am happy to do it. How are you doing?"
"Ok, I guess. We have a hearing next week on marital assets. I am pretty sure that I will get control of most of his companies, I found a clause in our pre-nup that he forced me to sign that says if he has to leave the marriage for any reason, I get the companies, and that doesn't expire for another 4 years. So, I think my chances are good".
"Great! So, I have been asked to sort of retool the article that I was writing on him, and now write about his life and his downfall. I have a rule, that I never print anything inflammatory or inaccurate. So, it would be just strictly facts. But I don't want to do it if it will upset you".
"Upset me? Girl, please. I am so over that man. I say print it all, don't leave anything out. He has totally changed, since I met him. I took the girls for a visit last weekend, and he visited with Mia for a few minutes, but wouldn't respond to Calista, or Jovie, or me. He told the girls they were a disappointment to him, and then he terminated the visit. Mia is the only one who wants to go back. I told Calista and Jovie they didn't have to go anymore if they didn't want to. I am going to call the prison and see if I have to accompany her all the way to the table where they visit, or if I can wait in the waiting room"
"Oh, how awful. I hate that he did that to them. I tell you what, I will write the article, and then send a copy to you, to review, before it's published".
"Perfect! Thank you, Jennifer".
"Give the girls a hug from me, alright? And have Calista hug you from me. Talk to you soon".
They hung up, and she called Marcia back.
"Jessalyn said yes. So, it's a go."
"Great. However, I just got another request for you to write an article on an animal rescue out in Eastern California, in a town called Sangray Bay, it's on the far eastern side of the Bay of California".
"Will it require travel?"
"Yes, but only for 3 nights."
"When is my deadline?"
"Can you go in 3 days?"
"Sure."
"Thanks, Jennifer, you're the best".
Jennifer hung up. She was torn between wanting to call Jonathan and ask him to go with her, and sucking it up and going alone. She figured he wouldn't be able to go with her anyways, thanks to this Utah deal.
She started researching the animal shelter, and taking some notes based off their website.
She had been in deep concentration for at least an hour, when the intercom buzzed.
"Hello?"
"Hi, delivery for Mrs. Hart".
"Come on up".
She opened the door for them.
"Hi, I'm Jennifer Hart".
"Ok. Sign here."
"What are you delivering?"
"Your husband ordered some new lighting for the bedroom. If you can show me to the bedroom, I will do a quick install and be out of your way, just like that".
"Certainly".
She showed him to the bedroom, and then told him she would be downstairs in the study if he needed anything.
About 45 minutes later, he was finished.
"Have a good day, Mrs. Hart".
"Thank you".
She took a mental note of what he looked like. 6 feet, maybe 6 feet 2, broad shouldered, green eyes. Swarthy-like, his hair was blonde and had a curl to it. He had a tattoo on the back of his right hand, a red star double outlined in blue, with space between the outlines. She also remembered the name of the company, Wilmont and Associates. It was printed on their van.
She wrote all of that down, in the study, and then went upstairs to shower and change clothes before Jonathan got home.
She had just emerged, in a sexy negligee when she heard Jonathan coming in the door.
"Hi Darling".
She went over and kissed him.
"Hi babe."
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I must say, Mr. H., I never would have guessed this surprise. But it's a good one".
"Jennifer, you haven't gotten it yet".
"Yes, I did. It came today, just a little while ago".
"Oh, it did? And what exactly was this surprise?"
"New lighting, of course. In the bedroom and bathroom upstairs."
"Darling, what are you talking about. I didn't order any surprise for you like that. I'm sorry, I didn't know you wanted new lighting".
"You didn't order this?"
"No, I didn't".
Jennifer looked at him, totally confused.