"It's perfect." He said
"Well, it's not perfect but since you said he won't get a close look at her the differences shouldn't even be noticeable." the doctor replied
"No, the point is for him to get a fleeting glimpse but enough to make him doubt all he knows."
"You've been planning this for a long time haven't you?" the doctor asked
He smiled coldly, "YesI have and it's all finally coming together. I was even able to get some of her wardrobe copied."
"Well, my work here is done."
"Thank you, Doctor."
The doctor left and he turned to the woman, "Are you ready?"
"Yes." She replied
"Good, your first assignment will be given to you shortly."
"Why is this so important to you?" She asked
"I have an old score to settle and I've waited too long."
/
Jonathan and Jennifer lay sleeping in each others arms as the morning light streamed in their bedroom window signaling the beginning of a new day.
Jennifer stirred awake awakened her husband with a kiss, "Good Morning, Darling."
Jonathan smiled and pulled her close and she rested her head on his chest, "Good Morning. How did you sleep?"
A deep, throaty laugh escaped her mouth, "Fine, once we got to sleep."
"I can't help it that you are irresistible." He teased, "In fact, I think I need a proper start to my day."
She laughed again, "Jonathan, you have to get ready for work and I have a meeting with my editor which I will not be irresistible for if I don't get a shower."
A smile played on his lips, "Hey, great idea. We can shower together, you know, to conserve water."
She shook her head, smiling "You are impossible."
"I know, but you love me anyway." He said as they got out of bed
/
Jonathan and Jennifer entered the kitchen greeted by their friend and houseman, Max, cooking breakfast with Freeway at his feet
"Morning, Mr. H, Mrs. H."
"Morning, Max." They said in unison
"Max, whatever you are cooking smells terrific." Jonathan said as they took their seats at the table
"Eggs Florentine with Max's special touch." He brought the plates over, "Come on, Freeway, time for your morning constitution." He left the kitchen, Freeway in toe
"Hmm...delicious." Jennifer said taking a bite
"Darling, what time is your meeting with Margo?"
"I'm meeting her for lunch, remember, at Rapisardi's."
"Oh, I was hoping to have lunch with you." He said with a sly grin
"Well, just think how much better dinner will be." She purred
/
Since Jennifer wasn't able to have lunch with him Jonathan took Mike Dodson up an invitation and they met at Chasen's. One his way back to the office when he was stopped at a light he saw something he never expected to see: Jennifer outside L'Orangerie with another man.
What? She's supposed to be on the other side of town at Rapisardi's with Margo
Then it only got worse...she kissed him
Jonathan shook his head as if to wake himself up from a dream
There must be some mistake...some explanation
He looked again and she was walking away from the man.
He made it back to the office but was in some sort of fog the rest of the day and on his way home. He knew there had to be an explanation. He tried to shake it off as he entered the house to find Jennifer at the desk, presumably working on the notes and suggestions her editor gave her.
She looked up and smiled, "Hello, Darling." She got up to greet him with a kiss
He smiled wearily, "Hi."
She looked at him, noting the lines of worry across his brow, "Are you alright? How was the office?"
"Oh fine, the Paxton Electronics merger isn't going as smoothly as I'd like."
She put her arms around him, "Well, your home now and you can relax. Max is almost ready with dinner. I'm not sure what it is. He wanted to surprise us."
He looked at her for a moment, this woman who he loved more than anything, with that same love reflected in her autumn eyes. He had to be wrong, "That sounds good." He said glancing over her shoulder at the desk, "So, working on the changes Margo suggested?"
"Hmm...since this afternoon." Jennifer replied
"And you had lunch at Rapisardi;s?" He asked
"Yes, I told you that this morning." She wondered why he seemed to be acting so peculiar, "You're not really mad that I couldn't have lunch with you are you?"
He shook his head, "No, of course not." He assured her, "Just wondered if the food was still as good. It's been a while since we've eaten there."
She wasn't quite sure she believed him, something seemed to be bothering him, but he wouldn't tell her until he was ready, "Oh, it was terrific."
"Dinner's on!" They heard Max call from the kitchen and Jonathan forced the thoughts from his mind as they joined him
That night he lay awake watching Jennifer sleep. He never ceased to be amazed by her beauty and one of his favorite things was to watch her sleeping. Her face untroubled as a shaft of moonlight fell across it.
What am I doing? He thought I know she would never lie to me or be unfaithful. It was just someone who looked like her...an awful lot like her
She stirred in her sleep and moved closer to him resting her head on his chest. He inhaled her scent and looked down at the contended smile forming on her lips as she snuggled into him and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. Finally he was able to drift off to sleep, hoping and praying he was wrong.
He was wrong, wasn't he? He didn't see his loving wife in the arms of another man.
As he banished the thought from his mind Jennifer sighed again in her sleep and the nagging doubts finally disappeared.
TBC