April 28; 11:02 pm
It was different this time. Something was different in the tone of their voices. It was horrendous; all of it was so terrible that she trembled in the panty trying so hard not make a sound…. They were screaming at one another so loudly she could tell hear them clearly after covering them. Suddenly a rush of feet, following by the deafening sound of the loud and forceful thud came across, ragged breath the only thing heard left in the room.
"I know that you fucking bitch!" he yelled with a laugh. "I want him to suffer! He tried to take Jess away from me and so, I took his son away from him too."
Then without warning a single shot rang out through the kitchen striking Betty and ending her life.
*dot*
April 27; 8:40 am
The coffee was barely warm but Jason drank it down. The bitterness lingered before he sat down the mug and sighed noisily. It was the quietness in a calmed the room that bothered him most. There was a part of him that wanted the resolution of finding Jess, but she had been gone nearly two months. Lately his father had piled the work on Leslie Chow's whereabouts and searched endlessly through her connections to find a match. He found one through Alan, Doug's brother-in-law, and had passed the information along hoping it was the end of the search.
Somewhere, he wished he didn't have to do this, but being who he was meant doing what his father wanted. He remembered the look on her face that February night. She had been so scared. It made complete sense that she ran. The short time in her absence and not seeing Jack made him realize the loss he had. These few years had made him happiest, even if it meant keeping secrets from her.
Had she run into the old man's arms? He gave up on her so that meant Jess was his, his mind argued remembering Phil's words from Thailand. That much he knew and was certain of. The longing stares were there but Jess ignored them during the Fourth of July activities last year.
"Jason!"
Hearing his name from the door, he turned seeing the shaking form of Seth. The man was nervously looking around a folder in his hands.
"You know I can't be here," he stammered hastily closing the door behind him.
"Then why be here?" muttered Jason fixing his eyes on the now still form of his companion.
"You know that Betty has that deal to make today, right?"
"Why would I give a fuck about Betty and her deals for her father?" snapped Jason hearing the sigh Seth let out.
"You don't understand! You need to see—" said Seth taking several steps reaching for his shoulders. Feeling his body turn, Jason, peering over the paper, seeing how Seth still had a soul. Was there even one in him anyone, Jason wondered as he pushed him away.
"Jason, I'm serious! She is in dangerous territory if she goes there, she'll—"
"Seth!" he snapped finally. "I don't care about Elizabeth. She can fucking die there. She is useless and no one listens to a woman anyway."
Silence came between the men as Seth let out a scoff.
"Betty is nothing to me," muttered Jason not feeling any remorse. Seth crossed his arms and let out a scowl.
"Yah well you fucking listen," he started pointing a finger in his face. "And don't fucking lie to me either."
"I don't care about the old ways. We are going to be fine. Besides you know every program being his top hacker."
"You better keep you damn nose clean and protect those important you before someone takes them away from you." A moment later quickened feet turned, and he could hear Seth mumbling under his breath. Hearing the door slam close, Jason smirked feeling the blood rush out of his face. Releasing the clenched fist hidden behind his back and let out a laugh, he smirked knowing there was nothing he was going to do about Betty.
"Yes, because I care about Elizabeth that makes her my fucking problem…."
Trying to get back to work, he tried but something kept bothering him. Not even one call all day…. Glazing at his phone, he saw not a single call! It was shocking but nice.
No calls from Jess either. He really messed up with her and found her distance unsettling. Deserving though, he did something horrible. Remembering that late February night, he slumped against his chair and thought back seeing Jess's wincing face after he struck her in the stomach. Closing his eyes, he remembered the pain-stricken expression she had and how she tired so hardest to protect Jack.
*dot*
April 28; 2:24 pm
Betty had to make this deal to prove herself to everyone. It had happened; her father had given her a real task. Only it fell within her time with Darcy. Waiting for her to finish her meal, her young daughter looked uncomfortable, judging by her frown.
"What's up? Anything happen lately with your dad and you?" asked Betty watching her nibble on a mountain of fries in front of her.
"No," she muttered quietly averting her eyes.
"Anything with the other girl?" questioned Betty feeling like she was trying hiding something.
"Jess?"
Betty raised an eyebrow and frowned harshly at her daughter. "That one, yes. She's not your mom you know."
"I know that, but she's better than you Mom," said Darcy holing her head down to avoid eye contact.
It was a slap to the face hearing that from your own daughter. Darcy stared at her plate while Betty gathered up their food and threw it away, clearly ashamed for her words. Startled, Darcy stood up and followed her mother out to her car. Fuming, Betty drove off fast before she even had a chance to buckle up.
"Mom, what the hell!?"
"Shut your mouth! I will prove I'm better than her and everyone too!"
Betty had to finish this task today before Jason would try and stop her. He handled a lot of business lately being the one in charge and all. This had to be done by her to prove her abilities! No one was going to stop her! Resting a moment at the stop light, she looked over at her scared daughter as she scanned the neighborhood they were in now.
"Mom, we aren't in—" she asked beginning to tremble.
"I gotta do my job," snapped Betty as she saw a person at the corner to their left. Turning down the street, Betty parked and told Darcy to stay put.
"I will be back in 10 minutes. Stay here."
Darcy didn't even nod before she relocked the door as her mother exited. Scared was the least of her worries. Downright terrified was the real emotion she had. At the house, she sat in front of, there was no less than twenty men sitting on the porch just stating at her waiting. But she could go nowhere. Betty had disappeared into the house and after a few minutes, there was screaming, and a man rushed out holding Betty by the hair.
"You tell that fucker that we don't want a deal with your asshole father. We got our own business dealings!"
The man threw her mother down as he drew the firearm from his side, aiming it at Betty. Fearing for her mother, Darcy bolted out of the car.
"MOM!" she screamed but it was short lived.
The man who threw Betty down had turned so sharply that his arm extended toward Darcy firing the weapon in his left hand. The young girl collapsed against the cold stone just before she would have entered on the property. Betty screamed and ran over to her daughter as the surrounding people scattered for fear someone would call the cops.
"HELP! SHE'S DEAD! MY DAUGHTER! SHE'S…" But no one helped Betty as Darcy lay in her arms. Everyone had run as moments later the red and blue sirens poured onto the streets.
*dot*
April 28; 10:00 pm
Phil and Jess listened as they were asked to do one last thing for the Frenchman. It was insane and frankly dangerous as hell.
"I can't allow her to do that!" shouted Phil at the kitchen table, his arm hanging on the back of the chair. "He abused her!"
"Phil'lip, I understand za concern but I pro'mise you both, I will 'ave agents there 'idden! We need to go back in when he is not 'ome though. We must get 'is safe out or break it open at least."
At least that was her thought as she unlocked the door to the San Diego home knowing that Mr. Thomas was on the lookout on the outside. Phil reluctantly stayed in LA with Jack, but the kiss he gave was grave and she had to get him to trust her. His hand lingered on her shoulders before letting go and allowing her to walk toward the cars with the Frenchmen. Closing his eyes, he turned and went to settle Jack down for bed. It was going to be a long night.
For Jess, sitting in the backseat, her fingers clamped so tightly together, it truly worried her about she was doing. It was insane but here she was going back to get more information against Phil's wishes. The way they parted was hard but she had tried to reassure him.
Walking up to the door, she unlocked it and went to turn off the alarm, thankful he hadn't changed the code. Rushing to the patio doors, she unlocked it and allowed the agents to stage themselves inside. She had only meant to get them in but a bright light shined on the front windows making them pause.
Under her breath she motioned for everyone to hide as she thought she heard the garage door opening. There was shouting from the garage that grew louder what was there parked and turned off the vehicle. It sounded like Jason's Corvette, but Jess wasn't too sure. Within minutes, he walked through the door holding a green duffle bag that was packed full and an exasperated Betty followed in tow holding her arm. Both of their faces and clothes were covered in blood and in the heat of their conversation they didn't notice the panty door slightly open.
"Jay please! You have to listen!"
"You just cost us a lot of time and money in resources!"
Jason pulled off his shirt and went to the kitchen sink to wash his face, getting a good amount of the blood off. Betty was pulling on his arms, which he shook off several times. Betty was pleading with him about whatever event they had come from.
"Tell me why the hell you did a deal without protection?! You brought that shit onto yourself!" he shouted throwing the hand towel on the counter ignoring Betty's protests.
"Jay, please! It was a fucking accident!" plead Betty holding her hands up. Whose blood was that, thought Jess itching forward trying to get a better view.
"AN ACCIDENT THAT GOT OUR DAUGHTER KILLED! WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING?!"
Jess could see Jason's back from her position. Quickly pulling her phone from her back pocket, she silenced it before it rang out. This was the last place she wanted to be given these two. Never in her mind did she think she would listen to them fight. It was something that Jason's promised would never happen, but here she was in the pantry listening while breaking into her own home.
"YOU KILLED OUR DAUGHTER!
"I HAD TO MAKE A DEAL!"
"A FUCKING DEAL THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED NOT WITH OUR DAUGHTER! YOU ARE FUCKING STUPID AS FUCK ELIZABETH!"
"JASON! YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS! DARCY—"
"OUR DAUGHTER!"
"WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER ONE! HUH? THE DAMN BOY YOU HAVE! YOU KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT HIM!"
Jason's fists slammed on the island counter. Jess thought it odd that Betty knew the truth and she hadn't. It was almost insulting to hear this.
"JESS WON'T BE TOLD THE TRUTH!"
"SHE FUCKING DESERVES TO KNOW WHICH CHILDREN ARE REALLY YOURS! I KNOW ABOUT THE GIRL IN TEXAS YOU RAPED!"
"I SEDUCED HER BECAUSE SHE WANTED ME BACK. SHE WAS SIXTEEN AND I WAS EIGHTEEN WHEN THAT SHIT HAPPENED! I NEVER RAPED HER. SHE WAS ASKING FOR IT!"
"YOU'RE SUCH A DAMN LIAR! YOU HAVE A KID WITH THAT WOMAN FROM NEW YORK!"
"THE FUCK I DO! I KILLED HER!"
"SHE'S ALIVE JASON! SHE HAD THE BABY THREE MONTHS BEFORE DARCY WAS BORN!"
Jason kicked the counter before he stomped around the island counter getting into Betty's face.
"YOU KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT WHO JACK'S REAL FATHER IS! AND YOU ARE NOT HIS FATHER! THAT OTHER MAN IS!"
In a spilt second, Jess heard the statement and the next, it was terrible, so terribly that it made Jess seize against the wooden frame around her. The deafening sound of Jason's hands wrapped around Betty's throat forced to retreat into the corner of the panty as she witnessed him choke her out. A loud and forceful thud followed as Jason's ragged breath was the only thing heard in the room. He walked away a moment before returning. Jason smiled menacingly as he cocked the pistol and took aim at Betty.
"I know that you fucking bitch!" he yelled with a laugh. "I want him to suffer! He tried to take Jess away from me and so, I took his son away from him too."
Then without warning a single shot rang out through the kitchen striking Betty and ending her life.
It must have been hours before she felt safe to leave the panty even after Jason had gone to bed. He had called a cleaner to dispose of Betty's body, but the agents were still in the house to her understanding. Why hadn't they stopped him from killing her? Her mind told her that Mr. Thomas had told them to standdown, but she knew she might be next if she was exposed. After tip toeing out of the house with the four agents, she regrouped with them in the house down the block. It was here, Jess made the daring attempt to return against Mr. Thomas's advice.
"I pro'mised Phil'lip!"
But she didn't listen to that. Driving over a little after eight in the morning, she unlocked the garage and tried to hold her face together and pulled her stomach in. Her tiny belly was a bit rounded, and she was thankful for the hoodie to hide a good majority of it. Opening the door to the hall, she walked in confidently seeing Jason in the kitchen making breakfast. At least he had showered and the bloody hand towel was gone.
"Jess?" he asked dropping his spoon. It clattered on the counter in a harsh way that stung her ears.
"I just want to get my stuff and be gone."
It seemed an eternity until she moved but she kept her awareness as high as she could. Outside she saw a flurry of motion. Clearly Mr. Thomas had sent agents over to enter if she needed. Slowly, she saw the safe was opened and opened the window quietly as she pretended to get her clothes. Tabbing the window, it sent the signal. A moment later though, she turned seeing Jason at the door eyeing her closely.
"I was so worried about you! Where have you been?" he asked kindly not moving from the door.
Grabbing a suitcase from the closet, she took out clothing and began throwing it in without care. Next, she took another suitcase and gathered her personal items from the vanity. In her reflection she saw a petrified woman who was putting on a brave front, but still scared out of her mind. Jason walked away from the door allowing her to walk to the garage.
His downcast glare, she hoped meant he was allowing her to leave. Instead, as she turned around to reenter, he rounded on her in a tight embrace. Screaming and holding her hands up, she knew the agents would react and kill him.
"DON'T! DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!"
"I'm sorry! Okay, I really fucking sorry! Please don't – please don't do this!"
Jess didn't want any of this. Throwing her hands up, she walked toward Jack's room and grabbed a large box and grabbed any and all-important things Jack needed or had to have. There was good amount of clothing the boy had but that could be replaced as could the toys. He had his stuffed tiger already, which was the only thing he ever loved more than anything else. Looking around, she spotted his baby book. Opening it, she looked at the information she had written in 2010 at his birth.
Mother: Jessica Billings
Father: Jason Marshall
It was a lie though and she knew it now. This book would be trash after she left. Taking it, she pulled the photos out and stuffed them into his baby album, resuming her quest. Jason continued to beg her to stop. Taking several steps to the door, his sharp voice calling out to her.
"I'll never stop looking for you! It doesn't matter how many times you return to Phil Wenneck! He will never make you happy! But give me a chance to make everything better!"
Turning, she sat the box down and crossed her arms. She knew there was an agent right outside the back door from her line of sight. Jason couldn't see him.
"I'll give you anything you want, just help me get Chow and we can be together. I'll stop my business with my father. We can live happily here together as a family," he said taking steps toward her. "Like how we were. Us and Jack."
He was about four feet from her as an earnest hand extended out to reach for her, but there was also desperation hidden behind those green envious eyes.
"Chow? Leslie Chow?"
"Yes," confirmed Jason finally reaching her. "I only need Chow, then I can walk away from everything. We can be a family like we were."
"We will never be a family," she said through gritted teeth watching Jason tense up.
"Jess," he redirected his voice. "I need Chow."
Feeling bile rising in her stomach, she knew she couldn't agree but maybe it would help everyone if she said something to help. It still didn't feel right, but she sighed looking into his eyes.
"Alan. Alan sends letters I think to him, but it's been a while since he got one."
An ominous smile passed over Jason's lips as he stood straight and went to grab her arm, bringing her closer to him. Shocked by his movement, he pulled to against his body and pressed his lips against hers causing her to buckle at the knees. Catching her, she pretended to enjoy it and he smirked.
"Thank you," he replied standing her up. "You may leave now."
As Jess picked up the box and walked out of the house, she drove away feeling the tears coming. Pushing them aside, she stopped some twenty minutes away, changing her clothes just in case he put a tracker on her. Stripping down, she slipped into a new pair of shorts and observed her baby bump. Hopefully when he pulled her near, he hadn't felt it. Throwing on a new tank top, she gathered the clothes she had worn and threw them over the rail praying it meant Jason would leave her alone.
Arriving home, she walked into the house feeling relief. Collapsing on the sofa, she felt immediately felt drowsy hearing Phil calling for her. Closing her eyes, she thought a blanket was placed on her along with a tender kiss on her head.
"Glad you are home Jess. Love you," he whispered giving her another kiss for good measure. Rolling over, she saw he was standing his arms crossed smirking.
"I got the information and our stuff. I never have to back."
Nodding, he sat down beside her nuzzling her cheek, a wide smirk playing across his face. Laying down, the man's long body overtook hers making her giggle in place. Phil's large palm crept up her side and began tickling her softly as he inched closer toward her breast.
"Oh stop Phil!" she laughed as he grabbed a handful which he greedily massaged.
"Make me," he said pulling on her shorts. "I'm a hungry man. And the sight of my pregnant fiancée makes me hungrier."
Within moments, Phil had picked her up carrying the entire time to the bedroom, they laughing loudly, hoping they didn't wake Jack. Moans escaped their room as they playfully enjoyed the other knowing they were complete. They began transitioning Jack to call him Papa, which confused the boy at first.
"Pill?" he questioned looked at Jess holding his tiger closer.
"I'm Papa now. Not Pill. Papa," instructed Phil noting it would take awhile to correct. Thankfully the school had an opening for him to go while Jess took back her position at Stu's clinic. Neither of them explained why the sudden move back, but he asked Stu to dinner with Jess as means to get him to understand. Thankfully he didn't ask anything else, but one morning Jess was staring at the television, her hands covering her face when he walked in briefcase in hand.
"Hey Phil?" called Jess pointing at the television screen. Jack was playing with his toys on the floor waiting for him to pick him up. Abandoning the cereal bowl on the kitchen table, she rushed over covering her mouth seeing the news. "What the fuck is that shit?"
Rushing over too, Phil readjusted his tie and simply let out a laugh. "Wow… Is that Alan?" he asked grabbing his jacket beside the door.
"I thought we didn't have to deal with his ass anymore," she muttered under her breath. Handing the thrown toy back to the Jack, the boy stood up reaching for Phil.
"It's Alan. You know chaos follows," he stated before picking up his briefcase and walking over to give her a kiss. Jack began whinnying as he pulled on his pant leg.
"But, Phil! This is Alan at the same time," protested Jess, returning his kiss.
"Who the fuck cares! If he stays away from us, I'm whatever about him."
Phil lingered a moment longer before gripping her on the bottom and left for work with Jack in tow. Jess sighed heavily as she slumped back onto the sofa feeling off. Grabbing her phone, she read the text message from Stu asking about her schedule which would start on June 1st. Throwing her phone down on the coffee table, she quietly thought back to Jason's words.
Chow? What would he need Chow for? She hoped she never had to find out.
It was annoying to think about Chow regarding Alan, but Phil was right. It was always a disaster. After all, he did roofie them in Vegas and marshmallow them in Bangkok.
Around ten, she went to grab lunch trying to remember the times Phil said was his lunch and plan period. Arriving at the school, the staff was excited to see her and welcomed her with open arms. Smiling, the secretary exclaimed at her small baby belly and all the gathered staff said they were happy for her. Stating she was due in August, they asked who the father was. Nervously, she said Phil, as gasp escaped her former principal.
"I swear we never did anything when I was a student. It was all after I left, I swear!"
Nodding, the staff gave her a pass saying his class was on the third floor now. Going, she felt her insides shift and a sudden kick alarmed her. Looking down her belly was moving slightly and it was felt so odd but wonderful at the same time. Someone cleared their throat in the hall making her looking up. Seeing Phil standing there, in his hands a small coffee, she let out a wide smile.
"I think I felt the baby just now. It's the first time really!"
His eyes widened as his hands laid on her stomach and waited. Then a small kick came and the wide smile crossed his face too.
"That's so fucking amazing. You are at twenty-three weeks. You know we never did the sonogram to learn the gender."
"I sorta wanna wait but what your thoughts?"
They chatted as Jess followed him to the classroom on the third floor. There they entertained the idea of names for the baby enjoying their lunch. Jess even sat in his chair facing the empty classroom. Laughing more they looked up seeing the plan period and lunch were nearly over.
"Look like I need to get to class Mr. Wenneck," she said gripping his tie and pulling him closer.
A sly smirk crossed him as his arms gathered her into a close embrace.
"Well Miss Billings, I seem to have a few more minutes—"
Filling the space between, he caressed her cheek and gave a deep kiss, neither of them hearing the bell ring. A collective gasp came from the door as Phil's students began to enter. Some of the girls were holding their face while others were crying.
"Wait is that Jess Billings? My brother graduated last year and he said she was the most popular girl because of Mr. Wenneck," said one student as they took their seats. Blushing, she looked back at Phil who was grinning at the board.
"Bye Mr. Wenneck," she teased stopping to allow the last student in.
"Bye future Mrs. Wenneck."
The class erupted into a fit of cheers and groans as it was confirmed, as it always was, that Phil belongs to someone and not his students. The laughter erupting was believable that he was getting better and things were turning right for them. Skipping down the hall, Jess was reminded of the halls and the secrets they held, remembering the once words he spoke so convincingly.
We just have to wait until you're not a student. Then we can be together.
And Phil was right. Rubbing her stomach knowing that Phil's child rest inside her, it filled her with glee knowing the family they had planned was happening. Jack was his and it was perfect everything was. But the feelings of regret of what was lost during the two years had and was taking a burden in a deep part of her mind. Pausing at her car door, she felt as though someone was watching her, but there was no one around she observed.
Returning home, she began lightly cleaning while humming to the music playing softly. She was thankful that Jack was still little enough that he and the new baby could share a room. Once summer was officially over, he said he would put together the crib and dresser. Folding Jack's clothing and putting it away, she saw how different it was compared to living with Jason. Always they had the best foods and the luxuries to make even the richest jealous. They had the top of line of everything. Here, she saw the manner she would live staying with Phil, which wasn't at Jason's income but modest enough to be comfortable.
Phil had promised to give her everything. Jess knew he would do that and more.
*dot*
The tracker was working, and she was driving north. Probably to Phil, he assumed. The tracker stopped and stayed in the same place for hours near the coastline just outside San Diego, which worried him greatly. Going out to find it, he found it still attached to the end of her hoodie, but it was hanging on a tree as it blew in the wind.
"Goddamnit!" he shouted realizing that she had slipped away so easily. Cursing his luck, he at least had her clue to getting Chow. Returning with the information, he ignored calls from everyone answering only his fathers. He kept a low-profile handling small tasks and staying mostly in the Mexican villa avoiding confrontation and slipping in and out of Mexico under the guise of his associates. It sucked being pushed into the trunk, but it was the safest manner for travel.
He felt like a prisoner and the nagging thought going through his mind was Jess. He to say sorry. Wrongs had to made right but nothing meant getting her back. That's why when he learned of Sid Garner passing, he knew he might see Jess. And see her, he did.
She looked beautiful in her black dress. Her hair was braided down her back and she appeared fuller around the middle than he remembered.
Is she pregnant? His mind wondered as he stared at her from the distance he sat at. Daring himself, he opened the door quietly and went to stand as close as he could. She was walked around watching her surroundings, but nothing had prepared him for this meeting with her and he knew now was not the time. She was grieving with the others, and he knew she didn't need him interfering.
Turning to leave, he felt his face become wet as he realized he was walked away from the one woman he truly loved and knew didn't love him anymore.