Jason sat behind the desk in his room doing nothing more than moving
the piles of papers he found there from one side to the other never
actually looking at them. He was unnerved by the way his little sister had
been able to read his every move, his every thought. He knew it wouldn't
take long for his father to be doing the very same thing. That notion
could prove to be disastrous, especially after the pointed speech Joseph
had given him that morning. Jason wondered though, how was he supposed to
convince his father when he couldn't convince himself that what was
happening deep in his heart wasn't really happening at all?
Restless Jason rose from the chair and headed for the windows that looked out over the pool. He watched the water's gentle movement as his mind traveled back in time. No longer did he see Anthony falling end over end into the deep water, but rather the image of Elizabeth basked in moonlight filled his thoughts. She had been a vision before him so much so that it left him virtually speechless. Never before had he come face to face with any woman that had had that effect on him. His only thought now was why did that incredible feeling have to be elicited by Anthony Malucci's wife? Jason had to keep reminding himself of that fact, the fact that not only was she a married woman, a major no-no to begin with, but she was married to Anthony no less.
"AHHHHH!!" He let out a defeated groan. When was he ever going to catch a break, he thought to himself.
Jason walked out of the room closing the door behind him. The concept of getting any work done having long since passed. The house was quiet and he was thankful that there would be no more run ins with his father or Emily for that matter. All Jason wanted to do at the moment was find something to occupy his mind, as long as that something was anything other than Elizabeth Malucci.
He found himself aimlessly walking around the expansive house thoughts wandering again to all the things he felt were missing from his life. His eyes were drawn to the mantle filled with family photos that held so many memories for him. They illustrated a time to him that seemed like a lifetime ago. He picked up the crystal frame that held AJ's wedding picture. Jason swallowed hard around the lump in his throat as if to stop the resentment that threatened him. Somehow he found it easier to understand Emily's ability to find love and happiness, since she was never expected to be part of her father's world, but AJ on the other hand should have been standing alongside his brother. That wasn't the case and that fact angered Jason no matter the reason for it.
AJ married Courtney Matthews over three years ago and had steadily risen within the ranks of her father's construction company. Joseph tried to reason with his youngest son that AJ wasn't cut out for their life, yet to Jason the explanation mattered very little. All he could see was how both of his siblings were getting to have lives of their own choosing and he wasn't. Without thinking, Jason laid the photo face down as if that somehow would make the truth regarding it go away.
Suddenly he felt like the walls around him were suffocating him more so than the ever had before and he didn't know why. Or did he? He found it bizarre to think the only thing that had changed in his life was one brief uneventful encounter with Anthony Malucci's wife, but Jason knew it had been anything but uneventful. Their innocent coming together had him walking a tight rope of emotions. Emotions that he knew could be his down fall and more importantly emotions that wouldn't serve to do him any good anyhow.
Crossing the room, Jason stopped at the sideboard filled with various bottles of liquor. He looked them over carefully trying to decide which would be his love for the evening, since he was more than certain true love wasn't meant for him.
Elizabeth heard the hushed voices just beyond the closed door of her room. A chill rippled through her at the sound of her husband's hard masculine tones. The idea of meeting him face to face after the previous night's events had her more than a bit apprehensive. She did her best to focus on Rocco's words. His words that told her she would be safe from Anthony's wrath, but Elizabeth had her doubts.
"Where do you think you are going?" Anthony barked eyeing the clothes laid out on the bed. His abrupt entranced startled her.
"I...."
"Elizabeth will be accompanying her father to the committee meeting for the hospital charity event," Rocco said before Elizabeth could say any more. Her eyes locked with her father in law's as if to say thank you. "We should really let her attend to getting ready. Besides son, there are a few things that I wish to discuss with you."
"How did you do that?" Anthony asked his father as he followed him up the hallway.
"Do what?"
"Get Elizabeth to agree to be part of the benefit." Anthony was completely amazed at Elizabeth's turn around.
"That's between Elizabeth and myself," Rocco returned.
"She is my WIFE," Anthony countered with ire. "I think I have a right to know what's going on here!"
"Then might I suggest that you start treating her with the respect a wife deserves. You can't have it both ways son. You can't bring her out and dust her off like some forgotten trophy when you need to prove yourself."
Anthony made his best attempt to not roll his eyes all the while thinking 'Here we go again."
"Did you give any thought to our discussion?"
"Yes," Anthony lied. The only thoughts he mulled over the previous night were how to get what he was really after while still working within the realm that his father would accept.
"Then you and I, we are on the same page as far as your wife is concerned? I don't care how many goomahs you want Anthony, discretion is all that I am asking. There is no need to be so openly unfaithful. That's no way to gain respect of those around you."
"Understood," he said although Rocco was less than convinced.
"Ah Elizabeth, you look lovely," Rocco said as she entered the dining room. "Are you in need of a ride to the meeting or will your father be picking you up?" His father's ability to turn a conversation on a dime amazed Anthony.
"Actually I will be driving myself." Elizabeth knew she couldn't stomach a ride to the Botanic Garden with her father. She didn't again need to hear his tiresome words.
"Nonsense, you haven't any idea how long this meeting may run. It could go well into the evening hours. Let Silvio drive you," Rocco suggested.
"No father," Anthony spoke up, "I will escort my wife." He crossed the room and placed a gentle kiss on Elizabeth's cheek.
Needless to say his actions confused her. This certainly wasn't the reaction she expected nor was it the same man who barreled into their bedroom minutes before. She shot a glance at Rocco who was now seated at the head of the dining room table. Almost as though she were asking if this was truly her husband. He returned her questioning stare with a subtle wink of his own.
"Sounds like a wonderful idea," Rocco Malucci applauded. "It will be nice to see my family and Joseph's working together on such a wonderful endeavor.
"What? What did you say?" Anthony questioned.
"I hadn't gotten a chance to tell Elizabeth yet, but now I can tell you both. Joseph's daughter, Emily, has agreed to serve on the committee with you," he turned to say to Elizabeth. "I thought it would be nice if this function was a bit more on the upbeat side."
"Emily?? As in Emily Morgan?" Anthony asked again outraged at the mere thought of being forced to work with any member of the Morgan family.
"Yes," Rocco stared coldly at his son. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"No," Anthony swallowed his anger.
"Glad to hear it. I hope that you find that agreeable Elizabeth."
"I am sure that will be fine. I am just surprised Emily will have the time to work on the event with her wedding fast approaching," Elizabeth said suddenly thinking about Jason Morgan all over again. Working closely with his sister was either going to be a help or hindrance. She just wished she knew which it would be.
Elizabeth sat in the passenger seat of Anthony's Jaguar heading toward the heart of the city. If she closed her eyes tight enough maybe the next time she opened them, Jason Morgan would be the one driving rather than her husband. That wasn't the case though, yet Elizabeth did have an eerie sensation of déjà vu.
She stole a glance in his direction as he downshifted, bringing the car to a halt at the red light. She was desperately trying to make heads or tails of Anthony's sudden turnabout. It didn't make sense and she certainly didn't trust it. The only thing she did trust right now was that whatever Rocco Malucci had done or threatened his son with, she hoped that it lasted long enough for her to use Anthony's new found personality to her advantage.
"Did you enjoy your evening away from the house?" Anthony's voice poked at her private thoughts.
"Huh?" she mumbled as The Drake Hotel came into her line of vision.
"I asked you if you enjoyed your evening away from the house?" This time his voice had more bite to it, but Elizabeth barely noticed as the image of Jason's penthouse transported her out of the car.
"It was fine," she said noncommittal at best.
"Well don't think that you can make a habit out of it!"
"What?" she asked distractedly.
"Elizabeth, what the hell's with you?" he barked annoyed with her lack of attention to him.
"Nothing, I was running over some ideas for the benefit in my head," she lied as she shifted uneasy in the leather seat.
"Why the sudden change of heart? I thought you weren't interested in the event."
"No," she corrected. "It had nothing to do with not being interested in the event, but everything in having no interest in helping you further some mock existence or helping my father in gaining a seat on the Senate."
Anthony's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he attempted to hold his tongue. Playing by his father's rules was going to be much harder than he ever imagined.
After he parked the Jag, Elizabeth followed Anthony inside The Chicago Botanic Garden, steeling herself for a long intense evening. She saw her father, Emily Morgan and several other men already seated around a glass top conference table.
Jeff Webber stood as he spoke. "Gentlemen, you all know my daughter, Elizabeth." He kissed her cheek ceremonially. "And her husband Anthony Malucci." The name Malucci received a few quizzical stares and arched brows. None of, which was lost on Anthony who felt the hairs on the back of his neck, stand erect. "Anthony's family will be coordinating the silent auction for the benefit," Jeff announced.
"Gentlemen," Elizabeth spoke interrupting her father. "I want to apologize for my father's apparently rude behavior," she said smiling the whole time. "This is Ms. Emily Morgan, who has so graciously agreed to add her efforts to our project."
Jeff bit his tongue, feeling almost as angered as Anthony was about Rocco's need to involve the Morgan family. He had intended to downplay their role in this benefit as much as possible, yet it appeared that his daughter had other plans.
"Nice to meet you Ms. Morgan. I have worked extensively with your father and brother on many hospital functions," Dr. Harner stated. "It's nice to see you lending a hand as well."
"It's my pleasure," Emily returned.
"You think we could get started," Anthony questioned harshly, having had enough of the Morgan lovefest.
"Yes, why don't we?" Jeff said pulling out a chair for his daughter so that she was seated next to him. If they had been anywhere but there, Elizabeth would have come up with a snappy remark for his actions, yet she remained quiet.
Emily sat and listened to the conversation going on around her, but was far more interested in the three people sitting directly across from her. Elizabeth's father was speaking a mile a minute with regards to all aspects of the benefit. Emily had to hide a snicker, thinking that he sounded more like a nervous schoolboy than a man vying for a Senate seat.
Next she was drawn to Elizabeth, who sat between two men that Emily had to imagine were hell to live with. The little she had been able to gather about Elizabeth's father was he had his own agenda to fulfill and what his daughter wanted fell to the bottom of that list. Then, of course, there was Elizabeth's husband, a term which Emily used loosely. If what had happened at her engagement party was any indication of what the Malucci marriage was like, well Emily's heart went out to Elizabeth.
"Mr. Malucci," Dr. Harner said, "this silent auction, what exactly did you have in mind for it?"
"I...well...it's...." Anthony stammered.
"My father in law," Elizabeth said enjoying the fact that Anthony was making himself look the ass she already knew him to be, "is looking at obtaining things along the line of private box seats at Wrigley Field for several sporting events as well as a concert or two, a 3 day/2 night trip to New York City to see 'The Lion King', and there are several weekend packages donated by local hotels and resorts......"
"Impressive," one man stated.
"Rocco Malucci," Elizabeth said purposely, "is a generous man who wants this benefit to be a success. While he knows his own heart condition is past the point of repair, he hopes that his donations and those of others will aid a great deal of people."
Emily couldn't help but notice the fury behind Anthony's eyes as Elizabeth continued on about his father. Absently she wondered when the steam would start pouring from his ears.
"It appears that your daughter has everything under control, Jeff," Dr. Harner offered. "I am confident that this event will be a great success."
"That's the only outcome I would expect," he concurred.
"Jason?" Emily looked stunned as her brother joined the group. "What are you doing here?" She couldn't stop herself from thinking back to their earlier conversation, wondering exactly what his intentions were.
"I'm sorry," he said to those seated in the room. "I didn't realize that you weren't finished with your meeting." Elizabeth was instantly drawn to him as the sound of his voice sent her nerves singing. "Zander called to say that he would be delayed and unable to pick you up."
"Hello Jason," Dr. Harner said. "It's so nice to see you again." He reached to shake Jason's hand. "We weren't quite finished here. Why don't you join us?"
Anthony felt his body physically begin to shake with rage. His own reception at this table paled in comparison to the warm greeting that Jason Morgan had gotten. That coupled with the fact that his wife's eyes hadn't left the man, infuriated him all the more.
"No really," Jason said, "I am only here to pick up my sister. Besides she's the Morgan representative here not me." He smiled. It was smile that Elizabeth let herself get lost in.
"Nonsense, we could certainly use your opinion."
"If you are sure?" he commented taking a chair next to his sister, directly across from Elizabeth. A position he used to his advantage since no one could question his staring at her from that perch.
"Certainly. You don't mind do you Jeff?" Dr. Harner asked.
"No," he answered never once looking in his son in law's direction.
"Elizabeth, would you like to fill Mr. Morgan in on what we have discussed so far?" Dr. Harner said giving her the floor.
"Of course," she smiled.
Jason stared intently at her as she spoke again of the silent auction. He could hear his heavy breathing in his head as he made a valiant attempt at resisting the urge to reach out and touch her. "Sounds like you already have some great things lined up. They should bring in a pretty profit. I know that Rocco discussed with my father about the Morgan family donating something to the auction as well, but I don't see topping any of those items."
Anthony did little to hide the smirk that filled his face at Jason's words. "Then don't try," he said smartly.
"So," Jason continued knowing what response his next statement was about to illicit and loving every minute of it. "Since this is such a worthy cause, I am sure that my father wouldn't have a problem with Morgan Enterprises matching the funds raised from the event."
"Jason?" Emily questioned noticeably shocked. Watching the animosity between her brother and Anthony, she had to wonder just what this was all about, or better yet who.
"It's not a problem, Em. We do things like this all the time." Jason rested his hand on Emily's.
"That's a generous offer Mr. Morgan," Jeff said, "but not necessary." He could see the ire growing with the force of a raging bull within Anthony as Jason Morgan took center stage.
"Jason," Dr. Harner began, "that's an amazing offer and I as Chief Financial Officer of the hospital want to personally thank you. We will most definitely have more than enough funds to implement our plans."
"It's my family's pleasure." Jason smiled broadly in Anthony's direction.
"Well then all that's left to discuss is the price of the tickets, entertainment and who will cater the event," Elizabeth said. She tried to stay focused on why she was really in the room, yet the only thought that consumed her was that of Jason Morgan, who was so close but yet so far.
Restless Jason rose from the chair and headed for the windows that looked out over the pool. He watched the water's gentle movement as his mind traveled back in time. No longer did he see Anthony falling end over end into the deep water, but rather the image of Elizabeth basked in moonlight filled his thoughts. She had been a vision before him so much so that it left him virtually speechless. Never before had he come face to face with any woman that had had that effect on him. His only thought now was why did that incredible feeling have to be elicited by Anthony Malucci's wife? Jason had to keep reminding himself of that fact, the fact that not only was she a married woman, a major no-no to begin with, but she was married to Anthony no less.
"AHHHHH!!" He let out a defeated groan. When was he ever going to catch a break, he thought to himself.
Jason walked out of the room closing the door behind him. The concept of getting any work done having long since passed. The house was quiet and he was thankful that there would be no more run ins with his father or Emily for that matter. All Jason wanted to do at the moment was find something to occupy his mind, as long as that something was anything other than Elizabeth Malucci.
He found himself aimlessly walking around the expansive house thoughts wandering again to all the things he felt were missing from his life. His eyes were drawn to the mantle filled with family photos that held so many memories for him. They illustrated a time to him that seemed like a lifetime ago. He picked up the crystal frame that held AJ's wedding picture. Jason swallowed hard around the lump in his throat as if to stop the resentment that threatened him. Somehow he found it easier to understand Emily's ability to find love and happiness, since she was never expected to be part of her father's world, but AJ on the other hand should have been standing alongside his brother. That wasn't the case and that fact angered Jason no matter the reason for it.
AJ married Courtney Matthews over three years ago and had steadily risen within the ranks of her father's construction company. Joseph tried to reason with his youngest son that AJ wasn't cut out for their life, yet to Jason the explanation mattered very little. All he could see was how both of his siblings were getting to have lives of their own choosing and he wasn't. Without thinking, Jason laid the photo face down as if that somehow would make the truth regarding it go away.
Suddenly he felt like the walls around him were suffocating him more so than the ever had before and he didn't know why. Or did he? He found it bizarre to think the only thing that had changed in his life was one brief uneventful encounter with Anthony Malucci's wife, but Jason knew it had been anything but uneventful. Their innocent coming together had him walking a tight rope of emotions. Emotions that he knew could be his down fall and more importantly emotions that wouldn't serve to do him any good anyhow.
Crossing the room, Jason stopped at the sideboard filled with various bottles of liquor. He looked them over carefully trying to decide which would be his love for the evening, since he was more than certain true love wasn't meant for him.
Elizabeth heard the hushed voices just beyond the closed door of her room. A chill rippled through her at the sound of her husband's hard masculine tones. The idea of meeting him face to face after the previous night's events had her more than a bit apprehensive. She did her best to focus on Rocco's words. His words that told her she would be safe from Anthony's wrath, but Elizabeth had her doubts.
"Where do you think you are going?" Anthony barked eyeing the clothes laid out on the bed. His abrupt entranced startled her.
"I...."
"Elizabeth will be accompanying her father to the committee meeting for the hospital charity event," Rocco said before Elizabeth could say any more. Her eyes locked with her father in law's as if to say thank you. "We should really let her attend to getting ready. Besides son, there are a few things that I wish to discuss with you."
"How did you do that?" Anthony asked his father as he followed him up the hallway.
"Do what?"
"Get Elizabeth to agree to be part of the benefit." Anthony was completely amazed at Elizabeth's turn around.
"That's between Elizabeth and myself," Rocco returned.
"She is my WIFE," Anthony countered with ire. "I think I have a right to know what's going on here!"
"Then might I suggest that you start treating her with the respect a wife deserves. You can't have it both ways son. You can't bring her out and dust her off like some forgotten trophy when you need to prove yourself."
Anthony made his best attempt to not roll his eyes all the while thinking 'Here we go again."
"Did you give any thought to our discussion?"
"Yes," Anthony lied. The only thoughts he mulled over the previous night were how to get what he was really after while still working within the realm that his father would accept.
"Then you and I, we are on the same page as far as your wife is concerned? I don't care how many goomahs you want Anthony, discretion is all that I am asking. There is no need to be so openly unfaithful. That's no way to gain respect of those around you."
"Understood," he said although Rocco was less than convinced.
"Ah Elizabeth, you look lovely," Rocco said as she entered the dining room. "Are you in need of a ride to the meeting or will your father be picking you up?" His father's ability to turn a conversation on a dime amazed Anthony.
"Actually I will be driving myself." Elizabeth knew she couldn't stomach a ride to the Botanic Garden with her father. She didn't again need to hear his tiresome words.
"Nonsense, you haven't any idea how long this meeting may run. It could go well into the evening hours. Let Silvio drive you," Rocco suggested.
"No father," Anthony spoke up, "I will escort my wife." He crossed the room and placed a gentle kiss on Elizabeth's cheek.
Needless to say his actions confused her. This certainly wasn't the reaction she expected nor was it the same man who barreled into their bedroom minutes before. She shot a glance at Rocco who was now seated at the head of the dining room table. Almost as though she were asking if this was truly her husband. He returned her questioning stare with a subtle wink of his own.
"Sounds like a wonderful idea," Rocco Malucci applauded. "It will be nice to see my family and Joseph's working together on such a wonderful endeavor.
"What? What did you say?" Anthony questioned.
"I hadn't gotten a chance to tell Elizabeth yet, but now I can tell you both. Joseph's daughter, Emily, has agreed to serve on the committee with you," he turned to say to Elizabeth. "I thought it would be nice if this function was a bit more on the upbeat side."
"Emily?? As in Emily Morgan?" Anthony asked again outraged at the mere thought of being forced to work with any member of the Morgan family.
"Yes," Rocco stared coldly at his son. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"No," Anthony swallowed his anger.
"Glad to hear it. I hope that you find that agreeable Elizabeth."
"I am sure that will be fine. I am just surprised Emily will have the time to work on the event with her wedding fast approaching," Elizabeth said suddenly thinking about Jason Morgan all over again. Working closely with his sister was either going to be a help or hindrance. She just wished she knew which it would be.
Elizabeth sat in the passenger seat of Anthony's Jaguar heading toward the heart of the city. If she closed her eyes tight enough maybe the next time she opened them, Jason Morgan would be the one driving rather than her husband. That wasn't the case though, yet Elizabeth did have an eerie sensation of déjà vu.
She stole a glance in his direction as he downshifted, bringing the car to a halt at the red light. She was desperately trying to make heads or tails of Anthony's sudden turnabout. It didn't make sense and she certainly didn't trust it. The only thing she did trust right now was that whatever Rocco Malucci had done or threatened his son with, she hoped that it lasted long enough for her to use Anthony's new found personality to her advantage.
"Did you enjoy your evening away from the house?" Anthony's voice poked at her private thoughts.
"Huh?" she mumbled as The Drake Hotel came into her line of vision.
"I asked you if you enjoyed your evening away from the house?" This time his voice had more bite to it, but Elizabeth barely noticed as the image of Jason's penthouse transported her out of the car.
"It was fine," she said noncommittal at best.
"Well don't think that you can make a habit out of it!"
"What?" she asked distractedly.
"Elizabeth, what the hell's with you?" he barked annoyed with her lack of attention to him.
"Nothing, I was running over some ideas for the benefit in my head," she lied as she shifted uneasy in the leather seat.
"Why the sudden change of heart? I thought you weren't interested in the event."
"No," she corrected. "It had nothing to do with not being interested in the event, but everything in having no interest in helping you further some mock existence or helping my father in gaining a seat on the Senate."
Anthony's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he attempted to hold his tongue. Playing by his father's rules was going to be much harder than he ever imagined.
After he parked the Jag, Elizabeth followed Anthony inside The Chicago Botanic Garden, steeling herself for a long intense evening. She saw her father, Emily Morgan and several other men already seated around a glass top conference table.
Jeff Webber stood as he spoke. "Gentlemen, you all know my daughter, Elizabeth." He kissed her cheek ceremonially. "And her husband Anthony Malucci." The name Malucci received a few quizzical stares and arched brows. None of, which was lost on Anthony who felt the hairs on the back of his neck, stand erect. "Anthony's family will be coordinating the silent auction for the benefit," Jeff announced.
"Gentlemen," Elizabeth spoke interrupting her father. "I want to apologize for my father's apparently rude behavior," she said smiling the whole time. "This is Ms. Emily Morgan, who has so graciously agreed to add her efforts to our project."
Jeff bit his tongue, feeling almost as angered as Anthony was about Rocco's need to involve the Morgan family. He had intended to downplay their role in this benefit as much as possible, yet it appeared that his daughter had other plans.
"Nice to meet you Ms. Morgan. I have worked extensively with your father and brother on many hospital functions," Dr. Harner stated. "It's nice to see you lending a hand as well."
"It's my pleasure," Emily returned.
"You think we could get started," Anthony questioned harshly, having had enough of the Morgan lovefest.
"Yes, why don't we?" Jeff said pulling out a chair for his daughter so that she was seated next to him. If they had been anywhere but there, Elizabeth would have come up with a snappy remark for his actions, yet she remained quiet.
Emily sat and listened to the conversation going on around her, but was far more interested in the three people sitting directly across from her. Elizabeth's father was speaking a mile a minute with regards to all aspects of the benefit. Emily had to hide a snicker, thinking that he sounded more like a nervous schoolboy than a man vying for a Senate seat.
Next she was drawn to Elizabeth, who sat between two men that Emily had to imagine were hell to live with. The little she had been able to gather about Elizabeth's father was he had his own agenda to fulfill and what his daughter wanted fell to the bottom of that list. Then, of course, there was Elizabeth's husband, a term which Emily used loosely. If what had happened at her engagement party was any indication of what the Malucci marriage was like, well Emily's heart went out to Elizabeth.
"Mr. Malucci," Dr. Harner said, "this silent auction, what exactly did you have in mind for it?"
"I...well...it's...." Anthony stammered.
"My father in law," Elizabeth said enjoying the fact that Anthony was making himself look the ass she already knew him to be, "is looking at obtaining things along the line of private box seats at Wrigley Field for several sporting events as well as a concert or two, a 3 day/2 night trip to New York City to see 'The Lion King', and there are several weekend packages donated by local hotels and resorts......"
"Impressive," one man stated.
"Rocco Malucci," Elizabeth said purposely, "is a generous man who wants this benefit to be a success. While he knows his own heart condition is past the point of repair, he hopes that his donations and those of others will aid a great deal of people."
Emily couldn't help but notice the fury behind Anthony's eyes as Elizabeth continued on about his father. Absently she wondered when the steam would start pouring from his ears.
"It appears that your daughter has everything under control, Jeff," Dr. Harner offered. "I am confident that this event will be a great success."
"That's the only outcome I would expect," he concurred.
"Jason?" Emily looked stunned as her brother joined the group. "What are you doing here?" She couldn't stop herself from thinking back to their earlier conversation, wondering exactly what his intentions were.
"I'm sorry," he said to those seated in the room. "I didn't realize that you weren't finished with your meeting." Elizabeth was instantly drawn to him as the sound of his voice sent her nerves singing. "Zander called to say that he would be delayed and unable to pick you up."
"Hello Jason," Dr. Harner said. "It's so nice to see you again." He reached to shake Jason's hand. "We weren't quite finished here. Why don't you join us?"
Anthony felt his body physically begin to shake with rage. His own reception at this table paled in comparison to the warm greeting that Jason Morgan had gotten. That coupled with the fact that his wife's eyes hadn't left the man, infuriated him all the more.
"No really," Jason said, "I am only here to pick up my sister. Besides she's the Morgan representative here not me." He smiled. It was smile that Elizabeth let herself get lost in.
"Nonsense, we could certainly use your opinion."
"If you are sure?" he commented taking a chair next to his sister, directly across from Elizabeth. A position he used to his advantage since no one could question his staring at her from that perch.
"Certainly. You don't mind do you Jeff?" Dr. Harner asked.
"No," he answered never once looking in his son in law's direction.
"Elizabeth, would you like to fill Mr. Morgan in on what we have discussed so far?" Dr. Harner said giving her the floor.
"Of course," she smiled.
Jason stared intently at her as she spoke again of the silent auction. He could hear his heavy breathing in his head as he made a valiant attempt at resisting the urge to reach out and touch her. "Sounds like you already have some great things lined up. They should bring in a pretty profit. I know that Rocco discussed with my father about the Morgan family donating something to the auction as well, but I don't see topping any of those items."
Anthony did little to hide the smirk that filled his face at Jason's words. "Then don't try," he said smartly.
"So," Jason continued knowing what response his next statement was about to illicit and loving every minute of it. "Since this is such a worthy cause, I am sure that my father wouldn't have a problem with Morgan Enterprises matching the funds raised from the event."
"Jason?" Emily questioned noticeably shocked. Watching the animosity between her brother and Anthony, she had to wonder just what this was all about, or better yet who.
"It's not a problem, Em. We do things like this all the time." Jason rested his hand on Emily's.
"That's a generous offer Mr. Morgan," Jeff said, "but not necessary." He could see the ire growing with the force of a raging bull within Anthony as Jason Morgan took center stage.
"Jason," Dr. Harner began, "that's an amazing offer and I as Chief Financial Officer of the hospital want to personally thank you. We will most definitely have more than enough funds to implement our plans."
"It's my family's pleasure." Jason smiled broadly in Anthony's direction.
"Well then all that's left to discuss is the price of the tickets, entertainment and who will cater the event," Elizabeth said. She tried to stay focused on why she was really in the room, yet the only thought that consumed her was that of Jason Morgan, who was so close but yet so far.