Jason rode in the passenger seat of his father's Bentley suddenly
wishing he had driven himself. Joseph's words and questions about
Elizabeth haunted him. Jason hadn't completely lied to his father. Indeed
he did feel sorry for Elizabeth – sorry that she had somehow ended up
married to Anthony Malucci of all men. Jason wished though that was all
that he felt for her. He longed for it to be only pity in his heart, yet
that was but one of the many emotions teeming through his system when it
came to the lovely Elizabeth. To make matters Jason knew that pity held
only the smallest portion. He had a sneaking suspicion that his father
knew that as well.
"I would prefer that Emily was the only Morgan associated with the hospital charity event," Joseph stated pulling Jason from his own thoughts.
"What?"
"You heard me. There will be much too much publicity surrounding the event. We can't afford to give Anthony any trouble...."
"Us give him trouble?" Jason was astonished at the very thought and even more so that his father had even said it. "You are kidding right? Anthony Malucci is trouble with a 'T'."
"However true that may be," Joseph sighed hating himself for having to pull in the reigns on his own son. However, the look in Jason's eyes when it came to Anthony's wife told him that he needed to stop whatever it was that was apparently brewing just below the surface.
"So why is it that I am the one getting the lecture?" Jason questioned not allowing his father to finish speaking. "Don't you think that maybe it should be Rocco doing the lecturing to his own son?"
"I agree, but I certainly know what a catalyst for combustion you are as far as Anthony is concerned," Joseph said clearly stating the obvious.
"I still think that I am missing something."
"Open your eyes Jason and I am sure you will get my point."
"I'm sorry but I don't. I truly thought that our families working together is what you wanted. I thought that being part of his benefit would bring even more recognition to Morgan Enterprises......"
"Jason please," Joseph stopped his son short. "Enough of your well rehearsed speech already."
"Excuse me?" Jason turned and stared at his father with disbelief in his eyes.
"I'm not saying that you aren't serious about all those things you just said but there's more to it, even if you aren't willing to admit it."
"This is absurd. You do know that right?"
"I don't think so son."
"So what – now you are telling me what I am and am not allowed to be a part of?" Jason growled. "Haven't you forced the direction of my life enough as it is?"
"Jason, you are this family's legacy ....."
"And what if it's not what I want?" Jason spoke his voice barely above a whisper as the sight of his brother's car came into view. Jason closed his eyes and let his hands cover his face as he let out a heavy sigh, reminding himself that he indeed was the chosen one.
"Am I making myself clear Jason? Emily will be the only member of this family involved in the benefit for the hospital. And as for Elizabeth, might I suggest that you look to other unoccupied pastures?"
"Understood," Jason said feeling as if he was back in grade school again being scolded for misbehaving.
He followed his father through the entryway into the large foyer. Jason's mind and heart were again at odds with one another. As wrong as he knew the longing he felt for Elizabeth was, that made no difference to his lonely heart. He had tried many times now to put her out of his mind, yet that hadn't happened. Sad to say Jason knew that even if he never saw Elizabeth again she would forever have a hold on him. How was he supposed to explain that to his father?
"Good to see you son," Joseph said to AJ as he and Jason entered the sitting room.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!?" For the second time that day The Chicago Sun Times was being waved in their faces.
"A newspaper," Jason stated plainly. He did his best to hold back his bottled angered when it came to his brother's happy existence.
"Very funny," AJ fumed sneering at Jason.
"What seems to be the problem AJ?" Joseph asked his eldest son.
"I thought that we agreed that the hands of this family would never come into contact with anything related to Matthews Construction?" AJ stared his father square in the face.
"We did," the elder Morgan agreed.
"Then I ask again – what the hell is this?"
"AJ, back up a minute what the hell of are you talking about?" Jason asked.
"Don't play dumb little brother. I know you have been looking for a way for me to pull my weight in this family....."
"WHAT?!?!" Jason was noticeably taken aback.
"Don't give me that innocent crap!!" AJ barked.
"ENOUGH!! Both of you!" Joseph interjected before the boys' fight could escalate further. "What is this all about AJ?"
"Matthews Construction is the general contractor for the Coronary Care Unit expansion project."
"So?" Jason said.
"So?!?!" AJ parroted.
"Yeah, what's the big deal?"
"The big deal is now there will be Morgan money all over the damn place!"
"AJ, son, I had no idea that Courtney's father was the contractor of record." Joseph attempted to calm him down.
"You know how I feel about this. I don't want Courtney's father tied in any way to our family."
"She's married to you for god sakes," Jason gasped. "How much more tied can you be than that?"
"That's not the fucking point and you know it!" AJ countered.
"Then what is the point!?!"
"It's that now this family and its money, dirty money no doubt, will be pouring into this project."
"Whoa – back up just a minute!" Jason ordered. "Malucci Manufacturing is technically running this project. If you look at their reputation in the business world compared to ours at Morgan Enterprises, we are well above board. So why is that you don't mind working with the likes of Anthony Malucci but suddenly having to work with your own family presents a problem?" Jason's raging anger was apparent to all those in the room.
"That's not the point at all!"
"Oh but I think it is"
"AJ – Jason, both of you that's enough. This isn't going to solve anything. AJ, as I just said I wasn't aware Matthews Construction had anything to do with this expansion project. I understand that you feel as if I have gone against our agreement, but there isn't anything I can do to change it now."
"Yes you can – pull out of this project."
"NO!" Jason spouted.
"I'm afraid Jason's right. We can't do that. Especially since it's been announced in the papers, and I am sure by now news has made its way around the hospital."
"Oh I see," AJ eyed his brother from head to toe. "Jason's getting his way again....."
"GETTING MY WAY?!?!" Jason's voice came out with thunderous force. "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING RIGHT!?!"
"HARDLY!" AJ returned with his own booming tone. "All I have ever asked is for is a life unencumbered by the strings of this world." AJ raised his arms showcasing the life his family house represented.
"As far as I can tell you got just that! You are happily married and living the great All-American Dream! What more could you fucking want!?!" Jason was unable to control his rage. He was completely flabbergasted by AJ's attitude. Here he was shouldering all of the family responsibilities and yet that wasn't enough for his dear brother. Without thinking Jason walked to the sideboard and poured himself a large dose of liquid comfort.
"I want you to pull out of this project!" AJ was relentless in his pursuit of what he wanted.
"It's not going to happen!" Jason turned eyes blazing.
"The hell it's not!"
"Face it AJ – you can't always get what you want. I have come to finally learn that."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning that you walked away leaving me holding the bag. You have everything that you want, a wife to love, a life that's completely yours and what do I have? NOTHING!!"
"Nothing?" AJ and Joseph said in unison.
"That's right, nothing except an engineered life. One that was engineered without so much as a thought to what I might or might not want. You, my dear brother, were offered a life that included a wife, children and a joyful existence......"
"I wasn't offered all of that," AJ countered. "I asked for it."
"Yes you did!" Jason shot back. "Without ever thinking about what you were leaving for me. This life wasn't good enough for you but it was fine for me?!?" Jason choked back his anger once more. "What about a wife and children? How will I ever be able to have those things?"
"Jason, son, you can." Joseph tentatively placed his hand on Jason's shoulder. "No one has ever told you that you couldn't have love in your life." For the first time Joseph saw the torment that lay deep within his youngest son.
"HOW?? How could I in good conscience bring anyone into this impending war?"
"WAR!?!" AJ's voice jumped an octave.
"YES ... NO!" Jason and Joseph said respectively.
"Which is it?" AJ asked eyeing the both of them.
"Jason is just being overly cautious when it comes to Rocco's illness. You know he and Anthony haven't seen eye to eye on a great many things......"
"Aren't you making that explanation far too simple Papa?" Jason stated.
"Enough Jason!" Joseph Morgan barked. "AJ isn't part of the business and the less he knows the better it is for all concerned."
"You really believe that don't you? You really think that he and Courtney are safe because he has never once sat at the table behind those closed doors?" Jason asked pointing to the heavy wooden doors just on the other side of the foyer that walled off Joseph's study.
"Everyone is well aware that AJ isn't part of our world."
"That won't matter to men like Anthony! You can't tell me that you really believe that once Rocco dies, his son won't be on the warpath."
"JASON – ENOUGH!!!!" Joseph's angry voice echoed off the walls.
"What's going on here?" AJ's anxiety heightened by his father's pale face.
"Which version would you like, our father's or mine?" Jason spoke before letting his father have the chance.
"The one that says my wife and I aren't in any danger."
"Well then I guess you will be listening to Papa."
"JASON!" Joseph growled again.
"Papa?" AJ asked his eyes searching for some viable explanation.
"AJ, you and your family have nothing to worry about. I assure you that everything that has been in place for you up until now will stay just as it is."
"Well it better be. I have even more at stake now."
"What do you mean?" Joseph questioned.
"Courtney is pregnant. You are going to be a grandfather, Papa."
Hearing those words, a statement that Jason knew he himself would never be saying, he stormed from the room without so much as congratulations to his brother.
Anthony looked around the large room that was his office. He had never quite understood why he even had one since he hadn't really ever wanted it. No matter how many times Rocco had explained it to him, Anthony just didn't see the need for all of it. Neither the phony business fronts nor the legitimate endeavors readily caught his attention. Anthony preferred being on the streets. He needed to be where the action was. Sitting behind a desk pushing around a pile of meaningless papers meant very little to him. Anthony had always thought his street presence was much more valuable than his business sense. Yet with Rocco's failing health, Anthony seemed to be spending more and more time in a place he despised.
"Mr. Malucci," Anthony's secretary's voice came across the intercom.
"Yes?"
"Jack Matthews, of Matthews Construction, is here for your meeting."
"Show him in," Anthony returned.
"Nice to see you again Mr. Malucci." Jack Matthews offered his hand to Anthony. "I was sorry to hear that your father wasn't feeling well enough to attend this preliminary meeting."
"As was I," Anthony said sounding like the compassionate son. Those that knew him however, would have been able to see the irritation in his silver gray eyes.
"I have brought some of our first round sketches. I must stay that I am rather proud of them. Once the expansion project is completed, you will never be able to tell what is old versus new construction." Mr. Matthews laid out the plans on the table for Anthony, who gave them nothing more than a mere glance.
"Nice," he mumbled.
"I realize that they still have to be approved by the hospital board...."
"That won't be a problem."
"I understand that Morgan Enterprises will be matching the funds raised from the silent auction."
"Yes." Anthony did little to hide his distaste for that fact.
"My daughter is married to AJ Morgan. I haven't had many business dealings with them, but that was quite a generous offer."
"You are related to the Morgans?" Anthony questioned wondering if he was ever going to get away from that family.
"Yes, Courtney and AJ have been married for a few years now. He's the son I never had." Jack Matthews laughed. "AJ has been a godsend for my company. I can't imagine why Joseph ever let him get away."
"Is there something else you want to discuss?" Anthony asked putting a stop to the man's incessant ramblings about AJ Morgan and his illustrious family.
"Well, I was hoping that we could schedule a meeting with the planning committee. I would really like to at least get the preliminary plans approved so that my estimating department could get to work on a starting point as to the over all cost of the project."
"I will have my father in law call you with the details."
"Thank you and please tell Rocco that I hope he's feeling better soon."
"I will do that."
Once he was alone in his office, Anthony fell back into his overstuffed chair and suppressed a scream. Not only did he have to deal with Joseph and Jason but also AJ Morgan was now part of this equation. Anthony felt his blood boiling in his veins. Why was he even doing this anyway? In the long run, he wasn't going to get a damn thing out of it. The idea of being the center of attention had been squashed the minute that Jason Morgan entered The Chicago Botanic Garden the other night.
Jason's picture in the paper stared back at him from the desk. Absently Anthony picked it up then dropped it into the shredder next to him. The sound of the metal blades ripping and tearing apart Jason Morgan brought a sadistic sneer to Anthony Malucci's face. His only thought at the moment was how to make that happen in the real world as well.
"I would prefer that Emily was the only Morgan associated with the hospital charity event," Joseph stated pulling Jason from his own thoughts.
"What?"
"You heard me. There will be much too much publicity surrounding the event. We can't afford to give Anthony any trouble...."
"Us give him trouble?" Jason was astonished at the very thought and even more so that his father had even said it. "You are kidding right? Anthony Malucci is trouble with a 'T'."
"However true that may be," Joseph sighed hating himself for having to pull in the reigns on his own son. However, the look in Jason's eyes when it came to Anthony's wife told him that he needed to stop whatever it was that was apparently brewing just below the surface.
"So why is it that I am the one getting the lecture?" Jason questioned not allowing his father to finish speaking. "Don't you think that maybe it should be Rocco doing the lecturing to his own son?"
"I agree, but I certainly know what a catalyst for combustion you are as far as Anthony is concerned," Joseph said clearly stating the obvious.
"I still think that I am missing something."
"Open your eyes Jason and I am sure you will get my point."
"I'm sorry but I don't. I truly thought that our families working together is what you wanted. I thought that being part of his benefit would bring even more recognition to Morgan Enterprises......"
"Jason please," Joseph stopped his son short. "Enough of your well rehearsed speech already."
"Excuse me?" Jason turned and stared at his father with disbelief in his eyes.
"I'm not saying that you aren't serious about all those things you just said but there's more to it, even if you aren't willing to admit it."
"This is absurd. You do know that right?"
"I don't think so son."
"So what – now you are telling me what I am and am not allowed to be a part of?" Jason growled. "Haven't you forced the direction of my life enough as it is?"
"Jason, you are this family's legacy ....."
"And what if it's not what I want?" Jason spoke his voice barely above a whisper as the sight of his brother's car came into view. Jason closed his eyes and let his hands cover his face as he let out a heavy sigh, reminding himself that he indeed was the chosen one.
"Am I making myself clear Jason? Emily will be the only member of this family involved in the benefit for the hospital. And as for Elizabeth, might I suggest that you look to other unoccupied pastures?"
"Understood," Jason said feeling as if he was back in grade school again being scolded for misbehaving.
He followed his father through the entryway into the large foyer. Jason's mind and heart were again at odds with one another. As wrong as he knew the longing he felt for Elizabeth was, that made no difference to his lonely heart. He had tried many times now to put her out of his mind, yet that hadn't happened. Sad to say Jason knew that even if he never saw Elizabeth again she would forever have a hold on him. How was he supposed to explain that to his father?
"Good to see you son," Joseph said to AJ as he and Jason entered the sitting room.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!?" For the second time that day The Chicago Sun Times was being waved in their faces.
"A newspaper," Jason stated plainly. He did his best to hold back his bottled angered when it came to his brother's happy existence.
"Very funny," AJ fumed sneering at Jason.
"What seems to be the problem AJ?" Joseph asked his eldest son.
"I thought that we agreed that the hands of this family would never come into contact with anything related to Matthews Construction?" AJ stared his father square in the face.
"We did," the elder Morgan agreed.
"Then I ask again – what the hell is this?"
"AJ, back up a minute what the hell of are you talking about?" Jason asked.
"Don't play dumb little brother. I know you have been looking for a way for me to pull my weight in this family....."
"WHAT?!?!" Jason was noticeably taken aback.
"Don't give me that innocent crap!!" AJ barked.
"ENOUGH!! Both of you!" Joseph interjected before the boys' fight could escalate further. "What is this all about AJ?"
"Matthews Construction is the general contractor for the Coronary Care Unit expansion project."
"So?" Jason said.
"So?!?!" AJ parroted.
"Yeah, what's the big deal?"
"The big deal is now there will be Morgan money all over the damn place!"
"AJ, son, I had no idea that Courtney's father was the contractor of record." Joseph attempted to calm him down.
"You know how I feel about this. I don't want Courtney's father tied in any way to our family."
"She's married to you for god sakes," Jason gasped. "How much more tied can you be than that?"
"That's not the fucking point and you know it!" AJ countered.
"Then what is the point!?!"
"It's that now this family and its money, dirty money no doubt, will be pouring into this project."
"Whoa – back up just a minute!" Jason ordered. "Malucci Manufacturing is technically running this project. If you look at their reputation in the business world compared to ours at Morgan Enterprises, we are well above board. So why is that you don't mind working with the likes of Anthony Malucci but suddenly having to work with your own family presents a problem?" Jason's raging anger was apparent to all those in the room.
"That's not the point at all!"
"Oh but I think it is"
"AJ – Jason, both of you that's enough. This isn't going to solve anything. AJ, as I just said I wasn't aware Matthews Construction had anything to do with this expansion project. I understand that you feel as if I have gone against our agreement, but there isn't anything I can do to change it now."
"Yes you can – pull out of this project."
"NO!" Jason spouted.
"I'm afraid Jason's right. We can't do that. Especially since it's been announced in the papers, and I am sure by now news has made its way around the hospital."
"Oh I see," AJ eyed his brother from head to toe. "Jason's getting his way again....."
"GETTING MY WAY?!?!" Jason's voice came out with thunderous force. "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING RIGHT!?!"
"HARDLY!" AJ returned with his own booming tone. "All I have ever asked is for is a life unencumbered by the strings of this world." AJ raised his arms showcasing the life his family house represented.
"As far as I can tell you got just that! You are happily married and living the great All-American Dream! What more could you fucking want!?!" Jason was unable to control his rage. He was completely flabbergasted by AJ's attitude. Here he was shouldering all of the family responsibilities and yet that wasn't enough for his dear brother. Without thinking Jason walked to the sideboard and poured himself a large dose of liquid comfort.
"I want you to pull out of this project!" AJ was relentless in his pursuit of what he wanted.
"It's not going to happen!" Jason turned eyes blazing.
"The hell it's not!"
"Face it AJ – you can't always get what you want. I have come to finally learn that."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning that you walked away leaving me holding the bag. You have everything that you want, a wife to love, a life that's completely yours and what do I have? NOTHING!!"
"Nothing?" AJ and Joseph said in unison.
"That's right, nothing except an engineered life. One that was engineered without so much as a thought to what I might or might not want. You, my dear brother, were offered a life that included a wife, children and a joyful existence......"
"I wasn't offered all of that," AJ countered. "I asked for it."
"Yes you did!" Jason shot back. "Without ever thinking about what you were leaving for me. This life wasn't good enough for you but it was fine for me?!?" Jason choked back his anger once more. "What about a wife and children? How will I ever be able to have those things?"
"Jason, son, you can." Joseph tentatively placed his hand on Jason's shoulder. "No one has ever told you that you couldn't have love in your life." For the first time Joseph saw the torment that lay deep within his youngest son.
"HOW?? How could I in good conscience bring anyone into this impending war?"
"WAR!?!" AJ's voice jumped an octave.
"YES ... NO!" Jason and Joseph said respectively.
"Which is it?" AJ asked eyeing the both of them.
"Jason is just being overly cautious when it comes to Rocco's illness. You know he and Anthony haven't seen eye to eye on a great many things......"
"Aren't you making that explanation far too simple Papa?" Jason stated.
"Enough Jason!" Joseph Morgan barked. "AJ isn't part of the business and the less he knows the better it is for all concerned."
"You really believe that don't you? You really think that he and Courtney are safe because he has never once sat at the table behind those closed doors?" Jason asked pointing to the heavy wooden doors just on the other side of the foyer that walled off Joseph's study.
"Everyone is well aware that AJ isn't part of our world."
"That won't matter to men like Anthony! You can't tell me that you really believe that once Rocco dies, his son won't be on the warpath."
"JASON – ENOUGH!!!!" Joseph's angry voice echoed off the walls.
"What's going on here?" AJ's anxiety heightened by his father's pale face.
"Which version would you like, our father's or mine?" Jason spoke before letting his father have the chance.
"The one that says my wife and I aren't in any danger."
"Well then I guess you will be listening to Papa."
"JASON!" Joseph growled again.
"Papa?" AJ asked his eyes searching for some viable explanation.
"AJ, you and your family have nothing to worry about. I assure you that everything that has been in place for you up until now will stay just as it is."
"Well it better be. I have even more at stake now."
"What do you mean?" Joseph questioned.
"Courtney is pregnant. You are going to be a grandfather, Papa."
Hearing those words, a statement that Jason knew he himself would never be saying, he stormed from the room without so much as congratulations to his brother.
Anthony looked around the large room that was his office. He had never quite understood why he even had one since he hadn't really ever wanted it. No matter how many times Rocco had explained it to him, Anthony just didn't see the need for all of it. Neither the phony business fronts nor the legitimate endeavors readily caught his attention. Anthony preferred being on the streets. He needed to be where the action was. Sitting behind a desk pushing around a pile of meaningless papers meant very little to him. Anthony had always thought his street presence was much more valuable than his business sense. Yet with Rocco's failing health, Anthony seemed to be spending more and more time in a place he despised.
"Mr. Malucci," Anthony's secretary's voice came across the intercom.
"Yes?"
"Jack Matthews, of Matthews Construction, is here for your meeting."
"Show him in," Anthony returned.
"Nice to see you again Mr. Malucci." Jack Matthews offered his hand to Anthony. "I was sorry to hear that your father wasn't feeling well enough to attend this preliminary meeting."
"As was I," Anthony said sounding like the compassionate son. Those that knew him however, would have been able to see the irritation in his silver gray eyes.
"I have brought some of our first round sketches. I must stay that I am rather proud of them. Once the expansion project is completed, you will never be able to tell what is old versus new construction." Mr. Matthews laid out the plans on the table for Anthony, who gave them nothing more than a mere glance.
"Nice," he mumbled.
"I realize that they still have to be approved by the hospital board...."
"That won't be a problem."
"I understand that Morgan Enterprises will be matching the funds raised from the silent auction."
"Yes." Anthony did little to hide his distaste for that fact.
"My daughter is married to AJ Morgan. I haven't had many business dealings with them, but that was quite a generous offer."
"You are related to the Morgans?" Anthony questioned wondering if he was ever going to get away from that family.
"Yes, Courtney and AJ have been married for a few years now. He's the son I never had." Jack Matthews laughed. "AJ has been a godsend for my company. I can't imagine why Joseph ever let him get away."
"Is there something else you want to discuss?" Anthony asked putting a stop to the man's incessant ramblings about AJ Morgan and his illustrious family.
"Well, I was hoping that we could schedule a meeting with the planning committee. I would really like to at least get the preliminary plans approved so that my estimating department could get to work on a starting point as to the over all cost of the project."
"I will have my father in law call you with the details."
"Thank you and please tell Rocco that I hope he's feeling better soon."
"I will do that."
Once he was alone in his office, Anthony fell back into his overstuffed chair and suppressed a scream. Not only did he have to deal with Joseph and Jason but also AJ Morgan was now part of this equation. Anthony felt his blood boiling in his veins. Why was he even doing this anyway? In the long run, he wasn't going to get a damn thing out of it. The idea of being the center of attention had been squashed the minute that Jason Morgan entered The Chicago Botanic Garden the other night.
Jason's picture in the paper stared back at him from the desk. Absently Anthony picked it up then dropped it into the shredder next to him. The sound of the metal blades ripping and tearing apart Jason Morgan brought a sadistic sneer to Anthony Malucci's face. His only thought at the moment was how to make that happen in the real world as well.